Shevarash Khostellus, The Vengeful

"In the shadows of eternity, where vengeance and sorrow intertwine, there stands a figure of relentless fury and unyielding resolve—the Black Archer, Shevarash. His is a tale etched in blood and sorrow, a saga of an elven warrior who transformed his grief into an eternal crusade against the darkness that claims our kin.

The annals of history speak of a night when the heavens wept and the earth trembled, a night known as the Dark Court Slaughter. On this fateful Midwinter night, the armies of drow and duergar emerged from the bowels of the Underdark, bringing with them a tide of destruction that overwhelmed the Elven Court and the realm of Sarphil. Amongst the carnage, amidst the ruins of lost hopes and broken alliances, one soul rose from the ashes of despair. This was Shevarash, the Black Archer.

Sworn to an oath of unending vengeance, Shevarash dedicated his life to a singular purpose: the utter annihilation of the drow and their malevolent deities. Driven by an all-consuming hatred, he became a relentless hunter of the dark elves, wielding his weapons with unerring precision and a heart steeled by loss. His path was one of solitary rage and relentless pursuit, a path that would lead him to the divine.

With the death of Shevarash, a new chapter was written as he ascended to the divine realm with the aid of Fenmarel Mestarine. Transformed into the Night Hunter and Arrow Bringer, his quest did not waver but intensified. Now a god, he continues his war against Lolth, Vhaeraun, and the dark gods of the Underdark, his rage as fervent as ever.

This holy tome serves as a testament to his undying resolve and the sacred tenets of his faith. Within these pages, you will find the chronicles of his deeds, the principles of his divine will, and the oaths sworn by his followers. Herein lies the essence of Shevarash's doctrine, a call to arms for those who share in his quest for vengeance and justice.

For those who seek to understand the nature of the Black Archer, to wield his weapons in battle, or to embrace his path of retribution, this book is both guide and inspiration. May you find within its verses the strength to continue the fight and the wisdom to honor his legacy. As Shevarash himself teaches, the greatest enemy of the Seldarine is the darkness that lies in wait, and only through relentless pursuit and unwavering determination can we hope to see the dawn of justice.

In the name of the Black Archer, the Night Hunter, and the Arrow Bringer, may his arrows guide your path and his wrath bolster your courage."

"The Book of Shevarash: The Eternal Pursuit"

Shevarash, known as the Black Archer, the Night Hunter, and the Arrow Bringer, is a deity embodying vengeance, loss, and the relentless pursuit of justice against those who have wronged the elven people. His story is one of profound grief, fierce retribution, and eventual divinity.

During a catastrophic event known as the Dark Court Slaughter, an alliance of dark forces emerged from the depths, devastating an assembly of elves and their allies. Shevarash, a skilled elven archer, survived this massacre, witnessing the death of his loved ones and the destruction of his homeland. Overwhelmed with sorrow and rage, he swore an oath to never smile or laugh again until the enemies responsible were vanquished.

The Dark Court Slaughter

The Dark Court Slaughter was a significant and devastating attack that occurred near the end of the Elf-Dwarf Wars. This event took place during a crucial meeting known as the Elven Court, which was held to renew and strengthen the bonds between the Elves and Dwarves and to reestablish their ancient alliances. Elven Court was a critical diplomatic gathering aimed at mending relations and reinforcing the alliances between the surface Elves and Dwarves. This meeting was intended to bring an end to the protracted conflicts and rebuild trust between the two races. The assault was launched by a coalition of dark forces from the Underdark, including drow (dark elves) and duergar (dark dwarves). Their goal was to disrupt the fragile peace and to take advantage of the weakened state of the surface dwellers. The attack resulted in a horrific massacre, with many attendees of the Elven Court slaughtered. Most of the prominent leaders from both races who had gathered for the meeting were killed in this brutal assault. As a result, the Elf-Dwarf Wars continued for nearly a century longer, and the ancient alliances between the Elves and Dwarves were never fully restored to their former strength.

The Dark Court Slaughter had a profound impact on Shevarash, an elven archer who was among the survivors. Witnessing the carnage and the death of his loved ones, Shevarash vowed never to smile or laugh again until the drow goddess Lolth and her followers were destroyed. The Dark Court Slaughter stands as a pivotal moment in the history of Shevarash and his people. It symbolizes the depths of his rage and the transformative event that set him on his path of relentless vengeance against the drow and their dark deities. The event is remembered annually by his followers as a somber reminder of their ongoing struggle and the personal sacrifices made by their deity. Driven by this vow, Shevarash waged a relentless campaign against his enemies, specifically targeting those who served the dark forces and the corrupted deities that led them. His life was a ceaseless struggle against the forces of darkness, marked by numerous battles and heroic deeds. His weapons, His Longbow, the infamous "Black Bow", the Sword "Traitorbane", the Spear "Shama", the Sling "Ukava", and the Mace "Maelat", became symbols of his divine mission.

Upon his death, Shevarash ascended to godhood with the aid of his divine allies. As a deity, he continued his tireless fight against the dark forces, focusing on the eradication of those who had wronged him and his people. His divine wrath became a powerful force, inspiring those who shared his quest for retribution.

The Church of Shevarash

The church of Shevarash, though small, is known for its unwavering discipline and single-minded focus on its mission. Followers of Shevarash dedicate their lives to the pursuit of vengeance against the dark forces that have harmed their people.

Clerics of Shevarash are deeply committed to their cause, spending their time strategizing, training, and carrying out raids against their enemies. Their daily activities include designing tactics for warfare, mapping out dark territories, and engaging in both small-scale hit-and-run attacks and larger assaults. They are driven by a sense of duty to protect their people and seek justice for past wrongs.

Their primary sacred observance is Midwinter Night, a solemn occasion commemorating the Dark Court Slaughter. On this night, new clerics are inducted into the faith, and all members renew their vows of vengeance. Each new cleric publicly renounces any joy or laughter, pledging to pursue their divine mission with unwavering resolve.

The ceremonial garb of the church includes silver chain mail, a blood-red half-cloak, and a silver helm with a half-visor. The holy symbol of Shevarash is a broken arrow shaft dipped in the blood of their enemies, signifying the ongoing struggle against their foes.

In their adventuring gear, clerics of Shevarash favor a range of weapons, including bows and swords, and they often wear chain mail for a balance of protection and mobility. They are known to seize the weapons and armor of their enemies, using them in their unending quest for vengeance.

Shevarash's followers are a dedicated and disciplined group, their lives consumed by the quest to root out and destroy those who pose a threat to their people. Their faith is marked by an unrelenting pursuit of justice, driven by the legacy of their deity's own bitter quest for retribution.

Divine Portfolio:

• Revenge
• Loss
• Hatred of the Drow
• Military Crusades

Religious Dogma:

1. Vengeance is sacred; seek out and destroy those who have wronged you or your kin, especially the drow and their dark deities.
2. Never moderate your pursuit of revenge; strike preemptively against those who would harm the Elven people.
3. Revenge and redemption are achieved through the utter destruction of the drow and their dark gods.
4. Adhere to the oath of never laughing or smiling until the drow goddess Lolth and her followers are destroyed.

Appearance and Symbols:

• Holy Symbol: A broken arrow above a teardrop.
• Regalia:
  1. Silver chain mail
  2. Blood-red half-cloak
  3. Silver helm with a fixed half-visor

Role in Ceremonies: The holy day of Midwinter Night is observed to commemorate the Dark Court Slaughter. Inductions into the clergy occur during this time, and each new priest swears oaths of vengeance and abstains from laughter and joy until the dark gods are destroyed.

Treatment of Worshippers, Priests, and Organizations:

• Worshippers: Followers are dedicated to the cause of vengeance and are highly disciplined. They participate in raids, battles, and strategic planning against the drow.
• Priests:
  • Priests of Shevarash are rigorously trained in warfare and tactics, specializing in combat against the drow. They are also involved in the strategic defense and offensive operations against drow territories.
  • They pray for their spells at dusk, aligning with the time when the drow are most active on the surface.
• Organizations:
  • Hierarchical Structure: The church operates under a strict hierarchy with dedicated roles in both military and clerical functions. Leaders are typically experienced warriors and tacticians.
• Punishment and Discipline:
  • Those who fail in their duties or betray the cause are subject to harsh penalties, including expulsion from the clergy or even ritualistic punishments, reflecting the god's uncompromising nature.

Temples and Influence:

• Temples: Temples of Shevarash are fortified structures often located on the fringes of known drow territories. They serve as both places of worship and strategic military outposts.
• Influence:
  • Role in Society: The presence of Shevarash's temples and followers is a constant reminder of the ongoing struggle against the drow. They play a crucial role in the defense and security of elven lands, influencing political and military decisions related to the Underdark conflicts.