Stygia
Queen of the Night, Mother of Trolls
History
Before Time
Reputed by many (trolls) to be the first ever deity, Stygia was the supreme ruler of the first element from the beginning of Godtime. There is no doubt that Darkness was the first element to be born out of Chaos and some consider the trolls to be thus related to the enemies of civilization.
Stygia was a strange deity, filled with violence and yet gentle to the things she loved. In the dark places, she bore the elder races of the trolls. They were supposedly fathered by Azrael. Hence all trolls are called dark-men and bear those runes.
During Godtime, Stygia developed a great hatred for the Gods of Light because of the oppression of her children by them. Eventually her son, Zorak-Zoran, taught the secret of Death by Azrael, wounded Lucifer and overthrew the Sun God brining on the Great Darkness.
Here, Stygia and her progeny cam into their own, ruling the world and dominating all other races. However, when the Devil appeared he seduced Stygia and so were born the chaos-trolls. When Stygia saw what she had born, she recognized the true nature of the Devil and in her horror rallied the forces of darkness to fight the perversion. But now the Devil was ready and so the Chaos Wars began. Stygia and her children redeemed themselves. Forced to fight Chaos, the Lunatics and the forces of Light, Stygia was unable to prevent the return of the Sun and the beginning of Time.
Since Time
When Time began, Stygia was still powerful but the trolls were devastated. Infected by a curse, many trolls bore trollkin and the world, so long devoid of light, was bare. Stygia therefore incarnated briefly to rescue her children. Principal among her acts was the gift of cooking whereby she taught her children how to survive on the elves, ducks and beastmen, turning their frequently unpalatable flesh into tasty, nutritious meals. It was at this time that Stygia showed her attachment to the Stasis rune, seeking to preserve things in the status quo. Unfortunately, she was thwarted by the forces of Sunlight and Moonlight. She is worshipped by almost all trolls and by some humans who feel drawn to darkness.
Life After Death
Stygia loves her children and therefore allows both death divints and resurrection. Final rites for the dead involve ritually cooking and eating the body by relatives and friends. This is accompanied by solemn ritual, ideally overseen by a Runepriestess. Many other cults and races find this cannibalism disgusting and it is responsible for much anti troll feeling. The ducks of Moonbeak are particularly sensitive to the trollish practice, though the trolls regard cooking a victim or a friend in the most tasty fashion only as a minimal mark of respect for the dead.
Runic Associations
Stygia is the mother of trolls and gave them her runes of Darkness and Man. Since the end of the Great Darkness she has developed an attachment to the Stasis rune, reflecting the trolls concern for their declining status and power.
Nature of the Cult
Stygia's cult exists because the trolls love their mother as she loves them. She provides the trolls with both the means and meaning of life. She is also worshipped by many humans as the principal darkness deity.
Socio-Political Position and Power
The cult is regarded very highly indeed in areas dominated by trolls. In troll society, social position is synonymous with cult position. Stygia is also sometimes influential in certain human settlements dominated by darkness but this is rare.
Particular Likes and Dislikes
The cult is associated only to the other troll cults and is friendly to Azrael. All trolls have a long standing hatred of elves and dwarves. The Lunatics are disliked for their interference with night. Chaos is abhorred for the way it has perverted trollkind, and the Light cultists of course have always been at loggerheads with Stygia due to the antagonism of their primal elements. The trolls continually suffer from this hostility but rarely seem to attempt to defuse the animosity.
Organization
Troll society is part tribal and part urban. The mistress race trolls form the nobility, dark and great trolls are the commoners, and trollkin are the peasants and menials. All trolls are very closely ties to their religion and cult standing governs social standing. Every tribe has its High Priestess served by lesser priests. Cities and towns have a typical templar structure but with an abnormal (for humans) number of priests and members. Troll society tends towards matriarchy, the males preferring a simple, uncomplicated life. Most of the priestly hierarchy are female, though there is no bar to male advancement in this area. High Priestesses are generally completely independent though the High Priestess of Trollcastle is regarded with more awe. Amongst trolls of equal Runestatus, mistress race trolls are considered superior. Amongst Runelords, great trolls command greater respect then dark trolls.
Centres of Power and Holy Places
The Troll-lands are an indubitable centre of power for the cult, minor enclaves occur elsewhere and many nomad bands roam the wilderness fighting Chaos as they find it. Holy places are the sacred temple ruins of Trollcastle and the place in the wilderness (reported to be in the North East, deep in the chaos wilderness) where Stygia first taught her children the art of cooking ducks and elves. The exact location of this place is, however, unknown.
Holy Days and High Holy Days
The seasonal Holy Day occurs on Freezenight, Stasis week. That in Dark season is of course the High Holy Day.
Lay Membership
Lay membership is open to all dark, great and mistress race trolls and any trollkin that reach their majority without dying. Humans, but not ogres, may join but must pass a test abstracted as (STR + SIZ + CHA - 10) ÷ 3×5%. If the candidate fails then he may pass a subsidiary test of cooking an entire elf carcass suitable for eating (roll his cooking skill). A candidate may join a human settlement if necessary, without the Charisma modifier but such enclaves are difficult to find. Lay members may purchase all skills at normal cost and all save fire/light spells at normal cost.
Initiate Membership
All trolls can initiate automatically provided they pass a test of (POW+SIZ)×5⁄2%. This causes trollkin to be excluded. A failed applicant can reapply on any holy day but with −10% for each failure. Humans must pass a test of (POW+SIZ+CHA)×5⁄3% with a −10 modifier to their charisma if applying to a troll priestess.
All initiates must mutter a prayer each Freezenight at midnight, as the Moon vanishes and again 24 hours later as the moon wanes to a crescent. One point of power must be sacrificed but there is a POW×5% chance that it will be reflected back by the night. Initiates must obey the priestesses in all things. They would be advised to show respect to the runelords as well. All initiates must spend at least Darkseason in the militia. During this time, they receive free room and board and a raise roll on their principal weapons and one other skill of their choice. No inititate may ever associate with or speak to a Poonin cultist.
Free training is given in all forms of mace and maul plus half price shield parry. To reflect a fight that Stygia won against Niebelung in Godtime, cultists can get free training in Pole-axe upto 25% plus bonuses and thereafter at half price. Half price training is also given in sling attack, read/write darkish, oratory, jumping, set ambush, cooking and hide in cover. Darksence cannot be trained but may only rise through experience.
the cult also teaches free binding, and half price bludgeon, darkwall, extinguish and dullblade. Those who become lay members of Xenoiré may receive half price healing. On no account will the cult teach, or allow any member to know, firearrow, fireblade, ignite, light or lightwall.
In order to give trollkin some incentive to remain within the cult, initiate trollkin can divint once per week for an increase of 1 in racial maximum power. When they gain 15 power, it is possible to qualify as a Runelord. Then they may use their Runelord divint to increas racial maximum power from 15 up to 21 and then strive for Runepriest. This is a concession from Stygia since the rise of Poonin and still there are very few trollkin Runelords of Stygia and so far no trollkin has reached the runepriesthood.
Initiates, even trollkin, may sacrifice for reusable cult magic on a one use basis.
Runelord Membership - Nightlords
The requirements for Runelord in Stygia are quite strict. 15+ Power, 90%+ in heavy mace attack and shield parry, a second weapon attack and parry, hide in cover, jumping, and set ambush, and 75%+ in oratory or a 15+ Charisma. Each candidate must pass a test of (POW+CHA)×5⁄2%. Non-trolls get a −10% charisma modifier whether applying via a troll priestess or not.
Application can only be made on a High Holy Day. No stigma is attached to failure and the candidate may reapply next High Holy Day with no restriction. Generally, even trollkin will gain considerable respect by attaining Runelord status. However, great trolls are known for their chauvenism and will not take orders from any trollkin. They have often provoked fights with their lesser brethren for the pleasure of crushing them utterly. They have even boasted that they would do this to a trollkin Runepriest, though this is probably mere talk as it would incur retribution from the cult spirit of reprisal. On the other hand, great trolls are pretty thick.
Runelords must ritually eat every Holy Day one complete black pudding and one complete green pudding. If for any reason they lack the facilities or means to obtain such, then they must attempt to kill and eat (raw if necessary) one trollkin and one elf. They usually wear dark grey or black but often with some brightly coloured adornments such as stolen dwarven jewellery, duck feathers, head crests, etc.
Troll Runelords, of course, may not touch iron and are given a suit of magically attuned lead armour plus one lead weapon of their choice. Allied spirits are placed in giant beetles or helmets.
Runelords are looked to for courage, leadership and inspiration in battle. They make poor Generals and function best when leading charges. High command is usually given to Runepriestesses. Though troll life is brutal, there is plenty of time for a Runelord to develop an interest in the arts. A Runelord may choose a number of initiates to serve as his personal bodyguard.
Runepriesthood
Runepriests may be of either sex, but generally this stratum of troll society is dominated by the females. Runepriestesses coomand respect and obediance from all cultists. Candidates for priesthood must have 90%+ in cooking, 75%+ in read/write darkish and have a Power of 18+. They must pass a test of (POW+CHA)×5⁄2% with non-trolls at −10 Charisma. Mistress race trolls pass automatically. All non-mistress race candidates must have been an initiate for at least two years. Stygian priestesses gain all the normal benefits and restrictions accorded to their status. Allied spirits are bound into giant beetles.
Runespell Compatability
Stygian Runepriestesses gain access to all standard Runemagics. They use small, medium and large shades for elementals and have access to the following cult special Runespells.
One Point Spells
Darksee: Range 160m; Duration 15 min; Stackable; Reusable
Allows creatures which see best in darkeness to see in daylight and vice versa. It negates the effect of daylight on trollkin and cave-trolls. Each
extra point stacked doubles the duration, e.g. Darksee III lasts one hour.
Fiend I: Range 60m; Duration 15 min; Non-Stackable; Reusable
This spell transforms a small shade into a Fiend. These are demonic figures of SIZ 2d6 and STR 2d6+12. They radiate a Chill II aura. In all other
respects they resemble gargoyles. Anyone in combat with a Fiend must roll POW×5% or less each round or be unable to attack, only parry and
defend. Anyone hit by a Fiend for actual damage through their armour, is attacked as if by a shade (damage from the blow vs. total hit points
remaining). Fiends never use weapons other than their claws.
Season: Range touch; Duration instant; Stackable; Reusable
When cast onto any meal whilst cooking, this spell causes the meal to be particularly well-cooked. If the meat (or elf) is fresh, the cook's skill is
doubled. It also allows the cook to use old meat at full percentage. One point of spell hides the mortification of a week old carcase. Stacking
doubles the amount of decay that can be negated. No matter how green the meat is, this spell can make it edible and nutricious. Any seasoned meat is
notciable by its spicy flavour.
Summon Ancestor: Range 160m; Duration 15 min; Non-Stackable; Reusable
This spell summons a random ancestor from the realms of the underworld.
Two Point Spells
Darken: Range 160m; Duration 15 min; Non-Stackable; Reusable
This spell causes a 60m radius of darkeness to fall around the recipient, gaining the effect of a moonless night. It cancells Sunbright and the
area effect of Moonbeam. It demoralizes imps and salamanders and increases the power of any fearshock attack by three points. It also adds 10%
to the recipient's defence.
Fiend II: Range 60m; Duration 15 min; Non-Stackable; Reusable
As Fiend I but transforms a medium shade into a Fiend of SIZ 4d6 and STR 4d6+12. The fiend also has a Chill IV aura.
Nightblend: Range 160m; Duration 15 min; Non-Stackable; Reusable
This spell will function in darkenss or at night without the full moon in the sky. It confers 100% camouflage even while moving. Blend-in is total.
Three Point Spells
Fiend III: Range 60m; Duration 15 min; Non-Stackable; Reusable
As Fiend I but transforms a large shade into a Fiend of SIZ 6d6 and STR 6d6+12. The fiend also has a Chill VI aura.
Subservient Cults
Spirit of Reprisal - Grimly Fiendish
Any cultist who breaks his cult vows or leaves the cult will be attacked within one year by Grimly Fiendish at a moment of great stress (e.g. in melee). Grimly Fiendish is a huge Fiend from Hell, with SIZ 30, STR 48, H.P. 45, POW 30, DEX 24. He has two attacks per round for d6+3d8 damage. He has 12 point skin and knows Ironhand IV and Protection IV. His base attack is 200%. Grimly always attacks to destroy his victim. He cannot be dispelled. His appearance can be forestalled by righting the wrong and doing penance as directed by a High Priestess.
Graem Kerr
The first troll to be taught the arts of cooking by Stygia and invented the dishes of black and green puddings.
Associated Cults
Azrael
Mistress race trolls invariably have well traced lineages and can best make use of the following spell that Azrael gave Stygia in recognition of the birth of trolls.
Summon Specific Ancestor: Range 160m; Duration instant; Non-Stackable; Reusable; 2 pts
When stacked with Summon Ancestor, this spell summons a specific named ancestor of the caster from the underworld.
Xenoiré
Gives her mother the following spell.
Regeneration: Range touch; Duration 15 min; Non-Stackable; Reusable; 2 pts
Causes the recipient begin healing all damage, short of dismemberment, at the rate of 1 hit point per minute. It can be used to regenerate limbs
but only at the expense of the spells reusability.
Zorak-Zoran
Relations between the berserker and his mother are very close and out of his fondness for Stygia, he gives her his favourite spell.
Crush: Range 40m; Duration 15 min; Stackable to 4 points; Reusable; 1 pt
This spell adds 10% to the chance of hitting and a d3 points of damage per point stacked. It is usable only on shock melee weapons. The weapon so
treated takes on a black sheen.
Madonna
Summon Spirit of the Hearth
This spell is used to protect Stygian domiciles.
Miscellaneous Notes
Cult Skills
Cooking: 15% base; Knowledge skill; Cost: 200/400/800/1600
Starting Player Character Trolls
Player character trolls will start with different skills depending upon his racial stock.
Weapon skills:
Dark, great and mistress race trolls start with heavy mace attack and a shield parry at 50% plus bonuses. They also have heavy mace parry, light mace attack and parry and sling attack at 25% plus bonuses.
Trollkin start with light mace attack and small shield parry at 50% plus bonuses. They also have light mace parry, singlestick attack and parry and sling attack at 25% plus bonuses.
All trolls have thrown rock at 25% plus bonuses plus d6×5%.
Skills:
Mistress race trolls get read/write darkish, plus any two of the following at 50% plus bonuses: map making, oratory, listen, spot hidden, spot trap, jumping. The remainder are at 25% plus bonuses.
Great trolls get jumping and set ambush at 50% plus bonuses and listen and hide in cover at 25% plus bonuses.
Dark trolls get any three of the following at 50% plus bonuses: read/write darkish, jumping, set ambush, listen, spot trap, hide in cover, move quietly, camouflage, leather working, spot hidden. The remainder are at 25% plus bonuses.
Trollkin start with hide in cover, move quietly, and listen plus one of the following at 50% plus bonuses: spot hidden, spot ambush, climbing, hide item. The remaining are at 25% plus bonuses.
All trolls and trollkin start with their darksense ability at 50% plus perception bonus.
Spells:
Great trolls start with bludgeon II and protection II. Dark trolls start with bludgeon II, healing II, and speedart. Trollkin get protection II, healing II, and speedart. Mistress race trolls start with a choice of any six points from bludgeon, darkwall, dullblade, extinguish, healing, and protection but no variable may be more than three points.
Equipment:
All trolls start with a complete set of weapons. In addition great trolls and mistress race trolls start with heavy infantry armour, dark trolls with medium infantry armour, and trollkin with light infantry armour.
Note that trollkin who run away to join Poonin do so at a very early age and so have no skills above natural ability save darksence at 25% plus bonuses. Similarly they know no spells and have no equipment.