The Betrayer Gods

Overview

The Betrayer Gods are a pantheon of malevolent and destructive deities who split from their benevolent counterparts, the Prime Deities, during the ancient conflict known as the Calamity. Unlike the openly revered Prime Deities, the Betrayer Gods are not worshipped openly and are viewed as harmful, malicious, or ruinous by the public. Despite their wickedness, it is said that even they hold a necessary place in the ultimate balance of the world.

Historically, they sought the total subjugation or destruction of mortal life, firmly believing that mortals could not be trusted with free will or the dangerous power of magic.

The Divine Schism

During the prosperous Age of Arcanum, mortal civilizations advanced rapidly, but their progress bred unchecked arrogance. When mortals attempted to claim divinity for themselves, it ignited a devastating magical arms race known as the Calamity.

As the war dragged on, a deep rift split the pantheon. The Betrayer Gods took to the battlefield at the head of terrifying, ruinous armies composed of orcs, the undead, and other dark forces to wipe out or enslave humanity, elves, dwarves, and other races. In opposition, the Prime Deities chose to defend their creations, believing that their mortal children possessed the capacity to find their own path.

Banishment and the Divine Gate

To bring an end to the ruinous conflict and shield the Material Plane from unchecked divine power, the Prime Deities established the Divine Gate. This immense magical barrier locked all deities—both Prime and Betrayer—behind its seal. Since its creation, the Betrayer Gods have been unable to physically manifest in the world, forced to project their influence solely through dark pacts, ancient relics, and devoted mortal cultists.

The Pantheon of Betrayers

The Betrayer Gods are characterized by their dark domains, association with specific tarot fortunes, and symbolic representations: