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Soul Alchemy Quarterly Issue No. 42: Rise of the Dark Artisans

Garoth Soul Alchemy Quarterly

Issue No. 42: Rise of the Dark Artisans

Published: October 20XX

SPECIAL FEATURE: The Dark Practitioners of Destructive Soul Alchemy

Introduction

Welcome to this darkly captivating edition of Garoth's Soul Alchemy Quarterly, this issue we will delve into the mysterious and destructive powers wielded by some of the most fearsome practitioners within the Garoth demonical hierarchy. For this issue, we examined what many have starting calling the "Abyssbound Paragons"—masters of Destructive Soul Alchemy. Their arcane abilities twisting life, death, and the very essence of existence itself.

There practitioners, known for their devastating combat techniques and profound tactical influence, mostly serve as high-ranking members within the Loyal Defenders of the Realm Abyss (LDRA) of Garoth. Each demon, or honorary demon, on this list possesses formidable powers and unique abilties that contribute to the chaos and destruction they wield in battle. The LDRA's influence grows within the three worlds as they spread fear and irreversible change as they reshaped battlefield in the name of Great Demon Lord Ose. Here, we rank our favorite and even least favorite practitioners based on their combat skills, the sheer scale of devastation they command, and their strategic importance in service of the LDRA.

DISCLAIMER: The abilities of the practitioners described in this publication are based on current knowledge and observation. However, the full extent of their powers is unknown and may be subject to change. This publication makes no claims regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information provided. The practitioners may possess undiscovered abilities that could significantly alter their destructive capabilities. The publisher assumes no responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use or misinterpretation of the information contained herein.

 Abyssbound Paragons Ranking 

1. Great Demon Lord Ose of the Garoth Empire, The Blight King

Rank: Commander-in-Chief of the Loyal Defenders of the Realm Abyss (LDRA)

Power: Vitality Siphon

Battles Fought: 0 (No direct confrontations)

Body Count: Indirectly responsible for millions

As the Commander-in-Chief of the Loyal Defenders of the Realm Abyss (LDRA), Great Lord Ose wields the fearsome power of Vitality Siphon, a dark mastery that allows him to drain life from entire ecosystems, leaving once-flourishing regions transformed into hauntingly desolate wastelands. While he is not known for direct confrontations—his battles won are notably zero—Ose's indirect body count numbers in the millions, the lethal effects of his abilities felt far beyond the battlefield. His influence is woven into the very essence of LDRA's grasp over the lands, with his presence casting a shadow of dread that cements his status as a near-mythical force of ultimate decay. This unparalleled capacity for mass eradication makes Ose not just the leader but the dark pillar of power within LDRA.

2. Duke Dazriel of Vexheim, the Soulforging Tyrant

Rank: General of the Reaper Legions

Power: Soulforging Construction

Battles Fought: 150+

Body Count: 20,000+

As the General of the Reaper Legions within the LDRA, Duke Dazriel wields the horrifying power of Soulforging Constructs, a dark art that allows him to bind the souls of the deceased into loyal constructs under his command. He is one of Ose's closest advisors when it comes to battle strategies. Through this unique ability, he has assembled the infamous Reaper Legions—a tireless, undead army that returns to the battlefield endlessly, no matter how often they fall. Dazriel's tactical brilliance shone during the notorious "Soulbound Siege," where he orchestrated a relentless assault, maintaining constant pressure on enemy forces until they were utterly overwhelmed. With over 150 battles won and a staggering body count of 20,000+, Duke Dazriel's influence is undeniable, and his soul-bound soldiers make him a cornerstone of LDRA's terrifying strength.

3. Marquis Kaorath of Charnelbrink, the Warbound Carnage Reaver

Rank: Commander of the Bloodbound Battalion

Power: Crimson Promise

Battles Fought: 250+

Body Count: 20,000+

Marquis Kaorath, the Warbound Carnage Reaver, commands the Bloodbound Battalion with ruthless precision. His power, known as the Crimson Promise, binds his soldiers to him through blood, granting them enhanced strength, speed, and resilience. The battalion's loyalty is absolute, but this unbreakable bond comes at a steep price: they suffer the highest casualty rate in the LDRA. Their relentless ferocity is unmatched, yet most fall in battle, their lives sacrificed for the cause. Kaorath's greatest triumph was in the "Crimson War," where his battalion decimated opposing forces, leaving only rivers of blood in their wake.

4. Duchess Selene of Diremoor, User of Vow Maw 

Rank: Phantom General of the Spectral Corps

Power: Vow Maw

Battles Fought: 5+

Body Count: 12,000+

Duchess Selene's power, known as Vow Maw, allows her to tear open rifts in reality, summoning an otherworldly vortex that devours the souls of the living. This maw, a gaping, writhing void, pulls enemies into its depths, disintegrating them into a bloody mess. Once unleashed, it consumes anything in its proximity—bodies, weapons, and fortifications alike—leaving nothing but a barren, empty void in its wake. Her use of this power was pivotal during the Battle of the Cursed Marshes, where the Vow Maw swallowed entire enemy units, turning the tides of the conflict in the LDRA's favor. Known for her cold calculation and ruthless precision, Selene's Vow Maw is both feared and revered, for it represents the inevitable collapse of all who dare oppose her.

5. Countess Seer Aeloria of Ighis, The Timebringer of Dreadgate

Rank: Specialist in Temporal Warfare

Power: Chrono Disruption

Battles Fought: 20+

Body Count: 3,000+

Countess Seer Aeloria, the Timebringer of Dreadgate, is a force of nature in the art of temporal warfare. As a specialist in Chrono Disruption, she manipulates the very flow of time, disorienting and destabilizing enemy forces with unparalleled precision. Under the command of Lady Selene's Spectral Corps, Aeloria brings a unique edge to the battlefield, where her ability to twist time itself can turn the tide of war in a heartbeat. Her most notable victory, the Timefold Battle, showcased her brilliance in bending the pace of time to her advantage, leaving enemies reeling and confused. With her exceptional skills, Aeloria is an invaluable asset to the Loyal Defenders of the Realm Abyss, adding an unpredictable and strategic dimension to their already formidable arsenal.

6. Bishop Archon Syris of Garothian Throne, The Corrupted Veil Bishop of the Blighted Throne

Rank: High Priest of Corruption

Power: Corrupted Transmutation

Battles Fought: 20+

Body Count: 6,000+

As the High Priest of Corruption and trusted advisor to Great Lord Ose, Archon Syris wields the terrifying power of Corrupted Transmutation from Garothian Throne, the heart of Garoth's dark empire. His ability to twist organic matter into monstrous forms fuels his army's relentless advance, turning thriving lands into desolate, tainted wastelands. A master of both dark magic and strategy, Syris's influence was pivotal in the infamous Battle of the Blighted Fields. His creations are the vanguard of Ose's reign, ensuring his place as a key architect of Garoth's destruction.

7. Baroness Kaprice Voss of Sableford, The Dreadborn of the Middleworld

Rank: Lieutenant in the Reaper Legion

Power: Creeping Dread

Battles Fought: 8+

Body Count: 6,500+

Baroness Kaprice Voss, the only human among the Abyssbound Paragons, is a feared anomaly in the demonical hierarchy. Born in the Middleworld, her mastery of Creeping Dread paralyzes enemies with terror, leaving them vulnerable to her Reaper Legion. Though her victories are few, her ruthless tactics and command of the Dreadborne Phalanx Platoon have earned her a reputation as a deadly tactician. Her status as a human in a world dominated by demons only adds to her mystique, making her an unpredictable and feared force across the realms.

8. Countess Evira, Mistress of Phantasms

Rank: Shadow Operative

Power: Veil of Obfuscation

Battles Won: 10+

Body Count: 900+

Countess Evira uses her mastery over shadows to cloak her forces, making them virtually invisible until they strike. Her contributions are particularly effective in espionage and surprise raids. During the Sunlit Keep raid, her shadow-cloaked forces captured a critical stronghold, solidifying her importance within LDRA's covert operations.

9. Viscount Sionis of Nevernight, The LDRA Voidwalker

Rank: Rogue Strategist

Power: Dimensional Rift

Battles Fought: 150+

Body Count: 1,800+

Viscount Sionis of Nevernight, the LDRA Voidwalker, is a Rogue Strategist known for his mastery of Dimensional Rift, which allows him to create portals for ambushes, rapid retreats, and strategic repositioning. His ability to manipulate the battlefield with rifts earned him victory in the Misty Veil Campaign, where he dismantled enemy forces with minimal losses. With over 150 battles fought and 1,800 enemies slain, Sionis is a shadowy and unpredictable force within the Loyal Defenders of the Realm Abyss, feared for his cunning and devastating rift-based tactics.

10. Marquess Varna, the Twilight Enforcer of Bleakreach

Rank: Commander of Psychological Warfare

Power: Echoing Voids

Battles Won: 20+

Body Count: 0

Varna specializes in demoralizing his enemies through illusions that force them to relive past defeats and traumas. This mental assault weakens enemy resolve, often causing troops to surrender or abandon the battlefield altogether. His skill in psychological warfare was decisive in the Eclipse Engagement, where he broke enemy morale without a single direct confrontation.

Conclusion

The Abyssbound Paragons profiled here represent the pinnacle of destructive prowess within the Loyal Defenders of the Realm Abyss. Each practitioner possesses abilities that transcend conventional warfare, relying on alchemical mastery to reshape the battlefield and strike fear into the hearts of their foes. As their influence continues to expand, the realms tremble under the weight of Garoth's because of their dark and twisted alchemy. Their names echo through the ages as symbols of destruction, power, and horror, forever solidifying their place as the ultimate embodiments of alchemical terror. With each battle, they leave behind tales of horror, power, and devastation, as they solidify their status as forces not merely of war, but of cataclysmic change.