Ma'ta'ke Gods

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Gods in the Ma'ta'ke Pantheon

Mata'ke

Mata'ke himself is the head of the clan, and the god of snow, judgement, practicality, order, and strength. He is famous for his military cunning which he uses to command the clan of Gods to fend off the forces of Raskara. His abilities as an arbitrator between the other gods is also often applauded in mythological stories, with many historical courts invoking his name as the ultimate judge of all disputes. His physical appearance is that of a golden furred M'sai, wearing thick Nav'twir furs held together by golden clasps. In the case of his battle regalia, over these furs he wears a cuirass of iron with his feet and hands wrapped in thick leather. He wields a simple spear with an iron tip, and keeps a silver studded sword in a scabbard on his left side. On his head he wears a visored helmet of similar material to his curiass with a fabric coif underneath, however most statues omit head wear.

Marryam

Marryam is the wife of Mata'ke and the goddess of settlements, sleep, and parenthood. It is said that when Mata'ke goes to war or is otherwise occupied with fighting, Marryam rules in his stead to keep the divine settlement operating. Her wisdom is often called upon when Tajara face difficulties in tough decisions or dilemmas. Her appearance is of a Njarir-Ahkran with long-braided hair and a royal dress. She is usually depicted sitting on a throne with high arm rests.

Rredouane

Rredouane is the brother of Mata'ke and the god of valor, triumph, and victory. He is a powerful warrior and a revered captain of men who is also known for his love of games and gambling. He is always depicted as an M'sai with silver fur in a full raiment similar to Mata'ke, but with complicated stories of his victories etched into the surface of everything. Many paintings depict him playing dice with mortals, and many pubs and taverns with gambling claim he is their patron deity.

Shumaila

Shumaila is the sister of Mata'ke and the goddess of fortification, chastity, and building. She is the head of the town watch and the architect for all of the Holy Village's most important buildings. When Mata'ke's original hunting party had done battle with the King of Rraknarr, her beloved was killed in the fighting. Ever since then she has resolved to be eternally chaste in dedication to him. She is an M'sai who is depicted wearing modest dresses and carrying a hammer on a belt. She is not known for having much combat prowess despite her position as head of the town watch, but is a capable commander for defensive tactics.

Kraszar

Kraszar is a comrade to Mata'ke, and the son of Druzhmail. He is the god of joy, stories, and language. He is always shown as a Hharar wearing thick robes with a bag of scrolls, and often depicted telling stories. He is attributed as the creator of the Cosmic Chronicle, a holy story which details most of the religion's history and theology. In the past before writing and literacy became common, Kraszarrumalkarii (Story-tellers, the word story being derived from the God's name) would deliver all stories orally from memory, praying to Kraszar for good recollection and rhetoric.

Dhrarmela

Dhrarmela is likewise a comrade to Mata'ke and the daughter of Druzhmail, making her the sister of Kraszar. She is married to Azubarre, the god of love. She is the Goddess of forges, anvils, and craftsmenship, which in old Siik'mas included both blacksmithing and general crafts such as furniture, wagons, and clothing. Her works almost always include intricate inscriptions of stories which her brother Kraszar helps her to devise. All weapons, armor, and general regalia of the gods are made by her, however Mata'ke himself refuses complex inscriptions and instead prefers simplicity in his equipment. She is always depicted as a Hharar wearing a smith's apron with a belt of her tools.

Azubarre

Azubarre is the first-born of Mata'ke and Marryam, and the husband of Dhrarmela, daughter of Druzhmail. He is the god of love, fertility, and marriage. He is said to bless all good marriages, and to put fire into the hearts of lovers to empower them in times of need. He is always shown with Njarir-Ahkran features rather than taking after his father's appearance. His clothing is usually large flowing robes which have become the standard as priest's vestments, and he is usually carrying a burning torch.

The Dead Gods

The "Dead Gods" are a group of five gods in mythology who fell in battle against evil spirits, and whose sacrifice saved Adhomai from certain doom. In death, their spirits themselves were tragically corrupted by the forces of evil, causing them to be turned into Raskara's generals and champions in her fight to kill the gods and conquer Adhomai. Their names are stricken from all texts available to commoners and are believed to be known only to the highest ranking members of the cult of Adhomai in order to prevent them from being worshiped by occasional heretical sects which have come and passed throughout Tajaran history.

Benevolent Entities

S'randarr

The very same sun which is worshiped by those of the S'randmarr faith is known as a benevolent and immortal entity in the Ma'ta'ke pantheon. S'randarr is believed to be the source of all positive energy on Adhoami, which it supplies through an incorporeal aether to the Tajara. The faithfuls assert that this positive energy mends wounds and cures illnesses for mortals, but is of greater use to the gods who can enhance their powers and wield the energy to defeat various evil spirits. Despite all these beneficial traits, the sun is not thought of as sapient, but rather as having the intelligence of an animal. In most mythological stories it requires protection and shepherding from the gods against corrupting and destructive influences.

Ambivalent Entities

Messa

The second sun in the sky which is likewise worshipped by those of the S'randmarr faith, believers in Ma'ta'ke instead merely think of it as the realm where their spirits travel to after they die. Unlike S'randmarr it is believed to be intelligent like Raskara, but neutral and occupied with ensuring spirits of dead Tajara both arrive at its domain and are sealed away for eternal rest. Spirits which fail to be claimed by Messa risk being corrupted by Raskara and added to its evil legions, which has spurred funeral rites of making solid sturdy coffins which are warded by priests with positive energy to protect dead bodies until Messa can take them. The timeless and overwhelming task of attending to the dead which Messa faces have spawned many euphemisms among Tajara relating to exhaustion, encumbrance, and large workloads.

Malevolent Entities

Raskara

Also well known as the Adhomai's moon, it is believed to be the antithesis to S'randarr and the source of all negative energy. Like S'randarr, it is immortal and supplies its energy to all Tajara through the very same aether which positive energy is supplied. Unlike S'randarr which is associated with warmth and life, Raskara is noted for cold and death as nighttime was often lethal for pre-historic Tajara. Unlike its counterpart, Raskara is thought of as being highly intelligent and the ultimate villain of most mythological stories. It spawns evil creatures on the planet's surface, such as cave geists, as well as spirits which the gods are in constant battle with. The motivations behind these attacks are unknown, but many theologians assert that its goal is to conquer Adhomai and enslave all Tajara. The discovery of Raskara's future collision with Adhomai by contemporary Astronomers has caused a heated debate among believers about the meaning of this development in theological terms.

The Holy Village and Honored Mortals

There were many mortals who inhabited their village who were not granted powers when Mata'ke and his clan slayed the King of Rraknarr and ascended to divinity. The gods brought these mortals with them and their descendants still populate the Holy Village to this day. They serve many functions for them, such as harvesting divine crops to feed everyone as well as various tasks of servitude, production, and military service. These are the people who populate the Holy Village and who live among the gods every day.

Descended Ones

The Descended Ones are those whose lineage either traces back to one of the original villagers or to an Ascended One. Descended ones do not receive any special honors and are the bulk of the village's population.

Ascended Ones

A Tajara who is exceptionally virtuous in addition to being powerful, skilled, talented, or productive may be ascended to the Holy Village by the gods if they feel the Tajara would make a helpful addition. Faithful of Ma'ta'ke do not believe in a meaningful afterlife beyond retiring with Messa, leaving ascendancy while still living as the ultimate honor in the faith. Ascended ones are not merely revered on Adhomai by the faithfuls, but in the Holy Village as well. The nature of selection based on mastery of a craft typically means they are the best citizens in their given field of the Honored Mortals. Although the Ascended Ones are honored greatly, ascendancy is not hereditary and their children are Descended Ones.

Forsaken Ones

Honored Mortals who sully their honor by committing crimes or colluding with evil spirits. Their guilt is determined by either Mata'ke or Marryam in court. Being forsaken is a temporary sentence which results in being held in a dungeon, but can also include torture either as a deterrent against future offences or to gather information about possible infiltration by evil spirits. Although the sentences are usually temporary, the stain of dishonor typically lasts for an Honored Mortal's lifetime and leaves most social opportunities closed to them.

The Exiled

If a crime committed by an Honored Mortal is great enough, then they become an exile. Exiles are typically removed from the Holy Village and dropped into the deepest wildernesses of Adhomai. Execution is used as punishment in lieu of exile if the crime is serious enough, such as murder or deliberately allying with evil spirits. Honored Mortals who are executed are still considered Exiled in Kraszar's Cosmic Chronicle.

Venerated Ones

Divinity is not a hereditary trait, but the gods are able to reproduce. Descendants of gods are called Venerated Ones and typically serve as the ruling class in the divine village. Their immense social status from being created by a god is usually enough to lead them to hold positions as mayors, seneschals, and managers. Although all descendants of gods are technically venerated, further degrees of separation from a god brings less honor. A daughter of Mata'ke and Marryam will have far more social standing than their great grandson. The god from which a Venerated One descends from is also important, as Kraszar has outlived many mortal spouses throughout the years. Similarly, Azubarre and Dhrarmela have had many children throughout the village's history. Descendants of the Dead Gods reverted to Descended Ones upon the corruption of their ancestors, an event which caused much chaos in the Holy Village and which draws much ire from those who remember their lineage.