Achanatyr Character in Toril | World Anvil
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Achanatyr

The Maimed God

Achanatyr, more commonly called "Tyr" (pronounced: /ˈtɪər/ TEER), also known as The Maimed God, was a lawful good greater deity of law and justice and part of The Ruling Trinity (Archanatyr, Talos and Hoar). Tyr was specifically the God of Justice, not the God of the Law (that would be Amaunator), and he was generally concerned with leading mankind toward a righteous future.   Tyr is the undisputed leader of the Aesir, having been granted this office by Amaunator himself. In life, Tyr was a controversial Cleric of Amaunator who went through great trials.     The Trial of the Eyes   Tyr was told by his brother, Talos, the High Priest of Amaunator, that the law had to be followed to the letter, as it was man's base nature to attempt to circumvent the law, and that it was entirely acceptable to utilize loopholes in the law - this was merely a sign of strength and power. Tyr questioned the doctrine that the law had to be blindly followed in this manner and for his insolence was challenged to stare at the sun for a full day, and it was decided that if he would not be able to see after this, then he was wrong. If he was able to see, then Amaunator had spared his vision because Justice was preferable among the living. Tyr took up the challenge, but as he did, his eyes were irreparably destroyed, but the smile was quickly wiped off the face of the gleeful High Priest, when it turned out that Tyr no longer required eyes to see, and as such, he had passed the test through a technicality (something Amaunator is rather famous for) - ironically proving them both right in a strange way. Tyr was then named High Justice, because he had after all proven his point.   The Trial of the Hand   Tyr's brother, Hoar, was a follower of Jergal (who then held the domain of Bane, Bhaal and Kelemevor), and he held that vengeance was always right and this prompted some debate. The law, at the time, agreed, but set forth circumstances for how vengeance could be carried out legally (blood feuds).     Tyr argued that vengeance, while frequently subjectively just, was never truly justice, because it was a double-edged sword, and that justice could only be carried out by those not directly involved - meaning an impartial group should ideally seek justice on behalf of the wronged. The High Priest mocked Tyr for this, because Tyr was a renowned warrior who frequently dispatched justice, and the High Priest argued that if Tyr was to be the High Justice and make such claims, he should never be allowed to raise a hand to exact neither Justice nor Revenge, as this would make it unjust according to himself - naturally Tyr disagreed, because he has never been known to be an extreme God, and would prefer partial justice to no justice and argued that, in many cases, he could offer no justice if he was not allowed to pursue it himself.     Again, Tyr was subjected to a test that, famously, involved sticking his sword-hand into the maw of a great beast - the exact tale varies, but the outcome is the same across all the stories - if Tyr retained his sword-hand, he was right - if he lost it, he was wrong. The beast tore off Tyr's hand, but Tyr immediately grabbed his warhammer with his off-hand and in an amazing display, he fought the beast off, having suddenly developed better skill with his off-hand than he ever possessed with his sword-hand - despite having clearly lost his sword-hand, he still, arguably, had a sword-hand and so it seemed another technicality from Amaunator, and Tyr was allowed to form the Lightbringers of Amaunator, essentially a Paladin Order that policed his people, and he himself was the leader.   The Trial of the Corpse   Yet another argument between Tyr and Talos brought about the third and final trial. This time, they argued about conviction, as one of Tyr's Lightbringers had acted a coward and fled from battle. The deserter had been caught, and Tyr argued that deserters had to be punished, but Talos argued that it was only natural that those made to fight other people's causes would lack the conviction to face death - He argued it was unnatural and that the law should not punish mankind in an undue fashion for their very humanity. Tyr counter argued that it was necessary for those seeking to uphold the law to be more than mere men and because of their transcendence of baser human nature, they would have nothing to fear from death, as such people would undoubtedly become servants of Amaunator, a most glorious existence.   Talos was quick to remind Tyr that the law said that people were equals in the eyes of the law and that the law also said that any person was allowed to disregard the safety and well-being of others in order to protect their own life and that Amaunator did not reward fools more so than he rewarded the valiant - he rewarded those who showed the strength and guile to succeed within the existing society, even if that meant that they were taking advantage of it. Tyr disagreed and argued that a Just god would always venerate the valiant and the good. This was put to the ultimate challenge - to face certain death for his convictions and prove to his people that Amaunator would bless this sacrifice. In most of the versions of this story, Tyr is crucified and left out in the sun for seven days before he dies - however, one ten-day after Tyr's death, he reappeared as an Archon (a type of Angel), more powerful than he had ever been, and continued his work for some time until he ascended to Godhood at the fall of the Netherese Empire.   Relationships     Tyr is the Mentor of Lathander, who views Tyr as an older brother, despite the fact that Tyr is an ascended mortal. Tyr has delegated most of his portfolio away to Torm, whom he considers his own protege, so that he can focus on the more divine struggles that exist in the Pantheon.   Tyr has two brothers, Talos and Hoar - of these brothers, Tyr is the middle-brother. The other two brothers are Gods of other portfolio relating to law - Hoar, being the god of Revenge, "Poetic Justice" and and Retribution (so basically anti-law) and Talos being the God of the Natural Law. Despite being as different as day and night and being in perpetual disagreement, the three are very close and would never harm each other, but do actively fight each other on a divine level.   Followers of the respective faiths tend to be rivals and on less friendly terms than their patrons.

Divine Domains

Justice & Civilization, Civics, Ethics, Morality and Principles.

Holy Books & Codes

The Book of Justice

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Balanced scales resting on a warhammer

Relationships

Achanatyr

Mentor (Important)

Towards Lathander

5
5

Honest


Lathander

Protege (Vital)

Towards Achanatyr

5
5

Honest


Divine Classification
Greater Deity
Spouses
Siblings
Children

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