Valdir

Valdir, the God of Battle, was the final god created by Ethos. In the Lawkeeper's ever burning pursuit of balance, the Reaver was born as a mirror to the honourable Meldona, as a chaotic force ensuring Amion's equilibrium.      

Description

The Reaver has many reports of manifesting avatars before his most fervent followers. They all speak of him as a humanoid figure in full armour, typically with a sword or heavy gauntlets perpetually dripping blood. His face is covered by a full helm, or a mask, fashioned into the visage of a snarling beast. Few reports exist not penned by Valdir's followers, owing to these manifestations occurring during battle, in which they slay whomever they are set against.
It is rare that Valdir visits his followers in dreams of visions, instead seeming to prefer sending them formless visions of battle, fuelling their anger and desire for war. The few records of the Reaver manifesting in dreams speak of a humanoid man, dark hair and dark eyes, surrounded by the calm after a battle. However, the calm does not extend to the man, his eyes darting around wildly, searching for the next fight, the next bloodshed. When he speaks, it is told, he speaks in a hurried manner, seeming to have little patience for conversation, even with his devotees.  

History

Valdir was the last of the gods created by Ethos, but one of the most active, even from the moment of his creation. The Reaver actively works to influence the various races of Amion, fuelling their desire for battle and conflict. To seemingly no end but that of conflict itself, he pushes them to fight and to war. It is said he draws his power from these conflicts, particularly those where blood is spilled in his name.      

Relationships

Followers of Valdir have long-standing feuds with those of many other gods, especially Yreus and Meldona, the other gods of war. The trio's ideals and approach to warfare have eternally been at odds, leading them and, in turn, their followers, to clash. Over the centuries, many conflicts have occurred between the groups, though the lack of formalised worship of Yreus and Valdir in Avalyra has prevented any large scale war, with Meldona's churches having a stronghold over the kingdom's warriors.
Indeed, as an inherently chaotic evil force, few gods and their worshippers consort with Valdir and his adherents. The only god known to have active involvement with the Reaver is Vyrra, with the two sharing an affinity for destruction.  

Worshippers

Valdir has no formalised worship across Avalyra, his followers tending to be more impulsive and fleeting than those of other gods. Instead, small shrines are usually used to show an individual's devotion, typically set up in dark places, away from judging eyes. While reverence is paid at these shrines, the true devotion of Valdiran worshippers is saved for battle and conflict. Every drop of blood they spill is done in the name of The Reaver.    

Tenets

Followers of Valdir do not fall into any rigid tenets of worship, following the chaotic nature of their patron deity. The only thing The Reaver expects of his devotees is to spill blood in his name, with a preference towards that of other mortal races. Those who follow him always feel the drive towards conflict, never feeling as content as they do on the battlefield.