[Adventure Seeds] as-Sharak

[b-dog]

Legend has is that the worship of Sharak, the god of magic was in Persia. With the rise of Zoroastrians and then Islam the worship was kept secret and cabals of sorcerers would meet in hidden places to conduct rituals and other invocations to obtain magical power. The followers of Sharak called themselves the as-Sharak and they grew in power until one day they decided to build a great tower dedicated to their god. Sharak had the aspect of a lion which represents both the Divine and pride. The as-Sharak were powerful sorcerers and they did not want to be ruled instead they wanted to be the rulers. The great tower extended into the sky and looked down ominously at the lands below.

The Infernal became interested in the tower and the as-Sharak. Agents were sent to greet the as-Sharak and an alliance was formed. The power from the great tower stretched outward across the land. Soon it attracted the attention of the caliphate and armies were sent to bring down the tower. The as-Sharak being powerful sorcerers held them off. The caliphate sent more armies and then sorcerers bearing the Seal of Suliman. Imams summoned angels but still the as-Sharak held off the forces of the Divine.

The tower held but the the forces of the Divine were trying to break in, constantly attacking. The as-Sharak decided to dig deep below the tower to hide all of the treasure and magical items that were acquired through the years of the cult. Some of the as-Sharak used their powerful magic to fight while others made dungeons below the tower to secure their magical items.

A treachery was afoot during the battle between the as-Sharak and the forces of the Divine. A corruption occurred in the tower. The Infernal demanded that the as-Sharak must serve Ibliss in addition to Sharak. The as-Sharak refused and said that that the Infernal should serve them instead because the as-Sharak were powerful sorcerers.

The forces of the Divine started to break down the tower. The as-Sharak fought bravely using their powerful magic to summon storms, lightning fires and floods. But then their powers started to wane. There was no explanation to why their magic stopped working. They could no longer communicate with Sharak either. Soon the tower began to crumble and the as-Sharak became desperate. They pleaded with the Infernal cultists to help and they refused...unless one condition was made. They sell their souls to Ibliss and in exchange they will get their power back. The as-Sharak had no choice and they sold their souls and they were able to to regain their magical power. They were able to blockade the upper levels of the tower and dungeons from the attacks from the Divine forces. After time the forces of the Divine placed wards on the dungeon entrance and then they left.

The as-Sharak learned that dealings with the Infernal are never fair. Their aspect matched the god they served and anyone with true sight could see they were followers of Sharak with lion heads and clawed hands and a fur coat. They also must offer a soul on a regular basis to the Infernal otherwise they feel the flames of the Infernal on their body and soul. Their souls are actually in Hell so their minds have been broken but they still harbor a deep desire for revenge. They want to find their god or free their souls so that they can escape the torment. The as-Sharak now wander the land hoping to find a way to break their curse. They are now servants of the Infernal who they hate instead of being the rulers that they desired to be.

[martinl]

Originally Posted by b-dog

Legend has is that the worship of Sharak....

1. Noice.
2. Forgive me if I am suspicious of anti-cat propaganda from an entity named b-dog. ;)