Gergonos

The Charred Prince Gergonos standing before a supplicant crowd of followers.

Gergonos is an Íshnubar of Pyropheastus, created by the Erraté Ax Mystia, and rules over the aspects of truth and the hearthfire. Gergonos is a member of The Emperors of Flame, the strict coalition of gods that rule within the courts of Ax Mystia. Gergonos is held in the highest esteem within the ranks of the emperors, having consistently held the second highest position within their ranks since his ascension. He is a master politician and statesmen, having been able to compete with his more treacherous kin while maintaining an honest and straightforward approach to divinity. This unique approach has earned him much favour from Ax Mystia, and the two will often consult about the grander politics within the Primordial Realms.

## Description

A brilliant thinker and master of the political arts, Gergonos is also unique among the denizens that make up the Emperors of Flame for his dogmatic adherence to honesty and truth-telling. He is a being of compassion and grace that promotes prosperity within his domain of Messianis, and is a beloved figure among mortals, particularly families and small communities. Despite his benevolent nature however, or perhaps because of it, Gergonos has proven to be a savant when it comes to the courts of the Outer Realms.

Gergonos is well respected and relied upon by all the denizens of Pyropheastus. He is known to be Ax Mystia's primary consultant, and will often engage in games of intrigue and thought with his lord. Ax Mystia finds Gergonos particularly entertaining as a foe, for the Charred Prince embodies one of the smallest parts of the Schemer. Within the ranks of the emperors, Gergonos has strong ties to Matithitis and Kyvernos, the other two members of the upper three ranks. They have a united front that keeps the lower ranked, and more chaotic, members of the emperors in check.

## Origin

Like all of the Emperors of Flame, Gergonos was once a Primordial, born from the mortal world of Terra Aletheia. A healer and guardian, Gergonos was beloved amongst his people for spreading secrets of health and wellbeing. He did this for many years, travelling between communities and curing the few ailments that could impact a Primordial, all without asking for compensation.

He continued his wandering care unhindered until the War of the Gods, a violent outbreak of conflict between the Primordial nations that sent his people into disarray. Unable to stand idly by while innocents died, Gergonos began to use his connections and influence to negotiate peace and ceasefires wherever he could. This led to him being involved in a complex web of political factions and personal grievances, but he navigated them all with expert precision in order to save whoever he could. In time, his ability to broker peace between warring groups, even if only temporarily, drew Ax Mystia's gaze. The Schemer watched and waited, knowing Gergonos' love for peace would make him a difficult target to sway, but this only made him more desirable. At last, on the eve of a great battle, an opportunity arose. Gergonos had secured a delay of twenty four hours between the two armies in an attempt to evacuate civilians, but bot commanders broke the agreement. Countless innocents were killed, and Gergonos was left kneeling in the ashes of a fallen kingdom.

Amidst the smouldering flame and billowing smoke, the Schemer appeared and made his offer. He would give Gergonos the power to protect those who needed it, and could do so with his honour and nobility intact. Almost mad with grief, Gergonos accepted, and ascended to become the Charred Prince.