Orod, God of Logic and Reason [First Draft]

[Tarot]

Orod The God of Logic and Reason Alias’ The Great Logician - Aelyria The Mindfather - Orodite clergy Tris'ska - Kemite Merekh - Dwarven Father of Man - Elven The Old Buffoon - Aeternian circles Alignment Good Realm Plane of Aetheria Abstract Little is known about Orod's origins, but he is largely considered to be as old as Ioannes himself. As such, he has access to the power of Aetheria as Ioannes' first advisor and strategist. Orod stands for reason, logic, knowledge and critical thinking; he holds that emotion clouds judgment and leads to painful mistakes that will harm oneself and others. Knowledge is the supreme good and evil necessarily stems from ignorance; hence, a world dominated by reason would represent the final and highest form of the Multiverse. Seen by many as a cold deity with a very enigmatic agenda, Orod's mandate is to spread the wings of reason above unthinking instinct in order to lift the barbaric spirits of mortals to enlightenment. Intelligence is Orod's gift to mortals, the god often being portrayed with the legendary Sands of Life, the substance that can create new sentient races. Throughout myth, several beings have supposedly obtained or stolen grains of the Sands from Orod in order to borrow that power and create their own chosen races. It is said that each Ancient Aelyrian was made from a different grain, whereas the other races were created from a single grain. Theologists generally agree that Orod was most likely aware of the thefts that generated, for example, the Elven ancestors called Ke'trala as well as the Dwarves, and that he allowed the Sands to be stolen. These scholars argue that Orod patiently waited for the other gods to shape their creations, watching the strengths and weaknesses of each, before he went about making his own children - a race that, unlike the others, started as a blank slate and was free to pursue its own destiny, extremely adaptable and able to thrive regarless of the hardships it faced. He called this young race 'Humanity' and fathered them, always keeping himself distant and detached as he watched his children grow and struggle. It appears that Orod's bet was successful, as his race quickly spread all over the lands and became a major contender to power. It is said that Orod still has some Sands of Life left in his possession, and is waiting for the right opportunity to use them. Patience seems to be Orod's recurring trait. He never acts in a rush; much like a tailor, he measures the cloth many times, but only cuts once. He is a planner, and many consider him to be the true schemer of Aetheria. Because of this, some think of him as an entirely peaceful deity, even though this is incorrect. Orod supports conflict when it is supported by reason, and in fact condemns inaction when logic commands otherwise. Orod's warfare takes on many forms that are often subtler than simple armed confrontation. In this at least, he resembles the gods that are his sworn enemies, Meephos and Haya, champions of violent emotions and desires. Orod is constraint and self-sacrifice in view of a higher reward in the long run, whereas the infernal couple is about instant gratification of the body and soul. Orod is also the god of prophecy and foresight. Because he is the god of knowledge, his wisdom extends into the past and future; he is also the maker of the famed Hourglass that allowed unlimited control over time, though that was stolen by his former minion, Kalendryas, now Planetar of Time. Once again, it is believed that Orod allowed the theft, though for what reason no-one can dare to guess. Common Appearance Interestingly enough, Orod has fewer avatarial forms than most other gods. This fits his philosophical view that emphasizes function over form. Orod is not a flashy deity, and will typically apply the minimum amount of power required to carry out his divine agenda. Also, Orod is not shy about showing himself in person when something or someone catches his interest, though in these cases his presence will be as humble and unassuming as possible. Orod's preferred form is that of an elderly human male, clean shaven and with piercing blue eyes. He is one of the gods who do not adapt their racial appearance to that of his listeners, so he will often pick a human avatar even when he is dealing with other races. His clothing varies, but will never be excessively rich or ornate. Tunics and robes are among his favorite items of clothing, making him look like a scholar, though he will occasionally dress in poorer clothes and play the role of a mysterious wanderer, always calm and polite. Those who meet Orod under this guise are typically left none the wiser, as the god may leave subtle riddle-like clues as to his identity, but loves intelligent thinking too much to offer the solution to his mysteries to just anyone. Orod never wears any beard as this is considered to be a lack of civility and a concession to instinct. When in his scholar form, Orod is often seen with a large tome or scroll. He will sometimes open it to quote a passage from the text, though it is likely that the listener will not immediately understand its significance as nothing is ever easy to comprehend about Orod. Spectacles are a frequent accessory worn by the god. Organization of the Religion Orod's worshipper base is smaller than that of his fellow Aetherians, but makes up for it with its highly efficient organization. Orod is firmly in favor of quality over quantity in his church, and has birthed a prolific race such as the humans so he could choose a select few among them. There is no single organization within the Church of Faith devoted to the cult of Orod, however there are smaller cults spread throughout the lands, each following its own traditions. The peculiar thing about Orod's cults is that they generally lack the infighting and internal contrasts typical of many religious organizations; the various cults of Orod can usually cooperate without a problem and act as one in times of duress. Orod favors teamwork and regards conflicts between agents on the same side as highly illogical, so his followers are encouraged to live in harmony with their peers. Some of the main cults of Orod include: The Logicians - These priests are predominant within the Church of Faith. They maintain that logic should be the driving factor in one's life, and oppose the corrupting influence of unhealthy desires and instincts. They follow a strict vegetarian diet and celibate to show their mastery over passions of the body. Some of the more zealous Logicians further mortify their bodies with self-inflicted pain to display how they can remain detached under any circumstances, though this is not required by the Order. Many Logicians live in convents and rarely get out, serving as scribes, teachers, and spiritual guides to the faithful. The Numerals - A more esoteric brotherhood, the Numerals hold that 'Orod is number, and through Orod everything is number.' They believe that by understanding the numbers within things, they can understand reality, and master these secret numbers to be able to interpret the world and foresee the future. Founded in Portshire, this cult emphasizes geometric symbols and relationships and uses Numerology as an effective divination tool. Knights of the Enlightenment - A very small cadre of Paladins, these men and women are among the more militant servants of Orod. Their mission is to 'save mankind from the misery of greed and impurity.' Famed for their ability to kill any target in cold blood, these Paladins possess the bravery of Knights and the organization of Legionnaires, following strict battle orders and displaying perfect coordination. Their steeds undergo a unique training regiment that makes perfectly responsive and seemingly emotionless even in the heat of battle. An Enlightened One's Soulfire (a Paladin's sacred blade) is said to cause devastating wounds on those of a Meephosian or Hayan persuasion. The City on the Hill - A secret society devoted to the worship of Orod, the City on the Hill is a sect of glorified spies. They monitor everyone, from local rulers to provincial and Imperial affairs, gathering information and seemingly doing nothing with it for the most part aside from sharing it with those pursuing a just cause. The name of this cult refers to an ideal society from which they believe to descend. The Hillsmen practice non-violence and are strictly uninvolved with the circles they keep under watch. Orod’s Sacred Symbols The Sphere - The perfect solid shape symbolizes the absolute nature of reason, which looks the same no matter what part of it is being viewed. The Tetrachtys - The Tetrachtys or Decad is the number ten represented using ten stones arranged in a perfect triangle (four rows, with one, two, three and four stones, respectively.) It represents the union of the four most significant numbers in the Multiverse shaping the world itself. The Open Book - The open book represents the mind's ability to access universal knowledge, though the book is often depicted as being written in obscure hieroglyphs, meaning that discovery is a long and difficult process. The Owl - The owl is the bird that remains vigilant in the middle of the night, much like Orodites keep fighting their battle for reason even through the darkening of chaos. The Lock - The way of Orod is one of self-restraint, of fighting one's passions and locking them deep down. Many followers wear small ropes, chains, circlets or other constraining symbols to display their will to keep their emotions in check and never be consumed by them. The lock-door duality is prevalent in Orodite symbolism and betrays the god's connection with Alchemy. In fact, most Alchemical symbols have been used to represent Orod, including the Ouroboros and the Caduceus. Most Orodites resent the use of the serpent as a symbol, however. The Sands of Life - A symbol of sentience rising from the humblest origins, a jar of sand is kept in every Orodite place of worship to remind everyone where humanity comes from. Rites, Oaths, and Rituals While there are few universal rites that the followers of Orod undertake, there are some that have risen to prominence over the centuries. The Awakening of Reason - Through this ritual the newborn follower is symbolically reborn free from the clutches of greed and passion. They are bound with a thick ritual rope and sand is poured on the worshipper's head as they swear to uphold the ways of Orod, come what may. If the applicant is sincere, the rope is said to loosen and drop down on the floor of their own will; but there have been cases of malicious applicants who found themselves crushed to death. The Sillogism Oath - When a follower of Orod is asked to complete a task, or decides to do so of his own accord, he may pronounce a Sillogism Oath - a theorem-like statement to swear his intention to fulfill the quest. Orod has no need for unthinking martyrs who die on him because they picked a battle they could not win, but he does require constant dedication and may gift a true servant with what they need to complete the task. For example, he has been known to grant unnaturally long life to a priest whose quest lasted well over three centuries. The Book of Life - Many followers of Orod keep a detailed book with their thoughts, accomplishments, and even the torments they face within and without. They record their lives with historical accuracy, keeping highly organized diaries of their struggles for control and reason. Upon their death, the Book is then given back to the religious organization they had joined in life, which maintains a small library of such books. In doing this, the wisdom and foresight of the elders can live on in the future generations. Orod's Glyphs - A script system invented by Orod himself, these runes are only known to full-fledged priests who have proven themselves in service time and again. Not only is this writing completely undecipherable by those who do not walk with Orod or without his intercession, but it is also one of Orod's preferred methods of getting in touch with the priest. The glyphs appear unexpectedly, be it in the shape of a cloud, scrapes on a wall, or a puddle of water in the mud. They can provide valuable insight into a situation and give the priest secret information. Orod's Anathema - A power wielded only by the most devout Orodites in recorded history, Anathema is a powerful accusation made by pointing a finger at someone present in the same room. It needs to be motivated by logic and reason, with the priest invoking Orod with plenty of proof for his statement, and results in the target of the Anathema losing the grace of Orod and being cursed. Some are reduced to unthinking beasts no more intelligent than a frog, others become insane and others yet forget who they are. Should the accusation be incorrect, however, it will be the priest of Orod incurring the same punishment. Holidays and Holy Sites While Orod has no official holidays to his name, his followers, especially those who put a particular emphasis on numbers, celebrate some significant days. Repetitions of three or more digits in the date, especially if consecutive, are considered to be momentous and significant. The numbers three and nine are usually the object of such reverence, whereas the number four, corresponding to the Aeternian Four, is seen with distrust, much like the square compared to the triangle. Holy sites to Orod include libraries, schools, academies and other tutoring places, many of which have a small shrine to the god in hopes that he will look kindly upon the tutoring. Minions and Relatives Orod is literally unique among the gods in that he makes absolutely no use of delegation to get in touch with mortals. This is a trait also observed in Diana's interactions with mortals, but Orod takes it to the extreme of never using minions to relay his messages. While scholars are sometimes puzzled by his direct approach, it is likely that Orod's calculating nature drives him to want to know his mortal associates on a personal level. It also explains why Orod's servants and champions are definitely rarer than those of other gods as the god only has time for so many encounters, and he holds them to even higher standards. This means that he typically approaches a (frequently oblivious) mortal personally through one of his avatarial forms, or instructs them with riddles and secret writings, often in the form of Glyphs. Orod has very few known non-mortal servants of any type. Among them are the Graces, efficient enforcers of Aetherian will, though Orod does not employ them for his personal ends and leaves them in the service of other gods or free to pursue their lawful nature as they deem fit. Ioannes - Orod accepts Ioannes' leadership as logical and desirable, and it is likely that the two influenced each other in the creation of Law, Order and Justice in the world, as the Ancient Aelyrians used to display typically Orodite traits of emotionlessness before the Blight. Diana - Orod considers Diana to be too ruled by her passions and ambitions to make an effective Queen of the gods. He does, however, respect her intelligence and makes deal with her on occasion, overall liking her better than her rival Carmelya. Aslan - Orod regards the Prince of Aetheria as an unruly child whose heart lies in the right place, but too set in his youthful ways. In time, Orod feels, he will acquire wisdom, and he believes it is his duty to help Aslan through this change. Carmelya - The goddess of Nature is way too unpredictable and whimsical for Orod's tastes, and his relationship with her is basically non-existant. Orod thinks Carmelya is ineffective in combating the evil in the world because she is herself partly chaotic. Champions and Notables Lupus Lindvard - Orod's first and only champion to this day, he died over five centuries ago. Lindvard reputedly knew every language spoken on Telath and had consumed a grain of the Sands of Life, giving him powers surpassing those of the Aelyrians. Surprisingly, though, he committed suicide when he realized that his own power was tempting him, and he embraced death fearing that he might yield to it. That Orod has not had a champion ever since speaks of the god's incredibly high standards. Known as the Five Wisemen of Aelyria: The Dives - 'The rich one' is the nickname given to the wealthy Orodite who founded the Dome of Orod in Portshire and is considered a founding member of the Numeral sect. The Dives had his vocal chords severed in a battle against a champion of Meephos and cannot speak, but his mind is strong and he is considered a great prophet and diviner. Madame Huanjillia - A noblewoman who saw the light of Orod in the middle age and proceeded to give away everything she had in order to pursue her faith, Huanjillia owns a book supposedly penned by Orod himself. The contents of this book change depending on who is reading it. Sir Fyodor Palmakov - The current leader of the Knights of the Enlightenment, Fyodor is a militant follower of Orod based near Kriskinstat and known for his uncanny fighting style that seems to predict the opponent's every move. Zippy - 'Zippy' is the name of a wandering philosopher who roams Aelyria, never settling down. While he dresses in rags and begs for a living, he is one of the sharpest minds in Aelyria and is rumored to know every trade in the world. Labdis Vor - Labdis is an Orodite mage blessed with a unique, supernatural trait - while he is only an Adept, the sphere he practices changes depending on what Orod requires of him. This particular condition has escaped any attempt at understanding its mechanics. Bases of Power Orod has temples in quite a few cities, though he shares many of those with the other Aetherian deities. It is safe to assume that the real bases of Orodite power are in the convents and monasteries scattered across the lands and discreetly practicing their worship, as well as the clergy-controlled libraries and academies. Orod is quite unconcerned with amassing material power, and is content with amassing knowledge and information above all. Important Artifacts Orod's Hourglass [First] - This legendary artifact created by Orod allows great control over the time continuum. It was stolen by the mischievous Kalendryas, whose existence as the Planetar of Time now depends on this item. Orod's Hourglass [Lesser] - Orod has since made some lesser copies of the Hourglass, which he has very rarely entrusted to mortals. While the Hourglass' power is but a minuscule fraction of the original, by turning the Hourglass the wielder can effectively detach a locale such as a room from the time continuum for a short duration - usually one minute. Time outside seems to be frozen (and conversely, outside observers would think that things happen instantly on the inside.) Outside and inside cannot interact in any way for the duration of the effect. Typically, Orod only allows a number of uses: often, only one. Scepter of Understanding - The wielder of this scepter, used by Orod's first champion and later reclaimed by the god, enjoys a limited form of omniscience. They can look into the past, present and future by asking questions to the Scepter, though the answer can be difficult to interpret at times. Orod's Berries - A rare gift for a follower, this sweet red berry is packed with information. When eaten, it will bless the devout with knowledge of things, or even a permanent free skill at the first or second level of proficiency. Sacred Ink - Orodite priests are encouraged to use Sacred Ink in their writing, especially their Book of Life. This ink is actually a sentient creature in the service of Orod and lives inside an inkpot, being able to regenerate itself in sunlight. This means that, for the practical purpose of writing, the ink will never end. Also, being intelligent, the ink can be trained so that, for example, it will shift across the page to reveal a secret code when a certain word is spoken. Particularly expert ink trainers have been able to use the ink in combat with some measure of success.

[Gossamer]

Absolutely lovely! *claps* I can't believe how nice these look. You did a great job with the Five Wiseman too. I haven't even seen these around, but they are great for plots.

[Viniece]

You should probably mention that the Nimalni reverence Orod quite a bit. This write up seems to be all about the humans. Sure, Orod fathered the humans, but the Nimalni have embraced him as a culture. As for where it says that Orod is their patron deity:

The Philosophy of Nimâl

The Nimâlni have a great disdain for Arcana, having never been able to use it. As a result of this, the inhabitants of the mountainous nation are primarily scientists as well as philosophers, and have discovered several rudimentary equations of motion and gravitation, and they also have the most accurate and precise catalogue of the skies in all of Telath. Admittedly, it is not perfectly conclusive - since it is only a catalogue of what is visible in the skies over Nimâl - but it is the most conclusive. In addition, the horizons of Nimâl are significantly hindered by the presence of mountains on all sides. No matter where one stands, one can never see as far as on the plains of the Aelyrian Empire.

"An Elf who is not satisfied with what he has is an Elf who will not be satisfied with what he gains. Contentment is a virtue second only to patience." - Chvynne Tergessi, Purist leader.

The patron god of Nimâl is Orod, the god of logic, and in order to honour their god, Nimâlni philosophers can sometimes spend days discussing the latest theories. Most of the major philosophers are more concerned with the theoretical aspect of everything, while Elves who merely join in philosophical discussions as a hobby are more likely to consider the practical applications, and often may even test them out – a habit which results in them being regarded with derision by the theoretical philosophers. Philosophical debates are a spectator sport in the sedate nation, and crowds can sometimes even come from neighboring towns to hear the more respectable philosophers argue.

I'm going to go ahead and mention this here as well, it's not presently RP'd out anywhere, but in the mind of my character Viniece, some Nimalni philosophies hold it that Orod had helped save the Nimalni from extinction during the Cyraxian wars. Viniece, granted, doesn't hold his interference as a good thing, but Viniece is pretty messed up right now.

[Atl Myrsa]

I just have to agree with Viniece. You might want to include more of the island elves.



Great job though.

[Tarot]

Thanks for your comments, everyone. Sorry for overlooking the Nimalni... I didn't do that on purpose. I will Nimalnize it a bit in the next draft!