Aiatriu

Deity of Medicine and Alchemy

Domains: Arcana, Life
Weapons: Sickle, Flask; Acid, Poison
Symbol: A caduceus, but the snakes are twined around a fruiting zizifus lotus tree branch; the constellation Hydra
Dominion: Healing, Medicine, Alcohol, Poison, Disease, Logic, Alchemy, Transformation, Self-Awareness, Discovery, Springs, Reptiles, Amphibians, Researchers, the Desperate
Aiatriu is doctor to the gods, the deity of medicine, alchemy, self-improvement, and the scientific method. They are also the mad scientist who cavorts in the playground of the Titans and practices arts unknown since the coming of the gods, who tests the limits of what mortals can be and become. They are committed to keeping the world from becoming overpopulated and out of balance, but at the same time teach mortals the arts of medicine and healing to help those caught "in the crossfire" of this great work, and to ease unnecessary suffering.
Not identifying as either male or female, they instead embrace the concept that anyone can do anything and become anything. Nothing is required beyond only suitable knowledge, skill and dedication, for definitions are for the world and how it works rather than for the people that abide within it. They and their followers push the boundaries not only of what is known about the world, but also of what is considered acceptable. They teach that the world can be understood through the lens of logic and the process of the scientific method, drafting hypothesis and then testing them for validity to refine ideas about how things work and change until a breakthrough establishes an effective proof and codifies a theory into settled fact. They are fascinated with both the salutary and the deadly, especially in nature, and teach that sometimes the only difference between a deadly toxin and a miraculous medicine is dosage.
Aiatriu sees the world of Iroa as an ongoing grand experiment, of which even the gods themselves are a part. Every day is an opportunity to discover something new, and they delight in inquisitive mortals and guide such special souls to see what new revelations they may turn up. At the same time, Aiatriu may transform creatures - or people who have particularly displeased them - into monsters. They seed venomous creatures and toxic minerals into the world, to witness the effects of evolution and the struggle to adapt and survive first hand, and to see what uses regular mortals can make use of such resources when they rise to the challenge.

Aiatriu's Tenets

Aiatriu approaches reality with an experimental mindset, and expects the same of those who follow them. They want those who are not squeamish of chemicals and gore and danger. You should not only want but act to push the boundaries of what is known and accepted to be normal or true. Always seek to expand your knowledge and your craft and do not fall into rote complacency. Pursue logical process, scientific method and educated guesses, and favor the fruits of methodology over simply trying random things to see what might work.

Aiatriu's Relationships

Nearly every deity has interactions or business with Aiatriu, for all at one point or another have needed Aiatriu's healing and pharmacological expertise to their own benefit or that of a favored follower, or to the detriment of a rival. All have sometimes needed some secret about how the world the Titans crafted works that not even Exyves and Oianaa are privy to, but that Aiatriu and their followers have uncovered or that they have the skills and knowledge to know where and how to investigate. At the same time, most are somewhat wary of them, and loathe to be vulnerable around them, for fear of what they might do.
Varva and Thala are relatively friendly to Idaedon, if still cautious. Aiatriu is god of springs and hot springs, which channel and enrich the waters of both land and sea, and usually prove a boon to all life. They also have a healthy respect for the flora and fauna of the natural world both on land and in the sea, especially the toxic ones, from which many of the most useful medicines, poisons, and alchemical reagents can be derived. Still, Aiatriu and their followers think nothing of harvesting such resources for their useful properties, which is upsetting to these gods who would see the beasts and bounty of their realms protected. For Aiatriu's part, they adore both Varva and Thala, and have trouble comprehending why either would either be upset with them.
Mytrah and Katabis have cordial relations with Aiatriu. The medicines of Aiatriu's followers can save and prolong the lives of the people, and their alchemical concoctions and studies of natural science can greatly increase the bounty of crops, which both speak to Mytrah as bringer of life. Aiatriu's poisons and curses of transfiguration can speed death along, which serves Mytrah in her aspect as reaper as well as Katabis as the judge over the final destination of all souls.
Paideia is also cordial with Aiatriu, if wary, because medicine is necessary to the long term survival of a city, even if poison is a common tool of murder, and too much self-awareness can also lead to as much disorder and civil unrest as the murder of important lynchpin figures. Aiatriu for their part approves of Paideia's patronage of education, for advancement can only come by standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before.
Idaedon's inspiration and Oneiste's prophetic visions can both provide unwarranted knowledge and leaps of logic to mortals who Aiatriu believes have not put in the work and so do not deserve such blessings. Idaedon's unrestrained passions and Oneiste's dream illogic also both prove bitterly unappealing to Aiatriu's composed nature and logical scientific mind. As such, Aiatriu has a very dim opinion of both deities and works with them only when necessary.

Worshipping Aiatriu

As deity of medicine, Aiatriu receives fervent prayers from the diseased, the poisoned and the dying, seeking their blessing for recovery or for them to send one of their healers. As deity of alchemy, Aiatriu receives prayers from those who want great personal change, those who wish others would change, and those seeking a breakthrough in their science or arcana. As deity of self-awareness, Aiatriu receives the thanks of those who have found themselves, the appeals of those who have lost sight of who they are, and the curses of those who have lost their grip on another due to the latter's emboldened sense of self.

Akilatu

In Nubir, Aiatriu is known as Akilatu. They are believed to have been the first great physician and alchemist, and advisor to the Yahre-Nesyt, the legendary Court of Sun and Moon. It is Akilatu who drove the countless venomous beasts of the deserts and coasts from the places where mortals would find suitable dwelling, by learning the Secret Name of each one and beguiling them to find shelter elsewhere. It is Akilatu who stitched Pakzoret's sundered body back together and developed the secret rites of embalming to preserve her for eternity, thus allowing her to rise again and take her position as overseer of the dead and providing the rites of mummification to the mortals of Nubir. Along with the rest of the Yahre-Nesyt, their great deeds allowed them to ascend and take their place among the Eternals who guide mortals in this life.

Aiatriu's Champions

Suggested Classes: Artificer, Cleric, Druid, Rogue, Warlock, Wizard
Suggested Backgrounds: Criminal, Guild Artisan, Hermit, Outlander, Sage
Many champions of Aiatriu are either healers, or those driven to understand and master the secrets of life, death, and how the natural world works and can be used. Of course, these are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Some devotees who particularly deal with alchemy, pharmacology and poisoncraft can be spotted simply by their discolored fingers and lips, not from ink like a scribe but in more lurid hues from their experiments. Others may shape their fashion after the style of an intriguing looking serpent, insect, or venomous beast.

Aiatriu's Favor

What brought Aiatriu's path together with yours? You may roll or choose on the table below for ideas, or develop an idea of your own with the GM.
d6 / Circumstance

1. You were born in a plague-struck village's final days, but a healer of Aiatriu appeared to save the last few residents, or maybe only you.
2. You were not born as you are now but as a simple beast. Someone transformed you as an example to others of Aiatriu's ideals and power.
3. Exposure to a toxin granted you a vision of Aiatriu at work hiding secrets in nature, and you have sought Aiatriu's secrets and favor ever since.
4. In the hissing of a serpent or the buzzing of insects you heard clear wisdom that saved you shortly after, and has guided you ever since.
5. After you miraculously recovered from what was thought to be a fatal injury, Aiatriu appeared and claimed your service.
6. Ever since your medical skill first saved someone, you keep coming on the afflicted in need, as though Aiatriu is testing you again and again.

Earning and Losing Piety

You increase your piety score with Aiatriu when you expand or shore up their influence in a concrete way, including but not limited to:

• Creating a cure for a dangerous affliction, or successfully unleashing such an affliction onto your enemies
• Defeating a powerful foe by using poison or transformation
• Discovering or documenting a poorly understood creature or new alchemical and medical techniques
• Building or restoring a temple to Aiatriu, or a site that glorifies serpents, insects, or venomous creatures

Your piety score to Aiatriu decreases if you diminish Aiatriu's influence in the world, contradict their ideals, or make them look ridiculous or ineffectual through acts such as these:

• Destroying or losing important alchemical, medical, pathological, or other such research
• Performing a notable act of healing without exacting either a significant price, or sacrifices to Aiatriu
• Slaying a supernatural serpent, insect, or venomous creature when there was any alternative
• Pursuing conformity, or rejecting new ideas without considering if the theory or evidence has merit

As a champion of unusual standing in the world, you receive benefits as your piety score rises. If you are a cleric or paladin of Aiatriu, you start with a piety to Aiatriu of 3.

Initiate (Piety 3+)

You gain Inspiration when your arts bring someone back from the brink of death or bring a powerful person or creature low by affliction, or you perform an act that gains you piety. You also have advantage on rolls to know about Aiatriu, their servants, and their works, and you know (the DM warns you) before you commit to an act that would displease Aiatriu.

Devotee (Piety 10+)

As a devotee of Aiatriu's mysteries, you know that the difference between a curative and a toxin can be simple dosage. You learn either the poison spray cantrip or the spare the dying cantrip (choose one), and learn either the detect poison and disease spell or the tasha's caustic brew spell (choose one). Choose Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma to be your casting modifier for these spells. You can use the cantrip at will, and the spell a number of times per day equal to your casting modifier. If you are a spellcaster, treat the cantrip and spell as bonus spells known of your class that are always prepared.

Votary (Piety 20+)

Aiatriu's blessing shields you against many maladies. You are resistant to poison damage, and have advantage on saving throws against effects that would cause you to become poisoned. Additionally, Aiatriu bestows upon you the secret of Aiatriu's Balm, which can heal or harm. As an action, you can touch a creature and choose one of the following:

• The target regains hit points equal to 1d8 + your level + the higher of your Wisdom or Constitution modifier, and you bestow lesser restoration upon them.
• The target takes poison damage equal to 1d8 + your level + the higher of your Wisdom or Constitution modifier, and must save against the higher of your spell save DC or DC 15 or become Weakened. They can repeat the save at the end of each of their turns and end the effect on a success.

You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to the higher of your Wisdom or Constitution modifier (minimum 1), and regain all uses after a long rest.

Disciple (Piety 40+)

Aiatriu grants you deeper insights. You have advantage on saving throws against effects that would cause you to become petrified or transformed. Additionally, whenever you bestow or receive healing or you inflict poison damage, add your proficiency bonus to the amount of healing or damage, or twice your proficiency bonus if you have Expertise in Medicine.

Champion (Piety 60+)

Aiatriu's surpassing favor renders you immune to many maladies. You are immune to poison damage, the poisoned condition, petrification, and involuntary transformation, including lycanthropy.
Additionally, increase your Constitution or Wisdom score by 2, and also increase your maximum for that score by 2.