Tianyan

## Shepherd of Serenity

* Artwork
* Symbol

Tianyan, also known as the Shepherd of Serenity is an Celestial Patron in Ahlus known to be seeking would-be warlocks to which pacts of power are offered.

## Description

*"Standing taller than a typical humanoid by a measure of nearly twice, Tianyan dwarfs most that can stand in his presence. An elegant form covered in thick fur that weaves and dances even in absence of a breeze, his radiance is only bolstered by the shimmering scale that covers where fur does not. Each the size of a palm, the aureate plates not only catch and scatter the ambiant light, but seem to produce a certain glow and lustre of their own. Perhaps most striking however is that of the trio of horns that Tianyan possesses. The central horn, perhaps twice as long as a greatsword is black like obsidian, yet marked and decorated with aureate glyphs depicting rings, stars and moons. Two more stag-like antlers swing backwards from his brow, decorated in the same manner as the central horn and stretching over ten foot from tip to tip."*

*"His very presence emanates a sense of serene calm, a pleasant warmth like that of a campfire after a long day's ride or a lightly-spiced broth in a homly tavern."*

## Commandments

* The gloom flees at the appearance of light. Evil shrieks away at the arrival of good. Act with virtue and you will never has true cause to fear the dark or the malign again.
* Very few find themselves forever lost in wicked minds baleful deeds. Offer a guiding hand to those for which hope still lingers.
* Each second is a gift intended to be treasured both in the moment and in memories to come. Let your senses echo with the reveries of joys old and new.

### The Herdsman’s Creed

##### Researched by Dovruk

Following Astedian experimentation with the Wayfinder Stones, the members of the High College of Claxinns had been urged to pursue a series of expeditions into the Blessed Fields of Elysium by a number of wealthy benefactors, many amongst them family members of the researchers. Though initially denied, it was later revealed this rallying was motivated predominately by a desire for a place in which to find respite from the stresses and tribulations of high court life, with Elysium considered to be the epitome of a soothing location and a smug sense of extreme exclusivity by its inherent other planar nature. It was stated, after all, that those first that visited the plane were offered warm greetings - and an invite to *"let your troubles wash away in the river's flow, and may you be at peace."*

After establishing a series of manor houses along the banks of the cascading waterfalls and peaks of greystone mountains on the second layer of Elysium, known as Eronia, the lands would quickly become a jewel in the grasp of the Emperor and the Increscent Six, the latter oft using it as a framing device for the wonder achievable through the Wayfinder Stones. Dignitaries from Realms serving in satrapy to the Empire would be invited to partake likewise in its delights, but in time individuals of all manner would become so deeply infatuated with the contentment and happiness of the plane that they would refuse to leave. Expatiating visions and teachings of a great glowing shepherd, those escorted from the plane were diagnosed with a chronic long-term hysteria brought upon by extended exposure to both the plane and the shepherd alike. When the preaching of the afflicted continued despite extended periods of quarantine and withdrawal therapy, the words were declared heresy as they could not be attributed to any member of the Ahlusian Sixteen. Those blighted in this way were declared to be under the influence of the Herdsman's Creed, and corralled towards curative healing and prayers - and further extremes such as exorcism and purgation subsequently should their dedications in the name of Tianyan fail to cease.

## Enemies

Tianyan shares the beliefs of many of his kin, serving to protect the realms from the forces of evil, charging his followers and warlocks with the same good-aligned purpose. Despite it, Tianyan embraces those that freely denounce their previously maligned actions, revelling in redemption.

### Battle of Manifestation's Return

Travelling to the Material Plane alongside Liadove, Tianyan aided in the defence of the city of Whittengrove against the ingress of Hadar and their minions in 9WD. During the battle, Tianyan suffered several grevious wounds though eventually would aid in the victory by striking down both Akmod, the Cold Devourer and the material form of Hadar themselves. After the battle's end, Tianyan used the *Wish* spell to repair the damage wrought, before departing to Elysium with Fawn.

## Domain

Tianyan seems to reside within a land of waterfalls, pagodas and farmland, as visited by Fawn during one of her dreams.

*"A new wind arose, carrying more motion than the one that had come before and carrying upon it a moisture, a mildew upon the air. The sound of rushing water, a dampness against her brow stirred Fawn in wakefulness once more, but it was not upon a mattress of straw that she lay. Instead, pale eyes gazed upon a mountainous domain, earthmotes decorated in a crown of moss and ferns, water falling endlessly into the open air below. Just as cloud of pure ivory-white drifted upon high, bridges fringed with detailings of polished gold trailed a path between pagodas delicately shaped in defiance of the open expanse that surrounded them. A few individuals mulled between them, most focused in silent meditation, flesh green-yellow and dappled brown, but fewer still more mundane - a firbolg wreathed in a mane of blonde fur, a kalashtar austere and pale, an aasimar with gleaming wings outstretched.*

*Fawn’s sight lingered on them for but a few moments, averted by the gentle growth of radiance that descended from above. A blushing warmth stirred upon her cheeks as if delivered an attention-drawing compliment, an impassioned flutter stirred in her chest as if having just stolen a fleeting smile from a figure of affection. The smell of her recent baking surged returned again, the towering form of Tianyan, graceful contours populated with glimmering golden scales and sheenful umber fur, settling on the stone before her."*

## Powers & Abilities

More so than even a typical ki-rin, Tianyan possesses a wide and powerful array of magical abilities. Included innately amongst this are that of flight, telepathy, extensive magical resistance and significant prowess at conjuration, illusionary and transmutative magic. The lattermost was displayed when he transformed the fabric of Fawn's magical scarf from black silk to white gossamer with but a glance.