Sulfur God
 |
Warning! Spoilers ahead!
Proceed at your own risk! |
The Sulfur God is an obscure deity in the universe of Fear & Hunger. He makes an appearance in Ending C of Fear & Hunger 2: Termina.
Lore
The Sulfur God's origin is intricately linked with that of the Ascended One, Alll-mer. It is said that the Sulfur God was born when Alll-mer carved out the imperfect, hatred-filled parts of his subconscious and cast them into the sulfur pits.[1] The distinction between Alll-mer and the Sulfur God is sometimes blurry. For example, the skill Longinus, which is said to summon a spear made out of Alll-mer's blood, is listed in the Hexen as a Sulfur-affiliated skill. Additionally, according to Nas'hrah, the Sulfur God predates his reign, and even most occultists know little about him, so information regarding this god is extremely limited. The Sulfur God is usually portrayed as highly malevolent. He is caged in the sulfur pits.
Despite the sparse knowledge surrounding the Sulfur God, he maintains a small but devoted following. Per'kele, the leader of a Cult of Sulfur, explains that they are dedicated to chaos and freedom. Disgusted by the artificiality of man-made morals and routine, members of his Cult of Sulfur seek true fulfillment and joy by embracing suffering, experiencing death in all its forms, and shedding blood for their master. Members of this cult can be identified by their purple face and body paint.[2] Most of the available information regarding Sulfur cultists pertains specifically to Per'kele and his associates; there may be other groups or individuals who worship the Sulfur God but whose practices differ from those of Per'kele's cult.
For hundreds of years, Per'kele's Cult of Sulfur has followed Rher's traces and helped orchestrate the Festival of Termina in various locations. Although the original purpose of the festival is unknown, the Cult of Sulfur uses it as an opportunity to recruit new members and wreak havoc in the name of their god.[3] Per'kele portrays himself as a servant of Rher, but it is ambiguous whether this is typical of Sulfur cultists.
New initiates of Per'kele's cult must face death head-on and endure the same suffering as the Sulfur God. They are cast into the sulfur pits, where they undergo a complete transformation of the self. Per'kele describes this sensation as "scorching sun burning your skin, while the long tendrils of the cold freeze you from inside out."[4] An initiate who completes this ritual may then rise from the pits as a true representative of Sulfur. Needles and Stitches are likely two examples of individuals who have been transformed by the sulfur pits. The Crimson Fathers may have a connection to the Sulfur God. When the player asks what they want, they project an image of the Sulfur God burning in the sulfur pits.
The runic symbol of the Sulfur God is a fusion of the alchemical symbols Ignis (the upward-pointing triangle) and Sulfur (the inverted cross within a triangle). Sulfur cultists use something that matches the description of a Perfection Circle in their rituals.[5] The Sulfur God appears to be linked to the sun, but a different kind than the one associated with Ma'habre.[6]
Trivia
- Considering his link to Alll-mer, who is a Jesus-like figure, the Sulfur God might be inspired by Satan. Likewise, the sulfur pits may be analogous to Hell.
- Sulfur is often used as the symbol of hell and eternal damnation.
- The Inquisitors state that all deceit originates from the sulfur pits.
- Black Kalev questions whether it was Alll-mer's conscious or subconscious that was cast into the sulfur pits, raising the possibility that the subconscious parts of Alll-mer remained as The Ascended One.
Gallery
Sulfur God symbol.
References
- ↑ Black Kalev on the Sulfur God
- ↑ New Gods when asked about Per'kele
- ↑ New Gods when asked about Termina
- ↑ Per'kele's words to the player in Ending C
- ↑ Daan's character history
- ↑ Donnovan Hugo's writing makes a distinction between a "sulfur sun" that blazes underground and the cold sun that shines on Ma'habre.