Hephraak

The Three-Eyed Priest, the Molten-Horned Master, the High Deacon of Siroth – Hephraak bears many titles, most of them vainglorious, and with good reason. Among Firstborn Demons, few indeed are as powerful as he. During the Great Divorce, Hephraak was one of the first of the Lightbringers to defect from Lumaya and swear allegiance to Siroth and his ideals. Such a choice raised him high in Siroth’s regard, but the God of Shadow’s favor was not without end. Initially given command of a number of Demonspawn legions after the Sin of Dragons, Hephraak’s dedication to his new master was not matched by his skills as a general or strategist. As surely as night follows day, disgrace followed on from defeat, and after the crushing losses of the battle of Redrun during the First Great War, Hephraak found himself out of favor with Siroth. He was cast down the ranks of adherents, and suffered a period of ignominy and exile. Such a fate might have broken a less prideful Demon, but Hephraak’s self-determination was matched only by his devotion to Siroth. After capturing a Human devotee of Lumaya and binding his spirit into the unfortunate’s body, he re-entered Teleria in secret and began to spread the will of Siroth first among Humans and then beyond, not as a warrior or general, but as a darkling preacher. It was in this role that Hephraak’s talents were fully realized. He swiftly assembled a cult around himself, feeding off its praise. Worshippers were taught the power and glory of Siroth – via his eminent servant, Hephraak, of course – and his grand intentions for Teleria. When the time was right, Hephraak led a large number through to the infernal realm of Anathraad, where they were presented as a gift to Siroth and Hephraak’s fellow Firstborn, to be consumed or used as hosts. While still not restoring Hephraak to his former standing, Siroth let it be known that he was pleased with his efforts. Hephraak returned to Teleria and began the long-term work of establishing not just a cult, but a true church of Siroth. The work and devotion of untold numbers of mortals, from Peltas to Anhelt to the Lost Isles, would surely be the final boon the Demonspawn needed to conquer Teleria in their dark master’s name. Needless to say, adherents of Lumaya, such as the Arbiter, quickly realized the dangerous import of Hephraak’s designs, and gave their all to stop him. Centuries passed as clashes between Hephraak’s developing cult and the followers of the Goddess of Light became embroiled in what seemed like an eternal game of cat and mouse, where neither was truly sure who was the hunter, and who the hunted. To this day, battles between Hephraak’s minions and Telerian League agents such as Inquisitors are commonplace, and the fortunes of the devotees of Siroth wax and wane as victories are won or setbacks suffered. In many places the cult’s activities are covert, with dark rites conducted secretly in cellars and catacombs in Free Cities and country hamlets. Sometimes however, where the cult is strong, it seizes control, and all who do not bow before the idols of Siroth – many of which conveniently look like Hephraak himself – find themselves next upon the sacrificial altars. Throughout it all, Hephraak himself remains one of the foremost targets to the Sacred Order, for they know that if he is banished back to the Anathraad, the cult’s devotion will suffer a crippling blow, and Siroth’s wider machinations across Teleria might be at least partially stalled, if only for a time. When Hephraak joins in battle, he brings all of his dark charisma to bear. The favor of the high deacon is ferociously sought by his allies and followers alike, while enemies cringe beneath the biting scorn of the ancient preacher. Though his talents are primarily in oration and radicalization, he is no easy target in the midst of battle, and his demonic strength and speed is terrible to behold when his full ire is roused. Hephraak suits the role of preacher, for he adores praise and authority. He rules his adherents in a style approaching that of a demigod and, according to the claims of rival Firstborn, his cultists worship him as much as they worship Siroth. If that is the case, Siroth himself does not yet seem to have taken offense. Regardless of the exact nature of the veneration, the work of Hephraak and his minions is a valuable contribution towards the subjugation of all Teleria. Whether Hephraak will overstep himself and once again experience Siroth’s fury is uncertain, but it seems certain that, even if he does, Hephraak will set to work tirelessly once again to rebuild his power and reputation.