Narcissus, Spirit of Pride

Narcissus was once a mortal, a powerful and ambitious emperor who believed himself to be a god. He was so consumed by his own pride and self-importance that he refused to acknowledge the gods as anything other than figments of the imagination. As a result, the spirits punished him by granting his wish and making him a Major Spirit after his death, but confined him to the Spirit Realm and bound him to the earth.   As a spirit, he embodies the sin of pride and continues to encourage his followers to seek power and dominate others, and sees any form of humility or self-doubt as a weakness, believing that those who are proud are strong, and those who are weak will be crushed under the heels of those who are strong. He still makes pacts with his followers, promising to grant them power and prestige in exchange for their devotion, but those pacts are often costly. He is also resentful of his confinement and will seek ways to gain more power, with the ultimate goal of breaking free from his bond and ascending to a Superior Spirit.   His followers believe that by emulating Narcissus, they can attain power, prestige, and perfection, as they follow the example of one who actually achieved godhood. They often engage in rituals of self-worship, adulation, and grooming, trying to make themselves as perfect as possible and hoping to be granted the same ascension as their spirit.  

APPEARANCE

Narcissus is typically depicted as a striking figure with golden hair and piercing eyes, his features are sharp and chiseled, giving him an almost statuesque appearance. He is often shown wearing grand and opulent clothing, typically adorned with gold and jewels, that reflect his obsession with beauty and prestige. In one hand he holds a large ornate mirror, which is said to be a symbol of his vanity and self-obsession. On the other hand, he holds a scepter, symbolizing his power and authority.   His appearance is meant to be striking, and impressive and inspire feelings of awe, reflecting his self-importance and belief in his own divinity. He is often depicted as standing tall and confident, with a haughty expression and an air of superiority. He is also often portrayed as being surrounded by a golden aura, representing his spirit status. He is often shown as confident, self-assured, and with a sense of superiority.  

PERSONALITY

Narcissus is a spirit who embodies the sin of pride, and as such, he is obsessed with his own beauty, power, and perfection. He sees himself as the most important being in the world and expects others to see him in the same way. He is arrogant, haughty, and disdainful of those he sees as beneath him, which is nearly everyone. He is self-obsessed, believing that he is the most important being in the world and that everything should revolve around him.   He is also cunning and manipulative, using his charm and charisma to get what he wants from others. Narcissus is not above making pacts and promises to his followers if he thinks it serves his own interests. He is also not above betraying those who have pledged their allegiance to him if they are no longer useful to him. He is willing to do whatever it takes to maintain his power and prestige, including resorting to deceit, manipulation, and even violence.   He is also resentful of his confinement to the realm of spirits and will seek ways to gain more power, with the ultimate goal of breaking free from his bond and ascending to the realm of gods. He is also willing to use his followers to achieve his goals, even if it means sacrificing them, as long as he believes it will help him achieve his ultimate goal.  

HISTORY

   

TRADITIONS & PRACTICES

There are ten commandments that priests of Narcissus must adhere to:

• The priests of Narcissus must always put themselves first and strive to achieve power and prestige at all times.
• The priests must always maintain a perfect image, both physically and in their behavior, as a reflection of their spirit.
• The priests must always show disdain for those they see as beneath them, and must never show humility or weakness.
• The priests must always be willing to make deals and pacts with others in order to achieve their goals.
• The priests must always be willing to sacrifice others in order to achieve their goals.
• The priests must always be willing to betray those who are no longer useful to them, in order to maintain their power and prestige.
• The priests must always be willing to take whatever actions necessary to maintain their status and power, including resorting to deceit, manipulation, and even violence.
• The priests must always strive to be as perfect as possible, both physically and mentally, in order to emulate their spirit.
• The priests must always seek ways to gain more power, with the ultimate goal of breaking free from their bond and ascending to the realm of gods.
• The priests must always be willing to do whatever it takes to please Narcissus, even if it means committing immoral or reprehensible acts.

 

Ritual of Adulation

During this ritual, the priests would gather in front of a large mirror, which represents Narcissus himself. They would then proceed to spend hours adoring and praising their own reflection, reciting prayers and hymns to Narcissus, and making offerings of jewelry, perfumes, and other items that are meant to enhance their physical appearance.   As part of the ritual, the priests would also perform various grooming and beautification rituals, such as applying makeup, styling their hair, and adorning themselves with fine clothes and jewelry. They would also recite affirmations and mantras to themselves, praising their own physical beauty and power.   The ritual would culminate in a grand feast, where the priests would consume rich and decadent foods and drink to excess, celebrating their own perfection and indulging in their own desires. Narcissus would be invoked and praised, and it's said that the spirit would sometimes appear to his priests, granting them blessings and power.  

OFFERINGS

Acceptable offerings to Narcissus would typically include items that reflect the spirit's obsession with beauty, power, and perfection. Some examples of such offerings could include:

• Jewelry: such as gold and precious stones, which are symbols of wealth and prestige.
• Fine clothing and luxurious fabrics: such as silk and velvet are symbols of elegance and refinement.
• Perfumes and scented oils: are symbols of beauty and sensuality.
• Mirrors: These are symbols of Narcissus's vanity and self-obsession.
• Statues and other works of art: are symbols of beauty and perfection.
• Food and drink: especially rich and decadent items, which are symbols of indulgence and pleasure.
• Incense, candles, or other items: can create an ambiance of luxury and elegance

 

SHRINES & PRIESTS

Shrines of Narcissus are typically grand and opulent, designed to reflect the spirit's obsession with beauty, power, and perfection. They are often located in prominent places, such as palaces, castles, or other buildings of power and prestige. The shrines often feature large mirrors, which are symbols of Narcissus's vanity and self-obsession, as well as statues and other works of art, which are symbols of beauty and perfection.   Priests of Narcissus are typically individuals who hold positions of power and prestige in society, such as courtiers, nobles, or other wealthy and influential individuals. They are often concerned with maintaining their own status and power, as well as seeking ways to gain more power and prestige. They are often seen as arrogant and haughty, and they tend to look down on those they see as beneath them.   The priests often wear luxurious and opulent clothing and adorn themselves with fine jewelry and other items that reflect their status and power. They are also often seen grooming themselves and spending a lot of time on their appearance, as a reflection of their spirit's obsession with beauty and perfection.