The Deathless are a cult within the World Movers who have embraced the Void rather than fighting it. Where other World Movers view their Void contamination as a curse to be managed, the Deathless see it as a gift to be cultivated. They practice rituals centered on the Sacrament of Destruction, a ceremony that appears to deliberately intensify Void corruption in participants.
Origin
The Deathless were founded by Pan Gergella, who was the first to achieve the Broken state after consuming Void energy and retain consciousness. His transformation proved that it was possible to absorb the Void's power without losing oneself entirely, at least initially. This became the basis for the cult's founding ideology.
Beliefs
The Deathless believe that resisting the Void is futile and that embracing its power is the path to eternal life. They seek to become one with the Void, desiring persistence beyond the world's destruction. Their name reflects their central promise: that through the Void, death can be overcome. The cult's followers are willing to sacrifice their humanity for this goal.
The Sacrament of Destruction
The Sacrament is the Deathless's defining ritual. Countless priests and followers gather to perform it, with the Howling Pit serving as their primary ritual site. The exact nature of the Sacrament is encountered firsthand when players enter the Howling Pit dungeon, where disrupting the ritual is a core objective.
Hierarchy
The Deathless maintain a structured hierarchy with three distinct tiers:
Item | Description |
|---|---|
The Broken | Reanimated corpses infused with Void energy. Humans killed by the Void or those who willingly succumb to it are sometimes brought back as undead beings. These mindless shells form the backbone of the Deathless army, attacking anything on sight. |
Deathless Priests | Members who have undergone extensive experimentation in pursuit of transformation. Unlike standard Broken, they maintain consciousness. Some priests can interpret the Void's will through a process called "resonance with the Void Origin." Their mutations allow partial transformation into either Void or Broken forms. |
Deathless Acolytes | Fanatical devotees who pursue Broken status with violent intensity. They display unquestioning loyalty toward the priests, whom they revere as spiritual guides. |
Within the Howling Pit, specific ranks include Cult Leader Bleth, Overseer Cidhels, Enforcer Norleras, and Reckoner Cornelius.
Corrupted forces
The Deathless's embrace of Void contamination has produced a range of corrupted beings within their ranks:
Item | Description |
|---|---|
Mutated Victims | Former followers whose Void contamination progressed beyond control |
Corpse Scavengers | Creatures that feed on the dead, attracted to the cult's activities |
The Reckoned | A category of Deathless enemies encountered in their strongholds |
Abominations | Heavily mutated entities like No. 10009, designated by number rather than name, suggesting mass production of Void-twisted beings |
Strongholds
The Deathless operate from fortified locations, with Howling Pit being their most significant known base. Located in the Western Vinetrap Forest, the Howling Pit functions as both a ritual site and a military stronghold. The cult's willingness to establish permanent bases rather than operating as a nomadic group indicates significant organization and resources.