Erebus “God of Darkness and Shadow”

“Erebus, the Enigmatic Shadow: Unraveling the Secrets of Darkness Incarnate!”

• Pantheon: Greek Pantheon
• Deity Title: Erebus, Primordial God of Darkness and Shadow
• Deity Symbol: An obsidian sphere shrouded in eternal darkness
• Home Plane: The Shadow Realm
• Deity Level: Greater Deity
• Alignment: Neutral Evil
• Aliases: None
• Superior: Chaos (sometimes considered a child of Chaos)
• Traditional Allies: Nyx, Goddess of Night; Hemera, Goddess of Day
• Traditional Foes: Apollo, God of Light; Helios, God of the Sun
• Divine Artifact: Ebon Veil – A cloak of darkness that grants the ability to blend into shadows.
• Servants: Shadow Spawn – Shadowy creatures spawned from Erebus’ essence.
• Servitor Creatures: Nether Hounds – Ethereal hounds that guard the borders of the Shadow Realm.
• Sacred Animal: Owl – The owl is a symbol of wisdom and nocturnal vision.
• Manifestations: Swirling darkness, whispering shadows, chilling sensations.
• Signs of Favor: Eerie shadows cast in the shape of wings, cold gusts of wind in warm places.
• Worshipers: Necromancers, shadow manipulators, malevolent beings who embrace the darkness.
• Cleric Alignments: Neutral Evil, Lawful Evil, Chaotic Evil.
• Specialty Priests: Umbral Wraiths – Priests who harness the power of shadows for stealth and combat.
• Holy Days: The Night of Eternal Darkness, The Midnight Eclipse.
• Portfolio: Darkness, Shadows, Night, Obscurity.
• Domains: Death, Trickery, Darkness, Knowledge.
• Favored Weapon: Shadowblade – A sword that steals light from its surroundings.
• Favored Class: Rogue – Masters of stealth and subterfuge.
• Favored Race: Tieflings – Creatures with a connection to the shadow realms.
• Duties of the Priesthood: Embrace the shadows, honor the darkness, conduct funeral rites.
• Major Cult/Temple Sites: The Crypt of Shadows in the heart of the Shadow Realm.
• Benefits: Shadow manipulation, invisibility in darkness, control over the Shadow Realm.

Physical Description of Erebus:

Erebus, the Primordial God of Darkness and Shadow, is a majestic and enigmatic figure that embodies the essence of the night itself. Standing tall at over ten feet, his form is shrouded in an ever-swirling cloak of inky blackness, seemingly made of the darkest shadows. His face remains obscured, a void of pure darkness where features should be, emanating a chilling aura that sends shivers down the spine of even the bravest mortal. His eyes, hidden within the darkness, glow with an eerie, otherworldly light, revealing his keen perception of the secrets concealed in the shadows.

Erebus’ presence is often accompanied by a soft, haunting whisper that echoes through the air, captivating those who hear it, drawing them closer to the mysteries that lie within the veil of darkness. His movements are fluid and graceful, as if he effortlessly glides through the shadows, leaving no trace of his passage. The very fabric of reality seems to bend around him, distorting the perception of space and time.

Despite his terrifying appearance, there is a sense of ancient wisdom and profound knowledge emanating from Erebus. He possesses an almost ethereal air of tranquility and calmness, exuding an aura of contemplation and introspection. This duality in his demeanor reflects his complex nature, as the embodiment of darkness and shadow encompasses both malevolence and profound wisdom.

Bio of Erebus:

In the vast pantheon of the ancient Greek gods, Erebus stands as one of the most primordial beings, existing before the creation of the world. Born from the swirling chaos that preceded all things, Erebus is the personification of the primal darkness that engulfs the world during the night. He is the harbinger of shadows, the keeper of secrets, and the guardian of the boundary between the mortal realm and the Shadow Realm.

In the realms of mortals, Erebus is revered and feared, for his power over darkness grants him dominion over the night and the mysteries it holds. Many necromancers, shadow manipulators, and those who revel in darkness pay homage to him, seeking his guidance in their craft. The worship of Erebus is steeped in rituals and ceremonies that invoke his favor, often conducted in the heart of the darkest nights.

As a deity, Erebus’ purpose transcends mere mortal comprehension. He seeks to maintain the delicate balance between light and darkness, ensuring that the night remains an essential part of the natural cycle. Erebus guards the veil that separates the Shadow Realm from the mortal realm, ensuring that the ethereal creatures and shadows remain contained within their domain.

Yet, beyond the shadows and darkness, Erebus holds knowledge and wisdom that surpass mortal understanding. He understands the importance of balance, for without darkness, there can be no light, and without shadows, there can be no clarity. Erebus’ motivations may seem inscrutable to mortals, but his enigmatic presence is a reminder of the complexities that lie within the deepest recesses of existence. His actions may be unfathomable, but his role in the grand tapestry of the cosmos is undeniable.

Erebus, Primordial God of Darkness

Deity, CR 50

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
30 (+10)	30 (+10)	30 (+10)	30 (+10)	30 (+10)	30 (+10)

Armor Class: 30 (Divine Armor)

Hit Points: 800 (40d20 + 400)

Speed: 60 ft., Fly 120 ft.

Skills: Arcana +30, History +30, Intimidation +30, Stealth +30

Senses: Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 30

Saving Throws: DEX +30, WIS +30, CHA +30

Damage Resistances: Necrotic, Psychic

Damage Immunities: Cold, Poison

Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened

Languages: All

Challenge: 50 (245,000 XP)

Divine Traits:

• Godly Resistance: Erebus has advantage on all saving throws against spells and magical effects.
• Divine Presence: Creatures within 60 feet of Erebus have disadvantage on saving throws against his spells and abilities.
• Immortal: Erebus cannot die from old age or mundane means. Only a divine force can end his existence.

Actions:

• Shadow Strike: Melee Weapon Attack: +30 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 60 (8d10 + 10) slashing damage plus 30 (8d6) necrotic damage.
• Umbral Blast: Ranged Spell Attack: +30 to hit, range 300 ft., one target. Hit: 60 (10d10) force damage and the target is blinded until the end of its next turn.
• Dark Maelstrom: Erebus unleashes a torrent of darkness in a 60-foot radius centered on himself. Creatures in the area must make a DC 30 Dexterity saving throw or take 100 (20d10) necrotic damage and be restrained for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the restraint on a success.

Legendary Actions: Erebus can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Erebus regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

• Shadow Step: Erebus teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space he can see.
• Veil of Darkness: Erebus creates an area of magical darkness in a 60-foot radius centered on a point he can see within 120 feet. The darkness lasts for 1 minute or until Erebus dismisses it as a bonus action.
• Umbral Shield: Erebus gains resistance to all damage until the start of his next turn.

Divine Artifacts:

• Erebus’ Cloak of Shadows: A legendary cloak that grants Erebus the ability to cast invisibility at will and grants him advantage on Stealth checks.

Spells: Erebus has access to all spells in the domains of Darkness, Trickery, and Death. He can cast any spell without the need for material components.

Lair Actions: On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Erebus takes a lair action to cause one of the following magical effects. Erebus can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row:

• Enveloping Darkness: Erebus darkens the area, creating magical darkness in a 60-foot radius centered on himself. The darkness lasts for 1 minute or until Erebus dismisses it as a bonus action.
• Shadowy Reflections: Erebus creates illusory images of himself within 60 feet. These illusions can move and speak as Erebus and last for 1 minute or until Erebus dismisses them as a bonus action. The illusions can take any action Erebus can.

Divine Realm: Erebus’ divine realm, known as the Shadow Plane, is an ever-shifting realm of shadows and darkness. It is a plane of mystery and secrets, where the boundaries between reality and illusion blur. Only the most daring and powerful beings can venture into this realm and emerge unscathed. Within the Shadow Plane, Erebus’ power is unparalleled, and he can manipulate the shadows to his will. It is said that the true form of Erebus is beyond mortal comprehension, and those who catch a glimpse of it are forever changed by the experience.

Goals and Motivations: Erebus’ motivations are inscrutable, and his goals are shrouded in darkness. Some believe that he seeks to maintain the balance between light and shadow, ensuring the cyclical nature of the world’s existence. Others whisper that he harbors a desire for ultimate dominion over the mortal realm, using darkness as a cloak to shroud his true intentions. Whatever his purpose, Erebus’ enigmatic persona spurs both reverence and fear among mortals, as they struggle to comprehend the ancient Primordial God of Darkness.

Currently in the World

In the dark expanse of the cosmos, Erebus, the enigmatic Primordial God of Darkness, weaves his ethereal cloak through the night sky, casting an ever-shifting tapestry of shadows upon the mortal world. As the eons pass, his influence waxes and wanes, entwining with the lives of mortals in ways they can scarcely comprehend.

In ancient times, when the world was young and the gods were still forging their dominions, Erebus stood as a guardian of the night. His presence was felt in every twilight hour, as he pulled the veil of darkness across the heavens, allowing the stars to shine in their celestial dance. It was during those times when the boundaries between realms were blurred, and Erebus’ influence bled into the mortal plane.

Through the ages, Erebus’ enigmatic persona has spurred reverence and fear among mortals. Whispers of his shadowy form echoed through the secret societies of necromancers and shadowmancers, who sought to harness the power of darkness for their arcane pursuits. His ethereal guidance led seekers of knowledge into the depths of the Shadow Realm, where hidden truths and long-forgotten wisdom awaited those who dared to venture.

As empires rose and fell, Erebus remained an observer, a witness to the rise and demise of countless civilizations. Yet, his motivations and desires remained elusive, veiled in the very darkness he embodied. Some believed he sought to maintain the balance between light and shadow, ensuring the cyclical nature of the world’s existence. Others whispered that he harbored a desire for ultimate dominion over the mortal realm, using darkness as a cloak to shroud his true intentions.

In the year 1450, as the Age of Exploration dawned, Erebus’ presence surged once more. As the adventurous voyagers set sail across uncharted seas, the whispers of his name grew louder. Tales of eerie encounters and mysterious shadows haunting the decks of ships spread like wildfire, fueling superstitions and lore.

It is in these times of great change that Erebus’ intentions are most inscrutable. As explorers delve into the unknown, some believe that he seeks to protect the secrets hidden within the dark corners of the world, preserving the sanctity of the Shadow Realm. Others fear that his ancient power may be coveted by those seeking dominion over both realms, threatening to unbalance the delicate harmony that keeps the cosmos in check.

Yet, despite the uncertainty, one thing remains clear—Erebus is a deity of shadows and darkness, a being whose motivations are as enigmatic as the veiled night itself. As the mortal world unfolds in its intricate dance of light and shadow, Erebus’ influence continues to permeate the tapestry of existence, guiding those who dare to seek his wisdom and testing the hearts of those who yearn for power in the shadows.