Raze
Titles: The Razor, Alakasha
Domain: Vengeance, Hatred
Symbol: A metal mask
Sphere Granted: Dark
Alakasha, known since her ascension as the Razor, was once a young Dark Elf who mistakenly fell in love with a human on the surface world, far from her subterranean home. Their love, while true and pure, was short lived, for the human villagers became distrustful of the Dark Elf in their midst. Late one evening, a mob gathered around the two. The mortal she loved, afraid for his life, denounced and betrayed her, and Alakasha was drowned in a lake outside of the surface village. Legend does not attribute her resurrection to any divine or demonic power. Instead, Alakasha’s loss was so great and her thirst for revenge so powerful that it manifested as pure raw emotion, giving birth to the Aspect known as Raze. Throughout the following decades, Raze would take her vengeance on those who had wronged her. As her legend grew, so did her influence. The betrayed and scorned whispered her name and donned her iconic iron mask as they honed their hatred against those that had wronged them. With every prayer the Aspect of Vengeance grew stronger. With every betrayal vindicated, the Razor found herself more powerful. As she dispatched revenge on the last of the villagers who had murdered her, with her followers chanting her name, Alakasha ascended into true godhood.
While Raze is worshipped by any who have been betrayed or crossed, it is undeniable that the lion’s share of her followers hail from the Dark Elven nations. Much of the Dark Elven race believes that human betrayal led to the shattering of the true Thalan into its many sub-races, and thus Raze’s story symbolizes their distrust of the surface races. Raze is seen by non-Dark Elves as the instrument of their vengeance and often the betrayed give her offerings, hoping for her blessing and aid to right the wrongs they perceive as having been inflicted on them. Unlike most of the celestial beings, Raze was first and foremost an Aspect, a creature of pure, raw hatred. Her disdain for those that betray is dwarfed only by her hatred for those that love, a scarring of her mind given to her by the mortals that betrayed and murdered her while she was mortal.
Raze’s teachings are more than simply “eye for an eye”; for what is left when vengeance is achieved? Retaliation for betrayal, restoration of pride and retributive justice are common themes within her dogma. Raze’s followers are among the most devoted of any god’s, for there are few desires greater than the ever-burning, all-consuming need to extract retribution. Although Raze is the patron of the Dark Elves, she will accept faithful from all races. Her clerics often assist those who seek revenge, and her champions are often the means by which they achieve it.
The Church of Raze is most prevalent in the Dark Elven nation of Antioch, but she also holds a influencing seat in the Dark pantheon and, as such, smaller churches in her name can be found in the shadows anywhere the Church of Darkness calls home.
Contents
Appearance
The Razor is not one for pomp or pageantry. She appears on the realm of mortals as a Dark Elf, clad in tight black leather armour, covered by a cloak of pure shadow. Her black pointed ears are the only tell of her subterranean heritage, as her face is always covered by a cold iron mask, her symbol of vengeance and hatred. In times of combat Raze opts to stay to the shadows, employing her assassin’s skills to remove her enemies from the battlefield. She wields only a simple silver stiletto which, when used, injects every known poison of the mortal plane into the victim. Death by the Razor’s hand is slow and agonizing.
Tenets
Five things a Raze follower should do:
1. Seek vengeance upon those who have wronged you. It is your obligation to Alakasha and yourself.
2. Fan the flame of hatred and hone it to a fine edge. Use your hatred to fuel your passion and achieve great things. It is the razor in your hand and your greatest weapon.
3. Vengeance is a blank face; it cares not for ethics or morality. Carry your mask to remind you of this.
4. Death is not always the ultimate revenge. Be elaborate and inventive. Your methods are a testament to your service to her.
5. Those that seek vengeance must be willing to take action by their own hand. If they are unable and require your assistance, they must be willing to make great sacrifice.
Five things a Raze follower should not do:
1. Expect retribution without cost. Your mind, body and spirit are tools to worship her. Sacrifice them to achieve your vengeance.
2. Forgive or forget. Those that forgive or show mercy insult Alakasha. Offer them no aid and show them no respect.
3. Let the laws of man or nature stand in the way of achieving vengeance. You are accountable to no one save Raze and yourself.
4. Deliver false vengeance for personal gain or profit. If they have not truly wronged you then they are unworthy of the Razor’s edge.
5. Allow yourself to succumb to love. It is the ultimate betrayal and undermines both your hatred and vengeance. Relinquish it at all costs.