Elemental Lords

  The elemental lords are stuck in a struggle between Light, Dark, and those who watch.  

Qhethys

Qhethys appears as a beautiful, ethereal, woman made of bright energy. Gazing upon her form is as painful as staring into the sun itself.
Artwork by Unknown
Domain(s): Light
Symbols: The Sun, Rays
Followers: Some Farmers
Other Names: The Luminescent Light, The Elemental Lord of Light

Influence

Qhethys has influence over light, able to bend it and shape it. She is a master of all of the Truths relating to light.

Rituals

Sacrifice to Qhethys: Like all elemental deities, Qhethys enjoys the sacrifice of animals. Sacrificing animals, the larger the better, and cooking the flesh above an open fire until it's burnt away is a great ritual to attempt to contact Qhethys, giving up to a plus three, depending on the size of the animal. Unusual or magical animals can give up to plus ten. They must be slaughtered and butchered, cooked and burnt all specifically for the sake of the deity, from start to finish.
Prayer of First Morning's Light: This prayer is done to an altar while the sun just starts to peek over the horizon. You are meant to come to a crescendo as the sun's first rays touch you, and the prayer winds down after that. This prayer, done correctly, gives a plus five in rolls to contact a deity.
Prayer of Dark's Banishment: Bringing a light source into an otherwise unlit area, where the light would not naturally find itself, is enough for this ritual. Though this cannot be done at an altar to Qhethys, it can be done in many places off the beaten track, requiring only a holy symbol to Qhethys.

Powers

The light of Qhethys is bright and pervasive, cutting through any darkness, and blinding almost any who dare to look upon her.

Artifacts

Qhethys has no artifacts on the material plane, perhaps you may win her favor and change this.

History

Qhethys was filled with a pure feeling of personal understanding and contentedness from the moment she sprung into existence. Her radiance shined through the darkness, allowing her to find the element whom lovingly served her, Ralios. Her existence was grand, and she reveled in satisfaction as she watched nature first sprout from Gandhor as a result of her self-proclaimed pure blessings. Qhethys was never one to be curious, however as she flew across the elemental planes, she noticed a dark wisp of blackness that not even her rays of light could shine through. Confused, she turned her entire gaze and radiance towards the inky darkness… and breaking through the dark smog, the woman saw a disgusting, slender and grotesque being hiding within its own pitch black shadow.   Later she would realize that this horrible thing she had seen was Zyzrasil, the deific incarnation of darkness, but immediately, her mind was scarred with the first negative, fearful thought to ever pass through her head. This thought quickly ate away at Qhethys’ mind, tainting her natural state of happiness with just a drop of poisonous horror. While it did not cripple the goddess, this sense of negativity became motivation for the woman. She had realized that the only way to reclaim that pure state she had before seeing Zyzrasil, could only be cleansed by purging the world of darkness all together.   After telling her partner Ralios, the fire beast swore to uphold her lady’s honor, and thus would continue to help her in an attempt to cleanse the world of Zyzrasil’s influence.

Zyzrasil

Zyzrasil is an elusive and dark master. Those who have managed to glimpse his form describe him as a slender, sharp, and disfigured entity with dark wisping tendrils rolling off of him. Scrawny yet towering within the darkness. The only being to ever fully see Zyzrasil’s face was Qhethys herself, which she described as “The Worst And Most Disturbing Creature my Lights Have Ever, and will Ever Shine Upon...”
Artwork by Unknown
Domain(s): Darkness
Symbols: Hooded Lantern
Followers: Thieves, Night Stalkers, Murderers
Other Names: The Neverending Darkness, The Elemental Lord of Dark

Influence

Zyzrasil has influence over the night and shadows, as well as unexpected strikes from the dark.

Rituals

Sacrifice to Zyzrasil: Like all elemental deities, Zyzrasil enjoys the sacrifice of animals. Sacrificing animals, the larger the better, and cooking the flesh above an open fire until it's burnt away is a great ritual to attempt to contact Zyzrasil, giving up to a plus three, depending on the size of the animal. Unusual or magical animals can give up to plus ten. They must be slaughtered and butchered, cooked and burnt all specifically for the sake of the deity, from start to finish.
Ritual of Hidden Things: Performing this ritual requires one to bury something of value (5gp or more) in a dark place, and forget where it is. True hiding requires even the hider to forget the location of the hidden. It is said that this is also a method of physically reaching Zyzrasil, through getting so thoroughly lost that you end up in the Plane of Shadows, though this is contested. Regardless, this is a good method of contacting the shadowy deity.
Ritual of Appropriated Goods: Praying to Zyzrasil over a stolen item is a ritual in and of itself. The downside is that the shadowy deity almost always takes the item. The upside is that sometimes they will return a Stolen Holy Symbol for this act, allowing one to use this ritual any time.

Powers

Zyzrasil has utter control over darkness, being able to solidify it and wield it as a weapon.

Artifacts

There are a few artifacts of Zyzrasil, but none are more famous than the Shadeclothe, a cloak worn by Ramus Titus Eroditus, the most famous thief who ever lived in the Old Empire, a man who stole so much that at the end of his life he contented himself with merely stealing things from one secure facility to place them securely into the lockboxes of other museums or banks, who would be none the wiser until they took the time to inspect their goods.

History

When the Elements all underwent their manifestation, by far the most wicked and eldritch of them all was the Lord of Shadows himself, Zyzrasil. A being of pure darkness, Zyzrasil was instantly and totally imbued with the corrupting venom of the World Arachnid herself, turning the elemental figure into a shell of maddening paranoia and everlasting dread. His existence would serve to do nothing more but fuel the constant blurring darkness and corruption in the world. Zyzrasil’s paranoia overtook his mind, and as a result he took to hiding as far into his own dark abyssal blackness as he could. Hiding safely within nothingness, the Elemental lord wanted nothing more than to disappear, as being seen and shined upon gave the deity an incessant, irrational fear of death. As such the Shadow Lord sent himself into a deep self isolation, hiding within a dark corner of the known universe to safely calm himself. This was of course, until coming face to face with Qhethys. Not expecting the curious rising light to slowly encapsulate and surround his form, Zyzrasil was awoken from his slumber to find his entire figure burning a triumphant yellow. A melting sensation underwent his entire form, as the creature turned to see the face of Qhethys, glaring like a sun straight towards him. Zyzrasil quickly retreated, scampering farther down the World Tree nearer to the domain of the World Serpent… though as he did so he noticed a sincere face upon the Goddess of Light herself. A face of disgust, repulsion, and fear.   The realization of what had just transpired slowly etched into the Lord of Shadow’s minds, and as such his paranoia was confirmed and justified. Light, Fire, and Life were all beings created and sustained through Qhethys, and they all had the biggest possible chance of slaying the death-fearing abomination… and as such, Zyzrasil would vow to spread his influence over the realms in an attempt to snuff out all possible light. By using the pure stygian darkness surrounding him, Zyzrasil functioned as an agent to transport the chaotic spawn of the World Serpent across multiple planes, as well as corrupted sentient life in the Mortal Realm to help spread his will. Using Agents of Darkness, Zyzrasil would unintentionally start the trend and creation of Gensai, while also introducing Darkspawn into the world.

Ralios

Ralios is an intimidating being of pure and unbridled fire, roughly shaped into the form of a human. Almost constantly enraged, it is said that the larger Ralios is, the less likely it is to get any sense out of him other than unbridled rage. Though no matter how the Elemental Lord may look when you lay eyes upon him, one description stays true throughout all encounters… show him the purest form of respect possible, or you risk being scorched to ash and cinders.
Artwork by Unknown
Domain(s): Fire
Symbols: Stylized Flame
Followers: Arsonists
Other Names: The Vehement Flame, The Elemental Lord of Fire

Influence

Ralios has influence over fire, burning unbelievably hot himself, and wielding the flames and heat like a weapon.

Rituals

Sacrifice to Ralios: Like all elemental deities, Ralios enjoys the sacrifice of animals. Sacrificing animals, the larger the better, and cooking the flesh above an open fire until it's burnt away is a great ritual to attempt to contact Ralios, giving up to a plus three, depending on the size of the animal. Unusual or magical animals can give up to plus ten. They must be slaughtered and butchered, cooked and burnt all specifically for the sake of the deity, from start to finish.
The Ritual of Ralios' Rage: Burning down a building for the deity of burning rage is a fantastic ritual to get Ralios' attention, and counts as a ritual.
The Campfire Ritual: This ritual is a very social one, requiring the one who wants to pray to first gather a group of friends and have a nice fire. The night ought to be spent making merry, cooking food, talking, telling stories, and having a good time. The following day, one can pray to Ralios with this ritual, at plus one per person who attended your campfire.

Powers

Ralios has nigh unlimited destructive potential with his fiery magics and abilities.

Artifacts

Ralios does not spend his time creating items, such things are below him.

History

Within the first few moments of the Elemental’s realization of their forms, Ralios himself was gifted with the power to transfer forth heat and energy in explosive and powerful ways. As such, originally the Flame Lord was almost seen as an eccentric and overjoyous person akin to Aphion. This was especially amplified within the seconds where Ralious found himself faced towards Qhethys. The Elemental being, constrained with some of the deepest and compassionate feelings of Nerisys’ spawn, immediately found himself enthralled to beauty of Qhethys. Able to see through the warm glow of the woman and straight into her heart, the two managed to form a deep friendship quickly. Qhethys blessing herself onto the Lord of Fire, and giving flames the valiant bloom of her Sunshine in order to light up the night using his heat. Though Qhethys and Ralios’ harmony didn’t last long, for one evening the man laid his eyes on the weeping form of the Light Maiden. The woman had inklings of fear for the first time since they had fully existed, and as a result Ralios was left completely shaken himself. In a way, Qhethys’ boon made him feel the woman’s emotions… and that twinge of despair filled Ralios with a burning vengeance. Boiling over, the man swirled himself into a chaotic and consuming torrent of fire, and flung himself throughout the planes quickly. Having no want but to see the sheer dissolution of the figure who had caused Qhethys her pain, Zyzrasil, the Lord of Shadows.   No longer did Ralios find him luxuriously spoiled to multiple nights simply mulling along nearby the Elemental Woman, for he was stirred into action and thrown into the battlefield by his own willpower. He went and sent as many planes alight as possible, letting the flames of his own guide Qhethys light throughout the world. Uncaring of where, who, what might need to get used to carry along that ideal. Almost killing Gandhor in the process, Vilais was forced to step in and subdue the Flame Elemental. Nearly killing Ralios himself in the process. As such sparked the rivalry between Flame and Water, and the allowing for Zyzrasil to continue with his plans mostly uninterrupted. After that fateful night, Ralios licked his wounds and went straight back into battle. Luckily for him, as long as Qhethys still shines in the world, he finds himself able to continue his manifestation. As long as a single cinder of himself is created by whomever, he can continue his journey to bring down as much as he can and burn Zyzrasil out of existence.   Later she would realize that this horrible thing she had seen was Zyzrasil, the deific incarnation of darkness, but immediately, her mind was scarred with the first negative, fearful thought to ever pass through her head. This thought quickly ate away at Qhethys’ mind, tainting her natural state of happiness with just a drop of poisonous horror. While it did not cripple the goddess, this sense of negativity became motivation for the woman. She had realized that the only way to reclaim that pure state she had before seeing Zyzrasil, could only be cleansed by purging the world of darkness all together.   After telling her partner Ralios, the fire beast swore to uphold her lady’s honor, and thus would continue to help her in an attempt to cleanse the world of Zyzrasil’s influence.

Vilias

Vilias is said to be able to feel and control the entire oceans, which if true would almost make him bigger in scope than even Gandhor. Though, when usually presenting himself to Gaians or other deific beings, his height ends up being dependent on the scope of the fight he brings himself too. His body is always crowned by a man-sized, deep blue crystal, though.
Artwork by Unknown
Domain(s): Water
Symbols: Stylized Wave, Ocean
Followers: Sailors, mostly.
Other Names: The Endless Depths, The Elemental Lord of Water

Influence

Vilias is reputed to have power over all the oceans, and the inhabitants thereof.

Rituals

Sacrifice to Vilias: Like all elemental deities, Vilias enjoys the sacrifice of animals. Sacrificing animals, the larger the better, and cooking the flesh above an open fire until it's burnt away is a great ritual to attempt to contact Vilias, giving up to a plus three, depending on the size of the animal. Unusual or magical animals can give up to plus ten. They must be slaughtered and butchered, cooked and burnt all specifically for the sake of the deity, from start to finish.
Seafarer's Song: The Seafarer's song is an ancient tune, said to have even been sung by the ancients when they were young. Though the meaning of its words have been lost, it is unmistakably a sea shanty, and working a boat almost always seems to fall in rhythm with the workings of the boat. Singing this song counts as the ritual for a prayer to Vilias, and the more crewmen (or churchgoers) you have singing the song, the better. This ritual gives a plus one for every person who sings the song. They must know the words to the ancient tune.
Ritual of Purifying Water: This ritual is done by speaking a relatively short prayer, while submerged up to the neck in water. It is very simple, not even requiring an actual altar.

Powers

Vilias has complete control over the water, and is able to use it to devastating effect.

Artifacts

Vilias, on rare occasion, presses the ocean into solid, magical implements, which he passes down to specific mortals in important situations. They almost always behave as if they have extreme weight and density when they strike an opponent, despite feeling as if they weigh almost nothing in the hand of the wielder.

History

Vilias’ manifestation was a rather unpleasant one. Immediately upon coming to his senses, he was very aware that he would be forced to take sides in the fights that would be oncoming… that it was only a matter of time before someone began their attack. As such, Vilias often thought ill of most of the Elements besides Gandhor, and moved away to bide his time in the ocean blues, and amass allies and servants. At first the Elements found him ill-tempered and paranoid for no reason, though his over-protectiveness would turn out to be for his betterment. In the night when Ralios quickly torched almost all of Gandhor’s creation, he was on a path to also set ablaze the entire ocean. Even though Ralios was normally weaker than Vilias, due to the pure power of the Fire Elemental on that night, had Vilias not laid the groundwork by gathering allies, he would have been reduced to clouds and steam. Luckily, he had though, and Vilias and his allies quickly rose from the seas at the commotion and came to Gandhor’s aid. Slamming his own scepter made from the heart of the sea straight into Ralios’ chest to subdue him and trap him until the raging deity could be calmed. In this moment, Ralios and Vilias birthed have an almost unending rivalry, always present throughout any one of their interactions.   While he was subdued, Ralios raged at Vilias, spreading forth his message that Zyzrasil condoned and created nothing but sheer evil in this world, but Vilias disagreed. Vilias believes in the ideal of Order more presently than any of the other Elementals. He asserted that where there was a need for light, there was a need for darkness too. As such, Vilias openly stated he would allow sanctuary for Zyzrasil within the deepest of his blue oceans, while Qhethys could shine her waters throughout the mornings and evenings. This of course spiraled Ralios into a further rage, completely abandoning any thought of natural thinking and only spearheaded his goal farther than any of the other Elements, and Vilias’ beliefs solidified all the same. This would only lead to massive battles between the duo throughout the oncoming millennia, seen almost as an endless conflict. It’s sometimes said that when rain comes down to pour out fires in the forest, that it simply represents a battle between Gandhor and Vilias somewhere within the planes.

Gandhor

The largest Elemental Lord in scope, Gandhor is often mistaken as a mountain range when he decides to slumber on a certain spot. Towering over the world, he stands tall so that he may almost keep a good vantage on the well being of Gaia. It is said it is near impossible to sneak up upon the giant, for all of nature and all of the stones will inform the goliath if someone were to come near.
Artwork by Unknown
Domain(s): Earth
Symbols: Mountains, Gems
Followers: Miners, Some Drachev
Other Names: The Relentless Earth, The Elemental Lord of Earth

Influence

Gandhor has influence over the earth, and metals, being extremely adept at manipulating them.

Rituals

Sacrifice to Gandhor: Like all elemental deities, Gandhor enjoys the sacrifice of animals. Sacrificing animals, the larger the better, and cooking the flesh above an open fire until it's burnt away is a great ritual to attempt to contact Gandhor, giving up to a plus three, depending on the size of the animal. Unusual or magical animals can give up to plus ten. They must be slaughtered and butchered, cooked and burnt all specifically for the sake of the deity, from start to finish.
Geode Ritual: Cracking open a geode while speaking a prayer to Gandhor is typically accepted as a good way to garner the deity's attention.
Ritual of the Earth's Bones: Saying a prayer over at least 5kg of materials to be sacrificed to Gandhor is typically regarded as a decent way to attract the deity's attention.

Powers

Gandhor is the most physically mighty of all the elemental deific beings, though he is by far the most simple, and least likely to utilize his abilities to bend and shift earth and metal.

Artifacts

Gandhor does not create items, as he is much too large to create items for such small creatures.

History

Upon the manifestation of the elementals, the simplest and most understanding of them all was Gandhor. Blessed almost as the creature of life and earth in a way, Gandhor is seen to almost represent the figurative “lifeblood” of planets with rock, ore, and nature. Gandhor was the first to find peace with all the elements and the idea of balance, for all his mindscape was focused upon was the preservation of what he had created. In a way, the other Elements always saw him as the wisest as the bunch, and Vilias himself always swore to protect Gandhor as a face of good friendship in order to help strengthen that balance. The gigantic beast of rock and landscape pleased, and for a moment believed that the balance of the Elements could stay perfectly in balance even when separated by Nerisys. However the good-intentioned Gandhor was very quickly awoken by the reality of what was inevitable. As Zyzrasil continued to creep along in the nooks and crannies of the Earth he created when Qhethys would set, and the nature could find its moment to sleep… that very night nearly everything the Elemental Lord of Nature had created was nearly burned to ash. Rocks of magma created the choking feeling of smoke in the air, forest fires spanning miles and miles, Gandhor watched as Ralios set his world, and his form ablaze. The grasses which acted almost as the man’s skin all burned away, exposing nothing but the rock inside the man. As chunks of the stone began to slowly slink away. He figured within that moment, that his end was slowly encroaching. Though luckily Vilias came forward and quickly swarmed the planes of Gandhor with water, quickly drowning out the fire and subduing Ralios back to his plane.   That moment solidified Gandhor’s relationship with Vilias, and even Qhethys came down from her spot in the skies to apologize, giving Gandhor’s life which sprouted the boon to absorb her essence for energy. Though, in that moment Gandhor’s thoughts on “The balance” being restored were forever dashed. He of course wishes for it, though the man naturally dedicated himself to assure that life and nature could live on. Creating massive mountains, multiple facets of life, and environments all across the globe, even in the waters of the ocean, all as to assure that he may always be able to manifest and continue forward the protection of life.

Aphion

Aphion is being of pure air, and mostly manifests herself as a simple feminine figure, roughly human-shaped. She's mostly transparent unless she's manifesting in a place with sand or smoke to be drawn into her winds, as she’s nothing more than a constant stream of twisting air. Aphion tends to be fairly amiable, involving herself in the business of the mortal races the most out of the group. That being said, the demonic steppes hath no wrath like a woman scorned, and Aphion is capable of intense destruction with her buffeting winds.
Artwork by GlamourMary
Domain(s): Air
Symbols: A stylized drawing of a breeze, fallen leaves
Followers: Intelligent flying creatures
Other Names: The Lady of the Skies, The Elemental Lord of Air  

Influence

Aphion has influence over many bestial flying creatures, in addition to the weather and air currents.

Rituals

Sacrifice to Aphion: Like all elemental deities, Aphion enjoys the sacrifice of animals. Sacrificing animals, the larger the better, and cooking the flesh above an open fire until it's burnt away is a great ritual to attempt to contact Aphion, giving up to a plus three, depending on the size of the animal. Unusual or magical animals can give up to plus ten. They must be slaughtered and butchered, cooked and burnt all specifically for the sake of the deity, from start to finish.
Incense Dance: To summon Aphion, generally, one performs the Wind Dance, or Incense Dance. The gist of it is that one does a dance dedicated to the goddess of air whilst a stick of specially prepared incense burns. Once the incense fully burns down, and if Aphion wills it, she will appear in the smoke, and the smokestick will burn for as long as one needs to pray to the goddess.
Convocation of the Windy Peaks: In certain, naturally extremely windy locations, if one is capable of truly meditating, for at least ten minutes, it is said that they can contact Aphion, and hear her divine voice in the winds that rip through those places.

Powers

Aphion has complete control over the winds and air. Stealing the air from someone's lungs is as easy as thinking for her.

Artifacts

Aphion is far too flighty and carefree to spend the time creating artifacts.

History

The last of the Elements to come to a full self-realization, Aphion was blessed and given the power to create momentum from nothing but her form. Wind almost in the form of an everlasting being of energy which doesn't require a vessel to burn like Ralios, or have weaknesses and aversions, like Qhethys or Zyzrasil. Aphion in a way is truly the only perfectly immortal Elemental being. Though, those were not the first thoughts that entered the woman’s mind as she came into existence. Being a literal airhead, the girl seemed keen on bringing her influence throughout all the planes as quickly as possible… and so she did. Aphion flew her breeze through whatever nooks and crannies she could find, exploring every possible inch of every possible place that she could realistically reach. It was a joy for her, and she was excited to spread that bliss with the other Elements… until Aphion finally took time to consider her peers.   Aphion saw a spiteful and consuming negativity and disillusion to all the Elements. Appearing once before all of them after the night in which Ralios had went beserk and nearly killed Gandhor, Aphion saw nothing but a sinful negativity in all the Elements… and decided that she wanted nothing to do with them. As such, Aphion decided she would find better company, and left the planes once more to go search for regular Gaians and life which could keep her entertained. Despite her own revulsion, the other Elements realize her invulnerability, and will often attempt to persuade her into battle via speaking of their resolution… which the Elemental Lord of Wind absolutely despises. It is an old story that Gandhor, Vilias, and Ralios all came before Aphion one evening and attempted to persuade them individually to their side… in which Aphion went into a wild bellowing frenzy, storming and blowing her essence against the trio all at once, presumably defeating the three.   The only reason it is presumed that Aphion won is because none of the other 3 care to admit the battle ever happened… though the Elemental woman spares no details in describing the events. It is this feeling of almost comedic relief that drives Aphion, and fuels her travels across the planes. Constantly looking for new and curious things. Though just because she is altruistic, her presence is not an unbridled good. While she may be entirely neutral to the selfish deeds of the other Elementals, Aphion has never been bothered by Zyzrasil, and seen him as nothing but selfishly bullied. Seeing nothing but a man forced into a defensive frenzy due to the overbearing personality of Qhethys. As such, Aphion’s morals are truly subjective. She can either help the most dastardly of filth monsters, or help a morning child find their way through the harshest hells. It is simply whatever can truly make her care, or what sounds fun, that drives her movement.