Tarhunz (pronounced tar-HOONZ) is a pantheonic god commonly associated with power, ambition, schemes, and rivalry.
Aserdian pantheon
Eltanin (pronounced el-TAH-nin) is a god of power, ambition, and tyranny, thought to be connected to mortals who would seek to impose their rule over an unwilling populace. Ambitious glory-seekers, assassins, and those consumed by a lust for power commonly worship Eltanin. He is the patron of those that take what they desire by force, those that consider the greatest possession to be strength and the ability to wield it.
There are few temples to Eltanin, and his priesthood almost always act independently of each other - in cases where they do work together, any alliances or pacts inevitably fall apart once one side attempts to gain an upper hand over the other. Devotees of Eltanin frequently engage in secretive plotting when they feel doing so would bring them to power. They never, however, conceal their identities - in their view only the weak are forced to hide, and therefore doing so is one of the greatest possible debasements.
Eltanin is usually given humanoid form in his depictions. He is typically shown dressed in elaborate clothing or armor and holding symbols of strength and leadership, usually a scepter. Sometimes the scepter is shown as having obviously been broken and repaired.
Edicts and anathema
- Edicts
- Seek personal power, take what is rightfully yours, rule others
- Anathema
- Hide your identity, allow others to take credit for your achievements, respect agreements that do not benefit yourself
Chaskan pantheon
Tarhunz (pronounced tar-HOONZ) is the god of power, ambition, schemes, and rivalry. He is the ruthless ruler never content with what he already has, and the schemer who patiently plots for their ascension to power.
Ambitious glory-seekers, assassins, and those consumed by a lust for power commonly worship Tarhunz. Though he is most closely associated with the violently power-hungry, some followers of Tarhunz are considerably more subtle. Ruthless politicians, generals without compunction, and others who seek victory at any cost can all find reason to pray to Tarhunz, at least on occasion.
Even before the creation of the world, Tarhunz coveted the position held by his twin Socharin. As the eldest and strongest, the right of rulership should have belonged to him. He watched as the other gods aligned with Socharin and his plans to create the world, and begrudgingly joined in their activities, attempting to shape the universe to his desires all the same. When Lotan struck out of the primordial waves at Socharin, Tarhunz stood by, but only briefly. Understanding that the death of the other gods and unmaking of the world by the Flood would leave him without the throne he deserved, he aided his brother in pushing the snake back to the deepest waters - but only after Socharin had already been gravely wounded.
For a moment Tarhunz was elated. The role he so coveted was empty, his for the taking - but again, it was stolen from him. Socharin was deemed by Shai to be worthy of resurrection, and in an instant he returned. Pensive and changed, Socharin gave his power over rulership to their sister Harinna. Tarhunz’s jealousy returned, stronger than ever, only now directed at a new rival. As the tales recall, he has plotted against Harinna ever since, driven to find some way to claim his deserved position.
Yet despite his unceasing drive for power, Tarhunz has never let it blind him. Many stories tell of his efforts to aid first Socharin and then Harinna in keeping the great beast Lotan at bay; after all, if the World-Encircler succeeded in his goals, he would soon turn to Tarhunz next. As the stories go, Tarhunz and Harinna continue their eternal fight against Lotan hand in hand, one the sword to the other’s shield.
In following their god’s example, devotees of Tarhunz frequently engage in secretive plotting when they feel doing so would bring them to power. They never, however, conceal their identities - in their view only the weak are forced to hide, and therefore doing so is one of the greatest possible debasements.
Followers of Tarhunz generally eschew formal church structures. Instead, regional temples act and worship independently.
Tarhunz's holy text is Contendings, a work that describes his deserved place among the gods.
Tarhunz is often depicted as a humanoid figure dressed in elaborate clothing or armor accompanied by a pack of hounds. In most renditions of the god he is pictured as possessing symbols of strength: a crown or a ruler's scepter are most typical, but it could also include a lightning bolt or some other item culturally associated with personal power.
Edicts and anathema
- Edicts
- Seek personal power, dethrone your rivals, take what is rightfully yours
- Anathema
- Ignore a challenge or insult, show weakness, deny involvement once your plans have come to fruition, allow others to take credit for your achievements
Khapeshan pantheon
Sutekh (pronounced SOO-tek) is a god of power, ambition, rivalry, deserts, and sandstorms. Though aggressive and evil in his quest to rule the gods, he is not unreasonable, and he plays an important role in keeping Apep at bay. Sutekh aids Harakhte in her cyclical battles against the Serpent, fighting side by side through the night even as he seeks to usurp her position, as despite his own aims he knows there are greater stakes at play.
From his domain of the desert Sutekh always plots for more. The arid lands around Khapesh are so barren, his followers say, as he has already used everything they had in his chase of a greater position than the King of the Red Lands. Sandstorms are said to be brought about by Sutekh's anger, directed towards those that stand in his way.
Sutekh is the patron of the ruthlessly ambitious, those who are willing to cast others aside in their pursuit of personal power, even as his clergy simultaneously teaches the importance of uniting under strong leadership for a common goal. They see no contradiction in seeing the significance of both sides at once. Both the god and his followers seek control, yet what is the purpose in ruling a pile of rubble? For this reason Sutekh is seen far more favorably than Apep or Nakith by devotees of other gods of the Khapeshan pantheon, even if they remain keenly aware that to Sutekh's followers any notions of larger issues are constantly re-evaluated as they wait for a time to strike.
As with other evil deities in the pantheon, Sutekh has no grand temple. Smaller temples can be found with ease, however, as the god is tolerated enough for his followers to be permitted a presence in most large communities.
Sutekh is depicted as a humanoid figure with the head of a sha, spear in one hand and a fistful of sand in the other. In imagery made by his followers he is often shown wearing the same crown possessed by Harakhte, though this is never seen when the god is depicted in the religious artwork of other faiths.
Edicts and anathema
- Edicts
- Seek personal power, take what is rightfully yours, protect your claims
- Anathema
- Allow your ambition to blind you to greater threats, show weakness
Taruhmite pantheon
Tnatrak (pronounced t-NAH-trahk), the Bringer of Rebellion, is a god of strife, deceit, schemes, and unrest within a community or nation. He is perhaps the most subtle of the five, his disfavor taking years if not decades to manifest. Tnatrak works in the shadows, sowing division, jealousy, and discontent as he goes.
Tnatrak works in many ways. Those who anger him may find themselves beset by pretenders to the throne, rule-breakers with no respect for authority, or even active rebels, but his actions may be more subtle too. Through seeds of doubt he breaks down the bonds of trust, causing friends to act against friends, kin against kin, subjects against rulers, not all at once but in a gradually escalating wave. Ultimately, no matter what method he chooses, Tnatrak breaks a community by depriving it of its leadership. With the right twisting Tnatrak can destroy those who anger him without ever revealing his involvement, as they fight amongst themselves and fall to ruin.
Those who interpret Tnatrak's portents often serve as close advisors to Taruhmite monarchs, to an even greater degree than those of other deities, as these leaders rely on the insights of the oracles to stamp out discontent caused by the god. They are powerful political figures in addition to their religious roles, as they must act in both realms to keep Tnatrak's influence at bay. Tnatrakian cults are usually found amongst rebels against the thrones of Harv Taruhm, dissident thinkers, or those who plot to claim power for themselves.
As with other deities of the Taruhmite pantheon, Tnatrak is given no appearance. His omens commonly manifest as inexplicably flickering lights in the tunnels of the mountain-homes of the dwarves, whispers barely out of reach, or thoughts of uncertainty clawing at one's convictions.
Edicts and anathema
- Edicts
- None
- Anathema
- None
Orcish pantheon
Orzakh (pronounced OR-zak) is a god of power, ambition, betrayal, danger-seeking, and self-destruction. He is an aggressive deity who is more than willing to turn on the other divines for his own benefit. The rest of the gods keep nearly as close of a watch on Orzakh as they do on Vemdu, lest he carelessly aid the Devourer in his pursuit of power.
The god has some priests but relatively few temples. Most prayer to Orzakh instead takes place at small shrines, which are often secluded due to widespread negative perceptions against his followers. He is the patron of those that seek glory and power for themselves regardless of the consequences. Followers of Orzakh tend to do so less due to genuine commitment to the god and more out of a belief that he will grant them the strength and opportunities to take what they desire. Those that commit wanton and purposeless acts of violence are thought to be driven to do so by Orzakh.
Orzakh is usually depicted wearing the damaged traditional garb of the leader of a clan or tribe, most often including a cracked fanged crown.
Edicts and anathema
- Edicts
- Seek personal power, take what is rightfully yours, punish those who have wronged you
- Anathema
- Ignore a challenge or insult, show weakness