Gods of Aserra

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World of Aserra
Gods of Aserra

Post by World of Aserra » Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:10 am

Gods
The term “god” ends up being a rather hard to define statement. In general, gods are powerful beings that inhabit higher planes and often have a hand in the affairs of mortals, but this can apply to many different beings. In Aserra, this can include the gods of the pantheon, dragons, fae, ascended beings, higher spirits, and others.

All of the gods possess wings, but this is not so much for flight as it is for containing surplus spiritual energy, though the wings can be used for flight as well. The most powerful gods have six wings, while the intermediate gods have four, and lower gods, angels, demons, and other higher beings have two. There are vast differences in power between wing sets, but more wings can be gained by either spiritual ascension or consuming the souls of more powerful gods. Wings for most higher beings appear like bird wings—being plumed with feathers of energy—while demons and other beings associated with darkness may have bat-like wings. Plumed wings may take on many colors aside from the traditional white. These colors often correspond to elements that the god is aligned to.

Gods have a physical body and soul, but exist on higher planes. If their physical body is destroyed, their soul may be reincarnated as soon as possible into a newly conceived higher being of enough mental capacity to be compatible. Eventually, the reincarnation will recall their previous life and often assumes the role as their previous incarnation. They are immortal in the fact the they do not age (at least, after reaching adulthood), but they can succumb to injury. Gods can physically cross into the material plane by manifesting a form in this plane, but killing a god in the physical plane will only destroy the manifested body, not their true form.

Natural Born Gods – The Divine Family
Orran’sulani and Nydoini were both beings of two different races that had evolved to godhood, though Orran’sulani was more powerful than Nydoini. Together, they bore seven children, the elemental gods who then reproduced amongst themselves. While inbreeding is rampant amongst the Divine Family, their genetic complexity makes things we typically associate with inbreeding (deformations, mental retardation, and poor health) a non-issue. However, with each successive generation, spiritual strength declines. Keep in mind that inbreeding amongst the gods is not an uncommon aspect of many of our own pagan religions.

The genetic diversity amongst the gods also allows for greater diversity in appearance as some of the children of Orran’sulani and Nydoini look nothing like them. Nydoini also took to influencing the alignment of her children through rituals and careful timing of conception to astrological periods. Similar practices were used during the conception of many third generation gods.

Orran’sulani and Nydoini’s children were each assigned to an element in utero, starting with Zelan for Air, followed by Maris for Water, Brecha for Earth, Alaezo for Fire, Entra for Life, and finally the twins Idraen for Light and Ispa for Darkness. The next generation of gods were all born from the seven elemental gods, with the exception of Suldra and Belas who were fathered by demon lords, and Casril who was fathered by an Ochae’nafod of the Vulpes clan, and a few others. The fourth generation of gods consists only of the Muses, whom are all daughters of Essan with a number of mothers.

Demi-Gods
Demi, or half-gods, are the offspring of a god and a lower race, most often humans and the elemental races, but also demons and other higher beings. The Goddess of Lust, Suldra, and her half-brother Belas are demi-gods, born of Ispa and demon lord fathers. Casril, the God of Luck, is also a demi-god, born of the Goddess of Life, Entra, and an Ochae’nafod of the Vulpes clan. They are often quite handicapped when it comes to their strength, and they are sometimes half the power of their divine parent. If born to a mortal mother, they may need to ascend to reach their full potential.

Ascended Beings
All sentient beings have the potential for divinity. To ascend, usually one must obtain enlightenment, but it may be granted to lucky individuals as a boon, if they are judged worthy. Ascension is the way through which an individual spiritually evolves to a higher state, and can be achieved in life. However, an ascended being will not fully realize their potential until they leave their mortal body. When an individual ascends as a mortal, their bio-physiology is subtly and slightly altered to accommodate greater spiritual strength (these changes can also be passed down to offspring conceived after the parent’s ascension). They often sprout ethereal wings to act as cells of spiritual power—though these wings can only been seen on higher planes, they are felt by the individual. The seals that separate their soul’s memory from their mortal memories is broken, and they will begin to remember past lives—up to seven lives prior.

Ascension gained through enlightenment often takes a lifetime of devotion to deep introspection and knowledge. Those who wish to chase this dream often cut themselves off from society in monasteries to focus on their spiritual growth. They lead a simple life, dedicated to higher knowledge, cut off from the desires of the flesh, until their goal is obtained. This path is completely optional, and there is no drive but one’s own desire to achieve ascension. To be granted ascension is a rare gift, bestowed by the higher gods. This most often occurs to prophets and individuals of extreme devotion who please their patron god greatly.

After the death of an ascended mortal, their soul will go to the afterlife, but take a place amongst the gods. Since many ascended individuals are about equal to angels in power, they often fall into the ranks of the angels. Enlightened ascendants may often continue their spiritual growth and evolve to higher levels of power. It is possible for a former mortal ascendant to ascend to the level of Orran’sulani and even higher, but it could take an immeasurable amount of time to achieve.

The Fates, Niariss and Uvesa, are ascended Idayn Oracles.

Avatars
Avatars are fragments of the gods, sent to live amongst mortals. To create an avatar, a god will take a small portion of their soul, blend it with a new mortal soul, then chose a newly conceived child with whom to incarnate with this new soul. Avatars will not know of their true identity unless their seals are tampered with by the gods. They serve as a means for gods to experience mortal life, or spread a message amongst their followers. Upon an avatar’s death, they will be reabsorbed into the parent god who will receive all the memories of their avatar.
World of Aserra

The Divine Family

Post by World of Aserra » Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:55 pm

The Divine Family
Orran’sulani and Nydoini were both beings of two different races that had evolved to godhood, though Orran’sulani was more powerful than Nydoini. Together, they bore seven children, the elemental gods who then reproduced amongst themselves. While inbreeding is rampant amongst the Divine Family, their genetic complexity makes things we typically associate with inbreeding (deformations, mental retardation, and poor health) a non-issue. However, with each successive generation, spiritual strength declines. Keep in mind that inbreeding amongst the gods is not an uncommon aspect of many of our own pagan religions.

The genetic diversity amongst the gods also allows for greater diversity in appearance as some of the children of Orran’sulani and Nydoini look nothing like them. Nydoini also took to influencing the alignment of her children through rituals and careful timing of conception to astrological periods. Similar practices were used during the conception of many third generation gods.

Orran’sulani and Nydoini’s children were each assigned to an element in utero, starting with Zelan for Air, followed by Maris for Water, Brecha for Earth, Alaezo for Fire, Entra for Life, and finally the twins Idraen for Light and Ispa for Darkness. The next generation of gods were all born from the seven elemental gods, with the exception of Suldra and Belas who were fathered by demon lords, and Casril who was fathered by an Ochae’nafod of the Vulpes clan, and a few others. The fourth generation of gods consists only of the Muses, whom are all daughters of Essan with a number of mothers.
World of Aserra

The First Generation

Post by World of Aserra » Fri Feb 11, 2011 2:21 pm

The Father and Mother – First Generation Gods
The first generation is only two; Orran’sulani and Nydoini, whom legends say created the universe and brought life to Aserra before bearing seven children. Both perished in the War of the gods.

Orran’sulani – The Father
Often referred to as simply “the Father”, Orran’sulani was the highest figure in Aserra’s pantheon. Not only did he father the first seven gods, but he is credited with the creation of the universe and Aserra itself, though his wife, Nydoini is given the credit for bringing life to the world. Orran’sulani was the first causality of the War of the Gods, slain and consumed by his youngest daughter Ispa in her grasp for power. She gained his spiritual power and memories. He is not worshiped, as the people of Aserra are aware of his death. His youngest son, and Ispa’s twin, Idraen, took his place as the King of the Gods, but Idraen is not actively worshiped by anyone outside the Idayn race, as it is the third generation gods who oversee humanity.

He had a companion in the dragon Asharisan, who was mated to Umossa, a dragon companion to his wife. Over the course of his life, he fathered Zelan, Maris, Brecha, Alaezo, Entra, Idraen, and Ispa.

Orran’sulani was a tall, lean man who carried himself with a graceful composure suiting his position. He had long platinum blonde hair that flowed to the ground, flawless pale skin, and pale blue eyes. His ears were long and tapered, a trait carried over into the elemental races as their original form was in his image. A handsome man who was quick to smile, he is seen as a peaceful and compassionate figure. Six white wings graced his back. Orran’sulani dressed in long silk robes (reminiscent of Japanese fashions) often in white, pale gold, light blue, and light green.

Nydoini – The Mother
The Mother of Aserra, Nydoini, was the wife of Orran’sulani and second to her husband in the pantheon. She is credited with bringing life to Aserra, creating every plant and creature, and humanity itself. Before the War of the Gods, she was the sole goddess to humanity, viewed as not only a mother to the seven elemental gods, but to the world itself. She was the very embodiment of fertility. After the death of her husband at the hands of her youngest daughter, Ispa, Nydoini could not take the grief of Orran’sulani’s death, or of what her daughter had become. She sacrificed herself to Idraen, allowing her son to absorb her soul, giving him her memories and power so that he could stand against Ispa. After her death, humanity lost their goddess, but soon found guidance from her grandchildren, the third generation gods.

Nydoini’s companion dragon was Umossa, whom was mated to Orran’sulani’s dragon, Asharisan. She is mother to Zelan, Maris, Brecha, Alaezo, Entra, Idraen, and Ispa.

Nydoini was a stark contrast to her husband. Where he was pale, she was dark. Where he was thin, she was shapely. Somewhat shorter than Orran’sulani, she had an hourglass figure, suiting her maternal position. Her skin was dark and warm-hued, with a lustrous mane of black curls and dark red-brown eyes. She had six wings, plumed in white with red pinions. Her style of clothing was rather similar to Orran’sulani’s, but she preferred brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows.
World of Aserra

The Second Generation

Post by World of Aserra » Fri Feb 11, 2011 2:23 pm

Seven Elemental Gods – The Second Generation
The children of Orran’sulani and Nydoini, these seven gods each rule over one of Adun’s seven elements; Air, Water, Earth, Fire, Life, Light, and Darkness. Each of them is responsible for the creation of the elemental races and rule over the realms for those elements.

Zelan – God of Air
First born of the second generation, Zelan was aligned with the element of Air. His dominion was granted over the aspects of the Air element, including the spirit Sylph, and the plane of Air, the Whispering Heavens of D’neiw. Bound to him is the dragon Vorkas, aligned with the Air element as well. The Zaedyn race was created by him.

Despite being first born, Zelan is content with his place in the world. He is free-spirited, typical of air elementals, and a goodhearted god. Zelan is a collector of knowledge and a lover before a fighter. He did participate in the war against Ispa, however, as he was greatly affronted by her trickery in impregnating herself with his child.

Zelan has his father’s pale, straight hair—though it is of a silvery-blue hue—and blue eyes. His skin is bronzed, and he has the long, tapered ears of his father. Four silvery-white wings are upon his back.

Zelan was the first of his siblings to father children, choosing his sisters Maris, Entra, and Brecha to bear him four daughters, the Goddesses of the Seasons. Maris bore him Fria, the Goddess of Winter; Entra bore him Areria, the Goddess of Spring; and Brecha bore him twin daughters, Glaeria and Oleiria, Goddesses of Summer and Autumn, respectively. In this endeavor, his sister Ispa was snubbed, though she felt she should be the one to bear the Goddess of Winter. Zelan was reluctant to involve her, and when Brecha proved to be pregnant with twins, he saw no need to include Ispa. Later, Ispa would steal his seed and impregnate herself with Sai’ras, the Goddess of Chaos.

Zelan has a close relationship with his sister Maris, due to the complacent natures of their elements, and for the fact that they are the two oldest. Aside from Fria, they also had Draia, the Goddess of Weather, together. Management of the weather was formerly an aspect overseen by Zelan and Maris together, due to their command of the two dominant weather spirits, but this duty was later passed to Draia. Zelan’s other favored consort amongst his sisters is Entra, whose sweet disposition is agreeable to Air. Aside from Areria, they also had Essan, the God of Knowledge, who is Zelan’s only son.

Zelan also has several grandchildren including all the Muses whom were fathered by Essan, but doubly Tilen, the Muse of Astronomy, whom his daughter Draia bore; Rilyn, the Muse of Comedy bore by Areria; Totela, the Muse of Sculpture bore by Fria; and Mixika, the Muse of Dance bore by Oleiria. Sai’ras gave him a grandson, Juxus, the God of Mischief and Lies, who is a neutral god.

Maris – Goddess of Water
Second born of Orran’sulani and Nydoini, Maris is aligned with the element of Water. Her dominion was granted over all aspects of Water, including the Undine spirit and the plane of Water, The Deep Ocean of Welis. Bound to her is the sea serpent Asimeth. She is also responsible for the Mariel race, but also shares responsibility for the Marfod, a Nafod sub-race originally created by her sister Entra. Nereid and Naiad Nymphs from Entra’s realm also are frequent visitors of Welis. Maris and Entra have the closest sisterhood amongst the seven.

Like a water elemental, Maris generally has a calm and peaceful demeanor, but when provoked her rage is feared even more than Ispa’s. During the War, she dealt the major defeating blow to Ispa, which tore a great chasm across northern Thiskel and created a new mountain range at its end.

Maris has long, wavy blue hair, deep green eyes, and golden tanned skin. Her ears are shorter than Orran’sulani’s, but still long and tapered. On her back are four wings that shift through shades of blue dependent on her emotional state—at peace, her wings are a placid, soothing shade of blue like a pleasant tropical ocean, but when enraged, her wings take on the deep, dark blue of a stormy sea.

Maris has a very intimate relationship with her brother Zelan, considering the fact that they were the first two children and their elements are so akin to each other. When Zelan sought to bring four new goddesses into the world to rule over the seasons, Maris was the first he chose, followed by Entra, and Brecha. His reluctance to involve Ispa was solved when Brecha became pregnant with twins. Maris bore Fria, the Goddess of Winter, a goddess whom Ispa felt she should have borne.

Maris and Zelan also bore Draia, who would inherit their position of masters over Aserra’s weather. They once shared control over the weather, due to the fact that Sylph and Undine are the two elementals involved with it. Maris also obliged Essan, the son of Zelan and Entra, by bearing him one daughter; Kalet, the Muse of History.

Maris has granddaughters amongst the muses as well. Tilen, the Muse of Astronomy, was born to her daughter Draia, and Totela, the Muse of Sculpture, was born to her daughter Fria.

Brecha – Goddess of Earth
Third born to Orran’sulani and Nydoini, Brecha is aligned with the element of Earth. Her dominion is over Gnome, the Earth elemental, and the plane of Earth, the Rock Kingdom of Enos. She is connected to the wyrm Urobolus, and created the Brech’mar in her image.

While not the spiritually strongest of her siblings, Brecha is considered to be the strongest in body and character. Like others aligned to her element, she is steadfast, patient, and loyal. Strongly family oriented, Brecha took to forging close bonds with each of her siblings, even Ispa. Once, Ispa tried to prey on this to try to turn Brecha to her favor before the War, but Brecha’s devotion to the rest of the family won out, though she could not strike a blow on Ispa like Maris did. In the end, Brecha was the one who sank Ageond, though Maris did help control the ensuing damage, feeling as though destroying Ispa’s armies would effectively punish her little sister.

Brecha is the shortest of the seven. She inherited her mother’s hourglass figure, but is toned with muscle, making her stout and sturdy. Earthy in appearance, she has thick, wavy brown hair, red-brown eyes, and bronzed skin. Her ears are small and pointed, more like Nydoini’s ears rather than Orran’sulani’s ears. Upon her back are four golden wings. The Brech’mar often portray her as a warrior goddess, decking her images in armor and bearing a battle axe.

While close to all her siblings, Brecha is not particularly romantic with any of them. She is the closest to Alaezo, seeing him as the most in need of her support. However, she has bore children for both Zelan and Idraen. When Zelan sought to create goddesses to control the seasons, Brecha was the third sister he came to. When she conceived twins, he took that as an opportunity to avoid involving Ispa. Brecha gave birth to Glaeria, the Goddess of Summer, and Oleiria, the Goddess of Autumn. Idraen also sought her as a mother for a child to oppose Sai’ras, the Goddess of Chaos whom Ispa had conceived with Zelan against his will. Brecha bore Idraen’s daughter Acoassa, the Goddess of Order. Brecha also provided Essan, the son of Zelan and Entra, with a daughter to become a muse. Their daughter, Selacy, is the Muse of Invention, and the first of the muses born. Later, Essan returned for an eleventh daughter, Esterr, the Muse of Invention. From Essan’s endeavor, Brecha also has two granddaughter Muses—Hela, Muse of Epic Poetry born to her daughter Acoassa, and Mixika, the Muse of Dance born to her daughter Oleiria.

Alaezo – God of Fire
Fourth born to Orran’sulani and Nydoini, Alaezo is aligned to the element of Fire. His dominion is over Salamander, the fire elemental, and the plane of fire, the Burning Mountains of Magnal. He is bound to the fire dragon Kezho and responsible for the creation of the Asath.

Alaezo is a passionate man, both in love and battle. He had close relations with both Brecha and Ispa as a child, and Ispa preyed on that affection to seduce him, and against his knowledge, conceive her first child, Craeseth. Ispa tried to play on his affection for her in an attempt to turn her to his side, but when she killed their father, she had underestimated his affection for him, and he was turned against her forever. For all the Alaezo’s destructive potential, he is a man ruled by his heart, and Ispa successfully broke it, leaving Alaezo bitter and withdrawn from his siblings.

Alaezo is a handsome, strong man with dark, warm features. He has straight black hair, golden eyes, and bronzed skin. His ears are half the length of his father’s long, tapered ears. Four wings rest upon his back, and much like Maris’, are very expressive, shifting through a range of red, orange, and yellow depending on his emotional state.

Alaezo was tricked into helping Ispa conceive Craeseth, the God of War, and after that and her subsequent betrayal, Alaezo found the idea of having children just to serve a purpose in the pantheon distasteful. He felt that children should be born out of love, not necessity. After the war, his sisters Brecha and Entra provided him comfort, but Entra’s tenderness won his heart, leading to a brief affair that resulted in the conception of Erada. Ironically, born of love, Erada would become the Goddess of Love and oppose her cousin, Suldra, the Goddess of Lust. Alaezo has sought her companionship again from time to time, but has fathered no more children. He is, however, the grandfather of two of Erada’s children. This includes the demi-god Casril whom was conceived when Erada fell in love momentarily with a mortal Ochae’nafod of the Vulpes clan, one of her mother’s peoples; and Reina, the Muse of Song who was fathered by Essan. He also has a great-grandchild in Juxus, who was fathered by Casril in a fling with Sai’ras.

Entra – Goddess of Life
Fifth born to Orran’sulani and Nydoini, Entra is aligned with the element of Life. Her dominion is over the Maze of Dreams and the many races of Fae. She is bonded to the green dragon Sh’Laife, and is the creator of the Nafod races.

Entra is a gentle and compassionate woman, and even during the upheaval of her family, she opposed the conflict. She was at her mother’s side when Nydoini sacrificed herself and provided her power to Idraen. After the war, she nurtured the world to aid in its recovery. She loves her siblings deeply and has unique and close bonds with each of them.

A petite and delicate woman, she is slightly taller than Brecha, but much slimmer. She is fair skinned with vibrant green eyes and long, silken blonde hair. She has Orran’sulani’s long, tapered ears. On her back are four pale green wings. She is remarked to be the most beautiful of all the elemental goddesses.

Despite her delicate frame, Entra has bore the most children out of all her sisters. When Zelan sought to bring four elemental goddesses into the world, Entra was his choice to bear the Goddess of Spring, their daughter Areria. Idraen sought her out to bring a God of Peace into the world, which was their son Saeven. And when Alaezo sank into a deep depression after the War, Entra went to comfort him and ended up having a passionate affair that led to the conception of Erada, the Goddess of Love. Zelan returned again to Entra’s embrace and together they bore Essan, the God of Knowledge. Entra also entertained a romance with an elf in the Maze of Dreams, which led to the conception of Luma, the Guardian of Dreams.

She also has many grandchildren, most being the Muses, all fathered by her son, Essan. Reina, the Muse of Song; Lyrasa, the Muse of Art; and Rilyn, the Muse of Comedy are all doubly her granddaughters as their mothers were her daughters Erada, Luma, and Areria, respectively. Erada has also provided her a grandchild in Casril, the God of Luck, who was fathered by an Ochae’nafod of the Vulpes clan. Juxus is also her great-grandchild, being fathered by Casril in a fling with Sai’ras.

Idraen – God of Light and King of the Gods
The sixth born child of Orran’sulani and Nydoini, the twin of Ispa, Idraen was aligned with the element of Light while his sister was aligned with Darkness in an eternal dichotomy. He was given dominion over the element of light and the nameless spirits that occupy it. Idraen is also bonded to the white dragon Nyusha, and is responsible for the creation of the Idayn. Upon his father’s death, Nydoini chose him to succeed his father before she sacrificed herself to him in order to allow him to gain greater power to combat Ispa.

Idraen is noble and virtuous, but a haunted soul. He and his father were both aligned with Light, and the two had a very close relationship. His death, by the hands of Ispa no less, devastated Idraen. His mother couldn’t bear to live without Orran’sulani, nor to see her own children embattled, so she allowed Idraen to absorb her soul for strength and memories. With her sacrifice, Idraen faced down Ispa, and when he and his siblings defeated her, they bound her to Malbolge so she could not threaten them or the world again. After gaining his mother’s soul, Idraen has gained her memories as well, and carries many secret truths within him that he dare not share with his siblings regarding their mother’s origins and experiences.

Idraen is near identical to his father with the same pale skin, hair, and eyes. His ears are long and tapered as well. Formerly, he had only four white wings, but after he absorbed his mother, he gained a second set to mimic his father further.

He is the unwilling father of Yoma, the Goddess of Death. His sister, Ispa, stole his seed in order to impregnate herself, as she did to Zelan as well. Though Yoma first served her mother, she slipped into neutrality and has built a relationship with Idraen. After the War of the Gods, he sought out his sisters to help him bring forth new gods to oppose Ispa’s children. With Brecha, he fathered Acoassa, the Goddess of Order, to oppose Sai’ras, and with Entra, he fathered Saeven, the God of Peace to oppose Craeseth. Aside from these two, he has chosen not to expand the family further.

Idraen has a grandchild in the Hela, the Muse of Epic Poetry, who was born to his daughter Acoassa and nephew Essan.

Ispa – Goddess of Darkness
Seventh born child to Orran’sulani and Nydoini, twin sister to Idraen, Ispa was aligned to the element of Darkness while her brother was aligned with light in an eternal dichotomy. Her dominion is over the element of Darkness and the Seven Infernal Chambers of Malbolge, as well as Shades, the elusive dark elementals. Ispa is bound to the black dragon Alaas’th, and is responsible for the creation of the Danaij.

Ispa is a small woman, around the same height and build as Entra, with long, straight black hair, pale skin, and red eyes. Her ears were long and tapered like Orran’sulani’s ears. She originally had four black bat-like wings, but after absorbing her father’s soul, she gained a full set of six.

Ever the outcast either due to fear of her alignment, or due to the actual nature of her alignment, dissension was bred in Ispa from her youth onward. Feeling distanced from her family, aside from attempts at friendship from Brecha and Alaezo, Ispa began to plot revenge against all of them. The breaking point was when Zelan endeavored to bring four new goddesses into the world to rule over the seasons. Ispa thought she was ideal choice to birth the Goddess of Winter, but Zelan overlooked her, and when Brecha became pregnant with twins, there was no need to seek Ispa’s assistance. While her three sisters welcomed children into the world, Ispa was left childless. Seeking to remedy this, she turned to Alaezo, the one brother who showed the most affection for her, and easily seduced him in order to conceive Craeseth, the God of War.

After birthing Craeseth in secret, Ispa returned to take what she needed from her other two brothers. She subdued Zelan and Idraen in turn, seeing as they would always spurn her advances, and stole their seed without their knowledge to impregnate herself with later. Zelan would father Sai’ras, the Goddess of Chaos, and Idraen fathered Yoma, the Goddess of Death. Aside from these contributions, Ispa sought to further increase her support with two more offspring; Suldra, the Goddess of Lust fathered by the Demon Lord of Lust and Belas, the God of Corruption, fathered by the Demon Lord of Greed.

After the War of the Gods, Ispa and her children were imprisoned in Malbolge, allowed to do no more than oversee their duties there, and see to the living arrangements of their peoples that managed to survive on the fragment of Ageond, the Forsaken Land. All except for Yoma, who lapsed into neutrality and gained the trust of her father and aunts and uncles.

Ispa has one grandchild in Juxus, who was born to Sai’ras after a fling with Casril, the neutral God of Luck whose curiosity got the best of him. Juxus, like his father, is neutral as well.
World of Aserra

Re: The Divine Family

Post by World of Aserra » Sun Feb 13, 2011 6:16 pm

The Third Generation
The Third Generation gods are children of the seven elemental gods. They are less powerful than previous generations and mostly have two wings. Humans are the predominant worshipers of these gods, but a few individuals have carved out niches as gods of sub-races.

Seasonal Goddesses
The first of the third generation, they were fathered by Zelan, and birthed by Maris, Entra, and Brecha. It was their conception that as well as began the War of the Gods, as Ispa was snubbed by Zelan, both by his reluctance to include her, and the fact that Brecha managed to conceive the twins, Glaeria and Oleiria. While they were present during the War of the Gods, they were cloistered away in the safety of the Maze of Dreams with Entra while the rest of their family battled.

The Seasonal Goddesses are worshiped by humans across temperate Aserra and have temples established to them across northern Thiskel and Kalesten. Each goddess is prayed to as needed by season, mostly by farmers who desire ideal conditions to grow their crops.
  • Fria – Goddess of Winter
    Born to Zelan and Maris, Fria is the Goddess of Winter. Her original purpose was to rule over the Winter months, but her reach expanded to an entirely new sub-element of ice. With her father’s help, a new elemental spirit was born, which she named Lycia. And when the Idayn race spread across the world, one group of pioneers landed on the arctic continent of Athok, Fria’s favored land. She took in the settlers and oversaw their development as a new race, the Aeul’Idayn. Eventually, they abandoned worship of Idraen in favor of Fria, and she took over their reincarnations, granting them the souls of Lycia. Fria has her own sub-plane as the Frozen Fields of Flau, a wintery land where Fria resides in a modest palace of ice and Lycia roam freely.

    Fria has snow-white skin, white hair, and pale blue eyes. She has a tall, willowy frame and long, tapered ears. A pair of white wings grace her back. She has a preference for elaborate white gowns with diamond and crystal accents.

    A rather lonely goddess who spends much of her time in her own realm. While allowed greater privileges than her sister, she seems to lack much of what the other three share. Fria has one daughter in Totela, the Muse of Sculpture. She had a fleeting romance with Essan to conceive her, but it served only the purpose of creating another muse. Totela spends more time with her father than mother.

    Areria – Goddess of Spring
    Daughter of Zelan and Entra, Areria is the Goddess of Spring. She rules over the months of Spring and is often prayed to for an early and abundant Spring every year. Many festivals dedicated to Areria occur around the time snow usually melts and flowers began to bloom.

    Areria looks much like her mother, though taller. She has fair skin, long pale blonde hair that is woven with Spring blooms, and Entra’s vibrant green eyes. Her ears are long and tapered. Upon her back are a pair of pale green wings. Her preferred clothing is long, flowing silken gowns that bare the shoulders, adorned with flowers and vines.

    Areria is quite close to her mother and spends much of her time in the Maze of Dreams with Entra. Glaeria and Oleiria also spend much of their time there, though they often visit their mother in Enos. She has one child, Rilyn, the Muse of Comedy, whom was fathered by Essan.

    Glaeria – Goddess of Summer
    Daughter of Zelan and Brecha, along with her twin sister, Oleiria. Glaeria is the Goddess of Summer. Her favor is curried during the Summer months in hopes of pleasant and bountiful season.

    Glaeria has golden-tan skin, sun-bleached auburn hair, and blue eyes. Her ears are a medium length between Zelan and Brecha’s ear lengths. She has a pair of pale golden wings on her back. In portrayals of her, she is often presented with her long hair pulled up in loosely defined coifs and dressed in lightweight, gauzy gowns with bare feet.

    Glaeria spends much of her time in the Maze of Dreams with Entra to stay close to her sister Areria, but also spends time in the Rock Kingdom of Enos with her mother. She has no children, and is said to have refused to bear Essan one of his muses, though all three of her other sisters agreed. Her rejection led to Essan returning to Brecha to birth Esterr.

    Oleiria – Goddess of Autumn
    Daughter of Zelan and Brecha, along with her twin sister, Glaeria. Oleiria is the Goddess of Autumn and prayed to in the fall months for a bountiful harvest and fair weather. Festivals are commonly held in her honor during the month of Oleiria II.

    Oleiria has fair skin, brown hair, and orange eyes. Her ears are a medium length between Zelan and Brecha’s ear lengths and she has a pair of deep golden colored wings on her back. Oleiria is often represented in art as a slightly plump figure with her long brown hair flowing free and woven with Autumn leaves. Her gowns are more modest and elaborate than Areria or Glaeria’s gowns, and she is typically depicted with a basket of typical foods from the Autumn harvest.

    Oleiria spends her time in the Maze of Dreams with Areria and Glaeria, sometimes returning to the Rock Kingdom of Enos with her twin sister to see their mother, Brecha. She has one child with Essan, Mixika, the Muse of Dance.
Gods of Darkness – Children of Ispa
After the Seasonal Goddesses were first born, Ispa was left childless while her three sisters all welcomed children. Snubbed by Zelan when she felt she should have bore him the Goddess of Winter, Ispa began to plot a war and sought to bear children on her own terms. Her children were all groomed to be her subordinates during the War of the Gods, and they were to sit just beneath her in the pantheon. Three were fathered by her brothers, while two were fathered by demon lords.
  • Craeseth – God of War
    First born of his siblings, Craeseth was fathered by Alaezo when his mother took advantage of her brother’s affection for her. As the God of War, he is fierce and aggressive, worshiped amongst Forsaken Landers who crave conflict. He has three peoples devout to him; the Danaij’vai, a larger, more powerful sub-race of his mother’s Danaij people whom he was allowed to manipulate at the beginning of the War of the Gods. The Forsaken Land Asath, a splinter-group of Asath that managed to survive the cataclysm that befell Ageond and survive on the shores of the Forsaken Land are a second people. As the people of his father, Craeseth bought their loyalty and made it possible for them to continue the use of Fire Elementalism despite their shift to darkness. The third group are the Craetian Vampires. After his sister Yoma abandoned Darkness, she also abandoned the vampires, the race their mother charged her to create. Craeseth and his four other siblings were instructed to break the remaining vampires amongst themselves and create four distinct clans. Craeseth’s clan are larger and more physically powerful than the other three clans, relying on brute strength to capture prey.

    Craeseth is a tall, broad-shouldered and well-muscled man. His black hair is kept short and swept back; his skin is bronzed and his eyes red. His ears are merely pointed, and he has a pair of black plumed wings on his back. In representations of him he is often wearing full plate armor of pure black with red and gold accents.

    Sai’ras – Goddess of Chaos
    Second born to Ispa, Sai’ras was fathered by Zelan without his consent to become the Goddess of Chaos. She revels in lawlessness and the skewing of perceptions. A temperamental and unpredictable goddess, she is somewhat mad, and likes the same traits in her followers. She has a clan of vampires devoted to her, taken in after Yoma abandoned them, known as the Sairians. They are often afflicted with one form of madness or another, but they are also extremely intelligent and more analytical than other clans.

    Sai’ras is near a mirror image of her mother; around the same height with the same slim build, pale skin, black hair, as well as the long tapered ears. Her eyes are unique amongst the gods, however; they have a black sclera, making her eyes look black with only a red ring for the iris. She also has only a single set of black bat-like wings. Sai’ras is often depicted with straight hair grown long enough to sweep the ground and dressed in a short, tattered slip of a gown with bare feet.

    She has one child, born of a brief fling between herself and Casril, the God of Luck—Juxus, the God of Mischief and Lies. Her son, however, chose to become neutral, like his father.

    Yoma – Goddess of Death
    Third born to Ispa, she was fathered by Idraen without his consent to become the Goddess of Death. Her touch is deadly to mortals, and her mother intended to have her help in the slaughter of her enemies. Yoma was also charged with the creation of the Vampires, not so much a race, but an affliction of undeath that allowed for intelligent and powerful undead beings that could turn their victims into their own kind.

    However, Yoma did not agree with her mother’s goals. She was reluctant to involve herself in the War of the Gods, and after Ispa’s defeat, Yoma abandoned her family, and control of the Vampires to win her father’s favor. Idraen accepted Yoma and charged her with attending to the souls of the dead. In this endeavor, she was given command over Reapers, a race of spirits which would do her bidding in harvesting the souls of the dead. Despite Yoma’s dark beginnings, she was embraced by all peoples of Aserra and is prayed to by both followers of Light and Dark to guide lost souls to the afterlife. Yoma spends her time drifting between Zephaer, Malbolge, and the Ethereal plane, always in search of souls that need her.

    Yoma is a tall, willowy woman; beautiful but always sad and distant. Her hair is a pale, lifeless green, but grown long with lank waves. Her skin is as pale and ashen as the dead. The only sign of life to her appearance are her brilliant green eyes. She has pointed ears, unlike both her parents. Upon her back are a pair of gray plumed wings. Originally black, they faded after she abandoned the darkness.

    Suldra – Goddess of Lust
    Fourth born child of Ispa, Suldra was fathered by the Demon Lord of Lust, Arael to become the Goddess of Lust. Suldra is the embodiment of lust; she is depraved in her sexual appetites and insatiable. She takes great joy in both tormenting mortals and bringing them immeasurable pleasure. The Danaij hold her in high regard, especially the nobles who have many perverse rituals dedicated to her. Like her other siblings, she has also taken on a clan of vampires, the Suldrians, the only ones capable of copulation who incorporate seduction and sex into their feeding habits.

    Suldra is a curvaceous and incredibly beautiful woman with a thick mane of wavy black hair, tanned skin, and red eyes. Her demonic heritage is apparent by the small curved horns growing from her brow. She has medium-length tapered ears. On her back is a pair of bat-like wings. Depictions of Suldra dress her in elaborate and revealing clothing with stiletto heels, often wielding a whip.

    Suldra’s insatiable sexual appetite has led to many an affair with her two brothers, Sai’ras, and many demons. However, she is barren, unable to conceive children which is said to frustrate her further.

    Belas – God of Corruption
    Fifth born child of Ispa, Belas was fathered by the Demon Lord of Greed, Nazularuet, he is the God of Corruption. Devious and deceptive, he weaves division and dissent. He is one of the most mobile of Ispa’s children, occasionally worming his way out of imprisonment with his silvered tongue. The Danaij embrace his derisive nature, and he also has a clan of vampires known as Belalians who charm their prey with tactics straight out of his book.

    Incredibly beautiful, Belas is tall, lean, and almost androgynous with a sharp featured face. He has a charming smile, fair skin, and striking golden eyes. His hair is black and grown long, but his father’s blood is apparent by the black raven-like feathers that grown from his temples and meld into his hair. He has pointed, rather than long, ears. On his back are a pair of black plumed wings. Belas is known for have long, talon like fingers with long, sharp black lacquered nails. In depictions of him, he is dressed in black robes fitted to his slim frame that are surprisingly modest.

    Belas is a many of many vices, but most notably, women. He often seeks companionship in his sister Suldra, occasionally Sai’ras, but he also has many affairs with mortals. Very few of these have led to potential demi-gods that could ascend to join the dark pantheon.
Draia – Goddess of Weather
Daughter of Zelan and Maris, Draia took over their shared role in the control of the weather of Aserra. She oversees weather patterns and commands Sylph and Undine spirits when it applies to weather. She is often worshiped alongside the Seasonal Goddesses, and offered small prayers for ideal weather changes immediately, or near immediately. As a result, she often works in conjunction with her Seasonal sisters.

Draia is a tall and lean goddess with minimal curves. She has silvery-blue wavy hair with fair skin and gray eyes. Two wings grace her back, shifting in shades between sky blue and stormy gray depending on her emotional state, much like Maris’ wings. She dresses in long, clinging gowns, often in shades of blue or gray, accented with elaborate jewelry.

She has a ‘workaholic’ nature, rarely spending any time at play. Draia slips between her mother and father’s realms as needed. She interacts with most of her Seasonal sisters only as a necessity, though she does on occasion show some interest in Fria while the other three sisters tend to ignore her outside of duties. Draia has one child fathered by Essan—Tilen, the Muse of Astronomy.

Saeven – God of Peace
Son of Idraen and Entra, Saeven is the God of Peace and direct opposite of Craeseth, the God of War. After the War of the Gods, Idraen felt the need to to counter Ispa’s children’s influence on the world by conceiving of new gods. Saeven and Acoassa were the two children born of this endeavor. There are two schools of thought that follow Saeven; the monks of the Temple of Serenity who believe in total pacifism, and the Peacekeepers who believe that from time to time, one must fight to maintain peace. They preach diplomacy before battle, and when war must be fought, it must be done so honorably.

Saeven is a tall man with a lean, athletic body. Like his father, he is very fair with pale skin, white hair, and gray eyes. His hair is cut short (Caesar cut), revealing his slightly elongated pointed ears. Upon his back are a pair of white wings.

Saeven spends much of his time in Zephaer alongside his father, and has little involvement with his siblings or cousins aside from Acoassa.

Acoassa – Goddess of Order
Daughter of Idraen and Brecha, Acoassa is the Goddess of Order and direct opposite of Sai’ras, the Goddess of Chaos. After the War of the Gods, Idraen felt the need to counter Ispa’s children’s influence on the world by conceiving new gods. Acoassa and Saeven were the two children born of this endeavor. She symbolizes balance and law, but some of her teachings are the most corruptible. Some followers of Acoassa pursue their idea of justice with so much zeal that they create laws to strip people of civil liberties and control every aspect of their lives. Nations throughout Kalesten and Thiskel have churches dedicated to Acoassa which work hand in hand with the lawmakers of their respective nations, acting as courthouses for the nation.

Acoassa is a woman of a sturdy build with a plump hourglass figure. Her hair is brown, her skin fair, and her eyes orange. She has short tapered ears and a pair of golden wings with white tips upon her back. In depictions of her, most commonly in sculpture, Acoassa is represented as a scale, with her arms spread wide and a chain wrapped around her arms and draped across her shoulder while she grips the ends in her hand, both dangling a pair of scales.

Acoassa lives alongside her father and brother Saeven in Zephaer, occasionally making forays into the Rock Kingdom of Enos to spend time with her mother. She has one child, Hela, the Muse of Epic Poetry, fathered by Essan.

Erada – Goddess of Love
Daughter of Alaezo and Ispa, Erada is the Goddess of Love. Alaezo has only ever fathered two children—Craeseth through Ispa’s trickery, and Erada out of love. After what Ispa did to him, Alaezo was disenchanted with the concept of bringing children into the world for a purpose. However, Entra went to him to provide him comfort, leading to a romance that resulted in Erada’s birth. Ironically, she would become best suited to be the Goddess of Love. Erada focuses on romance, with a secondary aspect of fertility. Her teachings embrace love in any form so long as it is love and not lust, though many cultures have their own interpretation of her teachings. Priestesses of Erada often officiate weddings and provide match-making services.

Erada is an incredibly beautiful goddess with a lean and shapely figure. She has luxurious golden blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. Her ears are of a medium length. On her back are a pair of white wings. Depictions of her dress her in white silken robes, with a touch of modesty.

Erada spends much of her time in Zephaer, often making forays into the Maze of Dreams to visit her mother, or the Burning Mountains of Magnal to see her father. She has two children; Casril, the God of Luck, who was conceived from a brief romance with a mortal Ochae’nafod of the Vulpes clan named Chepol; and Reina, the Muse of Song, with Essan.

Luma – Guardian of Dreams
Daughter of Entra and an elf in the Maze of Dreams, Luma is the Goddess, or Guardian, of the Dreamworld. She was raised by her mother amongst the Fae, and is a somewhat obscure goddess as she has little obvious involvement with the rest of the divine royal family. There are no temples founded to her, but she is known in a few cultures which hold dreams of high importance, and is prayed to on occasion. Luma is responsible for protecting the dreams of mortals, which can be accessed through her mother’s realm. Beneath her, she commands a varied ‘knighthood’ of fae who are responsible for protecting the portals to dreams.

Luma is a petite woman of breathtaking beauty, but is remarked to be very innocent, almost child-like in her facial features and behaviour. She inherited the pale features of both her parents, having long platinum blonde hair, fair skin, and pale green eyes. Her ears are tapered and of a moderate length compared to some of her other family members. She is considered to stand only around five-foot two or three inches tall with a rather delicate body, except for an especially ample bosom. She has two wings on her back, plumed in iridescent white. She usually dresses in light colored robes like her mother.

Luma has one child, Lyrasa, the Muse of Art, who was fathered by Essan.

Essan – God of Knowledge
Son of Zelan and Entra, Essan is the God of Knowledge. He is the last child born between the seven elemental gods. Unplanned, he fell into his role much like Erada did hers. His stunning intellect, quick wit, creativity, and whimsical nature earned him the place of the God of Knowledge.

Essan is a handsome man who reminds many of his father, both in looks and airy nature. His hair is long and silver, his skin fair, and his eyes a deep shade of green. He has rather short tapered ears, about a third the length of his parent’s ears, and his back is graced with a pair of silvery plumed wings. In depictions, he dresses in light flowing robes, similar in fashion to Idraen, but less fitted.

Essan began as a muse of sorts himself, but as the world’s population grew, the need for muses stretched beyond his scope, so he set out to create a family of muses beneath him. Seeking out his fellow goddesses, he request that they bear him a daughter to make a muse. Brecha provided him with two daughters, Selacy and Esterr, Acoassa bore him Hela, Erada bore him Reina, Draia gave him Tilen, Luma gave him Lyrasa, Maris bore him Kalet, Areria gave him Rilyn, Fria bore him Totela, and Oleiria gave him Mixika. His daughters Serys and Ibana were born from mortal mothers. With his goal being the children, his romances left some of the mothers of his daughters feeling used and bitter. For this reason, Glaeria turned him down, the only goddess (aside from his mother) who did not participate.

Essan spends his time in Zephaer, occasionally visiting his father or mother in their respective realms, though he keeps his distance from some of his sisters, especially the seasonal goddesses.
World of Aserra

Re: The Divine Family

Post by World of Aserra » Sun Feb 13, 2011 11:11 pm

Fourth Generation Gods
A handful of lesser deities born to the third generation gods. This includes the two neutral gods Casril and his son Juxus, as well as the twelve muses fathered by Essan.

Casril – God of Luck
Son of Erada and Chepol, a member of the Vulpes clan of Ochae’nafod, Casril is a demi-god and the God of Luck. He is neutral, and a bit of a rogue amongst the gods, occasionally dabbling in interactions with the dark gods. He has no real place in Zephaer, but he finds some peace in the Maze of Dreams with his grandmother Entra. He does have quite a following amongst humans where he is heavily worshiped in commerce-centered cities. There are temples erected to him where merchants come and pray for good fortune in their business dealings. He is also highly regarded by thieves and rogues who steal from the very same merchants, a cycle which he finds most amusing.

Casril has roguish good looks, and sharp features reminiscent of a fox. His hair is red and often disheveled. He has gold eyes and tanned skin. His ears are mid-length and he has a pair of red plumed wings. He is shorter than most humans would expect him to be, standing at around 5’6”.

Casril has one child in the pantheon (though likely a number of unascended offspring amongst mortals), Juxus, a neutral god like himself. Juxus was born of a fling between Casril and Sai’ras—an affair Casril would often like to forget, and an upbringing that Juxus would also like to forget.

Juxus – God of Mischief and Lies
Born of a brief fling between Sai’ras, Goddess of Chaos, and Casril, God of Luck Fortune, Juxus is a neutral god, walking a thin line between Light and Darkness. He revels in causing mischief like meddling in relationships, playing pranks on mortals and gods alike, the occasional theft, and taking prayers far too literally. Even so, a few people pray to him for his blessing in their own mischief, and for their own lies to be successful. No temples or shrines are dedicated to Juxus, he is one of the lesser gods that are called on when needed. He also has no place in Zephaer because of his mischief, nor does he care to live with his mother in Malbolge, instead he is a transient entity, floating from plane to plane. Occasionally, he makes a home in the Maze of Dreams with the fae.

Juxus has the roguish good looks of his father, with shaggy black hair that covers his mismatched red and gold eyes (the right being gold and the left being red). His skin has a light tan shade, his ears are long and tapered, and he bears a pair of ashy gray wings on his back, reflecting his neutrality.

Muses
Muses are lesser gods who inspire creativity in mortals. The twelve main muses are all the daughters of Essan, but beneath them they have recruited many other muses from ascended humans, angels, and some of their own children. These lesser muses are not generally mentioned in the whole of the world’s mythology, but they are sometimes mentioned in personal accounts of experiences with them.
  • Selacy - Muse of Invention
    First born daughter of Essan, her mother was Brecha. Selacy rules over the aspect of invention, inspiring men to create new things to make life better. Selacy is tall and slim, with a long, hourglass figure. She has Brecha’s dark skin and brown eyes with Essan’s silver hair. Her ears are only pointed, and she has gold wings.
    Hela - Muse of Epic Poetry
    Second born daughter of Essan, her mother was a Acoassa. Hela rules over the art of epic poetry, one of the first forms of story telling and traditions of oral history. Hela is rather short, with an hourglass figure, and a gentle manner. Her hair is long, wavy, and golden blonde. She has amber colored eyes and lightly tanned skin. She has silvery wings.
    Reina - Muse of Song
    Third born daughter of Essan, her mother was Erada. Reina rules the art of song, lyrics, and the playing of instruments. She is a demure figure, with a mild hourglass figure, long, wavy red hair, lightly tanned skin, and blue eyes. In portrayals of her, she is often represented playing a flute, lute, guitar, or apparently singing. She has pink wings.
    Tilen - Muse of Astronomy
    Fourth born daughter of Essan, her mother was Draia. Tilen rules over the art and science of astronomy, and inspires those who study the stars to understand the effects of celestial bodies on people and the world around them. Tilen is a slight woman with long, straight blue-black hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. She is often represented with a sextant in hand. She has dark blue wings.
    Lyrasa - Muse of Art
    Fifth born daughter of Essan, her mother was Luma. Lyrasa rules over the arts of drawing, sketching, painting, and similar works. She is a short, voluptuous woman with brown hair that is worn in a loose bun with long, curly locks hanging about her face, which often bears a smile in her portrayals. Her eyes are green, and her skin tanned. She is often represented sitting while holding a stack of parchment with a quill in hand and a paintbrush tucked behind her pointed ear. She has pale lavender wings.
    Serys - Muse of Literature
    Sixth born daughter of Essan, her mother was a mortal; an Idayn woman by the name of Yerena. Serys rules over the art of writing, namely creative works. Serys looks much like her Idayn mother, tall and lean with long, straight blonde hair, green eyes, and fair skin. She also has the long, tapered ears of an Idayn and is represented often cradling a book or two in her arms. She has sandy colored wings.
    Ibana - Muse of Spellcraft
    Seventh born daughter of Essan, her mother was a human, one of the first humans to experiment with sorcery, which was why Essan chose her to bear his child. Ibana rules over the art of creating spells, both the incantations, and creativity in the effects desired. Ibana has an average figure, and has dark brown hair, golden eyes, and lightly tanned skin. Her ears are pointed. She has bronze colored wings.
    Kalet - Muse of History
    Eighth born daughter of Essan, her mother was Maris. Kalet rules over the recording of history, and inspires historians to write, follow those who make history, and retell the tales of the past. Kalet has black hair, green eyes, and lightly tanned skin. Her figure is long and lean, and her ears are pointed. She has light blue wings that shift through from light to dark shades with her mood.
    Rilyn - Muse of Comedy
    Ninth born daughter of Essan, her mother was Areria. Rilyn rules over the art of comedy in theatre, literature, music, and nearly all aspects of creativity where humor applies. Rilyn has a mildly plump figure, dark red hair, blue eyes, richly tanned skin, and pointed ears. She is usually portrayed with a jovial expression, and depending on the theatre styles of some cultures, holding a mask with a gleeful expression.
    Totela - Muse of Sculpture
    Tenth born daughter of Essan, her mother was Fria. Totela rules over the art of sculpture. She is a slight woman with silver hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and pointed ears. She is usually portrayed in sculpture, holding a chisel and hammer in either hands. She has silvery-blue wings.
    Esterr - Muse of Metalwork
    Eleventh born daughter of Essan, her mother was Brecha. Esterr rules over the art of metalwork in weapons, architecture, sculpture, and other forms. Esterr resembles her mother quite a bit with her brown hair and eyes, bronzed skin, and pointed ears, but she is notably less muscular, somewhat taller, and often portrayed with a hammer and tongs in hand. She has gold wings.
    Mixika - Muse of Dance
    Twelfth born daughter of Essan, her mother was Oleiria. Mixika rules over the art of dance. She is a beautiful woman with a long, lean build, black hair, orange eyes, and tanned skin. She is usually portrayed in dance wearing flowing robes, barehanded or carrying a tambourine. She has pale gold wings.
World of Aserra

Ascended Gods

Post by World of Aserra » Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:11 pm

Ascended Gods
All sentient beings have the potential for divinity. To ascend, usually one must obtain enlightenment, but it may be granted to lucky individuals as a boon, if they are judged worthy. Ascension is the way through which an individual spiritually evolves to a higher state, and can be achieved in life. However, an ascended being will not fully realize their potential until they leave their mortal body. When an individual ascends as a mortal, their bio-physiology is subtly and slightly altered to accommodate greater spiritual strength (these changes can also be passed down to offspring conceived after the parent’s ascension). They often sprout ethereal wings to act as cells of spiritual power—though these wings can only been seen on higher planes, they are felt by the individual. The seals that separate their soul’s memory from their mortal memories is broken, and they will begin to remember past lives—up to seven lives prior.

Ascension gained through enlightenment often takes a lifetime of devotion to deep introspection and knowledge. Those who wish to chase this dream often cut themselves off from society in monasteries to focus on their spiritual growth. They lead a simple life, dedicated to higher knowledge, cut off from the desires of the flesh, until their goal is obtained. This path is completely optional, and there is no drive but one’s own desire to achieve ascension. To be granted ascension is a rare gift, bestowed by the higher gods. This most often occurs to prophets and individuals of extreme devotion who please their patron god greatly.

After the death of an ascended mortal, their soul will go to the afterlife, but take a place amongst the gods. Since many ascended individuals are about equal to angels in power, they often fall into the ranks of the angels. Enlightened ascendants may often continue their spiritual growth and evolve to higher levels of power. It is possible for a former mortal ascendant to ascend to the level of Orran’sulani and even higher, but it could take an immeasurable amount of time to achieve.

Niariss and Uvesa- The Fates
Two Idayn sisters, both of whom were born Oracles, they were ascended by the will of Idraen to maintain the Fate of Aserra. They were born, lived, and ascended before the War of the Gods. Pleased by their dedication, Idraen chose to ascend them at his mother’s bidding so that they could take over control of Fate, an aspect of life which Nydoini controlled and wished to relinquish mastery of. Ever since, these two have woven the threads of Fate for mortals across Aserra, and provide mortal Oracles with their guidance.

Niariss and Uvesa appear quite similar and uniform to Idayn features. They are both beautiful and slim, with long platinum blond hair, fair skin, blue eyes, and long, tapered ears. Both have white plumed wings. Being both Idayn, and sisters, they look similar, but there are subtle differences between them.

The two Fates have a niche of their own carved out in Zephaer’s palace. They are close to Idraen, but act as servants rather than equals like his siblings.
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