Synfru - "The Song of War"
Slaagas & Synfru are the twin siblings of battle and warfare, bound in blood and the patrons of warriors everywhere. The twins are said to have been born from the carnage and maddening fury of the cosmos itself during the Ruination, born with a warcry that reverberated across reality. Soldiers, mercenaries, brigands, and vengeful combatants everywhere cry “Hark!” to invoke the names of the twins in pursuit of victory in their battles.
Synfru is the Valkyrie Queen, whose dirge can be heard in the mind of all warriors who suffer a mortal wound on the field of battle. Warriors sing the songs of Synfru to mourn and celebrate the lives of those who died in battle, praying that in death they are deemed worthy by her to walk the afterlife in the shadow of the Twin Gods of War. Though competitive, bloodthirsty, and as tempestuous as her sibling, Synfru displays a caring side for the weak and values courage above all, particularly the weak who face adversity beyond their measure. She in particular values warriors who do not fear certain death, whether they be an outmatched slave in revolt or a blind berserker in the throes of rage. While Slaagas hones in on fighters of merit, Synfru takes note of warriors with potential or the spirit of a great fighter more than he does.
Synfru appears as an armored avian humanoid with ash-gray skin. Her feet are talons like a bird of prey, and black raven wings sprout from her back. Her left hand often carries a round shield while her right carries a spear of lightning known as the Hand of Tempests. Her face is typically obscured.
Areas of Concern: war, death, self-perfection, strength, tactics, courage Divine Realm: Valholl; The Maelstrom Alignment: Chaotic Neutral Typical Follower Alignments: Any, though rarely Lawful Edicts: push your limits to better your body and mind, attain victory in battle, show courage in the face of adversity Anathema: murder helpless prisoners or foes that have surrendered, refuse a challenge from an equal
Doctrines and Beliefs: Followers of the Twins often have varying codes and views or philosophies of battle and war, the necessity of such things, and everything underneath. However many beliefs are agreed upon and viewed as doctrine among the priests and faithful. The first is that in battle the stronger opponent always wins. Warfare is as much a contest of strength and agility as it is a mental battle, and if a clever combatant wins through the application of non-direct, even underhanded means, then that combatant is the stronger of the two. This however does not mean that the Twins abhor codes of honor, or that followers always forgo them. Of the two, Synfru prefers indirect methods, where cunning and strategy allows a warrior to usurp a physically mightier opponent. Secondly, Synfru and her sibling embody strength and self-perfection in mortals, and view the domination of the weak as counter to this end at worst, and a distraction at best. Battle is for one sake, the contest of strength. Battle is a tool, to achieve victory and grow stronger in mind and body. A lord invoking them for a victory over an undefended village will always be ignored by the Twins, as battle was a tool for greed and domination. While the vilest of human emotions can lead to atrocities in war, the twins do not seek to reward this, as this reduces men to glorified beasts. If the lord defeated an opposing general of passing skill before destroying the village in the aftermath, that would be more agreeable to them. War without risk does not draw their attention, much less their favor. More than her sibling, Synfru is worshiped more for the spiritual aspects of being a warrior. Men and women alike are tested off the field of battle just as much as on it, having to face their own failures in battle and the consequences of them, coming to terms with the loss of brotherhood formed between slain comrades, the grisly trauma of war itself, and the costs of victory. Battle is as much a fight between one and their own ghosts as much as they are against the opponent, and warriors of all persuasions seek guidance from the Valkyrie Queen to face their inner demons and conquer them in a way that Slaagas is incapable. This also includes the more abhorrent side effects of war and conquest, such as rape or slavery, leading to many men and women praying to the goddess for help to overcome their traumas, and in some cases seek vengeance, for she abhors the abuse of the weak and innocent as much as her brother. The last belief is that no true warrior should die anywhere but the field of battle. A dedicated follower of the Twins never stops seeking perfection and strength of body and mind. Even when you have grown old and achieved all you had sought to with your efforts as a warrior, the world is still a violent and chaotic place. Someone, somewhere, would more than happily take from you what is yours. Or in the case of the most vile, seek to destroy it for destruction's sake. You must remain strong, and recognize that those who live by the sword will one day die by it.
Worshippers: If Slaagas is the god of warriors, Synfru is the goddess of generals and leaders. As a goddess associated with death in battle, few understand the weight of that responsibility more than commanders, whose decisions can spell victory or defeat and the loss of thousands of lives for one simple mistake or miscalculation. While Slaagas is focused on the individual contests of might between legendary warriors, Synfru observes the larger scope of war like a bird above, where thousands of smaller contests are constantly being waged like ants in a colony. While she loves a good duel like her brother, Synfru appreciates the tactics of conflict more. The Twin Gods find followers everywhere in the form of soldiers, knights, raiders, mercenaries, and even self perfecting monks. Among adventurers, followers of the Twins often seek adventure not for riches but to make a career out of battling and besting deadly enemies, each killing a form of prayer in the eyes of Slaagas and Synfru. Temples to Slaagas and Synfru are often towers or even fortresses, and most commonly found in civilizations that have seen regular warfare, though not always. These “temples” are often found elsewhere too, sometimes adjacent to local coliseums or arenas. In some cases they may be found close to hospitals, where priests of Synfru help those that have been wounded in battle or noncombatants harmed by war. Though all warriors of The Twins agree on one thing, the most sacred of temples to them is the field of battle itself, no matter how large or small.
Areas of Concern: war, death, self-perfection, strength, tactics, courage Divine Realm: Valholl; The Maelstrom Alignment: Chaotic Neutral Typical Follower Alignments: Any, though rarely Lawful Edicts: push your limits to better your body and mind, attain victory in battle, show courage in the face of adversity Anathema: murder helpless prisoners or foes that have surrendered, refuse a challenge from an equal
Doctrines and Beliefs: Followers of the Twins often have varying codes and views or philosophies of battle and war, the necessity of such things, and everything underneath. However many beliefs are agreed upon and viewed as doctrine among the priests and faithful. The first is that in battle the stronger opponent always wins. Warfare is as much a contest of strength and agility as it is a mental battle, and if a clever combatant wins through the application of non-direct, even underhanded means, then that combatant is the stronger of the two. This however does not mean that the Twins abhor codes of honor, or that followers always forgo them. Of the two, Synfru prefers indirect methods, where cunning and strategy allows a warrior to usurp a physically mightier opponent. Secondly, Synfru and her sibling embody strength and self-perfection in mortals, and view the domination of the weak as counter to this end at worst, and a distraction at best. Battle is for one sake, the contest of strength. Battle is a tool, to achieve victory and grow stronger in mind and body. A lord invoking them for a victory over an undefended village will always be ignored by the Twins, as battle was a tool for greed and domination. While the vilest of human emotions can lead to atrocities in war, the twins do not seek to reward this, as this reduces men to glorified beasts. If the lord defeated an opposing general of passing skill before destroying the village in the aftermath, that would be more agreeable to them. War without risk does not draw their attention, much less their favor. More than her sibling, Synfru is worshiped more for the spiritual aspects of being a warrior. Men and women alike are tested off the field of battle just as much as on it, having to face their own failures in battle and the consequences of them, coming to terms with the loss of brotherhood formed between slain comrades, the grisly trauma of war itself, and the costs of victory. Battle is as much a fight between one and their own ghosts as much as they are against the opponent, and warriors of all persuasions seek guidance from the Valkyrie Queen to face their inner demons and conquer them in a way that Slaagas is incapable. This also includes the more abhorrent side effects of war and conquest, such as rape or slavery, leading to many men and women praying to the goddess for help to overcome their traumas, and in some cases seek vengeance, for she abhors the abuse of the weak and innocent as much as her brother. The last belief is that no true warrior should die anywhere but the field of battle. A dedicated follower of the Twins never stops seeking perfection and strength of body and mind. Even when you have grown old and achieved all you had sought to with your efforts as a warrior, the world is still a violent and chaotic place. Someone, somewhere, would more than happily take from you what is yours. Or in the case of the most vile, seek to destroy it for destruction's sake. You must remain strong, and recognize that those who live by the sword will one day die by it.
Worshippers: If Slaagas is the god of warriors, Synfru is the goddess of generals and leaders. As a goddess associated with death in battle, few understand the weight of that responsibility more than commanders, whose decisions can spell victory or defeat and the loss of thousands of lives for one simple mistake or miscalculation. While Slaagas is focused on the individual contests of might between legendary warriors, Synfru observes the larger scope of war like a bird above, where thousands of smaller contests are constantly being waged like ants in a colony. While she loves a good duel like her brother, Synfru appreciates the tactics of conflict more. The Twin Gods find followers everywhere in the form of soldiers, knights, raiders, mercenaries, and even self perfecting monks. Among adventurers, followers of the Twins often seek adventure not for riches but to make a career out of battling and besting deadly enemies, each killing a form of prayer in the eyes of Slaagas and Synfru. Temples to Slaagas and Synfru are often towers or even fortresses, and most commonly found in civilizations that have seen regular warfare, though not always. These “temples” are often found elsewhere too, sometimes adjacent to local coliseums or arenas. In some cases they may be found close to hospitals, where priests of Synfru help those that have been wounded in battle or noncombatants harmed by war. Though all warriors of The Twins agree on one thing, the most sacred of temples to them is the field of battle itself, no matter how large or small.
Devotee Benefits:
Divine Ability: Strength or Dexterity Divine Font: Harm or Heal Divine Skill: Athletics Sanctification: Can choose Holy or Unholy Favored Weapon(s): Spear Domains: Lightning, Might, Perfection, Repose, Zeal Alternate Domains: Confidence, Death, Duty, Knowledge, Trickery Cleric Spells 1st: Sure Strike, 3rd: Lightning Bolt, 4rd: Weapon Storm
Children
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