Neld-Rac

Neld-Rac
CategoryHigher Powers
PowerLesser
WorldGears Infinite (Mechanus)
RaceDurkoth (Shade)
Gendermale
Alignmentchaotic neutral
Symbolshadowy fingers
DomainArtifice, Chaos, Madness, Shadow
Enemiesunknown
Born9 Temporal 2794 LE
Godhood16 Artifice 1121 HE

In 862 HE, refugees of the world Osâchar, aboard ancient primordial troop carriers, the Helas Vessels, entered Bal-Kriav's atmosphere. On board one of these vessels was the then mortal Neld-Rac. He was one of the three Saints of Maen, a former leader of the Horgon Empire (159 HE - 537 HE).

On Bal-Kriav, Neld-Rac and his Durkoth minions spread their influence and tyranny upon the primitive peoples dwelling in the western territories of the Aerie of Dragons. In his mortal days, Neld-Rac, unlike most other Durkoth, was more interested in his experiments than dominating lesser races. He used powerful Durkoth alchemy and magic in the Spire to create a race of creatures called the Muneyd'vith. This was done by forced breeding of Kriistvrii with ogre-magi. Some say Neld-Rac was also responsible for influencing the behavior and intellect of the Toomrur. His base of influence was his Helas Vessel, what would become known to many as the Spire of Neld-Rac.

In 1121 HE Neld-Rac passed through the Temple of Ascension, becoming a Cult Power. At the time, most of his worshipper base was centered around Limac-Nîr.

In 1355 HE, the last year of the Durkoth Descent (995 HE - 1355 HE), many of Neld-Rac's followers disappeared into their great hibernation vaults. With a much diminished worshipper base gone, he turned to finding new followers among the natives.

In 1026, two thousand years since the Durkoth abandoned the Spire for ocean deeps, lore seekers in the employ of Bralda-Balc entered the alien structure. One of the things they plundered from the place were the Lab Journals of Neld-Rac. These were technical writings in lab journal form, done in such a way that they talk of himself highly and convincingly, such that many end up becoming deeply interested, at a religious level, to Neld-Rac.

From all accounts, 9 out of 10 who read them become a convert to Neld-Rac. Gleaning the secrets of them comes at a stiff price that may make one a staunchly loyal mouthpiece of its writer.

- Mordesou, party member of the Sisters of Kyprix - "Neld-Rac's Journal Curse"

Over time, those tricked spread Neld-Rac's gospel to others, usually to those of like mind such as those in academia, arcane studies, psionics, stellar, and so on. After a few decades, this had spread down to the farm hands and from their gained root in Hells Womb. The revival of Neld-Rac worship and the proliferation of information on dark rites and ancient secrets of necromancy came about from the Neld-Rac's journals. Some say that these journals ended up being the main reason for the downfall of Kal-Oni. In the time since the fall of Kal-Oni, Neld-Rac worship has spread across Brucrumus and into the jungles of Ma'Ohari.

In the 1200s, Neld-Rac's proselytizers began to infiltrate Synnbarri's settlements.

In 1529, Neld-Rac invoked a forbidden spell on all mortals of Bal-Kriav. This spell led a period of history called the Duplicity Period. The Balance punished him for his abuse of divine power and interference in mortal affairs. The punishment resulted in him being reduced from lesser power to a minor power.

Neld-Rac has Artifice, Chaos, Madness and Shadow as his Divine Domains. Two of these are related by design. When he was a mortal, he loved building things with his hands, and when this reached its limits, he used necromancy, golem building techniques, magic and anything else to bring it to fruition. After passing through the Temple of Ascension, his soul-bound Torc of Maen Grirngrim interfered with the Asenscion ritual, making him a Higher Power, but also turning him into a Shade. Unable to use his hands, for a time he was driven mad. He took Madness as a divine domain, and after understanding its secrets, he mastered it, curing his own bouts of insanity.

Some refer to Neld-Rac as the Mad Seer.

Sources of Divine Power
Core WorshipProselytizers
As'lumix
EngineenCreed of Tech
IcykeShadow Sect
Ink-Shad
Malshirk'iss
Neeth-Theen
Umahanbad
Known Powers
TraitDescription
Divine Toughness+4,000 hit points as Lesser Power
Modulating Energy+20 modulating energy damage for all attacks