Elyon
God of Justice and Balance Elyon
Elyon, God of Justice and Balance, is a figure of unwavering morality and fairness. He represents the ideal that justice is absolute, impartial, and eternal, prevailing even in the darkest of places. Known as the Patron of Spies, Elyon’s gaze pierces through deceit, as he believes justice must extend beyond the visible and into the hidden corners of the world. With his piercing intellect and steely resolve, he embodies the divine pursuit of balance and order, inspiring mortals to uphold justice in all aspects of life, seen or unseen.
Holy Books & Codes
Elyon’s teachings are enshrined in a collection of sacred texts known as The Scales of Truth. These writings, often regarded as the cornerstone of justice across the realms of Valthor, provide moral and ethical guidance to those who seek fairness, accountability, and truth in their actions.
1. The Balance of Wings:
This foundational book focuses on the principles of balance in justice. It emphasises that justice must be impartial and weigh all perspectives equally, much like an eagle’s wings must remain balanced in flight. The text contains parables, including the famed Tale of the Uneven Wings, illustrating the downfall of those who allow bias to corrupt their judgment.
2. The Paths of the Just:
This book serves as a guide to navigating moral dilemmas, offering wisdom for recognising right from wrong. It often uses metaphors of crossroads and doors, teaching that each choice we make carves our path, and justice is the compass that ensures we do not lose our way.
3. The Eagle’s Eye:
Dedicated to vigilance and the pursuit of hidden truths, this book encourages its readers to uncover deception and ensure transparency. Spies, investigators, and judges often draw from its teachings, as it details methods to observe without bias and discern truth from lies. It also includes prayers and invocations to Elyon for clarity of vision.
4. The Judgement of the Veil:
A text inspired by Elyon’s admiration for Than, this book discusses the importance of accountability even in the afterlife. It serves as a reminder that no action escapes justice, whether in life or death. Many judges recite its verses when passing sentence, affirming that Elyon’s gaze transcends mortal existence.
5. The Flight of Justice:
A poetic text composed of hymns and odes, this book celebrates the ideal of justice as a force that uplifts and unites communities. It is often used in public ceremonies and gatherings to inspire harmony and shared purpose among people.
These texts are housed in temples devoted to Elyon, where the faithful seek wisdom, guidance, and the strength to uphold justice in all its forms.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Elyon’s divine symbol is the eagle, embodying his unparalleled vision and his role as the arbiter of justice. The eagle, with its sharp eyes and commanding presence, represents the ability to see truth from great distances and discern the smallest details, no matter how well-hidden. It is a symbol of vigilance, strength, and the pursuit of justice that soars above all else. For Elyon, the eagle also serves as a reminder that justice is not bound by earthly constraints; it is vast, encompassing, and always watching, ensuring that no act of injustice escapes its notice. Furthermore, the eagle’s flight is a metaphor for balance—neither wing can overpower the other, for true justice requires harmony, impartiality, and a steady equilibrium. Without balance, even the mightiest eagle would fall, just as injustice causes societies to crumble.
Holidays
Elyon’s followers observe several sacred days throughout the year, each reflecting the core tenets of justice, vigilance, and moral accountability. These holidays are marked by acts of service, introspection, and communal gatherings to honour the God of Justice.
1. Day of Scales:
Celebrated during the equinox, when day and night are perfectly balanced, this day symbolises the impartiality of justice. People gather in temples to light candles and offer prayers, asking Elyon to guide their decisions and help them maintain balance in their lives. Judges and lawmakers use this day to review laws and policies, ensuring they remain just and fair.
2. The Eagle’s Flight:
Held in early spring, this day honours Elyon’s vigilance and his divine symbol, the eagle. Followers release trained birds of prey, such as hawks or eagles, into the sky as a symbolic act of seeking truth and clarity. Communities also hold public hearings, where individuals can confess wrongdoings or seek resolution to conflicts in a safe, judgment-free space.
3. The Veil’s Oath:
Observed during the harvest moon, this holiday is a solemn occasion dedicated to Elyon’s connection with Than and his role in the judgment of souls. Families reflect on their actions throughout the year and make oaths to correct their wrongs. Offerings of bread and wine are left at temples to symbolise their pledge to uphold justice.
4. The Path of Truth:
This moving holiday is a pilgrimage that occurs once every five years. Devotees walk long distances to Elyon’s grand temple, known as the Hall of the Scales, symbolising their journey toward truth and justice. Along the way, pilgrims take time to resolve disputes with others and offer aid to those in need, embodying Elyon’s teachings in action.
5. The Judgment Feast:
This annual celebration falls in late summer and is a time of thanksgiving for justice served. Communities come together to share meals, perform plays that depict famous tales of justice, and recognise those who have acted selflessly in service of the truth. Awards are given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional integrity and fairness in their actions.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Born to Solran, God of Fathers and Legacy, and Myrthalis, Goddess of Motherhood, Elyon was raised in an environment steeped in compassion, love, and responsibility. Being the older sibling of Veyna, Goddess of Love, Elyon inherited the balance of paternal strength and maternal empathy. From an early age, he displayed a natural inclination towards fairness and truth, often mediating disputes among his divine kin.
Elyon’s devotion to justice led him to forge a unique bond with Than, Goddess of Death, whose meticulous judgment over souls left an indelible impression on him. Deeply admiring her wisdom and impartiality, he often consults her to refine his own understanding of justice. Many speculate that Elyon harbours a quiet and profound love for Than, a reverence that transcends mere admiration.
Morality & Philosophy
For Elyon, justice is not confined to public acts or visible deeds. It is a principle that must govern the unseen, ensuring that truth and fairness prevail behind closed doors. This belief fuels his patronage of spies, who act as messengers of justice, uncovering hidden truths and delivering judgment where it is due.
Elyon’s philosophy extends to the concept of balance: justice must serve not just the righteous but also offer redemption to the guilty. This balance is the cornerstone of his teachings, urging mortals to strive for fairness in their actions, even when no one is watching.
Taboos
Elyon holds justice and fairness as sacred principles that must never be compromised, and his taboos reflect this unwavering belief. Chief among these is the manipulation or distortion of truth for personal gain. Lies, deceit, or any form of perjury are seen as profound betrayals of Elyon’s teachings, as they disrupt the delicate balance of fairness that he upholds. Another taboo is the act of passing judgment without full understanding or evidence. Elyon believes that hastily condemning another, without seeking the truth, is a grave injustice and a failure to embody the virtue of impartiality.
Furthermore, Elyon forbids the abuse of power, particularly by those in positions of authority. Leaders, rulers, or judges who exploit their status to harm or manipulate others are an affront to his divine purpose, as they erode the trust and balance upon which societies are built. He also despises selective justice, where laws are applied unequally to favour the powerful or punish the weak. To Elyon, justice must be universal, encompassing both the seen and unseen, and any deviation from this principle is an act of sacrilege.
Lastly, Elyon views indifference to injustice as a silent betrayal. To turn a blind eye to wrongdoing, when one has the power to intervene, is to stand against the very essence of what he represents. These taboos serve as a guiding code for his followers, urging them to live with integrity, vigilance, and an unwavering commitment to fairness in all aspects of life.
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