Black Star Universe Deities

There are numerous deities of varying strength throughout the Black Star Universe. The greatest and oldest of them were the Elder Gods, sometimes referred to as Allfathers, and the Traitor Gods, also called the Fallen. They were vastly powerful entities with the ability to create life in the infinite void of the universe.

The offspring of the Elder Gods aligned with Dievas are known as the High Gods. These beings mostly reside in or around the world and are widely worshiped, or feared, by mortals. They rarely intervene in the affairs of mortal men but have been known to cast their favor on particular individuals. They can hold many forms but generally favor a humanoid appearance.

Conversely the offspring of the Traitor Gods are known by mortals as the Scions of Destruction. They are beastly and malevolent creatures born from a shard or wisp of essence of their progenitor. Most of these creatures live in Appolyon, the realm of demons deep beneath the world. There are many Scions but the greatest of them is Azkaron Heartrender, the Lord of the Damned, and most powerful of all the demon lords in Apollyon.

## Allfathers/Elder Gods

Titanic entities that created the universe and were almost completely wiped out during the War for Creation.

### Dievas

The strongest and oldest surviving of the Elder Gods. He merged with the last of his siblings in order to become strong enough to do battle against Maz'gathad at the culmination of the War for Creation near the world of Asteia, one of the few surviving creations of the Allfathers. Though his enemy was slain he was grievously wounded and fell into a death-like slumber. It is unknown if he will ever wake. He is attended to by the last remnants of the Allfathers, mere whispers of what they had once been. They wait patiently as the eons pass for their sovereign to awaken,

## The Fallen/Traitor Gods

Elder Gods who split from their siblings in the War for Creation and sought to hoard the universe's energy for themselves. Their minds became warped and twisted from the uncountable genocides they carried out across the universe. Almost all aside from Maz'gathad were annihilated, though shards of their essence remain. These shards are capable of materializing potent and dangerous avatars of these mighty beings.

### Maz'gathad

Maz'gathad was originally one of Dievas' most trusted companions. The two seeded uncountable worlds together until Maz'gathad became dissatisfied at giving up his own essence to create life. He sought power for himself and began to devour his weaker siblings who challenged him. Nearly half the gods sided with him in his quest for ultimate power and a titanic war erupted that split the stars asunder and waged for entire eons in the void. He and his compatriots sterilized most of the universe of life until they were defeated by Dievas. Maz'gathad was struck with a mighty blow that warped the very fabric of reality and killed, the crippled remains of his body crashing deep into the surface of the nearby planet Asteia where it currently resides.

## High Gods

Born from the aftermath of the War for Creation by the swirling essences spilled into the cosmos from wounds Dievas and Maz'gathad suffered, these deities possess the capacity for both good and evil and therefore are the most similar in nature to the mortal races. High Gods are the object of worship for most mortals and have the most impact on the state of the world.

### Bendis

Goddess of justice and vengeance whom is tasked with ensuring the Fallen are hunted down once and for all. She was the firstborn of the High Gods, being manifested from the anger of Dievas for Maz'gathad's betrayal. She is known by many names, including the Shrouded Woman, the Mad Goddess, and the Lady of Final Judgement. She is said to most commonly appear as a hauntingly beautiful dark-haired woman wrapped in a shadowy hooded robe, speaking in a half-mad sing-song voice. Her devotion to justice is absolute and when she sees a great crime unfold she will stop at nothing to see justice done, no matter the cost to the mortal world.

### Ausrine

Ausrine/Ausra/Ausca- goddess of the morning star, beauty, youth, and vitality. She appears as a beautiful young maiden with skin and hair that glows and piercing blue eyes. So great is her beauty that it is said none can raise a hand against her in violence. Those in her presence feel their ailments lessen and heal.

### Akenor

Akenor- god of the harvest and growth (most popular in the east when fields of wheat grow). Regions blessed by Akenor see increased harvests and less pests than others. Farmers will often leave offerings of wild flowers, handicrafts, and seeds. Few claim to have seen him but he is described as a giant of a man with reddish brown skin, rough hewn clothes, and carrying a giant sickle, though this cannot be confirmed.

### Dalia

Dalia/Dalis/Dalaima- goddess of fate, who can see all the possible paths laid out in the future. goddess of fate, who can see all the possible paths laid out in the future. She appears as a white robed woman wearing a veil that only covers the top half of her face. She is able to see all possible futures but due to the millions of possible outcomes is usually only able to offer warnings.

### Laima

Laima- goddess of motherhood, protection, and the home. goddess of motherhood, protection, and the home. Is known to appear to followers in the form of a beautiful veiled woman and a song bird.

### Vakrina

Vakrina/Phantom Goddess/Lady of Souls/Lady Wayfinder/Grey Goddess- goddess of death and the evening star. She guides the essence of the deceased back to the world stream so the energy can nourish the universe and the eternal souls to Dausos, the home of good souls. Evil doers are punished in trials of purification before being reincarnated to attempt a good life again. This belief in the afterlife makes warriors brave and more disciplined in battle for the devout.

### Perkunas

Perkunas/Perkunos/Parkuns/Thunder Lord/Master of Blades/Bloodborn- god of storms, war, virility. Called Bloodborn since it is said that he was the firstborn from the swirling essence of Dievas and Maz’gathad. He is the patron god of most Akaran soldiery and never interferes in the battles of mortals, instead appearing in visions or whispers to urge the humans on to ever greater feats of bravery and martial prowess.

Medina/ Medeina/Worldmother/Deer Woman/Queen of the Forest- goddess of forests, nature, and spring. She is most revered by those who live off the land and sea for their livelihoods such as fishermen, farmers, and hunters. The Nekojin and Saemu worship her almost exclusively, though by different names. She is known to appear as an ethereal green woman with deer hooves and antlers covered in flowers.

Moryana/Nammu- a terrible sea goddess. Temperamental and prone to bouts of uncontrollable rage, she is worshipped by the fishing villages or the western and southern coasts of Akara, the seafolk and merfolk. Faithful offer her sacrifices in the hopes of placating her long enough for their ships to get to safety. Her wrath is known to spawn massive waves, water spouts, and incredibly strong gales. All seamen make offerings to her altars which are present on almost every ship that puts to sea.

Lesser Deities and Spirits

## Scions of Destruction

The offspring of the Traitor Gods who possess splinters of their progenitor's power and malice, the most prominent being Azkaron Heartrender, the Lord of the Damned, most powerful of all the demon lords in Apollyon.

Dievas lies in death-like slumber, attended to by the last remnants of the Allfathers who wait with infinite patience as the eons pass for him to awaken.