Chthonic - Revision history

Tao alexis at 16:44, 28 January 2025

2025-01-28T16:44:09Z

Tao alexis at 16:36, 28 January 2025

2025-01-28T16:36:46Z

Tao alexis: /* Power */

2021-12-12T22:15:19Z

Power

Tao alexis at 22:14, 12 December 2021

2021-12-12T22:14:44Z

Tao alexis: /* Creatures Known to Be Chthonic */

2021-12-12T22:13:35Z

Creatures Known to Be Chthonic

Tao alexis: /* Power */

2021-12-12T22:13:19Z

Power

Tao alexis: /* Power */

2021-12-12T22:11:35Z

Power

Tao alexis at 22:11, 12 December 2021

2021-12-12T22:11:18Z

Tao alexis: /* Power */

2021-12-12T22:10:59Z

Power

Tao alexis: /* Power */

2021-12-12T22:00:50Z

Power

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 [[File:Chthonic.jpg|right|465px|thumb]]
-'''Chthonic''' describes deities and spirits associated with the "underworld," or the [[Lower Planes of Existence]], which are characterized by an overwhelming intensity of malevolence. While traditionally described as "evil" or "chaotic," a more accurate understanding recognizes the chthonic realm as one governed by an ideology of dark, infernal hatred and unrelenting resentment. This realm embodies a philosophy of corruption, torment, and rebellion against all that is virtuous or orderly.
+'''Chthonic''' describes deities and spirits associated with the "underworld," or the [[Lower Planes of Existence]], which are characterized by an overwhelming intensity of malevolence. While traditionally described as "evil" or "chaotic," a more accurate understanding recognizes the chthonic realm as one governed by an ideology of dark, infernal hatred and unrelenting resentment. This realm embodies a philosophy of corruption, torment and rebellion against all that is virtuous or orderly.
 __TOC__
 The common depiction of the chthonic tradition involves the eternal torment of wicked souls in an afterlife of unending suffering. However, the greater aim of the chthonic beings extends beyond punishing the sinful; they seek to bring the same torment upon the virtuous, corrupting the very essence of righteousness. The narrow boundary separating the lower planes from the [[Prime Material (inner plane)|Prime Material]] plane, as well as from the [[Upper Planes of Existence]], demands constant vigilance from the forces of righteousness. Without such vigilance, the chthonic powers may one day overrun the mortal world, subjecting it to their malevolent designs and leaving the virtuous planes vulnerable.
 == Power ==
-The power of the chthonic realm is as immutable as it is formidable. The substance of the chthonic universe and its inhabitants cannot be destroyed or subdued. Their power rivals that of the [[Apollonian]] realm, the embodiment of decency, righteousness, and order. The balance between these opposing forces is sustained by the center: the living beings of the [[Prime Material (inner plane)|Prime Material]] plane. Mortal belief, manifested through religion and faith, fuels both sides of this eternal struggle, empowering either the chthonic or the apollonian forces, depending on the direction of that belief.
+The power of the chthonic realm is as immutable as it is formidable. The substance of the chthonic universe and its inhabitants cannot be destroyed or subdued. Their power rivals that of the [[Apollonian]] realm, the embodiment of decency, righteousness and order. The balance between these opposing forces is sustained by the center: the living beings of the [[Prime Material (inner plane)|Prime Material]] plane. Mortal belief, manifested through religion and faith, fuels both sides of this eternal struggle, empowering either the chthonic or the apollonian forces, depending on the direction of that belief.
 Mortals in the Prime Material may draw power as easily from the chthonic as from the apollonian. However, should enough beings seek strength from the chthonic, they risk opening the gates of the underworld, collapsing the mortal realm into a state of torment. In such a scenario, the chthonic forces would establish their new line of siege at the gates of the upper planes, where the righteous would be forced to resist from an even weaker position.
-There will always be individuals willing to trade the world for personal power, and the chthonic beings eagerly await such mortals. These infernal entities readily grant power, knowing that one day they will consume the very souls they have corrupted. Their offers are enticing, often greater and more immediate than what the apollonian forces can provide. Each small victory by the chthonic realm further weakens its opposition, and even the chaotic and self-destructive nature of the underworld may eventually lead to a moment when the chains binding its denizens are shattered, unleashing untold devastation.
+There will always be individuals willing to trade the world for personal power and the chthonic beings eagerly await such mortals. These infernal entities readily grant power, knowing that one day they will consume the very souls they have corrupted. Their offers are enticing, often greater and more immediate than what the apollonian forces can provide. Each small victory by the chthonic realm further weakens its opposition and even the chaotic and self-destructive nature of the underworld may eventually lead to a moment when the chains binding its denizens are shattered, unleashing untold devastation.
 == Dweomercraft ==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:Chthonic.jpg|right|465px|thumb]]
-'''Chthonic''' describes deities and spirits of the "underworld," or [[Lower Planes of Existence]], known for their intensity of malevolence.  While traditionally chronicled as "evil" or "chaotic," a more precise delineation is to view the ideology and philosophy pervating the chthonic realm is one of dark, infernal hatred and ongoing resentment.  The tradition of torturing the souls of the wicked in an eternal afterlife of torment is familiar to most; but the greater scheme is to wreak the same torment upon the virtuous as well.  Since only a narrow boundary exists between the lower planes and [[Prime Material (inner plane)|Prime Material]], or even with the upper planes, it requires constant vigilance by the righteous to maintain the status quo, lest the life world be harrowed as a field of wheat.
+'''Chthonic''' describes deities and spirits associated with the "underworld," or the [[Lower Planes of Existence]], which are characterized by an overwhelming intensity of malevolence. While traditionally described as "evil" or "chaotic," a more accurate understanding recognizes the chthonic realm as one governed by an ideology of dark, infernal hatred and unrelenting resentment. This realm embodies a philosophy of corruption, torment, and rebellion against all that is virtuous or orderly.
 == Power ==
-Hard as it may be to grasp, the substance of the chthonic universe and the beings which inhabit it are immutable; the lower realms can never be destroyed or brought to heal; the power within them is as great as the power of the "[[Apollonian]]" realm, that of decency and righteousness.  The balance is maintained by the center — the living beings of the Prime Material whose belief, manifested as religion, gives power to each side of the eternal struggle.
+The power of the chthonic realm is as immutable as it is formidable. The substance of the chthonic universe and its inhabitants cannot be destroyed or subdued. Their power rivals that of the [[Apollonian]] realm, the embodiment of decency, righteousness, and order. The balance between these opposing forces is sustained by the center: the living beings of the [[Prime Material (inner plane)|Prime Material]] plane. Mortal belief, manifested through religion and faith, fuels both sides of this eternal struggle, empowering either the chthonic or the apollonian forces, depending on the direction of that belief.
-As a consequence, beings in the Prime Material may obtain their power as easily from the Chthonic as from the Apollonian ... and should enough beings seek power from the former, then the gates will be opened, the world will collapse into torment and the new line of siege will be established at the gates of the [[Upper Planes of Existence]], rather than where the line stands now.
+Mortals in the Prime Material may draw power as easily from the chthonic as from the apollonian. However, should enough beings seek strength from the chthonic, they risk opening the gates of the underworld, collapsing the mortal realm into a state of torment. In such a scenario, the chthonic forces would establish their new line of siege at the gates of the upper planes, where the righteous would be forced to resist from an even weaker position.
-There will always be individuals ready to trade away the world to obtain personal power — and chthonic beings lurk in wait for such people, granting them their desires knowing the day will come when those same benefactors will feast on the traitorous, avaricious and corrupt.  These horrific beings have tremendous power to give, and are ready to give it more freely than Apollonian beings.  Additionally, each small dark victory in the wide world weakens the more austere opposition — to where even the disparate, dog-eat-dog wanton masses of the underworld can one day find the way to break their chains.
+There will always be individuals willing to trade the world for personal power, and the chthonic beings eagerly await such mortals. These infernal entities readily grant power, knowing that one day they will consume the very souls they have corrupted. Their offers are enticing, often greater and more immediate than what the apollonian forces can provide. Each small victory by the chthonic realm further weakens its opposition, and even the chaotic and self-destructive nature of the underworld may eventually lead to a moment when the chains binding its denizens are shattered, unleashing untold devastation.
 == Dweomercraft ==
-Communication is established through the [[Sage Study|sage study]] of '''[[Dweomercraft (sage study)|Dweomercraft]]''', which can empower player characters into dalliances with the dark forces — or know enough to confound those forces when encountered.  Like the beings with whom dweomercraft communicates, this knowledge can never be truly eradicated, though many have tried.  It opens the door to the character's pursuit of malice and profanity, if this is their wish.
+Communication with the chthonic realm is facilitated through the [[Sage Study|sage study]] of '''[[Dweomercraft (sage study)|Dweomercraft]]'''. This knowledge empowers player characters to interact with the dark forces of the lower planes, either to engage in alliances with them or to develop the means to resist their influence. The lore of dweomercraft, like the chthonic beings themselves, cannot be destroyed, no matter how many attempts are made to eradicate it.
 == Creatures Known to Be Chthonic ==
-<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
+<div style="column-count:4;-moz-column-count:4;-webkit-column-count:4">
 * [[Balrog]]
 * [[Barbed Devil]]
@@ Line 30: / Line 34: @@
 * [[Manes]]
 * [[Marilith]]
 * [[Nalfeshnee]]
 * [[Pit Fiend]]
@@ Line 42: / Line 47: @@
 [[Bestiary]]<br>
 [[Outer Planes of Existence]]

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 As a consequence, beings in the Prime Material may obtain their power as easily from the Chthonic as from the Apollonian ... and should enough beings seek power from the former, then the gates will be opened, the world will collapse into torment and the new line of siege will be established at the gates of the [[Upper Planes of Existence]], rather than where the line stands now.
-There will always be individuals ready to trade away the world to obtain personal power — and chthonic beings lurk in wait for such people, granting them their desires knowing the day will come when those same benefactors will feast on the traitorous, avaricious and corrupt.  These horrific beings have tremendous power to give, and are ready to give it more freely than Apollonian beings.  Additionally, each small dark victory in the wide world weakens the more austere opposition — to where even the disparate, dog-eat-dog profane masses of the underworld can one day find the way to break their chains.
+There will always be individuals ready to trade away the world to obtain personal power — and chthonic beings lurk in wait for such people, granting them their desires knowing the day will come when those same benefactors will feast on the traitorous, avaricious and corrupt.  These horrific beings have tremendous power to give, and are ready to give it more freely than Apollonian beings.  Additionally, each small dark victory in the wide world weakens the more austere opposition — to where even the disparate, dog-eat-dog wanton masses of the underworld can one day find the way to break their chains.
 == Dweomercraft ==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:Chthonic.jpg|right|465px|thumb]]
-'''Chthonic''' describes deities and spirits of the "underworld," or [[Lower Planes of Existence]], known for their intensity of malevolence.  While traditionally chronicled as "evil" or "chaotic," a more precise delineation is to view the ideology and philosophy pervating the chthonic realm is one of dark, infernal hatred and ongoing resentment.  The tradition of torturing the souls of the wicked in an eternal afterlife of torment is familiar to most; but the greater scheme is to wreak the same torment upon the virtuous as well.  Since only a narrow boundary exists between the lower planes and Prime Material, or even with the upper planes, it requires constant vigilance by the righteous to maintain the status quo, lest the life world be harrowed as a field of wheat.
+'''Chthonic''' describes deities and spirits of the "underworld," or [[Lower Planes of Existence]], known for their intensity of malevolence.  While traditionally chronicled as "evil" or "chaotic," a more precise delineation is to view the ideology and philosophy pervating the chthonic realm is one of dark, infernal hatred and ongoing resentment.  The tradition of torturing the souls of the wicked in an eternal afterlife of torment is familiar to most; but the greater scheme is to wreak the same torment upon the virtuous as well.  Since only a narrow boundary exists between the lower planes and [[Prime Material (inner plane)|Prime Material]], or even with the upper planes, it requires constant vigilance by the righteous to maintain the status quo, lest the life world be harrowed as a field of wheat.
 == Power ==

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 This list remains partial and subject to expansion.
 See also,<br>
 [[Bestiary]]<br>
 [[Outer Planes of Existence]]

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 == Power ==
-Hard as it may be to grasp, the substance of the chthonic universe and the beings which inhabit it are immutable; the lower realms can never be destroyed or brought to heal; the power within them is as great as the power of the "[[Apollonian]]" realm, that of decency and righteousness.  The balance is maintained by the center — the living beings of the Prime Material whose belief, manifested as religion, gives power to each side of the eternal struggle.  As a consequence, beings in the Prime Material may obtain their power as easily from the Chthonic as from the Apollonian ... and should enough beings seek power from the former, then the gates will be opened, the world will collapse into torment and the new line of siege will be established at the gates of the [[Upper Planes of Existence]], rather than where the line stands now.
+Hard as it may be to grasp, the substance of the chthonic universe and the beings which inhabit it are immutable; the lower realms can never be destroyed or brought to heal; the power within them is as great as the power of the "[[Apollonian]]" realm, that of decency and righteousness.  The balance is maintained by the center — the living beings of the Prime Material whose belief, manifested as religion, gives power to each side of the eternal struggle.
 There will always be individuals ready to trade away the world to obtain personal power — and chthonic beings lurk in wait for such people, granting them their desires knowing the day will come when those same benefactors will feast on the traitorous, avaricious and corrupt.  Each small victory in the wide world weakens the opposition — to where even the disparate, dog-eat-dog profane masses of the underworld will find a way to break their chains.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:11, 12 December 2021
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−	[[File:Chthonic.jpg\|right\|~~490px~~\|thumb]]	+	[[File:Chthonic.jpg\|right\|465px\|thumb]]
	'''Chthonic''' describes deities and spirits of the "underworld," or [[Lower Planes of Existence]], known for their intensity of malevolence. While traditionally chronicled as "evil" or "chaotic," a more precise delineation is to view the ideology and philosophy pervating the chthonic realm is one of dark, infernal hatred and ongoing resentment. The tradition of torturing the souls of the wicked in an eternal afterlife of torment is familiar to most; but the greater scheme is to wreak the same torment upon the virtuous as well. Since only a narrow boundary exists between the lower planes and Prime Material, or even with the upper planes, it requires constant vigilance by the righteous to maintain the status quo, lest the life world be harrowed as a field of wheat.		'''Chthonic''' describes deities and spirits of the "underworld," or [[Lower Planes of Existence]], known for their intensity of malevolence. While traditionally chronicled as "evil" or "chaotic," a more precise delineation is to view the ideology and philosophy pervating the chthonic realm is one of dark, infernal hatred and ongoing resentment. The tradition of torturing the souls of the wicked in an eternal afterlife of torment is familiar to most; but the greater scheme is to wreak the same torment upon the virtuous as well. Since only a narrow boundary exists between the lower planes and Prime Material, or even with the upper planes, it requires constant vigilance by the righteous to maintain the status quo, lest the life world be harrowed as a field of wheat.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:10, 12 December 2021
Line 6:		Line 6:

	There will always be individuals ready to trade away the world to obtain personal power — and chthonic beings lurk in wait for such people, granting them their desires knowing the day will come when those same benefactors will feast on the traitorous, avaricious and corrupt. Each small victory in the wide world weakens the opposition — to where even the disparate, dog-eat-dog profane masses of the underworld will find a way to break their chains.		There will always be individuals ready to trade away the world to obtain personal power — and chthonic beings lurk in wait for such people, granting them their desires knowing the day will come when those same benefactors will feast on the traitorous, avaricious and corrupt. Each small victory in the wide world weakens the opposition — to where even the disparate, dog-eat-dog profane masses of the underworld will find a way to break their chains.
		+
		+	== Dweomercraft ==
		+	Communication is established through the [[Sage Study\|sage study]] of '''[[Dweomercraft (sage study)\|Dweomercraft]]''', which can empower player characters into dalliances with the dark forces — or know enough to confound those forces when encountered. Like the beings with whom dweomercraft communicates, this knowledge can never be truly eradicated, though many have tried. It opens the door to the character's pursuit of malice and profanity, if this is their wish.
		+
		+	== Creatures Known to Be Chthonic ==
		+	<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
		+	* [[Balrog]]
		+	* [[Barbed Devil]]
		+	* [[Bone Devil]]
		+	* [[Demon\|Demons]]
		+	* [[Devil\|Devils]]
		+	* [[Erinyes]]
		+	* [[Eye of the Deep]]
		+	* [[Glabrezu]]
		+	* [[Hezrou]]
		+	* [[Horned Devil]]
		+	* [[Ice Devil]]
		+	* [[Imp]]
		+	* [[Larva]]
		+	* [[Lemure]]
		+	* [[Manes]]
		+	* [[Marilith]]
		+	* [[Nalfeshnee]]
		+	* [[Pit Fiend]]
		+	* [[Succubus]]
		+	* [[Vrock]]
		+	</div>
		+
		+	This list remains partial and subject to expansion.
		+
		+	See also,<br>
		+	[[Bestiary]]<br>
		+	[[Outer Planes of Existence]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:00, 12 December 2021
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	Hard as it may be to grasp, the substance of the chthonic universe and the beings which inhabit it are immutable; the lower realms can never be destroyed or brought to heal; the power within them is as great as the power of the "[[Apollonian]]" realm, that of decency and righteousness. The balance is maintained by the center — the living beings of the Prime Material whose belief, manifested as religion, gives power to each side of the eternal struggle. As a consequence, beings in the Prime Material may obtain their power as easily from the Chthonic as from the Apollonian ... and should enough beings seek power from the former, then the gates will be opened, the world will collapse into torment and the new line of siege will be established at the gates of the [[Upper Planes of Existence]], rather than where the line stands now.		Hard as it may be to grasp, the substance of the chthonic universe and the beings which inhabit it are immutable; the lower realms can never be destroyed or brought to heal; the power within them is as great as the power of the "[[Apollonian]]" realm, that of decency and righteousness. The balance is maintained by the center — the living beings of the Prime Material whose belief, manifested as religion, gives power to each side of the eternal struggle. As a consequence, beings in the Prime Material may obtain their power as easily from the Chthonic as from the Apollonian ... and should enough beings seek power from the former, then the gates will be opened, the world will collapse into torment and the new line of siege will be established at the gates of the [[Upper Planes of Existence]], rather than where the line stands now.

−	There will always be individuals ready to trade away the world to obtain personal power — and chthonic beings ~~lay~~ in wait for such people, granting them their desires knowing the day will come when those same benefactors will feast on the traitorous, avaricious and ~~villainous~~. Each small victory in the wide world ~~advances~~ their	+	There will always be individuals ready to trade away the world to obtain personal power — and chthonic beings lurk in wait for such people, granting them their desires knowing the day will come when those same benefactors will feast on the traitorous, avaricious and corrupt. Each small victory in the wide world weakens the opposition — to where even the disparate, dog-eat-dog profane masses of the underworld will find a way to break their chains.