A long time ago, the deity Arthalcus, having lost a struggle with his comrades on his home plane, brought his entire priesthood to Menagerie and seized control of the entire city by force. For a time, his priests ruled absolutely, and mana levels in Menagerie swelled...
Then they plunged to nothing. Arthalcus didn't manifest himself. Earthquakes rocked the city's foundations. Priests who attempted to commune with their deity had the very life sucked out of their bodies. The church fell into disarray with the survivors crying that Arthalcus was dead. They were soon cast out of power.
After a time, mana levels returned to normal once more. Certain enigmatic statements from ancient gods about Menagerie were now reinspected; it seemed likely that this was not the first time that a deity had attempted to make Menagerie their home, and not the first time that they had been destroyed. The gods still keep their distance from the city, considering it a lethal trap.
There are still a few thalks (the common, fairly derogatory term for the remaining worshippers of Arthalcus) left... most of them are a despondent lot, believing that their god is crippled or imprisoned, but will someday return. A few of the most fanatical believe that their god is dead, but that's not a good enough reason for abandoning his worship. The religion attracts the morbid and self-destructive. It has no political power or influence anymore.
Posted by Kiz at November 3, 2004 01:26 PMCommentsPost a comment