Church of the Master Ascendant

Axel - The Master Ascendant - LN

Competition, Perfection, Travel

Axel by James Wells

Once upon a time, gods and meteors fell from the skies of Kaidryn in what would be the event that began the Age of Omens, a dark time in Kaidryn's history, but also a time of renewal, as many new deities were awakened, as were a number of mortals that ascended into divinity; Axel is one such mortal. Fifty years hence to the day, part of the old Pantheon was restored when the Master Ascendant achieved perfection having traveled in the world they uncovered a true test, something that would see them to the heights of perfection--the Test of the Starstone--it is from this test that Axel, once mortal entered, and though scholars do not know what occurred during this trial, all know that a new deity was birthed that day. Axel himself, nicknamed The Master Ascendant, embodies the ideals of movement, perfection, and competition, but he is also known as the god of surgery and martial arts.

• Domains: Balance, Dreams, Fate, Life, Strength, Travel
• Oaths: Devotion, Glory, the Open Sea, the Watchers
• Sanctioned Orders: Marshal, Witch Hunter

Symbols of Axel

• Axel's holy symbol depicts an 8-spoke wheel with 3 eyes forming an equilateral triangle on the wheel.
• Axel favors Axolotls, Foxes, and Owls, and views Tanuki as sacred.

History

Dogma

The followers of the Master Ascendant range from monks and athletes to surgeons, scholars, and anyone to whom skill and improvement are important. The church believes that devotion is shown by improvement of your craft. The Master Ascendant gives blessings to the dedicated with breakthroughs in skill, given in surges of motivation that can last for days on end. The phenomenon of this blessing is called Soul's Fire, referring to the burning motivation and inspiration felt within. Greater boons include divine insight, vision quests, and a visit from an avatar known as the Wandering One.
Perhaps unlike other deities, the Master Ascendant's faith is built upon the fact that they were, once, mortal. The volcano cloister that the mortal Axel grew up in, called Vesuvius, is now a pilgrimage site and displays tapestries depicting Axel's path. One notable tapestry depicts Axel, along with six others, slaying the Elder Brain of Morgenon. The depiction of Axel removing Mythranduil's left eye is one of the most influential images in the faith, and the Master Ascendant is often depicted holding an eye in artwork.

Rite of the Astral Sea

The Rite of the Astral Sea is something of a coming-of-age trial among initiates of Babylon and Pursuant alike. The initiate is sent up Mount Vesuvius to find the same ancient temple that Axel themselves once reawakened, and to pass its trials. The trial remains largely the same as it was when Axel took it. Pursuant in other parts of the world may be directed to a different trial, or if none are available, an appropriate natural location (i.e. a cave behind a waterfall.)
Before attempting the Rite for the first time, the initiate is sent from the cloister on a quest of self-discovery and training, much as Axel did in their life. Some of these journeys last weeks, some of them last years or longer. Some initiates leave the cloister, some don't survive. The purpose is to strengthen the initiate's soul to withstand the Rite, as those weak of spirit may suffer serious harm during the trial if they attempt it. Pursuant who pass their trial are then called Elder and allowed free reign to continue their journey, which most do, but are also offered the option of training the next generation of Pursuant. (An Elder is still Pursuant, mind you, as are all mortals who seek perfection.)

Home Plane

Appearance

Relationships

Temples and Shrines

During Axel's lifetime, they founded a cloister of monks around the Fateful Eight's tower base, named Babylon within the Moonmist Forest of Calbesh. In the years following, they raised a small class of students, and when those students were ready, Grandmaster Axel tasked them with raising the next generation. The style taught here came to be known as Fox Style, named for the tricky tactics and slippery movements the style encourages. The style focuses on acrobatic movement, disabling and disrupting opponents, and dodging or parrying blows. Those beginning their studies at the cloister are told: "Make them miss, make them mad, make them useless."
While faith in the Master Ascendant is not required for study at Babylon, most attendants are followers of them. Those both faithful and practicing martial arts are called Pursuant. It is believed by some that Axel's few worldly belongings may survive. If found, they could be powerful artifacts.

Babylon

Babylon is built around an ancient tower, and is mainly comprised of humble wooden buildings. The cloister is considered a sister site to Vesuvius, and monks and clerics frequently venture between them as a pilgrimage of sorts, due to the distance between the two. The popularity of Vesuvius as a religious site has pushed much of the martial practice down into the Moonmist woods to Babylon, a few days journey to be sure, one worth it nonetheless. Teachers who moved from Vesuvius to Babylon, especially those who are very, very old, seem to prefer it down the mountain, citing easier access to supplies and a safer environment. Students are still sent up the mountain for training, as well as the Rite of Wandering.

Regions of Popular Worship

Followers

Pursuant

Pursuant are the most dedicated of the Master Ascendant's followers. They train in their home cloisters, and when they are ready, the Pursuant sets out. Pursuant's often report being struck with Soul's Fire at various points of their journey. Pursuant's go on pilgrimages of training, and some Pursuant live most, if not all, of their adult lives on one such pilgrimages. Frequent destinations are Vesuvius and Babylon, and some extremely dedicated followers venture to the foreboding island of Morgenon, or even to the Dying Lands, wherein it is said, Axel took the Starstone Trial.

The Wider Faith

Not all of the Master Ascendant's followers are monks. Many are surgeons, athletes, artists, and any for whom technique and skill are important. Some among these go on similar journeys as the Pursuant, and while not as formal, may undergo an appropriate trial through the forces of the universe and can be recognized by the church as a Seeker. Seekers are respected in their communities and is an official title from the Church of the Ascended Master.

Tenets

Sins

Piety Progression

Type

Religious, Organised Religion