A codex is a simplified listing of ideas and instructions for a group of faithful. While technically it doesn't have to be for a specific deity, they usually are. It will list histories associated either with a god figure or one their followers, such as an angel and moral philosophies associated with the figure. Most contain spells and heavenly maps that only those of a particular spell casting level can understand.
Greater Gods
Quanna: Goddess of the Light, Mistress of Flight, LG, Weekly, (Often called the Lady)
Mathai: God of the Hunt, CG, Monthly, Green, Patron of Rangers
Darras: God of the Poor, NG, Weekly, Brown, Patron of Landless Knights & the Poor
Japeth: God of Courage, LG, Monthly, Orange, Patron of Paladins
Keran: God of the Night, Master of Fright; LE, Any, Monthly, Black.
Cush: God of Bloodshed & Murder, CE, Before Battle, Red, Assasins
Shion: (Shine) God of Greed, NE, Any, 3 coins arranged in a triangle, Patron of Finders (Thieves).
Faval: Lord of Destruction & Rebirth, CN, Non-Lawful, Flame / Teardrop
Casna: God of Justice, LN, Weekly, Purple, Patron of Monks
Holon: Earth Mother, Mistress of Druids, Neutral, Any, Seasonal
Demi-Powers
Rowena: Lady of the Cold, NE, White, Patron of Undead
Anubis: Defender of the Dead, LN, Patron of Jackalla
Crayos: Keeper of Secrets, N, Patron of Seers
Jubal: Lord of Shadows, CN, Patron of Spice (Drugs)
Fatanus: Lady Luck, CN, Gaming Wheel / Dice
Orelleo: Lord of Traveling, NG, Any, Patron of the Gypsies
Rosetti: Mistress of Beauty, Lady Love, CG, Patron of Sorcerers
Jamile: Lady of Suffering, CE, Any time when sick.
Jamine: Lady of the Plague, CE, Any time sick
Stradamia: Mistress of music, Patron of Bards, N
Shellonna: Lady of the Oceans, Patron of Sailors
Shi-Lo: Lord of Combat, N, Patron of Monks
Great Horned One: Patron of the Minotaur-kin
Father Stone/ Mother of the Mountains: Patron of the Dwarves
Tree Lord / Spirit Mother : Patron of the Fey
Phoenix: Lord of Flames, Patron of the Phaetox
Fenris: Beast Lord, NE, Any, Grey, Master of Lycanthropes,
Bourdana: Master Chef, Lord of Inspiration, N
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Keran
God of the Night, Master of Fright;
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Follower's Alignment: Any
Associated Colour: Black
Holy Days: Every Month
Sacrifice: Tithe (20%) or forty hours of service
Familiar Form: Avian (Black Raven or Black Snake)
Domains: Protection, Evil, Fear, Summoning, Darkness, Sickness, Pain, Healing
Followers: All, Evil Aligned people, City Folk, Rogues, Sorcerers, Poor, Gamblers
Rank: Usually referred to as Lord or Master; ordain both genders.
The Dark One, the accursed. Lord of Fear. Master of Horror. Master of Darkness.
His faith is based on fear of what is beyond the coil. Both the dark and night are not just within his domain but represent what is beyond you. While many look to his church to grant them access to power, many more look to the horror to move past their own fears. His church gives relief, but it also
demands payment. Many view His as the true source of all evil in the world, but his followers merely say that only with the strength of Keran can they overcome their fears. Yet other followers say there are only two kinds of people, those who fear and those who are the source of fear, who you are is based on what you choose to be.
He has two primary types of followers, those who want succor and those seeking to inflict fear on others. His good aligned followers appease their dark lord, offering sacrifices of every type to keep their Lord content. They are not happy or proud, yet they know that this way, the dark way they can get done what needs to be done. Many of these types of followers constantly wear a small obvious black article of clothing. When committing their rituals, they wear dark masks or cowls. In some places it is against the law to worship the dark one, but in most places their obelisks are public and those who go there are not questioned for their alignments or choices.
The other type seek power - willing to commit horrific or evil actions in order to get what they want. They are drawn to the dark obelisks to commit both dark rituals and evil actions, and they are then given harder challenges that they must overcome to be granted more powers. Few have any compulsion about doing the horrific actions and often enjoy comitting acts of violence, torture and blasphemy.
While distinct in their attitudes, at most obelisks there is no division. Evil priests often work for good aligned ones, or vice versa up the chain of power. Positional advancement happens because of success. Most times there is no single path -there are direct ones with use of violence and terror but many times, there are other harder less obvious routes; this is how the good aligned Keranites accomplish their goals.
Failure is not just personal for the good aligned Keranite, it also means more influence and power for the evil aligned ones. Perhaps the only blessing is that good-aligned Keranies always help their own, uncaring about personal advancement but doing what they can for others who share
the hope and faith.
Clerics on Nyssa are often dual worshippers, so it is common for Keranites to follow good or Neutral aligned gods. They must always, especially in cities, openly wear their Keranite colours and symbols. They worship the dark one because they feel they must, but follow others because it is in their hearts. As long as they do not proclaim the good (or neutral) over anything else, and commit their service as required, they are not
penalized.
Black is the colour of their priest's vestments. Most good aligned Keranites wear one small but obvious black clothing item; others just do the whole goth thing. Evil ones are much more elaborate, wearing dark, twisted vestments that have obvious twisted features.
His avatar form is usually a rogue dressed in chain mail with two anthril blades, always a precursor to commit a secret action. They come to challenge the faithful to commit dark actions. They never come to help, help is for the weak, and when the avatar assists there is always a cost.
Most religions on Nyssa tend to small shrines or obelisks as modest gathering places - Keran tends towards large, opulent churches and temples with huge monasteries and statues. They often have the most followers, and have huge weekly or more often services. Screams, songs and ritualistic ceremonies are common for public actions - these are where the good-aligned Keranites must come. There are also smaller, dark, horrific rituals where evil actions are done for power or sometimes far worse.
Like many other Nyssian deities, Keranite faithful do not have an official list of rules they must follow. Instead they have a code that they learn to recite in times of danger; this guides them to make the correct decision. Individuals may interpret the code differently. However as long as they truly and faithfully follow their heart, they are true to their High Lord.
Keran Code
In darkness there is truth
Bitter, ugly nasty, truth
Do what cannot be spoken aloud
Do what you may not want to do
Simply because it is the only way
Never hesitate
Kindness or courtesy is a weakness,
Be strong, and bold and take action
Purge hesitation
Do what must be done
And you will be rewarded
Evil is a marking of failure
All your success will be rewarded
* * * * * * * * * *
Cush
God of Bloodshed & Murder,
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Follower's Alignment: Any Evil or chaotic or blood-thirsty
Associated Colour: Red, Blood or Bloody Weapons
Holy Days: None, Before and After Battle
Sacrifice: Tithe (10%) or twenty hours of service/month
Familiar Form: Red Tinged Bear or Snake
Followers: Chaotic or Evil Aligned people, Soldiers, Barbarians, Rogues, Assassins
Domains: Chaos, Strength, Protection, Evil, Rage, Tyranny, Ferocity, War
Rank: Often referred to as in local military command codes; Mostly Male
The First Killer. lord of Murder. Battle Master. Red Lord.
His faith is of those who kill, for profit, for protection or for fun. They enjoy killing others simply because they can. Many times there are benefits to society, but for his followers, they want to grow in power and prestige as the blood splatters upon them. His church is a military often a city's official militia, under constant threat to act out in violence to protect those who are too weak to do so themselves.
Except for professional, full-time soldiers, few actively worship him outside of battle. Yet during combat, his is the name constantly called out for aid and advice abd accuracy to strike a lethal blow. His followers care little about following specific honorifics, they want to do battle and then drink and brag among colleagues.
There are official churches or obelisks dedicated to Cush, few are utilized on a regular basis. Instead anywhere a group of soldiers gather during a battle, they raise a spear and dump a bunch of corpses around it, this is a simple brutual but effective obelisk to his faithful. In most military compounds there are small carvings that are dedicated to Cush. Both the low-level grunt or highest official Battle General can appreciate Cush and his followers, except most believe they take the blood-rush too far, and try to discourage the boldest acts of his faith. They do not try ban it, as there have been many instances of internal conflicts between the Cush faithful and others. Unlike other faiths they do not have specific holy days, instead, both before a battle or after one, the faithful show their devtion.
Red or blood is the colour of the faithful. They are not expected to wear it, except in the middle of battle when they want it smeared over their clothing. There are few non-chaotic followers, and they do not have official services, merely the faithful take small symbolic action before or immediately after battle. There is rarely official clergy but experienced battle-lords can get the faithful to follow them if they prove successful in battle. In many cases, High Priests are transformed captains who one day was changed into a priest because of the need for one - in most cases these immediate priests will be killed in battle within 10 days of their change.
His avatar is a battle-tested knight wearing half-plate, heavy sword and shield. Only coming after a minimum of nine days of battle, to lead on the tenth day. What is most important is battle, not the purpose of either side. Not common, but the avatar, has sometimes come to help one side on the tenth day and help the other side on the eleventh.
Like many other Nyssian deities, Keranite faithful do not have an official list of rules they must follow. Instead they have a code that they learn to recite in times of danger; this guides them to make the correct decision. Individuals may interpret the code differently. However as long as they truly and faithfully follow their heart, they are true to their High Lord.
Cush's Code
Be strong and true
fight with your brothers
Be brave
to fight with your comrades
Train your mind and soul
to fight with your mates
Kill your enemy
without thought, hesitation or regret
Spill their blood
to show your honour, courage and conviction
Blood will be spilled
Blood will flow
make sure it is not yours
* * * * * * * * * *
Shion: (Shine) God of Greed, NE, Any, 3 coins arranged in a triangle, Patron of Finders (Thieves).
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Follower's Alignment: Any Evil or Rogues
Associated Colour: Gold, Silver and Platnum coins arranged in a triangle
Holy Days: Every Week
Sacrifice: Tithe (10 %) every job
Familiar Form: Rat (Raven or Snake)
Domains: Trickery, Luck, Knowledge, Evil, Darkness,
Followers: All, Evil Aligned people, City Folk, Rogues, Shop-Keepers, Travellers, Homeless
Rank: Usually referred to as Finders
Those of honour or wealth or stature try to make the laws, to control you. Ignore everything except your own impulses. Let Greed be your guide. What you want is yours if you can take it. And when you no longer desire, it is there for another.
Don't try to be greedy, yet never hesitate. Take, because you want, because you desire, because you plan, because you can. And if you can't, it was never yours.
There are just as many official Shion churches as unnofficial ones, and they are all training centres, where the would be finder comes to learn, both in skill and rumour. They plan, using whispered codes for every step. His priests are dual classed clerics or wizard along with rogues. They give advice, but don't give homilies, as only success is important.
Shion has few enemies, as other deities know he just doesn't care about laws or rules, it is not personal, it is just a challenge where nothing is personal. Yet nobody likes or trusts him, as he will steal from you or kill you as it doesn't matter, except success.
Like other Nyssian deities, Shinites faithful do not have an official list of rules they must follow. Instead they have a code that they learn to recite in times of danger; this guides them to make the correct decision. Individuals may interpret the code differently. However as long as they truly and faithfully follow their heart, they are true to their High Lord.
Shion's Code
Greed is your guide
be true to your self
Never hesitate, take what you want
But do so with thought, plan and cunning
Be not cruel or kind
Take because you can
Take because you want
Take because you practiced, long and hard
Greed is your test
Success is your only reward
* * * * * * * * * *
Faval
Lord of Destruction & Rebirth, CN, Non-Lawful, Flame / Teardrop
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Follower's Alignment: Any Non Lawful
Associated Colour: Swirl of Colour
Holy Days: Every Day
Holy Symbol: Tai Chi Symbol with a Flame and Teardrop
Sacrifice: Tithe (5%) or fifty hours of service
Familiar Form: Swirlthine (Flying Swirling Snake)
Domains: Protection, Chaos, Summoning, Mothers, Giving Birth, Darkness, Blindness, Sickness, Pain, Healing, Shouting
Followers: All, Chaoticly Aligned people, City Folk, Sorcerers, Gamblers, Sick or Insane
Rank: Usually referred to as Master; ordain both genders.
The Binder. Maker. The Breaker. Open Circle.
Few follow Faval from childhood, it is a blessing that happens to individuals who are shaken to the core and awaken with an appreciation of absudity and non-linear thinking, that others call the insane. Most often his followers awaken from moments of chaos or horror and understand that horrific actions are not personable, one needs to accept that things happen, but then fight them. They are usually the calm one in the midst of terror with a higher plan; perhaps gifted with abilities they never had before.
Faval followers do not have a church or obelisk, rather when fourteen or more come together they can see an obelisk between them. What it says to them is personable, but usually there is a general theme. Unlike other religions they have no pre-set literature or scripture, they speak from their heart or mind or from another place, and if you want to listen you do, if you don't, then walk away. Few Favarians care about personal expressions but if your actions stops or enforces someone else to do what they don't want to do, then Favarites get involved.
Favourines when called or marked, become servants of chaos. Very few become priests, as other religions, but they become dedicated to helping their community. Many become fervent speakers, others speak to just a few at a time, some hide away until called out. Those who become leaders are often gifted with abilities, usually just a few spell like powers. Favines are the only known type of priests that can use a un/holy symbol of anothe power to cast their spells.
Favalites don't make long-term plans, but make hundreds of small term ones. They do tend to help
the greater communities they are in, but it is rarely observed by others. They don't seem to be doing anything, yet they
are always there, always involved.
Rarely trusted, barely tolerated, neither good nor evil can make sense out of these lunatics, but that is the point. They are swirls of chaos, but sometimes when many swirls come together, incredibly powerful acts or statements happen.They have brought down countless kings or bishops, because a community (not necessarily theirs) senses a need to do, so they do, and many times their collective actions can get everyone around them involved - regardless of race or faith the collective madness happens and things change.
Favar's Code
Do,
Do not not do
Act
when you have no script
Count
when there are no numbers
Be
because why not
Action
is purer than thought
And if you think about it
You've already lost
Do
Just do
Just do
just do
or Favians,
* * * * * * * * * *
Anubis
Lord of the Afterlife, LN, Lawful Neutral, Eye
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Follower's Alignment: Any Lawful
Associated Colour: Purple or Grey
Holy Days: Every week or special days of the dead
Holy Symbol: Ankh
Sacrifice: Tithe (20%) or fifty hours of service
Familiar Form: Jackal
Domains: Law, Protection, Mourning, Undead, Summoning, Darkness, Light, Healing,
Followers: Jackalla, Mourners, Lawfully Aligned, City Folk, Sorcerers, Undead Hunters,
Rank: Usually referred to as Master; ordain both genders.
Anubis is an exception on Nyssa, as he is not originally from this mortal domain. He is from another land but was called on during times of crisis due to the overwhelming threat of undead. Once he and his followers came, they found a new home here, and remained settled in the cities.
Their duties have remained much the same, keep the old vows, protect the living while hunting down undead. The last item is what they are most famed for, as there are few adventurers that haven't seen them do their tasks with religious ferocity.
Unlike other peoples, they do not care to get followers or wealth. They want to be left alone to
practise their rituals. Others can help them, or even change their own ways to match the Anubians, but that is their choice, and the followers of Anubis don't try to convince others, they do what needs
to be done.
