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thecreaturecodex · 29 days

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Demon Lord, Orcus

Image © TSR Inc, by Todd Lockwood.

[Sponsored by @tar-baphon. Orcus is one of the iconic D&D villains, and through the SRD and plausible deniability (he's a Roman god!), he's in Pathfinder as well. In Pathfinder, he is deliberately not a power player, and my flavor text takes that already metatextual decision and runs hog wild with it.

A note on the art: I feel like Orcus is emblematic of when D&D was seen as dangerous, and this piece absolutely feels like it should be the cover of a Black Sabbath album. It's no surprise that I was fascinated with the anti-D&D strain of the Satanic Panic when I was a kid. Also, although there has been some course correction in the 5e era, there's a trend with Orcus in a lot of art, including his official Pathfinder depiction, of making Orcus buff. Let Orcus be fat!]

Demon Lord, Orcus CR 28 CE Outsider (extraplanar) This humanoid is a corpulent giant with skin mottled like a decaying corpse. He has great black bat-wings growing from his shoulders, hooves for feet, and the head of a goat. He clutches a short staff, tipped with an oversized human skull.

Orcus, Prince of Undeath CE male demon lord of death, necromancy and wrath Domains Chaos, Death, Evil, Magic Subdomains Demon, Divine, Murder, Undead Favored Weapon heavy mace Unholy Symbol a goat’s head with curving horns Worshipers liches, necromancers, sapient undead Minions boneclaws, deathdrinkers, demons, other undead For information on his Obedience and boons for his worshipers, see Book of the Damned

Orcus is one of the most powerful demon lords in the Universe. But not on Golarion. On that world, his is one of a number of undead cults, and not nearly the most popular. Orcus has a clear hierarchy to what undead he considers truly worthy, with those created from contagion seen as inferior to accident, and those inferior to those who intentionally seek out undeath. His most dedicated worshippers on Golarion are liches, some of whom have learned the secret of crafting a phylactery by teasing apart the Prince of Undeath’s wisdom from his threats. The followers of many other undead-focused religions, particularly vampires and ghouls, see Orcus as pretentious and unworthy of dedication, although few are foolish enough to directly oppose him.

Orcus himself knows that his star has fallen. In his extensive research into planar lore, Orcus has learned that he was once the most feared being in another universe, who went on a killing spree that left several gods dead and an entire race of lawful outsiders duped into being his pawns. That Orcus cannot accomplish this level of power in this version of reality vexes and frustrates him, and he takes his rage out on his minions as much as he does his foes.

Orcus is a genius tactician, although his temper sometimes gets the better of him. He enjoys combat as a distraction from his cosmic-level sulk, and as a way of expressing his power over others. He typically opens combat with a time stop to summon allies and cast defensive spells on himself, and then unleashes a potent death effect as soon as the duration expires. Against creatures that can resist his negative energy and poison, he uses dispelling magic. On more than one occasion, Orcus has beaten a cocky archmage to a pulp by centering an antimagic field on himself and wading into combat.

Orcus in the Great Game Orcus’ response to the brewing theomachy between Mormo and Lamashtu is cautious optimism. He desires more power in the Abyss, and Lamashtu could open the door for him to seize it. Kabriri and Zura are at the top of Orcus’ hit list, but views a direct assault on them as currently too risky to be worth the effort. If one of them were to make a move against Lamashtu and be punished for it, or if they were struck down in the scramble for power following Lamashtu’s (theoretical) demotion or demise, Orcus would happily swoop in to finish them off. And if Mormo is capable of legitimately slaying a god, Orcus will be very keen to study her techniques.

Wand of Orcus (major artifact) The Wand of Orcus is the Prince of Undeath’s scepter of office, and it never leaves his side. Lesser versions have appeared in the Material Plane, often created by Orcus or one of his high-level clerics. The real Wand of Orcus is a Huge +5 anarchic, unholy heavy mace. In the hands of a demon, it grants a +4 profane bonus to Armor Class. The first time the Wand of Orcus strikes a living creature in a round, that creature is subject to a slay living spell (DC 30). Weight 24 lbs.; CL 25th

Demon Lord, Orcus CR 28 XP 4,915,200 CE Huge outsider (chaos, demon, evil, extraplanar) Init +11; Senses arcane sight, darkvision 120 ft., detect good, detect law, Perception +48, true seeing Aura frightful presence (120 ft., DC 36), undead obedience (120 ft., Will DC 36), unholy (DC 28)

Defense AC 47, touch 23, flat-footed 40(-2 size, +7 Dex, +4 deflection, +4 profane, +24 natural) hp 709(33d10+528); regeneration 30 (deific or mythic) Fort +31, Ref +29, Will +34 DR 20/cold iron, epic and good; Immune ability damage, ability drain, charm, compulsion, death effects, electricity, energy drain, petrification and poison; Resist acid 30, cold 30, fire 30; SR 39 Defensive Abilities Abyssal resurrection, freedom of movement, negative energy affinity

Offense Speed 40 ft., fly 60 ft. (average) Melee Wand of Orcus +51/+46/+41/+36 (3d6+20 plus 2d6 chaos and 2d6 evil/19-20), claw +44 (1d8+7), sting (2d4+7 plus poison), gore (2d6+7) or 2 claws +46 (1d8+15), sting +46 (2d4+15 plus poison), gore +46 (2d6+15) Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft. Special Attacks epic spellcasting, powerful charge (gore, 4d6+22) Spell-like Abilities CL 28th, concentration +38 (+42 casting defensively) Constant—arcane sight, detect good, detect law, freedom of movement, true seeing, unholy aura (DC 28, self only) At will—animate dead*, astral projection, blasphemy* (DC 27), circle of death* (DC 28), create undead, enervation*, greater dispel magic, greater teleport, plane shift* (DC 25), telekinesis* (DC 25), unholy blight* (DC 24) 3/day—control undead (DC 29), create greater undead, energy drain (DC 31), finger of death* (DC 29), quickened greater dispel magic, quickened harm*, summon demons or undead, symbol of death (DC 30) 1/day—power word kill*, time stop*, true resurrection, wail of the banshee (DC 31) * Orcus can use the mythic version of this spell-like ability in his domain Spells Prepared CL 20th, concentration +32 (+36 casting defensively) 9th—energy drain (DC 33), etherealness, mage’s disjunction* (D, DC 31), overwhelming presence (DC 31), soul bind (DC 33), wail of the banshee (DC 33) 8th —cloak of chaos (DC 30), fire storm* (DC 30), greater spell immunity, horrid wilting (DC 32), orb of the void* (DC 32), protection from spells (D), unholy aura (DC 30) 7th —control weather, destruction (DC 31), greater scrying (DC 29, x2), repulsion, spell turning (D), waves of exhaustion 6th —antilife shell, antimagic field (D), banshee blast (DC 30), blade barrier* (DC 28), geas/quest, harm* (DC 30), mass bull’s strength 5th —dispel good (DC 27), flame strike (DC 27), greater command (DC 27), mass ghostbane dirge (DC 27), righteous might, suffocation (D, DC 29), vampiric shadow shield 4th —contagion (DC 28), death ward (D), divine power (x2), rest eternal, sending (x2)*, tongues 3rd —bestow curse (x2, DC 27), prayer*, protection from energy, rage (D, DC 25), ray of exhaustion, vampiric touch*, water breathing 2nd —bear’s endurance (x2), death knell (D, DC 26), desecrate, owl’s wisdom (x2), resist energy, spiritual weapon* 1st —bane (DC 25), divine favor (x2), entropic shield, identify (D), ray of enfeeblement* (DC 25), sanctuary (DC 23), shield of faith* 0th—bleed (DC 24), detect magic, light, read magic *—Orcus may use the mythic version of this spell in his Abyssal domain

Statistics Str 40, Dex 25, Con 42, Int 30, Wis 35, Cha 31 Base Atk +33; CMB +50; CMD 71 Feats Combat Casting, Combat Reflexes, Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Craft Rod, Craft Wondrous Item, Flyby Attack, Greater Spell Focus (necromancy), Greater Spell Penetration, Improved Critical (heavy mace), Improved Initiative, Hover, Multiattack, Mythic Spell Lore (B), Power Attack, Quicken SLA (greater dispel magic, harm), Spell Focus (necromancy), Spell Penetration Skills Bluff +46, Craft (alchemy, weaponsmithing) +46, Fly +36, Intimidate +43, Knowledge (arcana, planes, religion) +46, Knowledge (dungeoneering, history) +43, Perception +48, Sense Motive +48, Spellcraft +46, Stealth +35, Survival +45, Use Magic Device +46 Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Infernal, Necril, telepathy 300 ft. SQ demon lord traits, master of death

Ecology Environment any land or underground (Abyss) Organization unique Treasure triple standard (Wand of Orcus, other treasure)

Special Abilities Aura of Undead Obedience (Su) Any undead creature within 120 feet that attempts to make a hostile action against Orcus must succeed a DC 36 Will save or be unable to take that action, wasting it. The save DC is Charisma based. Epic Spellcasting (Ex) Orcus gains Mythic Spell Lore as a bonus feat. Once per day, he can use one of his spell-like abilities or spells as if it was a mythic spell without spending a use of mythic power. This allows him to use a mythic spell or spell-like ability outside of his Abyssal domain, but he cannot augment that spell or spell-like ability by spending additional uses of mythic power. Master of Death (Ex) Orcus applies his Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus (necromancy) feats to his spell-like abilities. Death effects created by Orcus, including the Wand of Orcus in his hands, ignore immunity to death effects except for those granted by creature type, or from deific or mythic sources. Poison (Ex) Sting—injury; save Fort DC 42; duration 1/round for 4 rounds; damage 1d6 Str and 1d6 Con; cure 2 consecutive saves. A creature reduced to 0 Str by Orcus’ poison cannot breathe and begins to suffocate. The save DC is Constitution based. Spells Orcus can cast spells as a 20th level cleric, and can prepare necromancy spells from the sorcerer/wizard list as if they were cleric spells. He gets access to domain slots, and can fill them with spells from any of his domains or subdomains. He can also spontaneously cast inflict spells as an evil cleric can. Summon Demons and Undead (Sp) When Orcus summons demons, he can also summon undead creatures.

#orcus #demon #demon lord #pathfinder rpg #pathfinder 1e #D&D #satanic panic #todd lockwood #undead #outsider #necromancer #sponsored post #demigod

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daughter-of-sapph0 · 6 months

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Cardtober: Dwarf Planets

all the dwarf planets from my cardtober pixel art project

#dostxt #my art #dospics #pixel art #maebhdos #cardtober #ceres #pluto #eris #makemake #haumea #orcus #quaoar #gonggong

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dnd-smash-pass-vs · 15 days

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Orcus, the Prince of Undeath, The Shadow That Was. The 20 ft (6.1 m) tall telepathic master of undead whose ultimate goal is to wipe out all of existence so he'll finally have some peace and quiet. That said, we know he has had many biological children, so the whole "undead" thing really hasn't slowed him down on that front. He can stop time, create/animate/summon basically any undead, and can summon waves of arms to grapple and restrain! A bunch of other stuff as well, but I assume you don't need to know all the ways he can instantly kill/vaporize you. Please don't make that your end goal with fucking.

#orcus #dnd #dnd5e #DnD 5e #d&d #smash or pass #5e #monsters of the multiverse #mpmm

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cannibalcaprine · 1 month

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my DM doesn't know him apparently so i'm relegating this question to the people:

#dnd #d&d #orcus

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jasper-pagan-witch · 3 months

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*Pluto not included because it would skew the vote, Pluto will feature in a future poll.

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skidar · 5 months

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There is so much chaotic bar dnd shenanigans that led to this that I wouldn't know where to begin but here's a fun poster I made for my bar dnd crew of The Dankening. A 6 week ordeal of all different tables of people attempting to thwart an evil reverse-centaur, Dank Dave, from taking over the world.

#skidar art #skidar studios #the dankening #dnd #dungeons and dragons #dank dave #reverse centaur #bellinghamlet #orcus #god of undeath

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astrologged · 1 year

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Orcus in the signs

Orcus (90482), named after the Roman god of the underworld. Its placement in a natal chart can give insight into an individual's relationship with power, control, and transformation. A minor planet that represents the energy of consequence and karma.

Orcus in Aries: A desire for power and control in personal relationships, as well as a need to be seen as a leader or pioneer in one's field. A person's past actions and decisions have led them to a point where they need to learn to balance their assertiveness with consideration for others, and to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. They may also be required to work on developing a stronger sense of self and individuality, and to learn how to use their personal power in a positive and constructive way. Orcus in Aries may indicate a need for personal growth and the development of leadership skills.

Orcus in Taurus: A strong desire for material security and stability, as well as a need for control over one's possessions and resources. They have a strong attachment to material things and may feel as if they are owed something in life. They have a tendency to hold onto grudges and not forgive easily, which can lead to karmic debt in the future. On the other hand, they may be able to work hard and accumulate wealth, but they need to be careful not to become too greedy.

Orcus in Gemini: A desire for mental control and manipulation, as well as a need for intellectual dominance or influence. There’s a focus on communication, information, and intellectual pursuits when it comes to issues of justice and karmic consequences. There's a need for clear and precise communication in legal or ethical matters. Alternatively, there may be a tendency to be intellectually cunning or deceptive in order to avoid consequences or manipulate situations. It’s a good idea to consider different sides of an issue before passing judgment or taking action.

Orcus in Cancer: A desire for emotional control and manipulation, as well as a need for security and protection in personal relationships. There are karmic issues related to the persons family and home life. This placement indicates a need to transform or heal past wounds related to their upbringing, and to confront any unresolved emotional issues. There’s also a need to address any issues related to nurturing and taking care of oneself and others. This placement indicates a strong connection to one's ancestral roots and a sense of duty towards family and the home.

Orcus in Leo: A desire for recognition and fame, as well as a need for control over one's public image and reputation. These themes are expressed in a way that is focused on personal identity, self-expression, creativity, and leadership. There's a strong drive to take responsibility for one's own actions and to make a positive impact on the world. There can be a tendency to become overly attached to one's own ego, which could lead to conflicts with others or a sense of isolation. The challenge with Orcus in Leo is to balance a strong sense of self with a willingness to work collaboratively and to consider the needs of others.

Orcus in Virgo: A need for control over one's health and daily routines, as well as a desire for perfection and order in all aspects of life. There’s a focus on justice and fairness. Virgo's tendency to be analytical and critical may also amplify the themes of Orcus, causing an person to be particularly hard on themselves or others when it comes to issues of right and wrong. The analytical abilities of Virgo may also help the person to be more adept at detecting and addressing imbalances or injustices. They have a strong sense of duty and responsibility to make sure things are "right," and work tirelessly to achieve this goal. They need to be careful not to become overly critical or perfectionistic in their quest for justice.

Orcus in Libra: A need for control over one's relationships and partnerships, as well as a desire for social harmony and balance. There’s an emphasis on issues related to relationships, partnerships, and fairness. People with this placement may be particularly focused on achieving balance and harmony in their lives and relationships. They're driven to seek justice and fairness in all aspects of life, and have a strong sense of what is right and wrong. They also struggle with indecision or difficulty making choices, as they see all sides of a situation and want to consider everyone's needs and perspectives. There’s a strong desire for balance and fairness in all areas of life, particularly in relationships and partnerships.

Orcus in Scorpio: A desire for power and control in all areas of life, as well as a need for transformation and regeneration. There’s a deep fascination with the hidden and taboo, as well as an interest in power and control. This brings intense and transformative experiences related to sexuality, death, and the occult. It also creates a tendency towards obsessive or compulsive behavior, as well as a potential for hidden or repressed anger. With self-awareness and emotional maturity, this placement can lead to a profound understanding of the mysteries of life and death, and a powerful capacity for transformation and regeneration.

Orcus in Sagittarius: A desire for control over one's beliefs and ideologies, as well as a need for spiritual growth and exploration. The person with this placement is concerned with seeking truth and justice in their life. They have a strong sense of morality and ethics, and feel compelled to follow their beliefs and convictions, even if it means going against societal norms or expectations. They also have a keen interest in philosophy, religion, or higher education, and might pursue these areas of study as a way to gain greater understanding and wisdom. At times, they struggle with dogmatism, rigid thinking, or a sense of self-righteousness, which may alienate them from others or create conflicts. When they are able to maintain an open mind and a sense of humility, they can use their strong moral compass to inspire and guide others towards greater understanding and justice.

Orcus in Capricorn: A desire for power and control in professional and social settings, as well as a need for structure and discipline. There’s a strong drive to succeed in their careers and they feel a sense of responsibility to uphold the status quo. They’re also more attuned to the darker aspects of power dynamics and may be able to see through superficial displays of authority or tradition. In relationships there’s need for respect and authority. They prefer relationships that have a clear structure and defined roles. They must be wary of partners who try to exert control or manipulate them in hidden ways.

Orcus in Aquarius: A desire for control over one's social and political ideals, as well as a need for innovation and progress. There’s a need to reform or revolutionize societal structures and systems that are oppressive or limiting. There's a strong sense of justice and equality for all, and a desire to bring about change through unconventional or innovative means. This placement indicates a fear of losing individuality or personal freedom in the face of conformity or authority, and a need to assert independence in unconventional ways. There’s a focus on group dynamics and the greater good, as well as a desire to break free from tradition and embrace new ideas and perspectives.

Orcus in Pisces: A desire for control over one's spiritual and emotional experiences, as well as a need for transcendence and enlightenment. There’s a need to face subconscious fears and spiritual issues related to endings, loss, and surrender. Pisces is a sign associated with the collective unconscious, imagination, and sensitivity, and Orcus here may emphasize the need to let go of old patterns or illusions that hinder spiritual growth. It also suggests a connection to hidden or taboo subjects, or a need to confront issues related to sacrifice or martyrdom.

#Orcus #in #the #signs #aries #taurus #gemini #cancer #leo #virgo #libra #scorpio #sagittarius #capricorn #aquarius #pisces #karma #karmic astrology

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myut0eve · 1 month

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DnD March 2 Day 16: Orcus

#orcus #dnd #dungeons and dragons #my art #illustration #fantasy #demon #demon girl #out of the abyss #ttrpg

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chunkypossum · 13 days

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Come Hel or High Lord: Ch 13

Chapter 13: Choices

Words: 6700

Reminder: This is a crossover between all SJM series. So spoilers for TOG, ACOTAR, and CC

Summary:

Aelin does what Aelin does. It doesn’t end well.

Snippet below the cut. Read on Ao3

The coolness of the night air reached his face and somehow, Rhys felt it, even though he didn’t have full control over his own body. Orcus was still puppeting his limbs but growing weaker and weaker, as if he was getting sleepy. Rhys almost laughed at the absurdity that monsters could even get tired. The stars winked at him through the small window overhead and Rhys was able to turn and face them, a small comfort in the growing darkness. “They are out there somewhere. You’re family? Loved Ones? Your home? Come now Rhysand, we are no longer strangers, you can tell me everything” Orcus crooned, using his vocal chords to speak the words into existence. Rhys cringed inwardly. “Fuck off.” “Not interested. However, I am interested in learning more about you. When we return you to your home I will need to have learned a great deal about you.” “I will never let you leave this place, even if I have to … die.” Rhys almost choked on the word knowing that his death meant Feyre’s but if it would keep all of the rest of their world safe from the foul thing inside him, he would do it. He knew Feyre would be glad to do it as well. Nyx would be well taken care of. Even without his parents, Nyx would thrive. “Tell me about your world, young one.” “No.” “Tell me what sweet things I will find there. Show. Me. Your. Memories.” The last word was accentuated by Rhysand’s grunts of pain as Orcus lanced through his mind, trying to find the information he sought. Rhys screamed louder and louder trying to hide away all of the pieces of himself he didn’t want seen. His powers, most of them, and his most precious people he safely locked away but the rest of it was fair game. Orcus gorged on Rhysand’s memories like it was fine wine, getting drunk off Rhys' anguish. “So much power. But where is it? You clever child. Hiding it from me. But… you can’t hide everything can you? You’re still mine and I have such great plans for you, for us. You can’t hide it all forever.” Rhys screamed and cried out as the invasion of his mind continued. He was being ripped to pieces and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Soon, images of Cassin, Azriel, Mor and Amren flashed across his mind. “No!” He slammed his memories closed but it was too late. As an image of Feyre holding his sweet Nyx faded from view, Orcus began to chuckle. “Hmm.” He mused, “Will they be able to tell that daddy isn’t home do you think? Oh the fun we shall have together.”

This is a cross over fic so a giant cast of characters and a big stupid storyline but Azris is my main bitch in this fic so ... Holla at ya boi if you want on or off the Azris tag train : @talibunny30 @iftheshoef1tz @born-to-riot @pathfinderofnight @fell-in-luvs @fieldofdaisiies @aktrain @honeysuckle-daydreams13 @secret-third-thing @acourtofladydeath @pippsmcgee @youvereachedthenearest-lovergirl @baileybird71 @skyesayshi @yanny-77

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astrologyzodiacsigns · 21 hours

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Orcus Through the Houses (90482)

Orcus in the 1st House - The Guardian of Boundaries: With Orcus gracing your 1st house, you embody the archetype of the guardian of boundaries. Just as Orcus enforced the boundaries between the living and the dead, you are fiercely protective of your personal space and identity. You may have a strong sense of self-preservation and a need to define your individuality in clear terms. Embrace your role as the keeper of your own domain and set healthy boundaries to safeguard your well-being.

Orcus in the 2nd House - The Sentinel of Values: As Orcus patrols your 2nd house, you take on the role of the sentinel of values. Much like Orcus guarded the treasures of the underworld, you protect your resources and uphold your principles with unwavering determination. Your sense of self-worth is deeply rooted in your ability to defend what you hold dear, whether it be material possessions or core beliefs. Harness your innate strength to preserve what is truly valuable to you.

Orcus in the 3rd House - The Custodian of Communication: With Orcus stationed in your 3rd house, you become the custodian of communication. Just as Orcus facilitated communication between the realms, you serve as a mediator between different perspectives and ideas. Your words carry weight and authority, and you may find yourself drawn to roles that involve negotiation or diplomacy. Embrace your gift for bridging divides and fostering understanding through clear and honest communication.

Orcus in the 4th House - The Keeper of Ancestral Legacy: In the depths of your 4th house, Orcus stands as the keeper of ancestral legacy. Like Orcus, you are deeply connected to your roots and heritage, and you may feel a strong sense of responsibility towards your family lineage. Your home is your sanctuary, a place where you honor the traditions of the past while forging your own path forward. Embrace the wisdom of your ancestors and draw strength from the foundation they have laid for you.

Orcus in the 5th House - The Guardian of Creativity: With Orcus gracing your 5th house, you become the guardian of creativity. Like Orcus who watched over the creative forces of the underworld, you protect and nurture your artistic inspirations with fierce devotion. Your creative expression is infused with depth and intensity, reflecting the profound depths of your soul. Embrace your role as a steward of creative energy and allow your imagination to roam freely in the realms of possibility.

Orcus in the 6th House - The Sentinel of Service: In your 6th house, Orcus takes on the role of the sentinel of service. Like Orcus who enforced order and discipline in the underworld, you uphold a sense of duty and responsibility in your daily life. You take pride in your work and strive for excellence in all that you do. Your commitment to service is unwavering, and you may find fulfillment in roles that allow you to make a meaningful contribution to the well-being of others. Embrace your dedication to service and let it guide you towards a fulfilling sense of purpose.

Orcus in the 7th House - The Guardian of Relationships: With Orcus presiding over your 7th house, you become the guardian of relationships. Like Orcus who oversaw the bonds between the living and the dead, you are deeply invested in the dynamics of partnership and collaboration. Your relationships are marked by a sense of commitment and loyalty, and you may be drawn to individuals who share your values and ideals. Embrace your role as a protector of interpersonal harmony and strive to cultivate connections that withstand the test of time.

Orcus in the 8th House - The Keeper of Transformation: In the depths of your 8th house, Orcus serves as the keeper of transformation. Like Orcus who presided over the mysteries of the underworld, you are drawn to the depths of the human experience and the process of profound change. You may possess an innate understanding of the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, and you are unafraid to confront the darker aspects of existence. Embrace your ability to navigate the realms of the subconscious and harness the power of regeneration to facilitate your own personal growth.

Orcus in the 9th House - The Custodian of Wisdom: With Orcus illuminating your 9th house, you become the custodian of wisdom. Like Orcus who guarded the secrets of the underworld, you are drawn to the pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment. Your thirst for understanding takes you on a journey of exploration and discovery, spanning both physical and metaphysical realms. Embrace your role as a seeker of truth and allow your curiosity to lead you towards a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the universe.

Orcus in the 10th House - The Sentinel of Authority: In your 10th house, Orcus takes on the role of the sentinel of authority. Like Orcus who enforced order in the underworld, you wield a sense of power and responsibility in the public sphere. You may be drawn to roles that involve leadership or governance, and you take pride in your ability to uphold standards of integrity and accountability. Embrace your authority with humility and use it to effect positive change in the world around you.

Orcus in the 11th House - The Guardian of Community: With Orcus presiding over your 11th house, you become the guardian of community. Like Orcus who oversaw the spirits of the departed, you feel a deep connection to the collective consciousness of humanity. Your social circles are marked by a sense of camaraderie and mutual support, and you may be drawn to causes that promote the welfare of the greater good. Embrace your role as a steward of social progress and strive to build inclusive communities that honor the diversity of human experience.

Orcus in the 12th House - The Keeper of Mysteries: In the depths of your 12th house, Orcus serves as the keeper of mysteries. Like Orcus who presided over the shadowy realms of the underworld, you are drawn to the hidden dimensions of existence beyond the realm of ordinary perception. Your intuition is keen, and you possess a deep understanding of the workings of the subconscious mind. Embrace your connection to the unseen forces of the universe and allow yourself to explore the depths of your own psyche with courage and curiosity.

#orcus #astrology #zodiac signs #houses #astrology observations

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occatorcreator · 1 month

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Orcus and his companion Vanth?

Orcus and Vanth feel like they would be ballet dancers

#occatorart #dwarf planet series #orcus #vanth #planet gijinka

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stabbymcstabsy · 4 months

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A bit of a rush job since we were not expecting to get to the boss so suddenly, kinda hard to predict our warlock getting turned into a sphere of annihilation and absorbing 3 bags of holding. So yeah smash cut to final boss fight for one last hoorah.

#dnd #dungeonsanddragons #orcus #miniturepainting

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illegiblewords · 4 months

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SOME ILLEGIBLE RAMBLES AND REFLECTIONS: A DIVINE CALLING

Continuation of the Dungeons and Dragons cosmology rant I started here, post-Baldur's Gate 3. This is more side-notes with odd bits and bobs I've noticed about Faerûn’s pantheon along with what amounts to a campaign premise.

There are layers, but whether on a realistic ‘human history of polytheism’ front or even compared to other fantasy pantheons—the way gods operate in Dungeons and Dragons is fucking weird.

In a lot of stories, mortal belief shapes the nature of gods. This is partially the case here but not entirely. Sometimes a thing exists or happens, and you just end up with a deity or primordial claiming dominion over that thing. The jurisdiction a god presides over is referred to in Dungeons and Dragons as a 'divine portfolio'. Sometimes gods are born spontaneously out of the aether or by other gods. Sometimes gods quit or die and pass their positions on to others. Mortals can ascend to godhood sure, but that usually takes a fair amount of work along with strategy. Not to mention shit comes with certain caveats.

EX.

Karsus fucked up by using magic to try and replace the goddess of magic. That logistically left him responsible for consciously maintaining the entire Weave when the goddess Mystryl had done it constantly and unconsciously. It wasn’t something he could ever hope to pull off along with his spell. It’s as if Karsus was a top notch marathon runner, but during his hardest race also had to consciously beat his own heart and breathe and send out signals from the brain when that was all previously autonomic. Shit wasn’t gonna work.

What I’ve noticed across lore videos (but also in Baldur’s Gate 3) is, some of the gods are actively acting against their own portfolios and followers on the regular. More than that, divine jurisdictions are a mess and there is just no oversight most of the time.

It’s not even a morality thing for me. It’s not ‘oh Zeus fucked another mortal and Hera went on another rampage’. It's not ‘there’s a stupid beauty contest between the gods and war ensues because no one wants to lose’ either. It’s that the gods of Dungeons and Dragons are mind-blowingly unprofessional about being gods. For many, there is zero accountability for the specific areas they are appointed divinity. It would be like Athena being a goddess of weaving but also an actively shit weaver. Some of what I've seen seems like outright divine malpractice, for lack of another way to put it.

Shar’s portfolio is darkness, forgetfulness, loss, secrets, and night. If it was purely going off of her portfolio and not the goddess who holds it, she’d fit perfectly in terms of coping mechanisms, navigating grief, finding shelter/comfort at night and while concealed, and overall the unknown as something gentle and merciful. People are stated to seek her out specifically for those things, as her portfolio indicates.

Shar is not a trickster-domain goddess, or a goddess of lies, or a goddess of spite and vengeance, or a goddess of treachery, or a goddess of destruction. She adopts those things arbitrarily for herself and wields them through/against her own followers, but they have nothing to do with her actual portfolio. Her actual porfolio is needed, but is being neglected because Shar doesn’t give a shit. She was born as a goddess of those things but she doesn’t bother with them except insofar as they can be exploited for personal gain.

She’s like a grief counselor you go to in your lowest, most vulnerable moment seeking help. There is nowhere else and she’s supposed to be a specialist. Then Dr. Shar tells you 1) kys 2) kill a bunch of other people on your way out.

Again, it’s not even a matter of her being an evil goddess. It’s that she’s an UNPROFESSIONAL evil goddess. Lolth has zero problem because she’s clear about her portfolio and has fucktons of followers who know what she’s about and are on board. Doesn't matter how unhealthy it is, it's eyes wide open. Lolth worked for what she has and runs everything with the Drow seamlessly according to her office. Good for her.

Related, I saw people on twitter getting really angry at the Faerûnian pantheon when Asterion revealed he’d tried to pray to any god he could think of only to be ignored. People were arguing it’s because the gods discriminate against vampires/the undead.

But there are gods of the undead. At least two I know offhand. Orcus namely (although he’s sort of between minor deity and just a straight up demon), as he DOES explicitly work with vampires. (The other god is Vecna, by the by. But he's also evil and mainly focuses on other things + liches.) Orcus is both chaotic evil and a demon. It's worth noting he specifically wound up with his portfolio because he was the only guy remotely qualified for that job regardless of how he felt about it. He doesn’t strictly want to be there but because of how he operates in terms of alignment and abyssal nature he can get away with fickleness. Guy had godhood thrust upon him.

I’d argue he’s the closest to managing Asterion’s jurisdiction so far as undeath is concerned, but Asterion’s alignment and situation are both outside it. Asterion needed a neutral or good deity of the undead, and that role remains unfilled. On a personal level he’d be eligible for ex. Ilmater, but where metaphysical filing was concerned he automatically got rerouted to Orcus who’s doing as little as he can manage on the best of days where divinity is concerned.

It’s not even Orcus’s fault. Again, Orcus didn’t ask for that. Orcus is a terrible person/demon/god and isn’t out for responsibility of any sort. He has never given cause to believe otherwise. Undead ask Orcus for favors or help becoming liches and shit, and sometimes he’s on board. He gave Vecna a hand when he needed it. But it’s on an ‘if I feel like it’ basis for the guy. Taking this openly chaotic evil demon and nominating him to answer the prayers of all undead irrespective of alignment and circumstances is so far outside this dude’s job description it’s insane. You wouldn’t do that to a deity of the living. Hell, even deities of the dead there are like at least four managing different aspects of it at any given time.

And much as I like Jergal, my guy gave his portfolio away to the first three people who asked and let them sort out who got what over a game of knucklebones. He’s in a position that’s a better fit for him personally now and I’m happy for him, but he did not depart from office in the most professional fashion he could have.

(Taking a moment to discuss my understanding of Kelemvor after checking some lore videos, with the disclaimer this is secondhand knowledge. Kelemvor was once a mortal. When he became god of the dead, Kelemvor wanted to ensure non-adherents were treated fairly instead of blanket-punished for not following a god. He tried to make a system that rewarded people who were virtuous but not devout, for example. Except word got out and mortals who had been worshipping deities purely because they wanted a certain afterlife guarantee left in favor of being unaffiliated, which drained those deities of power/resources. Led to a whole tantrum from multiple gods until Kelemvor bowed to divine nepotism saying ‘I’m sorry I was thinking with my mortal brain’. I think he adjusted the system so that non-adherents would be grouped with other non-adherents of similar moral standing, and they’d need to construct their own afterlives together. Which, not bad but holy fuck the fact that other gods banded together and bullied Kelemvor until he changed policy to benefit them again is kind of scary.)

I would argue there needs to be a campaign where disenfranchised mortals come together across alignments and creeds to appoint a divine manager holding gods accountable in some capacity and maintaining professional standards. I was trying to figure out if it was a matter of unions or OSHA or something, but naw man this is actually why managers are needed. It isn’t even HR. It’s someone making sure the workplace functions and that customers aren’t being fucked over/driven away so to speak.

I want to see adventurers convincing the forces of chaos that this is ultimately to their benefit too. I want to see weird alliances/resource pooling. See if Mechanus will lend a hand. Nominate contenders for the position from workplaces across Toril. Do elves have an advantage because they don’t need to sleep? Who is organized enough? How would delegation of responsibilities work—would there be more active involvement from celestials and clergy?

And like, what would a divine manager DO? One example I can think of is that since ex. Shar is an example of supreme nepotism, either:

A. She gets her shit together and addresses her actual portfolio properly in the spirit it was constructed B. She surrenders her portfolio to another deity who can actually address it to either become a demon (more personal freedom but less power) OR adopt the domain that actually reflects what she does instead of false-advertising.

If she wants to be a goddess of spite, theft, destruction, trickery, lies, vengeance, and/or treachery she can be a goddess of those things--but it might lower her divine rank somewhat by connection. If she wants to be ~true to herself~ with a new portfolio that's fine but she's going to make less bank than Selune does and that's something she's going to have to live with.

Shar was promoted beyond her personal capabilities, and while she might still be employable somewhere I don’t think it should be in the same position she’d been fucking up. She misused all of her funds and prayers on interior decoration. She thought seniority meant she was above reproach and she deserves to be held accountable.

A divine manager could see if there’s a need for a particular employment position and start organizing to have that position filled. Ex. If deities of neutral or good undead are needed, that’s a spot where aspiring mortals can apply. And the sorts of tribute a divine manager might get could be hilarious. Imagine sacrifices of caffeine and fantasy office supplies. What symbols/titles would they get?

And you know this deity would get all kinds of bullshit prayers from entitled mortals too. Like a person calling the police because their hamburger was supposed to have large fries on the side but they’re stuck with medium. Sometimes concerns are real but sometimes people abuse the resource. The divine manager needs a will of adamant.

Anyway.

The final detail I’ll mention in this whole ramble is—I think for deities at least, there needs to be some level of reasonable to their portfolios/modus operandi that lets you understand how a regular person would pray to them. Tying to the previous post, if all Bhaalists are Orin then Bhaal just isn’t going to have a whole lot of disciples. Might get a small pocket of serial killers I guess but grand scheme he’s going to be weak as fuck. But if you step back and go ‘Bhaal isn’t a god of sadistic and gratuitous murder, Bhaal is the inevitable death-price of life’ suddenly he makes a whole lot more sense. You get philosophers of Bhaal too, who you can have a perfectly pleasant lunch conversation with. Yeenoghu gets a pass for doubling as a demon lord (akin to Orcus) with power independent of divinity.

#dungeons and dragons #baldur’s gate 3 #baldur's gate iii #bg3 #bgiii #shar #Orcus #bhaal #Jergal #Kelemvor #tl;dr we should fire shar

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