Games, all sorts

Portfolio: Nobility, Wisdom and Kindness in Ruling, Responsible Rulership, Protecting the Weak

Anmei was a Shujenga before rising to divinity 3000 years ago. Anmei is related to Takagi, and sought diefication to counter his influence. Like a handful of other dieties, Anmei was raised to godhood by others. In her particular case, she was granted minor powers from Kalther and Luminar. The powers granted to her were not enough to raise her to godhood on their own, however. Anmei first had to prove herself. To do this, she took up the role of a demi-god, building her own worshippers until she was able to rise to full godhood on her own accord. After doing so, she returned the power granted her by Kalther and Luminar, and was a independant diety in her own right. Anmei is loved by Noble and commoner alike. She teaches that the right to rule must be proven, and the ruler owes his or her position to the ruled. With this as her primary teaching, Anmei's church is one few layers. The High Priests work to run the administrative aspects of the church, while the lower priests handle the daily affairs. It is said that any cleric of Anmei visit her if they feel they have been wronged by a superior, including herself. Anmei appears as a human woman dressed in blues and whites. All who see her agree that she exudes nobility. She is called the Just Queen, and her favored weapon is a light mace.

Portfolio: Fertility of Fields, Rivers and Streams, Living Harmoniously with Nature

Areinnye is the daughter of Arienwe. As the Greater Gods were released from their prisons, Arienwe became actively involved in the affairs of mortals, looking after crops and general welfare. Unfortunately for Arienwe, this tipped the scales of power on Terris towards Drith. After the destruction of the forests of Al'Kazmeer did Arienwe realize how precarious her position had become, and she was forced to leave the world of mortals to battle Drith. Before she left however, she gave the mortal world her daughter, Areinnye. Areinnye's father is Cephris, and it is from this auspicous parentage that she has some dominion over earth and water. Unfortunately for Areinnye, her parents weren't overly compatible, and she is substantially weaker than her half brother Danackes. Areinnye is a kindly goddess however that guards her mother's favored folk, the mortals of Farne. Areinnye works her mother's will in providing bountiful harvests and productive streams. She and Kara tend to clash frequently. Areinnye appears as a half-elven woman ( depicting the dichotomy of her birth ) surrounded by small animals and birds. She wears the simple clothes of farmers. Her favored weapon is the scythe, and she is sometimes called the Harvest Maid.

Portfolio: Poetry, Song, Eloquence, Beauty in thought, Art

Companion to Shehennie, Elrie rose to divinity some 1900 years ago. Elrie was once a human bard who fought to restore the domain of higher arts back to the Gods of Good. Along with Shehennie, Elrie and 5 others challenged Ueerin in Upper Thalia. After the battle Elrie collected the artistic elements of Ueerin's portfolio and ascended to godhood. Elrie rarely manifests physically, performing to appear in works of art, song, or poetry. Her clerics, having no real prototype to follow, are as varied as any two works of art ( many claim this is how Elrie wants it ). Elrie is sometimes called the Songmaiden, and her favorite weapon ( when it is used ), is a rapier.

Portfolio: Rule of Law, Triumph of Good, Just War, Righteous Retribution, Protection of the Young and Old

Hathandar is the son of Shanris and Luminar, born into godhood some 3800 years ago. Hathandar is more militant than his parents, much to their chagrin, however, he still espouses the tenets of good his parents advance. He often seeks to advance his parents' influence by fighting those who do harm to those who cannot defend themselves. Hathandar commonly appears in epic battles against evil and cowardice, often unexpectedly. His appearance always emboldens the righteous to perform great feats. He is commonly seen as a massive warrior in silver polished armor with a great silver sword. His clerics generally wear heavy armor and wield heavy maces. His favorite weapon is a silver greatsword. He is sometimes called Lawbringer or Foehammer.

Portfolio: Kind Justice, Tolerance of Others, Peaceful Coexistance, Understanding Benevolence

If ever there was a misrepresented god of light, it would be Kalther. Kalther was one of the original entities to be sucked into Arcanis Rift, making him one of the original gods. A sheep herder, he found divinity most unexpected. Kalther's kindness and understanding quickly gained him many followers, giving him enough power to hold on to his position despite his inexperience. His many followers however carry the stain of zealots in Kalteristan ( to which he does not grant his favor ). Kalteristani clerics, who wield no divine power from Kalther, have misinterpreted many of Kalther's teachings, and have given his faith a black eye in recent years. Kalther has never abandoned his simple sheep herder's garb. His clerics also tend to wear similar garb, eschewing gaudy excess. His favored weapon is his shepard's hook ( quarterstaff ). He is sometimes called the Kind Shepard.

Portfolio: Magical Beasts, Benevolent Intelligent Creatures, Fey Spirits

Kestia is the anti-thesis of Seracoth. For every nightmare that sprung to life in the Year of Horrors, a dream of beauty did as well. Just as Seracoth was spawned by the evil unleashed upon the world, Kestia was created out of the mutual “goodness” of dreams made real. Kestia was unknown to most before the Year of the Lesser Gods. This is most likely because those who would suspect her existance didn't know where to look. Kestia has two main avatars. The first is a Pegicorn, a winged unicorn of pure white. Her second form is that of a small winged sprite only a foot tall. Though she may be short in stature, most commoners believe the magical energy that infuses Kestia is comprable to that of Enanye or Keslaar. Though people knowledgeable of such things tend to point out that this is impossible ( given that the very essence of Enanye or Keslaar is magic ). Regardless, most experts give her the title of most magical lesser diety. Unlike Seracoth, many humans and demihumans have flocked to Kestia's clergy. Most live as druids in her protected forests. Kestia is sometimes called the Forestwarden or Spirit Maiden. Her favorite weapon is her magical horn ( a spear ).

Portfolio: Diplomacy, Equity, Honest Trade, Opening New Trade Routes

Lereal is a middle-aged deity that rose some 1800 years ago. She is commonly called the Lereal the Fair, or simply the Merchant. Originally a human wizard, she was the sole surviving member of a party that challenged Sharaget, an evil deity that had taken his power from a much older, weaker deity. As such, most of the Evil Deities fear her, though she has no further ambition ( though truth be told, she didn't wish her current position ). However, she seeks to guard the trade routes of the world from the encroachment of evil. Her avatar is commonly seen as a middle-aged woman with simple pants and a white tunic. Most of her worshippers are honest merchants and ship captains. Her clerics usually match her style of dress. Her favorite weapon is a light crossbow.

Portfolio: Cycles of Life and Death, Sun

Luminar was one of the earliest wizards, and was working closely with Arcanis Dawnthistle when he opened the Arcanis Rift. As an elf in life, he claimed the position of cycles of life and death and his beloved sun. He is often seemed as a kind, elderly elf, a father figure to those who walk under the sun. Many claim he wanders the planet seeking to help those in need. His clerics often wear simple robes, usually white, and seek to ease the minds of those facing natural death. His favored weapon is a light mace. He is sometimes called the Dawnfather.

Portfolio: Compassion for the Wounded, Easing of Suffering, Birth

Shanris rose to divinity some 4000 years ago. Originally a cleric of Luminar, she often walked the land spreading his word. It was widely whispered that she was the beloved of Luminar, and upon her natural death, Luminar recreated her, giving her elements of his portfolio. Her avatar is that of a kindly, middle aged human woman whose very touch eases the pain of those giving birth or dying on the battlefield. Her clerics wear bluish robes trimmed in gold. Her favorite weapon is a quarterstaff, and she is sometimes called the Dawnmother.

Portfolio: Forests, Natural Animals, Wilderness, Travel, Natural Beauty

Shehennie is now a middle-aged deity, some 1900 years old. She was once a human ranger who sought to restore the power of the forests and Poetry back to the Gods of Good, who had briefy lost them to Ueerin, an evil interloper diety. Along with six companions, Shehennie challenged Ueerin in the twisted forests of Upper Thalia. After the battle, Elrie and Shehennie were the only surviving companions. Shehennie collected the natural elements of Ueerin's portfolio, and ascended to godhood. She is often seen wearing green chainmail armor, wielding two scimitars. Her clerics generally multiclass as druids or rangers, and tend to wear green robes or green tinged armor. Shehennie's favorite weapon is the scimitar, and she is often called the Mist Maiden or Lady in the Clouds.

Portfolio: Endurance, Righteous Suffering, Martyrdom, Perseverance

Varthine is the god of martyrdom. Born a human roughly 3800 years ago, Varthine, seeking to lessen the suffering in the world, challenged the Dark Lord or Pain and Suffering, Methegar. Successful in his endeavor, Varthine ascended to divinity as the Diety of Pain and Suffering. Exercising his will, and testing his powers of endurance, Varthine was able to change his portfolio to Righteous Suffering and Martyrdom. Varthine commonly appears as an elderly man with torn white robes. He skin is covered with open wounds and welts, slowly soaking his robes in blood. His clerics are usually found in downtrodden areas, attempting to take the pain of the world into themselves, to alleviate the suffering of others. He is sometimes called the Penitent or the Sufferer. His favorite weapon is the barbed scourge.

Portfolio: Exploration of the Unknown, Lost Knowledge, Exposed

Aeveril was one of the first Gods to ascend to the heavens. He is sometimes known as the Travelling Librarian. He and his followers are the seekers of the knowledge lost after the Year of the Lesser Gods. His avatar is often seen as a kindly, if somewhat aloof man, dressed in simple brown robes and solid open-faced sandals. Aeveril's clergy tend to dress in a similiar style, shunning trappings of oppulence. He was closely aligned with Echnis, though Aeveril had inadvertently stolen many of Echnis' followers. His followers commonly are librarians or researchers of secrets, magical or mundane. His favored weapon is a quarterstaff.

Portfolio: Youth, Innocence, Optimism, Dauntlessness, Overkill

Aya was a sorceress from Masayume who lived approximately 1300 years ago, who was known in life for over-the-top displays of fire-oriented magic, plus her innocence and optimism despite the darkness of the times She lived in. As a teenager, She joined a band of fallen angels over concern about the safety Her home (Farne) as the band waged their epic war against the forces of Chaos. After fighting a devastating battle on the plains of Masayume against the agents of Chaos, the band traveled to Alestia to pursue their end goal. Together, they orchestrated the fall of the most powerful of the Lesser Gods that Farne has ever known (Vrask), who was ally to the Demon Prince, Barshemoth, Lord of Chaos. The powers of Vrask were then turned against Barshemoth and used to destroy him utterly. In the aftermath, overcome by internal strife and disagreements, the band of fallen angels destroyed themselves. Aya was the only one among them to survive. Following these legendary events, Aya ruled Alestia for a bit, and then stumbled across a seal of divinity in Her elemental fire mine. She decided that being a God was an ok way to spend Her time. Aya appears as a youthful, short, redheaded girl wearing hues of black and red. Clerics of Aya are a cheerful bunch, throwing parties at any excuse in order to spready joy and happiness. Their outreach programs focus on nuturing youth and helping adults to learn what they need to get ahead in life. Many orphanages are dedicated to Aya, and She has a disproportionate number of fire manifest followers. Aya is known to be good friends with Megumi since before She (Aya) was even a god, and has more recently befriended Wanryoku. Her largest temple is in the capital city of Alestia and Her favored weapon is fire. She is sometimes known as The Brat or Aqua.

Portfolio: Virgin Forests, Wild flowers, Waterfalls, Raging Rivers, Druids, Unspoilt Wilderness

Dianyphous was one of the original druids. She was a close friend of Arcanis Dawnthistle, and was at his side when he ripped open the Arcanis Rift. Her early affinity with nature led directly to her becoming a favored goddess of druids and rangers. Dianyphous commonly manifests in places of great natural beauty. Travelers in the depths of great forests occasionally report a beautiful woman frolicking in a natural spring who quickly disappears when hailed. Many believe this to be Dianyphous. A shy diety, she avoids the affairs of most other dieties and most humans, tending to her beloved wilderness. Those who despoil her beloved areas often feel her wrath. She has few clerics. The few she does have tend to predominately be elves who have broken from their more cosmopolitan brethren, or humans. They tend to dress in the garb of druids, wearing natural clothes of leather and natural fibers, eschewing metal in all forms. Her favored weapon is a wooden quarterstaff. She is occasionally called the Sylvan Maiden.

Portfolio: Random Luck, Games of Chance, Longshots, Success at Impossible Odds

Kael was a gambler from Elendia that rose to godhood with the role of a die. As a human, Kael was the embodiement of luck. Unfortunately for Kael, he would often be run out of town for being “too lucky.” Eventually, he found himself in the City State of Endelbar where his luck was noticed by the local thieves guild run by an intrepid cleric of Reszul, Diety of Organized Crime and Thievery. Under orders from the guildmaster, Kael was to be brought to be assassinated for his “crimes.” Kael discovered what was afoot, and sought out the thieves guild. In one night, Kael destroyed the guild, their master, and shattered the secrecy that surrounded them. Reszul took umbrage at this insult, and assailed Kael with his full fury. Reszul's ally, Angrax saw an opportunity to strengthen his position at Reszul's expense, and protected Kael from afar. In the heart of downtown Endelbar, Reszul manifested physically and confronted Kael. Angrax then appeared to “protect his interests in Endelbar” and suggested that the two settle their differences in a game of chance. Reszul demanded Kael's life should Kael lose, and audaciously, Kael demanded Reszul's throne if Reszul lost. With the single roll of a die, Kael won Reszul's throne, only Reszul wasn't about to turn it over, and instead immediately attacked Kael. It was at this point that Reszul realized the schemes of Angrax as Angrax' dagger pierced Reszul's fully manifested heart. As Angrax was collecting Reszul's Seals of Power, he missed Kael stealing one for himself. With a Seal of Power, Kael ascended to godhood. Not wanting to be the God of Thieves, Kael reforged the Seal in his own image, allowing him to become the new God of Luck. Kael smiles on long shots and impossible odds. His clerics live by this creed, and are considered by many to be borderline insane ( many are! ), taking ridiculous risks which more often than not pay off. Kael and Syl are widely believed to be lovers, and clerics of Kael and clerics of Syl intermingle freely. Kael is described to be a debonaire, dark-skinned diety with a flair for the dramatic, and a flash for fashion. His clerics tend to be gamblers and dress for the part. His favored weapon is the saber.

Portfolio: Pathological Liars, Mirrors, Opposites, Appearances

Nobody really knows where Leira came from, or how old she is. Many speculate that she actually a diety in hiding from another world. Regardless, Leira will not answer any question with a straight answer. Leira is a bundle of contradictions, the embodiment of truth and lie, forward and backwards, beauty and ugly. While not really a playful diety, Leira appears to be unable to answer any question with the truth. The closest she can actually come is to not give a completely incorrect answer, though she really has to try. Leira's clerics aren't allowed to ever knowingly speak the truth. Should they, Leira will strike them down without warning. Leira herself appears to be both beautiful and hideous at the same time. She wears robes of colors that strongly contrast, white and black, or blue and orange for example. Her clerics are prohibited from wearing matching colors. Many people express distrust of Leira, though, most point out that she seems harmless enough. She is often called the Conflicted or Confused. Her favorite weapon is a polished longsword.

Portfolio: Humor, Harmless Mischief, Kleptomaniacs, Landing on one's feet

Liese was formerly a halfling before she somehow ended up a diety. Liese was a good humored sort, beloved by all… well, at least thats what she'll tell you. As near as scholars could tell, Liese was working with a band of free spirited people sent by the King of Valenost to investigate recent ( circa 200 after the Year of the Lesser Gods ) organized goblin incursions into Valenesti lands. As near as scholars can discern, Rydis himself was organizing his former clan in the Icemarches to avenge some slight ( perceived or real ) from Luminar. Not quite sure what they were up against, Liese's compatriots snuck through the enemy lines and penetrated the destroyed castle that was serving as the goblins' headquarters. Not quite realizing what they were up against, the companions pierced the walls of the castle and snuck to the main throne room, where they ran into a 9 foot goblin face to face. Rydis swung his axe, and Liese's companions were relieved of their heads. Luckily for the halfling, she didn't stand near as tall. As the bodies began to fall, Liese tumbled out of the way and activated one of her many magical rings. Evidentally, she went unnoticed. Liese was able to hide out until things had calmed down. As she snuck out of the castle and back to Valenost, she discovered that the ring she placed upon her finger was not her own, rather, it was one of Rydis'. Once she realized what she had in her posession, she cleaned the ring thoroughly ( who, after all wants to wear the Ring of Rydis, the Malefactor ), and claimed her new position. Liese is popular amongst pranksters and daredevils. Those in her favor always seem to pull off some miracle at the last minute, and are usually quite unaware of how it was done. She gets along exceptionally well with Kael, and to a lesser degree, Syl. Her clerics are generally pranksters that aren't welcome in some of the more civilized cities, though they are always welcome around a friendly fire were stories and ale are swapped freely. She is often called Liese, the Lightning Handed. Her favorite weapon is the crossbow.

Portfolio: Mentalism, Triumph of Willpower, Psionics, Innovation and Invention

It is possible that Lilim was a power even before the Year of Horrors, though nobody is certain. Many point to Aeveril's research on the years before dreams ran free, hinting that the new “science” of ESP was Lilim manifesting. Regardless, Lilim refuses to speak on his orgins, and Aeveril does not have record of him ascending. What is known is that Lilim draws his power from a source other than Enanye and Keslaar, seemingly deriving it from his sheer force of will. As powerful as Lilim is, he pales in comparison to the two Gods of Magis, placing him firmly in the Pantheon of Lesser Gods. For what its worth, Lilim doesn't seem to care. Many Samurai and Paladins admire Lilim for his strength of will, though they believe his psionic powers as unholy or cowardly. His clergy are generally a quiet people, who prefer more going about their daily meditations than dealing with others. However, if roused to action they can be terrible foes, capable of striking down enemies with the power of thought. Lilim is sometimes called Lord of Thought. He does not have a favored weapon, rather, he uses his powers to change his body into a weapon when pressed to fight.

Portfolio: Loyalty to Family, Obedience to Superiors, Honoring Ancestors

Megumi is a middle-aged diety, only about 1800 years old. Distantly related to the Imperial Family of Masayume, Megumi was known as the Rainbow Samurai in life, a name she holds onto today. Like most younger dieties, she wrested her position from another. In Megumi's case, she was outraged that the God of Honor was actually an honorless diety. In order to rectify the situation, Megumi took it upon herself to challenge Illini, a chaotic diety of good that inherited her portfolio of honor. Megumi challenged Illini to an Iaijitsu duel. Illini, not realizing what she agreed to, was quickly cut down in a single blow. Though many gods of good were outraged at the death of Illini, they felt their hands tied by the honorable way in which Megumi ascended. Megumi often appears as a serious young woman, who wears, counter to her colorful name, gray bamboo armor or a gray kimono. Megumi derives her name from her Katana and Wakazashi. Both of her daisho blades have patterns of dancing colors visible upon their blades when they are drawn. Many speak that the scillinating colors are more than just beautiful, and that they have a deadly purpose as well. Megumi rules her clergy like a family with her at the head. Her clerics often wear dark colored armor. Though her favored weapon is the Katana, her clerics are forbidden to wield one unless they prove themselves. As a result, most of her clerics wield Naginatas of ebony and fine steel, with several brightly colored ribbons tied at the blade.

Megumi was slain by the Three at the Battle of Kani no Kochikochi. Her devoted follower Miyoko continued her fight, and the deity was reborn.

Portfolio: Night creatures, Natural Shapechangers, Dichatomy of self, Navigation at Night

Ninyx rose to godhood to fill a hole in the original pantheon. A goddess for nearly 4300 years, she was one of the first humans to be afflicted with the Scourge of Lycanthropy after the Year of Horrors. Ninyx was a troubled child, was aflicted at birth with a disease that cursed her eyes to be super sensitive to light. As a result, she would spend her days asleep, and her nights awake in the local forests. Many called her the wolf girl, as she preferred the company of forest creatures to people. When the nightmares and dreams broke free in the Year of Horrors, she awoke one night to a body that was not her own, but that of a wolf. Her fellow villagers, horrified of the events transpiring around them, forced her to flee to the forests for her life. The villagers, in their ignorance, believed Ninyx to be the source of their troubles, attempted to hunt her down. When the villagers confronted her and she was forced to defend herself on the night of a full moon, the curse of Lycanthropy was first spread. The evil intent of those newly infected caused the newly borne lycanthropes to become evil, twisted creatures. Ninyx, fearing her new powers, fled the civilized lands. However, as the newly infected lycanthropes spread their curse out of malice, the legend of Ninyx, the original, spread. Ninyx passed many years outside the company of men. Her existance became forgotten, overshadowed by her own Legend. Many of the Lycanthropes believed her to be their creator, their goddess. When the number of believers reached critical mass, belief became reality, and she ascended. Ninyx is a misunderstood diety. While many evil Lycanthropes believe her to be their diety, this is not the case, exactly. Ninyx sometimes appears as a huge wolf, or a beautiful human woman with no irises ( and more recently, with gossamer butterfly wings ). Her clerics tend to be loners, and exceptional ones are gifted with the power of transformation to a natural animal of their choice. Her favored weapon is a long sword, and she is occasionally called the Wolf Maiden.

Portfolio: Permanent Insanity, Induced Madness, Lapse of Reason, Loss of Control, Random Behavior, Lunacy, Pyromania

Syl is completely, totally, and utterly insane, half of the time. The other half of the time, she is merely pretending to be. In life, Syl was a human warlord. About 3300 years ago, Syl inexplicably snuck into the Pit of Seracoth. Though nobody really knows what she was seeking when she went in, she emerged with Seracoth's Seal of Madness. Though the exact details are unknown, most believe that Seracoth attacked Syl after she had stolen the Seal, which protected her in part from his maddening touch. Somehow, she was able to escape with the seal intact, and almost without realizing it, ended up the Goddess of Madness. Those who knew her in life explain that she wasn't the most stable individual to begin with, and her new found power seemed to drive her completely over the edge. Syl's sanity seems to be tied to the phase of Zephris. Many believe Aisyndyr looked fondly on the young warlord as a sister, and it was her intervention that saved Syl from certain death at the hands of Seracoth. Syl doesn't have many followers, though many pray to her before attempting something impossible ( like stealing something from a god ), and as a result, she and Kael get along fairly well. Her own clergy are often described as flighty and eccentric, prone to extraordinary acts of bravery, kindness, spite, or sheer wierdness. Many believe that the embraced of Syl are also the favored of Aisyndyr ( the Greater Goddess with a reputation for insanity herself, daughter of Uelali ), though this is difficult to prove. Syl's avatar often wears studded leather armor in amounts so small as to be useless and wields a short sword. She also has a tendancy to light fires in random locations. Her favored weapon is her short sword.

Portfolio: Physical Exertion, Aimless Wandering, Escape from Responsibility, Simpletons, Forgetfulness

It is said that Wanryoku is an accidental diety. Born just after the Year of Horrors, Wanryoku supposedly wandered off at the age of three. His faithful claim that Wanryoku is blessed ( some say cursed ) with being born with no short term memory. Given this, it would figure that he would have no long term memory either. Clearly, however, this cannot be the case, or perhaps it was the case, but as Wanryoku can speak, not much belief is put into the no memory camp. Regardless, Wanryoku is a diefic simpleton, beloved by all as a gentle giant who loves to help you, even if he doesn't remember that you tried to kill him yesterday. Fortunately for Wanryoku, his great strength allows him to survive plots by more sinister powers. Nobody is positive as to how such an interesting figure became a god. Most assume he accidentally borrowed some dieties Seal of Power ( though nobody will admit to it being theirs ), and somehow ascended. Wanryoku professes ignorance to his position as well. While the cosmos tends to regard Wanryoku as somewhat of a diefic jester, mortals find his flakeyness to be less than endearing. Supposedly he has gone years forgetting to grant his clergys' petitions. Fortunately for Wanryoku, belief in senility and simple-mindedness is pervasive enough to not only allow him to hold his cosmological position, but allow him to expand his, uh, goals. Wanryoku's avatar commonly wears clothes of a simple man, appearing as an elderly, senile man. Wanryoku's avatar tends to manifests a lot, because he never seems to get anything done. His clerics are also a forgetful sort, especially when it comes to them remembering the last time Wanryoku granted their prayers; to them, he's rock solid. Most sane people avoid them. His favored weapon is a heavy mace that induces stupidity in those he strikes. He is usually called the Forgetful Lord.

Portfolio: Blind Ambition, Betrayal of Trust, Poisons, Keeping Secrets, Organized Crime, Thievery

Angrax was once a kindly dwarven metalsmith who crafted artworks of exquisite beauty. As a mortal, he lived and worked in the Elven forests of Valenesti, working with his close friend, Arcanis Dawnthistle. Angrax was attending to his camp when the Arcanis Rift split the heavens. Angrax, along with the other original dieties was sucked into the rift and transcended. However, given Angrax's distance from the rift when it opened, he was a relatively weak diety. Not all survived being sucked through the rift, and while Angrax survived physically, his soul didn't handle the transition well. His heart, always one of infinite kindness, became twisted with jealousy at being the weakest of the new gods. The new power that coursed through his veins poisoned his thinking, causing him to turn on his former allies ( both dieites and mortals ). Angrax's great ambition has served him well, moving him up in the ranks in the Pantheon of Darkness. He hungers for more power still, and has often plotted with mortals to overthrow his colleagues. He despised Vrask not only because he envied his power, but because Vrask had tried to kill him on several times. Angrax's clerics often work in great thieves guilds on the edge of the Drithreach or the Congress of Trade States. Whereever there is ambition and secrets, Angrax is there, whispering poisons into the ears of the unwary. He is called the Father of Lies. His favored weapon is a dwarven war hammer with poisoned spikes.

Portfolio: Cheating death, Freewilled Undead, Decay of the Living, Disease

Feyr is roughly 2800 year olds. Formerly a dark elf, Feyr was a necromancer of tremendous power who sought to stave off death. As he approached old age, he believed he found a solution in the form of becoming a lich. The first hundred years or so went well, but he a close call with an intrepid group of fortune hunters showed him how far from immortal he truly was. Creating an army of undead, Feyr assaulted the God of Disease, Cveth, on his home plane. As Cveth's scourge could do little to effect Feyr's army, Cveth was forced to expend most of his strength fighting off Feyr's minions, leaving him relatively easy pickings for Feyr himself when the time came. Feyr appears as a lich dressed in black robes. His clerics generally surround themselves with undead, and seek the embrace of undeath themselves. Several of Feyr's clergy are actually vampires or liches. His favorite weapon is a heavy scourge. He is sometimes called the King of the Dead.

Portfolio: Dishonor, Giving in to Temptation, Greed, Murder of Family, Assassination of Rightful Rulers

Fugiri was the second son of the Emperor of Masayume 2500 years ago. Knowing he would be doomed to a life of petty intrigue at the Imperial Court, he turned his back on tradition and travelled north to pursue the Arcane arts. During his time in the barbarian lands of Shesslia and Upper Thalia, a great darkness descended over his spirit. The darkness began to fill his every though with promises of power and his rightful position denied to him by the accident of birth order. After some 30 years in the barbarian lands, he returned to Yamazakura. His family turned their collective backs on him, as he had to them ( as the second son, it was tradition for him to become a Samurai and guard his brother while he was Emperor ). In a fit of rage, Fugiri gave into the dark voices that were goading him on, and he released a torrent of black magic into the Imperial Palace and city beyond it that night. The next morning, the sun rose through the distant Lightning Mist Pass revealing a scene of awesome devestation. The Grand Imperial Palace, which had stood for 2500 years was gone, and the city of Yamazakura was destroyed, with a mere handful of buildings remaining. Fugiri then flew to Lightning Mist Pass, where he screamed into the morning dawn. As his screams of endless fury and rage echoed in the pass, he slowly rose into the sky, becoming a new diety not based on followers, ideals, or anything noble, rather, countless human and other sentient beings sacrificed to gain personal power. Fugiri's clerics more often than not are incredibly subtle. The majority of them are disaffected sons and daughters outside the paths to power. They are prone to violent unexpected expressions of rage and helplessness. Fugiri's favorite weapon is his staff of ebony. He is often called the Kinslayer or the Ragefather.

Portfolio: Vengeance, Insurrection, Famine, Bloodlust, Strife

Kanitar was once a guildmaster of the thieves guild in Al'Raheem. Rich beyond measure as the result of his nocturnal activities, he seeked to overthrow the government of Al'Kazmeer. After an ignoble defeat and narrow escape, he was attacked by a werewolf while crossing the Drithreach some 3600 years ago. Though he defeated the werewolf, he was cursed with Lycanthropy. For several years, he ravaged the forests of Al'Kazmeer, killing everything across his path. He eventually recovered control of his facultys after meeting a cleric of the Greater God, Drith. Through his newfound sanity, he began planning an uprising against the royal family of Al'Kazmeer. Upset at his slow progress, Kanitar approached Drith again, promising to turn Al'Kazmeer into a desert if he could be granted the power to destroy his banishers. Drith, however, was unmoved, and with a wave of his hand, destroyed the beautiful forests of Al'Kazmeer, extending the Drithreach by several hundred miles. The people of Al'Kazmeer however believed that Kanitar was responsible for the death of their forests. As Kanitar fell into the noble court of Al'Raheem turning the walls red with blood, many claimed that Kanitar was actually a god. As the word of his power spread, a strange transformation took place, as if enough people believing in Kanitar made him gain power. Eventually, enough people believed Kanitar to be the God of Vengeance, Insurrection and Bloodlust that he ascended. Kanitar hates Drith with a passion for not giving him the power he once requested, though the latter is hardly concerned with him. Kanitar's avatar is a hybrid wolf-man that osciallates between insanity and lucidity in sync to Terris. His clerics are often struck down with lycanthropy as a “gift” from their god as a “reward” for their loyalty. His favorite weapon is a pair of claw bracers, and he is often called Strifebringer or the Vengeance Lord.

Portfolio: Creeping Deserts, Inevitable Loss, Endless Sorrow

Kara is the goddess of Sorrow. Kara was born a human in Alestia about 3100 years ago. Very charismatic, Kara married several times, each time having her husband die of unusual circumstances. Eventually, a grieving Kara left Alestia for Al'Kazmeer, where she eventually married again. After her most recent husband's, the evil god Serris who revelled in human suffering took notice of her. Serris and Kara met several times over the years, until, almost inexplicably, Serris died, and Kara rose to take his place. Kara appears to be an elderly, yet stately, woman, wearing black robes of mourning. Those she gets to know closely tend to die off, a tendancy causing many of the other gods to shun her company. Her clerics often tend to wear the black clothes of a mourner, and often attend funerals for those they do not even know. Kara is sometimes called the Black Widow. Her favorite weapon is a poisoned dagger.

Portfolio: Beastly Abominations, Evil Monsters, Birth Defects, Unending Horror

As the terrors of legend became real in the Year of Horrors, a new diety was born. Seracoth was one of the first dieties to ascend, some 52 years before the Year of the Lesser Gods. As the perversions of nature sprang to life around the world, their common vileness spawned the evil diety, Seracoth, though few knew of his existance until the Year of the Lesser Gods. Seracoth is the incarnation of hideous evil, founded from the most disturbed thoughts of abominations. As a result, his avatar is one of complete chaos. He is commonly seen as a large, formless figure of blood, puss, and boneless flesh. His form is towered over by three large tentacles and ten smaller eyestalks. Seracoth is the incarnation of nightmares made real, and his very touch is said to drive others insane with horror. Seracoth has very few human, demi-human, or humanoid clerics. As he is the incarnation of an idea, the very existance of those who brought him into being strengthens him. His favorite weapon are his tentacles ( heavy mace ). He is called the Grotesque.

Portfolio: Plots, Convoluted Plans, Dark Magics

The Shadow was formerly known as Kern Schatten before he and a fallen planetar known as Kaz challenged Vrask. In a battle that levelled cities, the great god of evil was laid low (in large part helped by the death of Malric). A diety for 1370 years now, the Shadow works closely with Keslaar in seeking to understand the God's great plan in defeating Enanye.

Portfolio: Unbending Law, Harsh Justice, Suffering, Rigid Obedience

Takagi is diety nearly 3000 years old. Hailing from the lands of Masayume, Takagi was once a great Samurai who punished his vassals for the slightest infraction of his strict laws. Takagi rose to divinity in the Battle of Shadowed Mists, where the Humanoids of the Gekizetsu seeked to cross through Lightning Mist pass into Masayume. Takagi and his fellow samurai fought their way through the goblin lines and faced their Dark God, Ni Satori. After a viscous fight, Ni Satori was compelled to withdraw to his home plane. Severely weakened, Takagi turned his vampiric sword on his own retainers and vassals, and followed and defeated Ni Satori. His avatar is usually that of a Samurai warrior dressed in black with a jet black katana. His clerics usually wear black silk kimonos or black bamboo armor and wield katanas. His favorite weapon is the Katana. He is sometimes called the Unbending Tyrant.