The Maw

[Name]: The Maw (real name unknown)

[Type]: Assassin

[Alignment]: Dark

[Appearance]: Massive fat giant who is nearly Rook’s height. He wears a spiked helmet and gauntlets with a fur cape, carries a large spiked club. The Maw has a second mouth on his belly laced with endless fangs. 

[Strengths]: Strong Against Minions

                     High Survivability

[Weaknesses]: Large Target

                         Slow Movement Speed

[Background]: The Island of Tortonus, home of the savage cannibal tribes known as the Jul’nar. A shipwreck by night and a capture by morning led Captain Faelan into the filthy hands of heathen swine. He had heard tales of these people, those who ate their enemies for trespassing on sacred ground. The blunt end of an odd shaped instrument of war turned his vision black as he failed to drive them back.

When Faelan awoke from his concussion induced sleep, he found himself alone in a cage ascended several feet off the ground. Surrounding him was a few of his ship mates being held in cages on the ground and several charred corpses impaled upon spears. The smell of burned flesh was in the air and smoke from a distant camp fire all too often rode upon the wind and choked Faelan in his cage. Understanding his peril, Faelan began to struggle with his bindings in hopes of tasting freedom. Faelan stopped suddenly at the sound of laughter, looking to his left he beheld an old man sitting in a cage of similar design also lifted up into the air by rope.

“It’s useless you know. We are trapped.” said the old man. “I can’t just sit here waiting to die.” replied Faelan. “Apparently you haven’t noticed the pit of spikes beneath our cages.” said the old man. “What?” said Faelan looking towards the earth. “Even if you were to climb the rope that holds you, the watchers in the tree would fill you with arrows… no I’m afraid we are doomed my friend… it shall be the Maw for us.” said the old man. “The Maw? What are you talking about old one?” asked Faelan. “You have not heard of the Maw? Well I might as well inform you of your executioner… get comfortable, as I recall the tale...”

“The true origin of the Maw may be lost as those who knew the story in detail were eventually devoured by him, but this is what I know. West of Hjal dwelt the rich lands of Sorchusa, now desolate and devoid of substance, Sorchusa once flourishing with wild life, villages and fields of crops as far as the eye could see. The foul creature you will soon meet was not always so… something changed him, consumed him… and caused him to devour everything around him. At first the people thought it funny that the young man had such an appetite that is until he devoured an entire year’s food supply in a week.”

“He was banished from the village and wandered the wilderness for many months, feasting upon the animals and vegetation he eventually found other villages and began stealing their food. He was chased out of those lands as well, cast back into the wilderness alone. One hunter testified of seeing the Maw consuming a grizzly bear whole, fleeing in terror he ran back to his home village. Eventually his actions reached the ears of adventurers looking for fame, but at this time he had grown massive in size and strength and easily crushed those who tried to take his life. Although he had grown in power his wits were dulled by his never ending hunger which was later used against him. Nearly the entire land of Sorchusa was devoured before the kings of Ussen put their wisdom together and tricked the monster into coming to this island… where he currently remains.” said the old man.

“Lucky me...” replied Faelan.

“At least he can only terrorize those unfortunate enough to find this place…” said the old man.

“Now that you mention it… those savages were building something… I saw a ship, more like a large raft, though incomplete... I think they plan on leaving…” said Faelan.

A gong is sounded in the distance and the chanting of the cannibals makes its way to Faelan and the old man. The ground begins to quake as the monster makes its way towards the cages.

“I really wish I would have died without knowing that information young man… but I have no regrets. If you have a prayer to offer up, now would be the time. I personally have asked for the destruction of this abomination… only time will tell if the gods answer my plea…” said the old man.

The Maw, now visible marches closer as savages dance around and worship the beast. The monster knocks a few of them away with his spiked club and devours others in his path. The creature opens the large mouth on his belly and a tongue shoots forth and wraps around the old man’s cage, pulling him into the Maw.

After devouring the old man, the Maw turns his sight towards Faelan, looking just as hungry as before. Frozen in fear, Faelan accepts his fate.

[Abilities]: The Maw doesn’t play like any Demigod I can think of. As long as he is near enemy minions he is very powerful, though on his own he may not be able to stand toe to toe with other Assassins. I again tried to make good synergy between the abilities.

Ability 1: Consumption – Devours nearby enemy minions replenishing health in the process. Consumption cannot be used on giants.

            1: Eats 2 enemy minions, restores 200 Hit Points per minion.

            2: Eats 3 enemy minions, restores 300 Hit Points per minion.

            3: Eats 3 enemy minions, restores 400 Hit Points per minion.

            4: Eats 4 enemy minions, restores 500 Hit Points per minion.

5: When the Maw is above 90% Hit Points, devoured minions restore equal points into mana.

Ability 2: Lengthened Digestion – Increases health restored when consuming enemy minions and hardens skin, temporarily increasing the Maw’s armor after consumption.

            1: +3% Hit Points gained per minion consumed, +5% Armor for 5 seconds.

            2: +6% Hit Points gained per minion consumed, +10% Armor for 5 seconds.

            3: +9% Hit Points gained per minion consumed, +15% Armor for 5 seconds.

Ability 3: Regurgitation – Vomits on nearby enemies, decreasing attack damage and movement speed while dealing acid damage over time.

            1: -6% Attack Damage and Movement Speed, 400 damage over 5 seconds.

            2: -12% Attack Damage and Movement Speed, 700 damage over 5 seconds.

            3: -18% Attack Damage and Movement Speed, 900 damage over 5 seconds.

            4: Regurgitation cuts a Demigods’ viewing range in half for 5 seconds.

Ability 4: Maddening Hunger – Giving into his endless hunger, the Maw enters a frenzy gaining +10% Attack Damage and Attack Speed for 6 seconds. During this time he will consume live enemy minions and Demigods when they reach a certain level of weakness. Cannot consume giants.

            1: Consumes enemies when they reach 6% Hit Points.

            2: Consumes enemies when they reach 11% Hit Points.

            3: Consumes enemies when they reach 16% Hit Points.

4: Consuming a Demigod restores 1000 Hit Points and makes the Maw invulnerable for 5 seconds.

Ability 5: Tough Hide – Strengthens the Maw’s natural armor.

            1: +300 Armor.

            2: +500 Armor.

            3: +700 Armor.

            4: +900 Armor.

Ability 6: Weight Advantage – The Maw jumps into the air and slams the ground stunning all nearby enemies.

1: 1.5 second Stun duration.

2: 2.0 second Stun duration.

3: 2.5 second Stun duration.

Ability 7: Second Mouth – Utilizing the second mouth on his belly, the Maw is able to consume distant enemies by wrapping his tongue around them and pulling them in. This is automatic when using Consume or Maddening Hunger.

            1: Awakens the Second Mouth and allows ranged consumption of enemies.

            2: Increases the tongue length to capture enemies farther away.

            3: Allows Regurgitation to occur from the Second Mouth increasing its radius.

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Had an idea for a fat Demigod before I read posts of people suggesting it, which can only mean that it’s worth exploring and a Demigod people want to play. The only relation to such a character that I can think of is the god that the Ogres worship in Warhammer, though he doesn’t have a mouth on his belly I don’t think.

As fun as these are, I’m not sure if it’s worth continuing (other than for fun). I might wait until they release the new Demigods and see what direction they go, I just hope they’re interesting. This is my fifth New Demigod post following the King of Blades, Jagan, Flesh and The Harper. Though it seems that those posts have been drowned by others, be sure to let me know what you think about my previous Demigod ideas if you haven’t had a chance to read them. And also…

Let me know what you think about The Maw. Thanks for reading.

~Franklin