Ilkhur

**Ilkhur** (IPA: [ilkʰ:hur] along with Lashĭras are the parents of the Eriaz Pantheon. The traditional God of Land and Life, Ilkhur is also associated with birds and eagles, commonly depicted perched upon a great mountain, Mount Kaliraz

## Biography

### The Awakening

Together with Lashĭras, Ilkhur first awoke in the primordial world and set about continuing the creation of the universe, as set out by Erûsdû. Where Lashĭras would make the land rich and fertile, Ilkhur would raise the continents and create vast mountains.

As the life-bringing couple would soon find out however, there was too much work to be done and they alone could not nurture and care for their own creations. Through their love for one another, the duo would bring forth the 2nd generation of Uknanurĭd with the purpose of caring, nurturing and maintaining balance in the world.

### *The First Prophet*

Content with his work the Deity carved out a Mountain with the swipe of his Wing. Piercing the heavens the mountain would be his Perch where he would sit atop and observe his creations from afar. Satisfied with everything he had done the Deity went into a slumber to preserve his strength till he would be awoken again. Years had past since Ilkhur was awake and Humanity has sprung forward. The Erigi People had begun to prosper in an Era of peace. However the tides soon changed as this newfound peace could not last forever. Unsatisfied with their simple lives the Tribe that would later on be Ilkhuruna began to lust for more. They became a Sinful tribe committing acts of Heresy and Succumbing to their most primal desires. The group became ravenous and violent, often entering and raiding tribes for sport and to steal the woman of the village. A Young man whos name would be obscured through history would voyage away from the tribe unknowingly entering the domain of Ilkhur. As the man reached the summit he felt a strange aura of power wash over him. This unimaginable energy gave him strength beyond human ability which helped him reach the top with ease. as his hands clutched to the ledge and he pushed himself up on the surface of jutting rocks under him he noticed a mass of something dark in front of him. He looked upon the Mighty Ilkhur and fell to his knees. The deity at this point had awoken and asked "My Child, What brings you so far from home?" the voice seemed disconnected from the Godlike avian in front of him. The man spoke in a rattled voice "My Father I am not holy enough to be in your presence. I am like my brethren, we are nothing more than filth now. We bring dishonor to your Mighty and Holy name". The Deity stood confused and puzzled as Its body twitched and shook. The deity hadn't seen a Human in so long he was confused as to what he meant. As The deity shook off what felt like years of dust and snow it's voice resonated once more "My Child I know not of what you speak of. Why does thou speak Ill of your brethren. Enlighten me on what I've missed in my years of slumber.". The Man explained what his tribe had become since Ilkhur began his slumber, To his dismay Ilkhur remained silent before beginning to laugh. The Deity stood up spreading his wings and responded "My Child do not jest with me. My creations as perfect as they are could never fall to deviancy. However ill play into your game." The man stood still frozen by anxiety of what he meant "If I fly down there and observe nothing has changed you shall construct me a temple by yourself with only a spear and this Mountain. However if I lay my own eyes on what you stated to be true then we shall swiftly deal with it.". The man still frozen in place simply nodded as the Deity picked up his wings and dived down the mountain.

His wings thunderously clapping as he roared across the desert kicking up storms behind him. He swiftly descended upon the outskirts of the tribe however not before shaping himself to be of a smaller form of a Beggar on the streets. He strolled into the village choosing a spot in the Market square to beg for the day. The hours passed and as the day wore on he noticed the world of debauchery the tribe had created for itself. As the night began to set in a band of armed guards had began to harass him. Their intentions where to move him however they had decided as well to take what money they could that the man had earned. Before he move to block their hands they had pushed him over and drove a spear through the Ilkhur's abdomen. This act solidified what Ilkhur had refused to believe that humans by nature are cruel beings if allowed to be. The Guard dropped the spear as it had become hot to the touch quickly noticing that his seared flesh was withering away. As he screamed Ilkhur had gotten away and began to soar towards his Perch once more. Ilkhur knew that he would need to help the Man waiting for him back at the perch return the people from their state of savageness. He and the man worked tirelessly to compose a set of laws that the people of Ilkhur must abide by. These scrolls were known as "**The Holy Doctrine of Ilkhur"** or later on be known as "**The Ancient scrolls of Ilkhur"**. Together with the advice of Ilkhur and his new set of guidelines the man began to preach the word of Ilkhur. As Ilkhur reflected on his time as a mere mortal he remembered the names of the Men and Woman who took pity on him. For their kindness and act of compassion Ilkhur would bless each of their families with strong genetics and fortune. Mentionable of these families where House Hurin and House Beasz.

## Worship

Ilkhurism is the worship of Ilkhur the Fatherly God of Life and Land. Ilkhurism is distinct from worship of other Eriaz Deities in the greater **Erĭgarash Region.** Where as most believers in the pantheon as a whole the Ilkhurists prioritize the worship of Ilkhur above all else. Ilkhurism is the main Institute of the Winged Sons of Ilkhur or otherwise known as the Church of Ilkhur. The church is headed by a figurehead known as the Saĝzarur or The High Priest of Ilkhur who oversees churches all around the world known as Bishabdûms. Each Bishabdûm is run by Bishops who are personally hand picked by the Saĝzarur themself. Bishabdûms have sprung up all over the world of Sabrim From The Empire of Dragonium to The Dauntier of Mycopadre. The Current Saĝzarur Baal Hurin reigns from a lineage of High Priests said to be Descended from Ilkhur himself. His Predecessor Raj Hurin Is responsible for the construction of the Great walls of Ilkhuruna, a Marvelous feat of labor dedicated to preserving the Anicent Scrolls of Ilkhur as well as allegedly protecting Ilkhur's Spear of Immortality.

The Ilkhurist sect of Eriaz Pantheon worship believes strongly in the power of rituals and sacrifices. It Is not uncommon for citizens of Ilkhuruna to on a daily basis make small sacrifices of food or belongings to the temple of Ilkhur for protection or fortune for the day.

A widely believed theory by many is that Ilkhurism has pagan routes. Ancient preserved shrines crudely made of logs depicting a large bird have been spotted in the Area between the Erĭgarash desert and the summer sea.

## Etymology

Ilkhur has a strong resemblance to two Eriaz words; "**ik**" meaning land and "**hur**" meaning lord. Interestingly however, the Eriaz language does not typically allow deviations away from its (C)V(C) syllable structure, suggesting that Ilkhur as a name may have originated elsewhere before appearing in the Eriaz Pantheon.