The Esoteric Order of Dagon

[xXCrystal_Rose]

The Cult of Dagon is secretive and as mysterious as the oracle they worship, drifting on the currents, dreaming. The Esoteric Order of Dagon usually targets poor fishing villages that are down on their luck, sending a Voice of Dagon (either a Kua-Toa or a land based worshiper) to spread the faith, teaching that through Dagon their nets will be filled with fish and with gold. Dagon is, in essence, rather benevolent, and the only demon with no enemies out of both fear and respect. Though he delivers on his word, benevolence comes with a price, and once dependant upon him sacrafices are demanded, and later worse. When morality drops, the Kua-Toa and other worshipers of Dagon may emerge from the depths. To continue receiving his blessings (or face destruction) the converted village in this stage of corruption must mate with Kua-Toa. The children are born human, and grow that way until around ten, then by adulthood slowly transform into Kua-Toa themselves and take to the water, leaving a new generation to take their place temporarily on land. It is the goal of every Thrall of Dagon to recieve the blessings of their patron and abandon life on land completely. Especially in places where Kua-Toa cannot be present, Dagon gifts his followers with the supplies needed -gills, webbed digits, tentacles, fins, scales, eyes, etc- gradually transforming them into a myraid of monsters in his image, until they may earn his favor enough to join him in the sea.

This is the background of Dagon on the material planes. His worshippers are very vast, though the most prominent are Kua-Toa and Kraken as well as all forms of Tanar'ri who worship this lorekeeper of all Abyssal secrets as far as the infinite plane stretches. As my main and focus character, Krie Marina, begins to further research on the places having the least luck with fishing and starts to convert, the presence of Dagon in the marine community hopefully will grow. I write this introduction letter to invite all players that are interested in this concept to join, and be aware of the secretive dealings.

The Cult of Dagon, like many cults, is very fanatical. The Voices and fully developed thrall are the only people who truly maintain any measure of individuality, but unlike other powers, Dagon is worshipped out of love. Pure, undiluted adoration in worship. A converted community is usually peaceful, and does not bother outside villages, so thus usually not bothered themselves lest their protectors rise from the water to aid the town. I only wish to provide a brief background here so that the IC learning experience is not cheapened, and indeed there is a great deal to teach. When it is not possible to convert a whole community, such as in a large city, it is not unknown for pockets of the religion to spring up amongst seafaring peoples, and through time spreads like fire even to aristocrat types who lust for the power extraplanar beings may bring, living two lives as secretive cultists until the tentacles of Dagon have reached deep enough to reveal itself. The favored weapon of his followers is tentacles, though tridents may substitute, as terrible in damage mechanics as they are.

Before there were mortals, there was Dagon. Before there were Gods, there was Dagon. Before there were Tanar'ri, there was Dagon. Before there were planes, there was Dagon. Dagon is here, and he is going to get his tentacles into your business. Dagon is not a violent power, so do not try to seek his aid if the intent is to spur pvp conflict, though he will protect his children. Dagon the Oracle, the Dreamer, the Prince of the lightless depths; join the Esoteric Order of Dagon and learn the -true- secrets of existance, the knowledge that the minds of residents of the third dimension cannot comprehend, and plunge the mysteries of the watery Abyss guided by the tentacles embrace of Dagon.

Though it is fairly heavily focused towards npc forces, players may participate in spreading the faith and exploring the oceans. Any may offer their souls to Dagon as his thrall, be they fighters or rogues or druids and rangers that guard the oceans, though the truly favored are bards, sorcerers, and clerics (though nwn lacks many of the sonic cleric spells)- all must be able to cast at least a few sonic based spells. Only bards may become a Voice of Dagon, as Dagon himself employs song and sonic effects. Reasons for following Dagon include reverence of the sea and aquatic nature, poverty, acquisition of power, and acquisition of lore (see power, note the secrets Dagon taught Demorogon and its result). This cult is secretive, and will remain so, quietly converting masses until the faith is spread enough to be openly revealed, so send me a PM if you are interested in growing involved. Dagon speaks to his followers through dreams. One does not fear Dagon, unless they decide to harm his innocent children, but rather love him. Love Dagon passionately, with every fiber of your soul, and be rewarded.



Ok, for real now, I'm going to stop. This is a very brief outline of background information, and is a remarkably small portion of the lore involving the apocalyptic Esoteric Order of Dagon and their patron. The rest can all be learned IC, and I will be sure to respond to PMs quickly. Of course further information can be presented as needed to the DM staff, but I don't want to spoil it for others.
~There will be tentacles. Lots of tentacles.~

[Thomas_Not_very_wise]

Woah...

I am totally making a character -just- for this. hit me up, Crystal.

[Drakill Tannan]

For more infomration, please read Howard Philip Lovecraft's "Dagon", or better even, look for a game called "Call of Cuthulu: Dark corners of the earth" for the PC, that is an awsome game btw.

Can you tell me what you've got planned in a PM? Thanks!

[Howlando]

Lovecraft is terrific, but this is not a Lovecraft server.

Dagon in the realms is one of many demon lords and is by no means the same power as found in the Cthulu Multiverse. As a NPC he will almost certainly be very indifferent to any affairs that occur in our setting.

I think a small, water-based cult with this described "lurker in the deep" horror vibe is excellent, but for there to be much traction in terms of NPCs it will almost certainly have to involve our existing, creepy water-based NPCs which can definitely be discovered and learned about IG.

[xXCrystal_Rose]

Oh yes, make no mistake this is not a Call of Cthulhu tabletop spinoff people. Dagon in d&d is inspired by Lovecrafts Dagon (indeed, all Obyrith were inspired by the Elder Gods) but Dagon in d&d is different from the Dagon in literature in many ways. Responding to PMs now. Though doing further research on Cthulhu Mythos (especially The Shadow over Innsmouth) and watching the movie Dagon and other such things might help understand the mindset of otherworldlyness associated with Obyriths and cult fanaticism. As Howland said though, the d&d Dagon has its differences and is not the same as the Cthulhu Dagon. Still though, you can anticipate a similar theme of horror and mystery, no doubt ^^

[Drakill Tannan]

Don't misunderstand me, i won't be plotting to summon Cuthulu if i join (Because i'm not sure if Cuthulu exists in D&D) But the D&D Dagon has a very similar feel to the Lovecraft one, so reading, say, the shadow over insmouth, gives a pretty good idea of what the Dagon concept is.

Although IMO Cuthulu should be a god in D&D, it's like cooler than 95% of the D&D gods (wich imo are rather unintresting)

[xXCrystal_Rose]

It is unfortunate that Cthulhu himself isn't, but when you start getting into the Far Realms dieties... that stuff is directly taken cut and paste from Lovecraft themes hehe. Alienist characters and dimensionalist wizards are a blast.

[Drakill Tannan]

EDIT: Er.. nevermind.

[Thomas_Not_very_wise]

Not in FR

[xXCrystal_Rose]

This might not actually be happening.

[Drakill Tannan]

awww

[Porkolt]

Haters gonna hate.

[GoblinSapper]

IIRC there is already a creepy undersea god you can devote to. It didn't get a big following at the time but i'm sure the DM's would love to get PC's involved in that faction.

[Drakill Tannan]

Actually that's why i was so sure this would be an awsome idea, because we'd interact with that other undersea stuff.

[AllMYBudgies]

I think this idea sounds fabulous. I do hope you continue with it.