Difference between revisions of "Alajial"

Revision as of 07:23, 9 March 2012

History in Avendar

With the migration of the caladaran from their ancestral home in the Rirro Jagka, the young race quickly came into contact with the other civilizations of the Prime. This fertile intellectual exchange helped encourage the rise of the human Republic, ushering in the nation's Golden Age. However, for staunch caladaran traditionalists, this time was as frustrating as it was illuminating. Knowledge of magic and its diversity challenged long held assumptions about the nature of mortality; war-like races and their martial philosophies clashed with basic caladaran pacifism; and the seemingly unending multiplicity of animals, plants, and climates uprooted older notions of the Prime itself. Change, it seemed, had become the only true constant.

Most disconcertingly, the classical worship of the caladaran gods began to change as well. The Seer's devoted increasingly divorced themselves from the monastic traditions of old, favoring instead the renown and resources of city scholarship. As well, the Arbiter's chosen steadily acclimated to the notion of war, even going so far as to acknowledge it as a path to enlightenment. The most conservative caladaran balked at these shocking evolutions, and questioned the survival of their ancient heritage. Their manuscripts and letters suggest that they longed for an affirmation of the old ways, and in time, sought new divine attention to preserve and restore their way of life. These sages and monks grew distant from their Chadralnite and Jalassan cousins, many deigning to stay within, or return to, the increasingly dangerous Rirro Jagka.

This caladaran splinter suffered immensely at the hands of the alatharya, the kankoran, and the srryn. Many of their number were slain, and their oldest records and settlements were destroyed. Vulnerable and battered, these faithful eventually encountered the divine power for which they had hoped. They named this deity Alajial, and their sparse records describe Her as the blessed child of Chadraln and Jalassa. According to legend, Her influence was first felt with the sudden spring of lilies from the muddy earth of the Rirro Jagka. Where these flowers bloomed, an aura of peace pervaded; here, the caladaran found solace from the aggression that had so plagued them. Over time, optimism similarly blossomed within their hearts. Bearing lilies, the sign of Her divine charity, this positivity led caladaran missionaries into the dangerous world beyond.

The War of Night offered these missionaries both significant challenges and grand opportunities. As cities fell and armies clashed throughout the known world, Her message of peace and comfort seemed like an impossible fantasy. Yet, at the same time, it spoke to the needs of those tormented by the horrors of war. Caladaran sages and monks bandaged the wounded and tended the sick alongside the Healers of Salyra, but possessed as well an unprecedented aptitude to soothe tortured minds. Alajial's historians argue that it was She who first gifted the knowledge of Spirit magic's restorative power, before the revelation of Rystaia Lightbringer and Her ch'taren. Regardless of the veracity of this claim, there is little doubt that Alajial's chosen were among the first to explore the sphere after the War's end.

In time, Alajian scholars would grow in prominence because of their role in the development of the unified Spirit school. This influence gave their long-segregated religion a new and heightened credibility with the other races of the Prime. More importantly, it allowed the first serious dialog between Alajian contemplatives, cosmopolitan Chadralnite intellectuals, and the warrior-philosophers of the Jalassan order. In the modern era, Alajial has taken Her place as the third in the caladaran deific trinity. Her benevolence and forgiveness grant solace to those who toil in dark times, and guide those who place others before themselves.

Goals and Methods

Alajial's ultimate goal is peace throughout Avendar and within the deific pantheon. Because of Her placid goodness, She is often both portrayed and understood as a caladaran god-child. This helps to frame the ideal which She pursues; founded on innocence, She challenges the pragmatism of adulthood. She is therefore capable of offering a whole-hearted and complete absolution to those who offer themselves to Her, without the tiresome requirements of Jalassan penance or Iandiric justice. True remorse, to Alajial, is the only price of admission into Her fold. Predictably, She expects those who work in Her name to extend a similar degree of forgiveness to those whom they encounter, and those who wrong them in particular. It should be noted that She wishes more than an empty word of forgiveness; instead, She demands that Her followers do their best to reconcile their differences even with enemies. While this will often place an Alajian on dangerous ground, it represents a fearless commitment to Her creed.

The ways by which She and Her devoted extend this innocent goodness are many and varied. She finds value in contemplation and introspection, as She feels this helps reveal previously unknown common ground with others. Understanding, to Alajial, differs from its Jalassan cousin in that it is inherently more positive. While Jalassans seek to consider implications and the highest good, Alajians prefer to ruminate on feelings, possibilities, and interpersonal improvement. Alajial preaches charity, be it through time, money, or simply emotional support. While this can be as simple as a copper out of pocket, it can also extend to a patient listening ear, or protection of the frail and downtrodden. In all that She does, Alajial hopes to inspire an eternal optimism for what is to come, and expects Her followers to do the same, even in the face of adversity. Violence is one of the few tools that Alajial discourages, as battles often beget further and greater tragedies. However, She does not begrudge Her devoted for self-defense, or for protecting those whom they love.

Organizations and Followings

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Individual Followers

Alajial's gentle nature appeals primarily to peacemakers, the afflicted, and the troubled. They are bound together by a desire for stability, peace, restoration, and redemption. A follower of Alajial can be found in virtually any setting; he may be tending a garden alone, or he may be an adventurer seeking the company of others. When travelling, he will often focus on mundane actions or relationships, seeking to suppress discord between friends or help those in need. While he hopes for a world without suffering, his persistent effort is often rooted in some personal, internal struggle. A true Alajian seeks to give others more than fiery rhetoric; instead, he hopes to reveal the transformative power of forgiveness through both his conviction and action.

The worship of Alajial is most prevalent in rural communities and dedicated temples. She is most often venerated by caladaran, ethron, and humans, but allows all with pure motives to work in Her name. Warrior cultures, such as the kankoran, the alatharya, and the srryn, have little use for Her peaceful way. The nefortu find Her generosity particularly baffling, while the shuddeni gleefully mock Her pacific nature. Adventuring professions which frequently appreciate elements of the Alajian creed are water scholars, spirit scholars, druids, and bards. Within greater society, Her worship is predominantly centered on the lower classes, including peasants, artisans, and farmers. However, Her association with healing and redemption gives Alajial a foothold in the heart of the occasional elite. Those who are particularly devoted become monks, spending their lives in monasteries or as missionaries to distant lands.

Those who find favor with Alajial are marked with the Sigil of the White Lily.

Relationships

Alajial is possibly the most pacific voice within the entirety of the Avendarian pantheon. Because of Her gentle character, She is defended most ardently by the Father of the Seas. Elar, the All-Mother, has a special fondness for Alajial, which manifests itself in Their shared love of nature. Ch'taren deities have a mixed relationship with Her; they have little regard for her abstinence from combat, but appreciate Her devotion to the magics of Spirit. Neutral deities vary greatly on the subject of Alajial. Iandir regards Her with a distant approval, as Her nature suits His notion of order; conversely, Dolgrael's contempt for Her is as infamous as His many storied followers. Of the chaotic gods, Alil finds her too childish to be of more than momentary interest, but Tzajai's endless games, at least when benign, share an unusual compatibility with Her eternal youth. Gods of darkness find Alajial appallingly weak, and regard Her as a non-entity in the grand interplay of their goals and designs.

Chadraln and Jalassa are the two deities most closely linked to Alajial. As She is Their child, it is unsurprising that common elements and themes bridge the three religions. Yet, despite this, their angles are not wholly complimentary to one another, and represent a longstanding debate within the race as to what constitutes proper development. Chadraln is cordial with Alajial, but considers Her creed too limiting to allow for the pursuit of true knowledge. Jalassa respects Alajial's dedication to introspection, but disagrees with Her dismissal of martial pursuits. Alajial Herself cares deeply for Her parents, but believes Their creeds alone will not create the world She hopes to be.

Shrines, Sigils, and Mobs

Areas

The Alajian Monastery (vnums 8320-8374)

Sigils

Mobs

God Mark

You sense a serene air about [him|her].

Notes, Logs, and Other Documents

Fiction

Logs