Major Deities

Abhirati

"One does not survive her affections for long, it seems."- A Former Courtier

Physical Decription: The goddess of evil and seduction generally appears as a woman in her early twenties. She is voluptuous, with almond shaped, deep brown eyes set in skin the color of burnt honey. Her hair is nearly black, descending down her back in a straight sheaf when it is not done up in an elaborate headdress. She wears vaguely Egyptian style dresses, generally in black silks and gold metals, with trailing sleeves attached to bangles. Gemstones encrust her necklaces and bracelets. Her weapons of choice, always hanging at her side, are two serpentine daggers. The pummels are worked to look like dragon claws and grasp an alchemical stone known as lich eyes. To feel the point of these daggers is death, as they are coated with the Elixir of the Wraiths.

Personality: None go against a goddess with such a lust for vengeance and destruction and live tell the tale. Abhirati’s legacy is one of death. Those in her favor find themselves in possession of riches and pleasures untold, until her fickle desires shift. Continued successes are rewarded generously, in her service; continued failures never occur. To say that Abhirati is a seductress would be an understatement. She delights in pleasure, in the darker side of all enjoyments. Nothing angers her more quickly than bringing up her own failures or Alanna’s successes. Mortals, as far as she is concerned, are her playthings. Often, she takes courtisans and courtiers as her lovers for a short time. As such is the case, she tends to get her way. Abhirati on a tantrum, however, is a sight to behold... from a distance.

Relations: She is fifth born of the deities, her twin being Sirus. She is primarily neutral to most of her brethren, coveting the power she knows Sirus possesses. However, this would not prevent her from killing, maiming, or taking over the land of any of her siblings. She has no true allies in the highest tier of gods. Rodrik she covets for his knowledge of battle and vast army, though she disagrees with his tactics. Though she views Orin with distain (his tastes are far milder than hers), she’s had few altercations. Alanna she despises with every inch of her being. Nanami is tolerated, assuming she keeps to her own affairs.

Dogma: A follower of Abhirati must always be at watch for the whim of their goddess. They live to serve her and there is no ends to the lengths they will go to please her. To know her displeasure is to know a fate worse than death (often in the most literal sense). There is always at least a small shrine in every home. There is always a temple in every city or village. Snakes are sacred to her, as well as most venomous spiders. Because of this, many of the shrines, instead of including an imperfect carved image of the goddess herself, include a statue of these animals. A member of the priesthood is required almost a fanatical devotion and desire to recruit. Human sacrifice is necessary to redeem most serious transgressions against the goddess herself, and all of her temples are equipped to deal with such necessities.

History: Abhirati has been a willing participant, and often the catalyst, in all of the Goddess Wars.

Races: Demons, Devils, undead of all varieites, and the evil counterpart of almost every other race.

Alanna

"The trees are her servants. No secret stays safe in her woods for long." - A Recently Deceased Poacher

Physical Description: Alanna appears as slender, fair skinned young woman in her early twenties. She has deep golden curls that wrap themselves down to her lower back and bright, verdant eyes. Generally wearing leathers and linens, she cuts an unassuming figure. What treasures she does wear are few and far between. A single pendant is usually found hanging around her neck: a silver disk engraved with a willow tree, roots bare. The image on the disk changes as the seasons do. Weapons are not Alanna’s specialty, but she carries a bow (which she is more than proficient in), and a short sword (betimes Moribund).

Personality: Having a fierce reverence for nature, Alanna sets the tones and rules of the forest. She believes in a general good and tries to have her followers encompass the same ideas. Kind and nurturing, she is sometimes known as the “Mother of Life,” though she is not responsible for bringing the world into being. She believes in protecting those who cannot protect themselves, providing knowledge and understanding, and finding ways to coexist with the life around the busy city ways.

Relations: Alanna is third born, the twin of Nanami, and has generally positive relations with the other deities. Rodrik and she have exchanged gifts on more than one occasion. Orin is viewed as a bit boisterous, but otherwise completely enjoyable. She has even facilitated more congenial relations between Orin and Sirus. Her relationship with her sister is one of mutual respect, both holding different sides of the same coin. Abhirati, however, is her sworn enemy, viewed as the antithesis of life and love.

Dogma: Those who follow Alanna require a reverence for things living, and usually incline towards natural pursuits. They believe that people are overall good, and that there is a purpose to life. There is not set mandate on shrines , but most villages contain at least a small one for communal use. Held sacred to her are owls, deer, and most other woodland creatures. The priesthood view themselves as the protector of all life and strive to work for a world without wars.

History: This goddess has been instrumental, and occasionally the catalyst, for all of the Goddess Wars.

Races: Alanna is credited with the creation of elves, dryads, centaurs, and other nature revering races.

Nanami

"We must tithe to the Sea Queen. Otherwise, she'll sink our ship." - Captian Greywhistle, pirate.

Physical Description: Appearing as a slender woman in her mid-twenties, Nanami is considered the most beautiful of the goddesses. Her hair, shining white, descends to her knees. Her eyes are a pale blue the hue of stormy seas, and her skin is alabaster. However, the only garment she ever wears is a gray drape. It covers her entire body in a mass of phantom cloth including a shadowing hood, a tapering, tail-like hem, and elongated sleeves. Gravity does not affect her. In fact, this deity moves as though she were constantly submersed in water. The fabric of her drape ripples and pools, drifting this way and that, depending on her movement. She floats in the air, her movements near effortless. The only adornments she carries are a silver ring on the third finger of her left hand, a small circlet that dips to a point at her brow, and a silver sickle attached to her hip.

Personality: Nanami is known as the “Sea-Queen,” the “Goddess of Tears,” and, “Our Lady of Sorrow.” As the deity that presides over death, there are none who do not feel the sting of her embrace. She does not enjoy her calling in any sense, however. She understands the purpose of death, seeing it as the other side of the coin of life. Her responsibilities, in that matter, are never shirked. She understands, as other deities do not, the pain that death brings, the slow decay of life. As a prophetic goddess, much of her time goes to either setting about transcribing visions or having them. Seeing everything as it could ever be has it’s downsides. Though her library is filled with all sorts of prophecies (dreams, visions, poems), she is prone to fits of complete madness. During these fits, she retreats into her tower, leaving the Rakb-Agume to deal with the day to day issues in the world. She also often acts as judge, lending the Rakb-Agume and her own halls so that mortals may voice their concerns and conflicts.

Relations: She is the fourth born, twin to Alanna. Rodrik is the god she understands the most, out of the other gods. The way he runs his armies, seeking battle where he might, inspires her. This depresses her, however, in the same breath. Orin she sees as frivolous, though she envies him his carefree nature. Alanna she views as zealous, though well meaning and generally good. Abhirati, however, she views as slightly deplorable. She understands the purpose of a god that revels in destruction, but see it as unnecessary. Sirus she sees as terribly misguided. Everyone and everything has a purpose, in her mind. For one so powerful to simply refuse to act like a god is atrocious.

Dogma: Those who follow Nanami are a different breed. Her most advent followers, of course, are the Rakb-Agume. Being a cursed race, they are not welcome, at least not whole heartedly, in most parts of the world. They are viewed as harbingers of death and unwanted justice; though, they are inversely believed to be creatures of great wisdom and knowledge. All pay respect to her at some point or another; she is responsible for keeping souls in the proper rebirth cycle and to insult her is thought to guarantee purgatory. It is customary to make a pilgrimage, once in your life, to Dopha Etho, her city. All pirates, being trespassers in her seas, tithe a great deal to her temples.

History: She was instrumental in the Third Goddess War and the Eighth Goddess War. Her diciples have been very active.

Races: The only race she is directly credited with creating is the Rakb-Agume. However, she is believed to have created all of the mundane life in the waters of the world, as well as some of the more fantastical species.

Orin

"A father? Orin's practically created an entire generation or two!" - Annia Silverleaf, a geneology historian.

Physical Description: Revelry defines this young god, and he looks the part with every fiber of his body. With brown curls lapping about his face, his smile, filled with flashing white teeth, lights a room. Hazel eyes, ever changing from green, brown, and blue, are lively and vivacious. A prominent nose sets off the rest of his delicate features. He is muscular and lithe, having the body of a dancer. As clothes go, his are ever changing with the times and the fashions. Even with that, they tend towards the simpler of garb: tunics, breeches, and the like made from soft and supple fabrics.

Personality: Orin has turned the pursuit of pleasure into a full time recreational activity. When not at a party, he can be found in the company of women, enjoying food of all varieties, starting a good natured fight, or resting up from such festivities. Jovial and artistic, his tastes change constantly, but there is nothing which he does not enjoy, as a rule. Love, pleasure, and enjoying oneself are the only purpose in life, as far as he is concerned. To keep this up, however, he is willing to do anything.

Relations: Though second born, twin to Rodrik, Orin sees all the other deities as his older siblings. He certainly takes the younger brother roll to everyone except for Sirus. Rodrik he views as far too serious, not enjoying his calling enough. Alanna is seen as too concentrated on only one thing. Nanami is too wrapped up in the ill in the world. Abhirati is obviously at fault, knowing that her own pursuits do not allow those participating (often at least) to enjoy the activities. Orin views Sirus as a target, trying to constantly pull him out of his shell.

Dogma: Priests of Orin can hardly be considered typical. They drink excessively, boast of their abilities, and generally enjoy themselves. They can often be found throwing parties of their own. Following Orin, however, is more of a weekend affair. Most are not cut out for the strict and demanding life of such a god.

History: While not participating in many of the historical events of the times, he is present. Many of his children have gone on to perform great works.

Races: Orin is credited with the satyrs, fawns, halflings, gnomes, and other mischievous or playful races.

Rodrik

Physical Description: Blond, nearly white hair crowns the god of war. Blue eyes, crystal-hued and piercing, adorn his face. Every piece of Rodrik seems carved from stone and ice. From his features, his carriage, his musculature you can tell that he was meant to hold a sword, to face combat. He towers over the other deities, nearly six and a half feet tall. His armor, when he is wearing it, is a demon-fashioned visage. It is a work of pure genius, the helmet alone striking fear into those who see it. His weapon, the Decapitator, is a bestial scythe-esque image of destruction.

Personality: Calculating and cool, Rodrik understands the ins and out of every battlefield. He views one on one combat just as glorious as the full scale battles. While he does not strive for a reason to go to war, he often runs mock battles with the dwarves in the nearby mountains. Viewing each battle as an independent experience, he often goes over a particular maneuver several times (after the fact) to decide whether or not it could have been done better. He has written many treatise on the various aspects of war.

Relations: As first born, his twin is Orin. Orin himself strikes Rodrik as amusing. His views of festivities are much like Rodrik’s own on war. Alanna is enjoyed immensely, her love of life found fascinating. In his eyes, Nanami requires solace and understand, and grants her such. Abhirati is watched with amusement and rapture. Her sheer disregard for most tactics, going for results and flare (in that order) rather than what is considered the “right” way to do things. Sirus is viewed as misguided, though pursuing his own ideals is also valid.

Dogma: Learning from every choice, making the best decision is the motto of those who worship Rodrik. They favor battle, each having their own perspective of it. There is no one way to worship, as long as the love and thirst is there. The priesthood have all been a part of his army, many of them remaining as generals for quite some time. All those who worship Rodrik seriously are well versed in their weapon of choice. Moreover, they believe that their weapon is an extention of their own being.

History: Oddly enough, Rodrik has not been an active participant in any of the larger scale wars. He feels, in general, that his expertise would skew any battle in favor of the side he chose to fight for. However, he has ended a few upstart mortal empires.

Races: He is considered father to dwarves, giants, gnolls, bugbears, goblins, orcs, and other war-loving races.

Sirus

Physical Description: Sirus is a picture of gypsy beauty. Curled black hair lays in tendrils about his face. His eyes are a smiling, deep brown. His skin is dark, burnt by the sun to a dusky russet. For ease of motion, he chooses his clothes. Without much variety, his wardrobe consists of leather breeches, linen shirts, and black leather boots. He carries a rapier at his side at all times, and generally a few knives concealed at various places on his person.

Personality: This deity wants nothing more to deny what he is, forsaking it for a normal life. Embodied in this, the frailty and casual nature which he desires, are his creation the humans. The irony that they are the most ambitious of the races is not lost on him. An embittered shell hosts the emotions of this god. His smile comes slowly; his laughter near not at all. This is how he is when he is at his temples. However, his nature is one of duality. About every forty years, he assumes an alternate identity (usually that of a sea-captain or caravan owner) and ventures out into the world. This side of him is jovial, quick to make a witty comment, but never to get truly close to those he travels with. He desires to soak in the feel of their lives, their simple goals and motivation. The high fatality rate in both of his preferred disguises grants him the ability to return to his temple whenever he wishes and to taste the sense of danger, getting caught up in the mortal fear of many of his shipmates.

Relations: Being last born, Sirus’s twin is Abhirati. He envies all of his sibling’s natures and their ability to truly commit to something. Rodrik’s love of battle will never be mirrored on the same scale in Sirus, but, nonetheless, some of him has rubbed off. He views Rodrik as a role model in the ways of the sword. Orin is considered a great friend, though one whose advice is to be taken with a grain of salt and a generous helping of care. Alanna is seen as a caring older sister, one who desires to help but often simply meddles, despite her best intentions. Nanami is viewed as cold, but with an ability to see to the heart of the matter that is beneficial. Abhirati is viewed as barely tolerable, a covetous wench who seeks only to better herself. Overall, Sirus is the most distant of the other gods, hardly visiting any of his brethren, save Orin.

Dogma: The dogma of Sirus’s temples is varied and completely arbitrary. All of the rules are dictated by the priesthood at the temple itself, rather than coming from the god itself. As a deity without any aspects, he grants very little real power to his followers. He is an icon of hope, a beacon of free will.

History: He has had very little to do with general world affairs. However, he had a key roll in the creation of Adrian, and during the Eighth Goddess War. However, this is hard to prove, because he assumes false names when about in the world.

Races: Sirus is credited with the creation of the humans and little else.

Demigods