Zyphus

From PathfinderWiki
Zyphus
Zyphus' holy symbol.
(Deity)

Titles
The Grim Harvestman;
The Harbinger of Unexpected Tragedy;
Most Hated Rival of Pharasma
Adjective
Zyphen
Realm
Alignment
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
Cleric Alignments (1E)
Domains (1E)
Death, Destruction, Evil, Plant, War
Subdomains (1E)
Blood, Catastrophe, Daemon, Decay, Murder, Undead
Cleric Alignments (2E)
Domains (2E)
Death, sorrow, souls, undeath
Favored Weapon
Symbol
Pick axe made of a femur, a human skull, and a large rib
Sacred Animal
Sacred Colors
Ivory, red
Source: Inner Sea Faiths, pg(s). 88–93 (1E)
Gods & Magic (Second Edition), pg(s). 130
f. (2E)
Zyphus with his cultists.

Zyphus (pronounced ZIE-fess1 or ZAI-FUSS2) 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 unholy symbol is a pick made from a human skull, rib, and femur.3

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.34

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.56

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.75

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.3 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.4 Recently, Zyphen cults have been active in Taldor.8 Zyphus has dictated no official 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.9

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.

  1. Erik Mona, et al. “Appendices” in Campaign Setting, 247. Paizo Inc., 2008
  2. Sean K Reynolds. Zyphus” in Palace of Fallen Stars, 70. Paizo Inc., 2014
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Erik Mona, et al. “Chapter 3: Religion” in Campaign Setting, 172. Paizo Inc., 2008
  4. 4.0 4.1 James Jacobs, et al. The Inner Sea World Guide, 230. Paizo Inc., 2011
  5. 5.0 5.1 Robert Brookes, et al. “Chapter 3: The Great Beyond” in Planar Adventures, 198–199. Paizo Inc., 2018
  6. Amber Stewart. “On a Pale Horse” in Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Book of the Damned Volume 3, 11. Paizo Inc., 2011
  7. Robert Brookes, et al. Zyphus” in Inner Sea Faiths, 90. Paizo Inc., 2016
  8. Michael Kenway. Among the Gods, 3. Paizo Inc., 2011
  9. Sean K Reynolds. Zyphus” in Palace of Fallen Stars, 74. Paizo Inc., 2014