I like Zon-Kuthon and the velstracs because they are a fundamental refutation to the Golden Rule. They are, in fact, treating others the way they'd like to be treated. And ironically speaking, because they do love being in pain, their realms, while looking like Hells to us, arent actually PUNISHMENTS at all. They are REWARDS
I played a cleric of Naderi who bonded with our kuthite monk over "unhealthy coping mechanisms". Even ended up having a romance together, and they ended up being the only two characters in that party with a semi happy ending (swan lake style)
Another of our homebrew Kingmaker bits: In the capital city, following mass death of a major cataclysm, a huge portion of the country entered a depressive period of mourning as many loved ones were lost. The local Pharasmin cult was of an emotionally detached, fatalistic bend, and was not able to handle the mourners. A cult of Zon-Kuthon came to town, but it was an appeaser cult drawn to it by the collective sorrow. They focused on offering their souls and the sorrow of the people they comfort as offerings to Zon-Kuthon, believing this sates him in a way that prevents him from inflicting greater suffering in the world. They are permitted in the city, and they only allow people who have lost truly everything but their guilt to not join. There is no eternal reward, no grand power granted to them, no divine blessings on the faithful, only the community they serve. Their selfless sacrifice is a flavor of pain Zon-Kuthon doesn't find often, so he bemusedly humors it.
Ooh, I really like that interpretation! I love hearing about new interpretations of faith in Golarion, and that's definitely one I haven't heard before.
First thing that popped into my head was D&D's Raven Queen and her Elven followers, the Shadar-Kai. Then I slowly started to think about the crazy, torture loving Pinhead from Hellraizer. I'm starting to get some wicked ideas for NPCs.
There was Panel 5 years back which may not be Canon but it revealed Zon-Kuthon is no longer really Dou-Bral. The being Zon-Kuthon existed in the universe before this one (of which only Pharasma survives) he planted a piece of himself outside the universe for his reincarnation (Dou-bral) to find and restore himself to Zon Kuthon. Although the starfinder Zon-Shelyn stuff seems to imply to me that Dou Bral must still be in there even if he is buried deep. Here is the Panel for anyone interested: ruclips.net/video/85dKiL51pGE/видео.html
So... what are your thoughts on Zon-Shelyn? I know that's Starfinder, but I'm curious. Also, I imagine (in a sillier campaign) that it would be rather funny for the PCs to barge into a Zon-Kuthon cult base... only to find that its being run by a heretical sect and thus operates entirely like a bdsm club (Safe, Sane, Consensual).
Unless there is context I'm missing, i can't imagine playing Green Day with Zon-Kuthon and eye liner. Now Gwar or some Death Metal i would feel is more appropriate for a god of pain and suffering.
Yeah, that line was 100% a joke. I imagine Kuthonite music would involve a lot more involuntary screaming. There's a line in the song Udoroth by A Sound of Thunder which goes: "he whips the backs of his choir to make them sing.". That is what I imagine Kuthonite music is like.
I like Zon-Kuthon and the velstracs because they are a fundamental refutation to the Golden Rule.
They are, in fact, treating others the way they'd like to be treated.
And ironically speaking, because they do love being in pain, their realms, while looking like Hells to us, arent actually PUNISHMENTS at all. They are REWARDS
I played a cleric of Naderi who bonded with our kuthite monk over "unhealthy coping mechanisms". Even ended up having a romance together, and they ended up being the only two characters in that party with a semi happy ending (swan lake style)
Love, uh, finds a way.
Another of our homebrew Kingmaker bits:
In the capital city, following mass death of a major cataclysm, a huge portion of the country entered a depressive period of mourning as many loved ones were lost. The local Pharasmin cult was of an emotionally detached, fatalistic bend, and was not able to handle the mourners.
A cult of Zon-Kuthon came to town, but it was an appeaser cult drawn to it by the collective sorrow. They focused on offering their souls and the sorrow of the people they comfort as offerings to Zon-Kuthon, believing this sates him in a way that prevents him from inflicting greater suffering in the world. They are permitted in the city, and they only allow people who have lost truly everything but their guilt to not join. There is no eternal reward, no grand power granted to them, no divine blessings on the faithful, only the community they serve. Their selfless sacrifice is a flavor of pain Zon-Kuthon doesn't find often, so he bemusedly humors it.
Ooh, I really like that interpretation! I love hearing about new interpretations of faith in Golarion, and that's definitely one I haven't heard before.
Zon-Kuthon makes Pinhead look like a church choir boy.
Can’t wait to see which God you will cover next
First thing that popped into my head was D&D's Raven Queen and her Elven followers, the Shadar-Kai.
Then I slowly started to think about the crazy, torture loving Pinhead from Hellraizer.
I'm starting to get some wicked ideas for NPCs.
There was Panel 5 years back which may not be Canon but it revealed Zon-Kuthon is no longer really Dou-Bral. The being Zon-Kuthon existed in the universe before this one (of which only Pharasma survives) he planted a piece of himself outside the universe for his reincarnation (Dou-bral) to find and restore himself to Zon Kuthon.
Although the starfinder Zon-Shelyn stuff seems to imply to me that Dou Bral must still be in there even if he is buried deep.
Here is the Panel for anyone interested:
ruclips.net/video/85dKiL51pGE/видео.html
I did not know about this panel! Thanks!
So... what are your thoughts on Zon-Shelyn? I know that's Starfinder, but I'm curious.
Also, I imagine (in a sillier campaign) that it would be rather funny for the PCs to barge into a Zon-Kuthon cult base... only to find that its being run by a heretical sect and thus operates entirely like a bdsm club (Safe, Sane, Consensual).
I find Zon-Shelyn to be a fascinating idea, and I can't wait to get more information on her.
Unless there is context I'm missing, i can't imagine playing Green Day with Zon-Kuthon and eye liner. Now Gwar or some Death Metal i would feel is more appropriate for a god of pain and suffering.
Yeah, that line was 100% a joke. I imagine Kuthonite music would involve a lot more involuntary screaming. There's a line in the song Udoroth by A Sound of Thunder which goes: "he whips the backs of his choir to make them sing.". That is what I imagine Kuthonite music is like.
playbact at 1.25 speed~