Age of Orion
The Gods
The Pantheon familiar to D&D, The Gods of the Dawn War, were originally the gods of the world, however they seem to no longer have any influence on this world or answer prayers. There are a multitude of theories, the most accepted is that the Gods assembled their armies and fought till none were left in some sort of Celestial War. It makes for a good story but no one’s quite sure, some simply think that worldly events eventually reached a climax that people stopped putting faith in the gods above and their power faded to Vestige status, powerful being still, but unable to be a source for divine powers. Some say the old gods are stuck still wandering the Astral Sea, and that those who wander the Astral Sea to reach the outer realms may stumble across these old gods. Speculation aside, as time went on, people went back to their beliefs and prayers and eventually they started getting answered. A new set of deities has arisen from worship, some familiar others new.
Rasha (N | Domain: Death)
Rasha while holding dominion over Death, also tends to be revered and worshiped throughout life. Rasha is not responsible for life, but is responsible for it’s end and helping people on its journey. It’s said she gives people sicknesses to help them see something they’ve been missing, those who don’t pay attention may succumb to an early death. Rasha is said to be with worshipers their entire life, as a companion and friend, she’s said to be the most active answerer of prayers, bringing joy with her despite any situation people are in.
Those who pray to Rasha, tend to do so during major life events like births, deaths, coming of age, and for many just daily prayers. Those who Worship Rasha are those seeking to understand life and it’s many travels, to help people go on their way, no matter where it goes to. Rasha is commonly worshiped by adventurers, as life and death are daily business for them.
She is known as the Goddess of Death, Illness, Friendships, Joy, and Journeys. Seen as a stalwart companion through life, she mirrors the age of those she visits, generally taking on the skin tone and mannerisms of those she visits.
Her Symbol is a peach, cut in half, with it’s core exposed. It symbolizes both the beginning and end of life, the fruit rotting away to give the seed a chance to grow.
Minerva (LE | Domain: Knowledge)
Minerva is said to have gained her power by exploiting the secrets of Vecna when the old gods fell from power. To further prove this point, Minerva has dominion over Assassins, Spies, and Parties, leaving many to believe Minerva was originally either a spy or an assassin. She has likely changed as a result of godhood. She guards knowledge with a sharp blade, views the acquisition of knowledge as more valuable than life, appreciates those of great skill, and always seems to have the greatest feasts. No assassin follower of hers would kill during a party nor a faithful spy do business there.
Those who pray to Minerva tend to do so to ready their mind for tests of skill. Those whose jobs rely on skill will pray to Minerva in hopes of having a successful day, not asking for her to solve their problems but hoping she would keep them on their game. Those who Worship Minerva tend to be assassins, artisans or life long learners.
She is known as the Goddess of Knowledge, Assassins, Spies, Parties, and Skill. Seen as a tiefling woman who looks to be twenty, she’s seen wearing either an assassin’s black cloak and garb with a single black painted dagger, or a nobles silken dress with a drink in one hand and a scroll in the other.
Her Symbols are numerous, but the primary is simply an open book with a bookmark across the left page, and a dagger on the right. Many assassins have daggers with just a open book and bookmark pressed on the blade or hilt.
The Patron (CG | Domain: Life)
See The Patron
See Artisanism
The Patron was originally a Demigod who wandered the world is search of stories, theater, and other art. The Patron takes people as “Muses” and tends to add a little extra excitement to their life. During his time wandering he eventually broke with his ideals of non-interference and sacrificed himself in order to help the world. Gone from the world, there were those who knew of The Patrons deeds and set to build a shrine in his honor. There were those who prayed to him even during the Astral War, but after the war The Patron gained a large number of followers.
Those who pray to The Patron tend to do so before major life events, before or during the creation of art, and for those who are dying. Those who worship The Patron seek to tell the story of life itself, in doing so they glorify his life and teachings.
He now is known as The Patron of Life, Muses, and the Arts. Seen as a theater goer, male, tall, pale skinned, probably in his thirties, wearing lavish clothing, and a nice cloak.
His Symbol is the dual masks of comedy and tragedy.
Mayuri (LG | Domain: Light)
Mayuri wanted to rule the world with her brother Cernos the god of Nature. However having reformed the earth he believed himself the rightful ruler, and the two fought. The conflict ended with Mayuri losing her left eye, it fell amongst the stars, her brother saw what he had done and let Mayuri watch over his work. Mayuri’s lost eye became the second Moon, it’s light dimmed in comparison to Mayuri’s light, the lost eye is her watching over the world, while Mayuri’s other eye the sun, shining bright in hopes of finding her lost eye. Eclipses of the second moon are considered divine omens from Mayuri.
“A crown does not a king make. A heart does a king make. A king must have his heart open for all, giving hope for a better tomorrow. Hope is not a dream, it is the way of transforming dreams into reality. Should the king open himself to others, the secret within the crown will open before him as well.”
Those who pray to Mayuri tends to be those on watch, she’s also prayed to by most people as she’s responsible for the sun’s rising and setting. Those who worship Mayuri do so usually out of respect for the Goddess’s loss and vigilance, they’re people who like watching over others to protect them.
She is known as The Goddess of Light, Vigilance, Fire, The Moon, and The Sun. Seen as a beautiful woman, skin the color of the sun, long white hair, well toned muscles, her left eye missing, clothed only in cloth the shade of the moon that wraps from her left leg up and around her body, clothing her completely, ending at her right hand.
Her Symbol is the sun and two moons above it, the sun standing for her brilliant light and the two moons her unblinking watch.
Cernos (CN | Domain: Nature)
Cernos reformed the land when he reached godhood, and his sister Mayuri wished to watch over these new lands, but Cernos was selfish and fought his sister, accidently causing the loss of her left eye. So ashamed he turned himself into a Thunder Lizard and now wanders the world he remolded. Cernos created the Dinosaurs, they’re new to the world. The Thunder Chasers competitive sport is seen somewhat as a devotional to Cernos, prayers are offered up before matches for both guidance in the competition and thanks for the creation of these beasts.
Those who pray to Cernos usually do so before venturing out into the wild, go hunting, or farmers planting crops. Those who worship Cernos tend to be farmers, hunters, rangers and druids, anyone who revers nature’s balance.
He is known as the God of Nature, Animals, and Plants. Seen as either a wild animal, usually a Raptor, T-Rex, or a Spinosaurus; or as a young shifter with skin the color of soil, short knotted leaf green hair, wearing a loin cloth, toned but not muscular, wielding a staff which is covered in green leaves and vines.
His Symbol is a tree with no leaves and five branches, one which burns (symbolizing fire), one which drips (symbolizing water), one which grows (symbolizing earth), one which sways (symbolizing the winds), and one that bears fruit (symbolizing life).
Zotal (CE | Domain: Tempest)
Zotal brought the new storms to the world. The great sand storms that devoured the old Eastern Kingdom, and allowed it’s rebirth. The great storms at sea which occasionally disrupt the great nations trade. Zotal is known as the god of both Love and Anger, sometimes referred to as the god of strong emotion. Love and Anger both like a storm, powerful emotions that tend to blind those feeling either.
Those who pray to Zotal usually are farmers, fishermen, or sailors wishing for good rainfall, or calm seas. Others pray to Zotal when they find people they like or dislike for different reasons. Those who worship Zotal usually pick either Anger or Love, those who are old practitioners have found and accepted that both are different sides of the same coin.
He is known as The God of Storms, Vengeance, Dedication, Love, Anger, and the Sea. Seen as a warm skinned dwarf who looks to be twenty, clothed only in Seaweed shorts, bald, no facial hair, lean and muscular but not muscle bound, eyes a striking blue and yellow.
His Symbol is Lightning striking waves.
The Shadow (NE | Domain: Trickery)
A being without gender, simply referred to as The Shadow or The Trickster. The Shadow is said to have been a Demigod or Titan before ascending to godhood. Supposedly the shadows of the old gods themselves fused together to create The Shadow. The Deity itself lives in duality, while it enjoys tricking others and simply joys, it’s true passion is helping people accept their true selves, not just the part of themselves they wish to be. This either breaks people or makes them whole, the Shadow doesn’t care which result occurs, simply that it’s work is done.
Those who worship The Shadow, seek to find balance within themselves, they understand that we trick ourselves into believing we are what we make ourselves. There is the other side of us that we seek to ignore, things that define us that we do not like, that is The Shadow.
They are known as the Deity of Trickery, Balance, Duality, The Shadow. Seen simply as a shadow, no true form just takes the form of the shadow of those who The Shadow speaks with.
Their Symbol is two person shaped outlines. The symbol stands for the duality of mortals.
Vöris (LN | Domain: War)
Vöris is a goddess of hard justice and honor. She is said to be the force that united Orion, out of the flames of war between Nox and Stahlwacht. Orion was originally a land unsettled, it lay between Nox and Stahlwacht, and when the two went to war, supply stations and outposts were set up. As the war ended there were those who had fallen in love with the land and did not return home, unity of these stations and outposts came through Vöris. Prayers were heard from those people, and Vöris spoke to Orion telling him to unify the land with displays of skill, honor, and upholding justice in this lawless land. She guided Orion’s arrow when Nox came to try and conquer the weak band of towns, and in that defiance a nation was born.
Those who pray to Vöris tend to seek justice for wrongs against them, or seek atonement for wrongs they’ve done to others. Other still pray when they head off to fight, soldiers always leave a prayer to Vöris. Those who worship her tend to strongly believe in justice, cooperation, and hope to uphold those ideals, most civic meetings start with a prayer to her.
She is known as The Goddess of War, Cooperation, Civilization, Justice, and Honor. Seen as a dark skinned woman, with a long blonde ponytail, clad in plate mail wielding a longsword and metal shield with her crest on it.
Her Symbol is a scale with a blade on one side and a fire on the other. The scale stands for balance, the flame symbolizes civilization, and the sword for war, both must be in balance.