PHYSICAL
the
domain
"If you care for the earth, the earth will care for you. Every element has its purpose in the natural order: from the smallest grain of sand, to the towering canopy, each protects and serves in the great balance of life. We each have a responsibility to fulfill this purpose, and any deviation will not go unpunished. Should the natural order be disturbed, it will be restored, no matter what barriers may be erected, no matter who or what threatens to destroy our realm."
from dust and to dust
PANTHEON OF EARTHLY ELEMENTS
THE EMINENCE OF THE EARTH
Aliases: Seb, Sa, Pangu, Gaia, Asase Ya, Tonantzin, Pachamama, Hou Tu Niang Niang, Prithvi, Bhumi, Nantosuelta, Fjörgyn
The Great Deity of the Earth
They are who rules the land and those within it. The Eminence of the Earth is one who shares what they own to the beings of the world. They are relaxed and calm, like an elder who has seen everything. They do not interfere with what the others do and instead are willing to give advice to anyone that might need it. Despite the fact that humanity had hurt them so, they still continue to hope for a better future.
Nurturers
Disciples of the physical pantheon.
Naturalism
The following of the physical pantheon.
Elementalists
Those blessed by the physical gods.
The physical domain is everything within the atmosphere surrounding the Earth; interacting with the ether of the sky. From the top of the mountain, to the very depths of the ocean, all the creatures and every natural entity belong to the Earth. Everything in the physical domain is made of mana, a magical energy that breathes life into each being, permeates every inanimate object, and represents the forces of nature that define the world.
THE EARTH
Magical energy used to conduct physical magic is called ether.
Naturalism prioritizes the world, and its followers consider the Earth to be a gift from the Gods. Humanity’s purpose is to protect this gift, rather than submit to the Gods. The physical Gods are one with the world, and by respecting them, and their element, you will reap the benefits from nature. To destroy the natural world is to commit a great sin, but it is not the right of humans to exact such punishment; nature’s wrath will seek out those who have wronged it. Mana is inherently karmic, and it remembers the scars torn into the Earth. Followers believe their dead remain connected to the Earth, able to pay their respects.
Followers of individual Gods are expected to respect the pantheon as a whole, and to disregard any of the gods is sinful. Those who disrespect any amongst the pantheon are non-believers.
Domain Feature: Nature's Friend
Apostles under this domain will be able to detect emotions of nature by touching them. They cannot understand its language but they can feel its emotions. This applies to anything natural including dirt, fire, water, plants, and creatures that cannot speak a language.
Aliases: Merhet, Saso, Kishar, Spenta Armaiti, Zemes māte, Mlande-Ava, Nerthus, Terra-Mater, Sif, Skadi, Ruaumoko
Embodiment of Metals, Minerals and Resolve
FORGER OF MOUNTAINS
Deity of Earth
The earth is strong, erecting the tallest mountains to the lowest gorges. The Forger is able to create and mold the earth as they so desire. They offer the blessings of both rock and minerals, pride within their achievements and gifts to the creatures walking on it can be heard from every smash of their hammer. However, the Forger is stubborn and resistant to change. Unlike the Eminence who invites humanity’s growth, the Forger holds a grudge towards humans for tearing into the Earth, deconstructing such intentional landscapes and forcibly reshaping terrain to fit man’s own image of a perfect landscape. The Earth’s scars are as much psychological, as they are physical, and their ego has never quite recovered from the recklessness of humans. They are bold and never hide their thoughts from others no matter how much it can hurt them for they think knowing is better than ignorance.
The faithful followers of the Earth can reshape dirt and stone to suit their will, though they may find the element stubborn if this goes against the wishes of their patron God. Those chosen by the Forger have dominion over the land and its contents. Able to enforce their will upon metal and stone, and control magnetism as they choose. They move an immovable element as easily as a farmer tills dirt. Their power over the raw contents of the Earth provide them strength, and stability in a changing world.
The earth blessed are considered steadfast and strong, reliable members of Sanctuary. They are characterized as inhumanly stoic, but they are just as feeling as every other blessed. They are coveted in the mining industry, and any other industry that involves ores, raw earthen materials and gems. They are known to be valuable engineers, but particularly when the projects remain close to the ground. They can sense the makeup of any earth mineral, and if they are no a geologist themself, are often consulted by them.
Deity of Flora
Aliases: Ta'i, Aja, Demeter, Nomkhubulwane, Damu, Emesh, Abu, Ninsar, Fufluns, Berstuk, Ops, Nemestrinus, Rhea
Embodiment of Vegetation, Seasons and Growth
GUARDIAN OF VERDURE
When one withers, another blooms. One must die to feed another. The world is full of contradictions. They are nurturing, a caretaker who never hesitates to offer their services to those in need. But just as easily they will exact wrath upon those they deem deserving; when love turns to hatred and that hatred gives way to fury, the inevitable result is death. They give bountiful gifts, but just as easily take them away. They are ever changing, and as the world changes around them, there is no escape. But even in the most desolate of places, life always finds a way to grow.
The blessed are the champions of the environment. They were once farmers, helping humanity forge a path in the unrelenting wilds, but as humanity has expanded, their goals have shifted. No longer does humanity need the nature blessed to grow food, navigate forests and explore the lands. Now they prove to be the greater threat, and as such the blessed seek to educate and protect the environment. Like the fauna blessed, they are a voice for the voiceless.
The Guardian can grow anything instantaneously, but humanity must have patience. Prayers bring bountiful harvests, and plentiful seasons. Followers may be able to fertilize their crops, to grow at an unnatural speed, but only the blessed can sustain instant growth, from a seed to a mature plant. Just as their god represents growth, they too flourish under their gifts Their weapon is the natural world, and the lack of understanding many have for it. And in the presence of the natural world, they dominate.
Deity of Fauna
Embodiment of Creatures, Fertility and Stewardship
The blessed speak for animals, but have a tendency to deviate from their gods gentle approach. They are loud activists, burning within from the anger they sense from the animals humans have harmed. Some don't have the stomach to fight for the animals, and take a simple approach, forming their own safe havens to rehabilitate animals, spending more time trying to understand each. Their communication with animals lends itself to research, in all fields of science, as animals often know the world better than we humans do.
The followers of the Shepherd draw life to them, as much as they are drawn to it; they easily gain the trust of animals. Those chosen by the Shepherd take this shared respect to a much greater level. They can communicate directly with animals, and build a reciprocal relationship that most humans could never achieve. They are known for their familiars, the animals that are most loyal to their blessed. Willing to die for their master, who seeks only friendship from their bond.
Aliases: Medeana, Aranyani, Actaeon, Dali, Enkidu, Yum Kaax, Baianai, Cernunnos, Karærin, Pan, Inuus
SHEPHERD OF BEASTS
Beasts are part of nature and with their existence comes a chain of power. The Shepherd understands that the weak follow the strong and is hyper aware of the unfair advantage of humanity against their kin. Despite this, they do not bear grudges, spending more time caring for their creations than resisting the intelligent man. They are curious to an extent, the tendency to prefer a calm and understanding atmosphere. Their calm demeanor and gentle disposition has not been enough to prevent the mass extinction of many of their creations. One should not forget that the Shepherd is a ferocious deity, and their anger burns for far longer than that of their fellows.
Deity of Water
Aliases: Sothis, Dragon King, Nammu, Varuna, Gonggong, Tsovinar, Vishap, Poseidon, Suijin, Haurvatat, Apam Napat
Embodiment of Seas, Tides and Fluidity
CHALLENGER OF THE STAGNANT
The tide caller has always been sincere. They understand the importance of water to this world, and no pain would ever be great enough for them to seek to take that away. Despite this, they can be quite reckless; this erratic nature can level communities and ruin lives. Regretful as they are when the calm returns, they reflect on themselves to strive for betterment than resentment. They respect the need for adaptation and change. As water ebbs and flows, so does their opinions and values ever shift with the world around them.
They often find themselves drawn to the ocean. Whether by the god who blessed them, or by the call of the sea, they always feel trapped when locked in by great expanses of land. So, they can most often be found on ships out at sea. Or something in lighthouses, guiding ships home. They make their home in marshlands, swamps, beaches and inlets. Wherever there is water, they feel at home. They also work the hardest to appease the storm god, to make the oceans all the more inviting.
Those loyal to the Sea can harness its currents to their benefit. A small power, perhaps, but it has defined the course of history. The blessed’s control of water far surpasses this. Their emotions are as fluid as their element. The harsh cold of ice that can shatter and reform with their touch. The great tidal waves they summon with their anger washes over those who dare to challenge them. The warmth of steam surrounds them in their happiest moments. Versatility is their greatest weapon.
Deity of Wine
Aliases: Dajin, Acan, Dionysus, Bacchus, Varuni, Aegir, Du Kang, Silenus, Ometochtli, Inari
Embodiment of Poisons, Intoxication and Madness
SEEKER OF MERRIMENT
The line between benefit and harm has long been blurred. The joy of one can be the bane of another; this is the line where this God exists. Wine seeks the extremes, and they relish in their accomplishments. Bringing such great emotion to humanity has become their greatest purpose. One part generous, one part careless. They leave others defenseless and unable to care for themselves, allowing them to hold all the power. Kindness may benefit the receiver, but there will always be an advantage for the giver that cannot be ignored.
Though capable of great harm, the wine blessed choose to follow suit and focus on the merry persona of their god. They have been accused of misusing their status to throw lavish parties, instead of helping the other blessed, but they argue that the other blessed fail to see the value in partying, rather than the parties being a problem. Even when intoxicated, they strangely don't lose their sharp mind, and are probably the best stranger to ask to hold your drink: their detection of toxins has saved a fair few.
Famous for their trick of turning water into wine, the followers of Wine are the highlight of any party. The blessed are not always so assertive in their displays of power. They can turn almost any inert liquid toxic. Whether this is turning water into alcohol, saliva into poison, mucus into a toxin, they can alter the properties of a liquid into one which affects the mind. Strength comes with practice, and the inexperienced wine blessed struggles to make a wine worth drinking. These liquids they've created are also within their control, much like the water blessed.
Deity of Air
Aliases: Mok, Vayu, Qebui, Shu, Enlil, Vejopatis, Stribog, Egoi, Sídhe, Njord, Aeolus, Szélatya, Shinatsuhiko, Pakaa
Embodiment of Wind, Sound and Freedom
PROSPECT OF ZEPHYR
The great deity of freedom; unchained from the world it belongs to. Though their ties to the earth are weak, they are surprisingly grounded. Their actions are well-considered, whilst being uninhibited by the opinions of others. It’s easy to be jealous of one so confident and laid-back, but it’s difficult to hold any ill-will towards somebody so overwhelmingly likable. They are just as important as any element; the air needed for life to breathe and release their wastes to be swept away. They carry the wishes of humanity through the sky, pulling their dreams into the heavens where they can soar, free from the strife of reality.
Just as their god is carefree, so are the air blessed. Uninhibited by the grounded elements, they are free to traverse the world without feeling tied to any particular profession, or place. They sometimes struggle to feel at home in any particular place, but this means they can instead enjoy what the world has to offer. They say you can taste the air in every city, every town, every land, and you will always remember it. Only the air blessed understand this sentiment.
Prayer to the winds grants magic-users the ability to dampen sounds, and for the most powerful, even enhance them. But only the blessed can call upon the winds themselves to aid their ambitions. Their control of the wind is clean and precise. With this power, they often use it to boost their movement and maneuverability. Above all they seek freedom, and their use of their power reflects that. They are almost untouchable, moving through the world unencumbered by the restraints of most, not unlike birds that rise above.
Deity of Fire
Aliases: Sumir, Agni, Zhurong, Wadjet, Ogun, Oya, Hephaestus, Kamuy-huci, Ney-Aki, Kagu-tsuchi, Arshi Tenger, Alaz, En
Embodiment of Flames, Energy and Rejuvenation
IGNITER OF INFERNOS
The spark that decimates landscapes. The blaze that burns everything down to ash. The ash from which new life is born. Fire is inherently destructive, and as such, care must always be taken when harnessing its power. It is a marker of change, a provider of warmth, a force of nature that has as much a place in the cycle of life as any element. Fire is more than ruin; it is passion, it is strength, it is change. The Inferno never rests, their passion and desire is unparalleled in this world, and they will never sit back to allow others to take control of their destiny. They are a force to be reckoned with, but not entirely immovable.
Those blessed by fire believe in change. They know that sometimes old ways must be destroyed to make way for the new, but other times, what exists must be preserved. They often walk the line between the two, struggling to find balance. They are overall forces for good, but fire itself is capable of immeasurable harm, and struggle to come to terms with that reality. Some blessed have minimised their use of the power, becoming blacksmiths, firefighters and cooks, taking on professions where they will do no harm.
The Inferno grants its devotees the ability to resist the danger of fire’s destruction. Those blessed may never fear fire again, with their newfound control of it. Its chaotic limbs bend to their will, it’s burning potential restrained by their desires. Obedient and tamed, blessed fire is a tool as much as it is a weapon. They have the strength and vigor to melt just about anything, and the passion and drive to rebuild from the wreckage. They leave in their wake a path for new beginnings.
