Sunday, September 17, 2017

Lux Tenebris: Deities of Lore - Part 4

Lukryum is the God of Life and one of the major deities of Lore. He is the progenitor of many of the gods and, according to some myths, all life on Lore. Every culture on Lore honors Lukrym to some degree. His temples and shrines are found everywhere. He has countless worshippers and a large, well-organized priesthood. He is associated with fertility, authority, material and spiritual power. His symbol is a green tree against a golden field. Lukrym is worshipped everywhere, but most fervently by the dragonborn. When he manifests to them, it is as a powerful, golden-scaled dragonborn male.



Meleh is the God of Battle, also known as the Golden Warrior. He is closely allied with Sumet, God of War, and the two are seldom apart. As the God of Battle, Meleh is called upon by fighters of all stripes and creeds to guide their blows and strengthen their arms. He has many temples and his clergy is comprised largely of veteran fighters. His symbol consists of two golden swords with a golden star above them on a blood-red field. When Meleh manifests it is as a warrior-youth armed with twin blades. He is best loved by the elves.

 

Mot is the God of Murder and Betrayal. He is often referred to as the Divine Traitor for allying with the All-Fiend, Sedomo, against Lukrym. Mot has no public temples or shrines and is worshipped in secret. Worship of Mot is illegal in most civilized countries, nevertheless his cult persists. He attracts dark souls to his worship and his name is often invoked by assassins and their employers. Mot has no symbol and when he manifests it is as a handsome male elf with sable hair and golden eyes. All his manifestations bear Sedomo’s brand, marking Mot as his ally.



Neka is the Goddess of Trade and Agreements. She is the daughter of Elleru, Goddess of Earth and the Underworld, and Sumet, God of War. Her name is invoked in courts and marketplaces, by merchants and moneylenders. Her temples are usually found near marketplaces and her priests often act as bankers and witnesses to trade agreements. To a lesser extent, Neka is also involved in diplomacy since trade flourishes during peacetime. Her symbol is two gold coins on a black field. Best-loved by the elves, Neka often manifests as a plain-looking she-elf with long dark hair and a calculating demeanor.




Ralam is the God of Agriculture, sometimes called the Lord of Harvest and Fieldsman. He is the father of Enab, God of Freedom. Ralam is a popular, albeit modest, deity who is the patron of all those who work the earth. His temples are found in rural areas, but his shrines can be found everywhere. His worshippers are farmers, vintners, ploughmen and anyone who works the soil. Ralam’s priests are usually plain-spoken folk with some connection to farming. Ralam’s symbol is a silver scythe on a black field. He is best-loved by the halflings, but has no set physical manifestation.




Rasha is the Goddess of Light, also known as the Sunmother and Moonkeeper. Her daughters are Enla, Goddess of the Sun, and Ratava, Goddess of Pleasure. Rasha is a prominent diety with many temples and a large priesthood. Her temples are always brightly lit and gaily painted. Festivals held in her honor often culminate in the release of floating lanterns into the night sky. Her symbol is a golden winged blade ascending to heaven against a dark blue sky. The Goddess of Light is honored across the globe, in every culture, but she is worshipped most fervently by the elves.





Ratava is the Goddess of Pleasure, also known as the Queen of Sighs and the Mistress of Desire. She is the daughter of Rasha, Goddess of Light, and Redethal, God of Destruction. Ratava is considered the most beautiful of the gods and has many lovers, both mortal and immortal. She has several temples.  Her priests are all exceptionally beautiful. Celebrations held in her name often become wild bachanals of sensual delight. Worship of Ratava is not for the meek and modest. Most cultures acknowledge Ratava in some way, but only the elves truly embrace her, losing themselves in her worship.

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