Velorum (veh-LOH-rum)

The Blind Seer

Oh Velorum, eternal and wise,
In your embrace, may our hopes arise.
Guide us, protect us, in your sacred name,
Forever honored, as we proclaim our aim.

Though truth and reality become undone,
Pass on your beacon, Through daughters and sons,
Endure our hardships till we turn to dust,
In you forever we place our trust.

Oh Velorum, From dawn til dusk,
Leave foes naught but hollowed husk,
Behold our sacrifices that we make,
This oath revered we undertake.

_{-Excerpt from a velorumite prayer book}

Velorum is mainly worshipped nowadays by the Justice Acolytes of Rainegate for his perception and great wisdom as one of the Gods of Knowledge. He is known to wear a blindfold due to his blindness, Wearing a green robe with a sword in one hand and a lantern in the other.
His likeness as it's known is displayed inside The Citadel of Rainegate, Where an intricately carved marble statue sits upon a prayer hall for all to see, It is adorned with a glowing emerald gem in it's right eye socket and the artifact known as the "Eye of Velorum" in it's left socket - A closely guarded relic from the days before the velorumites ever set foot on the shores of Rainegate.

Origin Story

Velorum was thought to be one of the first of the Gods to embrace knowledge and actively seek it out instead of just being a dormant all powerful being like most of the others. The Justice Acolytes believed that he fought a righteous war some millenia ago and in his divine quest to protect the planes from the encroachment of eldritch forces and the void, Velorum embraced a unique perspective - His blindness is not a limitation but rather a deliberate choice, allowing him to perceive what others cannot. Although this is where the rumours officially end, Many scholars and curious scribes have often speculated that many more truths lie within the Order's tomes than just some conflict between a God and an unknown figure.

The Tribe

It all started when the tribe that eventually became the Order of Velorum washed up on the coast of the Karcosan continent in a region now named the Echo Shores. Fighting off the treacherous fauna and barely survivng day to day when, According to legend a tall hooded figure emerged from the untamed jungles and presented a gift to the tribe while leaving them with a cryptic phrase simply being "Velorum guide your path" - A phrase that has become a revered axiom within the order.

Though to this very day the identity of the stranger remains shrouded in mystery, The artifact - His gift bestowed upon the tribe some peace from the unrelenting wilds as it seemed to repel wild and exotic creatures from the vicinity of wherever it was held. For years this artifact with it's surface appearing to shift and distory when unobserved rested upon a stone pedestal in the heart of the village a constant reminder of the mysterious figure and his cryptic message.
Expeditions were launched from the settlement in attempts to uncover the identity of this mysterious benefactor aided by the artifacts power - These ventures were shortlived however as the artifact's need to remain within the village's vicinity made their settlement vulnerable to attacks from the aggressive fauna. Consequently the tribe had no choice but to isolate themselves from the wilds fortifying their sole home - Erecting walls and defences to both repel dangers and dissuade any who would stray beyond the borders.
Over the years the village elder began to hear whispers emanating from the artifact urging him to use the eye as if it were his own, Consulting his fellow tribesmen of this newfound anomaly, Many would go on to interpret these whispers as divine guidance from the one they believe to be named "Velorum". Now preserved within the confines of The Citadel's walls and tomes are these words:

"This place is a lie... A part of the chaos... Pay attention."
"The danger is still present, In your time, As it was in ours."
"Something lurks here.. Adorn my eye, I will show you."

_{"My eye" The velorumites believe was guidance to do away with the physical and see through the eyes of Velorum.}

Steeling himself for what's to come, The village elder made the decision to let these whispers guide him and as such replaced his own eye with that of the artifact. Through it's vision he bore witness to an ancient war that was fought on a familiar mountain, Enormous behemoths rending the earth asunder, Masses of sinew and bone animating to life as they're torn from the colossal entity by it's adversary who shone with a glowing green ray of light. And just like the whispers a voice, Metallic yet soft, Commanding yet comforting, Resonated within his mind and spoke thus:

"I Velorum child of Empyria have not vanquished my foes"
"This task I must give to you, They are not what they seem, Seek the truth."
"Trust not your eyes, For they are the deceiver."

_{Many other variations of this dialogue are seen within the manuscripts of the order, And most of it is kept secret known only to those of the highest rank.}

Various versions of this dialogue are documented within the order's tomes and manuscript reserved only for the viewing of the highest ranks. It's said that upon the vision's conclusion, The elder was briefly brought low into a state of madness, attempting to claw the artifact from it's socket - Yet this is but a fraction of the truth, as subsequent elders hinted at darker revelations that were being withheld for the sake of truest sanity.

Belief

The Order of Velorum serves the God of Insight by becoming a Justice Acolyte, Those who succeed in passing the trials would be required to blind themselves as is the tradition of the Order. The Acolytes served as the police force of the Capital city of Avellonis where they would alternate between tasks such as patrolling, scribing, guard duty, and monitoring suspicious citizens - The latter of which has left a negative perception towards the Acolytes among the common populace.

The Tribe

The human tribe that graced Rainegate's shores that day served as the first contact Avellonis had with this God and from then on spiraled into many other towns coming to worship him. Their innate blindness seemed to influence the traditions held in place for the Justice Acolytes to this day.

The most well known depiction of the blind seer wielding a sword and a lantern that guides the path, Many such variations have made themselves known but they all remain in the same theme.

Divine Classification

Deity

Religions

• Justice Acolytes

Church/Cult

Justice Acolytes

Age

Ancient

Gender

Man

Eyes

Blindfolded

Hair

Long Flowing Green