The Creator
The Divine Creator of the universe and the Middle World. The Creator is seen as the omnipresent backdrop for the world, a Radiant Light that no mortal can fully comprehend. The Celestials, as avatars of the Divine Light in the corporeal world, often serve as intermediaries, "faces" of the Creator, aspects of the whole. Thus, while different Celestials are paid homage to by the mortal races, they all revere the Creator as the ultimate divinity.
The Creator is challenged by the negative energy (or rather, aexistential) matter of the Apsu, the Void.
The Guardians
When the world was young, the Creator fashioned three Guardians out of the elements, a physical incarnation of the cycles of Land, Sky, and Water. These Guardians became feared or revered beasts by many mortals (and some Celestials), and thus were tied to the mythology of the landscape.
Ziz, the Bird Guardian of Zenith
Ziz is the Guardian of the Air, the messenegr between the Middle World and the Gardens and Divine Light far above. He is a massive eagle-like creature, with iridescent feathers and powerful talons. He can communicate with others via a telepathic barrage of imagery, some abstract and some concrete.
He roosts at the top of Zenith, a great stone tower that was built at the center of the world to connect the Middle World to the heavens. Thus, he is seen as the guardian of the gateway to the heavens.
Caravans and other travelers can see Ziz, watching, as they pass by the tower on the main highway leading through the desert. The bird is often said to bring good fortune (even though he is imposing), because he keeps large predators away from those trying to navigate the treacherous dunes.
Leviathan, the Serpent Guardian of the Eastern Ocean
The Leviathan is a long water-serpent. He was created to protect the children of the Creator from threats of the ocean, from others who might cross the Great Seas and invade the Middle World. His protection works as double-edged sword, however, as no ship has ever sailed very far before being crushed by the Leviathan. Incidentally, many treasures of old cargo are lost at the bottom of the Eastern Oceans.
He does not patrol much of the southern or northern waters, as corals and hard shoals keep away most serious water traffic. This makes those waters home to various merfolk and pirates, however, and aquatic monsters such as black dragons.
Behemoth, the Great Guardian of the Land
The Behemoth was a great beast that walked the lands of the Middle World, a guardian to actually cull and keep in check the mortals from overtaking the lands and upsetting the balance. However, many mortals in the central lands did not take kindly to the divine beast's rampages, and hunted it.Eventually, a great alliance of Majirahans, Elder Elves of Adanir, and djinn brought the Leviathan down in a climactic battle, and the beast's death throes created the Scar, a massive fissure that ripped apart the central lands. It took many years to create the Giant's Way, the great stone bridge that spans the Scar and connects the Astara desert (home of Majirah) with the Great Wastelands of Falak (the burning desert of the eastlands).
Rumors abound that the corpse of Behemoth sits at the bottom of the scar, a magical beacon to predators and scavengers, both mortal and mystic. Treasures of the old ages are said to lie with it, among the corpses of the alliance brought it down.
Bes: The Dwarf God
The dwarves called their guardian-creator Bes, the Stone-Mason. Bes
is the Father of their people, a Celestial smith who forged them from the
mountain stones to protect the world from its natural evils. This spirit has
endowed the dwarves with the love of their stone halls and for combat, imbuing
in their people a gift for war and masonry. It is said that Bes did battle with
the Behemoth in the desert, and the thunderous blows from his hammer smote the
best into the ground, causing The Scar.
He is often symbolized in Dwarven art by a stylized hammer.
The Celestial Court
The Celestials are beings created by the divine energy of
the universe. They are not omnipotent and omnipresent like the Creator, as they
can die through violence and other supernatural means (like the hero Shen, who
was slain by Shisano). They are mostly worshipped by the Empire of Taishan, as
the Celestials once held proud unions with the people of that region before
they departed to the Celestial Stage. So Majirahans believe in the protection
of a few, and the wood-elves of Tahirah claim to be descended from Ishtar, one
of the Seven Daughters of the Jade Emperor.
It is said that the Celestial World is the mirror of the
Middle World, and so the phrase “As Above, So Below” denotes that the intrigues
of their lives affects the realm of mortals. It’s not uncommon for inclement
weather or other events to be explained via the goings-on of the Celestials.
The Jade Emperor
The leader of the Celestial Court, the Jade Emperor is a man
of great power and wisdom. He is strict and intelligent, but often prey to
divine hubris. His consort, the Sapphire Empress, keeps him in check. The
Emperors of Taishan claim to be descended of his Celestial blood, when he lay
with a human woman during the Second Age.
The Sapphire Empress
She is haughty but fond of mortals, often needing to remind
her husband that they are not mere play things, but the prized children of the
Creator. She is seen as the other half to his great power, but the Jade Emperor
is often the one revered.
The Seven Daughters
The Seven Daughters are the only children of the Jade Emperor and his consort. They are often seen as more accessible than the Jade Emperor, a being whose might is often too great for mortals to fully comprehend.
- Ishtar, the Star Maiden. Goddess of love and healing magic. She is represented by a seven-pointed star, or in the Elven tradition a teardrop.
- Kishar, the Mother. Patron of motherhood and farmers (growth and nourishment). Her son is Neral, the Warrior. Neral’s union with Tiamat led to the birth of Di Lung, the Earth Dragon. Her symbol is the oak tree.
- Ashnan, the Farmer. Plants, Trees, Grains. Patron of farmers, druids, and nature magic. Her symbol is a oak sapling.
- Tamazusa, the Consort. Love. Sensuality and sexual desire. She is the patron of concubines and female power. She is represented by the crimson pinwheel.
- Nidaba, the Scholar. Patron of scholars, writers, and many wizards of knowledge. Her symbol is the open book.
- Uttu, the Artist. She is the mother of weaving and the arts, and a matron to the Halflings, and as such she is mostly seen as a minor Celestial (and her mendicants are often persecuted). Most of her duties fell to Ashnan as a result. Her emblem is the loom.
- Sirsi, the Itinerant. Patron of ocean-travelers and fishermen. She is also revered by elemental magicians. Her symbol is a rolling wave.
Anasu
The Celstial of the Sky and husband to Kishar. He is patron
of travelers and magicians, who draw upon the ethereal strings of power in the
air to create magic. His symbol is the bird.
Neral, the Warrior
The patron of warriors and combatants, Neral sees life as a
constant conflict, a series of tests to be won. When he was young he was seduced
by Tiamat in human guise, and she gave birth to Di Long, the Earth Dragon who
was later controlled by the Emperor of Taishan. His symbol is a double-bladed
axe.
Shen, the Hero
Shen is the great hero of the Celestials, a man who was
loved by the people and the divine powers for his courage and personality. He
slew Tiamat in combat and brought prosperity to the Middle World. He was
betrothed to Ishtar but was slain trying to rescue her from Shisano, the God of
Death. He is equivocal to Gilgamesh. His symbol is a fiery sword.
Kujaku
Kujaku is the god of time, fate, and possibility. He
represents the infinite permutations of mortal life, interwoven with the world
of the Celestials. He is charismatic and charming, often appearing to young
lovers and fledgling heroes and adventurers as a guide of their fancies and
dreams. Some say he is conniving and a trickster, playfully devilish and
interested in only his divine whims.
He is represented by the peacock, and his symbol is a
peacock feather/eye.
Shisano
Shisano is perhaps the most fluid of the Celestials, as his
name holds weight in all three major kingdoms. He is the God of Death and the
Underworld, the Void, where souls burdened by ill-deeds are lost upon death. He
rules from his throne in the Inverted Tower of Nadir, and is neutral in all
things.
The elves of Tahirah claim that a priest once tricked
Shisano, thereby resulting in their belief in reincarnation. His symbol is an
eclipsed moon (full with crescent).
Kui
Kui is a Celestial who’s part dragon and part monkey. He is
said to control the rain through the power of a drum, the beating of which
causes thunder and lightning. He is symbolized by a drum with a lightning bolt
on it.
The Majirahan Pantheon
The Majirahan mythology of early days is centered on cosmic
animals that represent the life of the desert. Many Majirahans believe in a
blend of this early cosmology and the Celestials, who proved themselves to
affect the Majirahans’ livelihood. These early deities can be found in the
older cities of the desert kingdoms of Astara and the Wastelands of Falak.
Phoenos, the Bird of the Sun
Phoenos is seen as the ruler of the Majirahan Pantheon, because the sun holds much prominence there. In the Majirahan Creation myths, the Creator fashioned Phoenos to hold the Seed of Light--the Sun--that would allow the Middle World to grow. However, because Phoenos was attracted to playfully hunting El-Ahrairah, he engaged in the cosmic chase of day and night. He is seen as a powerful symbol for clerics and magicians of the desert.
Phoenos was once recognized as an avatar of the Sun, a living bird and the winged mount of the first Shahs' chariots, but was consumed by the burning forest fires that drove the Nagas from the Majirahan Kindgom. Phoenos' ashes were spread into the winds, where he was lifted to the sky and now carries the Sun along its journey during the day.
Phoenos is seen as the ruler of the Majirahan Pantheon, because the sun holds much prominence there. In the Majirahan Creation myths, the Creator fashioned Phoenos to hold the Seed of Light--the Sun--that would allow the Middle World to grow. However, because Phoenos was attracted to playfully hunting El-Ahrairah, he engaged in the cosmic chase of day and night. He is seen as a powerful symbol for clerics and magicians of the desert.
Phoenos was once recognized as an avatar of the Sun, a living bird and the winged mount of the first Shahs' chariots, but was consumed by the burning forest fires that drove the Nagas from the Majirahan Kindgom. Phoenos' ashes were spread into the winds, where he was lifted to the sky and now carries the Sun along its journey during the day.
El-Ahrairah, the Rabbit of the Moon
The Rabbit was created to evade predators, and so is seen as the spirit of the Night, and invisibility. He is cunning and crafty, playfully interacting with Phoenos, who hunts him regularly. Because of El-Ahrairah's jovial spirit, Phoenos created Buud, who became the oppressive heat and storms of the desert.
El-Ahrairah is worshipped by magicians and often thieves' groups or bandits, who live at night or under the guise of invisible strings.
The Rabbit was created to evade predators, and so is seen as the spirit of the Night, and invisibility. He is cunning and crafty, playfully interacting with Phoenos, who hunts him regularly. Because of El-Ahrairah's jovial spirit, Phoenos created Buud, who became the oppressive heat and storms of the desert.
El-Ahrairah is worshipped by magicians and often thieves' groups or bandits, who live at night or under the guise of invisible strings.
Buud, the Hyena
Buud represents all that is primal and dangerous of the desert. He was originally the hunter of El-Ahrairah, but he has since grown, and is seen as the creators of the Kaftar. Legend has it he cursed mortals to do his bidding in the Middle World, and there hyena-forms became the enraged desert vagaonds of the Kaftar. Buud is seen as master of the wild creatures and fierce weather of the desert. Often travelers will say, "Buud is watching us too closely," or "Buud stalks us today," when misfortune or inclement weather strikes a caravan or city.
Tahbin, the Snake
Tahbin is a creature that represents cycles and immortality. He is often seen as a representation of death, but also of rebirth, as the snake sheds its skin and is "reborn." Tahbin was villainized when the Nagas became the enemies of the Majirahans and djinn, and so Tahbin now represents craftiness, betrayal, and duplicity. These are qualities that make representations of Tahbin a go-to for bandit or thieves gangs, as well as organized tanzims (guilds).
Tahbin is a creature that represents cycles and immortality. He is often seen as a representation of death, but also of rebirth, as the snake sheds its skin and is "reborn." Tahbin was villainized when the Nagas became the enemies of the Majirahans and djinn, and so Tahbin now represents craftiness, betrayal, and duplicity. These are qualities that make representations of Tahbin a go-to for bandit or thieves gangs, as well as organized tanzims (guilds).
The Fox
The Fox
in Majirahan mythology is a trickster, the god of playfulness. While foxes are
said to have vast stores of knowledge, they often use it to play tricks on
mortals. There are many stories where the Fox bites off more than he can chew
in one situation or another, being used as a moral anchor for many Majirahans.
A common proverb in the desert communities is, “Think of what Fox would do, and
do the opposite.”
It should be noted that most foxes are seen as emissaries of "The Fox," who is large, often white or silver, and sports nine tails.
Zu, the Bird of Passage
Because Ziz is so visible to many desert-caraveneers, she has become a staple
in their mythology. Perched upon a great tower (called Zenith, which the
Majirahans believe extends to the Gardens of Paradise), Ziz watches travelers
and attacks those she deems evil. The Majirahans called her Zu, which is more akin to a messenger bird than a bird of prey.
Zu represents both the passage of the soul (Death), and
also the passage between worlds and realms of understanding. She is the
guardian of travel in all sense of the word, figurative and literal, and so is
revered by many scholars who see her as a guardian of enlightenment.
Dragons
While many dragons are seen as a burden on their Middle
World, there are some that have gained notoriety in their involvement in the
daily lives of mortals.
Di Long: Is an
Earth Dragon who lives beneath the capital of the Empire of Taishan, Taimahn.
He is the child of Neral and Tiamat, and was once a rampaging monster before he
was controlled by the first Emperor of Taishan, Kuramoto. The Empire would
harness the power of the dragon to control the surrounding regions, and
eventually the borders of the Empire as it exists today.
Shen Long: A rain
dragon who once lived in the shores of Astara. When the Nagas were driven
westward in the Second Age, Shen Long also fled the devastation. The Majirahans
believe that Shen Long’s departure is the cause of limited rainfall in the
desert.
Falshir: An
emerald dragon who lived in the northern forests of Tahirah, Falshir once
enjoyed a peaceful communal existence with the wood-elves there. However, one
day the dragon went berserk and burned a number of villages to the ground
(including the home of Elaria, the party Druid). Since then, the elves of
Tahirah have been trying to hunt Falshir, but with no luck of catching him.
Amun-Bal: A
silver dragon in the Dengari Mountains, Amun-Bal is also the protector of
Koso-mehr, a temple city dedicated to protecting the dragon and ensuring
balance in the world from all evil-doers.
Shabnan: A dragon
who dwells in the sands of the Great Wastelands, Shabnan is worshipped by the
people of Ŝirahz. He also shares a connection with the djinn people, who left
most mortal cities to dwell in the hidden city of Ubar.
Annayur: While
not much is known of this dragon, the Auran Tomes uncovered by the party
beneath Rhotas Barav claim that Annayur protects the city of AdanÍr, the Lost
City of the Elder Elves. As he is a gold dragon, there is rumor he and Amun-Bal do not get along quite so nicely.
Valgastad: A
white dragon who lives in the far north beyond the mountains, stories of
Valgastad making deals with mortals have reached as far south as Majirah.
Traders claim that the dragon offers alliances to men who can do his bidding in
the Middle World.
Kusanryu: A black dragon who dwells in the old ruins of the eastern coast of Taishan, Kusanryu is heralded as the foe of the Emperor, as he sees Di Long as his adversary.
Tien Lung: The Celestial Dragon of Order
Tien Lung was one of the dragons seeded in the Middle World
by Zarkham, the Cosmic Dragon. Tien Lung is an immortal dragon who represents
order and unity.
Tiamat: The Celestial Dragon of Chaos
Tiamat, the counterpart to her brother, represents chaos and
destruction. Because of her foul nature, and desire to inspire discord, the Celestials
sent their greatest hero, Shen, to slay Tiamat. He did so, becoming the most
famous of the Celestial heroes. Tien Lung took his sister’s body to the Apsu,
where it rests in the Void. While Tiamat was corporeally defeated, it should be
noted that law and chaos are immoral, and so are the two dragons.
Falak: Though not technically a dragon, Falak is the cosmic serpent of evil and antimatter. He was imprisoned by the Creator in the Great Sea of Fire below the Apsu. Legend has it that Falak's awakening spells the end of days for the Middle World.
The massive eastern desert, with its intense sandstorms, heat, and treacherous lack of roads, is named the Wastelands of Falak because of its deadly and oppressive climate.
Falak: Though not technically a dragon, Falak is the cosmic serpent of evil and antimatter. He was imprisoned by the Creator in the Great Sea of Fire below the Apsu. Legend has it that Falak's awakening spells the end of days for the Middle World.
The massive eastern desert, with its intense sandstorms, heat, and treacherous lack of roads, is named the Wastelands of Falak because of its deadly and oppressive climate.
Spirits and Other Creatures
Foxes
Foxes are seen as mystical emissaries of the Celestials, a
union of their energy and the natural world. They are seen as wise sages,
carrying on secret traditions of Celestial magic and arcane knowledge. Wizards
and scholars seek out foxes for their knowledge of spells and their components.
Gumon
Gumon
creep out of the shadows in places where divine energy is weak. They
are agile, able to crawl deftly along walls and ceilings, and resistant
to heat and cold. Normal weapons can't harm them unless they are in the
light of prayer stones (ino-ishi). It should be noted that gumon
are not seen as inherently evil or bad; they are just part of the
balance of nature (shadows where there is no light).
Djinn
The djinn are a mortal race created of smoke and fire. They parallel the creation of the other mortal races, but are often seen as more supernatural, even compared to the elves. They are ruled by four great elemental Djinn Lords, whose vast power and wisdom were sought after by mortals in the hopes of controlling the Middle World. Because of this, Kazim the Abjurer was tasked with locking away the Djinn Lords in brass vessels. Those vessels were buried in the ruins of the Second Age, and the djinn retreated the hidden city of Ubar, lost in the sandy Wastelands of Falak.
Giants/Oni
The Giants were outcast elemental guardians of the Creator, large mortal beings tasked with safekeeping the valleys of nature that the Creator fashioned. However, they became all too proud of their status and the lands they guarded, and this made them as dangerous to mortals as they were to any other threat.
Giantkin that are often malicious are called oni (ogres), and are sometimes dumb mountain dwellers or sorcerous night haunters. [Thus the term "oni" does not reflect the single D&D monster.]
Poyo
This is a generic term for many forest-spirits. Often poyo come in different forms, such as living trees or sprites, but they are often playful and mischievous. They are the physical emanations of the natural spirit energy of the world, tied to its beauty and landforms.
Asim
Asim are the spirits of the deserts and wastelands, which is an umbrella term for smoke and dust mephits, as well as helpful desert spirits (called specifically Asim), which can be summoned by the faithful.
Goryou
Goryou are the disturbed dead, also called mummies. They are often driven by a need to protect their tomb, or cursed to walk the Middle World by some unholy sorcerer. Goryou cause a rot in mortal flesh, which must be treated by magic, and while often filled with hate, some can be cunning and intelligent.
Djinn
The djinn are a mortal race created of smoke and fire. They parallel the creation of the other mortal races, but are often seen as more supernatural, even compared to the elves. They are ruled by four great elemental Djinn Lords, whose vast power and wisdom were sought after by mortals in the hopes of controlling the Middle World. Because of this, Kazim the Abjurer was tasked with locking away the Djinn Lords in brass vessels. Those vessels were buried in the ruins of the Second Age, and the djinn retreated the hidden city of Ubar, lost in the sandy Wastelands of Falak.
Giants/Oni
The Giants were outcast elemental guardians of the Creator, large mortal beings tasked with safekeeping the valleys of nature that the Creator fashioned. However, they became all too proud of their status and the lands they guarded, and this made them as dangerous to mortals as they were to any other threat.
Giantkin that are often malicious are called oni (ogres), and are sometimes dumb mountain dwellers or sorcerous night haunters. [Thus the term "oni" does not reflect the single D&D monster.]
Poyo
This is a generic term for many forest-spirits. Often poyo come in different forms, such as living trees or sprites, but they are often playful and mischievous. They are the physical emanations of the natural spirit energy of the world, tied to its beauty and landforms.
Asim
Asim are the spirits of the deserts and wastelands, which is an umbrella term for smoke and dust mephits, as well as helpful desert spirits (called specifically Asim), which can be summoned by the faithful.
Goryou
Goryou are the disturbed dead, also called mummies. They are often driven by a need to protect their tomb, or cursed to walk the Middle World by some unholy sorcerer. Goryou cause a rot in mortal flesh, which must be treated by magic, and while often filled with hate, some can be cunning and intelligent.
The Dark Witches
The Dark Witches, like Tataka in the Gurigashon Marsh, are seen as daughters of the Void, a creation of the Apsu to counter the Creator's children. It is said they are infused with the broken psyche of Tiamat,which splintered when the dragon was entombed there at the close of the second age.
The Great Sages
Bestowed with wisdom and a love of the Middle World, the great sages are fonts of information for adventurers and scholars. They are often in out-of-the-way locations, but do commune with mortals. They will be listed here as they are encountered.
- Rajasaru: A monkey who lives in an old temple called Pharat, between Tahirah and Majirah. He is seen as a little crazy, a lover of trinkets, and a sage who loves interacting with mortals on a playful level.
- Yash: The Tiger sage Yash, a great winged feline, respects directness and the concrete world above silliness. He is seen as a guardian of the forests of Tahirah, and wise in the natural world.
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