Demigods of Avlis, Volume 3
This page contains the text of a book that can be found in game and is IC knowledge.
Xenon (Lycanthropes)
Early legends hold that Xenon was the first lycanthrope on Avlis. His arrival on the planet may have even pre-dated the creation of many of the major Avlissian races, although it is assumed that he was not a deity at that time. The only thing that is known for sure is that lycanthropy has been around since anyone can remember. Human legends surrounding the curse are as old as the race itself, and even the elves can remember fearing it in their early days. It was presumably one of the first evils to plague the planet after the war between the gods and the Negerai concluded.
From other sources in the literature, it is known that there are "True" lycanthropes and "Afflicted" lycanthropes. True lycanthropes are born with the ability to convert between an animal and hybrid animal form, along with a humanoid form in many cases. They can do this at will and are not dependent on any triggering factors. Afflicted lycanthropes are pretty much the same, except that they were not born with this ability but rather obtained it through being bitten or scratched by another lycanthrope. It is a disease, essentially. These lycanthropes most often do not have full control over their form changes, and can be forced to change sometimes through triggers.
Xenon is the originator of both the curse and all breeds of true lycanthropes. It is said that he is a mixture of all known lycanthropic races at once, and that as the humanoid races of Avlis were created, he inflicted them one by one through interbreeding and cursing in the usual way.
Most true lycanthropes worship Xenon, just as many members of the major races worship the god who created them. Major temples to Xenon are known to exist in Grantir and Malekia. A shrine can be found in Deglos.
Paragus (Minotaurs)
Paragus is the mysterious deity and creator of the minotaur race. Nearly all minotaurs revere him in some way, and most worship him exclusively. As a race, the Avlissian minotaurs are fairly ancient. They established themselves on various spots around the planet, with the most well-known place being in the northeastern part of Jechran. The main bulk of minotaur civilization is a theocracy paying homage to Paragus. Those who are not trained as fighters or servants often become his clerics. Most often it is the more intelligent minotaurs which choose this route as an outlet for their brilliance.
Paragus' beginnings are mysterious. It is known that he created the minotaur race, and has little interest outside of it. However, it is not known exactly where he came from. No Avlissian god claims his creation, and in fact Paragus is far older than any Avlissian god which was born during the Age of Peace, nor does any god remember giving him access to the planet.
Followers of other deities worry about this sometimes, because it has been whispered that Paragus may have been created by the Supreme himself, or perhaps by other unknown gods which were created by the Supreme. These mysteries are usually dismissed by clerics who stipulate that no other gods could exist within the same sphere as Avlis without the main gods knowing about it, or even allowing it.
The weretiger Stephanus was a companion of the god Angadar when they were both mortals. Though they were never really fast friends, Stephanus recognized the power that surrounded Angadar and stayed close to him in order to bask in that glow. When Angadar ascended to godhood, Stephanus' strategy paid off and he was placed in charge of the holy city of Grantir, where the drangonari elves were first spotted on Avlis.
Under the leadership of Stephanus, Grantir became a stronghold for the followers of Angadar in a land surrounded by enemies such as the shaahesk and the avariel. Shortly after the leading the armies of Grantir through the destruction of the avariel city of Toostan, Stephanus and his assistant and worldly bodyguard, Bobil, were called to Angadar's side at his realm in Baator, and they ascended as demigods to take their places there.
Though Stephanus had no mantle when he first ascended, he was charged by Angadar to be a guardian of his realm and worshippers. Over time, Stephanus slowly put his exptertise into practice and artfully acquired the mantle of Finesse. His worshippers, who were largely based in Grantir, began to exert their influence in tandem with that of Angadar, while simultaneously staying loyal to the realm and the tutelage of the drangonari's patron deity.
The minotaur Bobil, in turn, was charged with the eternal task of guarding Angadar's realm from attack. For this reason, Bobil does not have too many worshippers, and the few that he does have are mostly serving in the city of Grantir, where Angadar's stronghold in the physical realm is located. As with Bobil himself, the worshippers of this deity all swear themselves to the service of the city and the drangonari elves who inhabit it.