Hodge

**Hodge** is the god of murder and music. He believes one inspires the other, the fury of murder makes music and music drives man to slaughter. He is a prideful and mad god, so it would be well advised for mortals to keep their opinions of him and his followers to themselves before the followers of Hodge turn them into into new strings for their violins.

The chosen champions of Hodge each have given their service to the mad god in exchange for a smile so charismatic it could calm a storm, and words so sweet that they can easily conceal the most slippery of oil-like schemes. However Hodge also blesses those who create beautiful music, as it reminds him of his own sorrows.

## Myths

### The song on the wind

Some believe that in ages older than the world itself Hodge used to be the god of time. They say the arrogant god was tricked into a bet he could have never won by the beautiful goddess Jaci, she who owns every spark of life. She dared him to show her something more powerful than death and Hodge, always looking to prove his might, gladly obliged. But only on one condition: that she would show him something that could push a man to even higher extremes than murder. Jaci accepted, and the two of them went on their separate ways, meeting again when Jaci's home was whole again.

On the full moon the two gods met again. Hodge came forth first with a tiny stick. "That is supposed to impress me? Oh Hodge.. A mere twig? I expected more of one as powerful as you." Jaci said with a smug smile on her. Hodge just shrug and replied "But you see, this isn't an ordinary twig, my dear. This is the Pillar of Time. It can be as minute as a twig, or it can become so humongous that it would take light years to reach its ends." With a flick of his arm the twig grew, first to a staff, then to a beam, and then to a pillar, one which could be used to hold up planets. "Not even the death can outrun the pillar of time." Hodge proclaimed, and Jaci looked impressed. "Now about your end of the bargain." He asked as he turned the pillar back into a stick again. "Oh I will show you Hodge." she whispered. She gracefully stepped closer to him, and before he could react and together they made love, the first love of time. A whirlwind of emotions and madness went through Hodge and slowly even he lost track of time.

The next morning he woke up, and Jaci was nowhere to be seen. Then he looked for the pillar of time, and he found that that two was gone. He quickly made the connection, and cursed her name on the wind. He kept on cursing for days, first with rage, then with sadness, and eventually even with the memories of the emotions he felt, and his curse turned into the first song. The wind passed his song on to all who would hear it, first to the dingoes, then to the birds, and eventually to the people. Sometimes when you listen very carefully you might be able to hear his song on the winds.

Jaci knew the fury of the god of murder. He would plot and plan her punishment to be as painful and drawn out as he possibly could, and she for her part would stay far away from him. Every month when her home is complete and closest to the other planets, she will use the Pillar of Time to push herself away again. It is said that when the moon is red, he has finally reached her. And there are those who believe that when he does he tortures her for the full night, taking pleasure in every second he gets. But others believe the god is secretly too soft for that, although you never should say this out loud, and the two of them turn the moon red with rekindled passion instead.

## Holiday

**Hodge Slodge** is an annual festival celebrated on the 17th of Ferrurer in honour of the great Danse Macabre Hodge. Before the festivities start people will decorated themselves with anything red, from flowers to dyes and even with red coloured food. During the day a elaborate murder mystery is organised by a group of volunteers which people will try to solve. After they have solved the mystery they're granted a small token proven their wit and skill. It has become a small sport to collect as many as theses tokens for different years to prove ones smarts. Murder mysteries in the cities are usually well more organised and more elaborate than the ones found in the country side, therefore trying to acquire a city token is much more desired. In the late afternoon and early evening performances are held in which poems are told and music is played. Some of the most beautiful music can be heard during this holiday. After the performance it's time for the highlight of the day, a dramatic retelling of the story of Hodge losing the Pillar of Time to Jaci.