[pay-see-us]
Basic Information
- Name:- Paysius
- Domain: Flagrant Arrogance, Haughtiness, Ignorance
- Title: The Undeserved, The Haughty One
- Alignment: Chaotic Excess
- Symbol: A golden crown with a broken scepter
- Primary Worship Area: No one actively worships Paysius, instead misguided fools seeking Matiodox are often fooled into following Paysius
Physical Description
- Appearance: Paysius is depicted as a truly grotesque, demonic figure, a stark contrast to his self-perceived grandeur. His skin is a pale, sickly hue, marred with cracks and festering sores. His features are twisted and asymmetrical, with a face that appears to be a grotesque parody of handsomeness. Despite his hideous appearance, Paysius adorns himself in the finest clothes and jeweled crowns, wearing opulent robes that drape elegantly over his monstrous form. His expression is haughty and conveys a sense of disdain for others
- Height: 242cm
- Weight: 242kg
- Distinguishing Features: His perpetually, haughty self-important expression. His grotesque sores and blistered skin.
Personality
- Traits: Arrogant, domineering, dismissive, ignorant
- Strengths: Commands and manipulates others through sheer force of personality and presence, instilling a sense of inferiority in those around him
- Weaknesses: His pride is extremely fragile, and he is easily offended and goaded into argument
- Goals and Motivations: Paysius seeks to elevate himself above all others, demanding worship and adoration as the epitome of greatness. He thrives on the submission and subjugation of others.
Relationships
- Allies: Paysius has no true allies, as his perceived superiority and lack of genuine ability have led to disdain even among his fellow Vices. His arrogance and dismissive attitude make it difficult for him to form lasting alliances, and other Vices often tolerate him only as long as it serves their purposes.
- Rivals/Enemies: Matiodox
- Attitude towards Mortals: Paysius views mortals as mere subjects to be dominated and controlled, dismissing their individuality and worth unless they serve his purposes.
Mythology and Worship
- Creation Myth:
Paysius was not born in the manner of most gods, nor did he arise naturally from the shaping of Staterum. His origin instead lies in one of the earliest divine conflicts, when Gahrian defeated Tefylion, one of the Incorporeals that predated the universe itself. Rather than allowing Tefylion’s essence to dissipate beyond creation, Gahrian dragged the defeated being’s soul into the material plane.
Yet a soul without form could not exist there for long. To grant it shape and permanence, Gahrian imbued it with the excess arrogance that dwelt within his own divine nature. Through this act, Paysius was created—the fourth of the Vices of Excess, born not from mortal failing, but from the unchecked flaw of a god.
Like his siblings, Paysius soon turned his nature toward conflict. Drawn by instinct and opposition, he sought war against his counterpart among the Vices of Void, and their clashes contributed greatly to the instability of the young and still-burgeoning universe. Such struggles threatened to unravel what the gods had only just begun to shape.
In time, Gahrian and Alache, recognizing the danger and folly of what had been made, brought the Vices low. Unable—or unwilling—to wholly destroy them, the two gods instead banished the Vices to their own separate planes, removing them from the material world and restoring a measure of order to creation.
- Major Cults and Religious Practices: His followers are often found among those that have fluked success in their lives, or inherited positions of power.
- Rituals: Paysius has many rituals, often overly intricate, complex and lengthy.
- Clergy and Temples: Temples dedicated to Paysius appear grandiose and lavish to his worshippers, however, to outside viewers they appear as little more than hovels or rundown structures, with the lavish decorations being mere illusions or poorly executed facades. The grandeur perceived by the worshippers is a manifestation of their collective arrogance and delusion, blinding them to the true state of their surroundings. Ironically, this works greatly to their advantage however, as it makes it far more difficult to discover them.
Significant Historical Impact
- Major Plot Points in World History:
- Artifacts: Staff of Grandeour
Quotes
”How can I express my grandeur when all I have to compare against is trash?”
Background
Paysius, born from the remains of a defeated incorporeal, quickly embraced his new form, exuding an undeserved sense of superiority and dismissing all others as beneath him. Despite his grotesque and monstrous appearance, Paysius adorned himself in the finest clothes and jeweled crowns, obsessed with projecting an image of grandeur and opulence.
Throughout history, Paysius’s influence has played a role in the rise and fall of empires, often through the arrogance of rulers who believed themselves invincible. His presence has sparked countless conflicts and power struggles, each driven by the desire to dominate and control. Despite having no true allies among the Vices due to his perceived superiority and lack of genuine ability, Paysius remains a formidable force, manipulating those around him to serve his own ends.