Religion and Beliefs

[Head Moderator]

The Creation Story
In the beginning, there was nothing, and everything, existing all at once, only to never be, a seething mass of Chaos, eternal and ending with in an instant. But from that Chaos arose order, as two concepts came together, and together they stayed. And the united concept spoke, the language of the divine coming into being as he did so.

"I am the Beginning, the Birth of All Things, and the Light of their True Nature. And so I command - Let there be a beginning. Let there be a Light, which reveals the Order."

And thus commanded, Chaos parted, and there was Light, and the new order was illuminated, and again, two concepts were joined.

"In Order, there is purpose, and rigidity. I am the Foundation of All, the Rock Upon Which All Purpose Rests. Let there be the Earth, for the Light to illume, and so all things might accrete there."

Thus commanded, Order solidified, and there was Light above, and Earth Below, and seeing this, Chaos was Enraged, and again, two concepts were joined.

"Though Order holds Chaos at bay, no thing may be permanent. I am the Destroyer, The End of Things, the Wind Which Shreds Scatters. Let there be a Wind, to rattle the Order, and scatter the Earth."

Thus commanded, the winds of Chaos descended, and tore at the Earth without mercy, scattering rock to sand, carrying the dust high into the winds. And as Order and Chaos railed against each other, such that the very fundament shook with the battle of Wind and Earth, two concepts were joined.

"Though no thing be permanent of its own, all things may exist in a cycle. I am the Unconquerable Essence, The Water That Rains Down between Wind and Earth. Let there be Water, to return the Dust to the Earth."

Thus commanded, Reality wept, its salty tears falling from the Winds above to the Earth below, parting the Winds from the Earth with the body of the Seas, and looking upon it, two more concepts were joined.

"Even in a cycle of creation and destruction, all things must change, even if they return to each other. I am the Bringer of Change, the Flame Which Drives the Cycle of Creation and Destruction. Let there be Fire, so that all may be reborn, their light released."

Thus commanded, the flames raged across the earth, boiling the seas and releasing the light, whipped and spread by the winds. And Reality looked upon itself, and despaired, for it should never rest, nor know peace. And two more concepts were joined.

"If there is Beginning, there must be End. If there is Change, there must be Rest. I am the Tranquility of Death, the Darkness which Soothes and Calms."

Thus commanded, the Shadow of Night descended across half the Earth, ever advancing against the Light, even as the Light chased it, cooling the flames as they retreated to their appointed place, stilling the winds and waters, and providing blessed respite. And so, the World Was Made, and the Six came to Be.

The Way of the Six

- The gods and goddesses watch us, and hide within our shadows. This is a MAJOR part of the religion of our lands. Whether good, neutral or evil aligned they are within the shadows of the land.
- Sunless places are considered to be unhallowed and godless.
- Creatures that have no shadow at all, such as a vampire, is the ultimate in evil and godlesness in the land. Even the evil gods have turned their back on these people.

Some common phrases are...
- "The gods are with us, the sun is high."
- "You can’t run from your shadow. You may be able to avoid it at times, but it is always there, always."
- "Turn your face to the sun and let the shadows follow you."
- "Remember, shadows are cast by the light."
- "My shadow follows me everywhere."
- "We are but substance, clad in shadows."
- "To contemplate the shadows is to contemplate the world."

Come to me, Kanesh, for without you, my wit is weak to sort the wheat from the chaff, and my eyes should neither know the true from the false, nor sense from folly, nor justice from prejudice and interest.

Come to me, Dannui, for without you, I might not know the mysteries of the world, and so blind and in error, I might consume and profane the abundance of your beautiful treasures.

Come to me, Diti, for without you, like a child, I might fiddle and fret, when only through struggle and labor may I craft a work worthy of your name and the name of my patron.

Come to me, Ahalya, for without you, I might be deaf to the manswarm murmurings of thy people, and forgetting their need for comfort and wisdom, I might indulge myself in vain scribblings.

Come to me, Zumyan, for without you, I might forget the ways of our fathers, and preening by the light of latest fashion, my words might tremble like the thin reeds of novelty in the tempest of enthusiasms.

Come to me, Braman, for without you, there is neither breath nor beginning, nor can any man live, love, or learn without the spark of your spirit.

---

The Primal Gods

While the Six are referred to as Gods by mortal man, it must be understood that they are different from the deities of influences and places and emotions that Man so often worships. They are the embodiment of the primal forces that have been woven together to form reality. As such, they do not have goals or purposes or alignments. Instead, they simply exist, and in existing, cause the universe to be.

From time to time, one of the Six may act in a manner similar to the lesser Gods of Influence, but these plans are almost always very long range, and tend to balance around keeping the tensions of the threads of reality balanced, or occasionally, pulling in their direction. To allow the fabric to become unwoven would mean that Their concepts return to Chaos, ending them, along with reality.

The Six

Braman, Lord of the Light
Representing the elemental concepts of Light and the Beginning, Braman is present whenever a truth or thing is revealed, or when a thing or process is begun, or a life is born. His power is one of the lynch pins of the universe, anchoring the beginning of time, and is requisite for every soul to exist. Even so, He is understood by man as being harsh and uncompromising in His own glory, for he is driven to bring illumination to every shadow and secret. In his presence, nothing may be concealed.

Still, some hardy souls seek his embrace, and to a very few of those, Braman may grant the power to pierce the shadows of death, through His power to create a beginning, and the association of life. Those who worship Him are often judges and paladins, and the rare midwife.

The Light that envelops Him is enough to blind and madden as it reveals truth, and even kill in its brilliance, and every where he steps, seeds bloom and a wave of pregnancy follows soon after.

---

Diti, the Solid Rock
Representing the elemental concepts of Earth and Creation, Diti is present wherever there is rock or soil or sand or dust, and anywhere a creature takes up a thing to give it a purpose in some larger plan. He provides the foundation upon which the world rests, and creates the laws of physics.

Precise and unyielding, a few hardy smiths and engineers worship Diti, and some few dwarves are convinced that He is the father of their race, against all available evidence.

Where Diti steps, gemstones follow, his presence bringing a terrible, crystalline order to all who gaze upon him.

---

Ahalya, the Lady of the Storm
Representing the elemental concepts of Wind and Destruction, Ahalya is present whenever an object or organization is broken, and in the chaos of the winds, from the most gentle zephyr and the fiercest monsoon. She provides motion and disorder to the world, suffusing it with the randomness required for it to function.

Harsh and unpredictable, there are almost none who worship the Queen of the Storm, though many pay Her homage in a forlorn hope of sparing Her wrath when the weather is bad. In eons past, when the Mad One threatened to tear the skein of reality, She bore Her swords against Him, and slew Him in a titanic battle, though Her swords were broken in the process.

With a voice of thunder and a caress like lightning, a howling tornado envelops Ahalya when She walks upon the world, bringing devastation wherever it lands, shredding all to splinters and bits.

---

Dannui, the Daughter of the Seas
The joining of the concepts of Water and Contiguity, Dannui is present in the hidden essence of a thing that remains the same, even as the thing changes and twists and evolves, in the vaporous clouds above, and in the depths of the sea, and in the ice that melts. She provides to the world the properties of things that remain even when things are shaped and changed, giving rise to the interactions between the laws of order and the randomness of destruction.

Ever shifting but never changing, many craftsmen and seafarers have been known to offer homage to Dannui, in one of Her tri-parte forms, seeking Her aid in bringing out the hidden qualities of their works.

Where Dannui steps, death follows in boiling ice and freezing steam, the waters rushing inward in a tsunami to greet her.

A sailor's prayer to Dannui: "Ahoy, Dannui. We ask thee for an even keel, favorable heading, and a full manifest on our journey. Please see our fellows safely to harbor, and keep our vessel seaworthy. May the swells of Dannui engulf our souls shoud we succumb at sail."

---

Zumyan, the Fire King
The joining of the concepts of Flame and Change, Zumyan is present whenever a thing is changed with no hope of return, in the deep volcanoes, where the heat leaks from the earth, and in the blazing flames lit by mortal man. To the world, He grants all manners of heat, and under His providence is the arrow of Time, for a thing done under His law can never be undone.

Few have the will to worship Zumyan, to unite their will to the consuming flame, but those who do often worship Him as a purifier, and as the agent of rebirth, assigning to Him the symbol of the phoenix, which burns away the old life, leaving the new to continue.

Where Zumyan steps, the flames follow, wreathing him in a corona of flame that consumes all around him.

---

Kanesh, Mother of Shadow
The uniting of the concepts of Death and Shadow, Kanesh is present in the expiration of all things, in the Darkness where Light cannot reach, and in the secret hidden from sight. To the world She brings the gift of cessation, of mortality, the target of Time, even as Braman provides the bow that loosed that ephemeral arrow.

Men are afraid of Kanesh, and the absolute unknown she represents, and they scream and rage against the coming of Her gentle night. But, so too, there are those who see it for the peace it is. Undertakers, morticians, and euthanists, these rare men take it upon themselves to be the escort of the dying and the dead to the edge of Shadow’s Veil.

Where Kanesh stands, absolute Darkness reigns, the sheer power of Her presence crushing the Light and stifling the breath of life with its heavy, velveteen blanket.

These are the Six that are, my child, the Six that must forever be for our world to be. Pray, Child, Pray to Them that They do not rescind Their gifts to us all, for without Them, we are doomed.

---

The Secondary Gods of Influence

There are secondary gods and goddesses in this land that small portions of the world revere, children of the Primal Gods, of all alignments.

---

The Lesser Gods of Influence

There are a great number of gods and goddesses worshipped within these lands, their stories and worship brought in from far lands, and even other worlds. These are known as the Lesser Gods.


This concept and creation story by Siren no Orakio on Strolen's Citadel.[/font]

[Head Moderator]

SECONDARY DEITIES

Lunne, Rrok and Vermill are the deities of the Moons. They are collectively known as the Lunar Trinity. Our three moons are named after them. Lunne is a goddess, which appears as an elven woman with long silver hair, and deep black eyes. She is often smiling, and is good aligned. Rrok is Lunne's son with Xuld, and appears as a black haired young elven male with grey-blue eyes. He is neutrally aligned. Vermill is Lunne's daughter with Xuld, and appears as a youthful elven female with dark red, straight hair and black eyes. Vermill is evil aligned.

Xuld, the God of Magic and Knowledge of the Arcane Arts, is also known as the Eternal One, and the Gifter of Magic. He has three-forms in which he walks our land. The first is that of an aged and wrinkled old man, with silver hair and long silver beard, and piercing emerald eyes. His skin has a golden tone to it, and he seems to hold the centuries beneath his eyes. He never speaks but conveys thoughts and ideas directly into the minds of those around him. His second form is that of an elven man in his prime, with long silver hair, and the same piercing emerald eyes of his elderly form. His third form is a glowing nimbus of light, that seems to shift and change in time to an unknown beat. It is said to look upon these lights for too long is to go mad. Xuld is worshiped by any who wield the power of magic, and by many who study its history and meaning. The Equinoxes and Solstices are sacred to him, and are said to be when he spends time with his mate, Lunne.

Riamun, the Goddess of Dark Magics, Malice and Spite.

Chavus, the God of Souls and Prophecy, is a majestic and handsome tall man, with tanned skin, short, curly black hair, and eyes the color of burnt umber. He is very tall and very muscular, and looks somewhat malicious. He usually wears light and airy robes dyed maroon with golden trimmings.

Vancev, the God of the Undead and white necromancy, is eerily beautiful, with dark skin, waist length, auburn hair, and eyes the color of moonlight. He is short and willowy, and often appears angry. He usually wears leather armor dyed bronze. He is also associated with poetry, candles and darkness. He is not evil, he does not care how the undead created in his name are used as long as undead are created. He is often referred to as the White Eye.

Ichoris, the Goddess of Vampirism, sometimes simply called the Blood Goddess. She appears as a pale skinned, tall, black haired female with blood red lips and eyes wearing a robe of woven sinew.

Fytavlo, the God of Lust and Science, is divinely beautiful, with very pale skin, short, medium brown hair, and eyes the color of bluejay eggs. He is medium height and slender. He usually wears opulent robes dyed pale gold and dark red.

Baast, Goddess of War, Battle, and Victory. Baast's favored creatures are felines, and she is said to often take the form of a golden lioness.

Lars Fides, the God of Rightful Rulership and Power.

Ardgrim, God of Strife, Hatred and Tyranny.

Avonmyra, Goddess of Rivers, Streams and Waterfalls, appears as a river nymph with flowing long blue-green hair that covers her tanned, nude body. She is always smiling, and is accompanied with the sound of rushing water. She is sometimes called the Blue Nymph.

Maeril, the Goddess of Marriage and Childbirth, is surprisingly plain, with fair skin, long, flowing black hair, and eyes the color of shimmering crystals. She is tall and slightly plump, and is usually laughing. She usually wears armor and a helmet dyed green-brown and dark violet. There are many depictions of her on lonely roads, where there are small chapels for the local women to pray for easy childbirth or to find a husband. Those that closely follow Maeril refer to her as Mother.

Angero, God of Intrigue, Lies, and Deception. A favorite of rogues, spies, some charmers and thieves.

Thiel, the Goddess of Astronomy and Thunder, is very beautiful, with bronzed skin, short, red-gold hair, and eyes the color of the green sea. She is very tall and of average build, and is usually frowning. She usually wears peasant's clothes dyed grey-green.

Leaxo, the God of Truth, is shockingly beautiful, with tanned skin, waist length, flowing black hair, and eyes the color of a wild wolf. He is short and muscular, and almost never smiles. He usually wears robes, dyed dark bronze. He is often referred to as The Scales.

Kaiken, the Goddess of Spring, Rain, Healing and Youth, is extremely beautiful, with pale skin, short, curly bright red hair, and eyes the color of rusted metal. She is of average height and broad-shouldered, and is usually laughing. She usually wears armor dyed pale blue. She is often referred to as the Red Healer.

Isarrer, the God of Summer and Light, is quite beautiful, with fair skin, short, swirling red-gold hair and braided beard, and eyes the color of deep pools. He is short and very muscular, and almost never frowns. He usually wears leather armor dyed dark yellow. He is sometimes known as Firebeard. The dwarves claim him as one of their own gods.

Kudzull, the God of Autumn, Colors, Drinking and Harvest, is often seen as a middle-aged man with a mug of mead or ale, telling stories. He is known as "Mead-Father", or "The Storyteller". Often, tavern owners will leave out a ritual mug of ale every night for Kudzull just in case he stops by.

Bon Dia, the Goddess of Winter, Ice and Cold, appears as a pale blue skinned child with ringlets of white that hang to her waist, and she wears a dress of snowflakes and frost. She is sometimes called Frostchild.

Glacias, is the evil Goddess of Ice, Cold Storms, and devastating blizzards. She loves to torment her enemies, and appears as a tall, coldly beautiful human woman made of ice and snow. Her ultimate goal is to cover all of the lands with ice and snow.

Daeker, the Goddess of Sleep, is eerily beautiful, with ivory skin, long, flowing cinnamon hair, and eyes the color of sapphires. She is very tall and of average build, and looks rather smug. She usually wears a tattered cloak dyed green-brown and dark brown. She carries two pouches, one of gold dust and one of black dust. Gold dust gives beautiful dreams, and black dust gives nightmares. She is sometimes called Dreamweaver.

Anek, the God of Assassins, is unusually beautiful, with dark skin, waist length, curly medium brown hair, and silvery-grey eyes. He is very tall and somewhat muscular, and is quiet and stoic. He usually wears worn leather of a deep gray color. The stiletto dagger is sacred to Anek. He is sometimes called The Quiet Whisper.

Shitha, the Goddess of Inspiration, is quite beautiful, with fair skin, short, flowing flaming red hair, and eyes the color of spring greenery. She is of average height and willowy, and has a faraway expression. She usually wears formal attire dyed dark blue-violet. She is also associated with Alchemy. The Tears of Shitha are a relic item blessed by this goddess. Her daughters are known as the Muse Sisters.

Nazreen, Goddess of Traveling, Wandering, Nomads, and Hospitality. She is known as the Wandering Rose, or She Who Is Without A Home. She is sometimes worshipped by gypsies.

Baromet is the God of Weather, and promotes rebirth through destruction. Clerics of Baromet are called "Vanes". He appears as a grizzled man with eyes of clouds, hair of wave crests, and a mouth of rain. His goal is not total destruction, but also considers reconstruction part of his dogma. Forest fires can cleanse the land of harmful dense overgroth, hurricanes can erode the coastline to aid in the circulation of the sea, an ice storm can prune elder trees of diseased limbs, a waterspout can carry wildlife to distant barren lakes.

Lovia, the God of Passion, Courtesans and Love, is very beautiful, with brown skin, short, flowing dark red hair, and eyes the color of dark rubies. He is very tall and of average build, and has a faraway expression. He usually wears light armor dyed yellow-green.

Mindya, the Goddess of Peace, is stunningly beautiful, with very pale skin, short, medium brown hair, and eyes the color of shining silver. She is medium height and of average build, and generally has a blissful expression. She usually wears stylized armor dyed tan. There are numerous depictions of her near placid lakes. There are many myths involving her unlikely friendship with Besmara. She is the cousin of Shitha.

Tyril, the God of War, is handsome, tall and strong with auburn hair and steel-grey eyes. He wears an expression of solemn duty. His chosen weapon is the warhammer. He is often called the Crimson Hammer.

J'tath, the Goddess of Names, is quite plain, with dark skin, short, light grey hair, and eyes the color of opals. She is very tall and slender, and looks somewhat insane. She usually wears chain mail dyed red-violet. She is often worshipped by nobles. Her followers can be primarily distinguished by their secret language. There are a few shrines to her hidden in the great libraries of the world, usually in some alcove or basement. There are many myths involving her illicit relationship with Fytavlo. She is the wife of Chavus. She is known to challenge scholars and mages.

Rao, the God of Death Rites, is an extremely handsome young man, with long, rippling black hair, and eyes the color of gently turned soil. He is very tall and gaunt, and generally appears mischievous. He usually wears scant clothing, dyed pale gold and silver. There are many myths involving his ill-fated adventures with Anek. He is the son of Vancev. He is known to visit the Mourners of the Threnody Guild on occasion when they are in watch over graves.

Mirk, the God of Decay, Death, Corruption, and Old Age appears as an elderly male in moth-eaten grave wrappings. He is skeletal, and what flesh still remains is being devoured by insects and worms. He appears driving a white carriage pulled by four white horses, to take the elderly to the afterlife. Mirk is revered mostly in the Shalott Islands but has been brought to the mainland. He is known as Lord Skull, or Old Bones.

Helm, the God of Guardians and Knights, appears as an armored male and is sometimes referred to as the Unsleeping.

Xelao, the Goddess of the Forge, is blindingly beautiful, with copper skin, long braided white hair, and eyes the color of golden sand. She is surprisingly short and quite curvy, and generally has a blissful expression. She usually wears plain peasant's clothing with an apron. She is a favored deity of the dwarves.

Aenid, the Goddess of Graves and Ghosts, is an exotic beauty, with fair skin, shoulder length, curly blonde hair, and eyes the color of deep blue pools. She is medium height and muscular, and generally appears solemn. She usually wears rich robes dyed dark brown. There are many myths involving her lustful relationship with Enea. She is the sister of Rao. Her son with Enea is Gear.

Thyshi, the God of the Desert and the Stars, is very plain, with tanned skin, short, wavy light brown hair, and eyes the color of desert sand. He is tall and solidly built, and is usually smiling. He usually wears little clothing, of white and tan. He is also associated with astrology and memory. He is often worshipped by commoners. His large numbers of followers can be primarily distinguished by the ritual greetings they use. There are small shrines to him throughout the desert. There are many myths involving his tumultuous affairs with J'tath. He is known to give advice to mortal heroes. He is sometimes known as the Keeper of Constellations.

Rasselath, the God of Souls and Sacrifice, is eerily beautiful, with fair skin, shoulder length, silver hair, and eyes the color of sapphires. He is average height and of average build, and almost never smiles. He usually wears robes, dyed deep purple. He is also associated with candles. Those who give their life to save another are accompanied into the afterlife by Rasselath.

Misha, Goddess of Deception and Illusion. Known as the Lady of Mists.

Melikki, Goddess of Forests and the Wild, Patron of Druids and Rangers. Known as the Green Queen. Those that protect the forest beneath her command are known as the Green Ladies.

Ebis, God of Poisons and Malice. He has no hair on his head, a long braided black beard and a viper's tongue. His eyes are pale green like his twin sister, Aris.

Aris, Goddess of Evil, Greed and Cruelty. She has long, dark hair and pale green eyes. She is the twin sister of Ebis.

Mabon mac Llyr, God of Woodlands, Groves, Druids and Bards. He is often known as the Young Bard.

Jaan Ko Herne, God of Rangers, Hunting, the Wilderness and Wild Places, Freedom, and Wild Animals (stag, boar, wolf and hawks primarily). He is seen as an imposing figure with a tanned body, scarred from battle. His eyes green as the richest forest and often just wearing a fur cloak and loin cloth, and always seen with horns. When on the hunt he is seen running on swift legs with spear in hand as he is followed by a pack of spectral wolves. Bare feet leave no mark as he brings down his prey through sheer cunning and power. These wolves are the messengers of the Horned Hunter. During the winter months, he takes on an older visage; that of a man in a long fur coat, hair white as snow, a spear being used primarily as a cane with a pair of great stag antlers. He often uses this form to guide and teach. Other minor forms he takes in that of a large black stag with eyes of fire. A feral wolf with eyes clear and deep as emeralds. Or a white boar with eyes of verdant green. He is known as the Horned Hunter, or Father Wild.

Astra Windsong, Goddess of Navigation, Stars, Ships, and Wind Currents. She is often portrayed as figureheads on ships; a busty woman with wild, windswept hair, large eyes, and a star on her forehead.

---

LESSER DEITIES

Gear, the God of Vengeance, has very pale skin, waist length, flowing silver hair, and eyes the color of gleaming steel. He is average height and very muscular, and rarely laughs. He usually wears leather armor, dyed black. His followers can be primarily distinguished by their extensive tattoos that tell the story of their conquests. He is known to send dreams to charismatic mortals. Though all are welcome to worship him, he only accepts male clerics.

Padraya, Talaya, Aretsaya are known as The Perfect Brides. They are the deities of Fertility and Childbirth.

Mara Lika Rashman, is the Goddess of Hedonistic Pleasure and there are very few brothels that do not have a shrine to her. She is known as the Silken Caress, or the Most Beautiful Lover, or Our Lady Mara.

Coleus and Daleus are twin brother gods, always seen together. Coleus is the God of Truth, and Daleus is the God of Justice, he is always blindfolded, representing his impartiality. They are often invoked before trials.

Enea, the God of Shame, is surprisingly plain, with ashen skin, waist length, wavy dark golden hair, and eyes the color of dark rubies. He is very tall and very slender, and sometimes seems very sad. He usually wears tattered peasant clothing and goes barefoot.

Igna'hi is the goddess of Flame, Volcanoes, and Anger. She is a dark skinned young woman with golden red hair that flutters as the flames. Her eyes are smoldering black. Her symbol is a volcano spewing three gouts of flame. She demands sacrifice to appease the volcano.

Betheen is the Goddess of Mischief, Misfortune and Accidents. She appears as a scarred and grotesque woman with greasy black hair and abyssally dark eyes, and walks with a cane twisted of the bones of those who have died an accidental death. She is sometimes called Black Beth.

Besmara is the Goddess of piracy, strife, and sea monsters. She appears as a middle-aged swashbuckler riding upon various sea monsters along the waves. She is often called the Salty Bitch.

Hinkon, God of the Hunt and Bloodhounds.

Inu'us, God of Fertility, Love and Sex. The clerics of Inu'us are encouraged to have many husbands and wives.

Mazana Marat, Goddess of Vineyards and Wine.

Nelli Nur, Goddess of Lost Children, Abused Children, or Children Who Die. She is known as the Mother of the Lost.

Chelone, the God of Literature and Art.

Shani, God of Travel, Exploration, Adventures on the Road and worshipped by some gypsies. He is a charismatic male with an infectious laugh, with knowledge of all the roads and by-ways of all the lands of Arith. He sometimes uses guidebirds to assist those traveling who are lost, these white birds flock together and form an arrow pointing those below in the right direction and they remain with the group until they are close to their destination. He is called the Laughing Traveler.

Mahasin Inci, Goddess of Beauty and Good Health. She is also known as The Pearl.

Sipputali is the goddess of disease, sores, pustules and plague. She appears as a once-beautiful pitch black skinned woman that has become scabrous and diseased. Her followers believe that disease makes one stronger, and that the touch of disease is Sipputali showing her love, as he wishes for her followers to become part of her. Disease is also her way of punishment. She is known as She Who Plagues the Land.

Treelyn, the Goddess of Daydreams, is divinely beautiful, with very pale skin, long, auburn hair, and eyes the color of green leaves. She is medium height and very muscular, and almost never frowns. She usually wears little clothing, dyed dark grey. She is often worshipped by nobles. Her many followers can be primarily distinguished by their hairstyle. There are a few temples to her at the edge of forests. There are many myths involving her adventures with certain mortals.

Dolyn, the God of Birds, Strength and Storms, is extremely beautiful, with bronzed skin, shoulder length, flowing red-brown hair, and eyes the color of fresh snow. He is average height and willowy, and has a faraway expression. He usually wears rich robes dyed beige and bright scarlet. He is often worshipped by men. His numerous followers can be primarily distinguished by the clothing they wear, of bright scarlet. Monks that follow Dolyn often wear scarlet handwraps and belts.

Blessed Ruth is considered to be both immortal and divine. She wanders the world, ageless and undying. Her appearance is that of a woman in her fifties, yet one who carries her years lightly and who is still beautiful. Her hair is as black as night; her skin pale as moonlight, her carriage and figure stately and elegant. She is both blind and deaf, but she has no difficulty finding her way; however, she is not omnipresent and can travel from one place to another no faster than a normal human could. However, by foresight she knows where she will be needed. Ruth is said to often test mortals; those who aid her - a blind and deaf woman - freely and unstintingly (particularly if they do so despite having some other pressing purpose driving them) will receive her aid, either by wise council or by direct blessing or intervention.

Gond is the God of black powder. He is said to be an outsider, who brought black powder to Arith.

[Head Moderator]

Elven Deities

Lunne, Rrok and Vermill:These are the deities of the Moons. They are collectively known as the Lunar Trinity. Our three moons are named after them. Lunne is a goddess, which appears as an elven woman with long silver hair, and deep black eyes. She is often smiling, and is good aligned. Rrok is Lunne's son with Xuld, and appears as a black haired young elven male with grey-blue eyes. He is neutrally aligned. Vermill is Lunne's daughter with Xuld, and appears as a youthful elven female with dark red, straight hair and black eyes. Vermill is evil aligned.

Avath Athon: Elven goddess of Air, Freedom, Fertility and Birds. She is the main elven goddess of the winged elves, The Avariel. Avath appears to be a tall, elven woman with feathery hair and eyebrows. A pair of large birdish wings sprout from her back. She is associated with Spring.

Astaldia Ohtandra: Elven goddess of Magic, Warfare, Swordplay, and Justice.

Mesaline: Elven god of the Aquatic Elves of Arith. His symbol is a dolphin in mid-jump.

Emwendryl: Elven god of Harvest, Healing, Druids, and Fields. He is associated with Autumn.

Thol Raen: Elven god of Rogues, Mischief, and Secrecy. He is a fickle, utterly chaotic god who can change his appearance at will, including his sex which he has done on several occasions and bore a child on each occasion.

Tavoriel: Elven goddess of wild elves and focuses upon survival in the wild, Hunting and Archery. Her chief symbol is the talon of any wild beast the wild elf has slain, normally worn around the neck on a length of leather crafted from the skin of the same beast. She appears as a young elven female clad in leaves and scraps of old leather. She is sometimes worshipped by elven rangers or druids.

Melenthryn : Elven goddess of Love, Beauty and Romance. Patron of the arts, including music and dance and well loved by elven bards.

Dagna Durell: Elven god of Time and the Elven Afterlife. It is through ( ) that elves live so long and it is he that ferries the elves to their beautiful afterlife.

Glawarn Arra: Elven goddess of Nature, and patron of the wood elves. Associated with Summer.

Ros'eissen: Elven god of Snow, Ice, Cold and patron of the snow elves. Associated with winter.

---

Drow Deities

Arakvyr: Arakvyr is the chief goddess of the drow people. She can present herself as a massive spider, a half spider/half female drow, or a female drow. She is sometimes known as the Queen of the Spiders, Mother of Dark Desires, Drow-Mother, or Lady of the Webs. She is the goddess of spiders, darkness, evil, chaos, and assassins. She is Chaotic Evil aligned.

Zilree Torghym: Zilree is the goddess of magic, mysticism, death, and wisdom.

Mas'kiira: Mas'kiira is a daughter of Arakvyr, though she has not followed in her mother's evil footsteps. She is the goddess of song, beauty, dance, hunting, moonlight and good drow. She is Neutral Good aligned. She is sometimes known as the Silver Lady.

Aunlara: Aunlara is the goddess of vengeance, the undead, and slavery. She is seen as a sinuous female drow, wearing only silver jewelry and silk veils. She wields a dagger that perpetually drips acid, and when it pleases her she dons the Mantle of Nightmares, a cloak of bones that causes magical fear in all who gaze upon its horrors.

Rakt'tar: Rakt'tar is the god of drow warriors, worshipped by male and female alike in areas not as dominated by Arakvyr. He is sometimes known as the Blackblood Prince. He is Arakvyr's son, brother to Mas'kiira.

Sharjss: Sharjss is a god mostly worshipped by drow males. He is the god of thievery and dark secrets and has many followers amongst the drow that live on the surface of Arith. Sharjss is Chaotic Neutral.

Inid: This is the drow god of lies, deception & betrayal. Inid appears as a noble drow male, clad in expensive clothes, beneath which he has on drow chain mail. He uses spells from illusion, enchantment, alteration and abjuration, but when angered he will use spells intended for destruction. He schemes a lot and has many plots both in motion and waiting so that he always has a surprise up his sleeve and he is a very unpredictable and undependable god (even to his priests). He is very involved in the drow life, hatching many plots and creating mayhem whenever possible. He sends omens to his priests but they can be interpreted in many ways or they can be outright false, for his own amusement. Beware of dealings with this god since he will use every thing he can to change the bargain or he will simply dismiss the bargain as non-committing.

Tyrr'mala: Drow goddess of poison. She looks like a gaunt drow female in tattered clothing and bare feet. Her daggers drip of venomous poison. She is fond of spiders, of course, but also snakes and poisonous toads.

---

Beast Deities

Asar, God of Horses.
Apis-de, God of Bulls.
Arachne, Goddess of Spiders
A'Demek, God of Lions.
Bir-Ka, God of Cattle.
Kumugwee, God of the Fish, mainly worshipped in Anoi'pua.
Meerklas, Goddess of Cats.
Nur'zzzt'nuure'c, God of Insects
Rufdrak, God of Dogs.
Sass'rassma, God of Serpents.
Snerlis, Goddess of Rats.
Yak'yik, God of Desert Animals.
Kutq'a, Goddess of Birds.
Verminus, God of Vermin.

---

Dwarven Deities

Xelao: She is the Goddess of the Forge, and is blindingly beautiful, with copper skin, long braided white hair, and eyes the color of golden sand. She is surprisingly short and quite curvy, and generally has a blissful expression. She usually wears plain peasant's clothing with an apron. She is a favored deity of the dwarves.

---

Gnome Deities

Garl Glittergold
Jove Ambisagris, God of Strategy and Careful Planning.

---

Halfing Deities

---

Dragon Deities

---

Fey Deities

---

Shamsharin I, God of Royalty, Noble Beasts, Felines, and Good Aligned Beastfolk.

---

Lizardfolk Deities

Simanyu: God of Hunting and breeding. During times of peace, Simanyu is referred to as "she" and worshipped as the Breeder, but during times of strife and hardship Simanyu is referred to as "he" and worshipped as the Watcher or the Seeker. In times of war, prayers to Simanyu take the form of short hisses and reptilian barks made before battle. When at peace, there is time for longer chants and epic songs intoned in Draconic.

---

Other Racial Deities

Wyndrie Aerie, goddess of Speed and Flying Creatures.

Gray Melethe, goddess of Loss, Forgetfulness and Secrets, often worshipped by ghosts and spirits, and some intelligent undead.