Gwahlur



GWAHLUR The King of Darkness

Pantheon
None, worshipped in Shem but is not part of their pantheon.

Regions of Worship

 * Shem (Hidden cult not included in the pantheon of Shem)
 * Keshan

The worship of Gwahlur was brought to Keshan by the Shemites who founded the city of Alkmeenon. It is thus probable that cults or servants of Gwahlur still exist in Shem.

Representation
''“There was no phosphorus here, but the light of the torches fell on a larger altar and a more obscene and repulsive god squatting toad-like upon it. Before this repugnant deity Gorulga and his ten acolytes knelt and beat their heads upon the ground, while chanting monotonously. Conan realized why their progress had been so slow. Evidently approaching the secret crypt of the Teeth was a complicated and elaborate ritual.”'' — Robert E. Howard, «Jewels of Gwahlur»

Gender Representation: Male

Symbolism

 * Darkness
 * Nine Gems

Spheres of Power

 * Darkness
 * Death
 * Prophecy

Rituals & Beliefs
Much secrecy and superstition surround the myths of Gwahlur. Evidence seems to suggest that the priests of Keshia are not in fact priests of Gwahlur, but worship other gods of the jungle, such as Dagon, Derketa and Damballah. These gods might have tasked the priesthood to guard the sacred gems known as the Teeth of Gwahlur, and to perform rituals that keep Gwahlur chained or imprisoned somewhere. As such, the true might of Gwahlur can only be guessed at.

The center of Gwahlur worship is Alkmeenon, a hidden city which is taboo to all Keshians except the priests of that land. Beneath the ruined palace of Alkmeenon, there exists a series of caverns, each with a hideous idol of a god or demon (images, perhaps, of Gwahlur, or of the gods that cooperated to steal his teeth). Darkness, which seems to consume and eat torchlight, hides the true size of each cave.

The Priesthood:
The black priests of Keshan dress in leopardskin tunics, their heads decorated with ostrich plumes. They use invocations spoken in the ancient tongue of Alkmeenon, handed down from generation to generation of high priests. Only priests know how to unlock the bronze gates leading to the tunnels. During ceremonies, the priests make their way into each chamber and chant before each idol before moving into the next chamber.

The Oracle Yelaja, the last princess of the original founders of Alkmeenon, has some sort of arcane connection with Gwahlur; she is sometimes called the «dweller with the great one of darkness». Yelaja died at an early age, yet her beauty never waned and her body never decayed. Each night when the moon floods the palace, she rises from her repose to once more rule over the city. The priests seek her audience, begging the great Oracle of Alkmeenon for wisdom and potents.

Implementation IC & In-Game
Vanilla Derketo religion as placeholder. Priesthood can be of both genders.

More Information

 * hyboria.xoth.net
 * Faith and Fervour (Conan RPG book)