Gods & Spirits

## OVERVIEW

In Ixalia, the planes beyond the Material are a constantly shifting landscape. Celestial beings and demonic forces are locked in an eternal struggle to acquire realms of power from each other.

## NEW & OLD GODS

Ixalia uses many of the gods from the D&D Core Pantheon setting Points of Light, but refers to them as the "old gods". While their power can still be felt to some degree, they cannot be communed with. Their religious are waning in the current timeline of Ixalia, and only the most devout believers can hear their whispers. There is no reason why any of these "old gods" shouldn't be used by players, but not that some have been vanquished by unknown forces.

While Gods could potential pierce the veil and enter the Material plane, they become extremely vulnerable. These beings will often use mortal instruments to achieve their goals, or send their subordinates in their stead.

As of 4300 years ago in Ixalia's timeline, there is a growing new pantheon of gods. Some are true celestial beings, while a few are mortals or planetouched that have ascended to godhood.

### Solarus - God of the Sun, Rebirth, Life, Summer

It is believed that Solarus is the reincarnated form of a long forgotten god. His rebirth was foretold by a divine event, and would signal the beginning of a new age, becoming a beacon of hope.

Both the sun and the phoenix are associated with Solarus, and it is said that the legendary fire bird, Helia sits by his side as a loyal companion.

### Lunimara - Goddess of the Moon, Starlight, Winter

There are six moons that orbit the world of Ixalia, each with their own ruling deity, but Lunimara is the prime goddess amongst her younger siblings. While the moon gods are normally unconcerned of the affairs outside their realms, Lunimara has taken particular interest. She has believed to help light the way to those lost.

### Anaya - Goddess of Wisdom, Battle

She is the older twin of Azura, and was born an Aasimar over 2000 years ago. After the defeat of war that saw the end of the Abyssal Maw, Anaya ascended to godhood, and took her place among a new pantheon of gods.

Birds of prey such as the hawk and falcon are associated with her, and seeing one flying over the battlefield is considered a favourable omen. According to legend, Anaya rode a white griffin into battle against hordes of demons, and dark gods of the Abyssal Maw.

### Azura - God of Justice, Compassion

The younger brother of Anaya, Azura was born an Aasimar over 2000 years ago. After his sister ascended to godhood, he remained to see the birth of the Commonwealth, becoming its first emperor, and eventually laid the foundation of the democratic system that would follow. Upon his passing, he ascended and joined his sister.

A blue star is often associated with Azura, and it is believed that seeing a blue light in the night sky can grant one a sense of calm even in the most chaotic of times.

### Nethira - Goddess of the Hunt, Protection, Fertility

A young god born from the world tree at the heart of the Everglade forest, Nethira was among those that would join Anaya and Asura in their crusade against the forces of the Abyssal Maw.

### Tor - God of Storms, War, Courage, Heroes

Once a storm giant who defeated a powerful dragon with his bare hands, Tor’s power directly challenged the old gods that ruled with an iron fist. After defeating them and taking their place, his attention would turn to the twins and their fight against the demons. Moved by their courage, and heroism, Tor bestowed upon them legendary weapons directly from his armoury.

### Galatea - Goddess of Art, Music, Love, Spring

The patron deity to bards, actors, and writers alike, it is said Galatea will come to those who need a bit of artistic inspiration. It is unknown what her origins are, but some scholars believe she is actually an older god taking a new form, and adapting to the new era.

### Myrea - Goddess of Magic, Innovation, Knowledge, Third Incarnation of Mystra

The eldest deity on the new patheon, Myea is the latest incarnation of the elder god Mystra. She is the patron god to scholars, mages, and engineers.

### Kelivor - God of Death, The Final Judge, The Silent Guide

It is said that Kelivor is old, even amongst the elder gods. He has many names, but is commonly referred to as the “Final Judge” and the “Silent Guide”. While there are a number of death gods, Kelivor is the Prime god of death. Many believe he was there at the beginning of the universe, and will be there at the end.

## OTHER GODS & ENTITIES

### Kanishka - War God, The Divine Empire of Kushan

At one time, the Kushan empire was the most powerful nation in the world under the rule of the divine emperor Kanishka. It is said that he lived hundreds of years, with his conquests and many accomplishments being stuff of legends. He is depicted both as a savior who united his people, and a bloodthirsty tyrant that led an army of demonic soldiers, bathing in the blood of his enemies.

Though it is uncertain if he was actually a god, or even became one, Kanishka is still worshiped by many groups in modern day Kushan.

### Moradin - The All-Father, Lord of Fire and Rock, The Hammer, The Sleeping God

It is said that Moradin was the first entity to break through the astral veil, ending the Age of Madness. He was first worshipped by the dwarves, who he blessed with his power. Moradin would go on to release and father many beings, including gods, monsters, and demi-gods, with varying degrees of success. He is most famously known for his war and victory over the Seldarine, the elven pantheon of gods. It is said that Moradin slew the High Father himself, taking his head, but the wounds the Hammer suffered forced him into a deep sleep for which he has not awakened. Moradin was not the only god to be affected, and many godly beings fell into a deep slumber, or cast out into the void beyond thought.

Very few modern day dwarves still worship Moradin and the old patheon. After the end of the Third Dynasty, the reformation saw a lean towards Ancestral Gods, the belief that the spirits of those that came before watch over the living.

### Laerathian - High-Father, Lord of Light, The Headless One

Believed by some to be among the oldest of the gods, Laerathian favored the elven people, guiding many of them even during the Age of Madness. When the astral veil was broken, Laerathian was reunited with many of his kin, and wife, Queen Celania.

Because of dwarven dominance, the elven people suffered a brutal ethnic and culture cleansing, leaving little knowledge about Laerathian and the Seldarine. However, it is famously known that Laerathian was slain by Moradin. The severed head of the High-Father gave out a horrendous cry in his death, causing many celestial beings to fall into a deep sleep, with others cast into the void beyond thought. It is believed that his death also caused a strange psionic resonance on the material plane, killing countless mortals, and ending elven immortality.

### Abyssal Gods

Little is known about these entities, how many they are or what they want, except that they rule layers of hellish domains that eternally feast on the souls of the damned. They have always been present, watching from the darkest shadows, patiently waiting for the right moment to whisper in the ears of mortals in despair. On occasion, their demonic hordes burst through into the material plane, but it is unknown if these are random acts of violence or calculated strikes.

After the death of Laerathian, their influence has spread substantially, and their demonic incursions have grown in frequency. While they have not fully revealed themselves, it is known that they act through demonic agents that corrupt minds, and transform landscapes into living nightmares.

## GOD BEASTS

   Ixalia is also home to creatures known as God Beasts, primordial beings that are depicted as animalistic creatures of raw power. God Beasts are pure forces of nature, and can be found throughout the world shifting between the Material plane and others at will. Some can be reasoned with, while others act purely on instinct.

To kill a God Beast is considered by many as an unthinkable act. It is strongly believed they are an important part of the celestial ecosystem, and should be avoided rather than confronted.

While there are many, believe are the most well known among the God Beasts

### Shennong

The Dragon, the Celestial King, Heavenly One

### Hi no Tori

The Phoenix, Rebirth and Eternity, Sun Child

### Ao

The World Tortoise, The Patient and Enduring

### Fenris

The Great Wolf, the God Eater, the Hunter

## FEY & SPIRITS & Elementals

The world of Ixalia is rich with untamed land, and for good reason. Strange beings inhabit the woods and mountains, made of the very elements that surround them. They don't take kindly to intruders, and can summon terrifying power on those that would bring harm to the natural world.

Elementals are beings that shift between the Material and Elemental Planes. Places of unspoiled nature are usually where the viel between planes is weakest, and some of these beings slip through. Sometimes it is deliberate, but often it is by accident.

The Feywilds are home to the fey lords and other spirit beings that pass between the Material plane and the Spirit world. They can only be found in nature, where life is pure and plentiful, such as a forest or lake useing Fey Groves. These special places act as a portal between planes, and are often hidden from mortal senses.

The Fey do not have grand plans or machinations like the gods, but exists with little care or worry about the world beyond their realm. A Fey Grove can appear in once place one year, and be gone the next. The Fey Lords are the true rulers of the Fey, and do not take kindly to intruders. Sometimes they will kill without mercy, and sometimes they will simply curse those that trespass with donkey ears.

## TITANS

More powerful than the gods and fey, are their predecessors, the Titans. Locked away in various places both on the Material plan and beyond, they should be considered a sort of "proto god". They are beings of pure power, and once ruled the universe with an iron fist. Despite their strength, the "old gods" defeated them, usurping their realms and power.

## OLD ONES

Beyond these beings are the Old Ones. Shrouded in mystery, even the gods believe them to be a myth, a folktale to tell young gods who misbehave. It is believed the Old Ones slumber just below the surface of planer existence, and no one knows what would happen if they should wake.