Zagreus
Thracian God of the Underworld, Trials, Death, Doom, & RebirthTenets of Zagreus
* Dwell under, for below is primal
* Beware the treacherous and the titans who would consume you
* Honor death and doom, uncovering inner truth
* Be born again, transcending via the gods
Priests of Zagreus
- Special: Also known as Sabazius, Zagreus is served by priests, mystic-seers, and corybantes, the latter two described in Part II.
- Allowed Weapons: staff, club, dagger
- Allowed Armor: none
- Symbols: Dark Pit, Suffering Man, Madman, Joyous Man
- Can Turn: Those who have not yet faced their inner darkness. If not known, there's a 20% chance of it being so if the subject is human, demihuman, or humanoid.
- Mysteries of Zagreus: Priests of Zagreus can grant a +3 bonus to a save to one who is within 60' when underground, facing death or doom, experiencing treachery, or experiencing understanding. They may do so up to once per day per level.
Magical Side-Effects of Zagreus
Looking down, passing rage, for it all can seem so strange.
1. Underglow: The magic must be used underground, to reflect darkness, or at night at least. If not, then it won't work and there's a 25% chance of the priest triggering a divine test or having the spell be lost too (an equal chance of either).
1. Underglow: The magic must be used underground, to reflect darkness, or at night at least. If not, then it won't work and there's a 25% chance of the priest triggering a divine test or having the spell be lost too (an equal chance of either).
2. Animal Depths: Flesh is what sustains you. Unless the priest consumes raw meat or has some other carnal orgy, then the magic will only function at 50% its normal power. What is more, there's a 25% chance of him triggering a divine test or losing the spell for the day too if this happens, as the titans seek to consume him instead (also an equal chance of either).
3. Dimetor: Mother, Mother, Father, whence come I? Pondering his lineage and descendants, the priest must take 1d3 extra rounds to cast the spell. If not, then the gods will have it occur 1d3 rounds later instead, suggesting where such might lead.
4. Thracian Abandon: All within 120' gain a +1 bonus to their next roll that's related to introspection, death or doom, wanton dance, torchlight bearing, or partaking of raw flesh.
5-8. Standard Spell: The magic occurs as usual this time.
9. Life's Lash: If the priest has endured some hardship such as a wound, foul news, betrayal, or other misfortune within the last 1d6 hours, then the spell's effect, range, or duration can be increased by 50%. If not, then the opposite occurs, likely bringing him some hardship then.
10-11. Sparagmos: The titans set down to rend and eat. If the priest lets them dine, he takes 1d2 damage to a random ability score, but also allows his magic's effect, range, or duration to be doubled too. Such damage can be healed at the rate of 1 point per dark night's rest.
12. Blessing of Zagreus: The spell's effect, range, or duration is increased x2, and it is not expended so it can be cast again that day. What is more, if it's meant to be helpful, the spell's recipient gains a +3 bonus to saves when acting according to Zagreus' tenets for the next 1d6 turns.
Next week: divine tests, folk variations, and specialized classes of Zagreus in Part II!
