Proto Indo-European Demon Lord of Theft, Senseless Violence, & Ruin
Cult Edicts of NgWhi
- Seize the Abundance of Others
- Spread Great Disturbance
- Let the Dark Hordes Take Over
Minions of NgWhi
- Special: Also known as HngWhis, NgWhi is generally served by twisted clerics, witches (link), warlocks (link), and other treacherous and insane ne'er-do-wells.
- Allowed Weapons: Dagger, axe, sword, spear, with any tips and sharp edges made of bronze, copper, or stone, especially if it is curvy
- Allowed Armor: Leather or lighter
- Symbols: 3-Headed Snake, Black Rebellious Fist, Dark Figures Attacking White Ones
- Can Turn: Those who would oppose one of the 3 Heads / Aspects of NgWhi (detailed below)- bringers of fairness, reason, light, and/or who have had enough (if not known, a 1 in 12 chance). Roll to see which Head / Aspect applies in each encounter.
- Mysteries of Dark Ruin: Once per day per level, minions of NgWhi can sense the direction to the next victim that could temporarily satiate one of the 3 Heads of NgWhi. Where to find potential dupes, the unprepared, and the corruptible become revealed to them.
The 3 Heads / Aspects of NgWhi
The Demon Snake's minions do not get to pick an 'emphasis', they get an aspect that's picked for them. Roll a d3 every time one is needed, related concepts are included for each. Though distinct in their poisons, the heads derive from the same, foul body, often working in horrific concert: seizing the prosperity of humans goes with beatings and can certainly turn their lands non-human.
Such is NgWhi's abhorrent response to the cosmic order and goodness of the 3-part division of Proto Indo-European society, perverting the necessary roles of workers, warriors, and priests.
1. Seize the Abundance of Others
loss (especially of cattle, water, and the like), foolish charity, corruption, cost, cannot make ends meet
2. Spread Great Disturbance
wanton violence, betrayal, dumb brutes, inability to feel safe, hopelessness
wanton violence, betrayal, dumb brutes, inability to feel safe, hopelessness
3. Let the Dark Hordes Take Over
invasion of orcs & goblinoids, human naivety thus, lure of the dark, abominations, societal collapse
invasion of orcs & goblinoids, human naivety thus, lure of the dark, abominations, societal collapse
Magical Side-Effects of NgWhi
Replace the NgWhi words below with a random one of the 3 Heads / Aspects of NgWhi each time a minion attempts to cast a spell. It then changes the side-effect too. Roll d12.
1. Wrath of NgWhi: Darkness cannot be constrained for long. The 3-headed serpent lashes out at its minion. Though the spell may still work if it would specifically serve the Head / Aspect (a 50% chance), the minion experiences a demon test if it doesn't (see Part II).
2. NgWhi's Price: The magic requires a sacrifice by the stroke of midnight. It must be done in a particularly despicable way and have an HD equal to or greater than the spell’s level. Nevertheless, a victim that would oppose the Head / Aspect would only need to be 1/2 the HD, providing NgWhi with vicious glee. In any case, failing to do so in time also provokes a demon test.
3. NgWhi Poison Dripping: The Ebony Demon Snake causes 1d6 damage, as well as a -1d6 penalty to rolls for 1d6 turns to the spell's target in a way reflective of the Head / Aspect in question. The one affected can save vs. paralysis/ make a Constitution save DC 15 to avoid it, but then cannot reap benefit from the noxious spell (if any).
4. Depths of NgWhi: The minion must have committed a dark deed matching the Head / Aspect within the last 1d6 turns, or at least be advocating for it with depraved speech or sign. If not, then the magic will happen 1d12 rounds later instead, allowing its corrupt nature to slither in.
5. NgWhi's Dark Domain: The immediate 1d12 x 20' area takes on a disturbing appearance befitting the Head / Aspect for the next 3d6 rounds. All who remain or venture within will suffer a -1d6 to all rolls, -3d6 if they are antithetical to such things.
6-8. Standard Magic: The spell works without side-effect this time. Still, there’s a 33% chance of one of NgWhi's cult edicts being shown somehow.
9. NgWhi Revealed: Triple darkness draws close. The minion changes, becoming more visibly polluted, swarthy and blackened, if not so already, for 1d6 hours. They gain a +1d3 bonus to rolls made to harm others during that time, +1d6 against those who oppose the Head / Aspect indicated. On the other hand, many will more easily note how blasphemous the minion is.
10-11. Spell of NgWhi: As long as the minion has done harm in a way that reflects the Head / Aspect sometime within the last 2d6 hours, then the spell's effect, range, or duration is increased by 50%. If all three heads have been represented, then one of those aspects can be doubled. If none, then other minions of NgWhi will begin to turn on them, seeing the minion as growing soft, and plan to do some harm of their own.
12. NgWhi Ruin: The Ebony Serpent's heads strike, and the magic's effect, range, or duration may be increased x3, as well as not being expended so it can be cast again that day, but only if it is done in a way to spread the Head / Aspect. If not, then it will strike the minion instead, causing the opposite in appropriate harm, x3.
For example, if a minion of NgWhi rolled Spread Great Disturbance as one of the 3 Heads / Aspects, then Magical Side-Effect #3 would cause harm and penalties with the spell's target being attacked by those they wouldn't expect, perhaps dubbed Wanton Violence Poison Dripping. Those who do save wouldn't gain any help if the spell happened to be a beneficial one. Magical Side-Effect #9 could be Dumb Brute Revealed, making them turn dark and have a +1d3 bonus to harm others, +1d6 vs. those who would work against spreading great disturbance.
Next week: tests of NgWhi and folk variations.
RPG srd Old School 1st ed AD&D Demon Snake Proto-Indo-European Cleric Domains Priest Spheres PDF Yamnaya
