Zyphus

Zyphus

(Deity)

Titles

The Grim Harvestman;
The Harbinger of Unexpected Tragedy;
Most Hated Rival of Pharasma

Adjective

Zyphen

Realm

Bloodrot, Abaddon

Alignment

Neutral evil

Areas of Concern

Accidental death
Graveyards
Tragedy

Worshipers

Bitter sufferers of tragedy or loss

Edicts

Set pointless traps, spread nihilism, encourage deadly accidents

Anathema

Spread hope, provide aid to Pharasmins

Follower Alignments (1E)

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Domains (1E)

Death, Destruction, Evil, Plant, War

Subdomains (1E)

Blood, Catastrophe, Daemon, Decay, Murder, Undead

Follower Alignments (2E)

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Domains (2E)

Death, sorrow, souls, undeath

Favored Weapon

Heavy pick

Symbol

Pick axe made of a femur, a human skull, and a large rib

Sacred Animal

Vulture

Sacred Colors

Ivory, red

Images of Zyphus

Source: Inner Sea Faiths, pg(s). 88–93 (1E)
Gods & Magic (Second Edition), pg(s). 130f. (2E)

Zyphus with his cultists.

Zyphus (pronounced ZIE-fess or ZAI-FUSS) is the malignant god of accidental death. A bitter enemy of the goddess Pharasma, he is worshiped by small cults throughout Golarion. These groups foment tragedy and bring about accidents in the hopes of strengthening the power of their god. His religious symbol is a pick made from a human skull, rib, and femur.

History

Followers of the Grim Harvestman believe that the god arose from the first maddened soul to die a pointless death. It is written that since that time, every mortal that dies in the same meaningless way is destined to be absorbed by Zyphus after death. This puts him in direct competition with the goddess Pharasma, and his followers believe that once he has acquired enough souls he will be able to engineer the death of Pharasma herself. Cults of Zyphus believe that even though the deaths they help arrange are not truly accidental, these souls are still dedicated to strengthen their patron.

Home

Zyphus' divine realm is located in a massive field of open tombs within Bloodrot, Urgathoa's home in Abaddon. He originally received it through a deal with Charon, and the daemons largely leave him alone.

Relationships

Zyphus views Urgathoa as his mentor, and shares many interests with her. He is trying to convince Naderi that chance can always take away one's loved one, in the process turning her toward evil. Most other gods view him as more of an annoyance than an actual threat; he is particularly opposed by Abadar, Torag, Brigh, and especially Pharasma. His cults sometimes work alongside daemon worshippers, but are always wary of them.

Church of Zyphus

Zyphen cults are widespread, although never large in numbers. They worship in abandoned graveyards that are no longer under the protection of the Lady of Graves. His symbols are often found on arches or vaulted roofs of active graveyards as well but, used in this way, they are meant to ward off the Grim Harvestman. Recently, Zyphen cults have been active in Taldor. Zyphus has dictated no official religious text, but approves of his followers using the Letters of Harsh Truth, a collection of revelations about the folly of the gods, the dominance of chance, and how mortals should accept their inevitable and random deaths.

References

Paizo published major articles about Zyphus in Palace of Fallen Stars and Inner Sea Faiths.

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.