Valgavoth
| Valgavoth | |
|---|---|
| The Devouring Father | |
| Details | |
| Race | Demon |
| Birthplace | Duskmourn |
| Lifetime | Omenpath Era |
Valgavoth, called the Devouring Father by his cult, is is an extremely powerful Moth Demon and the ruler of Duskmourn.[1]
Description
Valgavoth was once imprisoned in a house on a magically and technologically advanced plane.[1] Unable to escape, he magically extended the barriers of his prison so that it would swallow the entire plane whole. This world, now known as Duskmourn, serves as both Valgavoth's prison and his feeding ground, using it to attract unsuspecting victims and feed upon their feelings and memories. Extremely powerful, Valgavoth was able to open doors to other planes before the Omenpath Era and possibly even during the Mending Era.
The Cult of Valgavoth is a group of survivors devoted to serving the demon, in hopes that he may cleanse the plane of fear and create a utopia for its inhabitants.[1]
Appearance
Valgavoth is a demonic entity whose physical form is both grotesque and imposing, embodying the malevolence he exudes. His appearance is ever-changing due to his molting process, where he sheds his old form and emerges anew. This constant transformation means that Valgavoth doesn't have a single, stable form. Instead, his body is a horrific amalgamation of demonic features that shift and morph with each rebirth.
In his most recent incarnation, Valgavoth's body is a towering mass of sinewy, dark flesh, adorned with jagged, bone-like protrusions that jut out at irregular angles. His skin is an eerie, shifting palette of deep purples and blacks, reminiscent of bruises and shadows. His face is a nightmarish visage, with multiple eyes of varying sizes that glow with an unholy red light, each one capable of moving independently to track his prey. His mouth is a maw of sharp, uneven teeth, perpetually twisted into a menacing grin. Long, clawed hands extend from his muscular arms, each claw capable of rending flesh with ease.
Personality
Valgavoth's personality is as malevolent and insatiable as his appearance suggests. He is the embodiment of fear and terror, driven by an unquenchable hunger for the dread and suffering of others. His intelligence is dark and cunning, always seeking new ways to instill fear in the inhabitants of Duskmourn. Valgavoth revels in the power he holds over his victims, taking perverse pleasure in their terror and despair.
Despite his demonic nature, Valgavoth is not a mindless beast; he is a calculating and strategic entity. He carefully manipulates the House to maximize the fear it produces, ensuring that no one ever feels truly safe. His awareness of every individual within the House allows him to tailor his horrors to each person's deepest fears, making their suffering deeply personal and inescapable.
Valgavoth's cruelty is tempered by a twisted sense of artistry. He views the creation of fear as an art form, meticulously crafting scenarios that push his victims to the brink of madness. He is patient, willing to wait for the perfect moment to strike and unleash his horrors. This patience is complemented by his adaptability, as he can mold the House and its entities to counter any resistance or coping mechanisms that the survivors might develop.
Ultimately, Valgavoth is a tyrant whose sole purpose is to maintain a realm of perpetual terror. His power is absolute within the House, and his influence ensures that Duskmourn remains a place where fear is the only constant, and escape is an unattainable dream.
History
Origins
Valgavoth's origins are shrouded in mystery, but it is known that he was once bound within the confines of a single house on an unnamed plane.[1] This initial imprisonment was the result of ancient, powerful magic, designed to contain his malevolent influence. Despite being confined, Valgavoth's cunning and patience allowed him to manipulate and redefine the boundaries of his prison over time, increasing the size of the house continuously.
Ascension
Valgavoth's most significant achievement is known as the Ascension.[1] This event marked his successful expansion of the House's boundaries to encompass the entirety of the plane, transforming it into what is now known as Duskmourn. The Ascension was a gradual process, involving the absorption and corruption of the surrounding environment and the folding of the demonic realm into the House's confines. This monumental transformation granted Valgavoth a profound psychic connection to the House, effectively making it an extension of his consciousness.
Dominance
Following the Ascension, Valgavoth established absolute control over Duskmourn.[1] The House, imbued with his consciousness, gained a level of sentience, allowing Valgavoth to monitor and manipulate every aspect of its environment. He could track the movements and thoughts of every inhabitant, ensuring that fear and terror permeated every corner of the House. His ability to control the House's layout and the behavior of its monstrous entities made escape or resistance nearly impossible for the survivors trapped within. One of his first acts after ascending was killing most of the plane's other demons and breaking the rest, ensuring none could challenge his rule.
Valgavoth's primary objective is to sustain himself by feeding on fear and terror.[1] The House is designed to create an endless loop of horror, where survivors are constantly subjected to new and terrifying experiences. Valgavoth's hunger for fear is insatiable, and he orchestrates events within the House to maximize the terror experienced by its inhabitants. This endless cycle of fear is punctuated by periods known as Harrowings and Quiescences, corresponding to Valgavoth's molting process. Quiescences corresponding to the weeks before a molt offer a brief respite as Valgavoth focuses inward on his growth. Harrowings, on the other hand, are days-long periods after a molt when his malevolent energy peaks, causing a surge in the House's activity and the birth of new horrors.
Expansion through Omenpaths
Extremely powerful, Valgavoth is able to open doors to other planes, though it is costly enough that only a single door can be opened every few years.[1] With the emergence of Omenpaths, connections between planes became more accessible. Valgavoth exploited these paths to extend his influence beyond Duskmourn, luring unsuspecting victims from other planes into his domain. This expansion has allowed him to draw in a steady stream of new sources of fear, ensuring that his hunger remains sated.
In-game references
- Associated cards:
References
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Emily Teng (June 28 2024). "Planeswalker Guide to Duskmourn". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.