Difference between revisions of "Bayyal"

Revision as of 19:16, 3 June 2011

History in Avendar

Wizened nefortu speak grandly of their ancient southern home, which flourished in the wake of the Sundering. Hot, plentiful, and laden with precious stones, this paradise spoke to many of the young race's loves: glittering prizes, easy living, and time for many tricks. It is said that here, the nefortu invented all manner of games, and developed the earliest concept of money. This grand lifestyle, storytellers say, was brought to an abrupt end with the coming of an unexpected guest: Bayyal.

As Sythrak and His warlords marched from Sythtys across the known world, Bayyal first appeared to the nefortu. He was not a teacher and had not come to elevate the race; rather, He stumbled upon mortal Avendar and sought to destroy it. His presence alone sparked the nefortu imagination, and some say imbued the race with a natural affinity for Fire magic. Predictably, Bayyal possessed only the mindless will to tear apart all He encountered. Many nefortu fled their home to avoid the ravages of the Reaper, while others were utterly awed by His magnificence. These few, Bayyal allowed to live, for the moment. It is difficult to know which of the two was truly more destructive.

Sensing the human settlement of Ashta Harrud in the distance, Bayyal moved swiftly and inevitably toward it. Some nefortu, insane with the knowledge of magic and delighted at the spectacle of the Reaper's power, followed behind. As the aelin and humans of the far north were beseeching the Titans, Bayyal's unholy fury annihilated the ancient civilization of Harrud. His terrifying power was so great that it ravaged the earth itself, transforming the once fertile plains into the vast Crimson Sands. His dread march continued north, leaving a wasteland in His fiery wake.

The Father of the Seas, roused from His long slumber, immediately retaliated against Bayyal. Jolinn impaled the Reaper upon a great spire and bound Him with chains of ice. Iandir agreed that the actions of Bayyal were in violation of the Compact, and the punishment, much like Jolinn's own which had preceded it, was allowed to continue. The Reaper's anger, hatred, and fury has only grown in intensity during the long ages since. Great wars have come and gone; civilizations have risen and fallen; but Bayyal's malice is an unquenchable, everlasting blaze.

Goals and Methods

Bayyal's goal is more obvious than most: to destroy everything He can. He has no concern whatsoever for what is targeted by this destruction and makes no long term plans. He is driven on entirely by a relentless hatred of all life. In contrast to Ashur, Bayyal does not seek a form of ultimate oblivion or a return to nothingness. Instead, He intends far more to raze, despoil, and burn; all of which require the Prime to exist. As well, Bayyal's unthinking rage differs from Alil's insanity, because it is far less intentionally self-destructive, and far more damaging to others.

The Reaper's only true methods are senseless rage, rampant fury, and heavy loss of life. He revels in Fire magic, as its wanton devastation closely mirrors His own frightful desires. His only use for mortals is in their capacity to destroy, to act as His claws upon the Prime. He is notorious for slaying His own devoted out of hand for His own amusement if they bore him; unsurprisingly, their lives are often as short as they are explosive. Bayyal is especially pleased by claiming former water scholars as His own, in a vain attempt to lash out at Jolinn for His imprisonment.

Organizations and Followings

some dudes

"a fake quote"

the really, really, fucking angry, violent bastards

some other dudes

"another placeholder"

sniped ex-goodies

also some dudes

yup

dudes focused on making people hate them

Individual Followers

Poor impulse control and destructive rages are the hallmarks of Bayyal's followers. They often strike at anyone, without warning, simply for their own amusement. It is rare that a chosen of Bayyal shows even the tiniest concern for his own life, although he usually ensures many others die along with him. Because of these behaviors, the Reaper's devoted have a multitude of enemies and few friends. Their treatment is often determined more by their own power; if they are strong, their intimidating presence will terrorize those they meet, while if they are weak, they will be little more than a pitiable firecracker. Inevitably, the life of a Bayyal follower is a nearly always a short one.

Worship of Bayyal is all but unheard of in large settlements. While He appeals primarily to the nefortu, whose natural temperament complements His own, He has had a substantive following amongst other races. Fire scholars and templars tend to find commonality with the Reaper and His methods, as they too are inspired by the feverish call of the flame. Mainstream society all but rejects Bayyal, and disallow public worship for public safety reasons. However, the descendents of His earliest nefortean followers maintain a shrine to Him not far from the Crimson Sands.

Those who find favor with the Lord of Hatred are marked with the Sigil of the Crimson Flame.

Relationships

Bayyal is an ally to no one within the pantheon. His furious anger and hate-mad following make Him an enemy of all of the gods of law. Jalassa is repulsed by Bayyal's unthinking nature; Iandir recognizes Him as a threat to order on many levels; and Rveyelhi despises Him for His constant disruptions. Gods of evil occasionally share purpose with Bayyal, although He is never trusted or relied upon. Serachel, in particular, hates the Reaper's proclivity for mindlessly destroying the spoils of victory. The gods of light reject Bayyal and all that He stands for, as His fiery whims almost always seek to kill or despoil all they hold dear. Bayyal reserves His greatest and deepest hatred for Jolinn, whom He rightfully blames for His eons of imprisonment. Gods of chaos are predictably divided on the subject of Bayyal. Alil, in particular, finds Him a welcome addition to the pantheon. Others, such as Girikha, would as soon see Bayyal bound forever.

Tzajai provides the closest comparison to Bayyal, in that they are both nefortean deities of chaos. However, their aims are so different that they ultimately have little use for one another. Tzajai is far more concerned with His games than the destruction Bayyal so cherishes, while Bayyal sees no use in whimsy. Additionally, Bayyal sees no value in the bargaining or contracts of Ayaunj. She finds Him as boorish as He is dull, instead content to lavish in all that glitters. This lack of consensus or common, shared values characterizes the internal chaos of the nefortean world.

Shrines, Sigils, and Mobs

Areas

Kzaya Ha Canyon (vnums 18000-18149)

Rooms

A Charred Stone Chamber (vnum 6343)

Sigils

Tier 1 - the Sigil of the Crimson Flame (vnum 1266)

• AC 0/0/0/0
• HP +20
• Damroll +4
• Fight prog 3: Smolder (character's level)

Mobs

A nefortean priest (vnum 6326) - A fire templar mob in the sewers at an altar

A charred, hunched nefortu (vnum 18011) - Easy-ass boss of Kzaya Ha Canyon

Notes, Logs, and Other Documents

Helps

Old Bayyal help file

Fiction

Logs