Demigods of Avlis, Volume 1

Aryeh Gidol (Wemics)
Wemics are a centauroid race of lions that exist mainly in two different areas on Avlis. In the west, they roam the plains of the Kurathene Empire. In the east, they inhabit the jungles of Jechran and Drotid. Both lines draw their ancestry from the same roots, and have similar cultures, with minor differences.

Wemics are the creation of the god Balgar, and almost all of their race worships him as "The Son". Balgar is the son of Mikon and a mortal woman whom he conceived with named Aryeh Gidol. Later on, Aryeh's existence was preserved by Mikon, and she came to be equally worshiped by the wemics as "The Mother". Both gods play important roles in the daily lives of the wemic.

All wemics trace their roots through their mothers, who are generally regarded as the elders of the family units or prides. Most prides will wander the plains or jungles where they are accustomed, rarely settling down. They are at one with the land, feeding off of game in the area until they feel it is time to move on to better grounds. Though this existence seems simple, the wemics are by no means primitive. Every pride is networked with all its neighboring units, and through this network, the wemics have a pretty good idea of what passes through their territory.

Kelvos (Lost Love, Star Crossed Lovers, Envy, Lost Causes, Lust)
Before Kelvos became a demigod, he was a wizard of immense power. After many trials and adventures he became an immortal. All his life he was a calculating man who did little that was not to his benefit, at least until he met Lesa. She was like a spring day after a long winter, and thawed out his cold heart. She was a kind person, and encouraged Kelvos to perform many kind and selfless acts to please her. Alas, her father did not approve of the relationship, and when he found that, due to Kelvos’ powerful magics he could not keep the two apart, he sent an assassin to kill him. The assassin came upon the two, walking in the woods holding hands, and took the opportunity to slay Kelvos. Alas, the poisoned crossbow bolt was turned aside by Kelvos’ magics, and struck Lesa instead. She died instantly, and there was nothing that Kelvos could do, aside from tracking the assassin, capturing him, and torturing the truth out of him. He then traveled to the house of Lesa’s father, told him what had happened, then after cursing him to wander forever as a doomed spirit, slew him with a single word.

For many years Kelvos sought to gain enough power to bring his beloved back, but his quest was in vain. As time went by, he began to amass followers, and eventually became a demigod.

After all this time, Kelvos still misses his beloved, and seeks to do things that please her. He also seeks more power in the hope that if he became a true god he would be able to bring her back.

He will oft grant prayers for couples who circumstances place them in jeopardy, and will sometimes tip the balance in favor of someone who seems to have no hope of success. He has been known in the past to steer a person to meet a potential lover.

There is no real hierarchy or formal church of Kelvos. There are many small shrines about the land, and some have caretakers, some do not. For some reason it seems that most clerics are female.

The duties of the clerics are simple - gather more followers, match make, as well as help anyone who seems to be in a hopeless situation.

It is customary for a lovers to make an offering to him. This offering is to appease him, and it is said that, if the offering pleases him, he will leave the couple alone. The proper offering should be made by the woman, at night, and should consist of: a flower, a bottle of wine, a suit of fine clothing, and a small gem or gems. She enters the shrine alone, place the items in the bin, and then kneels, makes a short prayer then backs out of the shrine.