Legends of Belariath

Cham-Er, the Flenser of Life

Since time imemmorial, and the first sparks of life, the presence of death hovered upon existence. The inevitable cycle that life breeds death, and death paves the open path for new life. Nothing escapes the whispy touch of death when it comes calling. It shapes empires, culls the weak, and writes history. Such was the case of the ancient kingdom of Shaharezhar, the once great jewel of the southern deserts. It was the fall of the great Shaharezhar that birthed the twisted deity known now as Cham-Er.

The twisted curse written within the Scrolls of the Doomed gave rise to Cham-Er within the depths of the sands. The last Shi'la, murdered by his very son in a cursed twist of revenge gave the Flenser his first taste of what was to come. He rose from the sands and turned the skies black. Death rained down upon the unknowing kingdom and began to slaughter all. Every death fueled him. Every fear strickened scream, every blood curdling cry. Man, woman, child, animal.. death knew no difference.

It was Cham-Er that wiped Shaharezhar from existence that fateful day, burying it deep within the sands for all time, and damning those who suffered to a lifeless existence to roam the desert, howling in the wind their death cries. The K'sir fear and respect Cham-Er for the fact that his touch could come at any given moment in the blistering black sand desert. Idols of Cham-Er litter the camps of the K'sir. Even beyond the desert, death fuels Cham-Er regardless of those who unwittingly provide such deliciousness..

So long as death continues to exist, Cham-Er continues to exist. War, disease, famine, it matters not how it happens. As long as it happens, then his touch will come to all in due time.

As the times continued to drift along, Cham-Er only majorly influenced the denizens of the Desert of the Doomed. The cursed that walk the sands, tormented in death by Cham-Er for his personal entertainment, and the K'sir that revere and fear him at all times. It is Cham-Er that culls weak from strong to keep the K'sir as strong as it is.

The city of Sha'shir has come to know the existence of the Flenser through captured relics and idols that were taken from the fallen K'sir during their raids. Elderly scholars know well of Cham-Er as they have studied the ancient history of the great desert. The last great relics of Shaharezhar, and surviving drawings of the mysterious obelisk are all that are known to exist in telling of the Flenser's presence and influence.

Students from the great city of Har'Amrun come to study these great artifacts, to learn of the lineage of the land, and its cataclysmic downfall thousands of years past. What is known of Cham-Er is that he is unforgiving in his judgement. He cares not what form life takes, so long as the flame of its life is snuffed out and consumed.

The Incursion from the North

The desert had been all but isolated from the rest of the land for many years. Occasionally the K'sir tribes would raid small villages on the outskirts of the desert sands, leaving behind blasphemous offerings to the Flenser once they had succeeded in taking what they will. Idols, ritualistically prepared ground to pay homage towards Cham-Er with each death, and in turn, a chosen disciple was sent unto them to unite the K'sir in the form of S'otanath the Black. Through him, the K'sir grew bolder, more brazen, and eventually brought about a series of blockades and raids upon the major cities, most notably Har'Amrun.

Word was sent to distant lands, pleading for help if anyone that received their message could offer it, and the Ilfirian Empire did answer. A successful campaign had given the crusaders a forward base of operations, and strategic placement to assist Har'Amrun for a final strike against Cham-Er's chosen. A long, arduous battle occured, with both sides suffering losses.. in turn, fueling the Flenser's presence even stronger, but his chosen ultimately failed and was slain. With that, Cham-Er disappeared back within the depths of the desert, waiting for an opportune time to claim more life.

Description of Cham-Er

There are very few records that detail what exactly Cham-Er looks like. Only the idols carved by the K'sir, and the few remaining accounts preserved within the libraries of Sha'shir give any sort of detail. Cham-Er is described as a faceless deity. A large crest shaped head with bony protrusions that point outward from the edges. Two small, nostril-like holes above a skeletal maw filled with pointed teeth. What appears to be earrings hang from either side of this gnashing maw, glittering gold in color. A large plated collar of gold surrounds his neck, adorned with sharp spikes around the outer edges. Mostly surrounded in a smoky black cloud of lifeless energy hides a desiccated frame that hides his true power. Cunning, methodical, and quite intelligent are but a few qualities that describe the Flenser.

It is said that Cham-Er's power is so great, that merely touching the earth with a single finger could raise a battalion of ancient dead, or drain the very life essence from acres of land. Indeed it is rumored that it was his touch that turned the great southern desert sands black to forever scorch those that walk its sands. His movement disguises his true power. Never one to rush or run without true provocation, Cham-Er walks with a slow gait, or chooses to hover above the land.