Exitas, God of Identity

Exitas, the teacher of life and variety, is an exceptional young god who cherishes the gift of free thought. To him, the diversity and uniqueness of thinking beings are treasures—each perspective a vital thread in the intricate tapestry of existence. He encourages his followers to explore the world, seeking out all the ways life can manifest, while also looking inward to find their true selves, unburdened by the expectations of society.   More than most, Exitas is a dualistic god. On one hand, he is a peaceful guardian of creators—artists who breathe life into the world and historians who preserve the stories of the dead. Yet, on the other hand, he is a vengeful protector, fiercely opposing any attempt to strip a being of their free will and individuality. As a result, his followers are as diverse as the ideals he champions, but they all share a reverence for the sanctity of free will.   Exitas rarely assumes a physical form, instead manifesting as a burning white comet visible only on new moons. Those who gaze upon the comet long enough hear his name whispered softly, and those struggling with self-doubt or feelings of worthlessness may receive gentle, uplifting words.   In the rare moments when Exitas does take a physical form, he appears as a four-winged, feathered dragon radiating light, scaleless, yet ethereal. Those who have heard his voice describe it as that of an older cousin: familiar, comforting, yet carrying an uncanny otherworldliness.

Origin

Centuries ago, a group of travelers came across an immensely powerful dragon doomed to die a Cosmic Death, completely wiping it from this world and the next. Before it was erased from the world, it spoke kindly to these humans and granted them power and knowledge so its ideals could live beyond its passing. The travelers wept, knowing they had a God but not who they were. Thus, they took to the roads and seas, searching for any trace of their mysterious benefactor. They named their fallen god the Forgotten One.   It's unknown where Exitas came from; whether he manifested by belief in the Forgotten One or is truly the son of the fell dragon, neither is certain. Regardless, Exitas inherited their forebears' will and became a God to represent self-identity and free-thinking people.

Followers and Church

Typical Alignment: Neutral Good

Followers: Followers of Exitas often congregate around metropolises, where people from different cultures and regions of the world can gather and share each other’s uniqueness. Their temples are typically colorful places, serving as small performance halls and quaint libraries where the names and ideals of the departed are recorded, to keep them remembered long after death. A not-insignificant number of his followers become entirely nomadic, wanting to experience the entire world without restraint.

Church: Exitas' religion centers on the worship of uniqueness and the commemoration of departed souls. Temples, colorful and vibrant, serve as both performance halls and libraries where the memories and ideals of the deceased are meticulously recorded. Devotees often congregate in metropolises, embracing diversity and seeking to experience the world's myriad cultures.

Champions

Champions of Exitas are often chosen from those who believe in the beauty of uniqueness. No life is simply worthless, and all creatures have a uniqueness worth remembering. His champions are people who believe in this and also actively go throughout the world practicing it, either by promoting diversity, chronicling the memories of others, or fighting those who’d strip the world of either.

Tenants

Celebrate the Different: The existence of life is a miracle. Everything, even the understood, has a beauty to be found and appreciated.

Preserve the Departed: Death may be inevitable, but Exitas teaches that everyone's true selves deserve to be chronicled, even enemies.

Reject Consolidation: None should be forced into a mold or made to think thoughts beyond their own. Homogenization should be rejected, and mind control considered an abhorrent sin.

Promote Creation: All people should be encouraged to find their own sense of self and make works using the gift of creativity.

Relationships

With Exitas being such a young god, he lacks the deep connections that many other gods have built with each other over the centuries. That said, he is well-liked by those who don’t consider him an imposing upstart.

• Tala: The two gods are often depicted as a duo thanks to their many similarities. Both can be seen in the night sky, are relatively young gods, are often worshipped by travelers, and have their roles to play in helping mortals find their way. The two often work in tandem, although Tala seldom indulges in Exitas’ zealotry.
• Carcon and Brechi: The two are loathed by Exitas for different yet similar reasons. He despises both for their ability to alter the mind state of mortals and push them towards action they wouldn’t willingly take. He especially hates Carcon for the destruction he leaves behind, and often helps Berilor on principle as a counter.
• Aedis: With their shared love of the arts, civilization, and the preservation of knowledge, these two and their followers tend to get along rather well. In places without temples to Exitas, his traveling clergy will often find refuge in the temples of Aedis, where they can share the knowledge of far-away cities and towns.