The Wayfarer
The universe is infinite. The world is large. Regions are unknown. What we don't know seems to be ever expanding. And yet we we can learn is ever-expanding as well. Ideas and knowledge travel far and we must do the same. For the more we learn about the world, we more we can learn about ourselves. yet we can't begin if we don't take that first step forward.
The Wayfarer, also known as: They-Who-Travel, The Explorer of the Void, The Enigmatic Wanderer, The Weaver of Constellations, and even The Traveler, is the Deity of Stars, Travel, and Transmission. Considered to be one of the eldest deities, They are a mystery to many even as a member of the Adventuring Seven. Their portfolio contains exploration, travel, and the transfer of thoughts and ideas. They call no realm home but they are mostly found in The Infinite Edge or in the The Infinite Depths of Archaon.
Divine Domains
The primary domain of the Wayfarer is that of Travel. They are who explorers on land, sea, and beyond pray to for safe passage first or to find new and exciting locations. Their priests, should one be able to find one, offer blessings for travelers to find new lands, especially before great voyages into the unknown. Sailors, Adventurers, and the rumored astral and edge explorers are the main worshippers of Them for this domain. The Wayfarer exemplifies this by always exploring.
The prominent domain for The Wayfarer is that of Stars. Their form shows the many stars and nebulas of the night sky but They also hold dominion over the starsigns that mortals are born under, tied to each month of the year. As such, there are 12 major signs over the course of the year. The main 12 signs are: The Warrior, The Magister, The Golem, The Runemaster, The Artisan, The Ferryman, The Wolf, The Shadow, The Alchemist, The Scrying Eye, The Phantom, and The Ascendant. The Wayfarer's followers help tell the portents of these signs and stars as a whole.
Their last major domain is Transmission, based off the transfer of ideas. This has been an oddity amongst the clerical community as they don't understand what this truly means. For now, it is related to the way people transfer information amongst each other. It is said The Wayfarer also whisper ideas and information to select clerics as well, usually Their Chosen for something to come.
Artifacts
The Blade of the Cosmos is an unique blade the Wayfarer uses to protect Themself as They travel the stars. It was forged from a dying star with enough power to keep even Outer Ones away. Sometimes They give a shard of it to a follower They have a grand interest in. This allows the follower to summon a copy of the Blade that a mortal would be able to use without issue. The blade looks to be made of a reflective black but when one looks at it, the stars and nebula of the universe can be seen within, ever shifting and changing. The blade can take the form of any sword, no matter the biggest greatsword or the smallest dagger.
The Heartward Compass is a compass made to guide the holder to their heart's greatest desire. If one's goals or desires are unknown, it points them to what would be the closest. The Wayfarer has even used a version of this to decide Their next destination. When the compass opens, there is a crystal that serves as the needle, spinning and pointing in different directions than just north. It can also function as a normal compass if needed.
A Farseer is an orb with a multitude of different abilities. Two farseers can connect for communications, allowing transmissions across any distance. It is possible to create an entire network of them for vast amounts of communication. It can also serve as a star map, allowing the user to create star charts on their local quadrant or hemisphere.
Holy Books & Codes
The main book of Their faith is "The Wayfarer's Guide", a holy book mainly written by Their followers with rarely any influence from The Wayfarer. It is mainly an atlas of maps with notes written in the margins to guide the reader. It also contains anecdotes for one to tell others. Mysterious writings are often found, some believing that The Wayfarer could be writing in them when the readers are unaware.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
A single silver star in the night sky represents the Wayfarer, the one deity traveling through the infinite universe alone. However, some other symbols have this star accompanied by other ones, harkening to adventurers and travelers who do not go alone.
Tenets of Faith
- Aid your fellow travelers for you would want aid when traveling through the unknown
- Discover new things, either out in the world even within yourself
- Share your discoveries, never allow them to be secrets kept only to yourself
Holidays
The winter and summer solstice are recognized as the greatest days of Their faith. The winter stands for the longest night when the stars can be seen in the sky the longest. The summer, the day when Avestra's greatest star is visible. Aditionally, any astronomical event is seen as a time to contemplate the omens of said events, especially that of auroras in the colder regions of Avestra and meteor showers that are known to frequent the area.
Divine Goals & Aspirations
The Wayfarer wants to see all there is in the infinite universe even if it takes all of Eternity. And They want mortalkind to do the same, to spread across the world and the stars and travel and discover.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
The Wayfarer appears to be an androgynous being made of stars. Their body shifts to different nebula and constellations that exist in both Avestra's night sky and beyond. Their appearance fluctuates, sometimes masculine, sometimes feminine, sometimes looking close to both. Their only constant trait is that of Their silver eyes.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
As a member of the Seven, The Wayfarer was born after the disappearance of the Eternals. They immediately started to explore the universe, young and wonderous. And yet even being that close to its birth allowed Them little to see everything. The other gods pulled Them back time and again, never letting them stray far from the others. Because of that, They decided to call Archaon and Nistra Their home. The former for the Infinite Depths They constantly explored and the latter for Non, the hyperactive singularity at its core.
Perhaps that's what stopped Them from being the one who discovered the Outer Ones such as the X'ith'ila. That honor belonged to the mortals which drew them to their worlds such as Avestra. The War for Avestra showed there were new threats in the unknown and The Wayfarer wanted to learn more and pushed Their followers to do the same. They have a fascination with the Outer Ones and Aberrations, mainly to make sure they do not harm any other travelers.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Divine Allies
The Unbound shares the wanderlust of The Wayfarer as the two of them rarely stay in one place for long. At least, that was before The Unbound took far more interest in the liberation of mortals and ensuring their free will rather than exercising His own. Regardless, the two of them do meet and speak about what they both discovered. Followers of The Wayfarer often travel alongside The Unbound's, parting ways when the latter inevitably get sidetracked by their need to help others.
The Exchange and The Wayfarer are aspects of how ideas and information can travel. Exchange by word of mouth and Wayfarer over large distances. The two of them are both keen to see that continue, conversing with each other about new ideas when The Wayfarer returns from Their exploration. Their followers do the same, trading information and items that can allow for transmission.
The Raven Queen and the Wayfarer both have a connection to fate, the former through Her visions and augury and the latter through looking into the stars. The two deities have met during their travels, The Raven Queen always looking to learn more about the potential fates She's yet to find. Meanwhile The Wayfarer is always traveling to see new things and They find often aids The Raven Queen in Her understandings, especially with the portent of stars. This applies to their followers as well, using the stars to help guide the auguries of fate.
Heralds
One of The Wayfarer's notable heralds is a Lyxon known as the Cosmic Charter. They are known for their constant chartering of both The Infinite Planes and The Infinite Edge in the The Physical Plane. The Wayfarer has gone to them many times to talk about discoveries They've made during Their journeys. The Cosmic Charter often often prefers followers who are astronomers and cartographers, only with the explorers who make sure to update their maps.
The other notable Herald is The Discoverer, a member of the Káno people. They serve The Wayfarer by scouting out locations and bringing news of discoveries from Their followers such as the other continents of Avestra or rumored tunnels of the Underoads. They're a favorite of clerics who serve the Wayfarer as adventurers as their chaotic drive pursues them to discover more.
Other Allies
The Lyxons and Káno are both able to stand each other to interact with The Wayfarer who embodies both of their cosmic ideals even if They don't align completely to the Wardens of Chaos and Order. Azata are another group that like The Wayfarer though Their stint of avoiding contact for long periods of time with anyone is something that the Chaotic Celestials can't fathom. Why travel and explore if not with others or to share these things with others.
The Eternals are another notable group, especially the likes of The Explorer of Realms, Vita, and The Lone Wanderer, Ano. The former seeks to explore the expanding universe and has crossed paths with The Wayfarer. The two have swapped tales and knowledge before going their separate ways, Vita heading off with her crew of explorers usually. Meanwhile, Ano shares the enigmatic nature of The Wayfarer as no one knows their private goals. It is said the two have crossed paths but no one knows what they discussed or the nature of their relationship.
Enemies
The Wayfarer is an enemy of The Cabal of Orzin as Their nature to spread information goes against the Cabal's nature to take secrets and keep information for themselves. It is one of the few times where a member of the Seven is seen as an enemy to other gods. It is likely a reason that followers of The Wayfarer are non-existent in the Orzin holds. Like the other gods, They avoid confrontation with the followers of the Cabal, to avoid the potential for a divine conflict as The Raven Queen mandates.
The Outer Ones and aberrations are also enemies of The Wayfarer, threats to all travelers across the universe. At least the X'ith'ila are a confirmed enemy from what can be gathered and the deity does not seem keen to waking any other ones or having them notice Them or Their followers. However, Their followers are keen to fight servants of these beings wherever they can find them, to protect travelers under the same stars.
- They-Who-Travel
- The Explorer of the Void
- The Enigmatic Wanderer
- The Weaver of Constellations
- The Traveler
Several phrases have become popular related to The Wayfarer.
Stars aren't alone: It is an encouragement to travelers and adventurers that they are never alone. And also a threat as well since one never knows what might lurk off the path. Or what mysteries are worth unraveling versus what is more dangerous than it's worth.
Find your North: The North Star is a constant guide to all travelers, meaning they can find their way. However, this also applies to non-traveling matters as well. If someone is unsure of their path, they can always search for something or something, their north star, to guide them.
Word Travels Far: A reminder that words travel, even if you don't wish it to. Perhaps, its a warning to watch what you say or maybe its an encouragement, that even when you think no one hears your ideas nearby, someone far away might.
Pathfinder 2e Stats
Areas of Concern stars, travelers, spread of information,
Edict aid fellow travelers, explore new places, find what life has to offer, spread information
Anathema destroy or hoard knowledge, fail to cooperate or share information with another worshipper of The Wayfarer, harm or restrict travelers
Divine Attribute Dexterity or Wisdom
Religious Symbol A silver star amongst many in the night sky
Sacred Animal pigeon
Sacred Colors silver, blue
Devotee Benefits
Cleric Spells 1st: signal skyrocket, 2nd: haste, 4th: translocate
Divine Font heal
Divine Sanctification can choose holy
Divine Skill select Acrobatics or Survival
Domains fate, knowledge, star, Travel
Alternate Domains repose, protection, sun, moon
Favored Weapon staff
Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition Stats
Domain Knowledge, Life, Twilight
Homeland Archaon, Nistra
Pantheon The Seven
Symbol A silver star amongst many in the nightsky
Typical Worshippers Astronomers, Cartographers, Sailors, Travelers
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