God King

The God Kings of Zarmuda.
Before there was time there were the God Kings.
Before there were the seas and the earth there were the God Kings.
Before the rivers, forests, and skies there were the God Kings.
Before animals roamed the lands, before their children were crafted, there were the God Kings. 
Give praise therefore, To the Pinnacle of Creation, It is their just due.
Opening Prayer of the Deia Scriptura

Qualifications

The original God Kings had always existed. New God Kings come from the ranks of the Ascended, those who have demonstrated an iron will and near perfect faith. Few possess such qualities, even among those who reside in heaven alongside the God Kings. Whoever does is granted the ultimate reward, ascension as a God King and becoming divine.

Appointment

There are always new God Kings. The path to becoming one requires one to possess immense spiritual and religious perfection. Once a prospective pilgrim approaches the Gods, the Gods must deem the applicant worthy. Being so worthy, they ascend and if their will and faith is strong enough they may become a God King as well.
The original God Kings are still around. No one appointed them.

Duties

"It is said the God Kings created everything, starting from the Fatherland and spreading outward. They continue their great work of crafting the world. It is unknown if the world at present is finished or if it will ever be finished. In the meantime they rule over all of creation."

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

Only another God King can slay a God King. It is impossible for a God King to lose their divinity unless it is by choice.

History

At the beginning there were Mother and Father. We know them best as the Couple. Hand in hand they set about shaping the world. Their loving embrace soon brought about the other ten of the original God Kings. We know them as the Warrior, the Scholar, the Hierophant, the Dancer, the Blacksmith, the Architect, the Gardener, the Statesman, the Companion, and the Fool.
Others have since joined them in Heaven as Ascended or as fellow God Kings.

Cultural Significance

All nations and races worship the God Kings in different capacities.
The Darcassian Empire puts little emphasis on them. The Civil War had soured the Darcassians opinion on the Gods and thus any form of worship is performed privately if at all. It is practically State Policy to restrict and censor religious thought, speech, or literature. The most organized in terms of worship are small out of the way shrines located in cities, towns, or along roads. Those of a religious bent tend to worship a God that relates to their lives as opposed to worshipping the God Kings as a whole.
Athelians do worship the Gods but much emphasis is put on their local deity, former Queen now ascended as the Horse Goddess Shoka. God Queen and Patron to Nomads, Horsemen, Shepherds, and Archers, worship of Shoka is a personal affair. Athelians are not deeply religious but many respect and honor the Gods in quiet, clandestine ways. Many will make use of the secret shrines throughout their lands and the Empire as a whole.
Uribans are fairly religious, being (relatively) close to the Fatherland of Zarmuda. The work of Zarmudan Missionaries has done much to stiffen the devotion and faith of the Uribans. The War of Zealots and Martyrs has shaken their faith however Uribans respect the power of the God Kings. Like their Darcassian counterparts, worship is personal and relegated to worshipping Gods that relate to one's life style. The big difference is that Temples are more common in the Uribasan Mountains. While many were destroyed or ruined by the war, some were restored. Others still bear signs of the war that raged throughout the mountains. These Temples stand high on mountain peaks or built into the Earth. These locations are often pilgrimage sites for travelers to and from Zarmuda. The Uriban High King and Princes draw lucrative profit from these places.
The Fatherland is the home of the God Kings and the origin of all life. Zarmudans are immensely religious. Temples are common throughout the Fatherland, often attached to a Monastery or Library. Monks spend their days meditating or reflecting on their faith in the Temples. Sermons are held daily, with Priests encouraging their people to persist in their pursuit of holiness. The greatest centers of worship stand in Zarmuda, the Temples reflecting the unending glory one can expect in Heaven. Missionaries go forth from their Monasteries to preach the God Kings' will abroad.

Notable Holders

The original God Kings in their roles as Rulers of Heaven, Stewards, Creators, and Inspiration for all.
I. The Father, Patriarch of the God Kings, Sovereign of Heaven, Supreme of all the Gods, the Destroyer, He that makes the Sky Move, Sire of all Mortals, the Key Bearer.
II. The Mother, Matriarch of the God Kings, Host of Heaven, Beloved of all the Gods, the Creator, She that set the Earth, Mother of all Mortals, Guardian of Mothers and their Children.
III. The Warrior, Firstborn of the Gods, the Thunderer, Leader of the Radiant Host, the Sword that divides Heaven from Earth, Lord Protector of the Land, Saint of the Soldier.
IV. The Scholar, Second of the Gods, the Wise, Custodian of the Celestial Archives, Protector of all Knowledge, He that Inspires, Twin of the Hierophant, Mentor to the Student.
V. The Hierophant, Priest of the Gods, the Enlightened, High Priest of the Faithful, the Light Tracing the Sky, He that Meditates on the Cosmos, the Truth Seeker, Father of Pilgrims.
VI. The Dancer, the Joyous Daughter of the Gods, the Generous, Delight of the Masses, Defender of the Moon, and Patron of Artists and Entertainers.
VII. The Blacksmith, the Armorer of the Gods, the Spear Bearer, Master of the Forge, the Rage of Volcanoes.
VIII. The Architect, the Shield of the Gods, Craftsman of Heaven's Walls, the Gate Keeper.
IX. The Gardener, Sower of the Gods, the Kind, Caretaker of Heaven's Bounty, Favored of the Farmer.
X. The Statesman, the Representative of the Gods, King of the Fatherland, the Silver Tongued.
XI. The Wayfarer, the Eye of the Gods, the Storyteller, Wanderer of Paths, Comfort to the Lost and the Weary.
XII. The Fool, Last of the Gods, the Fortunate, the Deceiver, the Pauper Prince, Advocate of the Masses.

Type

Religious, Special

Form of Address

The Pinnacle, the Ascended

Alternative Naming

The Eternally Divine, The Infallible

Equates to

Quite literally a God, ruling over demigods.

Source of Authority

None, for a God King wields power as they will.

Length of Term

Eternal

Related Organizations

• Fatherland of Zarmuda