Azakhar - God of Tyranny and War

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Alignment:	Evil
Common Names:	The Infernal Emperor, the Black Tyrant
Symbol:	A black gauntlet clenched in a fist
Great Temple:	Citadel of Blood and Iron (Malcythia)

The dark god Azakhar is the patron of tyranny and war, of conquest and slavery. He is described as a towering, muscular warrior clad in blood-spattered black plate armor and wielding a barbed greataxe. Skulls hang from large spikes protruding from the shoulders of his armor and his face is concealed by a full plate helm. Azakhar is the god of war for the sake of conquest, and his clergy - the Bloodknights - serve his will by waging a holy war against all those who do not embrace their deity.

Azakhar is a popular deity due to his penchant to give power to his faithful, though this always leads to their corruption (if it wasn't already present).

The Black Tyrant is generally indifferent to the other gods, considering them beneath his consideration. His church does dislike Alyara and Lyranis, for obvious reasons. It is contemptuous of Karnus and Skaldur as well, as they are seen as too chaotic when they could be directing their destructive energies towards conquest. Above all, however, Azakhar hates his twin brother Baltur. The Sun God and Azakhar represent two diametrically opposed approaches to rulership, which is something the god of tyranny cannot tolerate.

Symbols and Associations: The colors black and red, iron, onyx, ruby, blackthorn (incense), hawthorn (wood), belladonna, the number five

Holy Days: The Winter Solstice (Deepwinter 16th) is the holiest day of the year for Azakhar's faithful. On this day, at midnight, each cult holds a dark ceremony, which includes profane rites, dark petitions, and the sacrifice of five intelligent beings to Azakhar (five being a number sacred to the god).

Essence of the Faith: Reject cowardice and discipline those who do not. Fear and despair are formidable weapons: use them as you would a blade or bow. Defy and defile the other religions with all your power. Slay those that resist, enslave those that submit. Crush all those who stand between you and what you desire.