Alindr, They Who Know
"To know is to begin understanding. To understand is to open all paths."
God of the stars, metal, order, and knowledge, Alindr is the single greatest repository of knowledge to ever exist, and is the patron god of arcanists and scholars the world over. While their wisdom is eclipsed by Lythaelos, Alindr's understanding of Yophas and all things within it makes all other sources of knowledge pale in comparison -- for it was Alindr who helped Yamma create the Eternal Design. As such, he is petitioned by those religious sages and researchers who hope to glean even a fraction of Alindr's infinite intellect. Indeed, when arcanists make breakthroughs and revolutionary inventions or arcane advancements, they often accredit Alindr as giving them a moment of divine enlightenment.
Alindr was in a loving relationship with Valereth, in which Alindr was the temper to the flames of Valereth's passion. The two struck a fine balance that all healthy mortal relationships attempt to emulate: reason, logic, and knowledge enhanced by love and a passion for life.
Depictions, Symbols, and Names
Alindr is depicted often as an androgynous humanoid of metals floating around bands of arcane energies, resembling a beautifully crafted arcane synthomota, or massive golem. Alindr is usually shown with bands of books floating around them, their glowing blue eyes blazing in quiet contemplation. This depiction rarely changes based on the region or people, but there are exceptions to that rule. Alindr's most common symbol is an open tome with Yacrena above it, resembling the light of knowledge and its warmth over civilization. Variations on this symbol are simply an open tome, Yacrena with an eye within it, or some variation between. Alindr is known as Zenchizen'nō (The All-Knowing) in the Taesu Empire and Xuzou Dynasty, and portrayed as a shadowed humanoid, shrouded in mists and holding a large tome, with eyes that blaze bright blue through the fog. Alindr is called a myriad of other names, including, but not limited to: Alindr, They Who Know, Zenchizen'nō (Taesu and Xuzou), Cognitio Incarnata (Aitreas), and the Reshaper.Ancient Home
It is believed that Alindr had a great fortress of titanium hidden in the heart of Yacrena, but it is only mentioned in legends and myths. Dubbed the Core of Yophas, this fortress housed the greatest repositories of knowledge and arcane secrets the multiverse over. Now, who knows if it's real? Even if it was, how would anyone hope to reach it?Worship Distribution
Alindr has two primary types of followers: those who actively worship them, and those who evoke them for arcane enlightenment. The former are a limited few; aside from major cities, rarely are there places of worship for Alindr, and even in many cities, there aren't devoted library-temples or the like. Instead, one or two librarians may worship Alindr, or may keep a small shrine to them in their libraries and studies. The latter comprise many, but no where near all, arcanists in Yophas. Arcanists typically fall into three categories: those who respect Alindr (a slim majority), those who simply research and push mortal understanding to its limits (a slim minority), and those who evoke Laaelum (a very small, secluded minority). Those arcanists who respect and acknowledge Alindr are nowhere near fully devout worshippers, and thus hardly count towards their following. Alindr has a handful of bastions of their worship, such as the Grand Library in Yathra Silthame, the Arcanul Conservatory in Camaerith, and the Magnum Repositio Scientiae in Ariminium, alongside a spattering of smaller library-temples in other cities. Additionally, the monks of the Seekers of Luna tend to be devout followers of Alindr. Beyond that, however, worship of Alindr is rare. As mentioned above, there are many who acknowledge They Who Know, but there are only a few who devote themselves to them. Of all the Children of Yamma, Alindr's worship is one of the least widespread. In fact, it is outright banned in the Taesu Empire, where they refer to Alindr as Zenchizen'nō. Though few remember why, the ancient civilization of Taesuzuxou banned Zenchizen'nō's worship, and the Taesu Empire still holds to it, while the Xuzou Dynasty has abandoned the law.Champions of Alindr
True, named champions of Alindr are known as Sages of Order. It is believed they are named to push an already genius intellect forward, rather than granting someone a stroke of genius. They are exceptionally rare (there has never been one in the Age of Extant), but a few from the Reckoning and the Age of Rebirth are still chronicled in some of the most ancient repositories of knowledge. Those few are as follows:- Duraina Montagu, Lady of the Platinum Order. Fought in the Reckoning, believed to have gone toe-to-toe with Laaelum and lived. Wielded an ancient tome referred to only as "The Omega Infinitum."
- Elizabeth Fenwick. Believed to have lived during the Age of Rebirth. Noted to have discovered "The Fenwick Law." No records of what that is have been discovered.
- Gamla Mountainriver. Age of Rebirth sorcerer who studied the planes. Scraps of his magnum opus, "On Yophas and Its Components," formed the basis of modern planar theory.
Divine Domains
Alindr is the god of stars, metal, order, and knowledge, and is effectively the god of magic within the Children of Yamma. Clerics serving Alindr often fall within the Arcana, Knowledge, Order, and Transcendence domains, and Paladins may swear an Oath of Awakening, Devotion, or Truth in Alindr's name.COMMANDMENTS OF ALINDR
- Fear not the unknown. It's just another book to be read, another path to be walked.
- The greatest weapon is the one in your mind. Hone it, and be invincible.
- Seek even that knowledge deemed evil, for only in knowing the possibilities of the darkness can one combat it.
Alindr's Holy Symbol
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