Morthis

**Morthis** is the god of wilderness, the hunt, primeval justice and tradition in Assyris, the national religion of Assyra and the Assyran Empire. He an Assyri, one of the twenty principal deities, and was created with the other Assyris by Tero. He was the second of the Old Gods who formed themselves from a constellation in the sky.

Morthis is commonly seen with the animals he considers his closest companions, including the wild dog, the bear, and the boar. Portrayed as pensive and solemn, sometimes crowned with a half circlet of thorns, Morthis may hold a wooden staff in one hand or a piece of dried bracken.

## History

An ancient and well-respected god by those who know him, he has gained little influence over the current followers of the Assyran faith. He was a very popular and powerful god in ages long ago. Now he is regarded as more of a figurehead than an active deity. However, remnants of the once-powerful cult of Morthis are still seen around Assyra in the present age.

As an Old God, Morthis formed himself from one of the constellations made by Tero during the creation of the universe. He emerged as an old deity and has had no other popular portrayals since the beginning of his worship. He was venerated alongside Tero and the other Old Gods and helped with the shaping of the known world. Tasked by Tero to populate the earth, Morthis formed all of the forests and wild animals. He placed each animal in its ideal environment and took great pride in his work. It is believed that when Tero was creating the first human beings, Morthis was largely indifferent to them but did not approve of their creation. He would have preferred the world remained without human inhabitants so the animals could live alone in the nature he had made.

### Emblems

Morthis is associated to some extent with every wild animal, given the fact that he is the god of nature and its creatures. However, he is associated most closely with the wild dog. Dogs are often seen with this deity throughout his portrayals in art, sitting or standing at his side.

The bear and black boar have also been known to be close to Morthis, walking with him through the forests and accompanying him in the mortal world.

The owl is a lesser known symbol of Morthis, one closely associated with tradition and knowledge. This bird is the god's most often-used messenger.

The stag is the mount of Morthis and another of is closest companions. Antlers feature prominently in this god's worship, and are common features at his shrines and temples. The appearance of a stag is believed in Assyran folklore to be a sign that Morthis is nearby.

Although many wild plants are emblems of this god, bracken is the most important among them. Bracken is one of the major symbols of Morthis and was the first plant he created for the new forests. Among the Assyran people, bracken is utilized for soil fertility, as an insect repellent, for animal bedding, as thatching, and a hunter's source of food (the new young shoots, as the older plants are mildly toxic).

The pine tree is the tree of Morthis. Pine boughs, young and dead, were commonly burned at this god's temples along with dead bracken and old wood.

The bow and arrow, ancient symbols of the hunt, are also associated closely with Morthis. During times of great hardship, it was tradition for the noble members of a household to burn their bows and arrows as a demonstration of their devotion.

## Worship

While this god was most widely worshipped long ago, he remains central of the Assyran faith as one of the Assyri and an ancient guardian of the wilderness. He a viewed as a powerful and well-respected deity by those who know him.

This god takes offerings of all wild flowers and plants and animals, as well as any ordinary domesticated crop or animal. All of his offerings are burned, in the old tradition.

Morthis is most often looked to by hunters and fishermen. He is prayed to for a good hunt or catch. When offerings are made, prayers are given over the flames or embers. After the killing of a bear or boar, it was tradition for hunters to make sure the blood of the animal spilled on the earth so that Morthis would receive it and to offer thanks to the god for allowing them to take its life. Thanks was given to the god for good hunting. Simple prayers were also offered before beginning a journey through the wilderness, particularly forests, for Morthis to give them swift passage and watch over them.

## Characteristics

As often as not, Morthis pays no heed to the vast majority of his offerings. With each passing year, it is believed by most, he offers less and less help to mortal men. He has always had little interest for men in general, preferring to hold his interest for the wilderness and the wild animals of nature. However, at the beginning of his worship it is believed he was more willing to help humans and showed himself much more frequently on earth.

Morthis is a quiet, contemplative deity. He has great respect for all wild things. He watches over the cycles of life and death in the wilderness and ensures a balance among all creatures. Such as the cyclic nature of wildlife, so does this deity's thoughts and moods seem to wax and wane. At times it has been recorded that he has shown caring and even compassion for the plight of mortals. At other times, he has

He has great regard for traditions and the observance of festivals. He dislikes elaborate ritual and prefers simple, honest prayer from his followers. Unlike most Assyris, he does not expect devout worship from every mortal but understands that some find him more useful to pray to than others. Similarly, he is most willing to help those who are devoted to him.

However, nearly all of the recorded history on this deity portray him as cold, distant, and indifferent to human suffering or need. He rarely shows himself to mortals in the current age and dislikes thinking of human affairs.

Morthis approves of the ancient way of justice and blood vengeance.

### Sphere

Morthis is the god of wilderness, the hunt, primeval justice and tradition.