Aeolis

Overview
Favored Race	Aelin
Pronoun(s)	He/him
Element(s)	Air, Spirit
Home(s)	The Courtyard of the Gallant (vnum 1290)
Alignment	Lawful Good
Symbol(s)	A rose, a silver sword
Portfolio	Purity, guidance, romance, stability, gallantry, forbearance
Worshippers	Patriarchs, poets, romantics, newlyweds, charismatics
House(s)	Merchant (P), Champion

History in Avendar

In the age which followed the Sundering, one of the first races to prominently emerge as the aelin. Once their claim to the great floating disc which hovered above the peaks of the Ialiedae mountains was assured, it became the epicenter of a new and growing civilization. The city they built upon it was named Ilodaiya, a first-era aelin phrase translated as "destined clouds". Although they had great potential, petty in-fighting and social maneuvering threatened to strangle the budding aelin empire in its crib. It was this conflict which drew the eye of a new deity, Aeolis.

He emerged as a charismatic, unifying voice, and his fledgling priesthood brought a measure of order with the canonization of the aelin houses, the character of each based upon an iconic ancestor. To facilitate this change, his chosen developed and popularized the arcane marriage process which persists to the present. Of course, the aelin had another, previous goddess, Alil, whose worship was thoroughly ingrained in the collective aelin consciousness; Aeolis saw this as both a challenge and an opportunity. According to common mythology, he made overture after overture to win the affection of the goddess, to no avail. Finally, he lit the constellation Lavetiae above the high city, and when the goddess beheld her sign in the night sky, her heart was won.

The legend of their divine wedded bliss persisted until the War of Fire, when the srryn shattered their naive, pre-War notions with mystic flame. The aelin resolutely clung to their dreams even as they were incinerated, calling out to the heavens for respite. However, Aeolis, unwilling to upset the Compact, assured his chosen that the return of Jolinn would be their salvation, and sent his great heroes and heroines to join humanity in the journey to Thaering Jad. Alil, however, was not content to watch the horrific deaths of their people. She flew high above the mountains and invoked her dread power, obliterating the entire province of Illata (and the srryn army within it) in the blink of an eye. Aeolis' caution and abidance of rule was considered abandonment to many, and Alil's militant following laid claim to the imperial court and cast the Aeolian priesthood out by force.

However, much as Aeolis predicted, the actions of Alil during the War's end invited the attention of a new deity, Serachel, ostensibly sent to make right the disruption to the divine order. Rather than chide the goddess, Serachel instead chose to rule alongside her, ushering in the fabled Dalae period. While revered in certain aelin religious histories, this was one of Aeolis' darkest moments, as his priesthood had been all but marginalized, replaced by the hedonistic vainglory of the Serachelian and Alilean confluence. As the corruption of the aelin soul grew more overt, Void magic imported from the shuddeni underworld upset the balance of the aelin houses, and appeared poised to cement the perversion of classical aelin conceits as a new social order. While the Aeolians fought in what ways they could, the light of their dedication was nearly snuffed out.

The sudden arrival of Rystaia Lightbringer and the ch'taren radically reframed the War of Night narrative, and the banishment of Serachel to the Nightmare Realm provided Aeolis sudden opportunity. Predicating his decision on Alil's violation of the Compact (which had yet remained unrighted), he separated Alil from the mundane world and bound her to the heavens. While a grave decision even to his following, the choice was seen as an unfortunate but inevitable consequence, and cast Alil herself as an object of pity and scorn, having been corrupted by Serachel's wickedness. However, the changes of the Dalae period could never be entirely undone, shaking the foundation of aelin society. From then on, the Aeolian priesthood became the sentinel of their ancient patriarchy, and the vehicle through which the social order was reinstated. In the modern era, he continues to play out his timeless push-pull with both Alil and Serachel, creating the uneven equilibrium that characterizes the aelin of the now.

Goals and Methods

Aeolis' most well-known goal is the harmonious existence of the aelin people with whom he shares such affinity. This society is one in which people who fit together find one another; obligations and responsibilities are unambiguous; families are stable and happy; and children are reared with obedient care. He, and by extension his priesthood, seek to bridle and tame the dangerous excesses to which the aelin have at times fallen victim. The rigid social expectations, bureaucratic hierarchies, and paternalistic power structures all have some origin in Aeolian edict, ancient and modern. His presence as a patron of the Grand Federation of Merchants, for example, is read by his following as a steadying hand to guide them away from darker roads, as much as a way to advance social cohesion overall.

Romantic love is perhaps the most iconic of Aeolian methods, as its rich courtship ritual has contributed greatly to aelin artistic tradition. As such, love, and lovers in general, are often cast in Aeolian terms or with the self-same imagery. However, core to the function of this love is pure intention. This internal barometer is the conscience; and only when properly tuned can it divine true love from false. While their Serachelian cousins also covet love as their own, it is this moderating influence which directs it toward edification rather than ruin. Predictably, because of their reputation for (at times over-the-top) charisma, near all Aeolian functions and functionaries have some penchant for the dramatic, be it in specific flourish or general presentation. This spectacular style often smooths their way, exciting fellow believers and subtly intimidating their rivals.

Organizations and Followings (OLD)

The pursuit of love and purity takes many forms, but for followers of Aeolis, it tends to be divided into three broad categories. While many who walk in the light trend toward cooperation, those who walk the Rose Lord's path often seek to break a mold rather than conform to it. As a result, many of His devoted do not organize themselves in vast numbers, preferring to surround themselves with diverse company. The major divisions are as follows:

The Artists of the Rose

"Actually... I wrote this just for you."

Music, painting, and poetry hold particular value to Artists of the Rose, as these can illuminate feelings, truths, and insights that common encounters lack. Many travel Avendar in search of inspiration, as the experiences that touch their own hearts, in turn, touch others'. Often, these experiences relate to the art of courtship, infatuation, or the turmoil of interpersonal entanglements. Much as Aeolis praised Alia's beauty and keen wit, so do Artists gravitate toward similar and extravagant expressions to their myriad of lovers. Some might describe them as hopeless romantics, although an Artist would rarely live any other way. Often eschewing conflict, Artists will still raise their swords if the emotions they seek to preserve are threatened.

The Order of the Silver Sword

"Villain! Stand down, lest I make short work of you!"

The martial arm of the church of Aeolis, the Order of the Silver Sword composed of gallant warriors and templar. Protectors of innocence, they often risk their lives for the good of others. This protection, however, comes with an almost storybook flourish; a typical member of the Order pays special attention to both his appearance, and perhaps secondarily, his actual skill. Silver Swords often find themselves keeping company with those for whom they have amorous intentions. Although common images often depict men protecting women, there is no real aversion to other sorts of pairings as well (as the aelin largely appreciate all forms of attraction). Although they will at times take up an active pursuit of evil, a dedicant of the Order is most easily roused to defense, especially when the subjects of his affection are involved.

The Magistrates of the Runil

"Brothers and sisters! What a world we shall create!"

Statesmen of particular renown often find themselves regarded as Magistrates of the Runil. Named after the runil, a tool of aelin judges, the category has its origins in legendary justices of the ancient aelin courts. Charismatic and upstanding, what separates a Magistrate from well-known politicians is their unrelenting dedication to maintaining both professional and statewide purity. Truly, all things that they endorse are intended for the purest of reasons. More contemporary Magistrates are no longer confined to judicial rulings or aristocracies, and instead take the role of respected diplomats and leaders. Although they may work in concert with the Sons and Daughters of Jolinn, a Magistrate is far more likely to be surrounded by a cult of personality. As a result, those chosen officially have often proven resilient to even the most potent of temptations. To be named a Magistrate is typically considered the crowning glory of a long and successful career.

Individual Followers (OLD)

Followers of Aeolis are traditionally moralizers, and not always rational voices even amongst the aelin. They tend to embrace a higher aesthetic than most, and their fixation on interpersonal ties and proper behavior often put them at odds with society's realists. Like their Lord, they often make encounters a breath of the fantastic, rather than the dreary mundane. If mortal life is a play, a follower of the Rose often feels that they perform one of the lead roles. This intentional distortion of reality serves to further the press toward what the aelin, in particular, are capable of being, rather than feeling powerless to the world's many evils.

The aelin worship Aeolis more extensively than other races, tracing His roots along with the initial rise of their cultural empire. In the years since the War of Night, other races have found themselves inspired by the storybook nature of His chosen. As one of the three patron gods of the Champions of Avendar, Aeolis' influence is widely accepted throughout the known world. In artistic circles, the blessing of Aeolis is a high mark of pride for both the bearer and those who share in their works.

Those who find favor with the Lord of the Rose are marked with a rose-entwined silver sword.

Relationships (OLD)

Aeolis is considered a dependable ally within the circles of the Light. Along with Rystaia and Jolinn, He blesses the Champions of Avendar in their fight against evil in all forms. Calaera, in particular, often finds Aeolis' methods a bit too mellow, but He finds acceptance with the contemplatives of Alajial. The neutral pantheon is largely indifferent to Aeolis, as He makes no strong concessions to law or chaos, but instead healthily mixes the two as necessary. Evil deities tend to despise Him, as His endless moralizing and militant following constantly trouble their followers, especially when it is done primarily for show.

Aeolis has a special concern for Alil, whom He feels great guilt for failing to protect. Had He been more diligent, perhaps She would not have devolved into madness and wanton excess. He harbors a special anger toward Serachel, who He regards as a dangerous rogue deity hellbent on corrupting the collective soul of the aelin people. Through His followers, He seeks to purge the evil of the Dark Angel and elevate all mortalkind to a higher, more perfect state.

Shrines, Sigils, and Mobs

Areas

The Shrine of the Rose (vnums 22450-22499)

Sigils

Tier 1 - a rose-entwined silver sword (vnum 1290)

• AC 5/9/14/15
• AC -10
• Damroll +1
• Saves -2
• Charisma +3
• Speech prog p: Lord Aeolis keep me safe from harm - Divine Shield (20%) [Aeolis and Yesa only]
• Fight prog 2: Ray of Purity (character's level)
• Verb prog p: inspire - Inspire (character's level)
• Verb prog p: produce rose - Loads a rose (vnum 89) on the wearer.

Mobs

The silver guardian (vnum 22451) - Guard for the Shrine of the Rose, does candidate interviews

Deraneth (vnum 22456) - Ghost-swordmaster that watches the memorial ground

Keiari (vnum 22498) - The current Rose consort

God Mark

You notice a pinkish rose birthmark.

+4 Charisma modifier

Notes, Logs, and Other Documents

Aeolis' religion can be surprisingly subtle given that it includes romantic love. It's often difficult for players to focus on its aspects beyond a generic, patronizing chivalry, and that isn't particularly suited to the religion as a whole. Aeolis is a god which encourages respectful treatment of others; given how many of His followers have been female, it would be bizarre to expect a gender-focused mandate such as "defending all women". If you are going to encourage an Aeolian role, it is best if you make sure the player realizes this means more than acting like an overdramatic Romeo.

The crux of the Aeolis experience is "purity of spirit", which can be loosely translated into "having good intentions" in most circumstances. Sometimes the people you are romantically interested in aren't interested in you; sometimes the people interested in you, you aren't interested in. Aeolis isn't fully onto a notion of never hurting someone's feelings, because sometimes you have no choice (but being malicious is obviously no-go). This is so fundamental to following Aeolis that it informs basically every action a follower takes, so make sure that you establish this with applicants early and stick to it.

Helps

Old Aeolis website overview (11/19/2000)

Lore

None

Logs

None