Divine Beasts

Written by World Smithy

It's self-centered to think that human beings, as limited as we are, can describe divinity.

— Temple Olvir

Overview

There were innumerable Divine Beasts that roamed the continent during the Reign of Titans. Eighteen of which are notable enough to have been documented and preserved by name, fewer still whose location of death is known. All that remains of the Divine Beasts in the Age of Ash are their sun bleached bones, resting in the same place they had fallen centuries prior, and a measurable modicum of their lingering power. It is not unheard of for shamans or holy men to recover fragments of bones to use as arcane focuses, or to fashion into items of devotion.

Of the eighteen remembered Beasts, they are roughly broken into three categories: Elders, Worldlies, and Esotericans. The Elders were among the first through the breach in which all of the Beasts stepped through, and were the most powerful. It's thought that the Elders were the ones to create the world from the other side, and only intervened when they deemed it necessary. The Worldlies embodied domains and traits usually found on the world itself, and were most commonly seen in their physical forms. Esotericans, however, were almost never witnessed in physical bodies, and typically claimed domains that were more abstract.

Elders

Hroka, Storm Dragon of the West

Also known as the Great Tempest, Hroka was the most powerful Divine Beast ever recorded, with a temper to match the worst storms. He was known to be petty and volatile, often holding grudges against those that crossed him for lifetimes at a time. It has been recorded that with a single breath, Hroka was able to call up mighty storms strong enough to level entire forests. Recovered descriptions depicted Him as covered in bright, blue scales, typically wreathed in lightning, and having a maw strong enough to cleave mountains.

Hylvä, The All-Hungering Serpent

Despite Her poor reputation as a blood-thirsty destroyer, Hylvä was actually the Goddess of Fertility and Growth. She was cursed by Hroka early on during the Reign of Titans to be eternally hungry, and to grow in size until her untimely demise. Descriptions found in the Luminous Archives depict Her as a snake with a massive spade shaped head covered in brilliant, verdant green scales, while her body was covered in similarly colored feathers. It is unknown if She had wings or not, as no evidence of their remains are near her body in the River Struum.

Hjarnhár, The Iron Ram

Praised for His pivotal role in the world's creation, Hjarnhár is still revered by craftsmen and blacksmiths across the continent. Unlike many of the Divine Beasts, Hjarnhár sought no recognition, opting to remain within his Forgehold beneath the Raakniv Peaks. This led the God of the Forge to have few enemies and many allies, often making armor and weapons for both sides in any given conflict. A painting recovered from the Consortium showed Hjarnhár to be made entirely of metal, a majority of his body that of wrought iron while his horns were of polished platinum.

Kvithina, Arachnid Weaver of Fate

Believed to be inescapable in her machinations, She was often revered simply in an attempt to stave off poor fortune and the ill will of the cosmos.

Fjørlag, Raven at Life's End

Everyone dies, such is the nature of life—Fjørlag was always there at the very end, ready to shepherd a lost soul to its final destination. Some believe that, should you have lived through a near-death encounter, a man in a mask and mantle of black feathers mimicking that of a raven's would be seen instead of the Shepherd.

Hringsvel, Mother Stag

Just as everyone meets the Raven at the end, so too do they greet the Mother at the beginning. God of Renewal and Cycles, Hringsvel presided over new life, and nurtured it whenever possible. She often worked in tandem with Fjørlag to recycle souls when possible, but usually allowed those of man to pass on to the other side.

Worldlies

Rokhakin, Alpha of the Hunt

Feared in His prime, Rokhakin was known to hunt those with poor reputations when they entered his territory. He was known to have good relations with Domhøldr, the Lion of Judgement, and to take his bounties to him in order to receive verdicts for his prey—He never consumed an innocent.

Draumjótr, Devourer of Dreams

Also known as the Dreaming Giant, Draumjótr was the deity of Strength, both of body and mind. Warriors would often test their metal against the furred giant, aand would rarely walk away unscathed. He was known to keep an order of monks in the Wundskógr Basin near the lake, and deemed those able to walk on its surface worthy of his gifts.

Skarnraja, Eagle Queen of Battle

Mighty screeches plummeting from the skies were among the final sounds of many warriors during the Reign of Titans. Skarnraja, Goddess of War and Tactics, lived, ate, and breathed battle, and was rarely not covered beak to talon in gore.

Dreksvar, Leviathan of the Depths

Woe be unto the sailor that crossed into Dreksvar's territory within The Black Domain without paying his tithe. Many a ship decorate the sea floor, scattered with rusted armor and arms long abandoned to the salt by their wearers in their folly. Dreksvar, while violent and wrathful, was able to be reasoned with, and was considered the protector of Lohmont during its former years.

Thekkir, Horse of Burdens

While Skarnraja was always covered in others' blood, Thekkir was usually covered in Her own. Those that pledged themselves to Her were known to have their ailments lifted from them, only for Thekkir to burden them Herself. Despite Her numerous injuries, many of them fatal to mortals, she was still the fastest Divine Beast on land.

Myrrkvit, Pale Toad of Blight

Reviled by the general populace of man, Myrrkvit is the only Divine Beast to have created His own following. Mycans, people of the spores, worshipped Him in their fens and bogs, vowing one day to rot the world over and remake it in their own image.

Esotericans

Chirr'Vask, Rodent King of Intrigue

Hautrika, All-Seer & Owl of Oracles

Ljóstra, Moth of Astral Light

Noktalith, Echo of the Void

Tskapa, Guiding Fox of Change

Domhøldr, Lion of Judgement

VERY MUCH A WORK IN PROGRESS

Type

Religious, Pantheon