Morxes

## Overview

Un-retired supervillain and Cardinal of Avernus.

## Biography

Until a few years ago, Morxes was a member of the Seekers of the Darkest Flame of the Priest caste and lived in Dis. During this period, Morxes' ambition was boundless and he committed no end of dark deeds to further his goals. When Dis fell, Morxes escaped to Avernus, but either did not seek reinstatement in the Priest caste or else was denied. Whatever the case, he found work as a bartender and made his peace with his fate.

Morxes was later persuaded to rejoin the Priest caste and become a elector by the Outcaste, in part because of his distaste for Karakas and the Thryxi. It seems likely that he was also responsible for the sudden disappearance of Barthos.

After the election, Morxes left Avernus for Nessus, and took ownership of Vik's strangely abandoned bar in Little Dis. He kept an eye on Shalre, and revived her several times when she would have otherwise died from drinking unsafe alcohol. Eventually, reports of Karakas' mismanagement of the city reached his ears, and he resolved to take matters into his own hands. He allowed Shalre to die, somehow acquired Cardinal Xeltian's aid, and then informed the Outcaste that he'd be taking the cardinalship of Avernus one way or another ... but that the death toll would be lower if they helped.

With the Outcaste's help, Morxes ousted Karakas from Avernus and was elevated to the position of cardinal. He wasted no time in outlawing the Three-in-Five, publicly murdering potential enemies and untrustworthy allies, and removing external threats to the city's stability.

## Speech Upon Elevation To Cardinal

**Today** I accept a position I did not want. But it was necessary that I take it, so here I stand. For order. For survival. To that end, let me begin with my proclamations.

**First,** the Thryxi are declared anathema, by unanimous consent of the Council of Bishops. The penalty is death. *[Pause for hanging of 38 prisoners.]*

Furthermore, by the power vested in me by the Faerie Sympathizers Act of the 8th Year of the Black, I hereby expand this order to include all related supremacist ideologies. *[Pause for Cardinal Morxes to kill Bishop Zarai by axe.]*

The Three-in-Five is hereby dissolved. Members have until midnight to stand before Asmodeus and forswear their allegiance.

**Second,** Avernus will now begin a return to normalcy, and to the principles of its founders. The Docks shall open. Trade shall flow. We shall acclaim Inibis of Cania as the rightful Pope of the Flame. And there shall be five castes, four above and one below, as decreed by Eren the Prophet.

However, we cannot be a society of stagnation and mediocrity. Henceforth, those of the upper castes who prove themselves weak and incapable shall be stripped of rank, and replaced with the most powerful and cunning of the Labor caste. Strive, and in striving make Avernus stronger.

Therefore, I call upon the newest member of the nobility to rise. All hail, Baron Uther of House Uthersson.

**Third,** treason and sedition against the Black Cities cannot be allowed to flourish unchecked, regardless of caste. The penalty, as detailed in our oldest laws, is death. *[Pause for Cardinal Morxes to kill Baron Uthersson by incineration.]*

For all others who participated in Avernus' descent into chaos and lawlessness, I offer clemency, in this hour and on this day, and then never again. Transgress no more, and your crimes shall be forgotten.

As there is a vacancy granted by Baron Uthersson's treachery, I call upon the newest member of the nobility to rise as his replacement. All hail, Baron Noor of House Fairway.

**Fourth,** outside influences cannot be allowed to disrupt the healing of our city. This extends to castes unrecognized by Avernian law, as well as armed encampments of foreign soldiers in our most holy sites. These intruders are hereby banished from Avernus for a period of five years. You have three days to remove yourselves, or you will be forcibly expelled.

**Fifth,** I remind every citizen that we are surrounded on all sides by a foe who desires our death, and who destroyed an eighth of mortalkind not even four years ago. It is madness that we have forgotten this. You may strive for power and dominance, as is right and proper, but do not ⁠— do not *ever* ⁠— forget who our true enemy is.

**That is all.** Go and be well, in the names of the Asmodeus and His Prophet.

## Interactions with PCs

Morxes was kidnapped by Yurali at the PCs request, who then interviewed him for use as an elector. A thought-scan showed that he had a very dark and bloody past, but his distaste for Karakas seemed genuine, and the PCs chose him rather than Barthos, who technically had the better claim.

Morxes informed the PCs that Blackpenny was not who he appeared to be.

Morxes announced his intention to go to Avernus and remove Karakas from power. He seems to have Xeltian's backing.

Morxes was successful in his bid to become cardinal of Avernus.