Ophion

Ophion
Basic Information
Title	The Weaver of Shadows
Symbol	A spider in a circle
Level	Lesser
Alignment	Neutral Evil
Allowed Alignments	N, LE, NE, CE
Primary Portfolio	Rot, Shadows, Undeath
Secondary Portfolio	Arcane Lore, Caverns, Darkness, Necromancy
Favored Weapon	Sickle

Ophion, The Weaver of Shadows

In the shadow-drenched realms of the cosmos, where the veil between life and death shimmers with spectral light, Ophion, deity of shadows and undead, reigns with a calm yet potent authority. She is a deity cloaked in enigma, a figure draped in the dark allure of necromancy and decay. Her morbid curiosity knows no bounds; she is perpetually fascinated by the thin line that separates the living from the undead, exploring this liminal space with an academic rigor that is both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

Ophion's essence is steeped in scholarly pursuits, her mind an endless labyrinth of arcane knowledge, forever engaged in unraveling the mysteries of the darkest arts. Her meticulous attention to the intricate details of necromantic rituals and the complex lore surrounding the undead makes her a revered figure among those who dare to delve into the forbidden. To her followers, she is not just a deity but a mentor, imparting knowledge that is coveted by even the most daring of dark mages.

Yet, for all her composed exterior, Ophion harbors a volatile core. Her temper is as legendary as her knowledge, quick to ignite when her elaborate schemes face obstruction or when lesser beings dare to question her commands. The air around her crackles with palpable tension, a reminder that her calmness is but the eye of a storm, liable to collapse into chaos at the slightest provocation.

Despite her often cold and calculating demeanor, there lies an unexpected impulsivity within Ophion—a burning desire to be recognized and esteemed by entities more powerful than herself. This yearning sometimes drives her to make hasty decisions, pushing her to launch audacious quests or form precarious alliances that startle even her most devout acolytes. It is in these moments that her followers see the depth of her ambition, a trait that makes her as relatable as it does formidable.

Drawn to the secluded shadow depths of the world, Ophion finds solace and secrecy in places shrouded in darkness. These remote locations serve as her sanctuaries, where she can conduct her research and plot her strategies away from prying eyes. She encourages her followers to seek out similar enclaves of darkness, where the whispers of the shadows speak only to those daring enough to listen. In these deep, dark recesses, away from the light of common day, Ophion and her devotees forge their plans and expand their understanding of the arcane, wrapped in the comforting embrace of obscurity.

In the deepest shadows of her dark sanctuaries, Ophion harbors a peculiar affinity for the predatory creatures that lurk there. She is particularly drawn to those creatures that hunt with lethal grace that thrive in the absence of light, especially spiders. These creatures, with their instinctual prowess for hunting in the darkest corners of the world, are not merely inhabitants of her realm but symbols of her dominion and power. Ophion is often accompanied by these sinister companions.

Ophion often reveals herself as a mesmerizing elven woman, her presence a blend of allure and dread. She possesses an ethereal beauty, characterized by her pale, almost luminescent white skin and hair of the deepest white, flowing like spider silk. Her eyes, black as the voids she favors, mirror the endless depths of the darkness she commands. Adorned in tight, form-fitting attire that clings to her like a second skin, Ophion is draped in garments that shimmer with intricate spider motifs—each thread a testament to her dominion over the creatures of the dark. These spider emblems are not just decorations but symbols of her power and predatory grace, a constant reminder of her mastery over the deep shadow realms.

When Ophion chooses to reveal her more fearsome aspect, she transforms into a colossal, monstrous spider, a dread-inspiring figure that strikes terror into the hearts of those who behold her. Her elven beauty gives way to a nightmarish form with chitinous exoskeleton glistening in the dim light, each joint and segment articulated with a sinister elegance. Her multiple eyes, still as black as the void, glitter with a cold, predatory intelligence, and her fangs, sharp and menacing, drip with venom. Her legs, long and spindly, move with a horrifying grace, each step echoing through the dark caverns she inhabits.

Symbol

Ophion's symbol is a black circle, representing the void of her dominion over shadows and undeath. Inside this circle, a detailed spider is poised, its legs stretching symmetrically to the circle's edges, symbolizing her far-reaching influence over the deep shadow realms.

Relations With Other Deities

Ophion, the enigmatic deity of shadows and undeath, navigates a complex web of relationships within the celestial pantheon, her affinities and animosities shaped by her dark nature and scholarly pursuits.

Above all, Ophion harbors an intense hatred for Aerion, the deity of the sun. This animosity stems from their diametrically opposed domains; where Ophion revels in darkness and the secrets it conceals, Aerion embodies the blinding light of truth and life. Their contempt for one another is profound and unwavering, a mutual disdain that extends to all good-aligned deities, who view Ophion's wicked presence and necromantic interests with abhorrence.

Within the neutral pantheon, Ophion's respect is singularly reserved for Devian, the deity of magic. Despite their differing moral compasses, they share a common ground in their fascination with the arcane. Devian acknowledges Ophion's remarkable contributions to magical knowledge, though he remains uneasy about the malevolent applications of her creations. Beyond this begrudging respect, Ophion holds no other significant ties within the neutral ranks, her path diverging sharply from their balanced perspectives.

Her enmities extend beyond the realms of light and neutrality, seeping into the pantheon of dread. Ophion's loathing for Tiamat is as intense as her reverence for darkness, driven by deep-seated rivalries and ideological clashes. Conversely, she harbors a profound admiration and intense respect for Nessus, the deity of death. This veneration borders on obsession, as Ophion seeks to win his favor through blind obedience and reckless endeavors. Her actions, often rash and impulsive when driven by a desire to impress Nessus, reveal a vulnerability that contrasts sharply with her usual calculated demeanor.

Dogma

Ophion, in spider form

Ophion's dogma is based on these five tenets:

• Embrace the Shadows: Followers of Ophion must seek out the darkest depths, both physically and metaphorically, like the spiders that crawl in the dark. The shadows are a source of strength and knowledge, and true understanding can only be found away from the blinding light of day.

• Pursue Forbidden Knowledge: Knowledge of the arcane, especially necromancy and the secrets of undeath, is sacred. Followers must dedicate themselves to the study and mastery of these forbidden arts, pushing the boundaries of what is known and feared.

• Revel in the Cycle of Decay: Decay is not an end but a transformation. Followers should honor and understand the process of rot and decomposition, recognizing it as a vital part of the cycle of existence. They must understand that their death is not the end of their cycles nor their usefulness.

• Find Power in Unlife: Followers must seek to understand and harness the power of undeath. This includes the creation, control, and veneration of undead beings as sources of strength and servants of Ophion’s will.

• Fight the Agents of Light: Followers are charged with opposing those who serve the forces of light, particularly Aerion and his allies. They must work to undermine and combat the influence of these agents wherever they are found, ensuring that the shadows and the power of Ophion remain unchallenged.

Clergy and Temples

A dark elf cleric of Ophion

Ophion's clergy is shrouded in mystery, rarely seen outside the cavernous depths they call home. This secretive organization draws its members primarily from races that thrive beneath the surface of the world, with dark elves being particularly prominent. Within their subterranean communities, Ophion's clergy often holds significant power, with members frequently serving as leaders or influential figures.

The clergy predominantly consists of spellcasters, especially necromancers, who dedicate their lives to studying the necromantic arts and creating improved versions of the undead. Their experiments often require human subjects, whom they kidnap from the surface or trap when explorers venture too far into their domains. This grim practice is one of the few reasons they travel beyond their dark realms.

In their relentless pursuit of necromantic perfection, members of Ophion's clergy do not hesitate to experiment on themselves. They enhance their bodies with forbidden spells, replace healthy parts with necrotic ones, and often undergo the transformation into undead beings to escape the ravages of age and continue growing in power and serving their deity.

Alliances with monstrous creatures of the deep, particularly giant spiders, are common among Ophion's clergy. These dark partnerships further solidify their control over their subterranean realms.

The clergy's vast knowledge of dark magic makes them sought after by powerful spellcasters and wicked lords from the surface. In exchange for safe passage through the perilous underworld, these allies provide a steady supply of test subjects. Despite their power and knowledge, Ophion's followers are widely feared and despised. Most people, even in regions dominated by evil influences, shun any association with Ophion's faith. Encounters with the clergy often end in violence, as many would rather attack them on sight than risk becoming their next experiment.

Ophion's temples are hidden deep beneath the surface, nestled within the subterranean communities that dot the underworld. These gothic structures, with their labyrinthine interiors, seamlessly integrate with the natural underground formations. Their twisting halls and secret passages lead to numerous chambers, each serving as vaults of forbidden knowledge and necromantic laboratories where dark experiments are conducted in Ophion's name.

The architecture of these temples is a marvel of gothic design, characterized by soaring arches, intricate stonework, and shadowy alcoves. The eerie beauty of these sanctuaries is matched only by their sinister purpose. The labyrinthine layout not only serves to protect the sacred and secretive works within but also to confuse and deter intruders.

Strategically located near nests of giant spiders, Ophion's temples are guarded by these fearsome creatures, drawn by the deity's mystic energies. These monstrous arachnids, revered by the clergy, act as both protectors and symbols of Ophion's dominion over the dark and the deadly. Their presence adds an additional layer of peril to these already formidable strongholds, ensuring that only the most determined and worthy can access the secrets held within.

Initiation

Initiation into Ophion's faith, while not particularly difficult, is a significant ritual of passage in the subterranean communities that serve the deity. This process begins a year before the would-be follower's coming of age, marking their transition into adulthood and their formal service to Ophion.

The preparation involves a comprehensive study of Ophion's dogma and introductory lessons in the necromantic arts. Initiates assist with experiments performed on living creatures, gaining hands-on experience in the dark practices revered by their deity. Early in the preparation, clerics identify those with magical talent who show potential to become future clerics, subjecting them to a more rigorous magical training regimen. Those who do not exhibit this aptitude are given martial training, preparing them to become warriors for the community.

Every day, the initiate must spend at least one hour meditating in complete darkness, reflecting on their actions and the tenets of Ophion's dogma. This meditation, conducted in a secluded, shadowy environment, helps them attune to the essence of shadows and deepen their understanding of their deity's principles.

On the final day of the year-long preparation, the initiate spends the entire day in complete darkness within a secluded chamber of the temple. Here, they engage in deep contemplation, reflecting on their deeds throughout the year and the profound meaning of Ophion's dogma. This period of introspection is crucial for internalizing the tenets of embracing shadows, necromantic knowledge, and the cycle of decay and undeath.

The following day, the initiate presents themselves before the lead cleric of the community. Kneeling inside a circle of candles arranged in a web pattern, they recite a prayer, asking to be received into the community as an adult and into the service of Ophion. The cleric then casts the initiation spell, solidifying the bond of service to Ophion and marking the initiate's official entry into the dark embrace of the deity.