Aldraeus, the Fallen Arbiter (/ælˈdɹiːəs/)

Aldraeus, known as the Fallen Arbiter, is a former deity in the Merillian Decadivum, once revered for his governance over order, entropy, and peace. He was characterized by his unyielding pursuit of unity and conformity among mortals, which he believed would lead to the eradication of conflict and the establishment of an egalitarian society. After his banishment, Sovereign Seraphel, the Divine Scale took over his holy domains.

Physical Appearance

Aldraeus, as remembered by mortals, is often depicted as an imposing figure, imbued with an aura of solemnity. His form is enigmatic, with an elegance that suggests grace, but at the same time, a sternness that imposes an air of authority. One of the most striking aspects of Aldraeus's appearance is his featureless visage. His face is akin to a smooth, polished mask, devoid of eyes, nose, or mouth. This absence of features is symbolic of his domain over conformity, representing the erasure of distinguishing traits.
His silhouette is tall and slender, but any indication of muscle or sinew is veiled under flowing robes that cascade around him like a serene river. The robes themselves are of a monotonous hue, often depicted as either pure white or deep black, signifying the absolute nature of his teachings. They are unadorned, lacking any embellishments or patterns, embodying the simplicity and uniformity that Aldraeus so zealously advocated. Aldraeus's hands are usually the only visible part of his body besides his featureless face. They are always shown as being in a symmetrical pose, either raised in unison or lowered in tandem. These hands are reminiscent of a sculptor's — delicate yet firm, perhaps symbolic of his intentions to mold society into a singular shape and form.
His voice, though no mortal can claim to have heard it, is often imagined to be as featureless as his face. The believers narrate that it is neither loud nor soft, and it is devoid of any inflection or emotion. It is the sound of order, balance, and calm, as though the very fabric of reality is resonating with his will. Enveloping Aldraeus is an aura that lacks color. Neither light nor dark, it is an almost imperceptible sheen that suggests otherworldliness. It is as though he is at once present yet distant, a being who transcends the very concept of individuality.

Morality & Philosophy

Aldraeus's morality and philosophy stem from his unwavering belief in the virtues of order and unity. To him, the disparate elements and multifarious inclinations of mortal societies were the root causes of conflict, inequality, and suffering. His ideal world was one of absolute conformity, where every individual’s thoughts and actions were harmonized to achieve a greater collective good.
Central to Aldraeus's moral philosophy is the notion of sacrifice. He believed that personal desires and individuality must be relinquished for the sake of societal equilibrium. In his eyes, if every person abided by the same codes, followed the same customs, and strived for the same values, then there would be no room for discord. He saw this as a noble sacrifice, where one surrenders their singular identity to become a part of something larger and more harmonious. The concept of equity was also deeply ingrained in his teachings. Aldraeus envisioned a society where resources and opportunities were evenly distributed, ensuring that no one was left wanting. However, this equity was achieved not through ensuring everyone had what they needed but through reducing all to the same level, regardless of their aspirations or needs. He sought to erase social hierarchies and distinctions, viewing them as divisions that bred resentment and strife.
Despite his seemingly altruistic intentions, Aldraeus's approach was often criticized for its rigidity and suppression of creativity and freedom. His moral compass did not allow for any deviation from the established order, and this was reflected in the austere manner in which his followers were expected to conduct themselves. They were expected to live frugal lives, avoid indulgence of any kind, and dedicate themselves to the maintenance of order. At the heart of Aldraeus’s philosophy was also a tragic love for the mortal beings he sought to protect. His intentions, though extreme, were rooted in a desire to shield them from the chaos he believed their differences engendered. However, his uncompromising methods often obscured this love, as few could see past the stern and seemingly authoritarian nature of his doctrines.

Divine Domains

• Order: As the former deity of order, Aldraeus sought to instill a structured and regulated society among mortals. His vision of order was stringent and absolute, where rules and systems of governance would be universal and unwavering. In Aldraeus' perfect society, there would be no exceptions, deviations, or flexibility in rules, as he believed that this would lead to fairness and predictability in outcomes for all. His followers would practice strict discipline and adhere to a code that outlined every aspect of daily life. While this domain initially had the noble intention of ensuring justice and structure, it evolved into an unyielding and rigid system under Aldraeus’ watch, making adaptation and innovation nearly impossible.
• Entropy: Aldraeus' understanding and representation of entropy were unique. Typically, entropy is associated with decay, chaos, and the natural tendency of systems to lose order over time. However, Aldraeus viewed entropy as a process leading towards unity and sameness. In his perspective, as systems break down, distinctions blur, and everything converges into a homogeneous state. His followers were encouraged to embrace the entropic blending of cultures, ideas, and identities, ultimately aiming for a singular, uniform society. This interpretation of entropy was both philosophical and spiritual, as it represented the elimination of barriers and the merging of souls into a collective, harmonious state.
• Peace: The domain of peace under Aldraeus was based on the elimination of conflict through uniformity. He believed that disagreements, wars, and discord stemmed from differences and inequalities among individuals and societies. Aldraeus’ vision of peace was a world where individual will and aspirations were subsumed for the collective good, creating a harmonious existence without conflict. This peace, however, was criticized for being devoid of personal freedoms, creativity, and diversity, as individuals were expected to surrender their unique identities for the sake of societal tranquility.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

• The Monolith: One of Aldraeus' primary symbols is the Monolith, a tall, smooth, and featureless stone pillar. The Monolith represents the unity and indistinguishability that Aldraeus aimed to achieve among societies. It symbolizes the strength and stability that he believed could be attained through absolute conformity. For his followers, the Monolith also served as a reminder of the unwavering and unyielding nature of the divine order Aldraeus sought to enforce.
• The Melded Circle: The Melded Circle is a symbol consisting of several circles of different sizes that converge and blend into a single, larger circle. This sigil symbolizes the entropic principle of Aldraeus' doctrine, where all things gradually blend into a singular, uniform state. The gradual blending of the circles represents the loss of distinction and the achievement of homogeneity, which Aldraeus saw as a sacred and ultimate goal.
• The Hushed Sword: The Hushed Sword symbolizes the peace that Aldraeus aimed to bring through his strict order. The sword is depicted with a broad blade, but its edge is muted, often shown enveloped in a sheath or cloth. This signifies the pacification of conflict and the establishment of peace through the suppression of individual wills and the enforcement of conformity. The Hushed Sword is sometimes depicted lying on an anvil, symbolizing the constant, vigilant maintenance of peace.
• Chains of Unity: The Chains of Unity is a more somber symbol, often used in rituals and ceremonies. It consists of a series of interlinked chains that form a closed loop. Each link in the chain is identical to the others, symbolizing the sameness and interconnectedness Aldraeus demanded of society. The closed-loop of the chains signifies the inescapability and permanence of this unity. For some, this symbol represented the strength and bond of community; for others, it was a reminder of the oppressive and restrictive nature of Aldraeus' doctrines.

Tenets of Faith

• Absolute Conformity: One of the central tenets of Aldraeus' worship was the belief in absolute conformity as a path to harmony and peace. His followers were expected to adhere strictly to societal norms and rules, forsaking individual desires and inclinations. This conformity was seen not just as obedience to law but as a spiritual discipline, eliminating distinction and differences that could lead to conflict.
• Eradication of Distinction: Closely tied to the tenet of conformity was the eradication of all forms of distinction among individuals. This included cultural, ethnic, ideological, and social distinctions. Followers of Aldraeus were encouraged to shed their individual identities and embrace a common, uniform identity. This was believed to prevent jealousy, competition, and strife among individuals and communities.
• Preservation of Order: Aldraeus’ followers believed in the maintenance of a rigid societal order. They saw order as the natural state of the universe and chaos as an aberration. The worship of Aldraeus involved meticulous rituals and ceremonies that symbolized and reinforced this sense of order. Preservation of order also extended to personal lives, where cleanliness, punctuality, and organization were regarded as spiritual virtues.
• Stewardship of Peace: The pursuit of peace was seen as a sacred duty among the followers of Aldraeus. They believed that by enforcing conformity and order, peace would inevitably follow. However, this peace was often seen as imposed and was to be maintained at all costs, even if it meant suppressing voices of dissent or curbing freedoms. The followers considered themselves stewards of this peace, responsible for its maintenance through both passive and active means.
• Self-Sacrifice for the Collective: Aldraeus’ doctrine demanded that individuals consider the collective good as superior to their own well-being. Followers were encouraged to make personal sacrifices for the sake of community harmony. This extended to giving up personal ambitions, belongings, and sometimes even relationships if they were deemed to disrupt the uniformity and peace of the collective.
• Silence as Reverence: A lesser-known but significant tenet was the value placed on silence. For followers of Aldraeus, silence represented the ultimate state of peace and uniformity. They engaged in periods of silence during worship and were encouraged to speak only when necessary. Silence was also symbolic of the suppression of dissent and the undisturbed maintenance of order.
• Final Unity in Entropy: The belief in entropy as a sacred process was integral to Aldraeus' tenets. His followers believed that all things would eventually wear down into a state of uniform sameness, which they viewed as a holy state. The embrace of entropy was seen as an acceptance of the ultimate destiny of all things, and the followers often engaged in rituals that symbolized the gradual decay of distinction into unity.

These tenets framed the worship of Aldraeus, and while they were rooted in a genuine desire for peace and harmony, their extreme nature often led to oppressive practices. The worship of Aldraeus, therefore, was as much a spiritual pursuit as it was a sociopolitical ideology, with far-reaching impacts on the societies that embraced it.

Holidays

Aldraeus had two major holidays observed by his followers, designed to uphold the values and tenets of his faith.
Day of Unity (9th of Obsidianbloom): The Day of Unity was celebrated on the 9th of Obsidianbloom, marking the beginning of a new year in Merillian calendar and symbolizing the unity that Aldraeus sought to achieve. This day was regarded as a moment of renewal and reaffirmation of one's commitment to the values of conformity, order, and harmonious living. Celebration practices included:

• Garb of Unity: Followers of Aldraeus wore plain, identical robes, symbolizing the shedding of personal identity in favor of unity.
• Symmetry Rituals: Temples and homes were adorned with symmetrical patterns and objects. These were meant to reflect the order and harmony that Aldraeus aspired to establish in society.
• Collective Feasting: A modest feast was shared by all in communal halls, with everyone partaking in the same simple meal, emphasizing equality and unity among participants.
• Reflection and Atonement: Followers spent time in reflection and prayer, often seeking atonement for any actions that might have contributed to discord or inequality in the past year.

Convergence Day (23rd of Verdantbloom): Convergence Day was observed on the 23rd of Verdantbloom, signifying the divine goal of converging all distinct aspects of society and the universe into a single harmonious entity. Celebration practices included:

• Offerings of Similarity: Followers brought identical offerings to the temples, which were simple tokens such as grains or stones, highlighting the absence of distinctions in the eyes of Aldraeus.
• Harmonic Chants: Choirs performed chants and hymns focusing on themes of unity and conformity. These chants had repetitive, harmonious melodies, often with all voices singing in unison.
• Council of Equality: Local communities held councils where all attendees, regardless of social standing, could voice their thoughts and concerns. Everyone was required to speak in a structured and formal manner, emphasizing the importance of order.
• Renewal of Bonds: Followers of Aldraeus engaged in a ritual where they tied simple, identical bands around each other’s wrists, symbolizing the interconnectedness of all individuals and the bonds that held them together in unity.

Both holidays were somber in tone, celebrations were orderly and disciplined, with a focus on community, equality, and the aspiration towards a harmonious existence.

Divine Goals & Aspirations

• Creation of a Harmonious Society: Aldraeus’ primary divine goal was the establishment of a society where harmony and peace prevailed. He envisioned a world where conflicts arising from individual differences and desires were nonexistent. For Aldraeus, harmony meant a state where all individuals acted as a single unit, devoid of distinctions that could foster divisions.
• Eradicating Sources of Conflict: Aldraeus sought to eliminate anything that he perceived as a source of conflict among mortals. This included not only tangible distinctions such as wealth and social status but also intangible ones like cultural and ideological differences. He believed that by removing these elements, the root causes of strife and warfare would be eradicated, leading to a lasting peace.
• Imposition of Divine Order: As the deity of order, Aldraeus aimed to impose a divine order upon the mortal world. He believed that a structured and well-ordered society was key to preventing chaos and disorder. This divine order was to be all-encompassing, affecting all aspects of life from the governance and legal systems to everyday routines and individual behavior.
• Protection of Mortals: One of Aldraeus' less obvious goals, unknown to most, was the protection of mortals from what he perceived as their own self-destructive tendencies. He saw the conflicts and suffering that arose from mortals' actions as needless and sought to shield them from these. This protection was an expression of his deep-seated, albeit misunderstood, love for them.
• Preparation for Entropic Unity: Aldraeus believed that the universe was inherently moving towards a state of entropy - a final state of uniformity and sameness. He viewed this as a divine process and sought to prepare mortals for this eventual unity. By guiding them towards conformity and the shedding of distinctions, he believed he was aligning them with the ultimate destiny of creation.
• Reconciliation and Acceptance: Although not openly expressed, a deeper aspect of Aldraeus’ goals involved seeking acceptance from both mortals and his divine peers. His extreme methods stemmed from a desperate yearning to be recognized as a guardian and benefactor. He sought reconciliation, though he was unable to comprehend how his methods contradicted his intentions.

Though Aldraeus’ intentions were rooted in a desire for peace and protection, his approach was seen as too extreme and uncompromising. His deep love for mortals was veiled behind the austere facade of his imposed order, making it difficult for them to see the tragic, protective figure that he was. Consequently, his vision was largely misunderstood and led to his eventual exile by his divine peers.

Divine Classification

Former Deity

Presentation

Masculine