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Pantheon of Liabo "Light Gods"
The
pantheon of Liabo is considered “good” or “light” and
consists almost exclusively of Arkati that work towards
the betterment of the lesser races. Those Arkati considered
“of Liabo” viewed the other races as a trust given to
them, and appointed themselves the caretakers of Elanthia.
Koar,
King of the Gods
God
of Justice, Loyalty and Law
Koar
is the King of the Gods. Once, he ruled all the Arkati
and he is still the titular head of both the Light and
Dark Gods. In practice, however, his direct control
is only over the Gods of Light. Not since the fall of
the Drakes in the Ur-Daemon War has Koar rallied all
the gods to him, and none knows for sure if he could
unify the Arkati no, no matter the cause. Still, it
is said that as long as Koar lives, the Gods of Light
and Dark will never face each other in open war.
Legend
holds that Koar sits on a great throne carved from the
stone heart of the world extending up through the tallest
mountain in Elanthia. He rarely leaves his throne, and
spends most of his time slumbering or brooding. Even
when he sleeps, one eye is always slightly open, and
while Koar may not intervene in the affairs of gods
or mortals often, there is little that escapes his notice.
The
sages say that the mountains of Elanthia rise and fall
as Koar’s brow furrows. One day, it is said, when the
Gods of Darkness no longer vex their king, and when
mortals no longer wage petty wars, the mountains will
sink back into the ground and all the world will be
a fertile plain. Earthquakes are attributed to Koar
shifting restlessly, and before Koar’s brow is smoothed,
legend holds he will rise from his throne in wrath,
shaking the greatest fortresses to rubble. The prophecy
is silent as to who or what will be the object of his
ire.
Some
common folk believe that Koar is not an Arkati, but
actually the last of the Great Drakes. No one living
can confirm this notion, however.
Koar’s
blessing is often invoked during coronation ceremonies,
and it is not uncommon for rulers to claim that their
particular right to reign bears Koar’s approval.
Koar’s
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a huge man
upon a throne, wearing a gold crown, contemplating the
fate of all things. In manner, he is commanding, detached,
or weary. His symbol is a golden crown, often set on
a circle of white.
Lumnis,
Queen of Enlightenment
Goddess
of Wisdom and Knowledge
Lumnis
is the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge, and the wife
of Koar. She is not considered the “Queen” of the Gods,
however. She gives counsel willingly, even to the Dark
Gods, but never commands.
Lumnis’
power lies in her understanding of the interrelationships
of the Spheres of Knowledge (Elemental, Spiritual, Chaos,
Order and Planar) and her intuitive grasp of their intricacies.
Able to accomplish feats that leave even Koar amazed,
she wields her knowledge with the style of an artist.
She
is worshipped by scholars and practitioners of the arcane
arts who explore the boundaries of their knowledge with
a wonder and respect of the powers they discover. Her
wisdom is also sought by fortune-tellers and all in
need of guidance. Lumnis will never give an answer outright,
however. She would rather advise and guide, allowing
those who seek aid to find the answer on their own.
She
regards Fash’lo’nae’s approach to knowledge as ultimately
self-destructive and unconscionable. Her disapproval
of knowledge for personal gain or power is such that
she has been attributed with the sudden disappearance
of several notably power-hungry magic users over the
centuries.
Lumnis’
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a mature
woman in gossamer robes of light grey, so long that
her feet are never seen and the hem is lost in distant
mists. Her hair is black with a single shock of grey
at her forehead. In manner she is serene, and even in
anger she is more a disappointed mother than a raging
goddess. Her symbol is a golden scroll overlaying five
conjoined circles, the circles being red (Planar), blue
(Spiritual), black (Chaos), green (Elemental), and white
(Order) - symbolizing her mastery of the Spheres of
Knowledge.
Ronan,
Lord of Dreams
God
of Night and Dreams
Ronan
is the God of Night. He is master of sleep and dreams,
and guardian against those who would violate the peaceful
respite of that other world. Ronan is perhaps the most
active foe of the Dark Gods.
Ronan
is the darker twin of Phoen, and it is said that the
two, being night and day, cannot come together in the
same place.
Given
their avoidance of light and their use of darkness as
a cloak to cover their activities, Ronan finds the Dark
Gods trespassing in his realm quite regularly. Ronan
and Sheru are in constant conflict since they both regard
the night and sleep as their rightful territories. Luukos
also mounts a constant assault on Ronan’s realm with
those who have failed to die cleanly and are now subject
to his curse.
Ronan’s
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a gaunt
man with heavy-lidded eyes and a mysterious smile. His
eyes are without whites, leaving deep black pools broken
only by a faint grey swirl. He dresses only in black,
and even the steel of his weapons is black. In manner,
he is sleepy and sardonic. His symbol is a black sword
with a silver edge on a field of black.
Lorminstra,
the Gatekeeper
Goddess
of Death and Rebirth, Winter and Deliverance
Lorminstra
is the Goddess of Death and Rebirth. She is the eldest
offspring of Koar and Lumnis. Lorminstra is also the
Goddess of Winter, that annual “death” of nature which
parallels the death and rebirth of souls.
Lorminstra
is also the Keeper of the Ebon Gate. It is her decision
whether a soul is allowed to return to Elanthia each
time an appeal is made via a ritual of resurrection,
and even Koar will not gainsay her decision.
Lorminstra
regards Luukos’ enslavement of souls to animate his
undead as abominable. She supports her brother, Ronan,
in his struggle against Luukos’ minions, and also petitions
Koar frequently to take direct measures to curb Luukos’
activities.
Lorminstra’s
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a thin woman
with black hair and pale alabaster skin. She wears two
layers of robes, black over white, and at her side dangles
a ring of keys, one for every soul. In manner, she is
somber yet caring. Her symbol is a golden key, or a
golden key set upon a gate of black.
Phoen,
the Sun God
God
of the Sun, Summer and Fatherhood
Phoen
is the God of the Sun and Summer. He is consort to Oleani.
He
is often considered the god of fatherhood, given his
relationship with Oleani (the goddess of fertility),
and as God of the Sun he represents the masculine side
of fertility. The Sun God personifies manly power, to
the point that he is often egotistical. There is more
than one fable of Phoen causing harm rather than good
through careless use of his great power.
The
warmth and light associated with the sun, as well as
the fact that they are life- nurturing qualities place
Phoen in direct opposition to the Dark Gods. However,
more often it is the Dark Gods regarding him as such
that leads to conflict, rather than his desire to oppose
them. He may also face them simply as a staunch ally
of Oleani’s.
Phoen’s
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a man nearly
identical to Ronan, but with golden hair that shines
so brightly as to blind mortals. The clothes he wears
are golden as well. In manner he is confidant, even
to the point of egotism. His symbol is a golden sunburst
on a field of blue.
Oleani,
Mistress of Adoration
Goddess
of Love, Spring and Fertility
Oleani
is the Goddess of Love, Fertility and Spring. To many,
she is also considered the patroness of halflings. Her
consort is Phoen, the Sun God.
Called
upon to bless weddings and birthings, Oleani represents
the many aspects of love. Her interests range from the
romantic aspects of a “respectable and proper courtship”
to the sensual magnetism which may spark an illicit
love affair - from the tragedy of a lover’s untimely
death to the joy of a new birth.
In
most lands she is honored in the early spring when a
celebration of new love and a ritual requesting her
blessing on the fields are combined into a single holiday.
Oleani’s
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a woman
of maddening beauty, of any race or color. In manner,
she is amorous and nurturing. Her symbol is a red heart
with a budding flower growing from it.
Kai,
Master of Battle
God
of Strength, Athletic Prowess, and Skill at Arms
Kai
is the God of Physical Strength and Athletic Prowess.
He has been beaten once in armed combat by Koar, and
fought once to a standstill against V’tull. Beyond these
two instances, every opponent Kai has faced has fallen
before him. Legend holds that in the Ur-Daemon War,
Kai slew more of the enemy than any Drake did, despite
their awesome might, and is the only Arkati who participated
in that war to have survived.
Kai’s
joy of physical combat is such that only Koar’s injunctions
keep him from constant battle with the Gods of Darkness.
As an alternative he often roams Elanthia looking for
unsuspecting mortals to toy with in physical “contests”
of one sort or another.
Kai’s
blessing is often invoked at contests of physical prowess.
Kai’s
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a young
man of epic build with strong and carefree features.
Kai is always dressed in light armor and is never without
a weapon of some sort. In manner, he is carefree, brave
and aggressive. His symbol is a silver arm with fist
clenched, on a field of crimson. His clerics name their
maces, cast in the same shape, the Fists of Kai.
Imaera,
Lady of the Green Goddess of Nature, Harvest, Plants
and Animals, Healing and Autumn
Imaera
is the Goddess of the Nature and Autumn. She is also
often considered the patron of the sylvan elves. While
Oleani’s realm is cultivation and the fertility of mortals,
Imaera’s realm is the wilds and unfettered nature. Her
consort is Eonak, without whose rocky soil, no plant
could grow.
As
the Goddess of life and growing things, hers are the
plants and animals native to the land. Credited with
the re-creation of most of the species on Elanthia,
and with several of the human-like races, she is the
mistress of shaping flesh, bone, and plant to suit any
need. As such her blessing is often sought by those
who practice the healing arts.
Imaera
is also the Goddess of the harvest and so of the bounty
which the land produces in its cycle of life. While
Oleani oversees cultivation and agriculture, the final
blessing of Imaera is needed for the spark of life.
Because of this she is often honored in autumn festivals.
All
of the aspects of Imaera are in direct opposition to
the twisting and deformation of life forms practiced
by some of the Dark Gods, and of the senseless destruction
of life and land that most of their minions undertake
as a matter of course.
Imaera’s
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a young
woman, often sylvan, dressed in robes of leaves and
flowers. In manner, she is exuberant. Her symbol is
a golden sheaf of grain on a field of green when she
is worshipped by farmers. The sylvan elves ascribe to
her a brown doe on a field of green.
Charl,
Lord of the Seas
God
of the Oceans, Storms and Revolution
Charl
is the God of the Sea. Living apart from his brethren,
he dwells constantly in the seas of Elanthia, joining
the other Gods only when Koar commands. Legend holds
that Koar once had to send for Charl six times before
he appeared. When Koar demanded to know why he was so
disobedient, Charl replied that he was always the most
obedient of Koar’s servants, but that the waters of
the six oceans of the world flowed through his veins,
and none could come without the others.
Charl
is a dark and violent god, and is renowned for his drastic
mood swings. He cares little for the land dwelling races
on Elanthia, and is as likely to swat a nearby ship
with a storm as he is to let it pass untouched. Because
of this he is feared by seamen, and few pray to him
for fear they might attract his attention. For the same
reason clerics serving Charl, although seldom welcome,
rarely come to harm in any place frequented by seamen.
He
is also the god of storms of all sorts, and more than
one despotic tyrant, overthrown by an angry mob marching
under a stormy sky, has sworn that it was Charl’s hand
that laid him low.
Some
clergy contend that Charl is at heart a God of Darkness.
Still, there is little doubt that he swears fealty to
Koar, and for that reason, if for no other, he is numbered
with the Gods of Light.
Charl’s
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a towering
man with a beard of seaweed and algae, blue and grey
robes, wielding a trident. Charl rarely appears except
in the sea or the heart of a storm. His lower half is
a fish’s tail. In manner, he is stern, angry and quick-tempered.
His symbol is an emerald trident on a field of blue.
Jastev,
the Soothsayer
God
of Visual Arts and Prophecy
Jastev
is the God of Visual Art and Prophecy, and is the offspring
of Imaera and Eonak. He is the only God of Light whose
company Charl regularly keeps, and the only Arkati who
will speak to Gosaena at all.
Given
to a somber demeanor and periods of depression, Jastev’s
knowledge of the future is a double-edged sword, giving
him warning of the consequences of the actions of the
Dark Gods and their followers, yet also showing him
more than any being would wish to know. It is said that
having foreseen the end of the world and of all that
he loves causes his darker moods. It is this kinship
in prophecy with Gosaena that gives him the tolerance
to discourse with her.
His
patronization of the visual arts is also attributed
to his knowledge of the future, since he encourages
the preservation of each moment of beauty, emotion,
or tragedy for those who will come after.
Jastev
is the patron of mystics and seers, and his blessing
is often invoked by practitioners of the arts of foretelling.
While Lumnis will provide her followers with knowledge
of the skills of fishing, Jastev is not averse to giving
the location of the nearest fish.
Jastev’s
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a pale man
dressed in drab colors. His age varies from the youngest
of boys to the oldest of greybeards. In manner, he is
most often sad, with fits of inspiration and joy. His
symbol is a black artist’s brush on a field of grey,
or alternately, a silver crystal ball on a field of
grey.
Cholen,
the Jester
God
of Festivals, Performing Arts, and Humor
Cholen
is the God of festivals and the performing arts. The
offspring of Imaera and
Eonak,
he is the twin brother of Jastev.
Patron
of celebrations and all that goes with them, Cholen
is renowned for his bright demeanor, his mastery of
music, song, and dance, and of his mischievous nature.
All performing skills commonly seen at festivals fall
within his domain, and muttered prayers to Cholen are
not uncommon among jugglers, actors, and bards who frequently
perform at them.
The
many comedies whose plots revolve around mistaken identity
and cross-gender disguises owe their basis, at least
in part, to Cholen’s penchant for cross- gender pranks,
although his disguises are generally acknowledged as
being more complete than most acting troupes could ever
manage.
Cholen's
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a young
man with summer-sun gold hair, blue eyes and a slight
build. He is arrayed in fine but exaggerated clothing,
and he favors a great cloak with patches of every color
and shape imaginable. In manner, he is playful and mocking.
His symbol is a crimson lute on a field of gold.
Tonis,
the Fleetfooted, King of Thieves God of Speed, Travel
and Thieves
Tonis
is the messenger of the gods. He is the only offspring
of Phoen and Oleani.
He
is renowned for his speed, and for the shape he commonly
chooses when on an errand. Even more frequently than
his humanoid form, Tonis takes on the form of a golden
pegasus whose hooves strike flames from the sky.
Tonis
is also worshipped by thieves. Myths of his speed and
daring spur his worshippers on to perform similar feats,
and it is the skill and daring of their acts that motivates
them more than the trinkets they take. In battle, Tonis
can slay an army in a few moments by rushing among them
and snatching the breath from their mouths.
Tonis’
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a lithe
young man dressed in a simple tunic carrying a messenger’s
pouch across one shoulder. In manner, he is hyperactive
and childlike. His symbol is a golden pegasus on a field
of blue.
Eonak,
Master of the Forge
God
of Craftsmanship, Labor and Triumph Over Adversity
Eonak
is the artificer of the gods. He is also the consort
of Imaera. After the Ur-Daemon War, he took the people
who worked in the stone under his wing and taught them.
Thus, he is considered the patron of the dwarves.
Maker
of all of the fantastic items used by the gods, Eonak
spends most of his time at his forge. He is more at
home there than anywhere else, and at times only a decree
from Koar or the soft words of Imaera can separate him
from it.
Often
considered a strange pairing, Imaera and Eonak are each
masters of crafting, although their choices of substances
is vastly different. Imaera’s crafting is of living
things, of cycles and seasons and balance. Eonak’s crafting
is of inanimate things, yet even as Imaera’s, his creations
must fulfill their purposes, achieve a balance of beauty
and utility, and all, even as Imaera’s do, contain some
part of him that marks them as creations of Eonak’s
hand.
Eonak
personifies success won by hard work rather than natural
gifts alone. Legends differ as to how Eonak lost his
arm, but all agree that the veil iron arm he spent lifetimes
crafting is the greatest piece of craftsmanship ever
under taken and serves him better than the original.
Eonak’s
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a heavily
muscled person, either a short man or a large dwarf,
who wears the leather garments of a blacksmith. His
left arm is missing, replaced by a veil iron prosthetic.
In manner, he is impatient, surly and distracted. His
symbol is a golden anvil on a field of brown.
The
Pantheon of Neutrality
There
are a few Arkati who do not fit into either Liabo or
Lornon. They instead remain a relative neutral, working
towards their own designs with varying regard for the
lesser races.
Gosaena,
Mistress of Eternity
Goddess
of Death
Despite
resurrections, deeds, and other ways to return to existence,
death is an ultimately final thing. When the bridge
between life and death is crossed for the final time,
and a soul is allowed through the Ebon Gates, Gosaena
is there waiting on the other side. She is the goddess
of death. Unlike Lorminstra, when a spirit comes to
Gosaena, it will not be returning to the mortal realm.
Gosaena
is a pariah among the other Arkati. She is gifted with
foresight, most specifically, knowledge of when everyone
and everything will die. The Arkati, now gods to the
mortal races, had no desire to recall their own mortality
and so outcast her. Neither pantheon will claim her,
and no one will speak to her save Jastev, whose own
talent for foresight makes him sympathetic to her plight.
Gosaena
never speaks, except on very rare occasions to Jastev.
She is as silent as the grave, and takes the souls due
her without regret, compassion or malice, only impartiality.
Gosaena’s
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a beautiful
woman with pale skin, long silver hair, and ice blue
eyes. She wears grey robes and a large grey cloak that
covers brilliant white feathered wings. In manner, she
is silent and impartial. Her symbol is a silver or grey
sickle on a field of green.
Zelia,
Keeper of the Moons
Goddess
of the Moons and Insanity
Zelia
is a lunatic in the purest sense of the word. Goddess
of the moons and of insanity, the only thing consistent
about her is that she is inconsistent, and is completely
out of her mind. Zelia may be chaos personified.
Once
a great lover of solitude, it is said that the Arkatis’
move to the moons at the Drakes’ behest was her undoing.
It is not known, however, if it was the invasion of
her privacy or the loneliness that may have ensued after
her peers left for Elanthia that unseated her sanity.
Whatever the case, she now takes a personal hand in
the affairs of the mortal world, just as the other Arkati,
blessing her followers with what she considers the greatest
freedom of all: freedom from lucidity.
Zelia
has a great dislike for Sheru. She feels that his tactic
of scaring a person into madness is classless and brute-like,
lacking a great deal in finesse and understanding of
mortal mentality. There are much better ways to drive
someone over the edge. She drives a misty chariot pulled
by grey stallions, looking for people in need of her
gift.
Zelia’s
preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a woman
with large green eyes and silver hair that always seems
to be blowing wildly about her face. There is no trace
of sanity anywhere in her expression, and she wears
a silver breastplate and grey tunic. In manner, she
is unpredictable and insane. Her symbol is a silver
crescent moon on a field of black.
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