Valkyr

Valkyr is the winged fury god of violence, savagery, and wrath. Her ferocity and brutal strength have earned her infamy across most of Iskara. Whatever, or whomever, stands in her way will meet a cruel and agonizing end. Wherever she walks, only ash and cinders follow.   Valkyr is described as a rage fueled force of nature. While many mortals succumb to their anger, Valkyr uses it to its maximum potential, drawing power from it.   Few can ever fathom comparing to her strength and mastery of weaponry. It is even believed Valkyr is responsible for the deaths of several of her fellow gods, all of which remain unknown.   Religion and Culture   Valkyr is well known across much of Iskara, even those who do not recognize her among their pantheons are well aware of her influence.   Among the Sareni Valkyr stands near the apex of the most detested of her kind. In ancient texts and stories it is told that Valkyr was among the very few that Saren, the patron deity of the Sareni, feared for her shear brutality in battle. As a result, many among the Sareni pay particular attention for Valkyr worship and swiftly work to annihilate it.   Known simply as The Bloodied Blade to the Arikiri, Valkyr is infamous among their clans as the antithesis to Taruk, one of their patron deities. Taruk values quick, clean kills, something Valkyr abhors. To Valkyr the more brutal and drawn out a kill is, the better. For this reason the Arikiri detest the goddess of malice.   The Snow Elves are a respectful people and pursue every avenue of reasonable peace possible, avoiding conflict to the best of their abilities. For this reason Valkyr takes great pleasure in tormenting these humble people. She goes to great lengths to convert any Felvithar to her cause.   The Avar clans know this god as Valkyn. the Greater Rage. Vara is the patron deity of the Avar and represents the Bloodrage, raw power drawn from ones inner strength and anger. But what separates Vara from Valkyr is that Vara demands improvement, to build upon one's capabilities to further not only the self but the clan. Valkyr however, represents the selfish brutal power, for there is no room for the weak among Valkyr's armies.   In Ankari culture Valkyr is known as Rava, the World Breaker. Across all Ankari people Valkyr is believed to be an agent of the world's destruction. Some legends speak of Valkyr rupturing the world with pure rage alone. Among the Dakarans this belief changes little as they are a rather traditional people and the infamy of Valkyr has never waned. Even the Orans, who are typically more open-minded towards the Ventara, detest Valkyr. Normally times of war are great opportunities to amass great wealth for those that take advantage of such times but it is hard to make a profit when one side has no need for mortal currencies and pose an existential threat. The Isagani manage a delicate balance with the natural world, a peace Valkyr cares little for. The Isagani attempt to avoid the wrath god's ire to some success.   To the Osteron she is known as Vallak, the Fury-Willed One. The Osteron people are no strangers to battle and have persevered through countless wars, raids, and invasion from their southern neighbors but very, very few take pleasure from such conflicts. This combined with their vast ingenuity has garnered Valkyr's interest. The god of wrath is not one for patience expect for the Osterons. It is hypothesized that Valkyr intentionally holds off from attacking the Osterons and watches to see what they create. When something is deemed extremely beneficial to Valkyr then agents are sent to retrieve the item. Of course the Osterons loathe such instances and a secret Collective was formed, the Wrathguard, to keep a close eye on innovations that may peak Valkyr's curiosity.   In Sarkosh culture Valkyr is known as Vatan. Valkyr in their pantheon represents violent death and vengeance. As such it isn't uncommon for Valkyr's name to be invoked in times of war when the Sarkosh seek an edge over their enemies. Such rites are invoked primarily by the Red Sarkosh, masters of war.   Amidst the isles of Maduran she is known as Varu, the Four-Winged Devil. A prominent god within the Clan of Dusk, Ventara of few, if any, redeemable qualities. To the Madurans Valkyr represents the untamed nature of war and this excessiveness is precisely what the island people detest.   Worship   The cults of Valkyr are a notorious plague upon Iskara. Much like the cults of Eros these groups frequently fight one another in hopes of gaining their god's favor. Violent duels, betrayals, and civil infighting are all too common. One cult that has stood the test of time is the Scorched Dawn. This infamous cult is most active in northern Teldara and much of Amdor, as a result many of its members are Avar who seek more violent means of battle.   Valkyr is said to be relatively active among the more prominent cults. She seeks to weed out the weakest among them and shows favor to those that demonstrate ruthless talents. Many members of such cults presume that some part of Valkyr respects those who take what they desire but few can be certain.   Artifacts   The Wrathborn Cleavers   The signature artifact of Valkyr are her dual axes. The jagged, imperfect weapons burn with unending cinders along its edges. Its sawtooth edges rip into its victims leaving behind a smoldering infection that quickly spreads throughout. Such an infection is said to feel akin to being burned alive from the inside out. Such a cruel weapon is highly sought after by Valkyr's worshippers and those wishes that the weapons never claim another victim.   The origins of such crude weapons is mired in mystery, some believe Valkyr herself forged them eons ago, others say she "convinced" a talented smith to forge them. Regardless of such claims, it is undeniable that these axes embody pure, unburdened rage.   Iram's Cuirass   Iram's Cuirass is rather unique for the fact that it was created relatively recently. Centuries ago one of Valkyr's Corrupted champions, Iram, garnered great favor from her through her period of ravenous destruction she wrought throughout Iskara. At the apex of this chaos Valkyr enchanted Iram's chest piece to bolster her physical strength, endurance, and agility. As Iram caused more and more destruction the cuirass fed on her rage and before long it reached its maximum potential. Upon reaching this potential the cuirass could now continuously feed on not only the wearer's rage but that of others, which could then be stored and unleashed to devastating effect. The wearer could channel this energy into themself bolstering their physical attributes to a godly degree or release it in a massive wave of catastrophic destruction. These enchantments have made this artifact one of the most powerful in all of Iskara, even other Ventara fear it. Fortunately this artifact, along with Iram, were locked away centuries ago by a band of powerful mages.   Realm   Reidiriki   Reidiriki is the realm created and ruled over by Valkyr. The realm is described as a collection of gothic constructs strung about in dark black clouds ravaged by crimson storms. There is also said to be no ground floor, so if one were to fall from one of the various constructs a never ending void would welcome them. Given the realm's more unique nature, very few, if any, have managed to make it far within it. Adventurer's and Ventara alike have found great difficulty in mapping and conquering the realm respectively, which makes it that much more enticing.    The numerous constructs dotting the realm, known as Domkirks, each serve their own purpose; some serve as training grounds for Valkyr's Isventyr servants or as places of devotion for example. The largest of these Domkirks is Myrheim, Valkyr's primary seat of power. Though, given her violent nature, Valkyr is rarely within her own realm as she is constantly warring in the realms of The Void attempting to grow her power and influence.   Servants   There is only one unique Isventyr race that serves under Valkyr, the fittingly named Valkyries. The Valkyries adopt an appearance quite similar to their matron, stalwart female humanoids with only one pair of black, cinder wings. They are also  adorned with heavy armor and wield a variety of brutal weaponry. The Valkyries make up the bulk of Valkyr's forces and strike fear into anything foolish enough to face their unified ferocity.    Many among the Avar believe the Valkyries to be judges in death. In such legends the Avar say the Valkyries descend upon the dead and dying a take their souls to the appropriate realm in the afterlife. This belief has spawn numerous rituals in order to pay respect to the winged furies.