The Principal Sixteen

The Principal Sixteen are the sixteen primary members of the Ahlusian Pantheon and are responsible for all aspects of Ahlusian living from magic to agricultural to birth and the afterlife itself. In addition to the Sixteen, a score of lesser deities also find some level of worship from niche groups throughout the Realms.

They are complemented by the Malign.

## Description

The Principal Sixteen represent a full array of aspects of powers and domains, facilitating the way of life for all within Ahlus. Although considered the most important almighty powers upon the continent, there is distinction in the extent of each of their powers, with only seven amongst them traditionally regarded as Greater Deities - Aita, Caihrnn, Divinus, Gaityas, Taranis, Tohmos and Yaldin.

It has been noted that the Gods of Ahlus and other almighty beings seem to choose to appear near consistently in humanoid form.

## History

While it is said to have been Caihrnn that created the continent of Ahlus, it was the collective efforts of the Sixteen that shaped civilisation into prosperity, frequently appearing to the inhabitants of the Realms to aid them. This was none so notable than during the period of time known as Aita's Second Gift.

Coming after Aita's First Gift, in which the light shed by the High-Mother created the other gods, Aita's Second Gift represents sixteen years of life upon Ahlus during which the Principal Deities of the Ahlusian Pantheon were said to walk the very lands they had created and populated in millennia past, bestowing knowledge and guidance to all those that would listen. Their intervention greatly accelerated the development of the Realms of Ahlus, raising them from tribes and minor settlements into mighty Kingdoms and Empires. It is named for Aita, the High-Mother, who is credited with the creation of sentient beings.

* Aita - Created the Principal Races, from which all races would come to be.
* Buwello - Taught the Principal Races the joys of celebrations and revelry, the delights of matters material and immaterial. Taught the peoples how to cultivate grain and other horticultural crops, but held highest with regard to his association with vineyards and wine.
* ~~Caihrnn~~ - Made the plants and beasts of the land, the residents of the mountains, forests and plains. His creations occupied Ahlus before Aita created the Principal Races.
* Divinus - Taught the Ahlusians the secrets of magic, with which they would be able to create, shape and manipulate the world around them.
* Emes - Watched over Aita's creations whilst she slept, granting them light when the night drew in close when he made an echo of Taranis' eye.
* Gaityas - Built cities and towns from the stone and metals of the land for the civilisations of Ahlus, expediting their development and growth significantly.
* Ilemer - Placed gold, silver and all manner of precious materials through the earth, teaching the peoples their worth and showing them how to barter and trade to further their own goals and that of those around them. Also credited with creating metallic dragons and couatls.
* Iotl - Watched over the Races as they cowered in night, granting support immutable for those that eventually passed.
* Kroai - Breathed the spirit of victory into the races, placing laurels upon the brow of each in turn so it would never falter.
* Srar - Stirred the world into change to allow for cycles of growth and diminishment with the passing of time.
* Taranis - Started the turning of day and night, watching over the Principal Races during the day, his burning eye visible to all.
* Theamera - Taught the races the secrets of language, showing them how to weave it to create poetry, music, tales and histories.
* Tohmos - Chose those worthy of rule, granting them civilisations to preside over by means of granting his noble blood to those he selected.
* Veth - Taught the races how to walk and run so that they could explore the world, encouraged by the wit and curiosity given to them by Vyra.
* Vyra - Bestowed the Races the wit to understand the world around them and seek out new knowledge.
* Yaldin - Yaldin chronicled the actions of the Principal Races, detailing the greatest amongst them in celestial tomes that will hold these efforts in high regard for eternity.