Second Higher Ones
"I have seen, nay lived, things that no mortal could imagine. It is all thanks to them that I could see all of you for what you truly are: worthless sheep." - Last words of Bracchian, elven sage who fell into madness when researching Afnak
The second Higher Ones are the next representatives of chaos in Epliström. Following the mutual destruction of the First Pantheon and The first Higher Ones, these unfathomable creations were brought into existence together with the Second Pantheon . Very little is known about these entities, other than that their true forms are often unfathomable to the mind of mortals.
The second Pantheon, compared to its predecessor, tries to keep out of the affairs of the gods and the mortals. Since their power does not come from the amount of faithful believers they possess, though their fervor is an increasing factor to it, they do not bother meddling with such trivial matters. Rather, they sometimes happen to form wanted or unwanted pacts with mortals. Other than that, their true goals and doings cannot be described by words. Furthermore, the second Higher Ones cannot be seen as unified. Each individual does its own, and the only thing connecting them is their origin.
The Higher Ones come in many forms. Just as the gods incarnate tenets and concepts, each Higher One possesses its own Domain, in which it reigns supreme, and creates its own twisted life forms. Theologists have tried researching these creations and domains, but most either lost their minds or their bodies in the process. Thus, the vast expanse of the unknown remains virtually untouched, barred for a few individuals that made pacts with these creatures.
In the mortal realm, the Higher Ones are often not a known force of the universe by the common person. They are a taboo amongst almost all cultures, which explains the lack of information about them.
The second Pantheon, compared to its predecessor, tries to keep out of the affairs of the gods and the mortals. Since their power does not come from the amount of faithful believers they possess, though their fervor is an increasing factor to it, they do not bother meddling with such trivial matters. Rather, they sometimes happen to form wanted or unwanted pacts with mortals. Other than that, their true goals and doings cannot be described by words. Furthermore, the second Higher Ones cannot be seen as unified. Each individual does its own, and the only thing connecting them is their origin.
The Higher Ones come in many forms. Just as the gods incarnate tenets and concepts, each Higher One possesses its own Domain, in which it reigns supreme, and creates its own twisted life forms. Theologists have tried researching these creations and domains, but most either lost their minds or their bodies in the process. Thus, the vast expanse of the unknown remains virtually untouched, barred for a few individuals that made pacts with these creatures.
In the mortal realm, the Higher Ones are often not a known force of the universe by the common person. They are a taboo amongst almost all cultures, which explains the lack of information about them.
Assets
The second Higher Ones possess one marking advantage compared to their anithesis, the Second Pantheon : they do not need worshipers for their power. However apart from this, their other assets, apart the fact that it is believed that each possesses their own domain, are unknown.
Tenets of Faith
There are no tenets of faith for worshiping a Higher One, except that of exchange. To obtain the favor of such an entity, one must sacrifice something of equal value. Be it one's sanity or other. For this, each Higher One has its preference, some, such as Vurgmnit or Epnorustac demand material sacrifices or tributes, while others such as Blgranachut will feed on one's dreams and memories as payment.
Priesthood
There is no true priesthood when worshiping a Higher One. Many cults organize themselves around these entities, as they make easy to mold your own tenets with, and as such might impose strict rules upon their followers. One day, there might exist a unified church under a specific Higher One, as illustrated by the rise of the Church of Vurgmnit in recent years, led by Dachnu Vinzu and his cooperator Hayden.
What is common to all worshipers however is that they will be shunned by any other religions. Worshiping a Higher One is breaking the greatest of taboos, and in some places might even be punished by death.
What is common to all worshipers however is that they will be shunned by any other religions. Worshiping a Higher One is breaking the greatest of taboos, and in some places might even be punished by death.
Granted Divine Powers
Power is granted by a higher one to whoever so desires and finds out enough about them, but it always comes at a price, as a Higher One always enters a gamble when granting a mortal power. The rituals to gain such power may come coincidentally such as a mortal falling into a lake that belongs to a Higher One, or intentionally, such as through the study of an ancient forbidden grimoire. Then, the one seeking power must make a pact with the entity, in exchange to something it possesses. The price may vary between entities, but it is never low.
Power of such a person will increase either in measure as the Higher One's power itself increases, or as their bond deepens. In time, they will grow to understand their patrons motives, and might even seek to replace or surpass them. If the mortal gains unimaginable amounts of power before their patron notices, they may be able to absorb the latter through complex manners and replace them. Such was the case with the immortal named the Lich King with his patron, Epnorustac.
Power of such a person will increase either in measure as the Higher One's power itself increases, or as their bond deepens. In time, they will grow to understand their patrons motives, and might even seek to replace or surpass them. If the mortal gains unimaginable amounts of power before their patron notices, they may be able to absorb the latter through complex manners and replace them. Such was the case with the immortal named the Lich King with his patron, Epnorustac.
Founding Date
1 SP
Type
Religious, Other
Permeated Organizations
Related Myths
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