2 Galenar
Title: Life's Champion, The Knight Protector
Associated Phenomenon: Impeccable, spotless grooming (even in the midst of battle), perfect teeth (including divine special effects of a dazzling flash of light accompanied by the sound of a celestial chime when he smiles).
Alignment: LG
Rank: Lesser Deity
Race: Human
Gender: M
Symbol: Pennant (on lance)
Weapon: Lance
Totem: Warhorse
Portfolio: Heroism, Glory, Honor, Chivalry, Shining armor and perfect teeth, early but absolutely spectacular death which will be immortalized by bards in rousing epics, tales and songs that will live on long after the sun has disappeared again in order to comfort and inspire the lost through the long age of cold and darkness to come. Seriously. No really; I'm not joking. Shut up! It's true; they really will!!! Ask Surnest; he promised!
Domains: Glory, Honor, Nobility, Protection
Associated Orders: Most knightly orders, groups that honor fallen veterans
Description: Generally believed to be the brother of Behldamh (primarily because the theory seems to explain so much about him rather than being based upon any supporting evidence,) Galenar is the ultimate stereotypical 'knight in shining armor' (quite literally) to a fault. As extreme and "over the top" as only a divine being can be, Galenar is clearly in it as much for the personal glory as any altruistic motive, but the two really can't be separated within the terms of his ethos. His armor really is always shining, his surcoat perfectly spotless, his hair bright, thick and flowing, his teeth perfect and smile dazzling, and when he really pours it on, bright sparkling stars and planets really (visibly) do orbit around him accompanied by fanfares of symphonic "theme" music and the voices of angelic choirs drowning out all other sound. (It is widely believed that if he and Zhedarhe went into battle as shield mates the world would be rent asunder by the sheer potency of their combined auras. Battles in which priests and paladins of the two have participated in are reported to have manifested an environment of such a surreal quality that allies were subsequently unable to recall events with any clarity at all while most of the surviving foes were driven mad.) He adheres unwaveringly to his code of honor if for no other reason than the fact that his reputation is entirely dependent upon it. This isn't really hypocrisy, he's utterly convinced of all of it; chivalry and glory being two sides of the same coin. To Galenar (and his followers) honor and chivalry are the "highest" principals by which to guide one's conduct in life, from which glory inherently arises essentially as the karmicaly manifest (and therefore by definition, obviously well deserved when it is acquired, being the clearest) indicator and gauge of how well one has lived up to those ideals so far. Personal vanity aside, his values, priorities and absolute fearlessness are unshakable, and his word beyond doubt while his deeds and impeccable courtesy to all remain far above reproach. Where heroic deeds are to be done his followers will be found, sworn to accomplish them or die trying. (Because they will never break this oath, no one, not even the Mercenaries Guild will insure them. His church however will care for their dependents most generously and permit no one to forget the glorious legacy they have inherited while forever remaining completely bewildered as to why so few choose to follow in their footsteps. The rest of the world meanwhile, will remain equally bewildered as to why so many actually do. . .) Those who survive only serve to bolster his reputation further.
Even Surnest has nothing more to say about him than to comment that "Behldamh is clearly the sensible one in the family. . ." and even this is directed more at Nuhveen than Galenar. Beyond that, he can only shake his head in dismay and shrug eloquently. Even so, he can often be found watching Galenar's (or his smarter priests) activities from a safe vantage point because, much to his detractors' inconsolable chagrin, Galenar really is that good at what he does and is the inspiration for many of Surnest's best stories. It must be understood that Galenar and his followers are the clearest direct example in the world of the incredible power of belief to shape one's reality through the agency of Narrative Causality producing synchronicity and ultimately, self-fulfilling prophecy. The sheer magnitude and force of their conviction is so overwhelming as to convince others not only that they really are what they believe themselves to be, but to further inspire others (at times to the surprise and confusion of those others,) to spontaneously act in accordance with the potential for honor and valor which Galenor and his followers are equally convinced are inherent qualities in everyone. e.g., they expect others to keep their word to them and those others usually do - even if they had no intention of doing so at first! Galenar, like his sister, is a very attentive deity and often will bestow his favor on those who strive to live up to his ideals, regardless of whether they actually worship him or another. Signs of his favor manifest in the auras of the deserving in increasingly obvious fashions. Observers at first "would swear they" saw a dazzling flash and heard a chime when his new protege smiled, and as his favor grows their overall appearance begins to change gradually to reflect the image inspiring/inspired by the ideal. What was at first impressions upon the minds of observers eventually becomes quite literally manifest reality - someone whose attention is elsewhere may also hear the sound of a chime and/or see the reflection of a dazzling flash of light when such a chosen hero smiles and turn to see the cause. Those so favored can actually send coded messages in total darkness, as well as broad daylight, as if using a mirror to reflect sunlight simply by smiling repeatedly. In shorter ranges, those who can't see this for some reason can still hear the coded chiming normally. At the point when such a hero is clearly approaching candidacy for investment as an avatar of the Knight Protector the "orchestra behind the backdrop" begins to effect all allies able to hear it as increasingly potent bardic inspirational abilities while the song of the "angelic choir" conveys hir intentions/orders (as well as describing the expected effects of them) as if narrating the action of some epic saga. In it's most legendary manifestations this "aura of imposed reality" even begins to affect opponents negatively as well, causing them to "fall before the heroes might" just like the saga says they do! With Galenar himself then, this certitude manifests as such matters going pretty much as he expects them to, simply because of the sheer force of his certainty that they will. Variance only arises in cases where some equal or greater certainty invested in a different, conflicting reality and outcome is at play, making the "story's outcome" uncertain. It must be understood that this has nothing whatsoever to do with force of desire or will, rather it is a function of absolute and unwavering certainty of belief - something extremely rare in any world. Even the slightest (subjective) indications of Galenar's favor upon the minds of others (functionally speaking, manifestations of the certainty invested in the recipient's own reality, that is - both god and burgeoning hero fully believe the same things about the world,) are very uncommon, much less any greater, objective manifestations of such certitude.
While it is tempting (and widely accepted) to believe that Galenar and his followers are merely pathetically naive fools with no grasp of the harsh, gritty reality of the world (and are just somehow amazingly lucky to have managed to survive this long), many are in fact quite the opposite. While Galenar's ethos requires neither intelligence nor worldly wisdom (and often even seems to defy both,) it doesn't ignore or discard these gifts. There are many within his church who fully recognize the impression which their beliefs and behaviors make upon others regarding their mental capacities, awareness, ingenuity and judgment, etc., and make no attempt to disabuse them of their error. They continue simply to act upon their principals and convictions, evidently completely oblivious to the assumptions and "worldly perspectives" of those around them and appearing equally oblivious of their peer's repeated discomfiture which invariably results when the projections their "worldly wisdom" run counter to what the Templar is already certain of. These effects they observe with quiet amusement as they truly would never dream of behaving so boorishly as to compound another's embarrassment. Hence, much that others assume they don't perceive they are in fact simply too courteous remark upon. While it is not their intent to hide their perspicacity from others, they are well aware of the fact that such is often an additional side effect of the combination of others' assumptions and their own courtesy. Of course, they also realize that the fact that some of their number really are as dumb as posts only serves to reinforce the impression. Clearly as well, some of Galenar's followers and priests may well be smarter than he is. (Most gods would say this is so, Surnest and Behldamh however remain conspicuously undecided on this point and Thelema is both adamant and explicit in stating that the question is irrelevant.) As for Galenar, this really doesn't matter and Surnest finds those in question incredibly fun to watch.
Galenar's church has drawn a surprising number of followers in recent centuries. Some Khurorkh revere him, viewing his ethos in its deeper manifestations as a human parallel to the principal of khürpahkk. More influential has been the acceptance of his ethos among more traveled Rimenosha. While they remain as reluctant as ever to take life, they clearly recognize that his ethos does not in fact promote doing so nor see any greater necessity than there own culture. While those of other races within his church may not fully share their reluctance, they comprehend and respect it fully and the perspective has influenced many to give greater consideration to alternatives to the use of force to accomplish their ends as well as promoting an internal dialog regarding the conflicting roles and forces of violence and courtesy. The outwardly manifest effect they have had upon both the church and the world in which it functions has been to spark the recognition that the concepts of valor and heroism are not in fact dependent upon warfare and combat and that the essential path and goals of championing those in need may be honorably met through the application of a wide variety of skills, often even seeing the necessity of violent recourse as indicative of partial failure (or at the very least a reduction in courtesy). In short, the church (and the world) is beginning to recognize many more ways of "being a hero" than the obvious stereotypes such that many without martial skills or training are beginning to embrace its ethos and objectives, making the church ultimately much more effective. Between these two extremes, this trend is expected to produce a new monastic order within the coming century, a first for this church. The Malenorian Empire as a whole, and in particular the Church of the True Sun, is clearly unsure of how to respond to His slowly growing church. He actually stands against nearly everything from which the Empire shapes its identity, at least in concept. However, since they don't display the fact that the empire consists wholly of the slaves of a single man, and those slaves actually and quite clearly not only accept this situation, but are overall, very supportive of it! So long as Jessanak manages to conceal behind his unparalleled virtuoso spin doctoring the fact that his actual ethos is simply that of tyranny with a healthy dose of the realization that "a happy slave is a content, industrious and loyal slave," he will have no problem. However, the Church of the True Sun has no visible basis to exclude his church from Imperial soil, to do so anyway would cast doubt upon their own reputation and honor. Further, his ethos and that of Melangen are extremely close to each other with only a slight shift of emphasis regarding loyalty and valuation of law and social order over other concerns. And that church, were it separate, would quite likely stand with him in opposition to Jessanak ethos and principals should they be clearly discovered. Unfortunately for the Empire, Galenar's new found and growing popularity is also already manifest quite extensively and strongly in the relations between the clergy of Melangen and Larosha and his own.
4 Hendriszt
Title: Song Master
Associated Phenomenon: Songs of nature, (e.g., bird, coyote, whale, moving wind and water, etc.) essentially the same as Avalyin, but recognized and comprehended in a slightly different fashion and perceived as deliberate expressions.
Alignment: CN
Rank: Demigod
Race: Half-Khurorkh
Gender: M
Symbol: Musical Instrument
Weapon: Rapier
Totem: Lark
Portfolio: Music, Bards, Artistic Mastery
Domains: Art/Beauty, Passion, Charm
Associated Orders: The Collegium, The Followers of the Ways
Description: Undoubtedly the greatest bard to ever live, Haendriss is said to play his lute better with his teeth than anyone else can with their hands. He is also credited (probably correctly) with the invention of the harpsichord and developing from it later (probably incorrectly) the posthumous invention of the Hundred Harmonic Horizontal Hammered Harp (or the Five Hand, which is how many you need to play it like he does. . .) The latter was most likely invented by a Rimenoshan priest of his, Kristoforix Stonepath, who, after inventing music wire actually constructed and played the first instruments to make use of it, casting the iron frame himself in order to handle the unbelievable tension (times 275 strings) which the wire could sustain. In fairness, St. Kristoforix maintained that Hendriszt had shown him the design in a dream when he was struggling to find a way to take full advantage of the wire's physical and concomitant tonal qualities. In emulating him, his clerics seek to master some form of instrumental performance (substituting Perform for Knowledge class skills) and their chosen instrument serves as their holy symbol.
5 Kensoto
Title: Blade Master
Associated Phenomenon:Lightning
Alignment: LN
Rank: Demigod
Race: Half Elf
Gender: F
Symbol: Dbl Weapon
Weapon: any Dbl Weapon
Totem: Weasel
Portfolio: Martial skill and perfection
Domains: Aura, War, Competition
Associated Orders: The Collegium, Followers of the Ways, Mercenaries Guild
Description: The superlative duelist and weapon master, Kensoto is the epitome of single-minded dedication to one's skill. She is credited with the invention of the double sword, creating a weapon capable of supporting her abilities to the fullest. Her clerics train first with staff as acolytes and once they've mastered the basics choose one double weapon which becomes the sole focus of their training thereafter. They receive no further weapon proficiencies, nor are they proficient with any shield. They do receive the same BAB and are able to take the same feats (e.g., weapon specialization) as a fighter with their chosen weapon. Multi-class clerics of Kensoto are forbidden to utilize any other weapons (except for unarmed attacks), but monk/clerics may consider their chosen weapon to be a monk's weapon for purposes of their special monk abilities and typically choose to master a standard monk's weapon anyhow - often longstaff. These dedicated "stickmen" can actually use virtually an form of staff, solid or sectional regardless of whether the sections are attached to each other or separate and used in pairs. A stickman whose staff breaks in half during combat is not severely hampered by this and can continue to fight effectively with the two pieces, although it would certainly constitute more than a mere inconvenience and loss of reach. A pair of nunchaku or escrima sticks (or jo staves), a three sectional staff or solid bo(quarter)staff, long or regular are all simply circumstantial variants of the same weapon (The same cannot really be said of paired longswords vs a double sword or paired axes vs a Bahktang [orc dbl axe]), although individual stickmen show distinct personal preferences, some rather unique in terms of unequal section lengths and/or the amount and weight of chain used to join the sections. Other modifications such as metal bands and studs are employed by some (preference of weight and balance being the more pertinent criteria used) but attachment of blades, spikes, etc. inherently results in a different manner of handling the weapon and ultimately a very different fighting style.
That was too funny. I can just picture them, and it is a hilarious picture that forms.
I take it you're referring to the first of them. It's funny to note that he had started out as simply a rather laughable stereotype produced when a god and his followers take themselves far to seriously. Sort of like Captain Hammer (of Dr. Horrible's. . .) or Captain Amazing in Mystery Men. However, I began to consider that the basic ethos/concept which he carries to such absurd extremes actually is one to which many might aspire, some out of ego, but many more, particularly those *not* born with the social and financial advantages typical for knights in a feudal aristocracy. Hence, if he and his church were willing to accept them, which would swell their numbers, influence and ultimate ability to further their (both literally and adjectively) noble agenda, then the church would eventually discard the class divisions and unspoken requirements which had simply been automatically assumed both by them the world in general and instead actually engage those points of courtesy and respect toward all in their ethos more fully.
Also, and even more fun to play with, I considered what would happen if someone of immense divine power simply by their very nature were in all reality to totally and absolutely buy into the entire image associated with their ideals. Neither he nor his chosen in fact actually spend any conscious effort whatsoever on grooming or accessorizing his environment with those magical effects, anymore than Major Armstrong (Full Metal Alchemist) deliberately makes all those stars twinkle around him when he hits his ultimate really super amazing Armstrong Family secret muscle posing technique. Never the less, every character in the reality of that story actually sees them. In fact, someone impersonating him had to wear a bunch of sparkly stars attached to flexible springs in his shirt pockets to simulate them. Just like Captain Carrot (Pratchet's Discworld), "really is just that way. . ." Galenar believes so totally in the image as being inseparable that the effects manifest spontaneously simply because "that's just what happens when you're a superhero."
In the broader scope, of which the above is just a particular case, the very existence of magic as a fundamental, pervasive and active force of nature in the world implies that it, like all other such forces, displays certain unique patterns of manifestation and activity in the world inherent to its nature. Narrative Causality describes the agent of this manifestation in that, as Joseph Campbell and indigenous peoples everywhere have known, stories have a life off their own which serves to shape our reality. The natural and spontaneous action of magic upon this "life of a story" then causes the effect of a story to shape reality in a much greater, obvious and far more immediate display of its life. Sufficient certainty in the "truth" of a story can actually make the story "come true" and things therefor must happen in a particular fashion simply because "that's how the story goes". All of this is entirely Terry Pratchet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrative_causality) but I'm exploring it as a much more significant, recognized and understood facet of the very gritty nature of reality (or gritty reality of nature, depending on whether you see Dashin and Wu Jai as Good or Neutral). It's very real, and when recognized and understood actually constitutes a form/technique of magical usage on a scope exponentially greater than any of the others. Oddly, both it's most common and it's most powerful effects tend to manifest when it is neither recognized nor understood by those participating in the story! All that is necessary is sufficient conviction, or blind faith if you will, that it's blatantly obvious to even the most casual observer that the effects are simply "how these things work. In these cases whoever has actually prompted the effects, upon perceiving their expectations validated are not surprised by them since they already knew damn well that things couldn't happen in other way. Therefore they likewise have absolutely no clue that they have had any hand at all in causing the outcomes, nor would they believe that such was even possible. Recognizing and understanding this process as being a a law of natural is actually counter productive in attempting to consciously shape and utilize this force to produce a desired outcome. Desire really neither helps nor hinders the process; there's nothing wrong with wanting the story to go as its supposed to. In fact strength/force of desire or will have no effect on the process or outcome at all. The difficulty lies in being aware of the fact that they are consciously and deliberately trying to shape reality along a specific course. Knowing that it is your intent to influence things toward a particular outcome carries with it the awareness that the story *can* go some other way. If it couldn't your belief can no more influence the outcome than your desire or will. In short, you don't need to do anything and there is in fact nothing that you can do anyway. It follows then that if you're trying to influence the outcome then you do not actually have the conviction and certainty that the outcome absolutely must occur regardless of what anyone does. At that point it's extremely difficult to make yourself believe anything which you evidently know isn't really true. As Surnest would say, "Galenar of course is utterly clueless, but he's sweet and we love him anyway" Among dwarven monks and clerics of the Clans of Law this concept has being causing quite a stir over the last century or two in looking at how it relates to their own conceptions of the Great Matrix and the Will of the World.
I'm most intrigued by the idea of a church/religion going through a process of change, development and maturing as they are currently being influenced by outside ideas and incorporating them. The beginnings of a monks order linked to them should be fun to work with