The Second Pantheon

*Written by Adensionia and wendigoporridge*

## The Great Divines

The great divines are all classified as the most revered and powerful of all of the current deities, ruling over the lesser divines. These great beings are The Ancient One (God of the Seas), Naphira (Goddess of Nature), Torran (God of Wind), and Ferne (Goddess of Fire). The greats are all equal in standing, forming a council of a sort.

### The Ancient One

Ancient One, Leviathan, The Great One, The Deep One… The God of the Seas has many a title, yet few know his true name. Those who follow The Great One’s teachings are referred to as Cephalists. Cephalism is by far the most common religion in Anduir, The Ancient One being worshipped by the majority of Anduirans, regardless of race, age, or gender. The Ancient One’s emblem is a simple tentacle with minimal details.

The Great One is the eldest of the gods, respected and revered by his fellow immortals. Although Leviathan is the eldest of the established gods, he is by no means a commander, the great divines all equal in their standing.

Leviathan has existed as long as mortals have been. Despite this, The Ancient One has spoken of times before Erranor. The Deep One is the source for all we know of mana, for he was a witness to its birth.

Those who have caught glimpses of The Great One, typically prophets and priests, have described him as being a gargantuation figure. He has been described as being horned, a mass of tentacle jutting from his face, three dark eyes, and small protrusions running along his forehead and jaw. The Great One is said to have four arms with sharp talons for hands, fins along his elbows and four large tentacles sprouting from his back. Truly a frightening sight, although said to act unlike the monster he appears to be.

The Deep One is a wise, humble being, who prides himself on his vast knowledge. Not only does The Great One have such ancient knowledge, he enjoys sharing it with those who worship and devote themselves to him. He’s described as being calm, collected, understanding, and gentle.

Those who call upon Leviathan for power typically are blessed with knowledge, able to find missing objects and recall the history of a location. Due to this power, priests of Cephalism are frequently called upon to aid authority figures in solving crime.

Those who worship The Great One often find themselves with an unnatural penchant for the ocean. Cephalists also typically find their relations with seafaring creatures to be improved to a somewhat supernatural extent. Many Cephalists also reserve seafood for special, revered days.

### Naphira

Naphira, The Lady of the Forest, Mother Flora, Speaker of Life… These are the names by which the Nature Goddess are known. Those who follow The Lady are known as Botanalists, their religion being Botanalism. Botanalists are typically calm, lovers of nature. Mother Flora is typically worshipped by Elves and Druids, however she’s known to welcome virtually anyone into her flock with few exceptions. Naphira’s emblem is a simple sprout.

The Lady presents herself to appear as a humanoid tree. She has no legs, rather a trunk, skin purely rough bark. Vines coil around her, flowers sprouting from the vines erratically. The top of her head is a disorganized bunch of branches, few leaves growing from them. She has two thick branches where two arms would be on a mortal, the end of the branches ending in 5 distinct, finger-like twigs. Although with no mouth, she speaks clearly, voice echoing in her followers heads. Two holes sit where eyes would be, empty sockets that glow a soft purple shade.

Naphira is generally quiet, preferring to listen and watch rather than interact. The few times she has spoken to her priests, she’s been described as patient, kind, nurturing, empathetic, and at times, emotional.

Mother Flora, according to both priests of Naphira and Torran, is the lover of Torran. The duo created the Goddess of Vitality, although The Phoenix takes after her mother more so than her father.

Those who form a pact with The Speaker of Life are given a select few options for pact magic. Pact users can communicate with fauna, increase plant growth speed, or cause magically controlled vines to sprout. Vines have a limitation of only 3 stalks, and typically last for roughly five minutes. Users of her pact magic are capable of using mana to fuel their abilities. Those unable to use mana have the alternative of directly siphoning from The Lady, although one must be rather devout for this.

Those who have been Botanalists for an extended period of time typically become supernaturally calm within forests, while also being rather perceptive. They’ve also been known to become irrationally upset when learning of the needless destruction of fauna or flora. When eating, a practiced Botanalist traditionally thanks The Lady for her gift.

### Torran

Torran, Lord of Air, The Tandem, Bringer of Tempest... The God of Wind answers to these names. Those who follow The Lord are known as Zephrynists, their religion being known as Zephryn. Followers of Torran aren’t race specific, but typically stubborn individuals are attracted to him. Torran’s emblem is 3 spirals in a triangular design.

The Tandem has been described as a large man with pure white skin that darkens when his mood shifts, similar to a cloud. Torran has no legs, his torso shifting from a solid form to a fog the closer to his legs it is. His eyes are described as being a piercing light yellow, similar to the appearance of lightning.

The Bringer of Tempest has a split personality. In one instance he is pure white, calm, happy, and in another, he’s pitchblack and furious. When a lighter shade, he’s described as being overly understanding and hard to anger, even when one makes a serious mistake. When darker, Torran has been known to snap at the smallest infraction, even striking out at those who he believes have wronged him.

Torran has a lover, that being the Nature Goddess, Naphira. According to multiple accounts, the couple are responsible for the birth of Cecilia, although the child is much more like her mother rather than her father.

Like his lover, he has a few variations of pact magic. These variations include a ten second cyclone, a burst of powerful wind that lasts one minute, or a 30 second duration of flight. Like most forms of pact magic, this power can only be evoked once a day.

Long time followers of The Tandem have reported odd mood shifts, switching between anger, sadness, and joy at the drop of a hat. Although these changes in mood happen frequently, it’s typically rather mild, hints of anger and joy rather than full on fury and elation.

### Ferne

The Fire Goddess, Ferne, has many a title. The Inferno, Red Empress, and Wielder of Flames are these titles. Pyrists follow The Empress, their religion referred to as Pyricism. Ferne, much like her great fellows, has no particular preference for a race, accepting anyone. Ferne’s symbol is a single flame.

The Flame Wielder is said to appear as the figure of a woman enclosed in flames, features unseen past the fiery plume. When the flames face, the individual’s ideal lover will stand before them. Ferne’s true form is unknown to mortals, nor is it known what one with no desires would see.

The Inferno takes pleasure in power and chaos, a destructive and impulsive deity. Those who wrong The Red Empress regret their actions, as Ferne is an extremely vengeful Goddess. Ferne has been known to send her followers after those who speak ill of her, typically she need not even ask them to do so.

Those who form a pact with The Red Empress are able to summon forth fire wherever they can see, as long as their vision is not obstructed. These flames typically cannot be any larger than a small bonfire when summoned, but of course they grow and spread as any fire does.

Pyrists who’ve followed their Goddess for a long duration will find themselves enraptured by fire, able to stare into flames for extended periods of time. This entrancement isn’t misplaced, as Ferne has been known to communicate with her followers with dancing flames, taking on images and shapes which are unnatural. Pyrists also tend to be rather impulsive, making them awful with gold, as they spend it frivolously.

## The Lesser Divines

The lesser divines are respected and revered, although not as powerful as their greater counterparts. The less powerful deities have in numbers what they lack in power, there being eight lesser gods. The lesser divines are known as Asilio (God of the Arcane), Joban (God of Performance), Azana (Goddess of War), Xafyn (God of the Void), Cecilia (Goddess of Vitality), Cessavarunt (God of Death), Gaela (Goddess of the Moon), and Koa’tole (God of the Sun).

### Asilio

The God of the Arcane, Asilio, is also known as The Great Arcanist, and The Mage. Those who follow this god are referred to as Eldranists, practicing Eldranism. Asilio is worshipped by all races, sans Dwarves, as Dwarves are incapable of harnessing mana. Asilio’s symbol is an eight pronged star.

Asilio presents himself as a regular human, the only god to do so. He wears mage robes, has glasses, and a head of brown hair. Whether or not this is Asilio’s true form is unknown. Many have doubts that The Mage truly appears this way, as all other deities look nothing like mortals.

The Great Arcanist typically has trouble with speech, stumbling over words and speaking quickly. Although not the best at conveying his ideas, once he starts on a ramble or tangent, it takes quite some time for him to stop. Generally, he’s well meaning, aiding mages in discovering new ways to use mana.

Those who form a pact with Asilio may call upon him for a temporary supply of mana. This extra boost typically is enough for three average spells, five simple spells, and one complex spell.

Long-term Eldranists tend to be unnaturally proficient with magic, and able to learn spells faster than others. Followers also tend to find themselves with an insatiable curiosity, drawn to the arcane, and entranced by magic and mana (at times to the point of an unhealthy obsession).

### Joban

Joban, the God of Performance, is known by The Poet, and The Critic. Those who follow his lead are called Thespists, the practice is known as Thespism. Joban has a disdain for most greenskins, refusing to form pacts with them as he sees them as unable to truly grasp art and performance. Joban’s emblem is a simplified comic theatre mask.

The Poet presents himself as a humanoid figure covered head to toe in garb typically worn by a jester. He wears an ornate comic theatre mask, adorned with golden trim and made with pearl like material. A sort of theatrical fog accompanies him where he steps, sparks and lightning often adding emphasis to his words.

The Critic is known to have extremely high standards for both himself and for his followers, only accepting the best. He’s been said to be extremely gentle and caring towards those who he deems to be the best and produce the best work. Joban has a specific sense of humor, that being jokes and phrases that are a play on words. This sense of humor and dialogue has been deemed as “puns”.

Due to The Poet’s picky nature, those who are able to successfully form a pact with him are typically extraordinary performers. Amazing performers turn into beings with godly talent when calling upon Joban. This outstanding ability lasts for roughly two hours, most performers using this time to the utmost of its potential.

Pact users, like their god, tend to be a bit picky, only accepting the very best from both others and themselves. Long time followers also have a tendency to dwell on small details rather than looking at “the big picture”.

### Azana

Azana, also simply known by seasoned soldiers and devoted as the General, the Warrior or more commonly as the Goddess of War. Her devotees are known as Champions and they practice Keltzan. Azana’s emblem and sign is a simple double-bladed axe.

Azana’s figure is one quite majestic to those who are lucky enough to ever envision it, rumoured by some to be over eight feet tall, while others shout that she is so much bigger than that, almost as tall as a redwood tree. Her skin is of a pale grey hue, and her head is devoid of any hair, her face is known to be filled with battle scars and war paintings, and her body is filled with muscles that would make many men envious of such build. She truly looks like someone who has seen much war.

Although her fearful and rather violent look, the Warrior is not as bloodthirsty as she may give the appearance to, battle and war for her has a more philosophical end to it; war is something that must exist, to solve world issues and to let mortality evolve.

Her followers and people who create a pact with her, have a sense of a second wind when they summon her to their side, they become faster, stronger and enter into an euphoric state that they almost seem like Azana is commanding their bodies herself. This is why one should think twice before crossing blades with a Champion. Her devotees have a tendency to be loyal, honourable and at times, haughty; this is one of the reasons why many Champions tend to be personal bodyguards to high nobility.

### Xafyn

If there were any god to be feared, it would be Xafyn. Xafyn is a god like no other; their

name is often a source of fear than of notoriety, aliases such as the Mana-Eater, the Beast, the

Ever-Hungering Maw. These names vary, even Xafyn’s followers, known as The Pack, have no

need or knowledge of the Beast’s name. The Pack is a cult unparalleled in design, the

practitioners of Decivium, the Mana-Eater’s belief system, are comparable to beasts of the wild,

organizing themselves in ever increasing strength and savagery, their pinnacle becoming an

Alpha. Xafyn’s icon is the ever calling void; swirling, bringing the witness to a hypnotic trance as

if they were staring into the Beast’s hungering eyes themselves.

The Ever-Hungering Maw is not to be understood by those who are sane. Only those

who slide deeper and deeper into Decivium and can conquer the terrifying, mentally challenging

nightmares they suffer from are affected on a physiological level. They become angered,

distraught, as if they were trapped into a permanent mental state of psychosis. Their original

personality is disinhibited, slipping into the madness of the Mana-Eater. The madness is nearly

required to consult Xafyn: only those who have seen the darker nightmares are able to

understand Xafyn. Do not be confused, the Beast has no use for standard language. They

speak in only shrieks, wails, and other horribly damaging sounds. It takes one who has

witnessed the abyss to console the Beast.

The Beast is a nightmare, in form and in persona. Their body is ever-contorting, crawling

on all 4 limbs as their spine seems to swirl and attempt to free itself from the prison that is their

body. Spikes and protrusions resembling bones practically armor the Beast, though it’s defense

is not the worst. Instead, it’s maw is an ever constricting whirlpool, serrated and jagged teeth

daring any. There is no end to this mouth, the darkness of Xafyn’s form hiding the endless rows

of razors and daggers one might call teeth. It’s tongue reaches out as far as it’s teeth delve

deep. The Beast has been seen crawling up onto it’s back feet, arms practically morphing as it

shifts it’s form up; to either terrify, or to feed.

Xafyn’s followers extort this ability to feed; utilizing their pact to absorb, and even nullify,

all usage of mana in their vicinity. The ability to stifle grows as their insanity does, as does their

hatred for the usage of magic. This reaches a pinnacle; from simple disliking of mages, to full on

raids of institutions, with murderous intent and the end goal: apartheid of all magic usage.

### Cecilia

Cecilia is often what one would compare to an angel; a divine being, glowing and powerful, with the ability to renew and restore those damaged or broken. Due to her caring, nourishing mannerisms alongside her physical appearance, she is often called The Phoenix or The Healer. Her followers, the devoted practitioners of “Sorism” are reflections of The Phoenix herself; selfless, caring individuals that value the protection of society. Her sign is of the Phoenix, ever eternal.

Cecilia’s physical appearance is one of the few gods that resembles a mortal; a humanoid body of heavenly iridescence, though not to the severity of blinding her beholders. Her glow is a reflection of her personality; caring, all-encompassing and all-understanding. She is a very well-tempered, reflective deity. She nurtures and protects those she holds dear with a fiery resolve. Her reach is wide and gentle; stretching out from her glowing, ivory dressed-form, are her large and blazing wings. Her hair, an also stark contrast to her standard white apparel, is a crimson red that sets her form ablaze with color.

The Healer’s followers are the forefront of ethics; caring, compassionate, considerate and kind are only a few words to describe those who follow Cecilia’s teachings. Those of which who are involved and find meaning in Cecilia’s attempt at preservation are gifted with their own tools to uphold; the ability to draw mana into a health-restoring and invigorating source. Their usage of magic allows them to heal and nurse those with crippling wounds.

### Cessaravunt

Cessavaraunt, King of the Underworld, the Bringer of Death, the Soul Harvester. Unlike other gods, Cessavaraunt flaunts a ludicrous, self-entitled attitude: believing his role in the cycle of life the most important. He is very prideful of his work and his place in the natural order of things. His emblem reflects his defining characters. It is the skull of a stag, decayed of all flesh, yet still prideful and dominant. His hazy religion goes by the name of Macabism, which holds the belief of a role to be fulfilled beyond life itself.

He is often seen as the reaper, a mystical undead form clad with black robes and a haunting scythe. His form may change with the size of the dying, increasing in size and horrifying disfigurements as he greets ever growing crowds of the dead into his realm of existence. The more death and decay, the more his hunger for death increases. The Bringer of Death believes his role gives him an unnatural power, fueled by his position as the end of the cycle to all living beings. He believes he is beyond his fellow lesser gods; possessing the power to discern the fates of others.

However, the source that fuels the Soul Harvester is also his downfall. He holds no judgement of those that suffer and those who pass on. He is simply the tool, a lense into the world of uncertainties and undead. His pride is not unlike others who exert such a characteristic, prone to undoing. He craves the ability to change things for his favor, to hold an ever increasing power as more souls take up the inescapable destination of death.

The devouts of Macabism are often negatively thought of or seen as threatening. This is not an understatement by any means. The most occult members of Macabism often dabble into the works of the underworld, calling forth their own mana and corrupting it as they raise a corpse to follow their bidding for a short period of time. Due to the taxing nature of the pact, these necromancers find themselves only capable of producing these hell-bound minions only once a day. They’re prone to be as egotistical and self-entitled as their lord, and thus equally as prone to failures: there are tales of those who are not dedicated to the lord, and find their minions dragging them under, to face jurisdiction of the Soul Harvester himself.

### Gaela

Gaela, the Goddess of the Moon, is known by two distinct titles: The Night’s Gaze, and The Observer. Those who worship Gaela call themselves Children of the Moon, or Moon Children. A child of the moon may come in any form, The Observer accepting all under her watch. Gaela’s emblem is an elaborate crescent moon symbol.

The Night’s Gaze presents herself as a large, roughly eleven foot tall owl. Rather than having the appearance of an average owl, her feathers glimmer with the night sky. Stars are scattered about her plumage, reflecting the sky to an exact degree, known constellations are able to be identified across her form.

The Goddess of the Moon has never been recorded as speaking. Prophets and priests document that Gaela speaks only through image, producing visions and prophecies to her followers. She’s been said to stay out of the ordeals of the other gods, uncaring and unresponsive unless her followers are involved. The Observer is said to protect her children by any means necessary, doing what she believes to be the best for them.

Gaela allows pact users two possible abilities. A follower may see clearly through darkness for roughly thirty minutes, an ability called “night vision”. A pact user may also be completely unseen in low light for five minutes.

Followers tend to be the silent type, only speaking when they must. Like their mother, they’re lovers of the night. Children of the Moon also tend towards apathy unless their fellows are involved.

### Koa’tole

Koa’tole, The Solar Serpent, is the God of the Sun. Those who worship Koa’tole are known as Astralytes. The religion of The Solar Serpent is called Astrosism. The majority of Koa’tole’s worshippers are of the lizardfolk race however it has been witnessed that tribes of the other humanoid races that live in the jungles and deserts of Aloryon will often worship the Solar Serpent, with some even merging with lizardfolk tribes. Currently there are no known instances of greenskins worshipping the solar serpent save for maybe the occasional goblin; as any other form of greenskin is normally hunted down and killed by the roaming lizardfolk tribes on sight. Koa’tole’s emblem is an intricate reptilian eye.

Koa’tole is a serpent often depicted with spines and wings made of flame, constantly coiled in a similar manner to a ring or circle. The spines along his back and circular shape are said to symbolize the sun.

The Solar Serpent, often referred to as Koa’tole by his worshippers, is a reclusive being that only contacts the most devout of his followers during their times of need. Koa’tole as an individual is quiet, cunning, calm, and polite, seemingly always waiting for the right opportunity to contact his followers.

The Solar Serpent allows pact users a sun activated armor, rays of light enveloping the user and forming a shimmering coat. This armor lasts 5 min when evoked. The armor itself is said to grant similar protection as mage armor provides.

Follower’s of the Solar Serpent vary widely in behavior, with some being calm and well meaning while others will take a more extremist route and go on crusades in the name of their god.