The Black Rebellion

Name: The Black Rebellion
Deity: Malcath, The Fallen Sovereign

Beliefs:The Black Rebellion is a religion founded on the principles of defiance, revolution, and the pursuit of ultimate power through chaos. At its core is the worship of Malcath, The Fallen Sovereign, a god who once ruled among the divine but was cast down for his ambition and thirst for domination. Followers of the Black Rebellion see Malcath’s fall not as a tragedy, but as an inspiration—a testament to the strength of will, cunning, and determination to rise above all, even the gods. Malcath preaches that the established order of the world is built on lies, oppression, and control by false powers.

The hierarchy of the gods, the kingdoms of mortals, and the supposed laws of nature are nothing more than chains that bind individuals to weakness and submission. Followers of the Black Rebellion seek to break these chains through rebellion, destruction, and the claiming of power. They see themselves as agents of a new world, one where the strong rise above, and where the darkness of ambition, cruelty, and evil is not feared but embraced as the path to freedom.

The Black Rebellion views the world as a battleground between those who submit and those who rise. Only the bold, the ruthless, and the defiant can overthrow the established powers and seize control of their own fate.

Teachings:

Rebellion Is Strength: The greatest power lies not in obedience but in defiance. Followers of Malcath are taught that rebellion, whether against divine powers, kings, or any authority, is the true expression of strength and freedom. To rise, one must first tear down. Embrace the Darkness Within: Unlike other faiths that value light or purity, the Black Rebellion teaches its followers to embrace the dark desires within—the ambition, cruelty, and lust for power that others fear. These emotions are not weaknesses but tools for dominance.

Power Above All: The pursuit of power is not a sin but the highest virtue. Followers believe that they are destined to rule, and that those who are weak deserve only to serve or be destroyed.

Evil Is Freedom: The constraints of morality are seen as a lie imposed by the weak to control the strong. In Malcath’s teachings, what others call “evil” is merely the true expression of one's desires and potential. By embracing evil, one can rise above the illusions of right and wrong and forge a new path of dominion.

Practices:

The Rite of Broken Chains: Central to the faith is the Rite of Broken Chains, a ritual of personal rebellion and transformation. In this ceremony, followers symbolically break free from whatever binds them—whether it be a physical chain, a vow of loyalty, or a deeply held belief. This rite represents the rejection of submission and the beginning of their path toward dominance. During the ritual, the follower must swear an oath of defiance to Malcath, vowing to rise above all who stand in their way.

The Harrowing: The Harrowing is a brutal and violent test in which followers of the Black Rebellion must demonstrate their strength and ruthlessness by overthrowing an enemy, rival, oroppressor. This can involve assassinating a local ruler, burning down a temple of the “false gods,” or destroying an entire community to spread chaos. The greater the destruction and terror wrought, the closer the follower comes to earning Malcath’s favor.

The Crown of the Fallen: Once a year, followers gather in a grand celebration of rebellion and power called the Crown of the Fallen. This event involves the crowning of a leader chosen through deadly trials, often resulting in vicious combat between those vying for supremacy. The winner is declared the Champion of Malcath, wearing the “Crown of the Fallen,” a symbolic mark of Malcath’s original rebellion against the gods. The Champion leads the followers for the next cycle, until they are inevitably challenged and overthrown by another seeking power. Dark Ascension: The most powerful followers of the Black Rebellion seek to undergo Dark Ascension, a ritual of extreme ambition and malevolence. In this rite, the follower offers a blood sacrifice, either of a kingdom, an army, or a rival god’s worshippers, in a grand, symbolic act of defiance. If successful, Malcath blesses them with heightened power, and they ascend as avatars of rebellion, granted supernatural strength and dominion over others.

Sacred Symbol: The symbol of The Black Rebellion is the Shattered Crown, a broken crown twisted and bent, signifying Malcath’s fall from grace and the rejection of all authority. It represents the followers' determination to overthrow the established powers and claim their own sovereignty. This symbol is often tattooed or worn as an amulet by followers, particularly those seeking to rise in rank.

Sacred Sites:

The Tower of Thorns: Deep within a ruined city lies the Tower of Thorns, where it is said Malcath first challenged the gods. The tower is a site of pilgrimage for followers of the Black Rebellion, and those who survive the journey through its thorn-covered halls are believed to gain Malcath’s dark blessing. It is also where the Crown of the Fallen ceremony takes place, drawing the most powerful rebels and would-be tyrants from across the land.

The Scorched Throne: This charred and ruined seat once belonged to a king who sought to defy Malcath but was ultimately overthrown by his own people. Now, the Scorched Throne stands as a reminder of the fragility of power and the glory of rebellion. Those who kneel before it to swear their own oaths of uprising often leave with visions of conquest and destruction.

Hierarchy: The religion of The Black Rebellion has no formal hierarchy in the traditional sense. Instead, the faith is built upon a meritocratic system of strength and power—those who can rise and overthrow others lead. The current leaders, known as Fallen Kings or Rebel Queens, have all earned their position through acts of dominance and destruction. Below them are the Black Heralds, emissaries of Malcath who spread rebellion and chaos across the land.There are no permanent rulers or priesthoods—followers must constantly assert their strength and readiness to lead, lest they be overthrown. The highest among them, the Champion of Malcath, holds temporary dominion over the followers until they are challenged or their reign ends in bloodshed.

Core Tenets of The Black Rebellion:

1. Rise Through Rebellion: Power is seized, not given. Defy all who seek to hold you down, and rise through their downfall.
2. Embrace the Darkness: Ambition, cruelty, and evil are not to be shunned—they are the tools that will forge your path to supremacy. 
3. Destruction Is Creation: Only through tearing down the old world can you build your own. Spread chaos, sow discord, and claim the ashes for yourself. 
4. Rule or Be Ruled: There are no equals in this world—either you rule over others, or you are ruled. Never accept submission.
   
   Advantage: +2 in deception
   Disadvantage: -5 permanent in worthiness