The Elder Evils are incredibly old, exceptionally malevolent, subtly corrupting, alien entities who mostly exist in the Far Realm and elsewhere beyond the known Planes of Existence.[1]
Description[]
Aside from a small number of scholars, few individuals in the multiverse are even aware of the Elder Evils, who are generally separated from mortal reality, perhaps confined by wandering stars or stranded in the vastness of outer space.[2] That said, one Elder Evil, Tharizdun the Chained Oblivion, is usually classified as a Betrayer God, has been loosed upon Exandria twice, and is said to be shackled to the bottom of the Abyss,[3] and warlocks employ eldritch powers named after another Elder Evil, Hadar the Dark Hunger.[4] Those who know the most lore about the Elder Evils hold that these entities are utterly alien: not gods, fiends, or primordials. They are thoroughly evil, and no deal with any of them ends any way but terribly.[2]
Known examples[]
Aside from Tharizdun, there are several named Elder Evils:[2]
- Azathoth, the Boundless
- Bolothamogg, Who Watches from Beyond the Stars
- Ceratos of Many Minds
- Hadar, the Dark Hunger
- Haemnathuun, the Blood Lord
- Hargut of the Gray Pestilence
- Ityak-Ortheel, the Elf-Eater
- Maram of the Great Spear
- Pandorym, the Utter Annihilation
- Piscaethces, the Blood Queen
- Rasalhague, the Noxious Star
- Shothotugg, the Eater of Worlds
- Y'chak, the Violet Flame
History[]
Tharizdun, the Chained Oblivion[]
→ Main article: Tharizdun § History
Official art of Pelor battling Tharizdun, by Svetoslav Petrov from Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 4.[art 1]
Of the known Elder Evils, Tharizdun is the one about which there is the most information. The Chained Oblivion dreams the Abyss and its demon hordes into being, and dreams aberrations into existence deep below the surface of Exandria.[5] It was locked away during the Founding, returned in the Calamity, and nearly destroyed two of the Prime Deities before a number of deities working together managed to defeat and banish it once again. From its abyssal prison, its influence warped Cognouza so that it became a serious threat that could have returned to Exandria if the Mighty Nein had not stopped it.
Ceratos of Many Minds[]
→ Main article: Ceratos § Biography
Ceratos left the Far Realm and arrived in Exandria before the Founding, reveling in the primordial chaos. However, when the chaos was divided into the four Elemental Planes, Ceratos fled underground and fell into a "nightmarish slumber" as their consciousness was scattered.[6]
Presumably during the Calamity, Torog's digging woke Ceratos. Longing for the lost chaos, Ceratos's separated minds began to send offerings of magical power to the minds of those that are able and willing to create chaos in Exandria. Ceratos assures those who follow them that "chaos brings clarity and destruction begets rebirth." They hope to return to their previous, more powerful state through the actions of these followers.[6]
Shothotugg, the Eater of Worlds[]
In the Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, set around early 836 PD, the high-level adventure hook "Eater of Worlds" involves a cult in the ruins beneath New Haxon, led by two vampires preparing a ritual to summon Shothotugg. Aside from vampire spawn, members of the cult are mostly nihilistic humanoids, but the vampires also have the help of a group of cloakers.[7]
Core spawn[]
Depiction of a core spawn emissary, by Stephen Oakley from Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 285.[art 2]
Core spawn are a subterranean variety of aberrant servants and soldiers of the Elder Evils, physical expressions of their will on the Material Plane. The core spawn were awakened during the Calamity by the disasters wreaked on Exandria by the Betrayer Gods and their followers. These creatures often appear on the surface of Exandria following earthquakes; one known instance is in the formation of the Miskath Pit sinkhole. When certain omens herald the advent of core spawn, cultists and warlocks gather to help them along.[8]
References[]
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 57. See also p. 302.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 281.
- ↑ See "Titles and Tattoos" (2x84) at 2:52:50.
- ↑ Both Fjord and Opal have cast the spell Hunger of Hadar, and Otis Brunkel gained an Eldritch Invocation known as the Grasp of Hadar.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 19.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 31.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 156.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 285.
Art:
- ↑ Official art of Pelor battling Tharizdun, by Svetoslav Petrov from Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 4. This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
- ↑ Depiction of a core spawn emissary, by Stephen Oakley from Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 285. Used with permission. This page contains unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Wizards of the Coast Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.