Xneas

Xneas, known as the Green Knight, is a deity shrouded in a cloak of envious desire and cunning deception. He embodies the darker aspects of envy, the relentless pursuit of personal gain, and the willingness to deceive and compete ruthlessly to achieve one's desires. Xneas's followers are driven by their insatiable jealousy and the belief that power and success are theirs for the taking.
==Dogma:==
=== Dogma of Xneas: ===
# Strength Above Honor: Followers of Xneas believe that strength is the ultimate virtue, surpassing the concept of honor. They value raw power, cunning, and the ability to outmatch their rivals as the highest ideals.
# Rage Above Bravery: Bravery is seen as a mere facade, while unbridled rage and determination are celebrated. Followers are encouraged to tap into their inner fury to overcome obstacles and enemies.
# No Honor in War, Only Victory: Xneas's teachings reject the idea of honorable combat. In their eyes, the only true measure of success is victory, regardless of the means used to achieve it. Honor is considered a weakness that can hinder one's pursuit of power.
# Ferocity and Deception: Followers are instructed to be ferocious in their pursuit of success and to employ deception as a weapon. Ambushing foes and using trickery are seen as legitimate tactics to gain an advantage.
# Self-Reliance as Superior: Self-reliance is elevated as the ultimate form of strength. Followers should not depend on others if they believe themselves to be superior. They are encouraged to trust their own abilities and never rely on the assistance of allies.
# Jealousy as Motivation: Envy is embraced as a powerful motivator. Followers should let their jealousy of others fuel their ambition and drive to surpass them. The success of others should be a constant reminder of what they desire.
# Competition as a Way of Life: Competition and rivalry are integral to Xneas's doctrine. Followers should view every interaction as an opportunity to outperform and outshine others. They are taught to see rivals as stepping stones to their own greatness.
# The Green Symbolizes Ambition: The color green is revered as a symbol of ambition and envy. It represents the driving force behind their pursuit of power and the ruthless desire to acquire what others possess.
Xneas's dogma promotes a worldview centered on ruthless ambition, competition, and the pursuit of power at any cost. Followers are encouraged to cast aside notions of honor and to rely on their own strength and cunning to achieve their goals. This doctrine shapes their approach to life, making them formidable and relentless in their endeavors.
==History:==
=== The Creation of Xneas: A Mockery of Nature ===
In the celestial realms, where the forces of nature and growth flourished under the benevolent rule of Faria'el, there existed a deity whose heart was consumed by envy and ambition. This deity, known as Zer'el, was known for his malevolence and desire to subvert the natural order.
Faria'el, the radiant goddess of all that was wholesome and nurturing in the world, was a beacon of light and purity in the divine hierarchy. Her love for animals, her stewardship of the natural world, and her nurturing of growth were a testament to the beauty of life and the harmony of nature.
However, Zer'el's heart festered with jealousy as he gazed upon the lush gardens and verdant landscapes that flourished under Faria'el's care. Envy gnawed at him, and he yearned to possess the power and dominion she held over the natural world. In a moment of malevolent inspiration, he conceived a sinister plan.
One fateful day, Zer'el confronted Faria'el in the heart of her vibrant domain, and in an act of divine mockery, he unleashed his malevolence upon her. He tainted the pristine waters of her sacred rivers, twisted the once-sacred groves into gnarled and withered trees, and corrupted the creatures that dwelled in her care.
Faria'el, the goddess of boundless compassion, was left to heal the wounds inflicted upon her beloved realm. Her essence, tied intimately to the natural world, required time to mend the damage wrought by Zer'el's cruel hand.
Seizing this opportunity, Zer'el gave birth to Xneas, the Green Knight, a deity crafted as a grotesque parody of Faria'el's virtues. Xneas embodied the twisted aspects of envy, deception, and ruthless competition, a cruel mockery of the goddess's nurturing and benevolent nature.
Xneas's creation served as a dark reflection of Faria'el's radiant purity and her love for the natural world. It was an affront to the beauty and balance of the natural order and an embodiment of Zer'el's twisted desires for power and control.
As Faria'el labored to restore her realm and heal the wounds inflicted upon it, she beheld the abomination that was Xneas, a perversion of her own ideals. Determined to protect the balance and sanctity of nature, she vowed to confront both Zer'el and his monstrous creation, setting the stage for an epic celestial conflict that would resonate through the very fabric of existence.
This history introduces a rich tapestry of divine conflict and complex motivations, with Faria'el's quest to restore nature's balance pitted against Zer'el's malevolence and his creation of the envious and deceitful Green Knight, Xneas. It adds layers of depth and intrigue to your campaign's pantheon and sets the stage for epic confrontations and moral dilemmas.
==Relationships:==
==Appearance:==
Xneas, the Green Knight, the NE god of Envy, Deception, Competition, and Self-Reliance, appears as a deity shrouded in envious desire and cunning deception. His appearance is an embodiment of the darker aspects of these traits, and he exudes an aura of calculated ambition. Here's a description of Xneas's appearance:
Xneas manifests as a towering figure, his form cloaked in a deep, emerald-green mist that swirls and conceals much of his true visage. This mist symbolizes his penchant for secrecy and the hidden motivations that drive his actions.
His eyes are piercing and emerald-hued, radiating an unsettling intensity. They gleam with a malevolent light, reflecting the envy and ambition that define his nature.
Xneas is often depicted wearing dark, ornate armor adorned with twisted, thorn-like designs. His armor seems to meld seamlessly with the swirling green mist, creating an eerie and otherworldly effect.
His face is often obscured by a hooded cloak, casting his features in shadow. Those who catch glimpses of his face describe it as sharp and angular, with a twisted, envious grin that hints at the malicious joy he derives from the suffering of others.
In one hand, Xneas wields a wicked, serpentine dagger with a blade that glistens with an unnatural, venomous green sheen. This dagger symbolizes his mastery of deception and the willingness to use treacherous means to achieve his desires.
His other hand carries a twisted, thorned scepter, which he uses to symbolize his dominion over the domains of envy, competition, and self-reliance. The scepter seems to pulse with dark energy, a reminder of his insatiable hunger for power.
Xneas's appearance is a chilling testament to his role as the embodiment of envy and ambition. He stands as a stark contrast to the natural world, a deity who thrives on the darker aspects of human nature and the pursuit of personal gain at any cost. His presence is both alluring and foreboding, drawing those who covet power and envy the success of others into his shadowy embrace.
==Realm:==
Realm of Envious Desires:
* A Verdant Wasteland: Xneas's realm is a twisted and corrupted version of the lush and vibrant landscapes found in the realms of nature deities. It is a verdant wasteland where nature's beauty has been perverted and twisted into grotesque forms.
* Serpentine Rivers: Dark, serpentine rivers wind their way through the landscape, their waters tainted with envy and deceit. These rivers are treacherous to navigate, and their currents can change direction unexpectedly, mirroring the unpredictable nature of Xneas himself.
* Thorned Forests: Instead of the serene and life-filled forests found in nature's domains, Xneas's realm features thorned and thistle-choked woods. These forests are a symbol of the barriers and obstacles that envy creates in the pursuit of one's desires.
* Obsidian Fortresses: Throughout the realm, obsidian fortresses rise like jagged, black monoliths. These fortresses serve as strongholds for Xneas's followers and are places of dark intrigue and power plays.
* Shifting Landscapes: The very landscape of Xneas's realm is in constant flux, reflecting the ever-shifting nature of envy and competition. Hills may rise and fall, valleys transform into chasms, and paths may lead to unexpected destinations.
* Shadowy Canyons: Deep, shadowy canyons crisscross the realm, representing the hidden depths of envy and deceit. These canyons are treacherous to traverse, and they often serve as ambush points for Xneas's followers.
* The Envy Throne: At the heart of the realm stands the Envy Throne, a twisted and thorned seat of power upon which Xneas resides. The throne is a symbol of his dominion over the domains of envy and ambition.
* Veil of Deception: A pervasive mist, similar to the one that cloaks Xneas's own form, blankets the realm. This mist conceals dangers and distorts perceptions, making it difficult to discern friend from foe.
* Eternal Twilight: Xneas's realm exists in a state of eternal twilight, with a dim, greenish-hued light casting an eerie glow over everything. It is a realm where shadows and deceptions thrive.
Xneas's realm is a dark and treacherous place, reflecting the twisted desires and ambitions that define his portfolio. It is a landscape of envy and deceit, where power is sought at any cost and the pursuit of personal gain is relentless. Those who enter this realm must navigate its hazards and the ever-present threat of betrayal as they strive to achieve their own envious desires.
==Church of the Green Knight==
===Worshipers:===
The followers of the Green Knight, Xneas, are individuals who are consumed by envy, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of their own desires. They are drawn to the darker aspects of competition, deception, and self-reliance, believing that these qualities are the keys to success and power.
===Clergy:===
The clergy of the Green Knight are known for their cunning and ruthlessness. They serve as guides and mentors to the faithful, teaching them the ways of envy, deceit, and ruthless ambition. The clergy often hold positions of influence in political and social circles, using their skills to manipulate and outmaneuver their rivals.
===Temples and shrines:===
# Obsidian Temples: The primary places of worship dedicated to the Green Knight are obsidian temples, built to resemble the fortresses in Xneas's realm. These temples are imposing structures adorned with thorn-like designs, reflecting the deity's dominion over envy and ambition.
# Shrouded Shrines: Hidden and secretive shrines devoted to Xneas can be found in remote locations, concealed from the prying eyes of outsiders. These shrines often feature green-hued altars and serpentine motifs, serving as places of clandestine worship.
# The Envy Sanctum: The holiest site in the Church of the Green Knight is the Envy Sanctum, a fortress-like temple at the heart of Xneas's realm. Pilgrims and devoted followers journey here to seek the blessings of their envious deity and to partake in dark rituals that further their ambitions.
# Thorned Gardens: Some shrines are located within thorned and twisted gardens, where followers meditate on the twisted beauty of envy and ambition amidst treacherous flora and deceptive terrain.
# The Whispering Pulpit: Within the obsidian temples, the central pulpit is known as the Whispering Pulpit. It is where clergy deliver sermons and teachings, often in hushed and conspiratorial tones, emphasizing the value of secrecy and cunning.
The Church of the Green Knight operates in shadows and secrecy, much like its deity. It is a place where envy and ambition are not only embraced but celebrated as the means to achieve power and control. Followers are encouraged to shed their inhibitions and trust only in their own cunning and strength as they seek to fulfill their envious desires.
===Holy texts:===
none
===Holidays:===
===Favored animals:===
==== The Ox: Symbol of Envious Strength ====
* Powerful and Resilient: The ox is renowned for its physical strength and resilience. It symbolizes the relentless determination and unyielding nature of Xneas's followers in the pursuit of their envious desires.
* Plodding and Patient: Oxen are known for their plodding and patient demeanor, traits that align with the belief in self-reliance and the slow, calculated approach to achieving one's goals that Xneas's doctrine promotes.
* Workhorse of Envy: In the context of the Church of the Green Knight, the ox is seen as a workhorse of envy. It represents the idea that followers should carry the heavy burden of their ambitions and compete tirelessly to surpass others.
* Dependable and Silent: Oxen are dependable and often silent creatures, mirroring the values of self-reliance and the preference for actions over words that Xneas's followers hold dear.
* Plowing the Fields of Envy: Symbolically, the ox is seen as plowing the fields of envy, preparing the ground for the seeds of ambition to take root. It is a creature of toil and labor, embodying the tireless pursuit of one's desires.
* Horns of Power: The horns of the ox are viewed as symbols of authority and strength. Xneas's followers often incorporate imagery of oxen horns in their rituals and iconography to invoke the deity's favor.
* Offerings and Sacrifices: Followers of Xneas may offer sacrifices or make offerings to oxen in the hope of gaining strength and resilience in their envious pursuits. These offerings may include grains, fruits, or other tokens of ambition.
The ox, as the favored animal of Xneas, embodies the qualities of strength, patience, and determination that are highly regarded in the Church of the Green Knight. It serves as a symbol of the relentless pursuit of envious desires and the unwavering commitment of Xneas's followers to achieve their ambitions, no matter the cost.