Acteon

## Affiliations

3rd Council

Acteon is one of the Gods of the 3rd Council, reining over the Hunt, Storms, and the beast races. 'He' is usually portrait as a large elf clothed in simple and pratical robes, with the legs of a goat, grey skin, and a face completely obscured by the skull of a deer, bear or dragon, which 'He' wears as a helmet. 'He' is also usually depicted holding two spears or, sometimes, a bow. Acteon is patron to hunters, thersians, werebeasts, rangers, fishermen, and all manner of adventurers. 'He' preaches the Doctrine of the Hunt, which dictates that the world is savagery, and that the self alone can be indomitable and eternal. To proceed in this wilderness without a goal is a sure path to destruction, and to have a goal is to give everything of oneself to pursue it. Acteon cares only for the Hunt, enjoying the games of wit and skill required to come out on top of a situation where every side has given their all. Therefore, both the hunter and the prey are equally appreciated in 'His' eyes. Prowess and guile, the ability to stand against everything that is thrown at oneself - only this earns 'His' admiration. Whichever emerge victorious in the Hunt are 'His' favored.

'He' is also recognized as the father of werebeasts, which are often referred to as 'His' "children". This divine disease is called *Gift of the Blood-Father* by those that view it as a blessing, and as Curse of Beastdoom to those that consider it an abomination. Acteon 'Himself' doesn't seem to care how the recipient views 'His' divine disease, or what they use it for. However, whether they worshiped 'Him' or not, 'He' will always lay claim to the souls of werebeasts, and they will have to spend eternity in the Hunting Grounds regardless of their own will.

Acteon's divine kingdom is the Hunting Grounds, an infinite plane that constantly replicates powerful beasts from around the cosmos, where 'His' faithful are allowed to roam and fight as their heart dictates. Acteon grew into godhood in the early days of the Great Punitive War, with the canon stating 'He' was granted divinity by the Moon Goddess so 'They' may be married. During the war, 'He' created the Thersians to serve as 'His' foot-soldiers and servants, whom came to honor 'Him' as their ancestor and god-king. Acteon also went on to create

## **Liturgy**

### **Symbol**

Acteon's holy simbol is a skull, animal or otherwise, enveloped by an upward-facing crescent moon.

### **Preferred Materials**

Acteon's boons are especially effective on blood, bones, animal hide, birch wood and lead, making these materials a prime choice when creating relics, charms or shrines to the God of the Hunt.

### **Associated Objects**

Spears, tooth necklaces, wood totems, animal headgear and silver canines are commonly used in shrines or as charms of the God of the Hunt.

### **Gestures**

* Covering the left eye with one's fist.
* Crossing both forearms in front of one's chest.

### **Rituals**

* ***Weather.*** Whenever the weather would interfere with an expedition or other activity, the people involved organize a feast in Acteon’s name, engaging in animal sacrifice and dancing around a large campfire, slowly circling it while singing and producing guttural, deep shouts. If Acteon deems the sacrifices and performance are worthy, 'He' will usually change the weather to the practitioner's benefit. If there is an opposing party who also seeks Acteon’s favour, the ritual commonly evolves into a competition, with each side doing attempting to outdo the other. This can result in great logistical losses for both sides, which is why this ritual is used sparingly.
* ***Hunting and Fishing.*** Hunters and fishermen bless their hauls by draining the animals’ blood and using it to draw a semi circle on the ground, surrounding the corpses. A prayer to Acteon is uttered, beseeching 'Him' to evaluate their success and ensure that they may safely enjoy their haul. This ensures that most mundane poisons and diseases the animals might have are neutralized, making them safe for consumption.
* ***Tests.*** Before an impending challenge, test or judgement, while shrouded in complete darkness or bathing under the light of the moon, sacrificing a token of lead carved or inscribed in blood with Acteon’s symbol while praying to 'Him' is supposed to increase one's luck during the trial.

### **Special Prayers**

* ***Armenian Order.*** Watch over us, oh Father!\ We, who see no tomorrow,\ we the Stormbound!\ As we die in the dark,\ the world will be wrought in twilight!

### **Peculiarities**

* When performing divination in rural areas or in the wilderness, its common to beseech Acteon to mediate. In such cases, a recently captured animal is sacrificed and its innards are read. Herd or tamed animals are not accepted, or at least seem to produce no results, but any form of “capture” is accepted. Indeed, this is one of the factors that makes the worship of Acteon rather popular among fishermen, as fresh fish can easily suffice as a medium.

### **Companions**

Acteon is usually depicted as commanding a pack of wolfs, bears and panthers.

## **Theology**

### **Saints**

* ***St.Armenius.*** The first blessed of Acteon and founder of the Armenian Order, St.Armenius was a destitute noble who escaped into the wilderness after an ambush wiped out his family. During his exile, he came about the White Dear and successfully hunted it, harnessing Acteon’s interest. With the Father’s guidance and gift, he set out to avenge his family and recover his birthright, but his journey saw him saving and uniting those who succumbed to the power of Acteon’s blessing, leading them to restore order and light in central Whorlaynd. For his acts of salvation and burdening himself with the suffering of others, he became associated with silver chains, a trend adopted by his successors. The Order he established takes in werebeasts, guiding them in the principles of the Father and protecting them from persecution, as well as hunting those that fall in temptation. The head of the order performs the duties expected of an arch-druid. His left eye was latter exhumed and is thought to grant control over beasts and channel the powers of the moon.

### **Holy Days**

* ***Teonalis.*** It is thought that Acteon ascended to godhood in the 21st of Aion. Every year during this time it is common for merchants and noblemen to go on hunting trips, sacrificing their finest catch, while the rest of the populace dine solely on fish and meat, usually in a settlement-wide bonfire festival, allowing even the poorer citizens to enjoy fresh meat.
* ***Bloodmoon.*** Once every decade, when both Fangyaion’s and Acteon’s influences are at 'Their' highest, the full moon will be drowned in a a deep crimson. Werebeasts become unable to resist their transformation while exposed to the crimson moonlight, and the thersian tribes begin to wage war with one-another, attempting to unify under one banner. Should that come to pass, they will then attempt to hunt the greatest "beast" they can find. This has, in more than one occasion, been interpreted as a 'country' by the thernsian tribes, possibly due to the disappearance of dragons. Depending on the interpretation, if Acteon deems the hunt successful 'He' will either descend into Amurel and reing over 'His' progeny for a thousand years of glory, or ascend the greatest thersians to 'His' divine kingdom. Because of this, the populace spends this holy day sacrificing offerings to Acteon, so 'He' may direct this crusade away from them. After this holy day, the moon will remain red for the rest of the year, further enhancing spirituality and extrasensory abilities of all beings.

### **Holy Sites**

* In the heartland of Týrbe, there’s thought to be a ruin of great meaning to Acteon. The wood elves there worship this hallowed area as Acteon’s birthplace and allow 'His' faithful to transverse the ancient woods in pilgrimage.
* The Valley of Monsters is considered a proving ground where one can gain Acteon’s attention.
* The jungles of old Yffan are though to be Acteon’s gift to 'His' people, the Thersians, and guard 'His' blessings for the worthy.

### **Divine Kingdom**

Acteon’s divine kingdom is known as the Hunting Grounds, appearing as an infinite collection of wild biomes, complete with a myriad of strange, potent beasts. In there, His followers join Him in His hunts, camping and celebrating under the night sky for all eternity.

### **Holy Weapons**

Acteon’s divine weapons, Hunter’s Mercy and Heartseeker, are both short spears. These are also the only divine artifacts within the Council that were not forged by Gormar.

### **Artifacts**

* ***Hunter’s Mercy.*** One of Acteon’s own spears, legendary for its space-bending abilities and deadly edge. It is usually gifted upon an era's greatest 'hunter' by Acteon 'Himself'. Possession of Hunter’s Mercy is a mark of kingship in Thersian societies.

### **Angels**

His angels take the shape of Werebeasts, such as werewolfs, weresharks and werehawks, cloaked in wind and lightning. In fact, lycanthropy is a considered a “gift” He offers to promising hunters and trusted acolytes as a recognition of their worth.

## **Politique**

### **Enemies**

* ***Infernal Rings.*** Like all gods of the Council, Acteon has an irreconcilable conflict with Iggaleth and 'His' demon lords.
* **The Secret Emperor**. Like all gods of the Council, Acteon has an irreconcilable conflict with the Secret Emperor and 'His' chosen.
* ***Laufey.*** Acteon dislikes the God of Chaos’ lack of purpose and direction, 'His' indifference toward life, and 'His' betrayal during 2nd War in Heaven.

### **Friends**

* ***Fengyaion.*** The Moon Goddess is Acteon’s eternal consort and benefactor. Its a known fact that the goddess has a great deal of leverage over the Hunter, even when 'She' doesn't mean to. 'They' are wholly dependent on each-other to exert 'Their' influence.
* **Íllion**. The Sun Goddess is known to hold Acteon in high regard, both for 'His' genuine affection toward Fengyaion and 'His' prowess. It is widely believed that 'They' have a friendly rivalry. The fact that 'Their' domains complement each-other also means 'They' cooperate frequently, leading 'Them' to have a great deal of mutual trust. That 'They' have had encounters beyond those of friendship is also commonly accepted.

### **Complications**

* ***Gaia.*** For unknown reasons, Acteon is subservient to Gaia, even when it would only be in character for 'Him' not to be.
* **Gareth**. Despite 'Their' diametric allegiances, Acteon harbors a great deal of respect and goodwill for the God of Courage.
* **Laedo**. Having suffered humiliation in the 3rd war in heaven, Acteon harbors a great deal of resentment toward the God of Gains. It doesn't help that Laedo directly competes with Acteon for power.