Prophaniti
2008-07-21, 08:32 AM
After the, ah, less than amazing flood of responses to my Magic thread, I'm not counting so much on getting a lot of feedback here, but I planned on posting up more parts of my world when I got them finished, at least just to get them out there. So here it is, the Gods of my setting.
I'm going for an almost Greek feel, in that the gods are intended to be aloof, unpredictable, and seldom directly involved (at least helpfully) in mortal affairs. The first two gods listed, as you'll discover when you read the spoilers, are dead now, but are responsible for nearly everything present on the world of my setting.
The Gods
Toran: After the creation of reality and existence by the All-God, the universe was left empty and waiting, perhaps for some further forming and creations by Him. Into this amorphous and largely empty void, two entities found their way, both much less powerful than the All-God, but mighty still, beyond the ken of mortals. Toran was a being who delighted in creation, passion, and life. He proceeded to shape the matter and energy left by the All-God into forms pleasing to him. He created many worlds in his journey through existence, leaving the seeds of new life upon most. He often returned to see how the life was growing, tending it and shaping it as might a kindly gardener tend and shape his favorite rose bush. He created other gods, less than himself, some deliberately and some through accident. To most he set specific tasks, guarding or watching over specific parts of his work. When he first found some of his works spoiled or destroyed, he realized he was not alone in wanting to shape this reality. This is when he first became aware of Veluth. After many eons of conflict, Toran decided he'd had enough. He decided to take all he had learned and make one last world, Nethar, vowing that Veluth would never touch it. Veluth took up the challenge, and for the first and last time opposed Toran directly. Long they fought over the shaping world, both with all their strength brought to bear. In the end, each mortally wounded the other, and they perished. Toran used the last of his strength to create the mortal races, beings to whom he gifted aspects of his power and intellect, in the hope that they would grow in power and continue his work.
Toran is described in ancient lore as a being of light and peace, but with a quiet strength, as that of a great mountain or sea. Outwardly calm and solid, but capable of great violence.
Veluth: Veluth was the other being that found its way into reality after the All-God moved on. Unlike Toran, Veluth had little desire to create. Instead he found joy in reshaping things to fit his mood, or in destroying them. Veluth found some of the gods created by Toran and convinced them to serve him, reshaping more of reality to suit him. Many of Toran's early creations where defiled or destroyed by Veluth. When Toran made his vow and began work on Nethar, Veluth flew into a rage and attacked. The great beings battled for millennia, and though each wounded the other, neither was able to gain the upper hand. Finally, Veluth tricked Toran, by feinting toward Nethar, with the obvious intention of destroying it. Toran intervened, but Veluth had his opening. With all his strength, he smote Toran, grinning in satisfaction, knowing reality would be his alone now. Toran did not die easily however, taking strength from his vow and his love for the life he had made, he struck the gloating Veluth with an equally telling blow. As both gods lay dying, Veluth saw the new life Toran shaped with the last of his strength. Determined not to be outdone, Veluth corrupted what he could, shaping the paths of these new beings to counter Toran's efforts. Thus, much of the new life on Nethar held within it seeds of darkness and corruption.
Veluth is described as a being of shadow and turmoil, his shape never the same. The power of Veluth was always a subtle thing, seldom seen but always sensed. To anger Veluth was to uncover the heart of a furnace.
Gorath, God of the Sun, War, Anger and Renewal. Gorath is said to have been created when Toran fought Veluth during the forging of this world. Both gods sustained minor wounds, and their blood spilled on the molten rocks of the newly formed world. The blood of both gods mingled and absorbed magical energy from the new world, and it took on life and formed Gorath. Because the blood was spilled in the heat of battle, Gorath embodied that energy and rage. Toran saw that the heat and anger of the new godling would destroy Nethar if left unchecked, so he picked him up and placed him in the sky. Gorath was charged with giving of his limitless energy each day to Nethar, to help the new life grow and prosper. He fulfills his duty begrudgingly, always trying to escape and roam freely throughout creation. When a drought or long summer hits, it is said to be Gorath straining at the halter Toran set on him, straining for freedom. Gorath quickly spawned numerous cults and churches. Some worship him as the source of energy and renewal for the world, and a source of strength. Others worship him as a god of conflict and war, since he was spawned of these. The most radical and fanatical cults see him as a barely contained apocalyptic force, destined to bring about the end of the world, praying and sacrificing to either postpone or hasten such an end. Gorath is the main god worshiped by the Minotaurs.
Caidon, God of Beauty, Passion, Art and Sex. Caidon was one of the first gods made by Toran. Toran created Caidon to embody his love of beauty and creation, and to watch over that beauty. Caidon does indeed love creation and beauty, but is also obsessed with pleasure and passions. He is often lax in his duty, consuming his time with his epicurean pursuits and nearly every kind of art imaginable. Occasionally, some particularly vile corruption may draw his ire, and he then fights with skill and cunning to destroy it.
Those who worship him range from artists and those stirred by the beauty of the world, to wild hedonists, who commit all manner of excesses and depravities in his name.
Tenia, Goddess of Life, Growth and Plants. Tenia was born of accident, the first such being Toran created. While making his first stumbling steps in creating life, he put too much of himself into it, and Tenia sprang to life like a new tree. She was bright and full of life, and shared Toran's love of green and growing things. Following Toran about existence, she tended life and plants wherever she found them, often helping them grow into new and fascinating creations that Toran himself had not fathomed.
Those who worship Tenia are most often deeply connected with the land they live in. The Sylvan tribe of Elves give her the highest praise, and seek to emulate her through their magic.
Kholithe, Goddess of the Sea and Water. The second twin created by Toran to help shape and guard Nethar, Kholithe was given domain over the waters of the new world. Kholithe is a being of sharp moods and a quick temper. She sometimes seems to resent being contained in the waters of the world, and violent floods, hurricanes, or strong tides or waves are attributed to her resentment. Other times, she seems perfectly content with her place in the scheme of things, while still other times she grows despondent and listless.
Nearly all who travel on the water say a prayer to Kholithe, and those who work on it regularly carry charms to show their devotion to her, in the hopes she will spare them a watery death. There are some groups who believe to truly become one with her, they must drown themselves in seawater, and if they can be resuscitated they have been judged worthy. Such cults often watch over major waterways, attacking those they believe unworthy of traveling on the water, all of which is sacred domain to Kholithe.
Zeral, God of Magic. Toran recognized the source of the magical energies permeating reality. He saw fit to create a being to watch over Magic, keeping the energies in balance and guarding them. Thus, Zeral was born. A terse and highly intellectual god, Zeral is almost devoid of emotion. He views his duty as absolute, and does not concern himself with conflicts of morality or philosophy. His only care is Magic and it's use. What it is used for does not matter to him, so long as the balance is maintained. When storms of wild magic sweep the land, it is said to be Zeral balancing his cosmic scales.
Few worship Zeral, and he does not seek out followers. Those who do have no formal structure or dogma, it is more of a philosophical view than a religion.
Ruold, God of the Earth, the Watcher. When Toran set about making Nethar, he knew that to make it his best work, and to protect it from Veluth, he needed help. Gathering some of the matter from the world, he shaped it into two beings, Ruold and Kholithe. Twins, yet different as night and day, he put Ruold in charge of the earth and land of the new world. Ruold is the guardian of the earth, overseeing the very land itself, its movements and moods. Ruold is a patient god, seldom rushed to do anything. Ruold is not opposed to development or mining by intelligent creatures. Indeed, the resources hidden within the earth were placed there to be used. His place as lord of the ground and stone has long been second to his watching and guiding of sentient life on Nethar, feeling it his duty to take up where Toran left off.
Ruold is the most widely worshiped of the gods, and his temples dot the land. They are traditionally made out of clay or sod or rough-hewn stone, reflecting his domain over the earth. Rough, uncut precious and semi-precious stones are used as holy symbols and marks of office within his churches.
Balan, God of Death. Toran was greatly saddened when he first learned of Death, learned that all his creations, no matter how beautiful or perfect, were doomed to die. He recognized the purpose of Death and rebirth, but mourned nonetheless. As he grieved, his tears fell on a dying animal, and his grief poured into it. From out of the animal came Balan. A melancholy god, Balan knows the necessity of Death, a part of the cycle that facilitates new life and growth after the old has perished. He views it his solemn duty to govern Death, to keep the cycle in motion. After the fall of Toran and Veluth, Balan continued his work unperturbed. Then Trellak, the Dark One of Corruption, found a way to corrupt Death, and made the first Undead. Balan was horrified, and at first begged Trellak to destroy it. When it became clear Trellak would not do so, Balan swore an oath to oppose Trellak, whom previously he had not cared about, and to destroy Undead wherever he found them. He searches constantly to find a way to banish this corruption from reality altogether. To this day, he still searches for such a way, and has not yet found it.
His followers are solemn and melancholy, dour and often humorless. In most lands they are in charge of funerals and burials, and few villages lack at least one follower to oversee such things. Followers of Balan are violently opposed to undead and anything they see as similar.
Faeli, Goddess of the Moon, Night and the Wild. The one here who's story is not finished. I'll update this later with it.
The Dark Ones and Lesser Gods:
The Dark Ones are the gods that followed Veluth, who gave in to his power or were convinced of his cause. They were given new roles and purposes, and set loose on reality.
Trellak, Dark God of Corruption. Trellak is the only god who was truly created by Veluth, and is the leader of the Dark Ones. He was given form when Veluth corrupted a great world of Toran's, one of his best and favorite. Such was the malice and twisted glee of Veluth on succeeding, that he formed a part of the world into Trellak, granting him of his power to corrupt. Trellak has since wandered independently about the cosmos, corrupting and twisting. All manner of plagues and blights are attributed to him, as well as the discovery and creation of Undead. When Veluth died, Trellak lost some of his power, but is still one of the strongest gods.
Those who worship him must do so in secret, save in the most debased of lands. His rituals often involve willing mutilation and self-infection with diseases and poisons. Sacrifices consist of unspoiled things, burned or defiled to show his power over all.
Eralig, Dark God of Conflict, Strife and Hate. Eralig was an accidental creation of Toran. When Toran found the first world that had fallen to Veluth's touch, his anger and hate were so strong, he smote the world and destroyed it. A small piece, however, survived, imbued with all the hate that Toran felt, and became Eralig. Eralig wandered about creation aimlessly, searching ever for something worthy of the hate burning within him. Veluth found him like this, and convinced him to follow, promising him new things to hate and destroy. When the two great gods fought over Nethar, Eralig waxed greatly in strength. When the gods lay dying, and created the new life on Nethar, Eralig seized the moment. He went down into the new world and put his mark on a few of them, suffusing them with the same hatred and love of conflict that coursed through him. Eralig's power was not strong enough to change the creatures entirely, but he the mark greatly increased a being's anger and hatred. None know for certain who was marked, though most believe Orcs, Goblins, and other such bestial races to be their descendants.
Orcs, Goblins, and other commonly evil races worship Eralig, lending credence to the belief that they are the ones he marked. Others occasionally worship him, especially those with grudges or vendettas. Eralig has no formal churches or ceremonies, though he encourages his worshipers to spread conflict, encourage hate, and settle disputes violently.
Cahl, Dark God of Lies, Deceit and Trickery. Cahl was made by Toran to watch over some of the worlds he'd just made, when Toran first became aware that someone else was tampering with them. Cahl did so, diligently at first, but eventually became bored and wandered away. Veluth found him, and began whispering to him. Telling him of glories that should be his, and the disregard and negligence that Toran had for his creations, that he was unworthy of them. Cahl heard, and believed. He was persuaded by Veluth to convince Toran he was still loyal. Toran believed Cahl, not yet having encountered deception in one of his creations. Under this guise, Cahl assisted Veluth in many of his twistings and corruptions. Cahl continued after the two great ones died, and has become a patron of all that deceive or trick others. While Cahl himself does not truly care if the deceit is malicious or not, he is often viewed as an evil god.
Though he is the most openly worshiped of the three Dark Ones, he is still viewed with hatred, fear, or at least distaste by most good folk. Cahl has no holy symbol, instead those who follow him wear symbols of other gods. This deception pleases Cahl greatly.
Lesser Gods: The Gods have in the past elevated certain mortals to the ranks of deity. This is uncommon, but is usually done when a God desires a lieutenant or assistant. These lesser gods are less powerful, in some cases scarcely above mortals, and are given specific charges or functions. Though many people primarily worship lesser gods, they are not powerful enough to grant Divine Magic to any of their followers. (Think Catholic Saints here, there's lots of them, too many to bother listing.)
I'm going for an almost Greek feel, in that the gods are intended to be aloof, unpredictable, and seldom directly involved (at least helpfully) in mortal affairs. The first two gods listed, as you'll discover when you read the spoilers, are dead now, but are responsible for nearly everything present on the world of my setting.
The Gods
Toran: After the creation of reality and existence by the All-God, the universe was left empty and waiting, perhaps for some further forming and creations by Him. Into this amorphous and largely empty void, two entities found their way, both much less powerful than the All-God, but mighty still, beyond the ken of mortals. Toran was a being who delighted in creation, passion, and life. He proceeded to shape the matter and energy left by the All-God into forms pleasing to him. He created many worlds in his journey through existence, leaving the seeds of new life upon most. He often returned to see how the life was growing, tending it and shaping it as might a kindly gardener tend and shape his favorite rose bush. He created other gods, less than himself, some deliberately and some through accident. To most he set specific tasks, guarding or watching over specific parts of his work. When he first found some of his works spoiled or destroyed, he realized he was not alone in wanting to shape this reality. This is when he first became aware of Veluth. After many eons of conflict, Toran decided he'd had enough. He decided to take all he had learned and make one last world, Nethar, vowing that Veluth would never touch it. Veluth took up the challenge, and for the first and last time opposed Toran directly. Long they fought over the shaping world, both with all their strength brought to bear. In the end, each mortally wounded the other, and they perished. Toran used the last of his strength to create the mortal races, beings to whom he gifted aspects of his power and intellect, in the hope that they would grow in power and continue his work.
Toran is described in ancient lore as a being of light and peace, but with a quiet strength, as that of a great mountain or sea. Outwardly calm and solid, but capable of great violence.
Veluth: Veluth was the other being that found its way into reality after the All-God moved on. Unlike Toran, Veluth had little desire to create. Instead he found joy in reshaping things to fit his mood, or in destroying them. Veluth found some of the gods created by Toran and convinced them to serve him, reshaping more of reality to suit him. Many of Toran's early creations where defiled or destroyed by Veluth. When Toran made his vow and began work on Nethar, Veluth flew into a rage and attacked. The great beings battled for millennia, and though each wounded the other, neither was able to gain the upper hand. Finally, Veluth tricked Toran, by feinting toward Nethar, with the obvious intention of destroying it. Toran intervened, but Veluth had his opening. With all his strength, he smote Toran, grinning in satisfaction, knowing reality would be his alone now. Toran did not die easily however, taking strength from his vow and his love for the life he had made, he struck the gloating Veluth with an equally telling blow. As both gods lay dying, Veluth saw the new life Toran shaped with the last of his strength. Determined not to be outdone, Veluth corrupted what he could, shaping the paths of these new beings to counter Toran's efforts. Thus, much of the new life on Nethar held within it seeds of darkness and corruption.
Veluth is described as a being of shadow and turmoil, his shape never the same. The power of Veluth was always a subtle thing, seldom seen but always sensed. To anger Veluth was to uncover the heart of a furnace.
Gorath, God of the Sun, War, Anger and Renewal. Gorath is said to have been created when Toran fought Veluth during the forging of this world. Both gods sustained minor wounds, and their blood spilled on the molten rocks of the newly formed world. The blood of both gods mingled and absorbed magical energy from the new world, and it took on life and formed Gorath. Because the blood was spilled in the heat of battle, Gorath embodied that energy and rage. Toran saw that the heat and anger of the new godling would destroy Nethar if left unchecked, so he picked him up and placed him in the sky. Gorath was charged with giving of his limitless energy each day to Nethar, to help the new life grow and prosper. He fulfills his duty begrudgingly, always trying to escape and roam freely throughout creation. When a drought or long summer hits, it is said to be Gorath straining at the halter Toran set on him, straining for freedom. Gorath quickly spawned numerous cults and churches. Some worship him as the source of energy and renewal for the world, and a source of strength. Others worship him as a god of conflict and war, since he was spawned of these. The most radical and fanatical cults see him as a barely contained apocalyptic force, destined to bring about the end of the world, praying and sacrificing to either postpone or hasten such an end. Gorath is the main god worshiped by the Minotaurs.
Caidon, God of Beauty, Passion, Art and Sex. Caidon was one of the first gods made by Toran. Toran created Caidon to embody his love of beauty and creation, and to watch over that beauty. Caidon does indeed love creation and beauty, but is also obsessed with pleasure and passions. He is often lax in his duty, consuming his time with his epicurean pursuits and nearly every kind of art imaginable. Occasionally, some particularly vile corruption may draw his ire, and he then fights with skill and cunning to destroy it.
Those who worship him range from artists and those stirred by the beauty of the world, to wild hedonists, who commit all manner of excesses and depravities in his name.
Tenia, Goddess of Life, Growth and Plants. Tenia was born of accident, the first such being Toran created. While making his first stumbling steps in creating life, he put too much of himself into it, and Tenia sprang to life like a new tree. She was bright and full of life, and shared Toran's love of green and growing things. Following Toran about existence, she tended life and plants wherever she found them, often helping them grow into new and fascinating creations that Toran himself had not fathomed.
Those who worship Tenia are most often deeply connected with the land they live in. The Sylvan tribe of Elves give her the highest praise, and seek to emulate her through their magic.
Kholithe, Goddess of the Sea and Water. The second twin created by Toran to help shape and guard Nethar, Kholithe was given domain over the waters of the new world. Kholithe is a being of sharp moods and a quick temper. She sometimes seems to resent being contained in the waters of the world, and violent floods, hurricanes, or strong tides or waves are attributed to her resentment. Other times, she seems perfectly content with her place in the scheme of things, while still other times she grows despondent and listless.
Nearly all who travel on the water say a prayer to Kholithe, and those who work on it regularly carry charms to show their devotion to her, in the hopes she will spare them a watery death. There are some groups who believe to truly become one with her, they must drown themselves in seawater, and if they can be resuscitated they have been judged worthy. Such cults often watch over major waterways, attacking those they believe unworthy of traveling on the water, all of which is sacred domain to Kholithe.
Zeral, God of Magic. Toran recognized the source of the magical energies permeating reality. He saw fit to create a being to watch over Magic, keeping the energies in balance and guarding them. Thus, Zeral was born. A terse and highly intellectual god, Zeral is almost devoid of emotion. He views his duty as absolute, and does not concern himself with conflicts of morality or philosophy. His only care is Magic and it's use. What it is used for does not matter to him, so long as the balance is maintained. When storms of wild magic sweep the land, it is said to be Zeral balancing his cosmic scales.
Few worship Zeral, and he does not seek out followers. Those who do have no formal structure or dogma, it is more of a philosophical view than a religion.
Ruold, God of the Earth, the Watcher. When Toran set about making Nethar, he knew that to make it his best work, and to protect it from Veluth, he needed help. Gathering some of the matter from the world, he shaped it into two beings, Ruold and Kholithe. Twins, yet different as night and day, he put Ruold in charge of the earth and land of the new world. Ruold is the guardian of the earth, overseeing the very land itself, its movements and moods. Ruold is a patient god, seldom rushed to do anything. Ruold is not opposed to development or mining by intelligent creatures. Indeed, the resources hidden within the earth were placed there to be used. His place as lord of the ground and stone has long been second to his watching and guiding of sentient life on Nethar, feeling it his duty to take up where Toran left off.
Ruold is the most widely worshiped of the gods, and his temples dot the land. They are traditionally made out of clay or sod or rough-hewn stone, reflecting his domain over the earth. Rough, uncut precious and semi-precious stones are used as holy symbols and marks of office within his churches.
Balan, God of Death. Toran was greatly saddened when he first learned of Death, learned that all his creations, no matter how beautiful or perfect, were doomed to die. He recognized the purpose of Death and rebirth, but mourned nonetheless. As he grieved, his tears fell on a dying animal, and his grief poured into it. From out of the animal came Balan. A melancholy god, Balan knows the necessity of Death, a part of the cycle that facilitates new life and growth after the old has perished. He views it his solemn duty to govern Death, to keep the cycle in motion. After the fall of Toran and Veluth, Balan continued his work unperturbed. Then Trellak, the Dark One of Corruption, found a way to corrupt Death, and made the first Undead. Balan was horrified, and at first begged Trellak to destroy it. When it became clear Trellak would not do so, Balan swore an oath to oppose Trellak, whom previously he had not cared about, and to destroy Undead wherever he found them. He searches constantly to find a way to banish this corruption from reality altogether. To this day, he still searches for such a way, and has not yet found it.
His followers are solemn and melancholy, dour and often humorless. In most lands they are in charge of funerals and burials, and few villages lack at least one follower to oversee such things. Followers of Balan are violently opposed to undead and anything they see as similar.
Faeli, Goddess of the Moon, Night and the Wild. The one here who's story is not finished. I'll update this later with it.
The Dark Ones and Lesser Gods:
The Dark Ones are the gods that followed Veluth, who gave in to his power or were convinced of his cause. They were given new roles and purposes, and set loose on reality.
Trellak, Dark God of Corruption. Trellak is the only god who was truly created by Veluth, and is the leader of the Dark Ones. He was given form when Veluth corrupted a great world of Toran's, one of his best and favorite. Such was the malice and twisted glee of Veluth on succeeding, that he formed a part of the world into Trellak, granting him of his power to corrupt. Trellak has since wandered independently about the cosmos, corrupting and twisting. All manner of plagues and blights are attributed to him, as well as the discovery and creation of Undead. When Veluth died, Trellak lost some of his power, but is still one of the strongest gods.
Those who worship him must do so in secret, save in the most debased of lands. His rituals often involve willing mutilation and self-infection with diseases and poisons. Sacrifices consist of unspoiled things, burned or defiled to show his power over all.
Eralig, Dark God of Conflict, Strife and Hate. Eralig was an accidental creation of Toran. When Toran found the first world that had fallen to Veluth's touch, his anger and hate were so strong, he smote the world and destroyed it. A small piece, however, survived, imbued with all the hate that Toran felt, and became Eralig. Eralig wandered about creation aimlessly, searching ever for something worthy of the hate burning within him. Veluth found him like this, and convinced him to follow, promising him new things to hate and destroy. When the two great gods fought over Nethar, Eralig waxed greatly in strength. When the gods lay dying, and created the new life on Nethar, Eralig seized the moment. He went down into the new world and put his mark on a few of them, suffusing them with the same hatred and love of conflict that coursed through him. Eralig's power was not strong enough to change the creatures entirely, but he the mark greatly increased a being's anger and hatred. None know for certain who was marked, though most believe Orcs, Goblins, and other such bestial races to be their descendants.
Orcs, Goblins, and other commonly evil races worship Eralig, lending credence to the belief that they are the ones he marked. Others occasionally worship him, especially those with grudges or vendettas. Eralig has no formal churches or ceremonies, though he encourages his worshipers to spread conflict, encourage hate, and settle disputes violently.
Cahl, Dark God of Lies, Deceit and Trickery. Cahl was made by Toran to watch over some of the worlds he'd just made, when Toran first became aware that someone else was tampering with them. Cahl did so, diligently at first, but eventually became bored and wandered away. Veluth found him, and began whispering to him. Telling him of glories that should be his, and the disregard and negligence that Toran had for his creations, that he was unworthy of them. Cahl heard, and believed. He was persuaded by Veluth to convince Toran he was still loyal. Toran believed Cahl, not yet having encountered deception in one of his creations. Under this guise, Cahl assisted Veluth in many of his twistings and corruptions. Cahl continued after the two great ones died, and has become a patron of all that deceive or trick others. While Cahl himself does not truly care if the deceit is malicious or not, he is often viewed as an evil god.
Though he is the most openly worshiped of the three Dark Ones, he is still viewed with hatred, fear, or at least distaste by most good folk. Cahl has no holy symbol, instead those who follow him wear symbols of other gods. This deception pleases Cahl greatly.
Lesser Gods: The Gods have in the past elevated certain mortals to the ranks of deity. This is uncommon, but is usually done when a God desires a lieutenant or assistant. These lesser gods are less powerful, in some cases scarcely above mortals, and are given specific charges or functions. Though many people primarily worship lesser gods, they are not powerful enough to grant Divine Magic to any of their followers. (Think Catholic Saints here, there's lots of them, too many to bother listing.)