N’grath
by Marco Dalmonte English translation by Gary DaviesPatron of the Hordes
Level, Alignment, Sphere: 28th (Eternal), LE, Matter
Symbol: a swarming heap of stone insects
Portfolio: horde, power, strength, conquest, slyness
Worshipped in: Elemental Plane of Earth
Appearance: an enormous heap of insect-like stone creatures that extends for about a hundred metres.
History: PROBABLE THEORY: N’grath is an extremely ancient being, the first example of horde that appeared in the plane of Earth. The Lord of that plane studied their properties and evolution and when he understood that the hordes could reveal much profit for the expansion of the plane of Earth, he favoured their growth until, to control him, he decided to personally sponsor the rise of N’grath among the Immortals, in a way of being able to directly control the only mind that controlled the collectivity of the horde (and for having an Immortal ally to use against Terra, who had recently ascended, in the case she was revealed as a dangerous rival). After his rise N’grath has long been a faithful aide of the Lord of the Earth, until Land became Immortal. This fact has slightly shaken the belief of N’grath, who until that moment had been considered pre-selected, the only one to have achieved Immortal status other than his lord and the “renegade” Terra. After having seen that also Land and Urtson (sponsored by the latter) had succeeded in the task and enjoyed greater freedom, N’grath began to brood in his soul a sense of oppression and envy in the struggles of the Earth Elemaster (who now has him absolutely side by side with Land!), convinced that these had always betrayed him and used him as a servant (although powerful) rather than his equal (and in effect was just like that). In the last centuries N’grath has therefore cleaned up a network of conspirators for attempting to supplant the Lord of the Earth and become the new dominator of that plane, clinching an alliance with the minor elemental lords and placed at the same time in the ear of his lord the seed of the possible betrayal on the part of Land (who after all had been supported by Terra), who instead has always faithfully served him and could reveal an obstacle on his road. Now he is only waiting for the opportune moment to rebel.
N’grath is a Machiavellian and heartless being, animated by a desire of extreme power. However he is also patient and calculating, and only makes his move at the opportune moment without risking nothing.
[Note: during IM1 N’grath tried to usurp the Lord of the Earth and the actions of the PC Immortals determined the results of his deeds.]
Patron: Earth Elemaster
Allies: none
Enemies: Earth Elemaster, Land
Alignment of followers: Lawful or Neutral
Favoured weapon: fist (permitted all bludgeoning weapons)
Clerics’ skills and powers: +1 bonus to Strength, free resistance skill
Domains: Matter, Law, Evil, Earth, Strength
Preferred weapon: natural weapons (fist)
Source: IM1