Vortulon, the Everhungry

Vortulon, the Everhungry, is a tormented entity driven by insatiable hunger, trapped in the Outer Darkness with most Eldritch Gods, unable to wander Ecliptica. Once a mortal consumed by unquenchable appetite, Vortulon spiraled into an eternal state of ravenous yearning. His followers, driven mad by his psychic influence, starve themselves, fearing food as their hands tremble with increasing severity, culminating in a “sacrifice” where they merge with his hunger. Rare followers gain immunity to starvation, becoming immortal but trapped in gaunt, mummified, lich-like forms, forever craving sustenance they cannot consume. From the Outer Darkness, Vortulon’s hunger seeps through the Veil, threatening Ravensgate’s lockdown and the material plane.

Description:
Vortulon’s skeletal form looms, with elongated limbs bent at unnatural angles, like gnarled branches seeking sustenance. Stripped of flesh, his bones and sinew reflect his unending hunger. Sunken eyes glow with sickly craving, scanning for morsels. His unnaturally wide mouth wails with the agonized cries of starving masses, a haunting chorus. The air around him reeks of desperation, draining life’s essence. Though trapped in the Outer Darkness, Vortulon’s psychic presence chills Ravensgate, his eternal appetite a threat to all existence.

History:
Vortulon’s origins lie in Ecliptica’s pre-Aetherian era, where myths claim he was a gluttonous warlord who consumed a void-shard, transforming into the Everhungry. His cult, the Famine Cabal, spread starvation plagues, weakening early kingdoms. In the Aetherian Empire, the Cabal infiltrated Ironreach, starving workers in the “Hungerforge Crisis,” forging cursed relics that drained life. Vortulon’s influence peaked until Aetherian arcanists banished him to the Outer Darkness during the “Starvebind Ritual,” sealing him beyond the Veil.

In the Calamity of the Void (300 years ago), the Famine Cabal weakened the Veil, allowing Vortulon’s psychic hunger to amplify the “Starveplague,” a psychic affliction driving Sylvaris villages to self-starvation, leaving barren wastes. Valthorne’s armies, touched by his whispers, refused rations, collapsing from hunger-induced madness. Nocturne scholars, fearing food, became mummified zealots, preserving forbidden knowledge in starved bodies.

In Ravensgate’s lockdown, Vortulon’s influence surges through Veil rifts. The Famine Cabal, in the District of Desolation, conducts starvation rituals at the Ruined Basilica, weakening anchors to free Vortulon. Refugees report trembling hands and food aversion, some becoming mummified immortals. The Starveplague may link to the current plague, offering clues or threats to Plague Doctors seeking its source.

Characters:

  1. High Starvelord Kaelith

    • Description: Famine Cabal leader, mummified, glowing eyes.

    • Backstory: Desolation zealot, immortal from Vortulon’s gift, starves followers to free him. Fights players (CR 4, Wight) to spread Starveplague.

  2. Dr. Myron Hollowvein

    • Description: Science District alchemist, gaunt, trembling hands.

    • Backstory: Crafts anti-plague serums, fears food due to Vortulon’s whispers. Offers samples (Investigation DC 16) but risks spreading hunger.

  3. Lady Vionelle Starvecrown

    • Description: Iron Quill noble, skeletal, shaking fingers.

    • Backstory: Spires aristocrat, starves for Vortulon, hoards hunger-relics. Trades them for loyalty (Persuasion DC 15).

  4. Rhea Faminewind

    • Description: Skyrunners’ Guild pilot, emaciated, fearful gaze.

    • Backstory: Mists smuggler, touched by Vortulon’s hunger, avoids food. Trades reagents, fears sacrifice (Insight DC 14).

  5. Brother Lorne Hungerveil

    • Description: Saffron Veil monk, gaunt, steady eyes.

    • Backstory: Shadows healer, resists Vortulon’s hunger, seeks relics to stop Starveplague. Tasks rift-sealing (Religion DC 14).

  6. Toren Boneforge

    • Description: Ironreach smith, skeletal, trembling grip.

    • Backstory: Iron District forger, crafted hunger-relics, aids Plague Doctors to atone. Offers lockdown tech (Arcana DC 15).

  7. Sylva Wraithbloom

    • Description: Verdant Covenant druid, withered, calm gaze.

    • Backstory: Mists herbalist, purifies Mistspire from Vortulon’s hunger, trades anti-plague herbs (Nature DC 12).

  8. Captain Vren Hollowblade

    • Description: City Watch officer, bony, shaking hands.

    • Backstory: Order District guard, fears food from Vortulon’s influence, tasks players to destroy hunger-relics (Persuasion DC 14).

  9. Zorath Starvewrack

    • Description: Ebon Star cultist, mummified, frenzied eyes.

    • Backstory: Desolation zealot, immune to starvation, spreads Vortulon’s plague. Fights players (CR 3, Cult Fanatic).

  10. Madame Elyra Gauntweave

    • Description: Syndicate seer, skeletal, trembling voice.

    • Backstory: Shadows fortune-teller, uses Vortulon’s visions to scam refugees, trades plague lore (Deception DC 14).

Past Interactions with Denizens:
Trapped in the Outer Darkness, Vortulon’s psychic hunger has shaped Ecliptica through his Famine Cabal. In the Aetherian Empire, the Cabal starved Ironreach workers, forging hunger-relics that drained life, weakening the empire until Vortulon’s banishment in the Starvebind Ritual. During the Calamity, Cabal rituals weakened the Veil, allowing Vortulon’s Starveplague to drive Sylvaris villages to self-starvation, leaving barren wastes. Valthorne soldiers, hearing his whispers, refused food, collapsing from tremors and madness. Nocturne scholars, fearing sustenance, became mummified zealots, preserving forbidden knowledge. In pre-lockdown Ravensgate, the “Famine Riots” saw Spires nobles starve under Cabal influence, some becoming immortal but mummified, their estates haunted by hunger-visions. Now, the Famine Cabal exploits Veil rifts in Desolation, performing starvation rituals to free Vortulon, spreading the Starveplague. Survivors like Brother Lorne resist, destroying hunger-relics, while others, like Zorath Starvewrack, embrace immortality, sacrificing others to merge with Vortulon’s hunger. Plague Doctors must navigate his psychic influence, risking starvation to uncover the plague’s source and prevent his release.