Deep within the Abyss, in the harrowing depths of the notorious Crimson Pits, the entity known as the Master of Cruelties was forged from the tortured soul of Verac, a once-feared warlord. In his mortal life, Verac reveled in merciless conquest, committing heinous acts that ultimately led to his downfall. After betrayal and unimaginable torment, his essence was reshaped into a demonic figure, encased in black armor and destined to embody anguish and despair. Here, he became a harbinger of pain, consumed by an insatiable thirst for suffering.
Recognized by Orcus, the Demon Prince of Undeath, the Master of Cruelties accepted the position of Orcus’s enforcer, spreading chaos and destruction across the realms. Despite being bound to a misguided partnership with Orcus on a cursed island, dark ambitions brewed within him. He dreams of shattering the barriers between planes to unleash horrors upon the material world, enticing adventurers with promises of freedom and power. For the Master of Cruelties, cruelty transcends mere actions; it is woven into the very fabric of his existence, driving him to derive pleasure from widespread agony and chaos.
On June 11, 310, a brave party confronted the notorious Orcus, who offered a misleading deal of riches in exchange for their aid in freeing him and his minions. Sensing the malicious undertones in Orcus's proposition, they were soon approached by the Master of Cruelties, who cunningly proposed that they retrieve the Book of Vile Darkness with the intent of destroying Orcus instead. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the party consulted with the mage Ariel, who disclosed the book's formidable power to break the curse shackling the island.
The ensuing quest plunged the party into chaos as they battled fierce merfolk to secure the Book of Vile Darkness. Emerging victorious from this fierce confrontation, they ultimately confronted Orcus, defeating him through the utterance of his true name. However, their triumph was short-lived; they were met with a final showdown against the Master of Cruelties, his machinations veiled behind a façade of offers. This battle would not only determine their fate but also hold the potential to shape the very essence of suffering and cruelty in the realm.
