Ayaunj

Ayaunj the Sterling, Fountain of Prosperity

Favored Race Nefortu Element(s) Earth, Void Home(s) A Vast Hoard (something cooler) Alignment Lawful Neutral Symbol(s) Three Coins Portfolio Trade, Contracts, Wealth, Community, Strategy, Discretion Worshippers Merchants, Negotiators, Travelers, House(s) Merchant (P), Guardian, Shunned, Agent

History in Avendar

In the oldest nefortean legends, they come from a land of plenty: a place of warm caves, shiny stones, and countless fish. Their gods dwelt amongst them, counting themselves no greater nor lesser than any other nefortu. Both reveled in games, enjoying their carefree existences amongst their people. Ayaunj delighted in the glittering rocks that ran in veins through her caves and washed through the rivers. She would call them forth with her own power, but always desired others' stones. She would concoct elaborate rules for games and urge others to bet with her: her rules were fair enough, but always skewed to favour her. It soon became a badge of honour among the nefortu to defeat Ayaunj at her own games, in large part because it was so rare. But she would hold to her agreements, and held no animosity against those who bested her, though she often tried to regain her stones through other games.

Ayaunj was as surprised as any of her people when Bayyal burst from the heart of the land, and she was no different from her people in finding herself helpless. The difference, of course, was that she was a god, and therefore her people assumed and expected she would be able to save them. All she could do was try to urge her people to flee their homeland as it burned around them. Many rejected her and Tzajai both for failing them, and instead propitiated the being who threatened to destroy them. Ayaunj and Tzajai's loyalists fled, chased by those who turned to Bayyal, who laughed and urged only greater destruction. As Sythraki srryn in the north ravaged Earendam, so did Bayyal's nefortu devastate Ashta Harrud. Ayaunj withdrew herself at this time: some called her coward for this, and others desperately hoped that she had gone to forge some deal that would save them. In the north, they tell stories of humans seeking out Jolinn; in the south, they say that Ayaunj went to negotiate a solution with Iandir. In either case, Ayaunj was gone.

In the wake of the War of Fire, the nefortu people found themselves at a point of crisis. Their homeland had been destroyed by Bayyal and his cultists, and they found themselves in foreign lands where the inhabitants had quite justified fears of them. So, the nefortu found themselves more or less split into two schools of thought on the matter. One wanted nothing to do with these people who associated them with their mutual destroyers, and wanted to carve out a place for themselves in these new lands. Not a replacement for their old home, but a place where they could be comfortable. The other group reasoned that, well, they were stuck here with these people, like it or not, and they'd better find a way to benefit from this situation.

These nefortu began the slow process of integrating into northern society, struggling to make peace with others who associated them with a mutual enemy. Some took roots in the cities, bringing knowledge of contracts and regulations to help rebuild the damaged societies; others followed the flight of an amber-gold dragon and called it the sign of Ayaunj returned, and made a home near its lair, in caves beneath the great Mount Enrien. There they took up their own crafts and crafted their own city-state: following Ayaunj's principles they engaged in regular commerce with the nearby ethron and human civilizations, and by this means became a normal sight in lands where once they were foreign.

Goals and Methods

Above all else, Ayaunj seeks the greatest amount of personal advancement at the least personal risk. She attempts to avoid or end conflicts via careful negotiation and measured giving of ground. There's nothing wrong with giving up a little now if it means securing advantage later-- that's how payment works. However, if cornered into a position where there is no potential gain, she will fight using any means at hand to end the altercation as decisively as possible.

Ayaunj encourages her followers to make as many allies as possible and hold those alliances tightly-- one whose services are essential cannot be betrayed, and indeed become leaders after a fashion. To this end she favours at least some free-market competition, but there are absolutely times when a market must be cornered in order to preserve the business, and she favours swift action when this becomes necessary. Harm to others is an unfortunate side-effect and never a goal. By and large she encourages truthfulness-- a false bill of sale or deceptive advertising might lead to greater profit in the moment, but the loss of trust is rarely worth the risk. Of course, in some lines of business, fooling all of the people some of the time or some of the people all the time is sufficient.

Organizations and Followings

xxx "This world runs on give-and-take!"

Not every merchant chooses to settle within the confines of a shop. Some choose to source exotic goods through adventure, or simply cater to the adventuring classes, seeing a market largely untapped by more traditional forces. Others simply realize that fools and their money are soon parted, and what could be more foolish than taking up the adventuring life? Ayaunj smiles on those who would profit by this unconventional method, offering a measure of Her protection against what is inevitably a dangerous lifestyle. Many of GROUP band with the Merchant Federation, but are as likely to work with other groups-- or even none at all, trusting that what they have to offer is enough to stand alone on.

xxx "Surely we can come to an equitable arrangement."

Most people in their lives will need some sort of agreement brokered. The GROUP offer to oversee these agreements, formalizing them via contract and Ayaunj's divine eye. These can be formal, written arrangements, or simple verbal affirmations, depending on the needed circumstances. This requires considerable social cachet on the part of the GROUP MEMBER; if they are not valued for their oversight then their services rendered become meaningless. Amongst adventurers, then, GROUP MEMBERS often must have great personal power for they must very often be the one to punish any given party who is in breach of contract. This can be simple violent enforcement, or it might be the witholding of one's services as a healer or other skills on ventures. GROUP MEMBERS typically charge for their services and are often partisan, though invariably hold themselves strictly impartial on contractual matters, lest they lose their own charter.

xxx "Most adventurers give it up within the year. You don't want to be one of them, do you?"

A lifetime of following Ayaunj often leaves Her faithful with more money than they can easily spend personally. It is the ambition of most to transition over to investments. The GROUP NAME in particular focus on more risky investments-- anyone can buy into a stable, long-running concern. Those of the GROUP are more inclined to assist daring new businesses, or perhaps new adventurers, fresh out of the School of Heroes. A return is always expected; perhaps a young water scholar would be financed early on, with the expectation that they will heal the investor through a daring exploration. In a perfect world, everyone benefits. In an imperfect world, the GROUP MEMBER turns debt collector, and extracts what they are owed by any means necessary.

Individual Followers

Followers of Ayaunj are generally congenial, pleasant folk, right up until the moment someone fails to meet expectations. They may genuinely care about others or not, but they thrive on community for protection and advancement. Solitude rarely sits well with the Ayaunji. They tend to be extremely focused on how they will benefit from their circumstances. This may be in the form of a need to 'win' conversations, in the manner of Ayaunj herself-- and only Her exemplars manage to succeed at this without destroying personal relationships in the process. The unskilled believer might be overanalytic, refusing to commit to situations and missing opportunities in the process.

In general, before committing, Ayaunji must be convinced of the benefit of doing so. This need not be material gain-- the trade of favours or goodwill are certainly of value, and for the right person even maintaining friendship might well be a solid reason. Without that benefit, that reason, Ayaunji can be slapdash or lazy if they offer their services at all. If they have better things to be doing with their time, they will do it.

Ayaunj is most popular amongst the nefortu, though aelin have a greater appreciation for Her than they do for most nefortean concepts, finding much to appreciate in orderly contracts. She is almost exclusively worshipped in large settlements; Var Bandor has a great many dedicants, and the city of the Kohlis was founded in Her name, under the sign of Her sacred amber dragon. She is little-liked in Rahh-Nefor, hearkening back to the centuries-old rift between She and Tzajai. The lawful scholars in general serve Her in significant numbers, offering services in vast demand by adventurers and the mainstream alike. Most merchants will offer up a prayer to Her in times of need whether they dedicate themselves or not. Her temples tend to be elaborate, gloriously-decorated affairs, showcasing the wealth of the faithful; those who prefer a quieter display tend to do so within their own homes.

Though She Herself is a sponsor of the Federation of Merchants, civic-minded Ayaunji may find themselves at home in the Guardians and those whose avarice is more specifically intellectual could be lured to the Coven of the Shunned. Raider methodology is ill-compatible with Ayaunj, and the Champions find too many ethical questions surrounding the accumulation of wealth to accept Her faithful.

Relationships

Ayaunj maintains cordial relations with most of the gods; whether that is by her skill or their indifference is a thing that depends on the teller. Her relationship with Tzajai is fraught, running hot and cold depending on the both of their moods; her recent period of absence from the world is often ascribed to a lost bet with him. Rveyelhi is uncommonly pleased to work hand-in-glove with her; the societies he builds offer much to one who would seek advancement, even at the detriment of others. Similarly, when Lilune is in a building mood, she finds herself quite pleased with Ayaunj's impact on expanding societies. Iandir by and large considers her an asset; she defines and organizes rules for daily life, and this pleases him. Ayaunj has commissioned Dolgrael's artifice on numerous occasions; the amber dragon is of his craft with license granted to her. Some gods do outright dislike her; while he can appreciate a twisted contract, Ayaunj is generally far too literal-minded to hold Serachel's interest. Meanwhile, Nariel finds Ayaunj utterly contemptible on the ideological level; wealth is far better put to the service of all than the one. Others such as Rystaia and Jalassa find themselves in rare agreement here: much harm can be done with Ayaunj's ways, but one willingly compelled to action or inaction may be far less willing to do wrong than others.