Donaru

Donaru (dun-AR-oo) was one of two Seasonal gods of Summer and War, the other being his brother, Dregnu. Donaru distinguishes himself from his brother by being associated with honor and protection.

Table of Contents Description Personality Powers Aspects Realm Activities Relationships Worshipers Clergy Orders Temples Dogma Rites Scripture Holy Days Relics History Myths and Legends

Description

Donaru is portrayed as a variety of races, but all maintain that he is an able-bodied male with silver armor accented with blue. He is often depicted with his greataxe on his back or at his side with a stayed hand raised in front of his chest.
During Starfall, Donaru fell to a mortal form yet to be recorded.

Personality

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Powers

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Aspects

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Realm

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Activities

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Relationships

Donaru is in a constant struggle with his brother, Dregnu. At their best, Donaru and Dregnu argue over how war should be waged. At their worst, the brothers wage outright war against one another.
Donaru has inherited the fiery anger of his father, Affirhet which fuels his feud with his brother. However, he has found more kinship in Arun, who has demonstrated a devotion to justice, though Donaru encourages more compassion and empathy than him.

Worshipers

Prior to Starfall, Donaru was mostly worshiped by youths who have romanticized the role of knights within the world, often joining the clergy in an effort to make a name for themselves. This led to an abundance of adventure and mercenary groups who praise Donaru, as well as regional militaries. As such, he is often called upon by these groups as ”The Crusader” or "The Protector.”
Donaru also has a strong following among Orcish communities, who call upon The Duelist to help settle arguments and guilt. At these times, worshipers rely on their logic and skill to defeat their opponents, rather than the raw force of Dregnu. This is also where his association with the creation of the Trial by Combat began.

Clergy

Donaru’s clergy are known as members of The Order of the Azure Sky. The Azure Sky frequently serve as town guard or within their nation’s armies, but also hold their own chain of command: Page, Squire, Knight, Knight-Quartermaster, Knight Commander, Knight Captain, Lord/Lady Knight, Lord/Lady Knight Commander. As they rise within the temple’s ranks, they are trained in the forging and use of weapons and armor. During wartime, their training is only slowed by limited resources and proper facilities.
Regardless of their role within a city or kingdom, Donaru’s faithful are known for never refusing service or aid to those in distress and are often identified by their azure and silver vestments, especially blue cloaks with silver trim, and use of Donaru’s favored weapon, the greataxe. On the battlefield, followers of the Crusader are also distinguished by bearing Donaru’s symbol on their shield or banner and serve as rallying points for their allies. However, it is not forbidden to hide these in order to gain a tactical advantage either.

Orders

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Temples

Temples to Donaru are known as Houses of the Stayed Hand, but are often indiscriminate from military barracks. They often include extra space within in the event of natural disasters or wartime, and forges for the faithful to repair their arms and armaments.

Dogma

Donaru’s dogma is focused upon guiding The Azure Sky in battle. Their tenants are::

• The greatest priority is to prevent war. When it is inevitable, shorten it.
• Train your mind to circumvent conflict and your hand to end it quickly.
• Support your brothers-in-arms, you fight to protect them as they fight to protect you.
• Be Vigilant.Leave no one behind.
• Don’t seek a martyr’s death, respect those that find one.
• A sound strategy and careful tactics lead to more favorable victories
• Any fool can snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat with fortune’s aide; only a master strategist can ensure lasting victory.
• A battle lost can still lead to a won war.

Donaru discourages duplicity, trickery, rule-breaking, and wanton destruction. Their strong belief that a soldier and, by extension, combat should be honorable, led the way for the modern idea of trial by combat.

Rites

The Azure Sky encourages individual worship in the form of annual pilgrimage to the site of a battle or soldier’s grave. There, the worshiper is to fast and sacrifice a day’s food to the fallen while singing hymns or meditating in prayer with hands empty and open.
When exulted in groups, worship often involves affirmations and a series of poses, with or without weapon in hand.

Scripture

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Holy Days

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Relics

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History

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Myths and Legends

The Bloody Summer As every year, Donaru and Dregnu came to blows over a petty argument and summer began. While different sects create varying accounts of the action, all agree that Donaru believed something Dregnu did went too far, prompting Donaru to forge a new weapon. Donaru went to their father, Affirhet, and made a deal for the components he would need. With materials from the edges of the world, including starstone from Caelumscrinium and mithril from beneath the earth, and tempered in Affirhet’s magical flames, Godslayer was forged. While the weapon was crafted, the battle of summer raged on, stretching beyond Afrejore into Erdember. Crops suffered and the gods grew restless. With the power to destroy Dregnu once and for all, Donaru returned forthright and decimated Dregnu’s forces and cornered his brother. Before he struck the final blow, Donaru stopped himself. Unable to erase his brother from existence and seeing the carnage he had wrecked upon the world, Donaru prompted Dregnu to yield and the two conceded summer so autumn could begin in Setamber that year. While the wars continue to rage each year, summer has been contained from Aruntide through Afrijore. Godslayer, however, has yet to return and may be lost to time.

Donaru

An Open Palm Overlapped by a Battleaxe

Aliases: The Duelist (Orcish); The Crusader; The Protector (Human)
Alignment: Lawful Good
Divine Rank: Seasonal
Portfolio/Domains: Glory, Good, Liberation, Nobility, Protection, Strength, War
Worshipers: Fighters; Half-Elves; Monks; Paladins; Rangers
Favored Weapon: Greataxe