The Alphatian Faith
Pantheon: Alphatian Pantheon
Church: The Temples of Alphatia
Roots: Old Alphatian Mysticism
Countries: Alphatian Empire, Norwold, Isle of Dawn, Western Skothar.
Alphatian/Norwold Pantheon
Alphatia
Harrow*
Korotiku
Koryis
Liena*
Marwdyn*
Parlatarkan
Razud
Tiresias*
Alphatian/Norwold Pantheon by worshippersAlphatia
Alphatia, Magic; Wizards, Sorcerers, Psionics, Elves
Harrow*
Nightmares, Mind Magic; Sorcerers,
Korotiku*
Mischief; Rogues, Bards, Halflings, Gnomes
Koryis
Peace, Healing; Druids, Rangers, Monks
Liena*
Fighters, Norwold; Fighters, Barbarians, Dwarves, Half-Orcs
Marwdyn*
Necromancy; Wizards, Sorcerers
Parlatarkan
Air Magic, Floating Ar; Wizards, Sorcerers, Pegataurs
Razud
Self-sufficient, Protectors; Fighters, Rangers, Monks, Lupins,
Tiresias*
Music, Poetry; Bards, Rogues, Rakastas
*Not identified as worshipped in Alphatia in DotE or WotI
Note 1: The Norwold Immortals have been transplanted into the Alphatian Pantheon because of that regions ties with Alphatia and because there was little room of need for them in the Thyatian pantheon, which would have been the alternative.
Note 2: Korotiku was transplanted into the Alphatian Pantheon because it seemed unlikely that a Hierarch would not be worshipped outside the Pearl Islands. Also, he fills a nice niche.
Note 3: Asterius is identified as having temples Alphatia. IMC Because Asterius is closely associated with the Thyatian/Karameikan pantheon and I try to emphasize the difference between these two faiths, I decided he had not been incorporated in the Alphatian faith IMC
Comments?
Håvard
Note 1: The Norwold Immortals have been transplanted into the Alphatian Pantheon because of that regions ties with Alphatia and because there was little room of need for them in the Thyatian pantheon, which would have been the alternative.
You mean Liena? Since she's the mother of the Thyatian emperor, I'd consider her more appropriate to the Thyatian (or Oceansender, if you prefer, pantheon). There should be another Norwold Immortal, though, Bemarris, who would be more appropriate and covers more or less the same general portfolio (war).
Note 2: Korotiku was transplanted into the Alphatian Pantheon because it seemed unlikely that a Hierarch would not be worshipped outside the Pearl Islands. Also, he fills a nice niche.
Korotiku is revered by the Lupins as Saimpt Renard and by the Aranea as Yehm. Also, it's likely that other Thyatians and other Tanagoro worship Korotiku, in addition to Pearl Islanders.
Finally, Norwold Lupins (the only Lupins that would fall in the area covered by this pantheon, since there are only a handful of Lupins in Alphatia, according to the last VotPA article) worship some druidic power -- most likely Frey, or perhaps Zirchev, whom I seem to remember as associated with Norwold druids -- especially the Foxfolk. Heldann Shepherd and Norwold Malamutes IMO worship Korotiku and Saimpt Loup (likely under different names).
In general, I don't think the Alphatian pantheon/religion is that popular in Norwold, even in Alpha, given the prevalence of druids and rangers in the area (notably in CM1 there isn't an Alphatian priest but a local druid as religious advisor to Ericall).
You mean Liena? Since she's the mother of the Thyatian emperor, I'd consider her more appropriate to the Thyatian (or Oceansender, if you prefer, pantheon). There should be another Norwold Immortal, though, Bemarris, who would be more appropriate and covers more or less the same general portfolio (war).
I've been going back and forth on whether to include the "Norwold Immortals"; Liena, Harrow, Kythria, Marwdyn(?), and Tiresias(?) into the Alphatian Pantheon. My main reason for this is a pragmatic one; there are too few Immortals who are identified as Alphatian. I though the connection between Norwold and Alphatia would be enough to justify this, although perhaps not.
In the case of Liena, WotI states that she no longer has any interest in Thyatis.
As for Bemarris, I have under the current model, decided to leave the "Olympians" out, as they are considered minor Immortals of the Thyatian Faith.
Again, nothing is set in stone here, but that has been my reasoning so far.
Korotiku is revered by the Lupins as Saimpt Renard and by the Aranea as Yehm. Also, it's likely that other Thyatians and other Tanagoro worship Korotiku, in addition to Pearl Islanders.
Thanks for the insight on these. I dont see it as a reason to take Korotiku out of the pantheon though.
Finally, Norwold Lupins (the only Lupins that would fall in the area covered by this pantheon, since there are only a handful of Lupins in Alphatia, according to the last VotPA article) worship some druidic power -- most likely Frey, or perhaps Zirchev, whom I seem to remember as associated with Norwold druids -- especially the Foxfolk. Heldann Shepherd and Norwold Malamutes IMO worship Korotiku and Saimpt Loup (likely under different names).
Keep in mind that several Faith based pantheons can exist in the same region. The Lupin patrons could easily belong to the Antalian Pantheon, which is also clearly present in the Norwold region.
In general, I don't think the Alphatian pantheon/religion is that popular in Norwold, even in Alpha, given the prevalence of druids and rangers in the area (notably in CM1 there isn't an Alphatian priest but a local druid as religious advisor to Ericall).
Another interesting point. I am wondering though, if this could be an even bigger reason for porting the "Norwold Immortals" into the Alphatian Faith Pantheon since even they are not neccesarily that popular in Norwold. Perhaps their origins are in Norwold, but they were incorporated into the Alphatian faith from early on?
Need more time to think about this
Håvard
Gaimpaolo, thanks for insightful comments and criticism as usual!
You're welcome.
My main reason for this is a pragmatic one; there are too few Immortals who are identified as Alphatian.
There's a reason for this: Alphatians are not very religious, unless they are Clerics. Many Immortals would find such mercantile attitude distasteful (or at least, a waste of resources). IMO, many Alphatian clerics serve "shady" Immortals such as Marwdyn just for that reason.
Except for the four Alphatian Immortals (Alphatia, Koryis, Razud and Palartarkan
In the case of Liena, WotI states that she no longer has any interest in Thyatis.
Of course, but still she must ensure that Eusebius' sons inherit the throne (she's ensured it, but in the future...), so she would not directly support Thyatis' enemies. "No longer" may have weird implications when applied to Time Immortals!
As for Bemarris, I have under the current model, decided to leave the "Olympians" out, as they are considered minor Immortals of the Thyatian Faith.
Personally I don't think the "Olympians" are especially needed in Thyatis, since they cover roles that are already filled there. Since they're basically unknown, and the module where they appear never happens in the timeline, they're basically there to be used where needed.
Thanks for the insight on these. I dont see it as a reason to take Korotiku out of the pantheon though.
Neither I do. Just some nitpicking on his worship base.
Keep in mind that several Faith based pantheons can exist in the same region. The Lupin patrons could easily belong to the Antalian Pantheon, which is also clearly present in the Norwold region.
Of course, I just don't see Razud (an Immortal almost exclusively worshipped in Alphatia) as the patron of a race that is only present in Brun (and Ochalea).
And I don't think the Alphatian Faith would have many followers in Norwold -- the Antalian Pantheon would be dominant there, indeed.
Another interesting point. I am wondering though, if this could be an even bigger reason for porting the "Norwold Immortals" into the Alphatian Faith Pantheon since even they are not neccesarily that popular in Norwold. Perhaps their origins are in Norwold, but they were incorporated into the Alphatian faith from early on?
What does link them to Norwold? Except for Liena, who's founded Oceansend, Harrow, Kythria, Marwdyn and Tiresias are not specifically linked to Norwold in WotI. Actually, in life none of them was from Norwold or even visited Norwold, as far as we know.
GP
P.S.: I double-checked Brissard: he was an Alphatian in life. Also, I'd consider Ixion, since he was known to the Cypri well before they were conquered by the Alphatians.
Kersey (p. 12), who is described as a Temporal in mortal form when she encounters the PCs, and seemingly an Earth/Matter Immortal. It is possible that she achieved her immortality post-Alphatian destruction, though.
Leosus, Keeper of the Sky Winds (p. 11), is described as an immortal lawful creature who belongs to the sphere of Air and Koryis is his master. He isn't explicitly described as an Immortal, but given that he is immune to any attacks from the PCs party, and given the otherwise dearth of Alphatian native Immortals, I'd be inclined to make him part of the Alphatian pantheon (the same reasoning applies to Kersey, IMO). Leosus likely has a strong following among Floating Ar, if not anywhere else in the nation.
I probably wouldn't make Leosus the sole wind/sky Immortal among the generally Air-inclined Alphatians, though. I'd just make him one of possibly several underlings of an "uber" Air-Immortal- in charge of a specific aspect of air (in his case, maybe wind). You could have something on the order of lesser immortals of the directions of wind (NWSE), or aspects of it or something. Heck, maybe Leosus' duties were so narrowly focused that's the reason he's stayed behind in Old Alphatia, and maybe doesn't have any followers on Mystara at all (again, though, I'd be personally inclined to have him known there).
Also, from the description of Leosus, it doesn't seem as if he was ever Alphatian himself (the way he describes Alphatian history at least sounds like the way an outsider would describe it, rather than someone who lived through it). Perhaps he was originally a member of a subject race of the Alphatian Empire before gaining Immortality (perhaps even a Cypri before they were merged- or fully merged- with the Alphatian conquerors?)
(Also, as an interesting aside- I just noticed that there are dwarves in Old Alphatia, on the planet shard of Belthar. Wonder what Old Alphatian "dwarves" must be like, and if any of them were present during Landfall?)
There's a reason for this: Alphatians are not very religious, unless they are Clerics. Many Immortals would find such mercantile attitude distasteful (or at least, a waste of resources). IMO, many Alphatian clerics serve "shady" Immortals such as Marwdyn just for that reason.
Except for the four Alphatian Immortals (Alphatia, Koryis, Razud and Palartarkan
True. Shady immortals make sense here. I'm also wondering if this could be a good reason for including Harrow here. He is both shady and weird. Could easily catch on among the Alphers.
Of course, but still she must ensure that Eusebius' sons inherit the throne (she's ensured it, but in the future...), so she would not directly support Thyatis' enemies. "No longer" may have weird implications when applied to Time Immortals!
Yeah, you're right. I think I will move her over to the Thyatian Faith.
Personally I don't think the "Olympians" are especially needed in Thyatis, since they cover roles that are already filled there. Since they're basically unknown, and the module where they appear never happens in the timeline, they're basically there to be used where needed.
To be honest I have put the "Olympians" into the "minor Immortals" category, effectively removing them from the writeups.
Of course, I just don't see Razud (an Immortal almost exclusively worshipped in Alphatia) as the patron of a race that is only present in Brun (and Ochalea).
And I don't think the Alphatian Faith would have many followers in Norwold -- the Antalian Pantheon would be dominant there, indeed.
Agreed. I was more interested in brining Norwold Immortals over to Alphatia than the other way around, but see below.
What does link them to Norwold? Except for Liena, who's founded Oceansend, Harrow, Kythria, Marwdyn and Tiresias are not specifically linked to Norwold in WotI. Actually, in life none of them was from Norwold or even visited Norwold, as far as we know.
Yikes, looks like I have been caught up in my own systems here. You are right, there is no official material linking any of these to Norwold. Since I see little use for them in the Known World, I'll just go ahead and make this a fully fledged Alphatian Pantheon:
The Alphatian Faith
Pantheon: Alphatian Pantheon
Church: The Temples of Alphatia
Roots: Old Alphatian Mysticism
Countries: Alphatian Empire, Norwold, Isle of Dawn, Western Skothar.
Alphatian Pantheon
Alphatia
Harrow*
Korotiku
Koryis
Marwdyn*
Parlatarkan
Razud
Tiresias*
Alphatian Pantheon by worshippers
Alphatia
Alphatia, Magic; Wizards, Sorcerers, Psionics, Elves
Harrow*
Nightmares, Mind Magic; Sorcerers,
Korotiku*
Mischief; Rogues, Bards, Halflings, Gnomes
Koryis
Peace, Healing; Druids, Rangers, Monks
Marwdyn*
Necromancy; Wizards, Sorcerers
Parlatarkan
Air Magic, Floating Ar; Wizards, Sorcerers, Pegataurs
Razud
Self-sufficient, Protectors; Fighters, Rangers, Monks, Lupins,
Tiresias*
Music, Poetry; Bards, Rogues, Rakastas
*Not identified as worshipped in Alphatia in DotE or WotI
Is there a a unified Alphatian Mythology? What would be its key concepts? What to Alphatians belive in matters of creation, death (afterlife) and the meaning of life?
Håvard
Alphatian Mythology:
Is there a a unified Alphatian Mythology? What would be its key concepts? What to Alphatians belive in matters of creation, death (afterlife) and the meaning of life?
Håvard
Alphatians see the world as a dichotomy: Air and Fire are the two primal concepts, which correspond to Thought and Energy. Where other Mystaran peoples might see the multiverse as a struggle between Life and Death (Entropy), Alphatians see death/entropy as a force that could ally itself with either of the two really important concepts. Of course, Alphaks has done a lot to try to associate Death with Fire.
Since modern Alphatia was founded by the followers of Air, they might teach that air and thought were the first concepts to exist, and fire and energy were created by air and subsequently turned against it. Entropy is a side-effect of this ancient betrayal. Before there was Energy, everything was formless, timeless, eternal Thought. Using the power of Energy (magic), Thought was able to create Matter, which Entropy corrupts. The corruption of Matter and Energy by Entropy produces Time.
To Alphatian mystics, then, Thought might represent an idyllic, "pre-Fall" state that they seek to regain. This might be done by inventing a type of magic that works without the use of Energy, which works by Thought alone. Radical Alphatians (especially those with no magical talent) might believe in foresaking magic entirely in order to secure eternal life in the Sphere of Thought. Only then can they break the cycle of reincarnation produced by the interaction of Thought and Energy.
Mainstream Alphatians would instead believe that the Fall was irreversible - indeed, perhaps desireable, for without energy and change there would be no growth. The attempt to favor Air over Fire or Fire over Air created a disaster - the death of their entire world. Therefore, the best path is one of Balance. Energy is important, vital to the multiverse as it exists today, but it must be balanced with careful Thought. Magic is a combination of Thought and Energy; energy alone cannot produce magic without sapient direction, and thought alone cannot create magic without energy to aid it. Together they can do anything, anything at all. They can create and destroy matter, manipulate or stop entropy, and travel through time. The proper role of the devout Alphatian is to ensure that neither Thought nor Energy becomes too strong or too weak in their personal lives and in general.
The two concepts might also be associated with Law and Chaos, in proper old-school D&D alignment terms. Air would be Law, representing structure and careful deliberation. Energy would be Chaos, pure uncontrolled power. In this way, Air and Fire can be used to catagorize nearly everything. Air is coolness, control, femininity, order. Fire is heat, randomness, masculinity, chaos.
Even though Law is normally associated most of all with the Sphere of Matter, to Alphatians Matter is just a side-effect of Thought and Energy's interaction. Its orderly qualities, in their view, come from Thought's influence, while its substantial nature comes from Energy. That matter alone is not necessarily orderly is proven by the elementals of chaos known as erdeen. Thought alone creates structure but no substance, form with no content. Energy alone creates content only with no form - Chaos.
The Immortals, I think, are secondary to this. They're all made of varying amounts of Thought or Energy. Alphaks is Energy in its most destructive form. Thanatos might be equal amounts Thought and Energy, forming the most entropic corruption of both. They may be honored, but they are not as important as the fundamental dichotomous forces that empower them.
Immortal patrons: Alphatia, Koryis, Korotiku
Beliefs: The interaction between Thought and Energy, or Air and Fire, produces an endless cycle of reincarnation and suffering in which all mortals are trapped. Only by renouncing the temptations of Energy (magic) can one escape this cycle and enter the freedom of Pure Thought, where suffering, war, pain, and death cannot exist.
History: The Acolytes of Pure Thought were originally a political faction that believed that magic, which had doomed their previous world, should be shunned. They presented themselves as the champions of the common people with no magical talent. As time went on it gained a mystic/philosophical bent. This was, needless to say, not a popular movement among the rulers of New Alphatia, and it soon went from being marginalized to being actively persecuted.
The Immortal Alphatia, who had disagreed with the faction in her mortal life, felt compassion for them as an Immortal; she disliked seeing anyone suffer from persecution, and admired their peaceful goals even if she continued to disagree with their methods. The most extreme of the faction, who refused both clerical and wizardly magic, she transported to the Hollow World. To the others she began granting spells, transforming them into a full-fledged religion, and giving them some credibility in the eyes of other Alphatians.
She enlisted the aid of Koryis, and together they became the patrons of the sect.
The other Immortal associated with the group is Korotiku, who some legends claim manifested on Old Alphatia before its destruction, living as a heroic roguish type who used his wit to avoid and in some cases overcome the vast wizardly might of the rulers of that world. He is remembered as a folk hero, beloved of the common folk and by thieves, mystics, and roguish minstrels who survive in Alphatia with little or no knowledge of magic, using pure intelligence, skill, and magic items they've begged, borrowed, bought, or stolen.
The Acolytes of Pure Thought revere Korotiku as a being whose wit and skill penetrate through the prison-universe created by the immortal rulers of the other Spheres of Power, opening a secret path into the Sphere of Thought through which those who emulate him can travel.
Korotiku is pictured as a Common Alphatian, as a spider, or sometimes as a monkey or tabi.
The legendary Empress Savina was sympathetic to the goals of the Acolytes of Pure Thought, appointing some of their greatest mystics as royal advisors equal in status to archwizards - a move of breathtaking audacity. She made the Path of True Thought one of the empire's official religion, and under her patronage it spread to far-off corners of the empire like the Alaysian Desert and Ochalea.
When Empress Savina died, at an advanced age, future emperors and empresses stopped appointing non-mages to advanced positions, and the next imperial dynasty revoked the religion's official status, forcing it underground again. By then it had grown fairly powerful in some of the outlying Alphatian colonies and could not be stamped out entirely. Since then, some emperors have been more tolerant toward the faith than others, and the Acolytes of Pure Thought have responded accordingly, sometimes preaching that wizards are evil oppressors whose magic destroys the fabric of the universe, and sometimes considering them merely sadly misguided souls doomed never to know the release from reincarnation that true acolytes of the faith are destined to know.
Empress Eriadna has tolerated the sect, deciding that persecuting them isn't worth the hassle or the grief, but she has not officially recognized them. Her father, Tylion IV, had been far more ruthless.
Acolytes of Pure Thought may belong to any character class that doesn't use arcane magic, including fighters, clerics, thieves/merchants/rogues, and mystics/monks.
Mythology: These are great concepts! Consider them stolen. The Air/Fire dichotomy totally makes sense for Alphatian society.
Path of Pure Thought: Nice writeup. Woo, did I see Empress Savina mentioned there? Risky business! This writeup also helps further establishing Korotiku within the Alphatian pantheon. I like it!
Håvard
I'm not certain who the Emperor of the Immortals should be - possibly Koryis, if Ochalea's mythology is closely related to Alphatia's, though Noumena would be attractive as a distant figure mostly removed from Alphatian concerns in the modern epoch. Odin, as one of the oldest of the Immortals of Thought, could be seen as a creator figure, the one whose guidance created the other Spheres of Power and even made the world - this wouldn't necessarily mean he's commonly worshipped, just that he might be part of the creation myth.
I think the Alphatians would view the Immortal hierarchy as a divine reflection of their own ages-old empire - ruled by an emperor, with a council of Immortal advisors and many lesser Immortals who have great independence in their control over the multiverse. Like Alphatian nobles, they aren't a rigid bureacracy, but a more chaotic structure.
I'm not certain who the Emperor of the Immortals should be - possibly Koryis, if Ochalea's mythology is closely related to Alphatia's, though Noumena would be attractive as a distant figure mostly removed from Alphatian concerns in the modern epoch. Odin, as one of the oldest of the Immortals of Thought, could be seen as a creator figure, the one whose guidance created the other Spheres of Power and even made the world - this wouldn't necessarily mean he's commonly worshipped, just that he might be part of the creation myth.
Razud would be the most obvious candidate to me as the Alphatian Immortal of self-reliance. Did you intentionally leave him and Palartarkan out of your write-up? I mean, Alphatia (i.e., Aasla, the Immortal) and Koryis seem fairly benevolent, and Alphatia has long opposed the imperialistic tendencies of the Alphatians.
When considering the "pantheon" mirroring the emperor+council-structure of the empire, keep in mind that this is only true for the Alphatian Empire on Mystara - there never was a council on Old Alphatia, which is a major reason why things went wrong, since the emperor (Alphaks) had too much power and abused it, starting the wars that led to the planet's destruction.
But then Alphatian faith is a bit of a redundant subject, since the Alphatians are about the most un-religious people on Mystara...
Razud would be the most obvious candidate to me as the Alphatian Immortal of self-reliance.
As an Immortal emperor?
Did you intentionally leave him and Palartarkan out of your write-up
Yes. Keep in mind that my write-up was of a small, contrarian sect, not the entire pantheon.
I mean, Alphatia (i.e., Aasla, the Immortal) and Koryis seem fairly benevolent, and Alphatia has long opposed the imperialistic tendencies of the Alphatians.
Yes. That's why I included them.
When considering the "pantheon" mirroring the emperor+council-structure of the empire, keep in mind that this is only true for the Alphatian Empire on Mystara
Good point. The Immortals would only be seen to have a council if there was some sort of religious reformation or evolution in the 2000 years since Landfall. Which is possible.
The Immortals would only be seen to have a council if there was some sort of religious reformation or evolution in the 2000 years since Landfall. Which is possible.
Including the Immortal Alphatia would make certain of that, since she become an Immortal only some time after landfall (and after founding the city of Aasla).