Set

Air, Darkness, Destruction, Evil, Strength

Portfolio

Darkness, evil, night, desert storms, drought

Coiled cobra

Set murdered Osiris for two reasons: out of jealousy over Nephthys's seduction of Osiris, and in an attempt to seize the rulership of the pantheon, which Ra relinquished and Osiris was poised to claim. He continues to struggle with Horus for the throne, but he has no interest in an ordered government. He has little quarrel with Pelor (whose main enemy is Apothis) but still hates the audacity of a mortal to command the Solar Barge. Set's struggle with the other gods of the pantheon is about power, not empire. He believes that that he is the strongest of the deities in the pantheon, and that his strength makes him the only one fit to rule. He perpetuates this idea of rule by the strong within his cult, where cleric-assassins vie with each other for power and position.   According to Set, whatever person is strong enough to claim belongs to that person by right. The "divine right" of rulership that Horus teaches is meaningless in Set's eyes; rulership should be held by whoever can seize and maintain it. Authority should be respected only insofar as it is powerful enough to enforce its will.

Clergy and Temples

Lower-level clerics of Set operate in secret, hiding their identities and striving to appear as nothing but hard-working, well-meaning citizens. They usually carry Set's symbol tattooed somewhere on their bodies, but do not display it openly or in any other way indicate their beliefs. This is basic self-defense, protecting themselves not just from legal and religious authorities but also from higher-level clerics of Set who might view them as a threat to their position.   As an individual cleric's power grows, he becomes increasingly likely to reveal or even flaunt his position. They prefer black armor to white robes High-level clerics often become blackguards.   For the most part, Set's followers meet in hiding, believing that temples simply provide an easy target for Horus's paladins and other do-gooders. They worship their master in hidden shrines and caverns. However, large fortress-temples to Set stand in certain remote desert regions, protected by powerful clerics and minions of Set.