Sky-Father
(a.k.a. High Sovereign of the Winds; Lord of Open Skies; Father of Storms and Stars)
The Sky-Father is a primordial deity revered across multiple cultures as the celestial patriarch of the upper realms—the boundless skies, the roaring storms, and the guiding constellations. He is seen as the origin of law, light, and order in the firmament, wielding dominion over skyborne forces such as thunder, wind, rain, and skyfire. Regal and distant, his worshippers believe he watches the world from beyond the highest cloud, a constant observer and cosmic judge.
Mythology and Legends
- Father of the Winds: The four great winds (North, South, East, and West) are said to be his children, each governing a cardinal virtue and force.
- Binder of Chaos: He is credited with casting down the primordial chaos with his thunderbolts, shaping the skies into order.
- First Stormwright: Many tales suggest that the First Stormwright was a mortal gifted the knowledge of stormcraft by the Sky-Father himself.
Cultural Variations
- Among mountain peoples, he is a personal father-figure, invoked in rites of coming-of-age and oath-taking.
- In the Stormcloaks and Windcloaks, he is the divine patron of ranks like Stormmarshal and Voice of the Storm, believed to whisper through hurricane gales.
- The Drowned Circle believes he fought and banished the sea goddess's first-born, bringing storms as warning and protection.
Divine Domains
- Storms – He commands lightning, wind, and thunder, symbolizing both divine wrath and celestial renewal.
- Sky and Air – The breath of the world, the currents above mountains, and the songs of birds are under his stewardship.
- Law and Kingship – He is invoked by rulers and judges, seen as the giver of rightful dominion and divine justice.
- Stars and Navigation – His eyes are said to be the stars, and travelers, sailors, and seekers of truth look to him for guidance.
Artifacts
- The Thunder-Scepter: A relic said to summon skyfire and banish darkness.
- Crown of Cloudfire: A symbol of rulership believed to be worn by true, sky-blessed kings.
- Feathers of the High Eagle: Carried by his priests, they are said to ensure safe travel beneath his gaze.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
The Sky-Father is often depicted as a bearded giant cloaked in stormclouds, with a radiant crown of sunfire and a great scepter of thunder. His voice is the rolling of the heavens, and his presence is heralded by eagles, lightning, or the northern winds. In more abstract art, he appears as a many-winged presence with a radiant center, surrounded by orbiting constellations.
Tenets of Faith
Temples to the Sky-Father are typically built atop high peaks, cliffs, or floating platforms, with open ceilings to allow the sky’s full majesty. His followers include:
- Sky-Priests and Wind-Clerics, who interpret his will through weather, birds, or astral omens.
- Stormcallers, militant clergy who wield his lightning in battle.
- Skywrights, philosophers and navigators who read the heavens.
Rituals involve airborne offerings, storm-song chants, and lighting ceremonial beacons during major tempests or celestial alignments.
Comments