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    Canonfire :: View topic - Zagyg, the Xammux, and the Ebon Triad
    Canonfire Forum Index -> World of Greyhawk Discussion
    Zagyg, the Xammux, and the Ebon Triad
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    GreySage

    Joined: Aug 03, 2001
    Posts: 3310
    From: Michigan

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    Mon Jan 04, 2010 3:12 pm  
    Zagyg, the Xammux, and the Ebon Triad

    The Ebon Triad is a false cult dedicated to the dubious proposition that Vecna, Erythnul, and Hextor should be fused into a single deity. In order to provide evidence for their point, they've created or bred a Lower Planar creature that actually resembles a fusion of those three gods, which they call the Ebon Aspect.

    The Xammux is a demigod from the Book of Vile Darkness, and by far, I think, the most interesting of the deities introduced in that book. "Not a single god, but an entity composed of at least six separate beings."

    Zagyg, of course, was a mortal wizard who bound nine different demigods and managed to funnel a portion of each of their power into himself, making himself something of a fusion of nine different deities. The Lesser godtraps are magic items created in imitation of Zagyg's own Godtrap that do the same essential thing, but with planar beings of less than godlike power.

    So I kind of want to draw a connection between these three different things. Ideas include:

    1. The Ebon Aspect was created by a (possibly modified) lesser godtrap. It didn't actually have Vecna, Hextor, or Erythnul in it, of course, but it fused together perhaps servants or aspects of theirs, or random fiends that had similar appearances. If the Ebon Triad got access to the actual Godtrap, and somehow lured the deities into it, they might be able to complete their stated mission.

    2. The Xammux was created with a device similar to Zagyg's Godtrap, or perhaps, say, a device created by the Maure family in their eponymous castle that ended up inspiring Zagyg and the Ebon Triad both. Or maybe the Xammux was one of Zagyg's early experiments, a fusion of his apprentices as he was testing his artifact out...
    Master Greytalker

    Joined: Jun 25, 2007
    Posts: 951
    From: Neck Deep in the Viscounty of Verbobonc

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    Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:26 am  

    An intriguing thought, to say the least.

    But what if all three (Zagyg, the Ebon Aspect, and the Xammux) are products of the godtrap? I suspect there is only one such artifact, after all, and attempting to recreate its abilities even in a small way would be extremely difficult.

    Consider the following:

    1 very powerful subject + 9 deities + the proper procedure = a demigod who retains his original identity (Zagyg)

    1 weaker subject + 3 divine aspects + the proper procedure = a powerful monster (the Ebon Aspect)

    1 very powerful subject + 5 divine aspects + the proper procedure = a demigod without its original identity (the Xammux)

    Assuming the above equations are true, perhaps the Ebon Aspect was created by the Ebon Triad using the godtrap. However, since the wizard involved lacked Zagyg's power, and since only 3 aspects were used rather than the full complement of 9 fully-divine beings, the result was a mere monster, albeit a powerful one. The identity of the godtrap's operator, being greatly weaker than each of the three aspects, gets absorbed and disappears completely.

    Similarly, perhaps Zagyg obtained the godtrap by some means other than his own creation (or perhaps someone used it soon after him). If the wizard from whom he obtained it (or the one who used it after him) was of sufficient power and knew of the requisite procedure but lacked actual gods to fuel the machine, perhaps the lack of adequate divine power bolluxed the transformation and he became the Xammux.

    Obviously there are other possibilities, but this seems reasonable to me. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
    Adept Greytalker

    Joined: Sep 21, 2003
    Posts: 538
    From: Germany

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    Wed Jan 06, 2010 12:57 am  

    bubbagump wrote:
    I suspect there is only one such artifact, after all, and attempting to recreate its abilities even in a small way would be extremely difficult.

    I believe the Lesser Godtraps are already canon.
    Master Greytalker

    Joined: Jun 25, 2007
    Posts: 951
    From: Neck Deep in the Viscounty of Verbobonc

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    Wed Jan 06, 2010 6:03 am  

    Hmmm. Didn't know that. Thanks!
    Grandmaster Greytalker

    Joined: Nov 07, 2004
    Posts: 1846
    From: Mt. Smolderac

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    Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:43 am  

    Another angle on this might be to consider who or what could have been or will be the focus of the powers drained from the critters trapped in the godtrap? In other words, if somebody is required to absorb and be transformed by draining the powers of the trapped beings, who is it? Some cult leader? Some poor schmuck they grabbed off the street? You could even do a Rosemary's Baby kind of angle where the Ebon Triad cultists use some innocent pregnant woman whose unborn child is the focus for what will become an Ebon Aspect. Or maybe she's not so innocent, but appears to be to a party tasked with making sure the Ebon Aspect never comes into being.
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