~ The Lesser Spirits and Other Immortals ~

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There are a number of beings that, while they are not Arkati or are not Arkati of the main pantheons, are worshipped all the same. Their motivations and stories vary wildly, as do their allegiances to good or evil.

Aeia  ≈  Amasalen  ≈  Arachne  ≈  The Huntress  ≈  Illoke  ≈  Jaston  ≈  Khaarne  ≈  Kuon
Laethe  ≈  Leya  ≈  Meyno  ≈  Niima  ≈  Onar  ≈  Tilamaire  ≈  Voaris  ≈  Voln

Aeia, the Mother:  Patroness of the Earth and Gardens

Aeia’s preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a beautiful human female with kind eyes. In manner, she is quiet and gentle. Her symbol is a white lily on a field of green.

Aeia is a local goddess in the River’s Rest area. She is quite popular with the locals, but her worship does not expand far past the surrounding area.

Local tradition dictates that Aeia is the earth mother; the world that the mortal races dwell on. She also seems to enjoy gardens, and such plots that contain statues of Aeia seem to do unnaturally well.

Amasalen, the Executioner:  Patron of Sacrifice

Amasalen’s form is that of a white-haired, lean, muscular man with bronzed skin, snake- like eyes and a long reptilian tongue. He wears only flowing white silk pants. In manner, he is zealous and sadistic. His symbol is a purple two-headed serpent twined about a crimson hand.

Once a Faendryl elf before the exile of the House, Amasalen’s immortal origins are not known. He is the patron of sacrifice, and delights in the painful offering up of victims as gifts to a greater cause.

He is considered a servant of Luukos, which is borne out by his faintly reptilian features and craving for human blood. However, he has frequent dealings with Mularos, and many rumors state that his true master is Marlu. What is known for certain is that he is energized by bloody, frenzied religious celebrations.

Arachne, the Betrayer:  Patroness of Spiders and Betrayal

Arachne’s preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a woman with the frame of a fighter dressed in blood-stained leather armor, although most often she appears as a giant spider. In manner, she is cocky and condescending. Her symbol is a black widow spider on a field of red.

Arachne is the patroness of spiders and betrayal. She is the dire enemy of the Huntress, who she betrayed while both were still mortal.

Arachne was once the bodyguard of a great queen who became jealous at her husband’s bodyguard’s beauty. The queen enlisted Arachne’s help to bring the Huntress. Arachne slipped a sleeping potion into the Huntress’ drink then, when the Huntress had fallen asleep, planted a dagger in her hand and claimed that the Huntress had come to kill the king.

When the Huntress was exiled, Arachne was thrown into the dungeons for her knowledge of the queen’s treachery. When the Huntress returned to exact her revenge, Arachne fell to her knees and begged forgiveness, although she was hardly sorry. She was jealous of the Huntress’ new status as an immortal, and wished some of this power for herself.

This became obvious when, as the Huntress struck the queen dead, Arachne in turn murdered the Huntress. As Arachne bent to drink of the immortal blood, a black widow spider bit her on the lip and mixed with that power to create a spider-faced creature that would become a cult-worshipped goddess.

The Huntress:  Patroness of Vengeance and The Hunt

The Huntress’ preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a woman of surpassing beauty dressed in silver chainmail. Her face is always a mask of carefully-controlled anger, and she always holds a scythe at the ready. In manner, she is quiet and angry. Her symbol is a silver eight-pointed star on a field of black.

The Huntress is the patroness of vengeance and the hunt. She is the dire enemy of Arachne, and often comes into conflict with Eorgina. She is not an Arkati, but an immortal spirit.

Once mortal, the Huntress was granted her immortality by an unknown deity, be it Arkati or other. She once was the bodyguard of a great king, but ran afoul of the king’s wife. The queen was jealous of the Huntress’ beauty, and enlisted the aid of the Huntress’ second Arachne, the bodyguard of the queen, to bring the Huntress down.

In a vile plot, the Huntress was convicted and exiled to death in the deserts. But the Huntress survived, if only barely, and under the influence of arachnid poison experienced a religious epiphany which made her immortal. Swearing revenge upon the queen, she returned to the city from which she had been exiled to make things right.

She found Arachne in the dungeons, and reconciled with her. Together, they moved to the bedchambers to slay the queen. But when the Huntress struck the killing blow, Arachne in turn betrayed the Huntress by killing her, and bent to drink the immortal blood. A black widow spider bit Arachne upon the lip, turning her into a horrid spider- faced creature.

Illoke, the Upstart:  Son of Meyno

Illoke’s form is that of a large stone giant. In manner, he is violent and hostile. He has no symbol.

The second son of Meyno, Illoke was full of hate and evil. He was the figurehead of a faction that staged a coup against the ruling matriarch of the stone giant tribes and thus took them over as his own.

Illoke is said to have turned the stone giants and other creatures of Stone Valley hostile and warlike. His shamans are quite powerful, and fanatically devoted to him. His hostility often ranges out of his traditional holdings.

Jaston, the Windrunner:  Spirit of the Air, Patron of the Four Winds and Birds

Jaston’s form is that of a sylvan elf with long brown hair, hazel eyes, a slender build and six white-feathered wings growing from his back. He dons green breeches and many- colored feathered bands about his head, arms and wrists. In manner, he is lighthearted and playful. His symbol is a white feather on a field of green and white.

Called "The Windrunner," Jaston is the Patron of the Four Winds. Once a sylvan elf, Jaston was one of Imaera’s first experiments into the recreation of life upon Elanthia.

After the Ur-Daemon War, Imaera sought to rebuild life upon the planet. Using the body of a fallen sylvan elf, she extended muscles and bones from his shoulder blades, creating three wings off each side of the sylvan’s back. She then covered them in soft white feathers.

It was Imaera’s hope that she could turn her beloved tree elves into true tree-dwellers, complete with wings and other birdlike attributes. But looking down upon her beautiful creation, she realized it could never be, for all other mortal races would envy this creature’s attributes. Thus, she begged Lorminstra for one of the souls she would ordinarily allow through the Ebon Gates. Using this soul, she re-animated the fallen sylvan, and charged him with the care of birds, and made him caretaker of the Four Winds.

Khaarne, the First Son:  Son of Meyno

Khaarne’s form is that of a large stone giant. In manner, he is neutral. He has no symbol.

The eldest son of Meyno, Khaarne was the most neutral of her two offspring.

It is said that Khaarne fled when his brother Illoke staged a coup of sorts that saw his mother entombed in the ground. Little has been seen of him since.

Kuon, the Green:  Patron of Herbs and Flowers

Kuon’s form is that of an immense giantman in his thirties with hazel eyes, light brown hair and a hulking presence. His shimmering green, amber and brown robes are unable to hide his massive shoulders. In manner he is gentle and kind, but has a bad temper once pushed far enough. His symbol is a gold leaf on a field of brown.

Kuon is the patron of herbs and flowers, which many consider odd for a former giantman. In the days following the Ur-Daemon War, he unabashedly knelt beside Imaera, working to heal the green growing things of Elanthia. It was at his suggestion that Imaera gave certain herbs healing properties, for Kuon felt that, while the help of the Arkati was well and good, the lesser beings should have a way to help themselves.

Imaera was impressed with this gentle giant, and at the end of his allotted span of life, she gave him the gift of immortality. It is said that as long as there is a single green leaf upon the planet, Kuon will be there, nurturing it back into health. Flowers grow spontaneously in his wake, and go uncrushed beneath his steps.

Laethe, the Lovelorn:  Patron of Young Love and Lost Love

Laethe’s preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a young man with black hair, fair skin and sorrowful blue eyes. He most often dresses in plain black attire, unadorned by any jewelry or decoration. In manner, he is compassionate, caring and sad. His symbol is a black rose on a field of purple.

Laethe, patron of young love and especially lost love, is the twin brother of Voaris. Where his brother watches over those whose love is forbidden, Laethe watches over those whose love is lost.

While Voaris took his parents’ passing with a calm acceptance, Laethe never truly learned to cope with their death. Thus, he has an intimate understanding of the pain associated with a loved one gone from one’s life. He works to aid them in whatever way he can, even if it is only to put them at peace with their loss.

Traditionally, worshippers leave notes with their prayers for the hopeful return of their loves in the shrines dedicated to Laethe.

Leya, Master of Martial Arts:  Patroness of Amazons and Martial Arts

Leya's preferred form is that of a woman who appears to be in her twenties with azure eyes and wavy mahogany hair. She wears a belted tunic over her athletic form and laced up sandals upon her feet. In manner, she is cool and confident. Her symbol is an ivory-hilted dagger on a field of deep blue.

Leya's skills as a Master of Martial Arts was often demonstrated by her winning matches in many a tournament held by the Elven Houses. She is also skilled with many weapons. Daughter of the God Kai, and the elf Learya, Leya was blessed with talents from both spheres.

The tomes record that Leya wielded the sword Soulingen in one of the many battles staged during the Undead Wars, accidentally killing her lover, Egan. Soulingen's blade holds the souls of those it kills, evil and good alike. It was after this mournful accident, staged by Luukos, that Leya built the tomb for her lover, which is now her shrine. Taking up a simple dagger, Leya wandered the lands, retiring among the elves that cared for her during childhood.

Leya's blessing often takes the form of a dagger-shaped mark.

Ω More Information : The History of Leya

Meyno, the Matriarch:  Matriarch of the Stone Giant Tribes

Meyno’s form is that of a large stone giantess. In manner, she is powerful, kind, generous and primitive. She has no known symbol, as the giants are a simple people who do not hold with this kind of symbolism.

Meyno is said to be the oldest living stone giantess, although no sign of her has been seen for some time. She was the matriarch of the giant tribes of Stone Valley, and had twin sons called Khaarne and Illoke. Where Khaarne was neutral, Illoke was hateful and evil.

The giants had a matriarchal society, worshipping and venerating the chief matriarch as a goddess. The valley flourished under Meyno’s hand, becoming lush and green. She was a kind and generous matriarch, and well-loved by all save the faction who was tired of female rule. This faction raised a shaman to their ends, then sought Meyno’s darker son for assistance.

The shaman went into the tribes to kill Meyno and place Illoke in the seat of power. Meyno’s faithful priestess battled this shaman, and in the force of their dueling, the ground cracked open. Upon the Priestess’ defeat, the shaman cast Meyno into the crack in the ground, entombing her forever.

Niima, the Wavedancer:  Patroness of the Water, Sailors and Sea Life

Niima’s preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a spritely young woman, no older than sixteen, with very pale skin, blue eyes, and pale blonde hair. A blue-green gown clings to her slender form. In manner, she is playful and flirtatious. Her symbol is a grey or silver dolphin on a field of blue.

Niima is the mistress of the water and the patroness of sailors. Daughter of Charl and one of the Arkati lost in the Ur-Daemon War, she acts as her father's conscience and moderates his temper.

She rescues shipwrecked sailors, but tends to save the young and handsome ones first. There are a number of sea tales of a beautiful young woman, likely in her teens, pulling waterlogged and hopeless sailors from the seas. There are an equal number of unfaithful sailors who use the excuse that Niima saved their lives and required their company to stave off their unhappy wives.

Niima is a favorite for the subject of sea chanties and pirate songs. She is also popular as a figurehead for ships.

Onar, the Assassin
Patron of Homicide

Onar's true form is unknown, as he acts almost exclusively through the hands of others. In manner, he is cold-blooded and emotionless. His symbol is a broken white skull on a field of black.

Onar is known as the Assassin of the Gods. Most often working at the behest of Eorgina, Onar is professionally cold and calculating. He never chooses a target without a reason. His services are used whenever a single death will achieve Eorgina's ends.

Onar also serves the other Gods, but always at a price. What coin can pay a God is not for mortals to guess at, but the Dark Gods seem to use his services regularly against mortals who cross them. In many courts of law, possession by Onar is a defense to a charge of murder. Such possession can usually be detected by the presence of a skull marking somewhere on the body of the one possessed.

Tilamaire, the Lithe
Patron of Music and Dance

Tilamaire’s form is that of a young man with tawny hair, wide eyes, and full lips. He often dons a cloak like that of his master, and is seldom without several musical instruments on his person. In manner, he is carefree and exuberant. His symbol is a yellow note on a field of blue.

Tilamaire is the patron of music and dance. The servant of Cholen, it is said that he gained his position by singing a song so full of joy and laughter that Cholen knew this mortal must work to further his immortal designs.

Tilamaire frequently travels in the guise of a wandering minstrel to seek out new musical talents. Upon finding one worthy of his time, he offers to stay and tutor them, greatly increasing their skill and often bestowing magical abilities.

Voaris, the Charming
Patron of Young Love and Forbidden Love

Voaris’ preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a young man with golden hair, fair skin and merry blue eyes. He most often dresses in courting clothes traditional to the area in which he is manifesting. In manner, he is clever and mischievous. His symbol is a yellow rose on a field of red.

Voaris, patron of young love and especially forbidden love, is the twin brother of Laethe. He and his brother are the youngest of the Arkati, still considered young by their racial standards, orphaned by the Ur-Daemon War. His powers have not grown great enough to be counted among the other Arkati of Liabo, and he is watched over by Oleani.

Voaris is the ally of those who would love beyond what is allowed them by racial, social or age standards. Young lovers forbidden to wed by their parents, couples unable to marry because of differences in social standing, and others denied romance by circumstance often seek his aid.

Clerics of Voaris will wed anyone, so long as love is present. They will also aid lovers by giving sanctuary and often transportation to other places where the forbidden union will be allowed.

Voln, the Paladin
Destroyer of the Undead

Voln's form is that of a man in full armor of black chainmail topped by a white surcoat and carrying a white shield. In manner, he is grim and sometimes snide. His symbol is a white shield on a field of black.

While not directly a servant of Lorminstra, Voln does owe much to her and shares her hatred of Luukos. Tales suggest that Voln's very existence is a result of Lorminstra's constant entreaties to Koar for some direct action to counter the spreading curse of Luukos' undead. Most tales attribute Voln's paternal lineage to Koar and a mortal woman. His upbringing, in a land where he witnessed loved ones lost to Luukos' curse, shaped him with an undying hatred of the undead and provided a lifelong mission.

Now fully cognizant of his own immortal nature, Voln has pledged himself to the release of every soul enslaved by Luukos.

Ω More Information : Order of Voln

Original Posting by GemStone IV at  http://www.play.net/gs4/info/tomes/deities/home.asp
Images © by LMann / Trazzy & Trazlataint Delamarz

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