The Muse

  (The contents of this page are NOT common knowledge)  

“Without mortals, there would be no stories, no songs, there would be no fun or adventure. I can't sit idly by and allow the people of this world to be so easily slaughtered.”

— The Muse, First Meeting of the Mortal Gods.

 

Preamble

The Muse is the Mortal God of Travel and Luck; though they are also a patron of the arts with an affinity to the stars. They are carefree and do not even really care about being a god, they mostly just wish to be a happy go-lucky Gaian. It is why Raatu is around a lot compared to other Mortal Gods and why The Muse has many tales of walking the land. Occasionally, their reach over travel reaches the journey that is life itself. The Muse takes upon the race of the onlooker and it is unknown whether they are male or female. It's believed they've walked the physical realm since it's conception moving from town to town, village to distant mountain pass, granting small mundane gifts. It is said that sometimes they won’t revisit a place for more than a millenia. They are a well known shapeshifter. As known by their ability to blend in with any race. A symbol of their power, famously is a beast that’s half eagle and half serpent which has three heads. In this form they are said to be at their strongest, acting as a guide or protector of wayward travellers. Taverns and roads are their two more prominent regions of power, where their effects are most seen. Gambling and laughter are a fuel to their wayward heart.   Due to their transitory and fleeting nature, seeing the Muse is a sign of great luck. Those bold enough to impress the god with their own arts are said to be given a blessing of Divine Inspiration, or become a Bard. Those who take in a wayward traveller are also known to reap bountiful rewards.

Sphere Of Influence

Influence

Those in favour with the Muse, are known to be lucky individuals, always safe on the road, and Bards. Those who earn the mortal god's spite are lost souls, cursed to walk as bad omens until the end of the world. They’re often a source of inspiration for many artists, in the hope that one day they’ll earn the favour of their patron. The Muse is known to get on amicably with all other Mortal Gods so often times they are added to people’s everyday pantheon.

Dominion

The Muse seeks to expand their number of followers in a way unlike the other gods, they do this by walking the ground like a regular Gaian, aiding and impeding the lives of those deserving of each. They desire Gaians to partake in games of chance, exploration, food, and arts, while using her power over travel to influence the stars, and give guidance to travel throughout life. Their followers are slightly different from other gods as most who follow them are people who wish to be like them. Their ability to shapeshift has allowed them to prop up and appear throughout the world.   Often the Muse uses their powers in order to influence luck across The Prime Materia, their power over travels works on all forms of travel, from simple roads to sea vessels. The Muse is capable of visibly drawing cosmic lines between the stars to create celestial images. In addition, they can manipulate the starscape and magically move stars into new, temporary positions to formulate new constellations, pointing followers to the right direction. In more serious cases The Muse may extend their reach to the journey that is life and can at least commune with the spirits of those who have passed, peering through the barriers of realms and dimensions to bring their followers the eternal souls of fallen brethren in the form of constellation imagery. They may give a boon to their followers regardless if their path is “good” or not, as what matters is that one enjoys themself. If a follower is in a difficult situation and the Muse sees it they may invoke one of their many bardic spells from afar to aid them in fleeing or fighting. For those they favor they watch over them and merely watch as they use their power for nefarious or good deeds.

Artifacts

  Blessed Peonies - These flower cuttings are manifestations of near pure luck. The holder of such an item is given a reality where everything is in their favour. There is also a legend about using them, before they wilt, to produce a Fortuna Tonic. Which is a potion which gives a diluted effect of the peony but is preserved inside the bottle. Clairvoyant Boots - These boots will take the wearer to wherever their hearts desire. They shall never hunger or tire until the setting of the sun and they needn't worry about direction, for the boots shall guide them.   Flyaría Swan - The waterfowl, is a brilliant white bird, speckled with aquamarine. It has five heads, each with a name and a subject they solely discuss. Pomata head of poetry, Komo head of comedy, Drah head of drama, Tragodia head of tragedy, Mouski head of music. This creature originates from the myth of Ráma’lercië and Bona , whereby the Muse gifts the swan as an act of benevolence and forgiveness.   Jewel of Wind: A spiral-twisted prism of white light manifested with the might of all the stars in the universe. This jewel is capable of moving celestial winds across the lands of Gaia, their great gusts rushing across the world to control the natural world’s ecosystems. It is this jewel that may create celestial storms, end them, or drive the winds of trade in favor of fleets. The Jewel of Wind is worn around the neck as an amulet, and is typically used to guide vessels following ritual prayer to destinations desired. It is unknown how an object of such power came into their possession.   Celestial Maps: In addition, The Muse may grant followers constellation maps which safely guide followers to their destinations, avoiding hostile environments and dangerous peoples. These maps are always useful only once, and will only maintain their scripture when on-course.   Beacon of the World: The Beacon of the World is a levitating lighthouse of unknown origin which is believed to be the residence of The Muse. This lighthouse in and of itself is an artifact, not for the reason that it levitates, but for the reason that it can manifest in any location on Gaia, and potentially in any known realm. The structure’s beacon is described as a swirling amethyst orb of starlight, rotating clockwise once per ten seconds and casting a beam one nautical mile into the distance. Upon enacting its ability to translocate to other sites, the beam suddenly ceases rotation directly before the structure. At the end of its beam, a celestial wormhole erupts into existence, plasmatic lightning crackling at the edges of the anomaly. The lighthouse then accelerates by supernatural force towards the portal and vanishes within. After a brief few moments at its arrival location, a stygian fog manifests and from the violet lightning arcing through its manifestation, the lighthouse thunders into existence. The lighthouse is sometimes seen by sailors, lingering within the open ocean but only briefly.

Mortal Facets

Each culture sees the Muse as a deity, prophet or a simple fairy tale of their own kin and thus the God has several names. A few key traits can help keen eyes spot them: They have a liking for smoking a pipe, they often have a golden feather somewhere on their person and their eyes notably change from blue to amber and vice versa when they blink. Each is speckled with flecks of gold. Their voice and demeanour leave no room to figure out a specific gender.

Ráma’lercië

Their first facet, they were viewed as a lesser deity to elves and humans and only prayed to in minuscule amounts by those who wished to be like them. They represent the apex of freedom of expression and arts that is to be had by all.

Dukh

Their second facet. Before the time of widespread written history, they came down in Gorney] form. He quelled bickering friends and reminded them of brotherhood and kinship to be had amongst them. They represent the bonds to be had between friends and family.

Raatu

One of the newest facets of The Muse, this facet appears as deity to its followers unlike its other facets. A Maksha with a green cloak and hood. He represents travel, festivals, and art. The results of these events are even more of them, dedicated in Raatu’s name, making them stronger the more Beastfolk sing, eat, and travel in their name.
Artwork by David Rodrigues
Domain(s): Spirits, Constellations, Music
Symbols: Raatu (the North Star) Stars, Maps, Lighthouses
Followers: Maksha, Travellers, Bards
Other Names: The Night Traveler Gaia’s Lighthouse, The Beacon

Influence

Raatu maintains direct influence over the stars themselves, capable of twisting and contorting the cosmic starscape visible to those below. The night sky is at his every whim, and Raatu utilizes the stars and their constellations to tell great tales, guide way-finding pilgrims into the unknown, and scry. It is said in myth and legend that Raatu has enabled Makshan voyagers the ability to commune with long-past blood, their spirits visualized in the night sky as a drawn constellation to their realm of cosmic eternity. In addition, lighthouses have been said to be structures of paramountcy and divine sanctity, and when blessed by Raatu can maintain their beacon without a source of fuel, sustained magically by the stars themselves.

Powers

Raatu is capable of visibly drawing cosmic lines between the stars to create celestial images. In addition, he can manipulate the starscape and magically move stars into new, temporary positions to formulate new constellations. Raatu is a dreamweaver and scryer. So much so, that Raatu can commune with the spirits of passed Maksha themselves, peering through the barriers of realm and dimension to bring unto his followers the eternal souls of fallen brethren in the form of constellation imagery.

The Freelancers

The followers of the Muse are not like others and are called Bards or to specify them even more “Minstrels”. Though despite this there is no “main” group of Bards, the musicians and singers will sometimes come together to make troupes and bands while others wander alone on the roads, living between taverns and camps with the rare few settling down. The general banner name these troupes fall under is “The Freelancers” and there is not much of a creed or code making them a mixed group of rogues and heroes.

History

Ráma’lercië and Bona

In the dawning years of Dahu, there was a prosperous Spring Elf settlement called Bona. It was said to be so prosperous that no child cried, for they were hungry or discontent. The King of these lands was said to be so self assured of his position that he began to portray himself as a God. Why not? None could oppose him in wealth or power. Many were discontent under his rule, some wrote poems or songs of satire of the man’s tyranny. Swiftly they were sent to the gallows. It was said he would have his guards pay heavy fines to walk through his ‘holy lands’.   That is, until a stranger arrived in town, one could not discern if they were male or female, their only distinguishing feature was a golden feather tucked behind their ear. They played their harp up and down the streets, and raised the spirits of the oppressed people. Many times the King’s men tried to capture them but failed as something seemed to protect the stranger for as long as they stayed on streets, roads and paths, even the taverns. Soon however, the stranger asked to speak to the King. Against the caution of his advisors, the King accepted the offer, intrigued by the stranger’s boldness. Arrogantly the King asked what business the stranger sought for him “Have thee come to worship? Has the world come to know of my majesty?”. The stranger shook his head. “Offer tribute?” The stranger shook their head again. “Sing for me then!” The King ordered but the stranger simply shook their head once more. Outraged, the man demanded to know the meaning of such insolence. “Who are you to question my heavenly authority?”.   The stranger just slowly shook their head. “You, who would pluck tuneful melodies from throats and seize goods from honest folk, so that they can worship you?”   Before the King had a chance to order an execution the stranger shimmered before his eyes and shifted their form into a giant of half eagle and half snake. The three heads of the beast stared down at the arrogant monarch. “I am Ráma’lercië.” it bellowed. “Through me you shall know humility.”   Ráma’lercië soared into the sky and beat its wings, so much that it caused the King’s halls to be ripped from ground and torn to pieces. A storm brewed and lashed the town with rain that stung flesh. Those who had aided the King were blown high into the sky by strong gusts of wind before plummeting towards their death. The God gave a deafening screech and a murder of crows swooped toward the pitiful King. They plucked and scratched the King, so that his eyes were broken and his body battered and bruised. Crow’s beaks had given the king a scar on his forehead, a horseshoe facing downward. Ráma’lercië sent the man to walk the realm for eternity, he was said to be cursed with luck so severe even those who showed him kindness would suffer.   Ráma’lercië wasn’t completely heartless. The King’s son was given an egg which hatched upon his coronation. Out of the shell stepped a heavenly swan like creature capable of inspiring and beguiling arts to the masses. The beast lived for several Epochs through the royal family, keeping them humble and patrons to the arts themselves, until the creature finally died after 926 Ages.   Ever since, Spring Elven Royalty take heed of Bona and try their utmost to never grow to the arrogance of the King of Bona.

Dukh and the Gold Well

In Drachev culture there exists the story of The Gold Well.   Deep within Gaia, below the surface world and Gorney homes resided a Cave Dwarf clan and a Deep Dwarf guild. Both lived in relative peace, expanding and growing as time went on. Eventually, the Cave Dwarves broke down a wall into a large open cavern and not moments sooner the Deep Dwarves with their magic turned the earth in front of them into simple stones. There was a moment of laughter at the seemingly instantaneous breach before both groups turned to see a well, one that looked like you’d find on the surface world. The ever curious and logical Glubioky marched over to it and turned the cranked bringing up a bucket of gold, with a pair of boots. Ofcourse, having been the first to use the well the Deep Dwarves pronounced it as theirs, allowing the Cave Dwarves to take the boots. In protest the Karmeny stated that they had broken through first and thus claimed the cavern they stood in as there's, including the well and its contents. The bickering went on and on until from seemingly nowhere a Gorney appeared, having entered from one of the tunnels but undetected. They called themselves “Dukh” and wore a bycocket with a golden feather on the side and proposed a solution: The leaders of both groups and the new stranger would “flyte” amongst themselves and whoever won would have claim to the well. When asked why they have a claim on the well the stranger merely said “Well I came up with the solution”. Thinking that like all Gorney this one would try its best but fail the two parties agreed and after insults such as "Nice beard! Compensating or concealing?", “shin licker”, “You’re the sharpest hammer in the smithy, aintcha”, “mud miner”, and “cobalt breath” or “You’re about as pleasant as a breath of bauxite” it came to astonishment of many when the Gorney stood proud with two silent defeated before them.   The stranger subsequently shooed the two groups off their new land while playing a lute, singing of brotherhood and kinship. When both groups returned the next Phase to see the well or the Gorney, they had found they’d taken the boots, disappeared and split the gold for both parties.

Raatu

Ratuu is one of the few deific creatures that Maksha worship, with him being the god of celestial visions, and constellations. Since the Muse takes the form of those who they appear before, Ratuu is a black Catfolk with a green cloak and hood. He cares little for his godhood, and walks his own path. An encounter with him can quickly turn into a private show or a forewarning of things that may come, in the worst of cases a curse.   To Their Followers:
Raatu is the most renowned Makshan explorer and the first Makshan to ascend as a mortal god on Gaia. Early in the blood-lines of the exotic wildcat panthers, it is said Raatu was born thousands of years ago as a scion of a well-connected Makshan family immediately following the collapse of a civilization in an unknown continent. Little is known of Raatu’s early life, and some historians suggest he studied hard to collect an extensive knowledge of music, navigation, astrology, and mathematics.   Raatu’s curiosity of the night sky and cosmic starscape continued on in his early adult life when he was appointed the captain of an unknown brig ferrying ancient relics between Makshan ports. Raatu worked extensively with his fleet admiral to cartograph the coastlines of the continent and map the skies, and later was tasked with exploring the further oceans in search of foreign lands around and across Gaia. In this timeframe, Raatu accurately mapped the entire coastline and the further oceans, and his works once became widely-known but have since-then been forgotten or lost to time.   In his mid-life, Raatu was recalled from his voyages of the further oceans by his fleet admiral and was dispatched on missions to ports to seize warships for peacetime depredations. At some point in this timeframe, Raatu seized a vessel which carried a map which cartographed a foreign region, an island far to the East, certainly not the Old World nor a section of the continent he called home. Raatu organized a private expedition to explore this small landmass with what money he had collected and off he sailed with an experienced crew ship designed to sail the world.   Guided by the cartography, Raatu and his crew made landfall on the foreign landmass after several months of near-hopeless travel. The island was seemingly devoid of fauna, though flora ran the land in thick temperate forest scaling rolling mountains from base to peak. Lakes and rivers split the island, and eventually, the crew ventured upon an ancient stone city -- eerily lifeless. In long-abandoned ruin, the empty city stood dormant for an unknown span, perhaps since the dawn of time. Petrified corpses of some exotic species made solid of ash and bone stood at knee-fall in positions of fear and panic, all turned towards the center of the city and gazing skywards at open air, seemingly focused upon something that was no longer present.   It is unknown what followed in Raatu’s exploration, for any journals documenting the expedition have been said to be destroyed or unrecovered beyond this point. Raatu’s ship and crew never returned from the landmass, but Raatu did, ascending as a mortal god.   Some few hundred years passed, and eventually Raatu returned home. At his home-town port city long after the passing of his family and friends in the dead of night, a stygian fog erupted in the sky and from its core, a lighthouse thundered into existence from a place afar. The stars themselves flashed and shined overhead, cosmic lines stretching the void above to connect its plethora of constellations. At the structure’s crest and apex as it emerged stood Raatu, adorned with the Jewel of Winds, fur alight with the paint of stardust glimmering on his form. The Beacon of the World flew in the sky before the ports.