Their numbers are unknown, but their members are myriad. The stones of their temples are trod by the unwashed feet of beggars and the supple kid-skin boots of nobles alike. Thieves and beggars kneel beside scholars and apothecaries. They meet in secret in vaults hewn from the night, where no rain can wash the dust of wickedness from their profane idols, and no wind can blow out the corrupt air. They debauch themselves under the blind eyes of their god, in orgies of sensuality and violence, for they are no longer able to differentiate the two.
Along the trails and tunnels of these grey kingdoms the cult lurks, dressed as mendicants, merchants, or minstrels. They ingratiate themselves to other travelers, sharing food and songs and offering to travel together for safety. For the duration of the trip, they are generous with their food, and take it upon themselves to do camp chores or take watch. They are true to their word, and hide their depravity beneath the exterior of an exemplary travel companion.
At some point during the journey, in the dead of night, the cult of Voldo rise from sleep to offer bloody prayers to their prince of flesh and murder.
Their skin will become clammy and covered in a sheen of sweat, and they take on a grey pallor to their flesh, and they grow hot to the touch.
They will begin to crawl on their hands and knees, moonwalk, and otherwise cavort in a frightening manner.
They will tear off their rags and put on masks to hide their faces, and reveal strange uniforms of bright and electric colors.
They lose the ability to speak, and can only hiss and whine like beasts
Thus possessed, they slink through the camp to the beds of their victims. They will whimper and run their hot fingers along their sleeping prey, and occasionally their tongue. If any of their are found awake, they are taken from behind, gagged and bound. Eventually, at some hidden signal they will murder their victims with long knives or stranguled with a silken scarf.
ASPECTS OF VOLDO
No. Appearing: 2-6
Armor Class: 7, 5 vs Missiles
Move: 10"
Hit Dice: 2 + 2
No. Of Attacks: 2
Damage/Attack: Dual katars 1-6/1-6
Sometimes after the ritual murders of the Cult of Voldo, one or more of the members may not recover from the holy fever. These possessed cultists are know as Aspects of the flesh god Voldo. To the cult they are sacred beasts, whose every need is attended to. It is considered the highest honor to be slain by an Aspect of Voldo, and many cult orgies and marked by an Aspect casually walking between the writhing bodies, killing seemingly at random with consecrated punch daggers.
The fever that burns in their bodies quickly destroys their eyes and renders them blind, but they are able to detects prey by tasting the air with the lascivious tongues. By licking the belongings or spoor of their prey, they can track like hounds, and few escape their hunt. They suffer no penalties from fighting in complete darkness, for their sense of taste is so strong that they can taste the location of an arrow in flight, and even the most practiced of thieves is unable to conceal themselves
The contorting and twisting movements of Aspects of Voldo make them difficult to target with missile weapons and spells, granting them an armor class of 5 against all ranged attacks.
While their minds are damaged by the fever, depriving them of their higher thinking, they are no dumb beasts. They know the patience of a hunter and trapper, and will lay in ambush if need be. They can open doors, avoid traps and patrols, but cannot read and do not disguise themselves. They cannot communicate except between themselves, but work effortlessly as a pack.
While they are salacious and tawdry creatures, they will sometimes take it upon themselves to hunt rapists, killing them in their sleep but leaving their companions alive. Pain and pleasure intertwined are sacred to the cult of Voldo, but these gifts must be accepted willingly, and never given by force.
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