Astanar

## History

Undoubtedly the most widely revered amongst the elven people before the Cataclysm Astanar was the only known member of the Forgotten Pantheon that was once a mere mortal, achieving godhood by feats of epic proportions. One of the firstborn elves Astanar stood as a figure of martial legend, equal parts noble of heart and arrogant as elves are so renowned. It is unknown whether he was a common elf, noble, or a king, but such details are unknown to modern scholars and can be considered superfluous compared to the deeds he accomplished during those times.

With his blackened blade Starsunder Astanar destroyed legions of orcs, conquered neighbouring countries for the glory of elvenkind, and banished evil outsiders from other planes. Perhaps his most legendary deed was the slaying of the great chromatic draconic abomination Cytharth, a multi-headed dragon that lived only to destroy civilization. With a party of adventurers and aid from dragons of the metallic breed Astanar drove Starsunder deep into the heart of Cytharth, freeing the world from a living disaster.

When the Cataclysm occurred it is known that instead of standing with his fellow gods, Astanar turned against Féanor and was responsible for slaughtering a majority of the pantheon. First of his victims was Wudrath the Vengeful Keeper, slaying the wrathful nature god and drinking keep from their divine power after a titanic battle. From there he tracked down each of pantheon within their realms, whether to face them on the field of battle or to drag them from where they hid all the while gaining more and more power from their deaths.

Perhaps he was slow to act, or perhaps Féanor was too busy with a more foreign threat but ultimately the Creator was too late to stop Astanar in slaughtering his creations. Astanar now swollen upon the decaying power of his brethren attacked Féanor with a mad fury, and the heavens shattered and bled under the cataclysmic dueling forces beyond the comprehension of mortals. Ultimately Féanor triumphed over the traitorous War God, shattering Astanar's soul and essence along with his divine blade, but the effort meant the end for Féanor.

In the current age Astanar is the most widely known of the dead gods his name both revered and cursed by the more martial nobles of Sorreinn. Young arrogant champions find the tales of Astanar's deeds inspiring and seek to emulate his heroics, while all others disdain the Warrior God for his later traitorous acts that only served only to compound to the damage of the Cataclysm.

## Artifacts

**Starsunder:** The infamous blade that drank the blood of gods was the favoured tool Astanar favoured during his time as a hero amongst the elves. Forged from the metal of a meteor, Starsunder answered only to Astanar becoming as light as the wind in his hands and striking with the explosive force of a fallen star against his enemies. After the death of Astanar, Féanor shattered Starsunder before succumbing to his wounds, cursing the blade with his dying breath.

**Pantheon's Panoply:** When Astanar ascended to the Forgotten Pantheon each member at the time welcomed their once mortal champion with a set of armour forged with a portion of their own souls - a symbol of extreme trust. Such a creation played in their downfall when the Warrior God betrayed his race protecting the traitorous war god from each of their powers.