Difference between revisions of "Ashur"

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One of Avendar's three most powerful deities, Ashur often appears as an immensely powerful dragon, or an immensely powerful templar. Little is known of the worship of Ashur, other than the fact that he is presently not accepting followers.
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{| align="right" style="text-align:center;"
 +
!colspan="2" style="background:#ABE"|'''Overview'''
 +
|-
 +
|'''Favored Race''' || [[Shuddeni]]
 +
|-
 +
|'''Element(s)'''  || [[Void]]
 +
|-
 +
|'''Home(s)'''      || The Outer Void (vnum), Amidst Nothingness (vnum)
 +
|-
 +
|'''Alignment'''    || [[Lawful Evil]]
 +
|-
 +
|'''Symbol(s)'''    || A black dragon, a black scale
 +
|-
 +
|'''Portfolio'''    || The Void, [[demons]], death, apocalypse, silence, finality
 +
|-
 +
|'''Worshippers'''  || Shuddeni, void magi, nihilists, demons
 +
|}
  
−
=====
+
==History in Avendar==
 +
One of the three Overgods who created the world of Avendar, it was Ashur's contempt for what the other two had wrought which inspired Its own offering: death. While [[Iandir]]'s effort manifested the physical world, and [[Jolinn]]'s work harnessed primal chaos to produce life, Ashur sought to preserve the pristine state that preceded both. After the [[Compact]], proposed by Iandir, prevented the immediate unmaking of the Prime, Ashur remained unsatisfied. Its contact with the first race, the ancient [[alatharya]], increased as their jealousy of sister-races blossomed. It no doubt relished the [[Sundering]] as the ultimate statement of Jolinn's creative failure. Life, however, continued to exist in lessened form, and it was then that Dragon's influence came over Its child-race, the shuddeni.
  
−
The subject of Tzet-Askhari's motivations could be the subject of volumes of philosophical treatises.
+
Tzet-Askhari's actions grew more overt during the [[War of Night]], during which It poured many resources into the demonic servitors of Its children. It was completely remorseless in attacking, desiccating, and consuming those Outer Planes which were not already aligned with the Avendarian pantheon. As the Dragon devoured, so also did the shuddeni devour the Prime. In what would prove a grand stroke of cosmic irony, Ashur's destruction of the [[ch'taren]] home plane would set in motion the end of Its children's meteoric ascent.
  
−
Without a doubt, his intellect is the most alien and enigmatic of the Three, and he seems to have the least connection of any of the leading deities directly with the mortals of Avendar.
+
In the centuries since the War of Night, Ashur has not moved so visibly. Some say that It was weakened by Its defeat and has lapsed into long torpor. Others whisper that the Dragon yet marshals Its forces secretly, in preparation for the end of all that is, was, and ever will be.  
  
−
It is known that He (for lack of a better term) existed at Avendar's creation, but was mildly disturbed by Iandir's creation of the inorganic matter of Avendar, and livid at the creation of living things.
+
==Goals and Methods==
 +
The subject of Tzet-Askhari's motivations could fill volumes of philosophical treatises. Without a doubt, Its intellect is the most alien and enigmatic of the Three, and It seems to have the least connection of any with the mortals of Avendar. The presumption is that It feels that organic life, or even matter, is an unsightly mar on a perfect, endless void. It is also possible that Ashur has a completely different vision of the Prime and is dissatisfied with Iandir and Jolinn's creation of an imperfect reality. As a refinement of this idea, it is also possible that Ashur views Itself as the ultimate standard of perfection, and wishes that the entirety of the multiverse reflect Its own mind; that it does not is the ultimate aesthetic tragedy.
  
−
The presumption is that Ashur felt that organic life, or even matter, was an unsightly mar on a perfect, void creation, empty of all save the Thought of the divine. It is also possible that Ashur had a completely different version of the prime material in mind, and is dissatisfied with Iandir and Jolinn's creation of a (possibly imperfect) reality. As a refinement of this idea, it is also possible that Ashur views *Himself* as the ultimate standard of perfection, and wishes that the entire multiverse should exist only as a reflection of his own mind. That it *does not* might be the ultimate sort of aesthetic tragedy to Ashur.  
+
Today, it is thought that Ashur indeed desires a sort of "inverse transcendence" for the multiverse: every place like the Void, and thus, every place a reflection of Its mind. It might wish to make all things more like the Void as a transitional state toward creating a better (qua Its own metrics, of course) multiverse, or that the Void is the most perfect of all final states. Eventually, scholars fear, It might despair of this attempt, realize that total unmaking is the final solution, and act accordingly.
  
−
Iandir and Jolinn would argue, of course, that no version of a material universe would ever be perfect, and there effort is the 'best possible' to them. Or, perhaps they acted out of a fear that if the Prime were left vacant and unfilled, the forces of mindless chaos would have brought matter into existence spontaneously, free of any rational moral or physical law, destroying the canvas on which they hoped to create.  
+
While it is a popular conception that demons exist in mockery of true life, knowledgable magi suggest that this is not precisely the case. It may be more correct to say that Ashur created them as an answer to the aesthetic plague that is Jolinn's creation. Whether or not they are more, or absolutely, perfect is something only It knows. One might view the void and its denizens as a great mechanism for turning the essential "wrongness" of the Prime, with its ties to [[the Weave]] and Being in general, into a more tractable form. Souls who come in contact with the Void are made more demonic, or are expended in demonic pursuits; demonkind who come to Avendar strive to make it more as the Void, and in turn, more in keeping with the world Ashur wishes.  
  
−
Regardless of their reasons (legitimate or otherwise), Ashur's reaction was to take up residence in the abstract elemental plane most like his own primordial universe, and make it his own. Of particular note were the demonic life forms, which Ashur created very near the dawn of time (even so close as an eyeblink following the true creation in the Prime). While it is a popular conception that the [[demons]] exist in mockery of true life, this is not precisely the case. It is more correct to say that Ashur created them as an answer to the aesthetic plague that is mortal life. Whether or not they are 'more' perfect in his mind (or absolutely) perfect is something that only Ashur knows. It is telling, however, that the more mortalkind who turn to dark, evil ways in Avendar, the more souls, on average, which gravitate to resonance with the Void. (Souls destined for more chaotic planes are destroyed, or useless to Ashur anyway!) One might even view the Void as a great mechanism, for turning the essential 'wrongness' of the Prime (which is the fact it is suffused with life, and more importantly, spirit) into a more manageable, and tractable form. Souls or mortals who come to the Void are made more demonic, or used up in demonic pursuits. Demonkind who come to Avendar tend to strive to make it more like the Void -- more in keeping with the world that Ashur wishes.
+
==Organizations and Followings==
 +
While Ashur is honored in most dark rites, those who feel drawn to the Great Dragon as a personal god typically feel the need to bring either themselves or the world closer to the Void and the end of all things. The three largest 'sects' of this are as follows:
  
−
It is particularly chilling that for all their power, the demons are bound by laws, rules, and rituals even more exacting than the normal physical and magical laws of the multiverse. Ashur's mind is one which resonates with order and control, and his creation mirrors this. That he is so certain of his success that limitations exist is the ultimate statement to Ashur's own certainty (or arrogance).
+
=====The Diviners of Silence=====
 +
''"Within me, I shall create the kingdom of stillness."''
  
−
Today, we know that Ashur does desire a sort of 'inverse transcendence' for the multiverse: Every place like the Void, every place a reflection of His mind. He might wish to make the universe like the Void as a  sort of transitional state towards creating a better, more perfect (qua his own metrics, of course) multiverse, or he might view the Void as the proper (and most perfect, of all possible) of all final states for our universe. Eventually, he might despair of this attempt, and realize that total unmaking is the only remaining solution, and act accordingly.
+
:Those who internalize the inevitable end find themselves among the Diviners of Silence. They seek to become as the Void, but do so in seeking their own personal oblivion rather than eternity beyond the Veil. Claiming serenity in the Dragon's primal, cosmic perfection, Diviners strive to snuff out that which binds them to the Weave: their feelings, desires, and all dreams save that of death. In doing so, they believe they can break the cycle of reincarnation which will again return them to the living, and spend what mortal time they are allotted stilling themselves for that moment of sublime ending. Hermits and ascetics are often among those who embrace the Diviners' creed, although heavily weighted toward those who study the Void as a profession. [[Caladaran]] void magi, in particular, find acceptance among these ranks.
  
−
====
+
=====The Asur-Rjakket=====
 +
''"Forgotten gods hold no sway."''
  
−
* Ashur is most often depicted as a black dragon of the Void.
+
:If the gods would rise up against the Dragon's apocalypse, then the gods themselves must be destroyed. Failing that, the Asur-Rjakket know full well the covenant to which all gods must adhere: they can take no direct action in the world, and must seek out and use mortal agents to do so. This knowledge in hand, they seek to destroy the faiths of all other gods, including destruction of their texts, desecration of their holy places, and the slaughter of all who serve them. If there is nothing left in this world to show that there has been a belief, then it might well never have been. Because of this the Asur-Rjakket despise beyond all others [[Chadraln]]'s Researchers of Avendar, who by their very nature seek to record and preserve the histories of all. The Asur-Rjakket would burn their books unread, lest they contaminate their own minds with the seeds of infidel faiths.
−
* Some humans have depicted him as a dark lord, terrible and clad in black iron. It is doubtful he would appear in so humanoid a form, but, as most imaginings of the gods, this one no doubt reflects the mortals doing the imagining.
+
−
* It is likely he was more closely linked to the [[alatharya]] than other mortal races. He no doubt relished the Sundering, since it was ultimately a statement about the failure of the experiment that is mortal life.
+
−
* During the War of Night, he poured many resources into the demonic resources available to the shuddeni. It is known that he was completely remorseless in destroying, dessicating, and draining those Outer Planes which were not already aligned with the Avendarian pantheon. One of these was the home plane of the [[ch'taren]], [[Rystaia]], and [[Vaialos]]
+
  
−
See also: [[Shunned]]
+
=====The Naskuekka=====
 +
''"The end comes... beyond chaos."''
 +
 
 +
:Some scholars claim that when the slumbering Dragon wakes, the Prime will be consumed by Its wrath. Those who seek to bring about Tzet-Askhari's awakening call themselves the Naskuekka, a bastardization of the shuddeni word for "apocalypse". The infamous [[Maevis'Hra]] and their unholy alliance to raise the fiery monstrosity, [[Kzroth]], are among this lot. They often believe that other gods hold no true power before the entity who destroyed the Outer Planes and brought ending to the mortal tapestry of Avendar. Scheming is common, although each schemer may find himself at odds with the failures of those who have come before: he must always seek a greater, more spectacular expression of death with the hopes of rousing That Which Devours Life. Despite Ashur's connection to the Void, this sect is often the most accessible to those whose talents fall outside of the norm. A keen wit, megalomaniacal aspirations, and ultimately a fanatical, unhinging devotion to wiping clean the slate of the multiverse are all traits found among the Naskuekka.
 +
 
 +
==Individual Followers==
 +
Despite, or perhaps because, of Ashur's unwillingness to respond to the prayers of the faithful, It has become the most commonly-worshipped of all evil gods. Rites and statuery giving praise to the Dragon of the Void are displayed openly in both [[Earendam]] and [[Var Bandor]], with the Temple of Darkness showcasing with chilling banality the social acceptance of Its worship. Cruel merchants who wish plagues upon their rivals offer praise to Ashur in doing so, as does the warrior who knows no master save death. Because Ashur offers no response, there is no personal gain for such worship, but nor are they struck down for failing to serve Its ineffable wishes.
 +
 
 +
Most followers of Ashur find themselves divorced from moral codes and common religious platitudes; after all, those who espouse the end of tomorrows see little need to limit themselves today. This creed is particularly embraced by the shuddeni, who during the War of Night became known to other mortal races as the "Children of the Dragon". In modern times, direct Ashurian worship has fallen somewhat out of fashion in shuddeni strongholds. However, there are few among them who would not instantly heed the call of their Father.
 +
 
 +
Ashur marks no followers, for to bear the weight of Tzet-Askhari's attention for even the scantest moment would drive any mortal irrecoverably mad.
 +
 
 +
==Relationships==
 +
Ashur commands the fear or respect of all the gods of Darkness. Each, in their own way, prepares the world for the Dragon's arrival, though doubtless they all believe themselves able to survive and thrive in the wake of such a victory. Amongst the neutral pantheon Ashur is seen as a counterbalancing force to the goodly gods, though certainly none would seek to aid him in unraveling creation. Amongst the lords of Light, It is universally reviled as the bringer of ends. Its is the black heart that spawned the evil which they war against every day. Ashur is Pestilence and Horror. Ashur is Death, the Ender of Tales. When all is past and only darkness remains, all will be Ashur.
 +
 
 +
==Shrines and Sigils==
 +
(Here is where we will put a list of shrine locations (as many deities have altars in multiple places, even if they do have a dedicated shrine).  In the case of a dedicated shrine, the area name and the vnum range should be listed.)
 +
 
 +
=====Areas=====
 +
 
 +
=====Rooms=====
 +
:'''A Black Stone Bier''' (vnum 8012)
 +
 
 +
(For sigils, if tiered, they should be divided by tier.  After the name of each sigil, the effects of that sigil in terms of stats and progs should be listed as well.  This should give a staff member considering a brand a reference as to what exactly they are giving the mortal in question.  If no available sigils are appropriate for the role of the character in question and they still meet the criteria for being part of the religion, it may also serve to highlight if a new sigil is required.)
 +
 
 +
=====Sigils=====
 +
 
 +
=====Mobs=====
 +
:[[Ozzy|Ozzy the void drake]] (vnum 7650) - Crunching mortal heads was never so delicious.
 +
 
 +
==Related Logs and Other Documents==
 +
(This is where you list, preferably by year, any and all logs, fiction, and old help files related to Ashur.  These logs will serve as a primer for those about to fill Ashur's shoes.  For convenience, it may help to divide the logs into smaller categories, such as inductions, general roleplay, quests, and whatnot.)
 +
 
 +
=====Helps=====
 +
:Original Ashur help file
 +
:Old [[Ashur staff wiki notes]] (Superceded by this document)
 +
 
 +
=====Fiction=====
 +
 
 +
=====Logs=====
 +
 
 +
[[category:Gods]]

Revision as of 15:29, 27 April 2011

Overview
Favored Race Shuddeni
Element(s) Void
Home(s) The Outer Void (vnum), Amidst Nothingness (vnum)
Alignment Lawful Evil
Symbol(s) A black dragon, a black scale
Portfolio The Void, demons, death, apocalypse, silence, finality
Worshippers Shuddeni, void magi, nihilists, demons

History in Avendar

One of the three Overgods who created the world of Avendar, it was Ashur's contempt for what the other two had wrought which inspired Its own offering: death. While Iandir's effort manifested the physical world, and Jolinn's work harnessed primal chaos to produce life, Ashur sought to preserve the pristine state that preceded both. After the Compact, proposed by Iandir, prevented the immediate unmaking of the Prime, Ashur remained unsatisfied. Its contact with the first race, the ancient alatharya, increased as their jealousy of sister-races blossomed. It no doubt relished the Sundering as the ultimate statement of Jolinn's creative failure. Life, however, continued to exist in lessened form, and it was then that Dragon's influence came over Its child-race, the shuddeni.

Tzet-Askhari's actions grew more overt during the War of Night, during which It poured many resources into the demonic servitors of Its children. It was completely remorseless in attacking, desiccating, and consuming those Outer Planes which were not already aligned with the Avendarian pantheon. As the Dragon devoured, so also did the shuddeni devour the Prime. In what would prove a grand stroke of cosmic irony, Ashur's destruction of the ch'taren home plane would set in motion the end of Its children's meteoric ascent.

In the centuries since the War of Night, Ashur has not moved so visibly. Some say that It was weakened by Its defeat and has lapsed into long torpor. Others whisper that the Dragon yet marshals Its forces secretly, in preparation for the end of all that is, was, and ever will be.

Goals and Methods

The subject of Tzet-Askhari's motivations could fill volumes of philosophical treatises. Without a doubt, Its intellect is the most alien and enigmatic of the Three, and It seems to have the least connection of any with the mortals of Avendar. The presumption is that It feels that organic life, or even matter, is an unsightly mar on a perfect, endless void. It is also possible that Ashur has a completely different vision of the Prime and is dissatisfied with Iandir and Jolinn's creation of an imperfect reality. As a refinement of this idea, it is also possible that Ashur views Itself as the ultimate standard of perfection, and wishes that the entirety of the multiverse reflect Its own mind; that it does not is the ultimate aesthetic tragedy.

Today, it is thought that Ashur indeed desires a sort of "inverse transcendence" for the multiverse: every place like the Void, and thus, every place a reflection of Its mind. It might wish to make all things more like the Void as a transitional state toward creating a better (qua Its own metrics, of course) multiverse, or that the Void is the most perfect of all final states. Eventually, scholars fear, It might despair of this attempt, realize that total unmaking is the final solution, and act accordingly.

While it is a popular conception that demons exist in mockery of true life, knowledgable magi suggest that this is not precisely the case. It may be more correct to say that Ashur created them as an answer to the aesthetic plague that is Jolinn's creation. Whether or not they are more, or absolutely, perfect is something only It knows. One might view the void and its denizens as a great mechanism for turning the essential "wrongness" of the Prime, with its ties to the Weave and Being in general, into a more tractable form. Souls who come in contact with the Void are made more demonic, or are expended in demonic pursuits; demonkind who come to Avendar strive to make it more as the Void, and in turn, more in keeping with the world Ashur wishes.

Organizations and Followings

While Ashur is honored in most dark rites, those who feel drawn to the Great Dragon as a personal god typically feel the need to bring either themselves or the world closer to the Void and the end of all things. The three largest 'sects' of this are as follows:

The Diviners of Silence

"Within me, I shall create the kingdom of stillness."

Those who internalize the inevitable end find themselves among the Diviners of Silence. They seek to become as the Void, but do so in seeking their own personal oblivion rather than eternity beyond the Veil. Claiming serenity in the Dragon's primal, cosmic perfection, Diviners strive to snuff out that which binds them to the Weave: their feelings, desires, and all dreams save that of death. In doing so, they believe they can break the cycle of reincarnation which will again return them to the living, and spend what mortal time they are allotted stilling themselves for that moment of sublime ending. Hermits and ascetics are often among those who embrace the Diviners' creed, although heavily weighted toward those who study the Void as a profession. Caladaran void magi, in particular, find acceptance among these ranks.
The Asur-Rjakket

"Forgotten gods hold no sway."

If the gods would rise up against the Dragon's apocalypse, then the gods themselves must be destroyed. Failing that, the Asur-Rjakket know full well the covenant to which all gods must adhere: they can take no direct action in the world, and must seek out and use mortal agents to do so. This knowledge in hand, they seek to destroy the faiths of all other gods, including destruction of their texts, desecration of their holy places, and the slaughter of all who serve them. If there is nothing left in this world to show that there has been a belief, then it might well never have been. Because of this the Asur-Rjakket despise beyond all others Chadraln's Researchers of Avendar, who by their very nature seek to record and preserve the histories of all. The Asur-Rjakket would burn their books unread, lest they contaminate their own minds with the seeds of infidel faiths.
The Naskuekka

"The end comes... beyond chaos."

Some scholars claim that when the slumbering Dragon wakes, the Prime will be consumed by Its wrath. Those who seek to bring about Tzet-Askhari's awakening call themselves the Naskuekka, a bastardization of the shuddeni word for "apocalypse". The infamous Maevis'Hra and their unholy alliance to raise the fiery monstrosity, Kzroth, are among this lot. They often believe that other gods hold no true power before the entity who destroyed the Outer Planes and brought ending to the mortal tapestry of Avendar. Scheming is common, although each schemer may find himself at odds with the failures of those who have come before: he must always seek a greater, more spectacular expression of death with the hopes of rousing That Which Devours Life. Despite Ashur's connection to the Void, this sect is often the most accessible to those whose talents fall outside of the norm. A keen wit, megalomaniacal aspirations, and ultimately a fanatical, unhinging devotion to wiping clean the slate of the multiverse are all traits found among the Naskuekka.

Individual Followers

Despite, or perhaps because, of Ashur's unwillingness to respond to the prayers of the faithful, It has become the most commonly-worshipped of all evil gods. Rites and statuery giving praise to the Dragon of the Void are displayed openly in both Earendam and Var Bandor, with the Temple of Darkness showcasing with chilling banality the social acceptance of Its worship. Cruel merchants who wish plagues upon their rivals offer praise to Ashur in doing so, as does the warrior who knows no master save death. Because Ashur offers no response, there is no personal gain for such worship, but nor are they struck down for failing to serve Its ineffable wishes.

Most followers of Ashur find themselves divorced from moral codes and common religious platitudes; after all, those who espouse the end of tomorrows see little need to limit themselves today. This creed is particularly embraced by the shuddeni, who during the War of Night became known to other mortal races as the "Children of the Dragon". In modern times, direct Ashurian worship has fallen somewhat out of fashion in shuddeni strongholds. However, there are few among them who would not instantly heed the call of their Father.

Ashur marks no followers, for to bear the weight of Tzet-Askhari's attention for even the scantest moment would drive any mortal irrecoverably mad.

Relationships

Ashur commands the fear or respect of all the gods of Darkness. Each, in their own way, prepares the world for the Dragon's arrival, though doubtless they all believe themselves able to survive and thrive in the wake of such a victory. Amongst the neutral pantheon Ashur is seen as a counterbalancing force to the goodly gods, though certainly none would seek to aid him in unraveling creation. Amongst the lords of Light, It is universally reviled as the bringer of ends. Its is the black heart that spawned the evil which they war against every day. Ashur is Pestilence and Horror. Ashur is Death, the Ender of Tales. When all is past and only darkness remains, all will be Ashur.

Shrines and Sigils

(Here is where we will put a list of shrine locations (as many deities have altars in multiple places, even if they do have a dedicated shrine). In the case of a dedicated shrine, the area name and the vnum range should be listed.)

Areas
Rooms
A Black Stone Bier (vnum 8012)

(For sigils, if tiered, they should be divided by tier. After the name of each sigil, the effects of that sigil in terms of stats and progs should be listed as well. This should give a staff member considering a brand a reference as to what exactly they are giving the mortal in question. If no available sigils are appropriate for the role of the character in question and they still meet the criteria for being part of the religion, it may also serve to highlight if a new sigil is required.)

Sigils
Mobs
Ozzy the void drake (vnum 7650) - Crunching mortal heads was never so delicious.

Related Logs and Other Documents

(This is where you list, preferably by year, any and all logs, fiction, and old help files related to Ashur. These logs will serve as a primer for those about to fill Ashur's shoes. For convenience, it may help to divide the logs into smaller categories, such as inductions, general roleplay, quests, and whatnot.)

Helps
Original Ashur help file
Old Ashur staff wiki notes (Superceded by this document)
Fiction
Logs
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