Tarab: The Dying God of Dawn and Renewal
Once a mortal cleric of Asura, the Goddess of Dawn, Tarab achieved godhood through an act of immense heroism, slaying the Great Old One Rhan-Tegoth and temporarily sealing the threat of the Old Ones. Elevated by Asura for his deeds, Tarab became a neutral good deity, embodying the values of equality, peace, and personal transformation. His divine light was a beacon to the Holy State of Tarab, a nation that flourished under his protection and guidance. However, his legacy is one of both great triumph and tragic decline, as Tarab now exists as a dying god, his power severely diminished after the fall of his kingdom and the loss of his worshippers.
Origin and Apotheosis
Tarab began his life as a devout cleric of Asura, the goddess who teaches the power of dawn’s renewal and the welfare of all people. His unwavering faith and commitment to the well-being of his people drove him to greatness. When the world was threatened by the Great Old One Rhan-Tegoth, a horrifying fiend with the form of a medusa, crab, and other unearthly features, it was Tarab who faced this abomination in battle.
Tarab succeeded in slaying the creature, fulfilling a prophecy that stated: “If It dies, the Great Old Ones can never come back.” Yet, this prophecy came with a dark caveat—for the prophecy to hold, Tarab would need to prevent the cults of the Old Ones from ever rising again. Though his victory earned him the mantle of godhood, it also bound him to an endless task of vigilance against the Old Ones' return.
Upon his ascension, Tarab was granted a celestial realm by Asura, a boundless plane of eternal dawn, where the fires of transformation burned brightly. Tarab became the protector of his people, symbolizing peace, equality, beauty, and the renewal of life. His followers—artists, philosophers, and those seeking personal growth—revered him as a god of potential and personal transformation.
The Holy State of Tarab and Its Fall
The Holy State of Tarab was a land of beauty and prosperity, devoted to the teachings of Tarab. His divine protection and ideals shaped the kingdom into a haven of peace and progress, where the welfare of the people was paramount, and equality flourished. The kingdom became a symbol of hope and artistic inspiration across the world.
However, the Holy State faced a dire threat in the form of N'kalath, an undead general. Leading a massive army of the dead, N'kalath waged war against the kingdom, intending to destroy it. The people of Tarab were no match for the undead legions, and despite a valiant defense, the kingdom began to fall.
In a final act of desperation, Ambergris the Wizard, a trusted wizard who had heled the Holy State on multiple occasions, attempted to channel all of Tarab’s divine power into a single artifact, a Starfire Crystal, now referred to as the Crystal of Tarab, embedded within what would later become the Staff of Lost Tarab. This crystal was meant to be a weapon of divine retribution, but N’kalath's dark magic shielded his forces, rendering the crystal's power ineffective. The Holy State of Tarab was destroyed, and Tarab, now weakened and without followers, was bound within the crystal, his celestial realm shattered. That was 70 years ago.
Tarab’s Current State: A Dying God
Following the fall of his people, Tarab’s divine essence was locked within the Crystal of Tarab, which is now housed within the Staff of Lost Tarab, carried by Ambergris. With the destruction of his celestial realm and the loss of his followers, Tarab’s power diminished dramatically. He no longer holds sway over a vast, infinite realm, but instead exists in a small demiplane within the crystal—an enclosed garden of eternal dawn, reflecting his belief in the potential for renewal, but also embodying the melancholy of a god whose time may be ending.
This demiplane is always caught in the moment just after sunrise, symbolizing hope and rebirth. Within this garden, Tarab tends to the fires of transformation, but his power fades with each passing day. His connection to the world of mortals has grown tenuous, and without worshippers to sustain him, he teeters on the brink of oblivion. However, his essence remains a source of wisdom and guidance, and those who wield the Staff of Lost Tarab can still commune with him within the demiplane.
Tarab’s Teachings
Despite his diminished state, Tarab’s teachings continue to resonate with those who seek inner transformation and peace. His teachings emphasize the balance between mortal action and divine will, reminding his followers that prophecies do not fulfill themselves—they must be made true through effort and conviction.
Core Tenets:
Welfare of the People: The well-being of the community must come first. Tarab's followers are urged to prioritize the needs of the many, to work for the betterment of society, and to ensure that no one is left behind.
Equality: Tarab preached that all beings are inherently equal in value, and that rulers, leaders, and common folk alike deserve dignity and respect. He opposed tyranny and exploitation, advocating for justice and shared prosperity.
Beauty and Peace: His followers are often artists, philosophers, and dreamers, drawn to his ideals of beauty and inner peace. He taught that the pursuit of art and creativity is a sacred endeavor, and that personal growth is essential to the human spirit.
Renewal and Growth: Tarab’s belief in transformation was central to his faith. He taught that every dawn offers the chance for renewal, and that even in the darkest times, hope can be found through perseverance.
Prophecies and the Fate of the Old Ones
Tarab is bound by a prophecy that claims the Great Old Ones, like Rhan-Tegoth, can never return if they are truly defeated. However, Tarab is clear with those who seek him: prophecies are not guarantees. They are glimpses of possible futures, and it is up to mortals to ensure they come to pass.
Tarab’s power, though fading, remains connected to this prophecy, and he works tirelessly from within his demiplane to prevent the rise of the Great Old One cults, especially those of Krang, whose resurgence would undo the work he has done. He implores those who wield his staff or seek his guidance to continue the fight—for while he may be dying, the battle for the future is far from over.
The Staff of Lost Tarab
The Staff of Lost Tarab, now held by Ambergris, is the last remaining connection between Tarab and the mortal realm. The Crystal of Tarab, embedded in the staff, contains the last vestiges of his divine power. The staff serves as a conduit to the demiplane where Tarab resides, allowing those attuned to it to commune with the god and access what remains of his wisdom and strength.
The staff, a symbol of the fall of the Holy State, also holds a deep sadness—it is both a weapon and a memorial to Tarab’s lost people and a reflection of his tragic fate. Through it, Tarab hopes to leave behind a legacy that will help stave off the return of the Great Old Ones, and in doing so, renew the world once more.
Final Thoughts
Tarab is a god of hope, renewal, and resilience, but his time is running out. Once a mighty protector of a vast celestial realm, he now exists in a fragmented demiplane, his power bound to a single staff. Yet, despite his decline, Tarab’s teachings endure, and his message of transformation and action still holds meaning. He calls upon those who wield his staff and remember his name to fight for the world, to uphold peace and equality, and to ensure that the Great Old Ones never rise again.
Though he may be fading, Tarab remains a guiding light for those willing to embrace the dawn of renewal and change.
Met the Sentinels of Seregon with Ambergris the Wizard