Xyraxis, the Herald of Desolation

@Xyraxis, the Herald of Desolation, is a sinister and enigmatic entity, known as the bringer of ruin and despair. Emerging from the void’s depths, Xyraxis spreads darkness and corruption, with an insatiable hunger for destruction that reduces civilizations to ashes. Its presence sows chaos and despair, and its followers, the Cult of Desolation, embrace a nihilistic ideology, accelerating the decline and annihilation of all things. In Ravensgate, Xyraxis’s influence threatens the magical lockdown, potentially linked to the plague’s origin, challenging Plague Doctors to confront its desolation to save the city.

Description:
Xyraxis manifests as a towering figure shrouded in tattered robes billowing like tendrils of black smoke. Its distorted form, a chaotic amalgamation of jagged edges and twisted limbs, evokes unease and impending doom. The air crackles with malevolence, and its eyes gleam with cold, unrelenting malice. The ground trembles beneath its steps, and the world withers in its presence. Those who encounter Xyraxis feel overwhelming hopelessness, as if the world’s doom weighs upon them. To face Xyraxis is to confront the inevitability of desolation, a chilling reminder of existence’s fragility.

History:
Xyraxis’s influence on Ecliptica began in ancient times, with pre-Aetherian legends describing it as the “Ashbringer,” a void-spawned force that razed early kingdoms, leaving barren wastes. During the Aetherian Empire, its Cult of Desolation infiltrated Nocturne, spreading corruption through “Desolation Rifts,” which decayed cities and fueled paranoia, contributing to the empire’s decline. The “Ashveil Collapse” saw Valthorne outposts reduced to dust, blamed on Xyraxis’s influence, weakening the empire before the Calamity of the Void (300 years ago).

In the Calamity, the Cult of Desolation exploited Veil weaknesses, summoning Xyraxis’s essence to unleash the “Witherplague,” a decay-inducing affliction that eroded Sylvaris forests and Valthorne fortresses. Nocturne scholars, corrupted by Xyraxis, abandoned knowledge for nihilism, hastening the empire’s fall. Ironreach’s forges produced “Ashshards,” artifacts that spread desolation, crumbling infrastructure. Xyraxis was partially sealed in the Outer Darkness by Aetherian arcanists, but its influence persists through rifts.

In Ravensgate’s lockdown, Xyraxis’s presence intensifies. The Cult of Desolation, based in the District of Desolation, performs rituals at the Ruined Basilica, using Ashshards to weaken lockdown anchors and summon Xyraxis’s essence. Refugees report landscapes withering and despair gripping communities, suggesting the Witherplague links to the current plague. Plague Doctors must uncover whether Xyraxis’s desolation drives the plague or holds clues to its cure.

Characters:

  1. Duskcaller Veyron

    • Description: Cult of Desolation leader, ashen robes, hollow eyes.

    • Backstory: Desolation nihilist, summons Xyraxis’s rifts to spread ruin. Fights players (CR 4, Cult Fanatic) to hasten annihilation.

  2. Dr. Sylas Ashveil

    • Description: Science District alchemist, gray skin, despairing gaze.

    • Backstory: Crafts anti-plague serums, tainted by Xyraxis’s despair. Offers samples (Investigation DC 16) but fears spreading Witherplague.

  3. Lord Kael Dustcrown

    • Description: Iron Quill noble, ashen cloak, grim expression.

    • Backstory: Spires schemer, hoards Ashshards for Xyraxis, trades relics for power (Persuasion DC 15).

  4. Talia Wraithwind

    • Description: Skyrunners’ Guild pilot, soot-stained leathers, haunted.

    • Backstory: Mists smuggler, saw Xyraxis’s rift, trades reagents but fears decay (Insight DC 14).

  5. Sister Vionna Duskveil

    • Description: Saffron Veil healer, pale, steady hands.

    • Backstory: Shadows medic, resists Xyraxis’s despair, seeks Ashshards to stop plague. Tasks rift-sealing (Religion DC 14).

  6. Gorath Ashforge

    • Description: Ironreach smith, soot-covered, trembling.

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

  7. Lyssra Witherbloom

    • Description: Verdant Covenant druid, ashen vines, calm gaze.

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

  8. Captain Myron Dustblade

    • Description: City Watch officer, cracked helm, hopeless stare.

    • Backstory: Order District guard, touched by Xyraxis’s despair, tasks players to destroy Ashshards (Persuasion DC 14).

  9. Zorath Ruinwrack

    • Description: Ebon Star cultist, ashen scars, manic grin.

    • Backstory: Desolation zealot, spreads Xyraxis’s Witherplague, fights players (CR 3, Cult Fanatic).

  10. Madame Elyra Gloomdust

    • Description: Syndicate seer, ashen veil, cunning whisper.

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

Past Interactions with Denizens:
Xyraxis’s influence has long plagued Ecliptica, its Cult of Desolation spreading ruin through Veil rifts. In the Aetherian Empire, the cult corrupted Nocturne, decaying cities with Desolation Rifts, weakening the empire. During the Calamity, they amplified the Witherplague, eroding Sylvaris forests into ash and collapsing Valthorne fortresses. Nocturne scholars embraced nihilism, abandoning knowledge, while Ironreach forges crafted Ashshards, crumbling infrastructure. Xyraxis’s partial banishment to the Outer Darkness curtailed its direct presence, but its essence persists. In pre-lockdown Ravensgate, the “Ashfall Riots” saw Spires estates decay under cult rituals, spreading despair. Now, the Cult of Desolation exploits Veil weaknesses in the District of Desolation, using Ashshards to summon Xyraxis’s essence, intensifying the plague. Survivors like Sister Vionna resist, seeking to destroy Ashshards, while others, like Zorath Ruinwrack, embrace desolation, believing it will end reality. Plague Doctors must confront Xyraxis’s influence, navigating despair to uncover the plague’s source and prevent its apocalyptic ruin.