[gahr-ee-an]
Basic Information
- Name: Gahrian
- Domain: Light, Sun, Vigilance
- Title: The Illuminator, Guardian of the Day, Dayman
- Alignment: Excess
- Symbol: A radiant sun with beams extending outward
- Primary Worship Area: Dovus and Hu Dao,
Physical Description
- Appearance:
In his traditional form, Gahrian is the embodiment of the first light that ever touched the universe, a primordial force that commands the skies and the cycles of day and night. His presence is like that of the sun at its zenith—overwhelmingly brilliant and impossible to look at directly. This ethereal form does not possess a traditional face; instead, only a silhouette defined by a halo of blinding, pure light can be seen. Adorning Gahrian’s limbs are numerous golden rings, each crafted from the finest celestial gold and imbued with its own soft, radiant glow. His attire consists of long, flowing robes that seem woven from the fabric of the skies themselves. These robes shimmer with a light golden hue, catching and reflecting Gahrian’s intrinsic luminosity. At the end of these robes are similar golden rings, creating a dazzling display as they sway and flutter with every movement.
Gahrian’s humanoid depiction brings him closer to the beings that worship him. In this form, he embodies the beauty and splendor of a sunny day, his appearance strikingly handsome and radiant. His skin shimmers like molten gold, his eyes are bright as the sky on a cloudless noon, and his hair flows like rays of sunlight, each strand imbued with a life of its own.
In this form he is seen wearing ornate golden armour, a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship, fit for the sovereign of the skies. It is intricately designed, featuring elaborate motifs that represent the cycles of the sun and the orbits of celestial bodies. Each piece of the armor is crafted from celestial gold, polished to a mirror sheen that reflects and amplifies his inherent light. Around his head, Gahrian wears a radiant crown, akin to a halo, that emits a soft but powerful glow. While his cloak, flowing and ethereal, appears as though woven from the very essence of light itself.
- Height: A giant even by the standards of Gods
- Weight: Variable
- Distinguishing Features: A large multi-ringed halo emanating light. Pure white robes that flow like wispy clouds.
Personality
- Traits: Protective, enlightening, confident
- Strengths: Extreme strength and fortitude, master of light and sacred flame.
- Weaknesses: Unknown
- Goals and Motivations: To watch over the world ensuring its protection from the Vices and any other threat to its balance. Gahrian seeks to protect the innocent and guide the lost.
Relationships
Family:
- Alache, Brother, Gahrian and Alache share a bond of mutual respect and collaboration. While their domains differ, they work together to uphold balance and counter threats.
- Statera, Daughter. Gahrian views Statera as a continuation of his and Alache’s will, embodying balance and harmony in the cosmos.
Relations:
- Lux Elves, Favoured people, the Lux elves have long upheld the worship of Gahrian, and consequently have continued to receive his blessings. .
- Lore Keepers, A religious but elusive group rumored to possess the entire history of the gods in their archives.
Attitude towards Mortals: Gahrian is seen as a guardian figure, always watching and guiding, his presence felt by all who bask in the light of day, though there are view that know of his divine protection.
Mythology and Worship
- Creation Myth:
In the nascent moments of the cosmos, when the universe was still cloaked in the impenetrable darkness of the primordial void, the first spark of light flickered into existence. This nascent glow, subtle yet persistent, heralded the birth of Gahrian, the deity of the dawn. As this embryonic light grew in intensity and warmth, it pierced the dominion of the void, casting aside shadows and ushering in the very concept of time.
Gahrian, born from this primal radiance, became the embodiment of the first dawn. His emergence was not just an event but a cataclysm that reshaped the fabric of the cosmos. With deliberate grace and powerful intent, he sculpted the celestial bodies, hurling them across the heavens where they found their places as stars and planets. His greatest creation, the sun, was set ablaze with a portion of his essence. This celestial furnace became the heart of the solar system, driving the cycle of day and night, commanding the tides and seasons, and dictating the rhythm of life itself.
Gahrian’s touch did more than bring light; it sparked the very engine of life. Where his rays touched, barren worlds stirred with potential, awakening to the possibilities of existence. Life, in its myriad forms, began to take root and flourish under his watchful gaze.
Each sunrise is a daily reenactment of Gahrian’s original ascent, a ritual that reaffirms his vigilance and his unwavering commitment to light and life. The first light of each morning recalls the moment when Gahrian dispelled the ancient darkness, a daily reminder to those with open eyes of his foundational role in the cosmos.
- Major Cults and Religious Practices: The Clergy of the Sun God
- Festivals: Festival of Gahrian, celebrated on the first day of spring, this festival marks the return of Gahrian’s strength and the resurgence of light over darkness. Solis Maxim, celebrated during the summer solstice, when Gahrians power is said to be at its zenith.
- Clergy and Temples: Few commonly know temples to Gahrian remain, however discreet shrines in his honour can be found wherever Lux elves reside.
Significant Historical Impact
Major Plot Points in World History:
- During what the Lux elves have come to refer to as the Eclipse War, the world faced an unprecedented threat as shadows, thicker and darker than night itself, began encroaching upon the land. Gahrian, wielding his immense power over light, intervened directly in this conflict. He empowered the mortal armies with his sacred flame, enabling them to drive back the dark forces.
- According to the lore of the Lux Elves, it was Gahrian who initially created the Vices, intending them to be powerful minions that would serve under his radiant command. However, his creations exceeded even his grand ambitions, gaining autonomy and a malevolent will of their own. Overwhelmed by their burgeoning power and dark desires, Gahrian now works tirelessly to contain these beings, forever bound to the cycle of overseeing the very threats he unwittingly unleashed.
Artifacts:
- The Solaris Crown, a legendary helm that imbues the wielder with the radiant powers of Gahrian.
- Gahrians Drift Globe, a seemingly plain drift globe, it contains the power to unleash the suns full power when properly channeled.
Quotes
”Kindness is igniting a light in someone else for no reason other than to watch them enjoy the glow”
Background
Gahrian is the ultimate creator of light and life itself. At the dawn of existence, he emerged from the primordial light, setting the celestial bodies into motion and igniting the sun. Each day, as the sun rises, it reenacts Gahrian’s first ascent into the heavens, reminding us of his enduring vigilance and power. As guardians of his light, we celebrate his creativity and protection, which nourish and sustain all forms of life across Staterum.”
To the Cia’an, Gahrian is revered as Soillse, the Sun God who conquers the cold each spring. He was once the lover of Invera, the harsh Goddess of Winter. Seeing the suffering her reign caused, Soillse turned against her, driving her back with his life-giving warmth. Each year, as winter retreats and spring blooms anew, they celebrate Soillse’s triumph, which brings growth and renewal to their world.
In the eyes of the Dwarves, the Sun is not a deity but the greatest creation of Cazium, the dwarven god of craftsmanship. When the world was veiled in darkness, Cazium forged the Sun from the finest gold found deep within the earth. This celestial jewel, hung in the sky, illuminates the world and powers the dwarven forges. To the dwarves, it symbolizes the pinnacle of divine artistry, embodying the skill and ingenuity of Cazium’s handiwork.
Ancient Depiction
Credit Peter Mohrbacher
Elistar Solis, Lux Pontifex of Gahrian May need to put at end, and make title clearer. (Can’t remember why I had this)