Aisar

## Etruscan Pantheon

### Known Aliases

The Eisar, The Dei, Etrusca Dei, Etruscan Gods, Italian Gods, Latin Gods, Roman Gods, Gods of Etruria

### Identity

Obscure, but Public Knowledge
(Believed to be Mythical by Most Persons)

## Membership

### Leader(s)

Veltha (Leader of the Tellurian Aiser)
Janus (Leader of the Olympian Aisar)

### Current Members

Alpanu, Catha, Celens, Laverna, Leinth, Nortia, Orcus, Pamona, Satre, Selvans, Tarchies, Tivr, Veltha, and others

## Summary

Before they were known as the Roman Dei, the Aisar were totemic gods worshiped by the Etruscan people of Etruria, a federation of city-states in Central Italy. Their influence grew, however, when the Roman Republic expanded and the Etruscan people were slowly absorbed into the culture of their neighbors. The Aisar then largely merged with the native Latin gods, and the two pantheons existed side-by-side in relative peace for some time.

All good things came to an end, however, as the increasing Hellenization of Roman culture and the coming of the Theoi spelled the end of the independence and prominence of the Aisar. Fearing the might of the Theoi, who came from a more ancient and powerful stock, the Etruscan gods agreed to share worship. Some did not and were usually killed; their names now became mantles worn by the Olympian gods and their old positions were replaced with loyal Theoi godlings.

For centuries, the Aisar have been accepted as part of the Theoi, though some of them hold themselves apart. So little of their mortal culture and religion survives that those who cling to their Etruscan identities or have no Grecian parallels are drastically weakened compared to their heyday. Their language is mostly unknown, their religion is largely forgotten, their stories are burned or lost over time. Very few of them still hold purviews, and those who do have all but abandoned their Etruscan roots to become full-fledged Olympians. The Aisar were once proud gods, but time and change have humbled them in every way they can.

In modern times, with the awakening of Earth's leylines and the return of magic, the Aisar have been employed again by their Theoi overlords. Now, they act as guides and oracles, offering their advice and counsel to Theoi demigods. Some of them spend effort encouraging mortals to discover more about their lost culture, but so little remains that most of the Aisar feel there is simply no point. Any demigod of theirs is expected to do what they can to hold onto the traditional values of the Etruscan gods, even if some of the Aisar themselves aren't quite sure what those are anymore.

## Trivia and Notes

### Trivia

* The Aisar are divided into two groups: The Aiser Si (Gods of Light) and the Aiser Seu (Gods of Darkness).
* Janus, once known by his Etruscan name of Culsans, is considered leader of the Aisar who have abandoned their original roots to join the Olympian ranks. For the remaining Aisar, Veltha was chosen to be their new ruler in place for the deceased Tinia.
* Those who can scent magic describe the Aisar as having the smell of spilled blood, accompanied by the sound of a chanting crowd.
* Before their subjugation by the Theoi, the Aisar were known in the ancient Italian region for their unique connection with Fate. They were able to divine the paths of the future and exert their will to make changes when necessary. By following a set of orderly procedures, they could nudge Fate onto a course better suited to their needs. While these ancient talents have been lost, or stolen by the likes of Zeus or Apollo according to the rumors, the Aisar remain powerfully gifted with the abilities of the Fortune and Prophecy Purviews.
* The Aisar refer to the angels as the *dii involuti* or "veiled gods", the mighty and terrible servitors of Fate. Ancient beliefs viewed them as superior to all the other deities, but were never to directly worshiped, named, or depicted.