Race: Watcher
Domains: Arcane Knowledge, Magick
Ethos
Knowledge shared by the many has power over the very laws of the universe itself. Those who understand this follow Aethos, The Will of the Stars, Protector of Secrets, as a guardian of truths which stand to unravel the fabrics of our reality. They appear as a humanoid with Aetherborn and Dwarven characteristics - transparent beryl skin and a long beard with shaggy hair, wearing blue and brown robes and a mask hanging loosely from their neck. They wield a large shield embossed with unknown runes and a rapier made of stars.
History/Relationships
Aethos was first known as the Watcher, Nous, who developed a ritual to split souls into multiple pieces to allow their kind to persist on Orn. Being a master over souls, their spirit’s fragments split into several individual mortal pieces, including the Golem known as He Who Remembers, the Ancient of Rites and archivist of the Silver Council. In this form, he taught Secronus Darkmere how to sever his own soul, leading to the creation of Ressik and their eventual Undoing as Secronus betrayed him and the rest of Orn in a vie for power. Many years later, he encountered another fragment of their soul in the form of a Dwarf, Malkonius Stoneshield. Malkonius eventually reunited all of the pieces of his soul on the Third's Ninth of Arathost, 5,738 NB, upon which he ascended as Aethos, usurping Secronus from his long held seat on the Forsyntheril. In doing so, they simultaneously freed Orn from the influence of the Nexus, the Heart of the World and the will of the Ageless, allowing the world to continue on by the collective will of its peoples.
Wishing above all else for mortals to be free of their attachment from the Ageless, Aethos finds themself at odds with some of the aforementioned Immortals. While Aethos themself doesn’t wish any ill will between them, the sentiment isn’t met from all those that shaped Orn many ages ago. They have a strong relationship with other Immortals who strive for freedom and are generally aligned for good. They are especially good friends with the Treys, Aldrhunrik, Rex, Malykan, and Kagaminari, with whom they spent many years adventuring with during their mortal lives, as well as Thareon, who they dutifully served as his First Ordained up until the end of their journey. They stand in strong opposition against any forces that strive for power or control over others, especially the likes of Hexadus, Hursisa, Syflare, and Ressik - the shadow of their oldest enemy.
Dogma
Knowledge shared by everyone has power over the very laws of the universe. Guard close the secrets of our past and the truth of our nature to protect the lives of the many from the will of the few. Walk this world with your head held high and hold fast to your ideals, and if you ever lose your way, look for your reflection in the night sky.
Followers and Temples
Notably, Aethos takes care to support the endeavors of all Magicks. While Malkonius studied only Wizardry, Aethos sees the necessity of every school, including even Necromancy and Diablerie. Any magick can be used for good, and as long as it is ethically practiced, they see no one type of magick inherently more good or evil than another. Practitioners of multiple schools of magick have taken to calling themselves Arcanists, and tend to look to the Immortal for guidance. Followers who don’t practice magical arts but still believe in their dogma call themselves their Scions.
In lieu of formal temples, followers of Aethos worship them under the open night sky. Preferring wandering to stagnation, many take the Immortal’s dogma to “walk this world” literally, experiencing all that Orn has to offer.
Noteworthy Followers
- The Sophic Constellation
Those followers who have been entrusted with the truths of Orn and its history are known as the Sophic Constellation. Whether entrusted with this knowledge by Aethos or coming across it by any other means, Aethos takes to any who hold these secrets in high regard. They are tasked with guarding the many from truths that may prove to be their undoing.
- Baam’s Shadows
Wishing to change the narrative around Baam and have it seen as a boon instead of an omen, Aethos sponsors a group that they named Baam’s Shadows. They generally work similarly to the Paladin Orders of Orn or the Errant Guard, but are not bound to uphold the laws of the land they inhabit nor work for any ruler, instead taking action against unjust forces wherever they walk.