D&D 5E (2024) Tharizdun's prison as a Domain of Dread

[Kobold Avenger]

Tharizdun, the Chained God (I don't think they have a gender, despite the labeling of Tharizdun, a formless entity as male) often associated with Greyhawk despite their multiversal implications, is an extremely dangerous apocalyptic entity capable of great evil and destruction. 4e might have had the idea of Tharizdun actually destroying previous versions of the multiverse. Tharizdun was such a threat to the multiverse capable of bring about it's end, it was imprisoned by the other powers in multiverse, which is why they're known as the Chained God.

Tharizdun in 5e has been mentioned as a possible patron of Great Old Ones Warlocks along with Cthulhu. Tharizdun is also the possible force behind the Temple of Elemental Evil.

Back in 2e there was the idea that Tharizdun's Demiplane of Imprisonment could actually be or just be mistaken for the Demiplane of Dread, Ravenloft.

But now that the nature of Ravenloft has changed in 5e in that there's clusters of Domains of Dread in Shadowfell and that it all isn't just one Demiplane.

The idea of a powerful entity being imprisoned by the Dark Powers themselves now exists with Cthulhu being imprisoned in Innsmouth. So that very much opens up the possibility that Tharizdun is another powerful entity that the Dark Powers are imprisoning in one of their Domains of Dread.

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

I guess my question is whether or not a shadowfell domain is more secure than its own demiplane or not. Most of my knowledge of Tharizdun came from 4e where it was pretty explicit which gods imprisoned him, how and why; unless we get a bit more information on the Dark Powers (which may defeat the purpose of having them?) I can't see Tharizdun's enemies "delegating" his custody like that.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

I guess my question is whether or not a shadowfell domain is more secure than its own demiplane or not. Most of my knowledge of Tharizdun came from 4e where it was pretty explicit which gods imprisoned him, how and why; unless we get a bit more information on the Dark Powers (which may defeat the purpose of having them?) I can't see Tharizdun's enemies "delegating" his custody like that.

But the thing with the Dark Powers now is "They imprisoned Cthulhu, why not Tharizdun?"

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

But the thing with the Dark Powers now is "They imprisoned Cthulhu, why not Tharizdun?"

Isn't Cthulhu basically middle management when it comes to lovecraft?

 

[SkidAce]

But the thing with the Dark Powers now is "They imprisoned Cthulhu, why not Tharizdun?"

Because (IMO) it took ALL the gods to defeat/imprison Tharizdun, and the Dark Powers couldn't even keep one (Vecna) locked up.

 

[SkidAce]

Isn't Cthulhu basically middle management when it comes to lovecraft?

Correct, I "guess" Tharizdun would be more like an aspect of Azathoth.

 

[GuyBoy]

All the Domains of Dread are simply links in the chain which imprisons Tharizdun. If they break, Tharizdun will be free. And all will end.

 

[JamesLFlowers]

Really interested to actually get my hands on the book and see how they do Cthullhu. I have read different interpretations... One, that the Cthullhu in Ravenloft is just an fraction of the real thing, sort of a conscious fragment of the sleeping Cthullhu. Two, that the Dark Powers are actually go great they were able to bind Cthullhu into the far less powerful form that resides in Ravenloft. Three, that teh Cthullhu in the Domain only seems weak because its all our mortal brains can fathom. Four, who knows, go with it as the lore will change with time.

So it could be the same. The Tharizdun in a Domain of Dread is a fragment of the god chained in his prison or the Domain is the prison and the Dark Powers are just that powerful. Though the idea that each Domain is just a link in the chain that binds Thairzdun and that his domain is the innermost chain/cell could make for some interesting lore..... and an amazing adventure

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

My opinion is a point in the middle should be possible. The 3.5 Miniature Handbook introduced the "aspects", a physical embodiment of a deity, archfiend, or other powerful being. It is a less powerful version of the original being, often sent to the Material Plane to assist worshipers or take part in battles. If we use one example to explain it it would be like a deity using her own version of Naruto the ninja's shadow clone technique, or a psionic manifester summoning an astral constructs who looks a smaller version of herself.

Then a "nerferd" version of Tharizdum could be jailed within special prison demiplane. Why? If you can't destroy it then chop it into smaller pieces and separate to avoid it to rerise.

Other possibity is a dark lord with a "spark" of Tharidum within him. Why Dark Powers would choose anybody with that dangerous "spark"? Because it is a trick by Vecna to cause troubles. This still wants revengue against the Dark Powers.

Other option is Dark Powers using Tharizdum aspect's domain like a "cosmic firewall" to stop possible "unwanted guests" from the Far Realm.

And we can't the possibity about the dark lord isn't an aspect of Tharizdum but some fool cult leader.

 

[Scribe]

Really not a fan that Cthulhu can be 'trapped' or held.