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|pantheon = [[Abanir pantheon]] | |pantheon = [[Abanir pantheon]] | ||
|adjectives = Malavischan | |adjectives = Malavischan | ||
|alignment = Lawful evil | |alignment = Lawful evil | ||
|areas_of_concern = Retribution, punishment, schemes, order, hunger | |areas_of_concern = Retribution, punishment, schemes, order, hunger | ||
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|pantheon = [[Aserdian pantheon]] | |pantheon = [[Aserdian pantheon]] | ||
|adjectives = Malavischan | |adjectives = Malavischan | ||
|alignment = Lawful evil | |alignment = Lawful evil | ||
|areas_of_concern = Beauty, vanity, contracts, false bargains | |areas_of_concern = Beauty, vanity, contracts, false bargains | ||
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|image = | |image = | ||
|titles = | |titles = | ||
* Author of Contracts | * Author of Contracts | ||
|type = Pantheonic deity | |type = Pantheonic deity | ||
|pantheon = [[Malavisch pantheon]] | |pantheon = [[Malavisch pantheon]] | ||
|adjectives = Malavischan | |adjectives = Malavischan | ||
|alignment = Lawful evil | |alignment = Lawful evil | ||
|areas_of_concern = Tyranny, law, vanity, contracts | |areas_of_concern = Tyranny, law, vanity, contracts | ||
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Malavisch's holy text is the ''Transcript of Malavisch v. Agents of Lawlessness''. Written as a transcript of a mock trial between Malavisch and a series of unnamed enemies, this lengthy text is usually published as a set of thirty tree hefty tomes. In the trial, Malavisch systematically undermines and disproves the arguments of his opponents, while simultaneously demonstrating the superiority of his own ways. Among Malavisch's faithful, the ''Transcript'' is often read to give guidance on how to approach legal matters, and particularly on how to argue a case in a court. | Malavisch's holy text is the ''Transcript of Malavisch v. Agents of Lawlessness''. Written as a transcript of a mock trial between Malavisch and a series of unnamed enemies, this lengthy text is usually published as a set of thirty tree hefty tomes. In the trial, Malavisch systematically undermines and disproves the arguments of his opponents, while simultaneously demonstrating the superiority of his own ways. Among Malavisch's faithful, the ''Transcript'' is often read to give guidance on how to approach legal matters, and particularly on how to argue a case in a court. | ||
Malavisch is often depicted as a humanoid figure with four ram's heads - one looking forward, one behind, and one each to the right and left. In some simpler representations, he is pictured as a humanoid man with two spiral goat horns. Malavisch is always portrayed as having a calm demeanor and wearing fine clothes, often with his left hand raised to his chest, palm facing out, holding a scroll containing a contract in the other. | Malavisch is often depicted as a humanoid figure with four ram's heads - one looking forward, one behind, and one each to the right and left. In some simpler representations, he is pictured as a humanoid man with two spiral goat horns. Malavisch is always portrayed as having a calm demeanor and wearing fine clothes, often with his left hand raised to his chest, palm facing out, holding a scroll containing a contract in the other. | ||
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|pantheon = [[Hellean pantheon]] | |pantheon = [[Hellean pantheon]] | ||
|adjectives = Malavischan | |adjectives = Malavischan | ||
|alignment = Lawful evil | |alignment = Lawful evil | ||
|areas_of_concern = Punishment, strength, war, schemes, greed | |areas_of_concern = Punishment, strength, war, schemes, greed | ||
Revision as of 02:25, 30 October 2023
Malavisch (pronounced MAH-lah-vish) a pantheonic deity commonly associated with tyranny, law, vanity, and contracts.
Abanir pantheon
Despite the strictness of his commands, however, Mhakan is not seen as tyrannical or evil purely for its own sake. Rather, he and those that worship him are willing to take harsh actions in pursuit of greater goals, as to them the consequences of their means are of considerably less concern than achieving their objectives. Theologically, Mhakan is the ultimate defender against evil spirits, as long as one is willing to make the necessary sacrifices he orders. In the mortal realm, the god is often followed by those whose ambitions and aims drive them single-mindedly forward.
Mhakan is often depicted as a fox.
Edicts and anathema
- Edicts
- Offer sacrifices to Mhakan, pursue your goals single-mindedly towards their fruition, defeat evil spirits, take revenge on those who have wronged you
- Anathema
- Halt your ambitions due to the objections of others, allow your foes to escape
Aserdian pantheon
Mothallah is perhaps the only god of the Aserdian pantheon that is thought to be cosmologically dangerous. Through offering immortality to mortals, his designs would interrupt the cycles of death and rebirth that drive the world, causing untold yet doubtless catastrophic consequences. Making peace with one's mortality is seen as a way to drive Mothallah away from the material world, allowing it to continue to grow and shift without remaining stagnant.
Temples and shrines to Mothallah are usually located in out of the way places, in secluded locales where his faithful can worship without drawing attention to their practices from those that fear the consequences.
In the Aserdian pantheon Mothallah is always pictured in a mundane manner, simply as a well-dressed figure displaying obvious personal wealth. Other parts of his portrayal are shared across pantheons, however. For example, Mothallah is frequently imagined with his left hand raised to his chest, palm facing out, holding a scroll containing a contract in the other.
Edicts and anathema
- Edicts
- Seek methods of extending your life, put great care into your appearance, enter into agreements that subtly benefit yourself
- Anathema
- Tolerate slovenly behavior, give away your wealth or possessions, accept your mortality
Chaskan pantheon
The god embodies the rule of law. Codes, contracts, and the subjugation of the weaker under the stronger are of central importance to his faith. He teaches that all have a place in the natural order of things, and that the best action any can take is to find and remain in that place, in order to not invite further chaos into the world. Even as Malavisch's faithful understand they must pay deference to their superiors, they often continue to subtly attempt to undermine those above them, following the example of their god. After all, if one can be weakened or overthrown then surely they never deserved their position to begin with - insubordination is only an infraction if it fails.
Most of Malavisch's followers are those that already possess some degree of power. Despots, bureaucrats, and merchants are among his most fervent worshipers, as are others whose lives are tightly intertwined with legal codes. Neither Malavisch nor his faithful are trusted by most, even among those that worship the god. It is well-understood that even if they abide by terms to which they agreed, they will doubtless find ways to warp any contract to their advantage, if it wasn’t already written to be entirely in their favor in some subtle manner.
Malavisch was always a deceitful deity, but he did not originally hold his current status amongst the divines. As the first creation was coming into form, Malavisch cleverly negotiated a contract with the god whose domains he now possesses, now known only as the Fallen as his name has been lost to history. Malavisch would become the servant of the Fallen, agreeing to act as his arbiter and deputy to oversee the newly-created inhabitants of the universe in exchange for inheriting the Fallen's domains upon his death. Of course, the Fallen agreed - he was divine, and he believed he could not die in any way that mattered. But Malavisch knew otherwise. He had seen Lotan lurking in the primordial chaos, and he knew an attack was inevitable. When Lotan finally struck at Socharin, his anger too great to possibly contain, the Fallen and Malavisch joined the other gods in driving Lotan back to the void. Malavisch and his superior fought back to back, protecting each other and striking as one. At least, until Malavisch vanished, knowing his contract did not require him to defend the Fallen. Left alone, the Fallen could not endure Lotan's attacks. He was consumed, struck from existence, his domains going to Malavisch as the contract was fulfilled.
At least, that is the story as told by the church of Malavisch. Others disagree, often vehemently - the notion of other gods having already been permanently killed by Lotan is heretical to most. Regardless, Malavisch has undisputed primacy of his domains now, his power great and his influence pervasive.
To Malavisch and his clergy, appearances are everything; one should always dress in accordance with their status in the world. To keep appearances is to keep control, and a failure to do so is to offer a hint that one might not be worthy of their place in the hierarchy of the world.
The faithful of Malavisch are organized into an extremely rigid, hierarchical church. There is only one mortal church to Malavisch on Kishar, something not shared by any other faith - even the equally lawful and orderly religion of Harinna has schisms and multiple church structures. This centralization only occurred after the formation of Koritan in Y9414*, as the new state claimed the divine favor of Malavisch.
Malavisch's holy text is the Transcript of Malavisch v. Agents of Lawlessness. Written as a transcript of a mock trial between Malavisch and a series of unnamed enemies, this lengthy text is usually published as a set of thirty tree hefty tomes. In the trial, Malavisch systematically undermines and disproves the arguments of his opponents, while simultaneously demonstrating the superiority of his own ways. Among Malavisch's faithful, the Transcript is often read to give guidance on how to approach legal matters, and particularly on how to argue a case in a court.
Malavisch is often depicted as a humanoid figure with four ram's heads - one looking forward, one behind, and one each to the right and left. In some simpler representations, he is pictured as a humanoid man with two spiral goat horns. Malavisch is always portrayed as having a calm demeanor and wearing fine clothes, often with his left hand raised to his chest, palm facing out, holding a scroll containing a contract in the other.
Edicts and anathema
- Edicts
- Use the law to your advantage, follow the letter of the law, maintain an appearance befitting your status, rule your lessers, punish insubordination, show subservience to your superiors
- Anathema
- Disregard or break a contract, have a slovenly or unkempt appearance, perform labor or take risks that could be delegated to others, exchange knowledge or a possession for nothing in return
Hellean pantheon
Though the god is widely viewed as evil and selfish, not all of his followers fit into such categorization. Rather, Melanthus is often worshiped and supplicated in hopes he will grant strength and endurance, even by those who do not necessarily align with the interests of the god. Such behavior is always a risky endeavor, however, as it is a very fine line to walk. Passing veneration causes great ire to Melanthus, leading him to bestow a commensurate punishment, while excessive devotion can be likewise dangerous, as the god is known to callously use his followers for his own goals, regardless of any harm that may come to them. Melanthus is especially popular amongst mercenaries, though many pray to the god in times of crisis.
Placation of Melanthus is seen as very important by followers of the Hellean pantheon, by those who do not worship the god even more than by those who do. He is said to visit the mortal world in search of those who do not pay him the proper deference with regular sacrifices, punishing those whose reverence and respect he finds insufficient.
Melanthus is usually depicted as a heavily armored man, almost always wearing his distinctive helmet and carrying either a polearm or a dagger.
Edicts and anathema
- Edicts
- Seek strength, punish insubordination, enrich yourself
- Anathema
- Give away your wealth or possessions, perform labor or take risks that could be delegated to others, accept rule by someone weaker