Page 21 - Critical Role: Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting

tal’dorei campaign guide

the chained the cloaked the crawling the lord of
oblivion Serpent king the hellS

the lord of the hells the evil hordemaster push orcs and other evil, savage crea-
tures to devour the world around them, giving in to the
Alignment: Lawful Evil Domains: Trickery, Blood chaotic and selfish nature of the predator. The Ruiner’s
The devil god of the Hells represents mastery of tyranny and most devout servants in Tal’Dorei are the Ravagers, a law-
domination. His words are honeyed and carefully crafted, less band of orcs and goblins who delight in slaughtering
soothing and corrupting the mortal heart. The Lord of the innocents across the Dividing Plains.
Hells holds his domain with an iron rule, and the punish- The Archeart shot out the Ruiner’s right eye during the
ments that await those that cross him are legendary: the Calamity, and the god of slaughter longs for the day he
basis of nightmare. Evil entities pay him tribute alongside his can return the favor twofold. Those who serve the Ruiner
devils, while warlocks are drawn to his power. are sometimes hypnotized by his hateful rage from across
A twisted image of the celestial blood that once bore the Divine Gate and fall into a strange bloodlust, longing
him, the Lord of the Hells is revealed in many tomes and to slaughter elves and those who worship magic at the
murals as a handsome humanoid of deep, red skin and altar of the Archeart.
long, black hair. Two curling horns rise from his brow, Primitive clay representations can be found in savage
and his lips ever bear a knowing grin. communities of his followers, showing the Ruiner as a
The enemies of The Lord of the Hells are numerous, even hulking, bulbous behemoth of an orc. The missing eye has
among the Betrayer Gods, many of whom only follow the shifted as a minor fold, the prominent eye now central to
archdevil for fear of his immense power. The Lord of the the face like a nightmarish Cyclops.
Hells’s archnemesis is the Changebringer, whose mischief
commandmentS of the one-eyed ruiner
and cunning has vexed him throughout the eons. It was she
who defeated him in the Calamity by tricking his fiendish • Ruin. Conquer. Kill.
armies into attacking one another. The Devil Lord’s great-
• The weak exist to be crushed by the strong. Be the strong.
est triumph during the Calamity was fooling and betraying
• There are no emotions but fury and joy. The rest are weakness.
the Everlight and slaughtering all her followers in one fell
stroke—a move that today has united the followers of the
Everlight and the Changebringer in an unbreakable bond. the spider Queen
Alignment: Chaotic Evil • Domains: Trickery, Knowledge
commandmentS of the lord of the hellS
The evil god of deceit, shadows, and spiders, the Spider
• Assert dominance and power over others. Show your
Queen weaves a complicated web of schemes and treach-
strength of will in the image of the Lord.
ery through her worshipers, deceiving allies and enemies
• Repay cruelty done unto you with further evil. If others alike to gain power. The Spider Queen’s worship is
show you kindness, exploit it. entwined with the society of dark elves, even as the drow
• As you ascend to power, do not pity or show mercy to those fall ever deeper into the thrall of the Chained Oblivion’s
aberrant minions. It is said that the Spider Queen can
you climb over to get there. Compassion is unwarranted
for the weak. see through the eyes of all spiders, and that she is truly
all-knowing. The Spider Queen holds a searing grudge
the ruiner against the Stormlord, for with one throw of his mighty
thunderspear he impaled her against a cliffside, leaving
Alignment: Chaotic Evil • Domains: Tempest, War her drow armies leaderless during the Calamity. The
The Ruiner commands roving hordes of barbaric maraud- Spider Queen and the Ruiner also share a burning hatred
ers across the lands to destroy, pillage, and slaughter for for the Archeart—she claims he drove her children below
the joy of it. Orderless and without honor, the creeds of the earth himself—and she often manipulates the Ruiner’s

20 chapter 1: campaigns in tal'dorei