Cyric


 * Prince of Lies leads here, for the novel of the same name see Prince of Lies (novel).

Overview
Cyric has many titles, some of which include the Prince of Lies, the Dark Sun, the Black Sun, the Mad God, and the Lord of Three Crowns. Cyric is closely associated with the essence of murder, conflict, lies, intrigue, and illusions.

Relationships
Cyric has no divine allies, but he has made himself a wide variety of enemies. These include gods such as Mystra, Kelemvor, Oghma, Azuth, Mask, Tyr, Torm, Deneir, Leira (killed by Cyric), Iyachtu Xvim (now Bane), and many others. Cyric is recognized in Faerûn by his symbol, a white jawless skull on black or purple sunburst, and his alignment, Chaotic Evil. He is a Greater Power, and he rules supreme in his divine realm, the Supreme Throne.

Cyric the Mortal
Before the Gods War, Cyric was a mortal thief hailing from the streets of Zhentil Keep. He attempted to steal the Ring of Winter from a powerful tribe of frost giants, but was unsuccesful and became trapped in their cave. The opportunity to flee only came when the a band of adventurers, including the mercenary Kelemvor Lyonsbane, attacked the frost giants lair, also trying to find the Ring of Winter. Kelemvor's entire party, save himself, was slain and only he and Cyric managed to escape. Once back in Arabel the two would eventually join Adon, a young cleric of Sune, and they would work for the local city watch to uncover a traitor.

As the Time of Troubles began, the beautiful mage Midnight beeseched the three to help her on a quest to free the now-mortal Lady of Mysteries, who had been imprisoned in Castle Killgrave north of Arabel, by Bane. Once the goddess had been freed she ascended a Celestial Stairway to confront The God of Guardians with the information that Bane and Myrkul had stolen the Tablets of Fate. But Helms orders were clear, and without the two Tablets he would not let Mystra pass, and thus the Lady of Mysteries attacked the God of Guardians in a bid to pass him and reenter the planes. Helm, having retained his divine powers for just the purpose of guarding the stairways easily slew Mystra, her divine essence being spread over the nearby lands by a powerful explosion as her avatar was destroyed.

Helms mention of the tablets, as well as witnessing the destruction of a deity, did much to kindle the powerlust in the young Cyric, and when Midnight announced that the now-dead Goddess of magic had instructed her to recover the tablets, Cyric was eager to help, planning to take the tablets for himself when chance came.

Dogma
''Death to all who oppose Cyric. Bow down before his supreme power, and yield to him the book of those that do not believe in his supremacy. Fear and obey those in authority, but slay those that are weak, of good persuasion, or false prophets. Battle against all clergy of other faiths, for they are false prophets and forces who oppose the One True Way. Bring death to those that oppose Cyric's church or make peace, order, and laws, for only Cyric is the true authority and all other authority must be subverted. Break not into open rebellion, for marching armies move the false deities to action. Fell one foe at a time and keep all folk afraid, uneasy, and in constant strife. Any method or means is justified if it brings about the desired end.''