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The K'nauthi (K'nauth in singular) were a group of clerics in the service of Asmodeus just prior to the The Calamity. K'nauth in Infernal means "puppet".[1]

History[]

The existence of the K'nauthi dates back to the Founding, when the use of magic by mortals was still recent. However, the knowledge of those individuals was lost, being remembered by the eve of the Calamity.[2]

When the Betrayer Gods sought to return to the Prime Material Plane of Exandria during the Age of Arcanum, the archmage Vespin Chloras succeeded in a ritual weakening the barriers that prevented their return,[3] which took place approximately two weeks before the events depicted in Exandria Unlimited: Calamity.[4]

Upon the return of the Betrayer Gods, in order to quickly build back power, Asmodeus recruited worshipers so devoted to him that they carved Infernal runes into their flesh,[5] and removed portions of their faces including their lips[6] and eyelids.[7] In return, he granted them his most powerful arcane knowledge and spells, regardless of their wisdom and ability to safely use this power. Normally, "as clerics grow in a deeper understanding of the facet of reality manifested by their deity, they become more aware and attuned to those forces within the world, and can wield greater magics." But since Asmodeus did not care about the safety of his recruits, his followers were forced to understand things they weren't ready for.[8] They became so devoted to Asmodeus that it was no longer worth magically dominating them -- they had let him into their souls.[9]

The bodies of the K'nauthi had tumorous growths throughout their bodies originating from the Infernal runes carved into their flesh.[10]

The K'nauthi were used in the attacks on the eldritch batteries of Avalir[11] and were summoned by Lacrytia Hollow to participate in her battle against the Ring of Brass, although they did minimal damage and were felled quickly. The party later learned that Micah Cormorant had been responsible for bringing them into the city.[12]

Trivia[]

  • Theoretically, K'nauthi can gain oracle abilities if their deity so desires (although the process would be terribly detrimental to them). Likewise, a divine oracle whose god has no concern for her well-being may end up transforming into a K'nauth.
  • In 843 PD, Bells Hells found several bodies killed by an elf who carved their own chest with a strange ritualistic symbol connected with the grand demon Dominox before stabbing their own throat.[13] Its general presentation was somewhat reminiscent of the first k'nauth shown in Exandria Unlimited: Calamity.

References[]

  1. See "Bitterness and Dread" (E3x02) at 1:52:04.
  2. See "Bitterness and Dread" (E3x02) at 1:52:04.
  3. See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 12.
  4. See "Bitterness and Dread" (E3x02) at 1:53:02.
  5. See "Bitterness and Dread" (E3x02) at 1:50:26.
  6. See "Excelsior" (E3x01) at 4:08:25.
  7. See "Blood and Shadow" (E3x03) at 1:22:37.
  8. See "Bitterness and Dread" (E3x02) from 1:50:13 through 1:53:48.
  9. See "Bitterness and Dread" (E3x02) at 1:52:09.
  10. See "Bitterness and Dread" (E3x02) at 1:50:16.
  11. See "Blood and Shadow" (E3x03) at 2:52:50.
  12. See "Blood and Shadow" (E3x03) at 3:54:02.
  13. See "Shadows New and Old" (3x96) from 3:40:49 through 3:52:21.

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