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Book of the Withered God (Rastilion’s Minorus)
The Book of the Withered God is part of Rastillions Diabolique, the Malificent Minorus set of works. This work is said to be able to infuse something dying or dead with life again. Anecdotes say the original work included an accompanying book of visual sigils and scenes that empower the rituals and ceremonies within it.
Its is not recorded if ALL of its component parts have ever been assembled in one place.It appears that its nature is to destroy itself and rebuild itself, though not under the same name. Its force is enigmatic,,, but,,,
What is Commonly Ascribed to the Material(s)
Attributed Author: It is believed that there is not a single author attributed to the work, especially when so many witness accounts exist of its powers in use under different name.
Initial Appearance: The main ‘book’ associated with the work, as an earliest reference, has a description of a wood bound book with a ‘green man’ face carved into the cover. Given the nature of the work and its understood effect upon the work and reader itself, there may not be a consistent description to be relied on.
Item Origins/Purpose: Its recorded general power mark it as something with necromantic origins. It has been cited by priests, druids, and Magi anecdotally and seems to span the various mystical fields of life and the cycle to death and rebirth.
SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE: Reference works and basic exposure alone may only provide the foundation for gaining a [mechanics based] advantage. To reflect the practice and experience to gain that benefit consistently, typically requires a cost in Character Points.
Chronicle/Facts of the Item
Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/availability & Meticulous Record Keeping may improve usability; Any attempt to know more than what's Pervasive will require a reference, source, knowledge, check, or access to someone who can get or provide either of these. Specific Lores may increase the chance of knowing specific elements.
Trivial Outcome / Very Easy Difficulty & Pervasive Knowledge
Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Rumors About the Item
- The book appears different to every reader.
- The book drains the life force of the reader as they read it.
Simple Outcome / Easy Difficulty & Common Knowledge
For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.
Classification: The mentions of it collected in its history are not enough to classify it as pure evil, but it was long ago by scholars and thus it has stayed.
Multiple Names: The tome has several descriptions, it is known by the names of Tombre Letherge, The Spring Wind Recluse, Menothere’s Journal and several more.
Minor Outcome / Average Difficulty & Uncommon Knowledge
Regardless of name, the work is ‘found’ seemingly by those who will be susceptible to its influence. It breaks down the will of the reader, and turns them into a vehicle for the evil the tome is capable of wreaking.
Regardless of its origins, chaos is what ensues when its power is pursued and manifested – destruction and sorrow matching the stature of the reader. The disruption of the natural order has a price the enactor must be willing to pay.
Scarce Knowledge / Hard Difficulty
When reading, the text decays and reorganizes into a language the reader understands. From there it is a tale of life, loss and regrowth – the variations are too many to be cataloged – but one which will appeal to the reader.
The reader begins to read aloud, and over and over.
The repetition eventually becomes a chant and a ritual is dynamically made from the several detailed in the work. It IS a ritual of regrowth and will have some effect that reinforces the reader’s belief.
When the Book of the Withered God is consumed to be born again, it spawns a horrific malevolent creature in the ground that waits to feed on the next creature that disturbs it – the Withered God’s Withered Child.
Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty
Inspiration/Origins: The entity behind this work is unknown. It is surmised by some to be a multitude of dark powers, or an evil god, or a dead god’s spirit that seeks to once again come into the flesh and mind of a follower – but they are driven mad in the process.
When the Withered God’s Withered Child dies, the Crawling Claw of the Withered God is the last vestige that will attempt to spread its Blight. The Crawling Claw of the Withered God is the will of the Book of the Withered God made manifest.
While not believed to be the originator or power behind what is bound to the work, the entity Yog Thuul is believed to send their followers searching for copies of the Book of the Withered God according to the Chronicle of Yog-Thuul on Helca. These followers leave it to be found in places to create chaos. The followers that survive carrying the work to place it are believed to gain a small bit of sorcerous power; Others succumb to its draw and fall into madness – either way strengthening Yog-Thuuls power or reputation. The cult of Yog-Thuul though seems to destroy itself whenever it achieves any power in a locale this way. The plans often consume themselves due to the chaos the cult and the evil work spreads.