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--- gods:atena [2024/01/02 21:05] – [Structure and Organization] eliu
+++ gods:atena [2024/05/12 15:27] (current) – quiddlesticks
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-====== At'ena ======
+====== At'ena/Seherine ======
-**//Note: On this page, we use the terms Fact((A Fact is an event or statement that actually happened or is actually true in the history of Jaern, Cahyali, etc. Facts can never contradict and are taken as canonical meta-info for GMs and Players. A PC can never be 100% sure of a Fact, as the divine requires faith in the unprovable.)), Truth((A Truth is what a god themself believes and otherwise purports as truth to the world and their followers. These are indisputable parts of their faith, from which is derived the Dogma and Tenets of their core Church, acting as boundaries between their Church and heresy. Truths are cohesive to a church and the god, but may contradict the truths of other churches and gods.)), and Belief((Beliefs are subjective interpretations of Fact and Truth, personal to each individual. These can match the Truths and Facts presented, or diverge from it completely. Beliefs often conflict as they are entirely subjective. A major enough discrepancy in Belief from Truth will usually lead to schisms or excommunications.)) as key words that signify the in-game and out-of-game veracity of statements. See the attached notes for the definitions of these keywords as they are used and treated here.//**
+**//Note: On this page, we use the terms Fact((A Fact is an event or statement that actually happened or is actually true in the history or meta of Jaern, Cahyali, etc. Facts can never contradict and are taken as canonical meta-info for GMs and Players. A PC can never be 100% sure of a Fact, as the divine requires faith in the unprovable.)), Truth((A Truth is what a god themself believes and otherwise purports as truth to the world and their followers. These are indisputable parts of their faith, from which is derived the Dogma and Tenets of their core Temple, acting as boundaries between their Temple and heresy. Truths are cohesive to a temple and the god, but may contradict the truths of other temples and gods.)), and Belief((Beliefs are subjective interpretations of Fact and Truth, personal to each individual. These can match the Truths and Facts presented, or diverge from it completely. Beliefs often conflict as they are entirely subjective. A major enough discrepancy in Belief from Truth will usually lead to schisms or excommunications.)) as key words that signify the in-game and out-of-game veracity of statements. See the attached notes for the definitions of these keywords as they are used and treated here.//**
 ===== Dogma, Tenets, and Beliefs =====
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 ==== The Sigils and Signs, At'ena Obscura ====
-Before the mantle of At'ena was given to Freya, she was never seen in any andromorphic form. Instead, At’ena manifested herself in thousands of ways through signs and omens. She spoke telepathically or in visions, using puzzles, riddles, and enigmas. In such a way, all signs and omens from At'ena were taken as her aspects.
+Before the mantle of At'ena was given to Freya, she was never seen in any anthropomorphic form. Instead, At’ena manifested herself in thousands of ways through signs and omens. She spoke telepathically or in visions, using puzzles, riddles, and enigmas. In such a way, all signs and omens from At'ena were taken as her aspects.
 In this incarnation, she often used her abilities to make these manifestations subtle and powerful. At’ena appreciated those who craft intricate puzzles and plots, occasionally assisting them in some manner. People who crossed her suffered her greatest wrath: she would reveal the true, unavoidable future for them to play out . . . often to their doom.
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 ==== The One With A Thousand Eyes ====
-When [[history:modernage#the_raze_of_centralia_and_the_one_with_a_thousand_eyes|At'ena was crippled and slain]] by the One With A Thousand Eyes and her power subsumed into it, reality and time ceased to exist for a brief/infinite/instantaneous/neverending period. This, by technicality, made the One With A Thousand Eyes an aspect of At'ena, one that stood contrary to the ideals of her mantle.
+When [[history:jaern:modernage#the_raze_of_centralia_and_the_one_with_a_thousand_eyes|At'ena was crippled and slain]] by the One With A Thousand Eyes and her power subsumed into it, reality and time ceased to exist for a brief / infinite / instantaneous / never-ending period. This, by technicality, made the One With A Thousand Eyes an aspect of At'ena, one that stood contrary to the ideals of her mantle.
 The One With A Thousand Eyes had no "true" form, and instead took whatever form that suited it in the moment. It believed that time and causality were chains that bound it and all others into a pitiful sham of existence, and wanted to free itself and create a world where such things had no meaning. It started a calamity, consuming all existence and reality.
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 ==== The Huntress, Freya ====
+{{  gods:freya.png?300}}
 Freya was originally a member of a pantheon on another plane of existence, one consumed by the One With A Thousand Eyes in its calamity. As a goddess, she held over the domains of war, wisdom, and foresight. She was able to see the hunger of the One With A Thousand Eyes coming for her plane, and worked to try to save it, but could only succeed in escaping the calamity herself as her followers' plane was destroyed.
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 ==== The Starweaver, Seherine ====
-The Starweaver Seherine appears in the form of a young [[settings:cahyali:dahabu|Dahabi]] elf, just at the age of adulthood, with light brown (or sometimes silver) hair, and usually wears what appears to be an elven cloak filled with the colors of the night sky, reflecting stars, moons, and constellations that slowly move across it, a gift from her mother [[gods:rudri|Tenebrius.]] She is commonly depicted and seen with a pouch that glows from the seams with the brightness of the sun, a gift from her father [[gods:ra|Peregrinus]], filled with stars.
+The Starweaver Seherine appears in the form of a young [[settings:cahyali:dahabu|Dahabi]] elf, just at the age of adulthood, with light brown (or sometimes silver) hair, and usually wears what appears to be an elven cloak filled with the colors of the night sky, reflecting stars, moons, and constellations that slowly move across it, a gift from her mother [[gods:rudri|Tenebrus.]] She is commonly depicted and seen with a pouch that glows from the seams with the brightness of the sun, a gift from her father [[gods:ra|Peregrinus]], filled with stars.
 Seherine in this form is the goddess of wisdom and travelers, fate and fortune. She may also be called "Pathstrider" or "Starweaver." She can be mercurial and mischievous, often playing tricks or using riddles and doublespeak to communicate, but isn't manipulative. People often say that she can be found at crossroads or while traveling, especially when one has a burning question or riddling doubt about an upcoming choice or decision. She speaks with these travelers, offers advice in the guise of riddles and analogies, before disappearing without a trace the next day.
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 Some epics and tales depict the Shuibian Dianxia as an immortal that is sent down from the Heavenly Realm (commonly interpreted as the [[settings:planes:celestial|Celestial Planes]]) to defeat evils that arise from the Ghost Realm (debated to be the [[settings:planes:beneath|Beneath]] or [[settings:planes:kurago|Kurago]]), or as a goddess that presents a chosen hero with a divine trial to expose their flaws and fallbacks, and learn from them.
-==== The Everturning Cycle, Tlayahucoatl ====
-According to ancient Zinaparan and Tonatiu legends, Tlayahucoatl is the being that commands the string of fate itself and keeps the world in constant motion. They are represented by a two headed snake moving in a circle as if dancing with itself. Anything that fits within the nature of cycles falls under the domain of Tlayahucoatl, including the dawn and dusk, life and death, and fate itself. In the modern age, worship of Tlayahucoatl has diminished greatly in [[settings:cahyali:splint|Splint]] and is only really observed by natives of Zinaparo. However, the faith is still incredibly strong and influential in [[settings:cahyali:itlanyouali|Itlan-Youali.]]
-It cannot truly be said that Tlayahucoatl is an aspect of At'ena, because it is a singular deity that is indivisible yet composed of and equivalent to multiple Cahyali deities.
 ===== Origins =====
 //Any origin myth of At'ena is taken as// Truth //and/or// Belief//, rather than //Fact//. The factual origin of At’ena is simply unknowable, and any legend or story cannot be proven or confirmed.//
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 === Cahyali - The Sublime Veld (Dahabu, Buyuk Vahsi) ===
-Cahyali believes that Seherine (At'ena) is the goddess of foresight, wisdom, and the moons. Ancient Dahabi myth said that she was created by Peregrinus (Ra) and Tenebrius (Rudri) when Cahyali lay still and unmoving, half of it shrouded in dark and the other emblazed with light. Seherine was given the task to travel the sky and place the constellations, planets, and moons upon the firmament, weaving lines and art across the horizon. However, seeing the unmoving world below, she urged her parents to gift movement to Cahyali, so it could turn and see the beauty she had placed in the sky. From that point on, day and night were no longer permanent and unchanging, and time began to flow in the world. It is said that Seherine and Thoth (Tarus) mark the passage of time, so that it moves in a predictable and ordered way, forming the seasons.
+Cahyali believes that Seherine (At'ena) is the goddess of foresight, wisdom, and the moons. Ancient Dahabi myth said that she was created by Peregrinus (Ra) and Tenebrus (Rudri) when Cahyali lay still and unmoving, half of it shrouded in dark and the other emblazed with light. Seherine was given the task to travel the sky and place the constellations, planets, and moons upon the firmament, weaving lines and art across the horizon. However, seeing the unmoving world below, she urged her parents to gift movement to Cahyali, so it could turn and see the beauty she had placed in the sky. From that point on, day and night were no longer permanent and unchanging, and time began to flow in the world. It is said that Seherine and Thoth (Tarus) mark the passage of time, so that it moves in a predictable and ordered way, forming the seasons.
 === Cahyali - The Abundant Expanse (Ruefang, Raikougan, Ulos) ===
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 Followers of At'ena are known as **At'enites** on [[settings:jaern|Jaern]]. On [[settings:cahyali|Cahyali]], she is known as Seherine, and her priests are called **Seherites**.
-**//This section of the page is split into regional categories. The "Orthodox" church of At'ena (the one that has been most thoroughly described and explored in previous iterations of the// [[:pfc|AQ: Jaern]] //system and world) is presented first, and is most commonly found and practiced on Jaern in the regions of [[settings:jaern:lojem|Lojem]], [[settings:jaern:ageron|Ageron]], and [[settings:jaern:therhine|The Rhine Archipelago]]. If a section doesn't exist, it may be a Work in Progress, and open to suggestion and workshopping. Contact the current At'ena God GM((Goose (@pomereux) as of 1/1/24)) and a Story Board member if you have ideas!//**
+**//This section of the page is split into regional categories. The "Orthodox" temple of At'ena (the one that has been most thoroughly described and explored in previous iterations of the// [[:pfc|AQ: Jaern]] //system and world) is presented first, and is most commonly found and practiced on Jaern in the regions of [[settings:jaern:lojem|Lojem]], [[settings:jaern:ageron|Ageron]], and [[settings:jaern:therhine|The Rhine Archipelago]]. If a section doesn't exist, it may be a Work in Progress, and open to suggestion and workshopping. Contact the current At'ena God GM((Goose (@pomereux) as of 1/1/24)) and a Story Board member if you have ideas!//**
 === Jaern - Lojem, Ageron, and The Rhine ===
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 === Cahyali - The Heartlands (Ley'Ork, Splint, Itlan-Youali) ===
-In Ley'ork, worship and practice of any magic is outlawed, including divine. There is no official church of Seherine in Ley'Ork.
+In Ley'Ork, worship and practice of any magic is outlawed, including divine. There is no official temple of Seherine in Ley'Ork.
-In Splint, they worship a mix of different aspects and beliefs of Seherine, and there is no singular identity and cohesive church. The most popular interpretations are of Seherine Anandi the Fateweaver and of Seherine the Starweaver. Since there is no central order or organization, there are no restrictions on who may become a Seherite priest.
+In Splint, they worship a mix of different aspects and beliefs of Seherine, and there is no singular identity and cohesive temple. The most popular interpretations are of Seherine Anandi the Fateweaver and of Seherine the Starweaver. Since there is no central order or organization, there are no restrictions on who may become a Seherite priest.
-In Itlan-Youali, as well as some parts of Splint occupied predominantly by Zinaparo natives, people worship the deity of Tlayahucoatl, god of cycles. In one sense, Tlayahucoatl is a singular aspect of multiple deities at once, but this belief is deemed heretical by the Tonatiu. The Tlayahucoatl Mysteries state that it is a divine //Truth// that Tlayahucoatl is one being and indivisible into constituent parts((It is //Fact// that Tlayahucoatl is simultaneously one deity and all its constituent deities at once, defying natural intuition. Seherine is one of such deities, and governs the domain of Fate. The other deities within and equivalent to Tlayahucoatl are Peregrinus (Ra), Tenebrius (Rudri), Anpu (Anubis), and Aset (Isis).)). Priests of Tlayahucoatl usually select one or more domains to practice and preside over. Those that concern themselves with the domain of Fate resemble Seherites of other regions and cultures.
+In Itlan-Youali, as well as some parts of Splint occupied predominantly by Zinaparo natives, people worship the deity of [[gods:tlayahucoatl|Tlayahucoatl]], god of cycles. In one sense, Tlayahucoatl is a singular aspect of multiple deities at once, but this belief is deemed heretical by the Tonatiu. The Tlayahucoatl Mysteries state that it is a divine //Truth// that Tlayahucoatl is one being and indivisible into constituent parts. Priests of Tlayahucoatl usually select one or more domains to practice and preside over. Those that concern themselves with the domain of Fate resemble Seherites of other regions and cultures.
 === Cahyali - The Oxis Alliance (Vervand, Arenti, Shinneok) ===
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 === Cahyali - The Pale Reach (Nahrūl, Pthora) ===
+In northern Pthora, worship of any god is outlawed, as the people are expected to venerate their country's leader as a deity and devote their lives to no one else. Nahrūl does not outlaw divine worship, but most Nahrūli devote themselves to worship of [[gods:ra|Peregrinus]] and Seherites are uncommon.
-**WIP Section**
+In southern Pthora, where the reach of the Pthoran government wanes to nothing, the Johtalit indigenous people do practice Seherite worship, in a way. They have no name for Seherine, and call upon her by invoking "spirits of the mind, stars, and wind". Seers of the Johtalit, or shamans, fulfill multiple duties along with divining the future and reading the threads of fate. They may also be healers, teachers, and community leaders. Prospective shamans are raised from a young age to fulfill this position, and engage in a long period of apprenticeship with a tribe's existing shaman.
+On rare occasions, a shaman or shamanic apprentice may be sent out from the tribe on a mission when they divine some great change or calamity for the tribe. The nature of this mission and the journey's distance varies, but many Johtalit seers become adventurers as they seek to fulfill this mission for the future of their tribe.
 ==== Structure and Organization ====
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 A very few are gifted with //The Sight//, a mystical power that allows them to see future events. These **Seers** are secluded at the Convent, and the Readers report their observations to them. When anyone comes seeking advice, the Seers are consulted, for it is believed that At’ena herself supplies these visions of the future.
-With the new tradition from Frøsland, a third section of the At’enite church was founded. After the threat to the Reto’tempo and At’ena herself, the **Gard’okulo**((At’enite adventurers are encouraged to be part of the Gard’okulo, as that allows them freedom to travel the lands of Jaern and beyond.)), or the **Keepers of the Eye**, were created. These At’enites are particularly talented Readers who travel the world of Jaern, looking and reporting omens and signs of greater catastrophe. The Gard’okulo are capable of learning magics that are safely guarded by the At’enite church, capable of powerful divination, manipulation of time, and affecting fate itself. The Gard’okulo usually travel with adventuring parties, the first line of defense against world-ending cataclysms.
+With the new tradition from Frøsland, a third section of the At’enite temple was founded. After the threat to the Reto’tempo and At’ena herself, the **Gard’okulo**((At’enite adventurers are encouraged to be part of the Gard’okulo, as that allows them freedom to travel the lands of Jaern and beyond.)), or the **Keepers of the Eye**, were created. These At’enites are particularly talented Readers who travel the world of Jaern, looking and reporting omens and signs of greater catastrophe. The Gard’okulo are capable of learning magics that are safely guarded by the At’enite temple, capable of powerful divination, manipulation of time, and affecting fate itself. The Gard’okulo usually travel with adventuring parties, the first line of defense against world-ending cataclysms.
 Many servants and civilian employees reside at the Convent and are responsible for the daily tasks to maintain the members in their proper lifestyle.
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 **WIP Section**
-=== Cahyali - Heartlands (Ley'Ork, Splint, Itlan-Youali) ===
+=== Cahyali - The Heartlands (Ley'Ork, Splint, Itlan-Youali) ===
 **WIP Section**
-=== Cahyali - Oxis Alliance (Vervand, Arenti, Shinneok) ===
+=== Cahyali - The Oxis Alliance (Vervand, Arenti, Shinneok) ===
 **WIP Section**
-=== Cahyali - Pale Reach (Nahrūl, Pthora) ===
+=== Cahyali - The Pale Reach (Nahrūl, Pthora) ===
+In the many scattered, often nomadic tribes of southern Pthora's Johtalit, a shaman, an indigenous Seherite, acts as a community leader. They are often just as influential as the tribal chief. The shaman does not necessarily trace their roots back to a high place within the tribe. When it comes time to choose a new shaman apprentice, the old one performs a ritual to see the future and divine which child within the tribe is best suited for the role of the next shaman.
-**WIP Section**
+From then on, the child enters into an apprenticeship, training in duties from reading the future to seeing hidden signs in the present. Duties understood as Seherite are not all they do; a Johtalit shaman usually also fulfills healing duties common to Asetites and teaching roles often assigned to Vormaxians.
 ==== Requirements and Duties ====
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 Additionally, there are those that apply to become a priest of At'ena, and are assigned an apprenticeship.
-From the day they become an apprentice, the prospective At’enite spends their time shadowing and learning from a Reader, who teaches them to recognize signs and omens. Additionally, apprentices are expected to have a good knowledge of history and modern science, taking classes and embarking on studies only rivaled by Tarusian and Vormaxian apprentices. As long as an apprentice remains in good standing with the At'enite Church and makes suitable progress towards their initiation, their room and board, as well as transportation and livelihood, is entirely provided for.
+From the day they become an apprentice, the prospective At’enite spends their time shadowing and learning from a Reader, who teaches them to recognize signs and omens. Additionally, apprentices are expected to have a good knowledge of history and modern science, taking classes and embarking on studies only rivaled by Tarusian and Vormaxian apprentices. As long as an apprentice remains in good standing with the At'enite Temple and makes suitable progress towards their initiation, their room and board, as well as transportation and livelihood, is entirely provided for.
 == Initiation ==
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 === Jaern - Lojem, Ageron, and The Rhine ===
-The primary function the At’enite church provides to the people is covered in Advice, further in this section. The Gard’okulo service the communities they visit by helping forestall, prevent, or warn about catastrophes or calamities.
+The primary function the At’enite Temple provides to the people is covered in Advice, further in this section. The Gard’okulo service the communities they visit by helping forestall, prevent, or warn about catastrophes or calamities.
 With no real pecking order, the Readers and Seers do not advance in any real sense. Often older, more experienced priests are looked to for advice, but it is never binding.
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 While the priests do not conduct worship ceremonies, those people who are truly devout feel a need to donate what they can to maintain the priesthood. Many people who primarily worship another deity may also worship At’ena to gain her favor and luck.
-People often ask a Reader to interpret the signs surrounding an occurrence or an upcoming event. This is usually accompanied by some sort of donation, or gift to the church of At'ena. The Reader interprets the given signs and makes a prediction. The answer the person seeks is most often given as an analogy or parable, leaving the true decision making to the individual.
+People often ask a Reader to interpret the signs surrounding an occurrence or an upcoming event. This is usually accompanied by some sort of donation, or gift to the Temple of At'ena. The Reader interprets the given signs and makes a prediction. The answer the person seeks is most often given as an analogy or parable, leaving the true decision making to the individual.
 For very important questions, people visit the Convent and consult the Seer (most Convents have only one Seer). The Seer is generally hidden by a mask, or by more elaborate means. Seers must accept the question and offering asked, or refuse and give the offering back. If the question is accepted, Seers tend to give more direct answers, and possibly even share visions or prophecies to the asker. However, these visions and prophecies are almost always accompanied by the revealing of a harsh consequence should something favorable come to pass, forcing the asker to weigh the odds and make the decision and take the result, good and bad.