Yedu'a (Yeh-doo-ah)
The Errant Thought
For more information on all deities, see: Deities
In the voids between stars and the untouched silence, Yedu’a drifts as the embodiment of absence itself. Neither sentient nor fully understood, it is a primordial force, its fleeting presence inspiring both awe and confusion. Occasionally stirring, Yedu’a leaves behind a wake of enigmatic influence, bewildering mortals and even the divine, who resent its inscrutable nature. Detached from its seekers, Yedu’a offers limitless knowledge and freedom—but at the cost of unraveling minds, driving mortals to surrender all in pursuit of its unfathomable mysteries.
Physical Description
Yedu’a lacks any perceivable form—perhaps any form at all. Its presence is defined by absence—no sound, breeze, light, or scent—only a fleeting encounter with pure nothingness. Accounts of encounters speak of an all-encompassing void, where even gods and thoughts fade into silence. Mortal texts avoid detailed descriptions, as followers believe Yedu’a’s essence resists expression. Instead, it is referenced with pronouns or represented by empty blocks of texts, making records obscure and difficult to interpret. Its followers maintain that “Yedu’a” is merely a placeholder for its true name—a name only the foolish would dare to speak. This exclusivity raises questions: is such “censorship” an act of reverence or mercy, shielding many from the unsettling truth of what lies beyond the stars?
Divine Realm
Yedu’a exists wherever there is no acknowledgement or observation, its presence entwined with unobserved spaces. Legends place it in the void between stars, the Great Beyond, where even the divine averts its gaze. Its domain is not limited to the cosmos; it is said to dwell in shadowed caves, the lightless ocean depths, and the dreamless sleep of mortals. Wherever nothingness resides, so does Yedu’a.
Tenets of Faith
- There are no true secrets or dead ends—only truths not yet pursued deeply enough.
- The pursuit of knowledge and understanding is worth any price.
- Insight is a privilege, reserved for those willing to make sacrifices; those unwilling to pay the price are unworthy of it.
Worshipers
Yedu’a lacks formal religious organizations, as its followers see anything beyond hushed whispers and quiet pleas as blasphemy. Most encounter Yedu’a personally, whether during a creative block, a baffling dead end in their studies, or a quiet, dreamless sleep. Such moments bring strange insights and an undeniable awareness of the presence they’ve touched. Some dismiss these revelations as fleeting inspiration, but many grow curious, seeking to replicate the experience or understand its source. This often leads them to hidden cults devoted to unraveling Yedu’a’s mysteries, believing it holds the secrets to everything. Worship of Yedu’a resembles meditation more than prayer, with adherents striving to strip away all sensation and connection, drawing closer to nothingness—and thus to Yedu’a. Priests often urge sacrifices, from personal pleasures to bonds with loved ones, teaching that severing ties to life brings one nearer to the void that is Yedu’a.
Anti-Paladins of Yedu'a
While most seek Yedu’a for knowledge worth any sacrifice, the truly devout take their devotion further. They believe every insight, flash of brilliance, or inspiration is not a mere gift but a cryptic message—a prophecy to decode. These followers become anti-paladins, relinquishing all connections, possessions, and joys to Yedu’a. Many refer to themselves simply as "those without", embodying the answer to the unspoken question: “Without what?”—“Anything and everything.” The creed of Yedua’s crooked followers emphasizes the following tenets:- Seek Understanding: No puzzle is without an answer. I will seek to understand anything and everything I encounter to better grasp how it fits into Yedu’a’s design.
- Preserve Knowledge's Sanctity: Knowledge is a precious privilege, one which must be earned through toil and sacrifice. I shall not squander it and give it freely to those unworthy of the gift.
- Give Everything in Pursuit of Knowledge: To learn is to align with Yedu’a’s will. If an act grants new understanding, it is my duty to pursue it—no matter the cost.
Holy Books & Codes
No formal holy texts or written doctrines exist for Yedu’a; its followers see their connection as deeply personal. Oral codes and prayers vary by sect, influenced by local culture and traditions.
Contacts & Relations
Phaendar
Yedu’a is an enigma beyond even Phaendar’s comprehension, frustrating him to no end. After encountering the All-Knowing Unknown in the Great Beyond, Phaendar developed a bitter hatred for it, though neither he nor any deity can confront it. Yedu’a embodies the pursuit of nothingness and enlightenment through detachment, while Phaendar represents knowledge and growth that enrich life. Their followers see each other’s paths as flawed, yet both embody profound truths—one in the emptiness of knowledge, the other in its fullness.Divine Traits
General Information
Alternative Name(s)
The All-Knowing Unknown
The Errant Thought
The First Muse
God of Nothing
Alignment
CE
Follower Alignment(s)
LG, LE, N, CG, CE
Tier of Divinity
Unknown
Pantheon(s)
Outer Gods
Area(s) of Concern
Emptiness, the Great Beyond, knowledge, sacrifice, secrets
Favored Weapon(s)
Unarmed strikes
Sacred Animal(s)
None
Sacred Color(s)
Black, blue, purple
Symbol
Any common faith’s symbol with two pin-prick holes made to resemble eyes
Worshipers
Arcane spellcasters, artisans, the desperate, the mad, monks, nobles, researchers, scholars
Worshipers' Adjective(s)
Yedu'an
Divine Realm
None
Dungeons & Dragons 5e
Domain(s)
Knowledge
Pathfinder 1e
Domain(s)
Chaos, Evil, Knowledge, Madness, Void
Subdomain(s)
Corruption, Dark Tapestry, Entropy, Fear, Insanity, Isolation, Memory, Nightmare, Thought, Truth
Pathfinder 2e
Domain(s)
Disorientation, Knowledge, Nothingness, Void
Alternative Domain(s)
Nightmares, Truth
Divine Ability
Constitution or Wisdom
Divine Font
Harm or Heal
Sanctification
Can choose holy or unholy
Divine Skill
Occultism
Cleric Spells
1st: Empty Inside / Redact
2nd: Darkness
4th: Stifling Stillness
7th: Vacuum
Children
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