The Nebull
~ Nebull Xistrith
The Patterns of the Mind
The Patterns of the Mind
Description
In the stillness around Old Soth, it's said you can hear screams of torment and rage, followed by eerie whispers and deranged laughter. These are remnants of Nebull Xistrith, once a leading authority on neuropsychomancy and author of the seminal work, "The Patterns of the Mind." Born alongside his brother Nethul, the pair suffered through a traumatic childhood marked by the loss of their parents and the mental illness of their elder brother. Together, they stood resolute against the unfolding tragedy, forming a bond that would ultimately mean their amoral rise to divinity. Nebull's obsession with his own mental decay drove him to conduct horrifying experiments on those around him. His transformation from an elvenari student of Asir, the goddess of healing, into a terrifying entity devoid of his former morality, occurred alongside Nethul, his ever-loyal sibling. They became known as the Shades of Soth, their twisted experiments and unending pursuit of science a chilling testament to Nebull's descent into madness. The Nebull's legacy is as dualistic as he himself became. The respect for the man who revolutionized medical science coexists with a deep fear of the monstrous entity he became and what he represents. His presence forever remains, reminding the world of the steps he and Nethul took. The Nebull and the Shades of Soth are immortalized in all religions as dangerous evils, and regularly feature in cautionary tales told to children.
Modern Depiction
Renditions of The Nebull often portray him as a handsome, clean-looking elvenari man with neatly kept black hair. More recently, the god of insanity is represented by the symbol of a fragmented mind that graces the cover of his work, The Dissolution. Horror stories describe The Nebull as a six-legged bull with three heads and a scorpion tail, who devours poorly behaved children. In the tales of the Shades of Soth Shades of Soth, alongside his brother Nethul, god of blight, he is portrayed as a ghost or spirit that hastens the demise of the sick and ailing.
Tenets of The Nebull
 | The mind's fragility is a deception. Reality, a construct of the mortal mind, imprisons thought. |
| Do not fear to break free from your perceived reality and let your mind shape your world. |
| Experience everything. Do not deny any sensation or impulse. |
| Create and destroy with the knowledge that it is your reality to mold. |
| When in doubt, follow hate. As the first true emotion, it will guide those lost in darkness. |
The Nebull Worshiping Adventurers
Worship of The Nebull is rare. Embracing his teachings means the willingness to confront the fragility and power of the mind, whether for good or ill. Adventurers likely come from cults or are people seeking to dominate others' minds. Sometimes those who are in great pain look to The Nebull for relief, whether they find it or not. Medical scholars have extensively studied his research, though much of his writings are considered taboo in modern society.
God of Emotion, Hatred, & Insanity
Why would you choose this faith?
Choosing The Nebull as your deity might be driven by a desire to understand and manipulate the complexities of the mind or a need to explore the darkest corners of your own psyche. Perhaps you're a scholar drawn to his forbidden knowledge or a healer willing to tread where others fear. This faith might also appeal to those who have been shunned by society, offering a place of acceptance and understanding.
Barbarians, sorcerers, and warlocks are most common among The Nebull worshiping adventurers, but anyone fascinated by the intricacies of the mind, such as psychologists, medics, and negotiators, may also find themselves drawn to this faith.
Holy Symbol
The symbol on the cover of the Path of the Mind, known as the Dissolution, is a humanoid bust sliced in three. The first piece looks longingly, the second monstrous and in pain, and the third is crying. The Dissolution has become a universal symbol of mental health awareness, featured in many modern medical textbooks.
Those who openly wear the symbol are considered unstable or a danger to society. An older tradition, still followed on the continents Erimata and Zan'deil, is to tattoo the symbol on such individuals as a warning.
Associated Religions
The Nebull is not worshiped as part of any major religion, instead each one warns against him. Despite his evil reputation, his teachings on the mind are still used, and it is believed he followed The Calling.