Brashq
Contents
Krosban Description
So many seek immortality, but only the fools take the route of undeath. I will not judge all of those trapped in that terrible state, for not everyone has a choice, but to follow the god of Undeath is folly. I do not have to meet the god in order to know his twisted evil. I have seen it in the walking dead that cry for release. Witnessed it in the hollow eyes of shambling skeletons that should be resting peacefully in graves. I have stared it down in the hungry red eyes of vampires, and seen the terrible price they must pay.
Portfolio
To be dead and walk amongst the living, that is the realm of Brashq. Every walking dead, every shambling shell, every immortal vampire is a tribute to his evil, whether they wish it or not. Brashq controls every aspect of ‘life’ after death. He stands waiting amid the stream of souls, seeking those spirits who want another chance to live, were not ready to die, or seek power. He comes to them in a hansom skin, and whispers to them promises of a life where they will never die again. Once they accept the Faustian deal is sealed and the subject returns as the living dead, a macabre tribute to the god of Undeath.
Followers
Followers of the god of Undeath seek to become more like their god and gain life unending. True necromancers rally behind his flag, and priests preach of long lasting life and beauty that never fades. Living sacrifices to the god grant blood blessings, and service can lead to vampirism or even lichdom. Some try to trick the god into granting them undeath, but Brashq is a patient god, and more than willing to wait for the newly undead to begin wishing they had chosen a different route before enslaving them. One can taste of the poisoned fruit, but they will still die.
Appearance
Brashq appears first to beings along the stream of souls, stepping forward in the form of a well-kept man in a suit, making his first offer. For the soul who looks close though, they will see through the weak façade the evil god puts up. He likes nothing more than for the unsuspecting to realize who his is. The smooth face peels away revealing the grim skull of the god. The gods voice is silky smooth and his body appears to be in various stages of decay. Oftentimes half of the face is revealed to the onlooker, but it is more than enough to glimpse the cruel yellow glow that burns deep in the god’s eye sockets, tempting them down a path that will lead to unending life and sure damnation.
Burial Rites
The burial rites of Brashq were found upon a plaque hidden within the ever-changing temple of bone. They read as a poem and leave much to the imagination
- The dead go in piled high,
- Graves and crypts and deep black holes.
- Rise, rise, they will again,
- Steal beating hearts and breathing’s toll.
Lineage
Brashq is the son of Surdem and Zamikeye. His brother is Sendall. It was believed by many that Pasquirn was the mother of the brothers but during the Tribes of Four conflict, Zamikeye revealed the truth, further dividing the Pantheon.
During Saratta's “Golden Age”, Brashq overthrew his father as the god of Death and took the Crown of Thorns from him. Brashq would later loose the crown to Marisse in a bet, and commit the Artifact to the mortal realm. He rose a throne of bones upon the Stream of Souls where he awaits those who would seek his blessing.
Brashq is said to be responsible for starting the Tribes of Four conflict when he used his godly power to reach into Saratta and destroy on of his own places of power when a group of mortals drew the attention of Balphurus and Telraedye, each who were seeking a foothold within the god's domain. Such displays of power are forbidden among the gods, and required an act of penance. Brashq has been attempting to gather Artifacts to be returned to their rightful places since the event, leading many gods to stake claims on Artifacts that may or may not be their own.
Previous Aspects
Before Brashq took on the title of Lord of the Undead, he was the aspect of Vengeance. He was revered as Ulriiutu by the Elves and was often depicted in statuettes as a tall trim elven male with jet black hair. He dawned crimson robes and bore a crooked longsword that the elves named Hajinn the Culling Blade.
His name, and references to his ancient aspect are still contained inside forgotten reliquaries, etched permanently into stone. In these aged halls there once existed great assassins guilds (The Fang of Septra, Gauntstone, and the Pale Claw to name a few). It is said that these guilds could hear the call of their master from anywhere in the world and could bring act out ones desires with but a thought. The guilds fell apart when Brashq seemed to stop speaking to them.
Brashq appears to have been most pleased when an individual seeking revenge acted out on their own. He became the god of the disenfranchised, the trampled and shamed, empowering them to fulfill their vengeful desires. Little ritual was required to commune with his aspect beyond a bloodletting and a heart filled with a desire for revenge. The power did not come without a price however, for revenge is an unending circle and continues to feed itself. The price and punishment is never described in full within the texts beyond revealing that it was always tailored to the individual.
According to Legend, Brashq brought the full force of his vengeance upon his father Surdem after learning that his twin brother Sendall had been cast out of the Pantheon. Brashq bound his father to the Last Gate, transforming Hajinn into an unbreakable chain (a mimic of the Chain of Fate that Surdem favored as a weapon), reforged by restless souls who felt betrayed by the god of Death. Brashq took the Crown of Thorns from his father and assumed the mantle of god of Undeath, rising to infamy.