The Gods of Valyria
Author: Liara
The First Dragons: A Valyrian Pantheon
History will record that the Valyrians had no gods, or that they named their dragons after their gods. But history is written in the eyes of those who remain, not those who were, and as with all histories, some things simply aren't accurate. Because the Valyrians didn't name their dragons after their gods. The Valyrian gods were the first dragons. It began in a moment of desperation. While history would later record how the Valyrian Freehold broke the back of the Ghiscari Empire, and the atrocities they committed against its people, no one ever bothered to ask why. Or maybe they did, but no one still living remembered the reason. In those days, so far back that almost no records still exist, the Valyrians were a scattered, nomadic people. Sheepherders and farmers, if the land was arable - which, in most cases, it wasn't. Valyria had never been a place of agriculture, for the ground is too warm to grow most food crops. In those days, they fought each other, and they fought anyone who invaded as best they could. But, of course, scattered and poor as they were, they were often easy pickings for slavers, and anyone else who wanted to move in and take what little they had gleaned from the land. This pattern continued for centuries until a Ghiscari Emperor got the bright idea to finally annex the entirety of the Valyrian peninsula, as with that many volcanoes in the area, it was bound to to have valuable ores and minerals. The prospect of an influx of slaves was also quite appealing. It would be an economic boost. There was no standing against this threat. Scattered into disparate clans, lacking more than basic weaponry, the Valyrians in that distant past had no real defense but what magic their blood and fire magi could provide them. But there were not nearly enough of those magi, and they were scattered across the many tribes, each serving their tribe's own interests. With desperation, however, comes innovation, and the leadership of one tribe realizing that the disparate people of Valyria must unite - or face utter annihilation. We remember the name of the tribe that began the struggle to unite Valyria in the face of annihilation because from that tribe descends one of the greatest houses of dragonlords. Of course, at the time it seemed an impossible goal. And yet, through hard work and politicking, they managed to convince the many tribes to unite as one to oppose the threat looming from the Ghiscari Empire. But even with the many tribes working as one, the Valyrians knew that their odds were very low, and would drift lower still as they could not both tend their herds and fight a war. And they had not the weapons, armor, or training to properly do such. They needed a miracle. A miracle which came in the form of a set of twins, one with power over blood, and the other with power over fire. They had a theory, one that had never been fully tested - that under the right circumstances, with the right blood sacrifices, the Valyrians could *create* their salvation. Their names have been lost to time, but these two mages argued that with a blood sacrifice of what is most important to the individual - a child of their blood - and of their own lives, that they could become the weapons they so desperately needed. That they would become dragons. Of course, it had never been done, and to the non-magically inclined, it sounded like madness. Indeed, a council of mages was convened that is said to have argued for forty days and forty nights as the forces of the Ghiscari breached the borders of Valyria. But in the end, they all agreed - there was no other way. They could take this chance, and if it failed be annihilated as a people, or they could simply lay down their arms and be annihilated in much the same fashion. The attempt could not be forced - it required the willing sacrifice of the individual's life and that of one of their children. It was a poison pill to many, and most hesitated until Helaera, the wife of the leader of the first tribe to unite the others, pointed out that whether they gave up one child to have a chance at saving the others, or whether they laid down their arms and let the wave of Ghiscari sweep over them, their children were going to die. There was no scenario in which their children's deaths would not happen; they could only choose the means by which it came about. Following her lead, members of 10 families from her tribe stepped forward as the other tribes continued to debate. Some held children, others moved forward visibly pregnant. And so the ritual began, though what, precisely, occurred is a secret lost to the sands of time - no written record of it exists. The annals simply state that those children out of the womb were sacrificed as a blood offering, and those women who stepped forward pregnant were stricken with agonizing pains, almost immediately miscarrying. What they delivered is not spoken of, except to say, "The price had been paid," and it is not clear whether any of the women who miscarried survived. And when it was done, the volunteers dropped to the ground, their bodies lifeless. And for a moment, panic struck the crowd - where were their promised weapons? Where was their promised salvation? It hadn't worked, it hadn't worked! And then... And then... In the distance came the roar of dragons. In the lead was a brilliant golden dragon, who swept across the encampment as people screamed, only to land on the edge, with the Valyrians stared in awe and shock. Most had not believed it was possible - they had only agreed out of desperation, feeling they had no choice, but now... One by one, the ten dragons landed, and the magi explained that these dragons would be bound to their family lines for as long as their blood persisted, that the blood price covered each family who had sacrificed to pay it. The annals do not speak of the blood that was shed over the next few hours, but it must have been great. How many children went willingly, and how many had to be dragged to their doom is not known. In the end, forty families offered their children and their strongest members. It is said that the host of dragons that descended upon the Ghiscari blotted out the sun. By the time they were through, all that was left of the Ghiscari army was blood and ash. In the three thousand-odd years since that fateful day, much knowledge of that time has been lost. Or, perhaps not lost, but rather, hidden from the eyes of most. Most Valyrians of the Freehold have very little knowledge of the first days of their empire, and many believe they have always had dragons, for dragons have become central to their culture and society. Today, even as they worship the first dragons as their gods, few know or remember the exact nature of what created those first dragons, or when they first took flight, even as they believe that they themselves are connected, blood and soul, to the first dragons, descending directly from those mighty creatures and destined to return to them when their spirit leaves this plane. There are too many gods in the Valyrian Pantheon to name, and each Dragonlord family has one or more that they particularly revere, believing that they descend directly from those original dragons - that they, too, are fire made flesh. But the ten most powerful Dragonlord families believe they are descended from the most prominent dragons, who form the core of the Pantheon. They are as follows:Matarion
The First Dragon; considered the god of Wisdom, Power, Authority, and Unity. He is seen as a mostly benevolent figure towards Valyrians, and an implacable foe towards their enemies. Matarion is believed to have been the first to step forward, to offer his life and that of his oldest son in the hopes that his people would be saved. Some myths claim that he was the individual who first tried to unite the disparate tribes of Valyrians, and many continue to look to him for guidance in situations where wisdom and unity are required.Haelera
Consort to Matarion, twin to her sister-wife Aenela. She is considered the goddess of Blood, Childbirth, Healing, and Sexual Pleasure. For we are all born in blood, and it is blood that heals us. The myths about Haelera are somewhat confused. There are some myths claiming that she was the Blood Mage who discovered the way to unite Valyrian souls with those of dragonkind, while others say she is merely the patron of the Blood Mages, and was Matarion's sister-wife in her first life, a bond that persisted in her second life. Haelera is most commonly depicted as a dragon with deep red, almost black scales and gold in her wings, curled around a clutch of eggs that her stance makes clear she will guard with her life. When she is shown breathing fire, it is typically depicted as an intense red - for her breath was said to be red like the very lava in the volcanoes. For all that some myths claim she became a dragon by miscarrying her child, she is considered the patron of pregnant women.Aenela
Consort to Matarion, twin to her sister-wife Haelera. She is considered the goddess of Fire, Light, Growth, and Renewal. For as fire sweeps over the land, it opens the way for life to return, stronger than before. Like Haelera, some myths depict Aenela as the Fire Mage who, along with her twin, discovered the way to unite Valyrian souls with those of dragonkind. Other myths claim she was one of the brave few who stepped up to take the leap of faith that united their blood and souls with those of dragons. Many Fire Mages consider her their patron, and her fire is said to be so hot that it burns blue. Aenela is most often depicted as a lithe dragon with blue scales that shimmer gold depending on how you look at them. Most of her iconography includes her famous white-blue breath.Taenarr
God of War, Athletic Prowess, and Courage. For war requires courage, and to fight effectively, you must keep yourself fit for combat. Taenarr is said to have been part of one of the first tribes to agree to go through the ritual in hopes of becoming a dragon. For this he is said to have sacrificed his only daughter, for he loved her above all his other sons. It is said that he was instrumental in teaching the Valyrians how to best use their dragons in combat. Taenarr is typically depicted as a massive dragon with bronze scales and red in the webbing between his wings. He is most often shown at the moment of attack, breathing fire down upon his enemies.Elaehrys
Goddess of Knowledge and Strategy. Elaehrys is said to have been a brilliant mind in her first life, having crafted several of the strategies that allowed the Valyrians to endure long enough to forge the bond between man and dragon. When her tribe made the decision to go ahead with the ritual, she volunteered to be the first sacrifice, as she was heavily pregnant with her fifth child. Elaehrys is considered to be a patron of scholars and military strategists. She is most often depicted as a dragon with silver scales and eyes as blue as sapphires (and often sapphires are used to depict her eyes).Saenys
Goddess of Fortune, Luck, Prosperity, and Plenty. Not much is known about Saenys prior to her second life beyond her tribe. What is known is that she was among the courageous who stepped up first, and that she had many children. It is said she brought her youngest child as her sacrifice, and that she wept as she spilled his blood. Not much is known about how she became associated with luck and good fortune, but some scholars speculate that her many children were considered a sign of prosperity and good fortune. She is most often depicted as a dragon with scales that blend from rose into purple, with talons gilded with gold, and eyes of rubies. Gamblers, inventors, and anyone who takes a risk often pray for her favor.Vagel
God of Vengeance, Subterfuge, and the Night. The stories say that Vagel had long since resigned himself to a short life by the time the magi had decided on the way forward. He had lost his wife and most of his children to a raid years before. When he stepped forward to offer his life in the hopes of saving his people, he brought his last son, a young man of only 12. Where other children cried in fear, Vagel's son stood clear-eyed, as willing as his father to pay the blood price for the salvation of their people. Though Vagel's direct line ended on that day, his blood continued through his brothers and their children, and their children's children. It is likely that his association with the Night and Subterfuge came from his inky black scales, without a hint of any other color. Black scales, black talons, black eyes. And when the dragons met the Ghiscari, his vengeance was terrible to behold. Vagel is associated with onyx, and many of his depictions use that gemstone, as well as obsidian, to form his scales. He is most often depicted as a lithe, almost sinuous dragon moving through a night sky, nearly invisible but for the glitter of onyx and obsidian that make up his scales and eyes.Aenarr
God of Justice and Order. The stories say that Aenarr’s tribe was one of the more organized among the Valyrian peoples, even before Matarion approached him with the idea of uniting their people. He is said to have been among the first to volunteer and brought with him his small son, whose name has been lost to time. The stories say he cradled the body of his dead son even as his soul left his body to join with the dragon he would become. Of all the First Dragons, Aenarr is known to be the most prudent and restrained. His wrath is terrible to behold, like any dragon, but he is never lost to his rage. Most depictions of Aenarr show him as a dragon of purest white, his scales holding a pearlescent sheen, his eyes a red-orange shade that flickers with flames. In most statues of him, mother of pearl is used to make his scales, and Imperial topaz is used to form his eyes - the orange-red stone brilliant under the light.Laegel
God of Exploration, Commerce, and the wind; The Curious; the Acquisitive One. The stories say that Laegel was a trader in life, and that he was one of the few who traveled between the tribes, bringing news from other parts of Valyria and goods that tribes could not themselves come by, depending on area. When the call went out for volunteers in a desperate attempt to save their people, Laegel was among those who stepped forward, along with his young daughter. Though she trembled and is said to have eyes filled with tears, she did not scream or cry, or flee. Instead, she hugged her father and allowed him to take her life. When Laegel was reborn, he became the foremost among the explorers, and is said to have journeyed across the world, from Asshai to Westeros. Valyrian traders often pray to him and Vysena for safe passage through the oceans of the world. Laegel is most often depicted with scales of deepest lapis lazuli with a golden underlying sheen and eyes of silvery blue.Balaenarr
God of Animal Husbandry, Dragonkeeping, and Textiles. In his first life, Balaenarr was said to be a somewhat wealthy (for a Valyrian of the time) sheep herder. Though weaving is often thought of as “women’s work,” Balaenarr was an extremely skilled weaver who could create incredibly soft fabric from the wool of his sheep. While he was not a warrior, he was the first to step forward from among his tribe, along with his heavily pregnant wife. The stories say that he taught the first Dragon Keepers how to interact with dragons, how to keep them properly fed, and how to train them. Many Dragon Keepers pray to Balaenarr for guidance when they are dealing with dragons, and weavers have a particular affinity for him because they believe he blesses their work. Balaenarr is most often depicted with scales of a deep brown with an underlying sheen of copper, and eyes of golden orange. He is said to have an affinity with the stone known as “tiger’s eye.”Bhaela
Goddess of Ingenuity; Lady of the Arches; Patroness of Architects, Engineers, and Inventors. Bhaela was a brilliant engineer in her first life. Though she had little formal training, even from childhood she had a knack for knowing how to put things together. She spent most of her younger years inventing new things, and drawing ideas of still more. When the magi first brought forth the idea to shed blood to become the weapons needed to shield their people, Bhaela took some time to think about the problem. Even as the magi were debating the way forward, she came to the conclusion that theirs was the best path - the only path that offered a chance at survival for their people. So when the call went out for volunteers, she did not hesitate to step up beside the others. The stories say that the man who was her husband in that first life questioned her actions, asking why she was willing to kill the unborn child she carried in her belly. Bhaela did not mince words, telling him that she loved the child she carried, but that it was doomed to die regardless. And that its death, and her death, would prevent the deaths of the rest of her children, and of their people. Bhaela is most depicted as a dragon with scales of deepest purple with a silvered glint, depending on which way the light hits them. Her eyes are depicted as pearls or silver orbs, for she is said to have pearlescent or silver eyes. Inventors, architects, and engineers favor her, and pray to her for inspiration. Most of all, they hope to receive her ability to see past what is, to find what could be.Vysena
Goddess of Astronomy, Navigation, the Ocean, and Travelers; She Who Wears the Night Sky. Vysena was a nomad in her first life, one with a particular affinity for the ocean and bodies of water. It is said that she could find her way based on the stars alone, no matter where she was. Due to her extensive travels, she was one of the small group who first discovered the movements of the Ghiscari outside of Valyria, and the rumors of annexation. When the call came for volunteers, she stepped forward with her infant son. It is said that she whispered to him that they would fly together in their second life, and from this whispered promise came the belief that the children sacrificed to bring the dragons into being did not fade into nothingness. Rather, the Valyrians came to believe that they became dragons, too - but dragons on the mystical plane, forever guiding the dragons bound to the bloodlines they saved with their sacrifice. Vysena is most often depicted as a lithe dragon with scales of deepest midnight blue that shine with shades of aquamarine and teal in the sunlight. Little silver specks cover her hide, as though her scales were the night sky, and the silver dots the stars themselves. Her eyes are typically shown as ocean blue, but the rare statue of her does exist with diamonds for her eyes. Vysena is often prayed to in tandem with Laegel by travelers, mechants, and explorers. Those who look to the stars for guidance also pray for her, and some lowborn fishermen also look to her for guidance, in her aspect as goddess of the ocean.
Type
Religious, Pantheon
Permeated Organizations
The First Dragons: A Valyrian Pantheon
Matarion
Haelera
Aenela
Taenarr
Elaehrys
Saenys
Vagel
Aenarr
Laegel
Balaenarr
Bhaela
Vysena
