Deoch Mass 8-21-2019

This is the second in a pair of simple thoughts about Deoch’s allies. This double-moon... Sgrios, the God of Death, Destruction, and Decay.

The mundanes themselves speak of Sgrios in terrifying terms, they call him an abomination who feeds on the living as well as the god of plagues. But his status in the minds of Aislings is not as hard set. Thoughts about Sgrios are wildly varied and the view that holds control within the temple itself has changed hands repeatedly throughout the ages, sometimes creating intrafaith power struggles.

In the early Deochs, the worshipers of Sgrios embraced dark impulses and he granted them the ability to indulge. Summoning attacks were common and deadly as worshipers saw it as glorifying Sgrios and providing him sustenance. It wasn’t long before the worship of Sgrios became synonymous with the worship of Chadul. Even as Sgrios’s power to summon waned, acolytes banded together into large summoning armies to continue this dual worship by slaughtering as many Aislings as they could with surprise attacks on peaceful gathering places.

Over time, however, a softer view of Sgrios that was the minority started to rise. To these people, Sgrios was worshiped not as an ally to Chadul or as an evil force at all; but instead as an essential part of all life: the end; the completion of a cycle. Some also see his role as that of a protector; sending Aislings back from the dead with a mark of reminder upon their souls. It is these people that tempered the view of Sgrios much to the chagrin of some and to the relief of others.

These days, hearing that someone is a worshiper of Sgrios doesn’t instantly draw suspicion. Perhaps a credit that a milder view of Sgrios has won the great debate over time.

As an outsider who has watched these opposing sides and many shades in between clash over the cycles, it is difficult for me to fully commit myself to any one view. And maybe that is the point that we can learn from looking at the Sgrios fellowship. How one group worships should not prevent anyone from worshipping their own way.

For myself, I have come to believe Sgrios represents an ever constant reminder. It is certain that one day death itself will come for Temuair. On that day, Sgrios may likely be euphoric in his feast. But to worship Sgrios means to respect him and his domain over Temuair’s inevitable denouement. With this in mind, he becomes less of a predator waiting to pounce and instead our companion. Reminding us that we must cherish each moment fully. Because these moments do not last forever. Death comes for us all in the end and what we leave behind is not as important as how we lived each of our moments.

When Sgrios delights in the spread of Death granted to him at the end times, may it pale in comparison to the joy and happiness we have shared with one another thanks to Sgrios’s reminder that none of this will ever come again.