The Godforge
The Godforge was the Kheth-Moran Empire's ultimate achievement and greatest folly - a massive device designed to bind and control divine beings. Its activation triggered the Sundering that destroyed the empire.
Purpose and Design
The Godforge was built to:
- Bind Gods: Trap divine beings in physical form
- Channel Power: Siphon divine energy for mortal use
- Grant Immortality: Make the Pharaoh-Kings truly eternal
- Control Death: Command the cycle of life and death
The Final Ritual
Pharaoh-King Amenthes the Eternal attempted to bind the god of death itself:
- Massive Sacrifice: Thousands died to power the ritual
- Empire-Wide Channeling: Every magical focus contributed power
- Momentary Success: The god was briefly bound
- Divine Retaliation: The gods struck back with the Sundering
Current Status
The Godforge's fate remains unknown:
- Buried: Likely beneath the sand with the capital city
- Damaged: May have been destroyed in the Sundering
- Active: Some believe it still functions
- Guarded: Protected by divine curse or ancient guardians
Dangers
The Godforge represents extreme peril:
- Divine Curse: The gods' wrath still lingers
- Unstable Magic: Reality warps around the device
- Corruption Risk: Exposure causes rapid mutation
- Temptation: Its power corrupts those who seek it
Forbidden Knowledge
Most desert peoples consider the Godforge cursed and forbidden. Even speaking of it openly can bring misfortune. Scholars who study it often meet mysterious ends.
Adventure Hook
The Godforge makes an excellent campaign climax location, but reaching it should require extensive preparation and come with severe consequences for the world.