Apep
The serpent cult of the deceiver deity Apep is a twin to the cult of the benevolent Wadjet and is part of the ancient cultic system2 of beliefs that existed in Osirion before they were suppressed by later Keleshite rulers.3 The sinister, world-circling Apep symbolizes the dangers that lurk beneath the water: whirlpools, crocodiles, and other lethal hazards.3 He is the boat-crashing rapids, the drowning dark, and the apocalyptic, primordial devourer of the sun, light, and life.
It is believed Apep will eventually devour the sun, creating a night that will never end and effectively bringing about the apocalypse. The rod of the river serpent is a magic item carved in the shape of Apep that grants its bearer the ability to see in the dark and cast hypnotic shadows, and it swallows those it strikes in combat.4
Home
The Devourer of the Dawn is said to dwell in the Tenth Region of Night.1
Appearance
Apep is a great golden serpent miles long whose coils encircle the world. He also appears as a dragon with night-black scales, and is worshipped by evil dragons in this form.1
Relationships
Apep is opposed by many other Osirian deities, especially Ra, who battles against him daily every night. Each sunrise was said to be a victory of Ra over Apep, albeit a temporary one until the day the sun will rise no more and everything ends.15
Cults
Apep's human cults usually meet under the cover of night or darkness, and keep themselves secret lest they attract the wrath of rival faiths.1
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 “Gods of Ancient Osirion” in Empty Graves, 66. Paizo Inc., 2014 .
- ↑ The deities Ra, Horus, Anubis, Osiris, Ma'at, Isis, and Thoth stopped answering prayers in 4724 AR after events described in War of Immortals. The ramifications of this change in this context might not yet be defined in a canon source. See Meta:Osirian pantheon.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 “Faith: Cults of Osirion” in Osirion, Land of Pharaohs, 24. Paizo Inc., 2008 .
- ↑ “Faith: Cults of Osirion” in Osirion, Land of Pharaohs, 25. Paizo Inc., 2008 .
- ↑ “Gods of Ancient Osirion” in Empty Graves, 72. Paizo Inc., 2014 .
External links
- Apep (real-world deity) on Wikipedia