[ther-ee-an]
Basic Information
- Name: Theri’an
- Domain: Beasts, Nature, Tracking
- Title: The Beastmaster, The Wild Fury
- Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
- Symbol: A clawed paw print
- Primary Worship Area: Untamed wilderness
Physical Description
- Appearance:
Theri’an is rarely seen in the same form twice, for he is the essence of all wild things. As a shapeshifter, he takes on the guise of any beast—yet always as the perfect ideal of that creature. A wolf in his shape has eyes that burn with moonlight and fur like wind-swept iron; a bear stands taller than trees with breath like thunder. Even the smallest insect under his guise gleams with unnatural vibrancy and purpose.
When choosing a more humanoid form, Theri’an appears as a towering, feral man his frame rippling with the raw musculature of a predator. His skin is marked by scars and tanned from a life of exposure. A mane of thick, tangled hair, dark as midnight and streaked with earth-tones, cascades down his back like a living cloak.
His eyes, regardless of form, are unmistakable—a golden-yellow glow, slit-pupiled and wild, holding the gaze of all creatures as kin. His voice is a layered growl, deep and resonant, echoing with the calls of multiple beasts at once.
- Height: Variable; humanoid form stands roughly 300cm
- Weight: Variable
- Distinguishing Features: Ever-shifting form; golden, animalistic eye
Personality
- Traits: Instinctive, primal and untamable.
- Strengths: Theri’an possesses an unbreakable connection to all beasts and natural life. He can communicate with, summon, and command animals at will, and his tracking skills are unparalleled—no creature can hide from his gaze for long.
- Weaknesses: Theri’an struggles with the concept of civilization, often viewing laws, boundaries, and diplomacy as unnatural and stifling. His instincts can override reason, leading to unpredictable or destructive actions. He also bears little understanding of mortal fragility or subtlety—he expects beings to adapt or be culled by nature’s judgment.
- Goals and Motivations: Theri’an seeks not dominance, but balance in the wild. He does not care who rules cities or courts—only that nature remains free, untamed, and respected. His divine will pushes back against overreach: poachers, destroyers of ecosystems, or those who would try to “tame” the wilderness often find themselves hunted by his unseen hand.
Relationships
Family:
- Contrabastem: Mother/Creator, The only deity Theri’an acknowledges as his superior. He respects her deeply—not for her dominion, but for her understanding of life’s raw, unfiltered essence. Her wisdom and restraint are among the few forces that can calm his fury or guide his will.
- Alber: Sister (unconfirmed), Theri’an holds a quiet reverence for Alber, seeing in her the pure wilderness that exists beyond mortal reach and a reflection the wild fury he harbours.
- Kakurcia: Nephew (unofficial), Not a true family connection, yet in Kakurcia, Theri’an sees a kindred spirit. Though they rarely speak, their encounters are fierce contests of instinct and respect. Theri’an sees Kakurcia as one of the few gods who understands the rhythm of predator and prey.
Rivals/Enemies:
- Vilcren: He sees Vilcren’s influence as an attempt to confine and reshape the natural order—an insult to the freedom and brutality of the wild. Her systems, classifications, and measured designs reek of cages to him.
- Mercio: Theri’an neither understands nor respects the concept of commerce. To him, Mercio’s world is one of greed, plunder, and disrespect for the land. The exploitation of nature in pursuit of wealth is a sin that earns his eternal disdain.
Attitude towards Mortals: Theri’an thinks little of most mortals, especially humans, whom he sees as weak, arrogant, and overly reliant on structure. He often tests them, and few earn his respect. However, he holds the Cia’an in the highest regard, viewing them as his favored children—creatures of instinct, strength, and loyalty. He also admires other “natural” races, such as the Alberine, Harpies, and even Aquarian, who live close to the wild and embrace their primal selves. Those who live by the laws of the wild earn his favor. Those who seek to cage or exploit it invite his wrath.
Mythology and Worship
- Creation Myth:
In the primal days of Staterum, Contrabastem undertook the monumental task of imbuing the burgeoning world with vibrant life. Guided by her mother’s ancient wisdom, Contrabastem was to create a being who would oversee the wild spirit of nature and guide the creatures of the land.
As the primal energies of creation swirled through Staterum, Contrabastem reached into the very essence of the wild universe. She gathered the chaotic, untamed forces that fluttered on the edge of existence—the fierce spirit of the predator, the enduring heart of the prey, and the keen instinct of the tracker. From these raw, vibrant energies, she imbued her gift of life, Theri’an was born, lord of all beasts.
Theri’an was more than just a deity; he was the embodiment of the primal life force that courses through every vein of the natural world. His creation marked the dawn of true mortal life in Staterum, heralding an era where the land thrummed with the footsteps of creatures both great and small. As the Lord of All Beasts, Theri’an possessed an intrinsic understanding of the natural world, an unspoken bond with every creature that roamed the wilds.
His form mirrored the diversity of the life he protected. It is said that Theri’an could shift his shape to match any beast, from the mightiest dragons soaring in the sky to the smallest critters hidden beneath the leaves.
- Major Cults and Religious Practices:
Theri’an is not widely worshipped by humanity—his wildness too chaotic, his values too opposed to the order and civilization they prize. Instead, his worship thrives among races deeply tied to nature. The Cia’an hold him as their central deity, seeing in him the perfect embodiment of instinct, freedom, and natural strength. Their reverence is woven into their way of life: in the way they hunt, honor their prey, and live in harmony with their environment.
Other primal peoples, such as the Barbearians, offer respect to Theri’an as a spirit of the wild—one to be feared, honored, and occasionally called upon during times of natural upheaval. For them, worship is less about praise and more about acknowledgment of the wild’s sovereignty.
- Festivals:
- Night of Beasts: Celebrated on the first full moon of summer, this is the primary festival in Theri’an’s honor. The Cia’an—and other wildfolk—gather to hunt, howl, and revel beneath the open sky. Participants often dance by firelight, and compete in feats of strength, agility, and endurance. Blood from the hunt is offered to the earth, and stories of the wild’s greatest beasts are shared.
- Clergy and Temples: Theri’an rejects structure, and thus has no formal clergy in the traditional sense. Those who speak on his behalf are not ordained, but chosen through signs in the wild: a mark from a predator, a dream of the great hunt, or survival against impossible odds. These individuals serve more as guides than priests, helping others understand the will of Theri’an through instinct and experience.
Significant Historical Impact
- Major Plot Points in World History:
- The Hunt: In an era of divine trials, Kakurcia dared to hunt the impossible—Theri’an himself. After a relentless pursuit through mountain, storm, and shadow, he not only tracked but struck a blow against the God of Beasts. Impressed by his cunning and courage, Theri’an did not retaliate—instead, he acknowledged Kakurcia as a true peer of the wild. In recognition, he gifted his favored son, Fi’an, to serve as Kakurcia’s squire and companion. This moment cemented Kakurcia’s divinity and earned Theri’an’s enduring respect.
- Protector of the North: During the Age of Darkness, when much of Staterum burned or fell to corruption, the Sabhaile Forest and northern wilds remained relatively untouched. Though never confirmed, the Cia’an believe Theri’an stood watch—his terrifying presence enough to dissuade even the most brazen fiends.
- Artifacts:
- The Pelt of Fi’an: Said to be the pelt of Theri’an’s chosen son, imbued with his primal essence. When worn, the user gains heightened senses, resilience, and a supernatural bond with beasts
Quotes
“The wild does not need your permission. It waits for no king, yields to no god, and forgets no trespass.”
Cultural Reverence
To the Cia’an, Theri’an is the pulse of their world, the unspoken law beneath their paws and the guiding breath of their hunt. He is invoked not through speech, but through action: in the chase, in the kill, and in the respect paid to the fallen. Every hunt is a prayer, every howl a hymn. Their greatest leaders are said to be chosen by the signs Theri’an leaves in claw marks, dreams, and omens in the stars. He is the first and final judge of their worth, and no Cia’an would dare invoke his name lightly.
Living on the threshold of the Ridgeback Forest, the people of Portum have long passed down stories of Theri’an as both guardian and warning. While they do not worship him, they respect and fear him deeply. Children are told of “the Behemoth in the Pines,” a figure that punishes those who exploit the wild or wander too far from the roads. Hunters leave offerings before entering the woods—bones, meat, and carved tokens—to avoid incurring his wrath. For the people of Portum, Theri’an is a presence not to be praised, but never to be forgotten.
The Barbearians were once blessed by Theri’an, living in savage harmony with the natural world. But long ago they fell under the sway of Ormos, whose corrupting influence dulled their instincts and turned them toward rage and war for its own sake. Now, generations later, they strive to realign themselves with Theri’an’s primal path—rejecting excess, returning to the hunt, and testing themselves against the wild once more. Many believe that if Theri’an deems them worthy again, he will send a great beast to walk among them as a sign. Until then, they train, bleed, and survive—hoping to be remembered.