Alajial

Overview
Favored Race	Caladaran
Element(s)	Water, Spirit
Home(s)	An Endless Field of Lilies (vnum 1203)
Alignment	Neutral Good
Symbol(s)	A lily
Portfolio	Peace, contemplation, charity, absolution, optimism, solace
Worshippers	Spirit magi, missionaries, sages, gardeners, peasants

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 She seeks to achieve it through Her following. Thus, She demands more of them than fiery evangelism from a perceived moral high ground; instead, She requires that those who act on Her behalf know intimately the transformative power of forgiveness. Alajial Herself offers absolution of both guilt and sin to those who devote themselves to Her, and in turn, desires that Her supplicants offer similar forgiveness in the face of mortal slights. She contrasts the requirement of penance from Jalassa, as She does not believe additional external penalties are necessary for the truly remorseful. Promises of mercy, however, are not enough for Alajial. She demands that Her followers go a step further, and truly reconcile with those who have wronged them to the best of their ability. While this will often place an Alajian on dangerous ground, it represents a fearless commitment to Her creed.

To gain the insight She desires, Alajial suggests many ideas and activities. She encourages optimism even in the face of despair, in both world events and private experiences. To an Alajian, prolonged negativity is oppressive, and leads to a life of unhappiness and strife. Meaningful contemplation and self-reflection is of great importance to Her. Alajians believe that this careful consideration will reveal a common ground even with those who challenge or oppose them. Alajial desires that Her followers show charity to those in need, be it through time, money, or emotional support. While this can be as simple as a copper out of pocket, it can also extend to listening to a troubled soul, or protecting the helpless and downtrodden. All of these notions seek to encourage the proper attitudes in all who experience them, both first- and second-hand. Battle is one of the few tools that Alajial discourages, as violence often begets further, and potentially greater, violence. However, She does not begrudge Her devoted from defending themselves, or those that they love.

Organizations and Followings

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Individual Followers

Alajial's mild goodness appeals primarily to caladaran, healers, and mages. They are bound together by a desire to bring stability, peace, and reconciliation to the world at large. A follower of Alajial can be found alone in careful meditation, or in the company of others whom they trust. He will often focus on mundane actions and relationships, seeking to smooth over troubles between friends or help someone in need. While he hopes for a world in which there will be no suffering, he knows that such a world can only be achieved through tireless and persistent effort. A true Alajian is only completely at peace when helping others in some way, and most especially, when he has brought those divided by pain back together. Unsurprisingly, conflict often finds him one way or another, be it emotional or physical.

The worship of Alajial is strongest in rural communities and dedicated monasteries. She is venerated most often amongst the caladaran, but counts all goodly races within Her following. Warrior-cultures like the alatharya, the kankoran, and the srryn have no use for Alajial, while the shuddeni mock Her pacific nature with gleeful abandon. Adventuring professions which tend to most often appreciate Alajian ideals are water scholars, spirit scholars, and bards. Within society at large, farmers, peasant artisans, monks, and healers find much in common with the desires of Alajial. As a result, Her worship is strongest within the lower classes and away from urban centers. Those who are particularly devoted spend their lives in monasteries or as missionaries of Her creed.

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. 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 the caladaran generally view Her as Their child, it is unsurprising that common elements 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)

God Mark

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