(Created page with "{{DeityInfobox |name = Ezun |title = Bear-Who-Is-King |image = |type = Local faith |adjectives = |plane = |alignment = |areas_of_concern = Metalworking, warfare, captive-taking, rulership |worshipers = Hobgoblins of Akatzar |cleric_alignments = {{Alignment grid | off | off | on | off | on | on | off | off | on }} |domains = Might, Tyranny, Zeal |divine_font = Heal or Harm |divine_skill = Survival |divine_ability = Strength or Intelligence |favored_weap...") |
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{{DeityInfobox | {{DeityInfobox | ||
|name = Ezun | |name = Ezun | ||
| | |titles = Bear-Who-Is-King | ||
|image = | |image = | ||
|type = Local faith | |type = Local faith | ||
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|sacred_colors = Silver and black | |sacred_colors = Silver and black | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Ezun''' {{Pronunciation|EH-zoon}}, or the '''Bear-Who-Is-King''', is a deity worshiped by the [[hobgoblin|hobgoblins]] of [[Akatzar | '''Ezun''' {{Pronunciation|EH-zoon}}, or the '''Bear-Who-Is-King''', is a deity worshiped by the [[hobgoblin|hobgoblins]] of [[Akatzar]] in the southern [[Stormlands]]. Ezun acts directly through his mortal avatars, of which only one exists at any given time. These avatars are invariably particularly strong and cunning leaders of the hobgoblin tribes, who go to great lengths to prove their status in war. | ||
== Edicts and anathema == | == Edicts and anathema == | ||
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== Beliefs and followers == | == Beliefs and followers == | ||
Ezun first appeared to the hobgoblins of Akatzar millennia ago when he crossed over the western mountains and into their steppe. Initially they did not recognize him as a god, merely as a large bear, and therefore they fought to drive him back across the snowy peaks, yet this was in vain. Ezun slew those who challenged him without effort, and the hobgoblins retreated. But Ezun had ambitions and saw in the Akatzari a route towards them. Finding their armor and weapons lacking, and unsuitable for his large form regardless, the god forged his own, then quickly put them to use. He captured his hobgoblin tormentors, seeking the strongest amongst them and elevating them to generals under him to lead their kin, and through this marshaling together tribes out of the scattered and fragmented bands of the steppe. Ezun taught them his ways, and taught them well, for soon the hobgoblins themselves had ambitions that equaled that of the god. One from amongst his generals, through strength and trickery, slew Ezun, and slew him nine times more. Each time the god returned, until the tenth time he tired of the game. Proclaiming the general to be his avatar within the ranks of mortals, he faded back into the snow of the mountains, where he now watches his faithful from a distance. | |||
At the center of Ezun's faith is their avatar, a figure who is simultaneously a mortal and the god. There can only be one avatar at any given time, though there are typically many claimants, all of whom attempt to prove their legitimacy through combat with each other, in direct duels sometimes but more commonly through leading their tribes to war. Should a powerful avatar succeed in their show of strength, however, they are capable of uniting the warring tribes, a prospect always feared by the neighbors of Akatzar and those living under the hobgoblins' rule. In all the millennia of Ezun's worship only four avatars have ever even briefly held the title uncontested. | As a god of warfare, Ezun commands those who worship him to follow his avatar into battle, bringing in line those who have allied with false exemplars and subjugating the unfaithful. The god's followers prove their devotion through emulation - they craft their own armor, take captives in battle, and fight their way into positions of leadership, just as Ezun did when he brought together the hobgoblins of the Stormlands into tribes for the first time. This hostage-taking in particular is often both ritual and practical. Nearly all who are captured are ransomed back to their tribes, and therefore provide a method of acquiring wealth and prestige, but it is no less a demonstration of faith, especially when targeting those who are said to be in Ezun's high favor. | ||
At the center of Ezun's faith is their avatar, a figure who is simultaneously a mortal and the god incarnate. There can only be one avatar at any given time, though there are typically many claimants, all of whom attempt to prove their legitimacy through combat with each other, in direct duels sometimes but more commonly through leading their tribes to war. Should a powerful avatar succeed in their show of strength, however, they are capable of uniting the warring tribes, a prospect always feared by the neighbors of Akatzar and those living under the hobgoblins' rule. In all the millennia of Ezun's worship only four avatars have ever even briefly held the title uncontested. | |||
Warfare waged in Ezun's name is highly ritualized. Participants attempt to capture each other, or else to inflict injuries that will lead lasting scars, but not to kill or maim. It is in part this avoidance of the worst violence that allows his faithful to continue their worship without reducing their numbers or excessively weakening themselves. | Warfare waged in Ezun's name is highly ritualized. Participants attempt to capture each other, or else to inflict injuries that will lead lasting scars, but not to kill or maim. It is in part this avoidance of the worst violence that allows his faithful to continue their worship without reducing their numbers or excessively weakening themselves. | ||
Ezun is typically pictured as a four-horned bear clad in burnished metal armor. Depictions of the god directly are rare, however, as any imagery is more often of the current avatar, though the avatar | Ezun is typically pictured as a large, four-horned bear clad in burnished metal armor. Depictions of the god directly are rare, however, as any imagery is more often of the current avatar, though the avatar invariably fashions themself and wears a helmet and armor reminiscent of that of Ezun. Capture and destruction of these helmets are critically important to disproving an avatar's claims of divinity. | ||
{{Deities}} | {{Deities}} | ||
Latest revision as of 18:48, 6 December 2024
Ezun (pronounced EH-zoon), or the Bear-Who-Is-King, is a deity worshiped by the hobgoblins of Akatzar in the southern Stormlands. Ezun acts directly through his mortal avatars, of which only one exists at any given time. These avatars are invariably particularly strong and cunning leaders of the hobgoblin tribes, who go to great lengths to prove their status in war.
Edicts and anathema
- Edicts
- Take captives in battle, forge your own weapons and armor, prove your superiority in combat and in command of other fighters
- Anathema
- Appear in public without wearing armor, kill a bear unnecessarily, return from war empty-handed
Beliefs and followers
Ezun first appeared to the hobgoblins of Akatzar millennia ago when he crossed over the western mountains and into their steppe. Initially they did not recognize him as a god, merely as a large bear, and therefore they fought to drive him back across the snowy peaks, yet this was in vain. Ezun slew those who challenged him without effort, and the hobgoblins retreated. But Ezun had ambitions and saw in the Akatzari a route towards them. Finding their armor and weapons lacking, and unsuitable for his large form regardless, the god forged his own, then quickly put them to use. He captured his hobgoblin tormentors, seeking the strongest amongst them and elevating them to generals under him to lead their kin, and through this marshaling together tribes out of the scattered and fragmented bands of the steppe. Ezun taught them his ways, and taught them well, for soon the hobgoblins themselves had ambitions that equaled that of the god. One from amongst his generals, through strength and trickery, slew Ezun, and slew him nine times more. Each time the god returned, until the tenth time he tired of the game. Proclaiming the general to be his avatar within the ranks of mortals, he faded back into the snow of the mountains, where he now watches his faithful from a distance.
As a god of warfare, Ezun commands those who worship him to follow his avatar into battle, bringing in line those who have allied with false exemplars and subjugating the unfaithful. The god's followers prove their devotion through emulation - they craft their own armor, take captives in battle, and fight their way into positions of leadership, just as Ezun did when he brought together the hobgoblins of the Stormlands into tribes for the first time. This hostage-taking in particular is often both ritual and practical. Nearly all who are captured are ransomed back to their tribes, and therefore provide a method of acquiring wealth and prestige, but it is no less a demonstration of faith, especially when targeting those who are said to be in Ezun's high favor.
At the center of Ezun's faith is their avatar, a figure who is simultaneously a mortal and the god incarnate. There can only be one avatar at any given time, though there are typically many claimants, all of whom attempt to prove their legitimacy through combat with each other, in direct duels sometimes but more commonly through leading their tribes to war. Should a powerful avatar succeed in their show of strength, however, they are capable of uniting the warring tribes, a prospect always feared by the neighbors of Akatzar and those living under the hobgoblins' rule. In all the millennia of Ezun's worship only four avatars have ever even briefly held the title uncontested.
Warfare waged in Ezun's name is highly ritualized. Participants attempt to capture each other, or else to inflict injuries that will lead lasting scars, but not to kill or maim. It is in part this avoidance of the worst violence that allows his faithful to continue their worship without reducing their numbers or excessively weakening themselves.
Ezun is typically pictured as a large, four-horned bear clad in burnished metal armor. Depictions of the god directly are rare, however, as any imagery is more often of the current avatar, though the avatar invariably fashions themself and wears a helmet and armor reminiscent of that of Ezun. Capture and destruction of these helmets are critically important to disproving an avatar's claims of divinity.