Plaguebearers

Worshippers of Maldrath, The Decayed

Deity Worshipped:
Maldrath, God of decay, rot, and pestilence.

Overview:
The Plaguebearers are a twisted cult that worships Maldrath, spreading rot and disease wherever they go. They believe that decay is the natural order of life and that all things must wither and die to feed the next cycle of existence. The Plaguebearers take it upon themselves to accelerate this process, unleashing plagues and rot across Valora.

Leadership:
The Blightlords, powerful necromancers and disease-wielders, lead the Plaguebearers. They command the forces of decay, spreading Maldrath’s corruption far and wide.

Beliefs:
The Plaguebearers believe that decay is the true path to enlightenment, seeing life as fleeting and insignificant. They embrace rot as a divine force, one that cleanses the world of weakness and nourishes new growth through destruction.

Practices:
Their rituals involve unleashing deadly plagues upon villages, summoning swarms of insects, and causing blight to spread across fertile land. They often carry out Rites of Infection, where they willingly spread disease among themselves to prove their devotion to Maldrath.

Hostile Behavior:
Plaguebearers use their disease-based magic to weaken and corrode their enemies. They summon festering minions, use poison and necrotic magic in combat, and thrive in environments where rot can spread.

Common Locations:
They inhabit the fetid marshlands of Shattermire Swamp, where they perform their foul rituals in disease-ridden caves and ruins, deep within the decaying heart of the swamp.

Appearance:
Their skin is pale, sickly, and often covered in boils or blisters. They wear tattered robes marked with symbols of rot and are frequently surrounded by clouds of insects.

Equipment:
They wield staffs and charms infused with the power of disease, as well as flasks filled with deadly poisons and plague spores. Some higher-ranking members carry enchanted relics that summon vermin or unleash necrotic clouds.

Weaknesses:
Plaguebearers are highly susceptible to fire and holy magic, which can cleanse the rot they thrive on. They are also physically weak, relying on their magic and disease to wear down enemies over time.