Nethys

**Nethys** (pronounced NETH-uhs) is a Garundi god who holds magic above all things. He gained enough power to witness all that transpired on all planes, and this both fueled his divinity and drove him irreparably mad. He is a god of magic, torn between destroying the world with one hand and saving it with the other. This dual-edged nature of magic is cherished by his followers and is epitomized in his apotheosis.

## History

Nethys came from somewhere to the west of Osirion. When he first met the tribal chief Azghaad, the eventual founder of Osirion, Azghaad knew to fear and respect him, and asked him who he was, Nethys only said: 'Your god and your king'.

Nethys granted Azghaad with magical powers, and in turn Azghaad followed all of Nethys' orders with no hesitation. Nethys ordered Azghaad to keep his identity secret from everyone else, and showed him a way to unite the tribes living around the River Sphinx. Channelling the power of Nethys, Azghaad destroyed the Spawn of Rovagug Ulunat, causing the other tribes to voluntarily join Azghaad, who founded the city of Sothis around Ulunat's carcass as the capital of his new nation Osirion. In the early years of Osirion, Nethys ruled the kingdom with Azghaad as his public face, until he ascended to divinity, leaving Azghaad to lead Osirion. In order to repay Nethys' favour, Azghaad named him the official patron of Osirion and constructed the Temple of the All-Seeing Eye in his name.

When Azghaad died, Nethys selected the Naga Pharaoh as his successor. He sent her violent, nightmarish visions to let all know the fickle power of magic, until the Naga Pharaoh went insane and burnt Nethys' temple to protest his visions. The Naga Pharaoh died in this fire, and Nethys decided to start managing his empire in a hands-off fashion.

## Relationships

Although his madness makes it hard to act on long-term plans, Nethys is active and approachable by all deities for aid in their ventures. He remains neutral for the most part, unless his powers of omnipresent knowledge reveal he is being betrayed or threatened. He particularly allies with those requiring the use of magic, regardless of nefarious or benevolent cause.

Despite his indifference, there is one area where Nethys will never act, and that is to support followers of Rovagug in freeing their master. There are limits even to Nethys's love of destruction, and the annihilation of Golarion is not his wish. On the other hand, Gorum and Nethys share a mutual appreciation. As Irori and Nethys are the only mortals to have ascended to deity status without the aid of the *Starstone*, Nethys has a special interest in the Master of Masters, even though Irori does not particularly care for him. Magic scholars of the two faiths sometimes clash, as Irorans tend to want to impose structure on the fundamental nature of magic, while Nethysians revel in the chaos.

Nethys' servants frequently cooperate with proteans, and can often defuse conflict between them and visitors to the Maelstrom.

## Providence

Areas of unpredictable magic are thought to occur when Nethys passes too close to the Material Plane, while dead magic zones (where magic does not function) are seen as a sign of his disfavor. The All-Seeing Eye does not visit his worshipers in dreams to show favor or dislike, a fact that they often mention with pride. They see the divine attention of other gods as patronizing or coddling, and are glad that Nethys does not stoop to such common practices.