I’m a big fan of Xathoqqua. From the CAS figure especially, I’ve always loved him. I think he’s the most charming and entertaining out of all of the Old Ones. And the fact that he’s just kind of loafing around in some subterranean cavern in our plane makes it even better. So I’ve been planning on implementing more of the Xathoqquan orthodoxy as a force in Hyperborea.

But why is Xathoqqua so highly venerated? I know his worship is as old as the continent itself, and that even subhumans and animals wander to his altars. I remember reading something once about bears coming to his altar and just making noise. So there’s some sort of visceral draw to worshipping him. But what is gained from it? Do the human laypeople believe they derive a benefit to crops or fertility from him in some invisible way, just like any other god? Or is it some subconscious attempt at appeasing his loathsome self for self-preservation? Both?

In one CAS story, he’s an important master to a certain wizard who gets transported to Saturn to escape an inquisition, which is a former home of the big sloth-toad. I guess he talks to those he deems worthy. So many sorcerers like him. But why the common folk?

Furthermore, how do you handle the ruling Xathoqquan religion if you have one? I’d imagine they view worshippers of Yoon’Deh or others as “heathens” and such. I always assume places where another religion dominates, there’s still little idols of Xathoqqua sitting around in homes. He’s quite a goofy little old one in the right portrayal.