Parsei

Parsei's Lyrian interpretation, as drawn by user Grapeio.

**Parsei** (pronounced "PAR-sey"), also known as the Dawnchild, is the Senlo Dei creation of a universal genderfluid deity resembling the dawn, renewal, birth, children, youth, medicine, and the season of spring. She was given the duty of protecting mortal children, resurrecting the dead, and assisting parents in raising children. In some pantheons, he also served as the person responsible for raising the sun during dawn, flying it like a kite until noon. He is widely considered as the most powerful and frightening god of the Ember Council, and it's theorized that they may be the heir to Adina's role as god of creation and life.

## Description

### Appearance

In most iconography of Senlo Dei, Parsei appears as a gender-ambiguous child, usually around preteen years (though some imagery will depict him as a toddler or infant). They would usually have a clean face, athletic frame, long hair, and baggy clothing. Often, they would be colored in the palette of a sunrise: plentiful yellows, white, pinks, and light blues. On occasion, he would also be colored in darker colors resembling the night sky, such as dark blue, purple, and black. Most depictions have her carrying some kind of children's toy, usually a discus, doll, or hoop.

### Personality

Parsei is known to be innately childish and silly in nature, usually spending her time in various myths playing around and cracking jokes with mortals and gods alike. However, it is believed that this is likely just a rouse. When put in a situation that requires a certain amount of gravity, he will drop the childlike tendencies and do her job to completion (as seen in the Mythic Wars). In the event that a child is harmed or threatened, the goddess is feared for his rage and stalwart protectionism, and is known to resort to violence when the situation calls for it.

## History

### Deity Inspirations

#### Apeleon

Apeleon was the old mayfly-like god of the sun in Shaeomi religion, who would be born/reincarnated in the morning, fly westward, and die in the western oceans. Eventually, he would be reborn, and continue the cycle anew. He was responsible for carrying souls to the afterlife.

#### Arnam

Arnam was one of the alternate faces of the Sanfathi deity Happas. During the night, Arnam would be the deity that would venture to the eastern realm of the dead to resurrect and/or reincarnate fallen heroes and children, before raising the sun from the eastern mountain chains.

#### Happas

Happas, a major deity of Sanfathi origin, was the goddess of childbirth, fertility, and medical practices. She had heavy associations with the sun, as her alternate face was Arnam, the local god of the red sun.

#### Lithar

Lithar was the old Lithian god(dess) of medicine, healing, and renewal. They were responsible for caring for and resurrecting Ferotchil, the Lithian god of the sun, each night before dawn.

#### Paruseichi

Parsei is mainly derived from the Malican sun god Paruseichi, the head deity of the pantheon and the god responsible for sunrise, mortal life, healing magic, and resurrection, as well as agriculture and land fertility. In the Malican pantheon, Paruseichi was responsible for the creation of Donia, as well as life on it.

## Mythology

### Mythic Wars

Having spontaneously been created from Zoli's corpse after the god had been slain by Kastarei (a blade of Adina's creation), Parsei spent his early years building hope and inspiration in humans under the guide of their adopted mother, Chazuri. Eventually, realizing her godhood, he would create an army to eventually overthrow Zhav: the god of plots. During the Second Mythic War, Parsei traveled to the Underworld in order to resurrect Zoli and Deiplau. During the Third Mythic War, Parsei would align with Sunari to discover the permanent trauma the First Races' souls had been infused with during the previous war, and would participate in the fight against Estaemion, eventually leading to the resurrection of Zhav.

### Sinopus and his Sons

The young, beautiful drunkard merchant Sinopus, wrought with unpaid debts, decided to sell his two children; Kathia and Peredon, into slavery. He hoped he would make enough money from the trade to pay off his debts. Before the children were bound, the older Peredon uttered a prayer to Parsei who, upon hearing of the situation, flew into a rage. Descending upon the world, she removed the children from Sinopus' custody, taking them to the palace of the widowed Queen Atokid. He left Sinopus with a curse that rapidly leeched away his health and beauty. Sinopus, seeking the assistance of his wife, fled home; however, his wife believed the disheveled Sinopus was an intruder, and killed him by stabbing him in the eye with a fork.

### Zui Shailen Runs to his Death

Zui Shailen was a famed High Elven athlete and runner from the ancient city of Daushi, who was able to run sixty miles in a day without stopping, thanks to a gift from the god Makeion. One day in the summer, the athlete was stricken with lust for a young boy in town, and decided to kidnap the child. When Makeion figured out about the athlete's plan, he contacted Parsei. Stricken with a violent rage, Parsei (taking the form of a swarm of wasps) intervened as Zui attempted crossing into the boy's estate. Frightened, Zui began to flee, but Parsei gave the athlete a horrible curse: each step that Zui took would burn his feet as if he was walking on a ground made of burning coals. As Zui ran from the god, he was gradually burned away, until his legs were charred and unable to move. Collapsing on the ground, Parsei's wasp swarm stung Zui to death.

### Vamani's Sickness

After her mother angered the goddess Bestil, the young Snow Elf Vamani was struck with a sudden, incurable sickness. Her brother prayed to Parsei, who decided to visit and see if he could cure the child. Each time Parsei would try to cure Vamani, however, the sickness would alter, and Parsei's cures would be ineffective. Though Parsei tried all she could, but Bestil countered by making the sickness more painful and faster. Eventually, Vamani pleaded with Parsei to stop and the god, defeated, instead gave Vamani medicine to ease the pain, playing games with the child until her eventual death.

## Worshippers

Typically, worshippers of Parsei have occupations that revolve around work with children. Thus, many caretakers, midwives, and orphanage workers are loyal followers of Parsei. Typically, caretakers and orphanage workers will say a verbal pact binding themselves to protect children at all costs. Due to his domain over youth and vitality, young athletes also pray to the goddess for good health and luck. Physicians and apothecarii also look to Parsei's guidance for the creation of medicine and aid in medical operations.

### Holy Sites

* Mount Sachan: A mountain near Golvel.
* Point Rahazak: The easternmost point of Lerania.

### Orders

* The Asholin: A clerical order located in the Halfling lands that cares for orphaned children and helps with disaster relief.