Deneir (/dɛˈnɪər/ deh-NEER)
Deneir is the Infernal god of the Knowledge domain. They have been referenced under different names and titles such as The Far Wanderer, Lord of All Glyphs and Images, and The First Scribe. They are often associated with wanderers, literature, literacy, and arcana.
Denier’s presence has been documented as being heralded by a number of different phenomena. The most common examples include, a book surrounded by glowing light, a glowing humanoid hand, letters of the Infernal alphabet displayed in flame, or spontaneously lit candles.
Religious documents suggest that when Denier used to manifest in their avatar form, they always behaved more of an observer and doumantarian, rather than directly interacting with mortals. It has been said that on very rare occasions they would inquire directly to gather further explanations regarding mortal behaviors. More often they would “speak” to their priests, clerics, and members of their orders, and such “conversations” were usually concerning the organization and archival of information.
Ever the wanderer, Denier has never been depicted as maintaining a divine realm on the Infernal plane. Instead, they were said to travel from place to place across the Material plane, stopping at their temples to impart findings to their followers, and review documentation written in their stead. Although their avatar not longer manifests, worshipers claim to feel their presence in their great libraries.
Their holy symbol is a lit candle place in a candlestick holder shaped like an open eye, with seven stars which glow in different colors like tiny suns.
Power: 3/5 | Interest: 3/5 | Passion: 4/5 | Form: 3/5 | Thought: 3/5Following
| Loyalty | Influence | Size |
|---|---|---|
| 5/10 | 8/10 | 10/10 |
The temples of Deneir are divided into seven orders. Priests of each order wear different colored robes, and each wears the holy symbol with a gem of different color in the center of the others. These robes are covered by either tan or white cloaks. Deneirrath priests care for little else beyond learning, traveling, and spending great amounts of time away from their homes. In fact, they are required to commit their life to the documentation and archiving of knowledge if they wish to serve within an order. Most of them are skilled in astronomy and navigation and make excellent guides for merchant caravans. While they are all dedicated in their respective service, there have been long, deep-seated disagreements over how to interpret Deneir’s will.
Another ongoing issue within the faith is the idea that Deneir would take issue with some of the more strictly-organized orders. Specifically, those whose devotion to a hierarchy and their duties impede their followers' learning and inventing, to the point of there being little joy in their work.
The Seven Orders
The Order of Images
This order prioritizes logging artistic creations like drawings, paintings, and sculptures. Their robes are purple with amethyst gemstones.
The Order of the Infernal Plane
This order is most passionate about anything they can learn about the Infernal Plane. Their robes are white and decorated with diamonds.
The Order of Medicine
This order collects information about people's physiology as well as how different substances affect them. They have been known to collaborate with Talonite priests. Their robes are colored bright green and display emerald gemstones.
The Order of Nature
This order strives to collect information about all things in the natural world including plants, animals, and monsters alike. Their robes are reddish brown, adorned with gems of jacinth.
The Order of Numbers
This order organizes numerical information, data, and formulas. They have worked with the Merchant Guild, although sometimes this relationship becomes strained. Their robes are the color of pale rose, decorated with rubies.
The Order of Stories
This order focuses on documenting stories, namely oral traditions and folktales. Their robes are blue with sapphire gemstones.
The Order of Words
Not to be confused with the Order of Stories, this order specializes in communication, language, as well as social behaviors and policies. Their robes are golden yellow and decoded with topaz gemstones.
Deneir especially appeals to altruistic, benevolent, or neutral worshipers who never like to settle down. Many of these include artists, scribes, scholars, navigators, astronomers, astrologers, and the like. That said, every being in every place that aligns with the Infernal plane in Kai worships this god in some capacity. To this extent, worship of Deneir is a dominant cultural force. As a focal point for information and education, it commands nations on the strength of staggering resources.
Their services are always held under the open sky at night, preferably when the stars are visible. There are rarely any fixed places of worship other than rest areas for travelers. The few temples that exist each maintain a library of their own, always collecting literature and maps, but also keeping records of ancient languages and artistic renderings. These temples are full of scribes that transcribe books for the ever-growing collection.
Deneir is said to answer the prayers of their organized priests, but records suggest that they would also choose a person who truly followed their ideals around invention, creation, and learning.
Despite the impression of a generally laid back attitude, the teachings of Deneir dictate that their followers create with a conscience and refrain from casually designing weapons of war or death.
Divine Domains
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Divine Goals & Aspirations
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Facial Features
Physical quirks
Special abilities
Deneir is considered to be responsible for many of the spells used by powerful mortal wizards, including any spells related to travel or movement. In addition, they are known for seven unique spell-like powers: creation of a sheet of shifting lights similar in appearance to an aurora polaris that could damage foes; summoning of a comet; manifestation of heat lightning; calling of a meteor storm; infliction of a chill as cold as space; emanation of a beam of white light as bright as a star from their eyes; and creation of the sound of deafening thunder. Followers also believe that Deneir owns and grants the power to traverse the Infernal Plane at will, including the ability to enter the material plane via its borders.
Manifestations
Favored animals
- Calico cats
- White, golden-eyed dogs
- Pinto horses
- Piebald horses
Favored plants
- Gold flowers
- Yellow flowers
Favored monsters
- Archons
- Devas
- Planetars
Favored minerals
- Topaz
- Iolite
- Tourmaline
- Star sapphire
Favored colors
- Tan
- White
Miscellaneous
- A book surrounded by glowing light
- A glowing humanoid hand
- Letters of fire
- Candles
Apparel & Accessories
Specialized Equipment
Personality Characteristics
Savvies & Ineptitudes
It has been said that Deneir's vast accumulation of book knowledge was contrasted by their outward appearance of being a very absent-minded deity. Secondhand accounts documented in ancient texts suggest that they had a severe lack of focus that negatively impacted their ability to share what they know. It is said Deneir would often trail off mid-sentence because their mind was racing along multiple trains of thought even while they were speaking. Once they started telling a story they would go off on seemingly endless digressions about tangentially related sub-stories.
Further records indicate that Deneir could be very out of touch with with world, particularly regarding what current customs were in practice. They often adhered to points of etiquette long since abandoned, would mix slang terms to unintentionally humorous effect, and end up sounding profoundly dated when they tried sounding current. Despite these flaws, Deneir was said to usually be calm, and had few characteristics that one could associate with madness. They were usually tranquil, with a stodgy and studious outlook on life and a dedication to the truth. Worshipers believe that, as long as their stories could be, they always conveyed some vital piece of information for those with the patience to endure them.
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