Zaroth the Shadowed

Overview:
Zaroth the Shadowed is the malevolent deity of corruption, destruction, and chaos. Awakened by the Forging of the Triple Crown, Zaroth’s influence seeped through Valora during the Shadowed Age. Initially hiding in the background, he grew in strength as his dark forces spread across the land, manipulating events and corrupting leaders like Vorthar Crimsonclaw. His ultimate goal was to bring Valora under his dominion through fear and violence.

Divine Information #

• Domain: Corruption, Chaos, Destruction
• Affiliation: Vorthar Crimsonclaw (indirectly)
• Status: Imprisoned after the Battle of the Scarred Wastes (790 VT)
• Era of Activity: Shadowed Age (750-790 VT)

Creation/Origin #

Born from the corruption that followed Altharion through his many failed creations, Zaroth became an embodiment of everything that had gone wrong with Altharion’s worlds. As Altharion created Valora, Zaroth’s corruption lingered in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike. When the Triple Crown was forged, the light of Altharion was buried, and Zaroth’s essence rushed into the crown, giving him the power to influence and control Vorthar.

Appearance #

Zaroth manifests as a towering figure of shadow, wreathed in a swirling aura of black smoke and corruption. His form is often indistinct, a shifting mass of darkness with glowing red eyes. When he appears physically, his presence warps the land around him, causing the ground to wither, and the air to grow heavy with dread.

Personality #

Zaroth is the epitome of malevolence—cunning, ruthless, and patient. He thrives on chaos and distrust, slowly corrupting those who seek power, promising them strength while secretly poisoning their minds. He delights in manipulating events from the shadows, turning allies against one another and sowing the seeds of destruction across Valora.

Worship #

Zaroth is worshiped by those who seek power at any cost. His followers are often ambitious individuals corrupted by his influence, including dark mages, warriors, and zealots. In secret temples and ruined shrines, these cultists perform dark rituals, sacrificing the innocent and calling upon Zaroth’s power to corrupt and destroy.

Mythology and Involvement in Major Events #

1. Defense of the Eryndor Wilds (760 VT)
   Zaroth’s corruption spread through the wilds, turning the creatures of the forest into twisted abominations. Cedric Valenwood, with the help of the Wildguard, defended the Eryndor Wilds, fighting off waves of corrupted beasts. Zaroth used dark forces such as corrupted wolves and twisted treants to try and overrun the region, but Cedric’s knowledge of the wilds allowed him to repel Zaroth’s initial attacks.
2. Defense of the Archivium (760 VT)
   Selene Silverwater faced one of Zaroth’s most targeted assaults when his followers sought to destroy the magical archives of the Silverwater family. Zaroth’s forces, led by dark sorcerers and shadow-infused elementals, attacked the Archivium to erase Valora’s arcane knowledge, but Selene and the Silverwater mages managed to hold the line, protecting the repository of knowledge from corruption.
3. Reclamation of the Badlands (765 VT)
   The Embered Badlands became a battleground as Zaroth’s corruption spread into the harsh, barren lands. Lyra Emberfall led her family to reclaim the Badlands from the tainted creatures that now roamed the region, including corrupted scorpions and ashen horrors—beasts mutated by Zaroth’s dark magic. Through cunning tactics and relentless combat, Lyra was able to restore order to the region, but not without heavy losses.
4. Defense of Aurum Keep (770 VT)
   Thalric Goldheart led the defense of Aurum Keep as Zaroth unleashed an army of dark knights and undead soldiers. The keep was almost overtaken by this powerful force, but Thalric, with the aid of his elite guard, held the line. Zaroth’s corruption managed to weaken the defenses, but the Goldheart family’s unyielding strength staved off the complete fall of Aurum.
5. Defense of Tempest Bay (784 VT)
   Zaroth sent storm demons and sea serpents to assault Tempest Bay, hoping to corrupt the waters and lay siege to the coast. Mira Stormwatch led the defense of the region, harnessing her family’s mastery over wind and storm to repel the attacks. The battle was long and grueling, with Mira narrowly defeating the Stormcaller, one of Zaroth’s most powerful generals.
6. Battle of the Scarred Wastes (790 VT)
   The climactic battle between the forces of light and darkness, where Zaroth the Shadowed was seemingly defeated. Vorthar Crimsonclaw, now fully consumed by Zaroth’s corruption, led the charge, but it was in this battle that he was slain. As Zaroth poured all his remaining strength into the battlefield, the light of Altharion, buried deep within the Triple Crown, surged forth. This allowed the remaining heroes and outside forces to strike down Zaroth, sealing him away—though many suspect he is not gone forever.

Forces Under Zaroth’s Control #

• Corrupted Wolves: Wolves twisted by Zaroth’s influence, their fur blackened, and eyes glowing red. These fast, deadly creatures hunt in packs, overwhelming enemies.
• Twisted Treants: Once protectors of the forests, now monstrous, corrupted versions, using their massive limbs to crush foes.
• Dark Sorcerers: Mages who have sworn allegiance to Zaroth, wielding shadow magic to corrupt and destroy.
• Shadow-Infused Elementals: Elementals corrupted by Zaroth’s dark energy, infused with shadows and capable of draining life force.
• Corrupted Scorpions: Huge, venomous creatures tainted by Zaroth’s magic, prowling the Embered Badlands.
• Ashen Horrors: Golems of ash and stone brought to life by Zaroth’s power, serving as mindless enforcers of his will.
• Dark Knights: Former soldiers corrupted into loyal, undead servants of Zaroth, bound to his will.
• Undead Soldiers: Animated corpses of fallen warriors, revived to fight for Zaroth’s dark cause.
• Storm Demons: Airborne demons that ride the winds, spreading destruction wherever they go.
• Sea Serpents: Giant, corrupted sea creatures sent to attack coastal areas like Tempest Bay.
• The Stormcaller: A powerful general in Zaroth’s army, capable of summoning devastating storms to ravage the lands.

Trivia:

• Zaroth’s rise was long anticipated by dark cults who secretly worshipped him, performing sacrifices to hasten his return.
• Many of Zaroth’s forces were once noble creatures or people, twisted by his corrupting influence.
• While Zaroth was seemingly defeated in the Battle of the Scarred Wastes, his power still lingers, waiting for another opportunity to return.

Related Pages:

• Forging of the Triple Crown
• Vorthar Crimsonclaw
• The Scarred Wastes
• Altharion the Radiant
• The Shadowed Age