Numnus (U-15)

Numnus, a once devout priest of the revered Church of the Nine Hells, eventually succumbed to darkness and transformed into a sinister figure known as "The Devourer." Forsaking his faith in the gods, he turned his back on their teachings and established a cult that worshipped him as a self-proclaimed deity. With a twisted desire for power and control, Numnus set forth on a destructive path to build his own dominion.

Driven by his insatiable hunger for supremacy, Numnus orchestrated a series of malevolent acts that plunged the city of Küstehauf into chaos and despair. His cult grew in strength, spreading their twisted ideology and sowing discord among the inhabitants. The once-thriving city became a symbol of fear and oppression under Numnus' tyrannical rule.

However, fate had different plans for Numnus. A group of valiant heroes known as Smallish Threat, united by their determination to bring justice and restore harmony, rose up to challenge the self-proclaimed deity. Through their unwavering courage and unwavering loyalty to the principles of light, they confronted Numnus in an epic battle that would decide the fate of Küstehauf. This confrontation would end with Numnus' death and the dissintegration of his forces.

## Character

Numnus, also known as "The Devourer," is a corpulent and bald man, with only a few long, black hairs remaining on his head. The remnants of his past as a priest of the Church of the Nine Hells are evident in his attire, as he still wears a bronze mask and possesses four black horns, symbols of his fervent devotion to Morkados.

However, after undergoing a gruesome transformation, Numnus became an amorphous entity resembling a colossal slug. He sported a massive mouth, brimming with razor-sharp teeth, capable of engulfing an adult human without the need for chewing. Despite his altered form, Numnus retained his enlarged horns, now even more menacing, while his once elaborate bronze mask was reduced to simple eye-covering plates.

Once an ardent follower of the Church and a loyal devotee of King Morkados, Numnus found himself adrift and lost following the monarch's mysterious disappearance. His zealous faith took a twisted turn, fueling his ambition and cruelty, driving him to commit unspeakable atrocities in his quest to ascend to godhood. Numnus's overconfidence and misplaced trust led him to underestimate the heroes, a fatal mistake in their climactic battle.

## History

### Background

Numnus was born in Ghaba, a picturesque island, shortly after King Morkados had brought about a much-needed era of peace. The emergence of the Reborn Kingdom marked a significant shift, as it also brought the Church of the Nine Hells to the surface. This newfound presence sparked a relentless campaign to recruit human followers and facilitate the transition. Recognizing his potential, Numnus's parents sent him to train as an apprentice, nurturing his aspirations of becoming a member of the clergy. Immersed in the teachings of various monasteries, Numnus delved deep into the intricacies of devil culture, forging an unwavering devotion to King Morkados and his illustrious lineage.

Years of dedicated study and unwavering faith culminated in Numnus's elevation to the esteemed rank of priest. Tasked with supporting the underprivileged villages of Ghaba that were overlooked by the capital, Numnus found great joy in selflessly aiding those in need.

However, the sacrificial act of King Morkados had an unexpected consequence for Numnus. Gradually, he felt the waning of his god's power within him, like a dimming flame. Though he retained fragments of his extraordinary abilities and experienced a slowed aging process, the once-constant guiding light that had illuminated his path disappeared, leaving him adrift in the shadows. Determined to regain the divine connection he had lost, Numnus embarked on a prolonged journey, traversing uncharted territories and seeking guidance from every corner of the realm. Alas, his efforts proved futile, and Numnus came to a heart-wrenching realization — his god had forsaken him, as had countless other faithful souls.

Yet, instead of succumbing to despair, an insidious ambition began to consume Numnus. In his desperate pursuit of significance, he resolved to assemble an ardent following of devoted believers and formidable warriors. His ultimate goal was to become a radiant beacon of hope for his followers. However, Numnus recognized that true power must be earned. Thus, he embraced a dark and abhorrent practice, delving into the horrors of cannibalism. He convinced himself that by consuming the flesh of others, he would inherit their strength and abilities. This gruesome propensity earned him the infamous epithet of "The Devourer."

### Attacking Küstehauf

Empowered by the twisted rituals he performed, Numnus and his loyal followers set their sights on Küstehauf, a thriving colonial city within the Stellung territories. The city stood as a bastion of prosperity, replete with abundant resources and a grand church that beckoned to Numnus as a symbol of his dominance. Determined to claim Küstehauf as his own, Numnus dispatched six formidable Reborn Knights as envoys, aiming to swiftly secure the city's surrender. However, Lord Marten Batenhorst, a noble with unyielding spirit, defied Numnus's demand. Enraged by the defiance, Numnus captured Lord Batenhorst and his entire family, subjecting them to unspeakable torment under his merciless grip.

A brutal and protracted battle ensued as Numnus's forces clashed with Küstehauf's valiant defenders. Eventually, the indomitable might of Numnus prevailed, as his forces overpowered the city's garrison, seizing control of the strategically vital port. Fuelled by a sadistic euphoria, Numnus reveled in his triumph by brutally devouring every inhabitant of the port, starting with the Batenhorst family, their anguished cries echoing through the night.

The audacious attacks on merchant ships orchestrated by Numnus did not go unnoticed. Wakil Ashraf, a prince hailing from the distant realm of Madan Alyaqa, became acutely aware of the escalating threat posed by The Devourer. Understanding the urgent need for action, Wakil Ashraf sought out Selene Silverwood, a renowned warrior, and rallied a formidable team of heroes to confront Numnus and bring an end to his reign of terror. The fall of Küstehauf had far-reaching consequences, reverberating through neighboring Stellung colonies, resulting in the deposition of Friedrich Stauffenberg in the city of Walstung.

While Numnus reveled in his newfound dominion, he faced an unexpected assault from a squad of skilled vegewas from the distant realm of Kirdege. Although Numnus's soldiers valiantly fought against the vegewas, ultimately killing or capturing most of them, one wily survivor, Dulia, managed to elude their grasp.

### Fate

It was during this tumultuous period that the heroes, led by Selene Silverwood and accompanied by the enigmatic automaton Hans, arrived near Küstehauf. Joined by Dulia, a reluctant ally, they embarked on a perilous mission to rescue Nerass, a vegewa held captive by Numnus. Their audacious escapade proved successful, freeing Nerass from the clutches of The Devourer.

United in their resolve to eliminate the formidable threat that Numnus posed, the heroes confronted him in his desecrated church. The ensuing battle was a cataclysmic clash of ideologies and powers. In a heart-stopping moment, Kayl Esholl, one of the heroes, was momentarily ensnared and devoured by the ravenous Devourer. But their indomitable spirit and unyielding determination propelled them forward. In a climactic act of heroism, Musca, a gifted wielder of arcane fire, managed to plunge a scorching fire sphere into the gaping maw of the Devourer, obliterating him in a cataclysmic blaze and bringing an end to his malevolent existence.

With Numnus's reign of terror extinguished, the heroes stood triumphant, their deeds echoing through the annals of history as they had banished the darkness that had plagued the land. Yet, the scars left behind by The Devourer's atrocities would forever remind the world of the destructive power that could emerge from the depths of one man's ambition.