Zyphus
The Grim Harvestman, The Harbinger of Unexpected Tragedy, Most Hated Rival of Pharasma
PFS Legal
Pantheon
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.
- Alignment
-
NE
Neutral EvilMotivated by his own needs and wants, a neutral evil character is without conscience, acting only for self-gratification. He might surround himself with the trappings of cults and evil, but does so purely because it brings him closer to sin and wickedness. While a lawful evil person is inclined to bargain and a chaotic evil one to lash out, a neutral evil person is inclined only to look out for himself. In many ways, he epitomizes evil, since he has no clear loyalty to anything except absolute self-interest.
An extremist neutral evil character tends to be a loner, since he has either betrayed or slain those who came close to knowing him. - Nationality
- Kelishite
- Areas of Concern
- Accidental death, graveyards, tragedy
- Favored Weapon
- Heavy pick
- Symbol
- Pick axe made of bones
- Sacred Animals
- Vulture
- Sacred Colors
- Ivory, red
- Worshipers
- Bitter sufferers of tragedy or loss
- Worshipper Alignments
-
N
NeutralA neutral character is unusual in that she may have one of two distinct philosophies: she may be a person who is neutral because of distrust or apathy toward others, or one who wishes to have a truly neutral stance in the world and rejects extremism., LE
A neutral character could seem selfish or disinterested. She might be driven primarily by an acceptance of fate, and the most extreme followers of this alignment become hermits, hiding from the zealots of the world. Some neutral characters, however, strive openly for neutrality, and shun any act that veers too extremely toward any alignment. This type of neutral character prides herself on navigating her way between law and chaos, evil and good. She may have a fatalistic view in the face of nature and the fundamental power of night and day.Lawful EvilA lawful evil character goes about her business motivated by her own interests, but knows that ultimately order protects her. She seeks to achieve her own ends—but through order, not chaos. Even when boiling with anger, she is more likely to carefully plot vengeance than risk her own death through hasty actions. Sometimes that revenge will take years to happen, and that is acceptable., NE
A lawful evil character at the extreme end of the spectrum is zealous in her aims and will make any sacrifice to achieve them. Her twisted philosophy can make her paranoid of her closest followers, even family and friends. She stops at nothing to gain control, for only through control can she have peace. Yet even the most powerful and ordered society has its enemies, and to a lawful evil character only the destruction of those enemies can bring fulfillment.
Order is everything, at any cost.Neutral EvilMotivated by his own needs and wants, a neutral evil character is without conscience, acting only for self-gratification. He might surround himself with the trappings of cults and evil, but does so purely because it brings him closer to sin and wickedness. While a lawful evil person is inclined to bargain and a chaotic evil one to lash out, a neutral evil person is inclined only to look out for himself. In many ways, he epitomizes evil, since he has no clear loyalty to anything except absolute self-interest., CE
An extremist neutral evil character tends to be a loner, since he has either betrayed or slain those who came close to knowing him.Chaotic EvilA chaotic evil character is driven entirely by her own anger and needs. She is thoughtless in her actions and acts on whims, regardless of the suffering it causes others.
In many ways, a chaotic evil character is pinned down by her inherent nature to be unpredictable. She is like a spreading fire, a coming storm, an untested sword blade. An extreme chaotic evil character tends to find similarly minded individuals to be with—not out of any need for company, but because there is a familiarity in this chaos, and she relishes the opportunity to be true to her nature with others who share that delight. - Realms
- Bloodrot, Abaddon
- Centers of Worship
- Galt, Nidal, Qadira, Taldor, Ustalav, Varisia
Edicts
Encourage deadly accidents by performing acts of sabotage or through faulty design, seek out instances of tragedy and foster ill will in the surviving victims, spread the belief that life is pointless since it all ends in the pain of death
Anathema
Engineer the same accident twice in a row, knowingly provide aid to a Pharasmin, spread hope or optimism (particularly in the face of a tragedy)
Obedience
Spend an hour sitting on the grave of someone who suffered an accidental death. You must reflect on how chance has wronged you and vocally reject the influence of any gods associated with these wrongs. If no suitable grave exists, spend an hour telling strangers how their religious beliefs and hopes for a just afterlife are folly and of no consequence. Alternatively, you can write this screed and post it in a public place within a settlement. If you’re away from civilization, you can instead spend an hour sabotaging a path, bridge, tool, or other device so that it’s dangerous for the next person who uses it. You gain a +4 profane bonus on Craft (traps) or Disable Device checks, chosen when you complete the obedience.Antipaladin Code
The antipaladins of Zyphus are stealthy, and in emulation of their cruel patron deity, they’re obsessed with sowing death at the most unexpected and shocking moments. Few appear openly on the field of battle except when they impersonate followers of Gorum to incite maximum collateral damage in a skirmish or war. Although all adhere to Zyphus’s tenets, they vary in which parts of the code they emphasize. These tenets include the following adages.- Happiness is ignorance. I will never hide the truth of anguish.
- I am an agent of unpredictable death. I will announce my murderous intentions only to Zyphens and those I will immediately kill.
- Mercy is pointless. I will not stay my hand when I can slay my enemies.
- Prophecies are empty promises. I will pay no heed to fortune-telling.
- Tragedy must spread. I will first hurt those whose pain will also hurt many others, whether because they are beloved or because they will wreak reckless vengeance.
Boons
Deific Obedience
Required feat: Deific Obedience
Evangelist
Source: Inner Sea Faiths
PFS Legal
Champion of Cruel Chance (Sp)
Resiliency (Ex)
Tragic Minion (Su)
Exalted
Source: Inner Sea Faiths
PFS Legal
Catalyst of Destruction (Sp)
Ever Vigilant (Su)
Visitor from Abaddon (Sp)
Sentinel
Source: Inner Sea Faiths
PFS Legal
Walking Disaster (Sp)
Tragic Accident (Su)
Unfairness of the World (Su)
Domains
Death, Destruction, Evil, Plant, War
Subdomains
Spells Requiring Worship
Unique Summon Rules
Source: Pathfinder #89: Palace of Fallen Stars
- Summon Monster 3 : Cacodaemon PFS Legal
- Summon Monster 4 : Lacridaemon PFS Legal
- Summon Monster 5 : Ceustodaemon PFS Legal
Unique Spell Rules
Source: Inner Sea Faiths
PFS Legal
Cleric, Warpriest
- Daze : can be prepared as a 0-level spell
- Mage Hand : can be prepared as a 0-level spell
- Bungle : can be prepared as a 1st-level spell
- Spectral Hand : can be prepared as a 2nd-level spell