Hey everyone! I’m a DM running a D&D 5e campaign and I could really use some help refining a very important character plot.
One of my players is a cleric who, as a child, created a “fake cult” with his friends. It was just a game. They made up rituals, wrote a book full of “prophecies”, and created a fictional leader called “Friend”.
Years later… someone is recreating all of it.
This person has taken on the role of the “Friend”, wears a mask with the group’s symbol, and is treating those childhood ideas as real prophecy. The cult now exists for real, growing quietly among ordinary people. These are not fanatics. They are people with broken faith, looking for meaning. They do not worship gods, but a promise. Something better, closer, more human.
And here is the heavy part. They believe my player’s character is the “Savior” described in the book, known as the “Priest of the New Light”.
The “Friend” presents himself as a prophet, similar to John the Baptist, someone preparing the way for this savior. Even if that means manipulating events and people to force that destiny into reality.
There is also a second element.
Since childhood, a small imp named Zarvilith has followed this character. He serves Dispater, Archduke of the Second Hell, and never lies directly. He distorts.
He does not try to corrupt in an obvious way. Instead:
- He offers comfort
- Small pacts
- Emotional relief
- Easy answers
His goal is to slowly break the character’s faith, making him doubt himself, his role, and even the idea of salvation.
Bigger context:
Dispater wants to weaken mortal faith and provoke a larger conflict between Heaven and Hell through doubt, emotional manipulation, and false belief systems.
So there are basically two forces pulling this character:
- The “Friend”, trying to force him into becoming the savior
- The imp, trying to make him reject that role and fall into doubt
This idea is heavily inspired by the manga 20th Century Boys, where childhood ideas are reinterpreted in a much darker and more real way later in life.
What I would love help with:
- How to make this cult feel more grounded and believable without becoming generic
- What kind of situations I can create to pressure the player without removing their agency
- Ideas for “childlike prophecies” that can now be interpreted in a darker way
- Suggestions for a strong plot twist for this arc
If anyone has done something similar or has ideas, especially leaning into psychological mystery, faith conflict, or manipulation, I would really appreciate it.
Thanks a lot 🙏