ICE gods

There is a direct correspondence between the Gods of Elanthia and the major pantheons of Shadow World. Most of these are very similar to their I.C.E. Age forms. However, there are differences between them and their intrinsic nature from the Arkati, and the lore has gradually changed over the years. Some older things were designed in the context of now archaic documentation.

Lornon

Eorgina

I.C.E. Age: Orgiana

Official: 1990 - 1995

Intermediate: Eorgina

Official: 1996 - 1998

Eorgina

Greater Goddess

Spheres of Power: Darkness, Domination, Tyranny

Goddess of Darkness, grey flaming steel skin, glowing red eyes, long black silky hair, truly a visage. She seems to prefer female followers, males tend not to last very long in her service. She is unspeakably cruel and delights in the pain of others, males especially. She bides her time for the eventual campaign to rule Elanthia.

Ruler of the Dark Gods. She bestows upon herself the title of Queen of the Gods and works toward the end of either replacing Lumnis at Koar’s side or killing him and taking both their places.

The Queen of Darkness personifies the unrestrained power of tyranny and draws strength wherever one being dominates another, be it a despot with no regard for justice, or a stepmother with no love for her husband’s children. Ironically, her worshippers often include those who have been wronged by tyranny and seek the revenge of returning her favor.

Eorgina’s symbol is red, stylized flames on a field of grey.

Modern: Eorgina

Official: 1998 - Present

Eorgina, Queen of the Dark

Goddess of Darkness, Domination and Tyranny

Eorgina is the Goddess of darkness and ruler of the dark gods. She bestows upon herself the title of Queen of the Gods and works toward the end of taking the places of Koar and Lumnis, or at the least replacing Lumnis at Koar's side. It is incomprehensible to her that Lumnis does not claim the title of Queen of the Gods, as the thought of not taking power where it is offered is beyond Eorgina's understanding.

The Queen of Darkness personifies the unrestrained power of tyranny and draws strength wherever one being dominates another, be it a despot with no regard for justice or a stepmother with no love for her husband's children. Ironically, her worshipers often include those who have been wronged by tyranny and seek the revenge of returning the favor.

Eorgina's preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a beautiful queen wearing the richest and most beautiful of velvet robes and weighed down with lavish jewelry. In manner, she is cruel and destructive with a veneer of royal bearing. Her symbol is red, stylized flames on a field of grey.

Later Development

Eorgina was later developed to have a palace named Li'aerion, with an origin story related to the Drakes Beh'Amant and Eor ail'Giina.

• The History of Eorgina (2003)
• History of Fash'lo'nae (2008)
• Origins of Tonis (2018)

Fash'lo'nae

I.C.E. Age: Kesh'ta'kai

Official: 1990 - 1995

Intermediate: Fash'lo'nae

Official: 1996 - 1998

Fash’lo’nae

Greater God

Spheres of Power: Magic, Forbidden Knowledge, Libraries

He is the master of signs, glyphs, and symbols, of all knowledge arcane. The magic of words and symbols is known better by him than perhaps any other entity. Ordinarily, he’d be considered the ruler of Lornon due to his superior powers, but he is reclusive and has no desire to dominate others. His followers are scholarly men and women, devoted to learning and copying ancient texts, and to mastering the arcane arts. He is much like the Liabo Goddess Lumnis, in his endless quest for knowledge, although he does hate the gods of Liabo for their attempts at controlling Elanthia. His mortal form has short black hair with a steel grey streak, appears about thirty-five, and is cool and calculating - in natural form, he is a tentacled massive creature. Magic of all things is his realm, many believe he is the true path to all arcane power.

Fash’lo’nae, is the Master of Magic and Arcane knowledge for its own sake. He regards the pursuit of esoteric knowledge as an end to itself, and soci- etal or other impacts of that pursuit are of no consequence. Even the gaining of knowledge for personal gain is not a goal, other than as it may make further inquiries, investigations, and experiments possible. Theft, dishonesty, and even murder are acceptable if they further the acquiring of knowledge, particularly arcane or mystical knowledge.

While Fash’lo’nae is certainly frowned upon by many, most do not consider him strictly "evil". In fact, he is credited in several legends with spreading beneficial knowledge that others would have suppressed. (Drakes-Arkati, Arkati-Elves, Elves-Humans). It is generally agreed that Fash’lo’nae brought fire to the mortal races, suffering the wrath of the Great Drakes, although there is dispute as to his motive in doing so. Many call Fash’lo’nae the Grandfather, and his followers contend that he is the eldest of the Gods, even older than Koar himself.

Followers of Fash’lo’nae are a hazard to all about them, since they consider the risks of demon summoning as a paltry price to pay for the potential of increased knowledge.

Fash’lo’nae’s symbol is a yellow, slit-pupiled eye on a field of grey.

Modern: Fash'lo'nae

Official: 1998 - Present

Fash'lo'nae, the Grandfather

God of Magic, Forbidden Knowledge and Libraries

Fash'lo'nae, is the master of magic and arcane knowledge for its own sake. He regards the pursuit of esoteric knowledge as an end in itself, and the societal or other impacts of that pursuit are of no consequence. Even the gaining of knowledge for personal gain is not a goal, other than as it may make further inquiries, investigations, and experiments possible. Theft, dishonesty, and even murder are acceptable if they further the acquiring of knowledge, particularly arcane or mystical knowledge.

While Fash'lo'nae is certainly frowned upon by many, most do not consider him strictly "evil." In fact, he is credited in several legends with spreading beneficial knowledge that others (such as the Drakes and the other Arkati) would have suppressed. It is generally agreed that Fash'lo'nae brought fire to the mortal races, suffering the wrath of the Great Drakes, although there is dispute as to his motive in doing so. Many call Fash'lo'nae "The Grandfather," and his followers contend that he is the eldest of the Arkati, even older than Koar himself.

Followers of Fash'lo'nae are a hazard to all about them, since they consider the risks of demon summoning as a paltry price to pay for the potential of increased knowledge.

Fash'lo'nae's preferred humanoid manifestation is that of an ancient man or woman of scholarly bent. In manner, he is cool and calculating. His symbol is yellow, slit-pupiled eye on a field of grey.

Later Development

Fash'lo'nae contains an archaism easter egg in that "Lo'nae" is Iruaric for "Spirit of the Past." His intermediate form retains the insinuation he is a foreign extraplanar entity, but this is removed from later documentation. He was later developed to have an origin story related to ancient writing.

• History of Eorgina (2003)
• History of Fash'lo'nae (2008)

Gosaena

I.C.E. Age: Kadaena

Official: 1990 - 1995

Empress Kadaena was not actually a deity in the Shadow World setting. She was the Empress of the Lords of Essaence race approximately 100,000 years ago, and was decapitated by her cousin Utha at the end of an apocalyptic war. One source describes her dead body falling through the Gates of the Void near the poles, which were sealed by the Eyes of Utha. Kadaena was listed with the Dark Gods on the SHIFT verb. There are insinuations in both the Shadow World books and the Broken Lands that she may have created the Dark Lords of Charon (Lornon) artificially. There is also an unexplained but implied relationship with Orgiana in both sources, possibly an equivalence in the Broken Lands. The daughter of Kadaena was the ruler of the theocracy of Orgiana in the Second Era of the Shadow World history.

Unique to the stories of The Graveyard and the Broken Lands is the implied ability of Kadaena to see the very distant future, which in context was probably inspired by the Lovecraftian Great Race of Yith who were able to possess beings in the future and knew in advance their own deaths. This is remarkably similar to the modern form of Gosaena as a prophet of death beyond the Gates.

Intermediate: Gosaena

Official: 1996 - 1998

Gosaena

Perhaps a powerful and evil local goddess, she had quite a following in ancient times.

Modern: Gosaena

Official: 1998 - Present

Gosaena, Mistress of Eternity

Goddess of Death

Despite resurrections, deeds, and other ways to return to existence, death is an ultimately final thing. When the bridge between life and death is crossed for the final time, and a soul is allowed through the Ebon Gates, Gosaena is there waiting on the other side. She is the goddess of death. Unlike Lorminstra, when a spirit comes to Gosaena, it will not be returning to the mortal realm.

Gosaena is a pariah among the other Arkati. She is gifted with foresight, most specifically, knowledge of when everyone and everything will die. The Arkati, now gods to the mortal races, had no desire to recall their own mortality and so outcast her. Neither pantheon will claim her, and no one will speak to her save Jastev, whose own talent for foresight makes him sympathetic to her plight.

Gosaena never speaks, except on very rare occasions to Jastev. She is as silent as the grave, and takes the souls due her without regret, compassion or malice, only impartiality.

Gosaena's preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a beautiful woman with pale skin, long silver hair, and ice blue eyes. She wears grey robes and a large grey cloak that covers brilliant white feathered wings. In manner, she is silent and impartial. Her symbol is a silver or grey sickle on a field of green.

Later Development

The Triad of Gosaena was involved in the final destruction of the Griffin Sword. Gosaena is a goddess of neutrality in the modern lore, while earlier forms of her were evil.

Ivas

I.C.E. Age: Inis

Official: 1990 - 1995

Intermediate: Ivas

Official: 1996 - 1998

Ivas

Greater Goddess

Spheres of Power: Unbridled Desire, Lust, and Passion

The Dancer, beautiful four-armed woman with fair skin, green eyes, blonde hair, and is very voluptuous and seductive. Said to be the Goddess of lust and jealousy. Her cults are quite devoted to carnal pleasures including any number of perversions. She has the power to enslave mortals utterly, and often creates havoc among them by using the violence brought about by lust and jealousy. She generally prefers those that cannot control their impulses, in line with Mularos.

Possessing a pair of tentacles where most humanoid beings have arms, and with full sensuous lips hiding a maw filled with shark’s teeth, Ivas cloaks herself in illusion. She appears to the unwary as a woman of unearthly beauty.

Preying on those willing to be seduced, Ivas thrives on the jealousy, distrust, and hatred that results. Often times marked by rotting diseases that defy all cures, her adherents form cults which revel in perverted carnal pleasures. However, their primary goal is the seduction of unwary outsiders.

Ivas’ symbol is a stylized green wisp of smoke on a field of red.

Modern: Ivas

Official: 1998 - Present

Ivas, the Seductress Goddess of Desire, Lust and Passion

Ivas is the Goddess of seduction. Possessing a pair of tentacles where most humanoid beings have arms, and with full, sensuous lips hiding a maw filled with shark's teeth, Ivas cloaks herself in illusion. She appears to the unwary as a woman of unearthly beauty.

Preying on those willing to be seduced, Ivas thrives on the jealousy, distrust, and hatred that results. Often times marked by rotting diseases that defy all cures, her adherents form cults which revel in perverted carnal pleasures. However, their primary goal is the seduction of unwary outsiders.

Ivas' preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a beautiful woman with tentacles in place of arms. In manner, she is sensual and insatiable. Her symbol is a stylized, green wisp of smoke on a field of red.

Later Development

There is now a shrine in the Vipershroud, the Children of Ivas concept, and her Oire followers.

Liabo

The "Lords of Liabo" are the directly based on the Lords of Orhan pantheon who have the following relationships.

Charl

I.C.E. Age: Shaal

Official: 1990 - 1995

Intermediate: Charl

Official: 1996 - 1998

Charl

Greater God

Spheres of Power: Oceans, Storms, Revolution

The God of the sea, father to Niima, sometimes called "The Destroyer", because his anger is like the very worst of sea storms. It is said that he does not care much for creatures from land, and is rarely seen in his human form, preferring to take the form of a Merman, a whale, or a great dolphin. In human form, he is a burly man with blue-white hair and beard, pale skin, and blue eyes which reflect his moody demeanor. He wields a great trident of greenish alloy set with emerald points.

Living apart from his brethren, Charl dwells constantly in the seas of Elanthia, joining the other Gods only when Koar commands. Legend holds that Koar had to send for Charl six times before he appeared. When Koar demanded to know why he was so disobedient, Charl replied that he was always the most obedient of Koar’s servants, but that the waters of the six oceans of the world flowed through his veins, and none could come without the others.

Charl is a dark and violent god, and is renowned for his drastic mood swings. He cares little for the land dwelling races on Elanthia, and is likely to swat a nearby chip with a storm as he is to let it pass untouched. Because of this he is feared by seaman, and few pray to him for fear they might attract his attention. For the same reason, clerics serving Charl, although seldom welcome, rarely come to harm in any place frequented by seamen.

He is also the god of storms of all sorts, and more than one despotic tyrant, overthrown by an angry mob marching under a stormy sky, has sworn it was Charl’s hand that laid him low.

Some clergy contend that Charl is at heart a God of Darkness. Still, there is little doubt that he swears fealty to Koar, and for that reason, if for no other, he is numbered with the Gods of Light.

Charl’s symbol is an emerald trident on a field of blue, or alternately, a silver dolphin on a field of blue.

Modern: Charl

Official: 1998 - Present

Charl, Lord of the Seas

God of the Oceans, Storms and Revolution

Charl is the God of the Sea. Living apart from his brethren, he dwells constantly in the seas of Elanthia, joining the other Gods only when Koar commands. Legend holds that Koar once had to send for Charl six times before he appeared. When Koar demanded to know why he was so disobedient, Charl replied that he was always the most obedient of Koar's servants, but that the waters of the six oceans of the world flowed through his veins, and none could come without the others.

Charl is a dark and violent god, and is renowned for his drastic mood swings. He cares little for the land dwelling races on Elanthia, and is as likely to swat a nearby ship with a storm as he is to let it pass untouched. Because of this he is feared by seamen, and few pray to him for fear they might attract his attention. For the same reason clerics serving Charl, although seldom welcome, rarely come to harm in any place frequented by seamen.

He is also the god of storms of all sorts, and more than one despotic tyrant, overthrown by an angry mob marching under a stormy sky, has sworn that it was Charl's hand that laid him low.

Some clergy contend that Charl is at heart a God of Darkness. Still, there is little doubt that he swears fealty to Koar, and for that reason, if for no other, he is numbered with the Gods of Light.

Charl's preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a towering man with a beard of seaweed and algae, blue and grey robes, wielding a trident. Charl rarely appears except in the sea or the heart of a storm. His lower half is a fish's tail. In manner, he is stern, angry and quick-tempered. His symbol is an emerald trident on a field of blue.

Later Development

• Story of Niima and Charl (2014 posted, but written earlier)
• Origins of Ghezresh (2018)

Koar

I.C.E. Age: Kuor

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description: Tomes of Kulthea #1079 (1990)

Development:

• Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 25 (1989)
• Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 103 (1992)
• Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 139 (2001)
• Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 143 (2003)
• Powers of Light and Darkness; page 88 (2003)

Intermediate: Koar

Official: 1996 - 1998

Koar

Greater God, King of the Gods

Spheres of Power: Justice, Loyalty, Law

Ruler of Liabo, husband to Lumnis, Goddess of Wisdom and Learning. Almost never intervenes in the affairs of mortals but keeps the other gods, of Liabo at least, more or less in line. He never interferes with Lorminstra, however. He appears as a muscular man of middle years, and has a thick mane of flowing snow-white hair. His eyes are greyish, skin ruddy, and is usually seen in a flowing toga-like garment.

Once, he ruled all the Arkati and he is still the titular head of both the Light and Dark Gods. In practice, however, his direct control is only over the Gods of Light. Not since the fall of the Drakes in the Ur-Daemon War has Koar rallied all the Gods to him, and none knows for sure if he could unify the Arkati now, no matter what the cause. Still, it is said that as long as Koar lives, the Gods of Light and Dark will never face each other in open war.

Legend holds that Koar sits on a great throne carved from the stone heart of the world extending up through the tallest mountain in Elanthia. He rarely leaves his throne, and spends most of his time slumbering or brooding. Even when he sleeps, one eye is always slightly open, and while Koar may not intervene in the affairs of Gods of mortals often, there is little that escapes his notice.

The ages say that the mountains of Elanthia rise and fall as Koar’s brow furrows. One day, it is said, when the Gods of Darkness no longer vex their king, and when mortals no longer wage petty wars, the mountains will sink back into the ground and all the world will be a fertile plain. Earthquakes are attributed to Koar shifting restlessly, and before Koar’s brow is smoothed, legend holds he will rise from his throne in wrath, shaking the greatest fortress to rubble. The prophecy is silent as to who or what will be the object of his ire.

Some common folk believe that Koar is not an Arkati, but actually the last of the Great Drakes. No respected scholar actually believes such nonsense, obviously born of chuckle-headed nostalgia.

Modern: Koar

Official: 1998 - Present

Koar, King of the Gods

God of Justice, Loyalty and Law

Koar is the King of the Gods. Once, he ruled all the Arkati and he is still the titular head of both the Light and Dark Gods. In practice, however, his direct control is only over the Gods of Light. Not since the fall of the Drakes in the Ur-Daemon War has Koar rallied all the gods to him, and none knows for sure if he could unify the Arkati now, no matter the cause. Still, it is said that as long as Koar lives, the Gods of Light and Dark will never face each other in open war.

Legend holds that Koar sits on a great throne carved from the stone heart of the world extending up through the tallest mountain in Elanthia. He rarely leaves his throne, and spends most of his time slumbering or brooding. Even when he sleeps, one eye is always slightly open, and while Koar may not intervene in the affairs of gods or mortals often, there is little that escapes his notice.

The sages say that the mountains of Elanthia rise and fall as Koar's brow furrows. One day, it is said, when the Gods of Darkness no longer vex their king, and when mortals no longer wage petty wars, the mountains will sink back into the ground and all the world will be a fertile plain. Earthquakes are attributed to Koar shifting restlessly, and before Koar's brow is smoothed, legend holds he will rise from his throne in wrath, shaking the greatest fortresses to rubble. The prophecy is silent as to who or what will be the object of his ire.

Some common folk believe that Koar is not an Arkati, but actually the last of the Great Drakes. No one living can confirm this notion, however.

Koar's blessing is often invoked during coronation ceremonies, and it is not uncommon for rulers to claim that their particular right to reign bears Koar's approval.

Koar's preferred humanoid manifestation is that of a huge man upon a throne, wearing a gold crown, contemplating the fate of all things. In manner, he is commanding, detached, or weary. His symbol is a golden crown, often set on a circle of white.

Later Development

Koar was central to the Vvrael quest which contained a great deal of comparative mythology and literary allusions. His modern documentation and the Drake's Shrine especially contains references to the apocalypse in the Book of Revelation. The Drake's Shrine requires interpretation and strongly implies he is the "Great Drake", which is a biblical allusion, and unlikely to be consistent with actual official lore developed later. The notion of Koargard is cited in the History of the Turamzzyrian Empire document from 2000 with the possible insinuation of being Mount Aenatumgana.

The detail of Koar as the "Master of Mana" is frozen in time with the Order of Voln steps and the Drake's Shrine. It is not actually mentioned in his Elanthia period documentation.

• History of Lumnis (2003)
• History of Eorgina (2003)
• History of Luukos (2006)
• History of Fash'lo'nae (2008)
• Story of Niima and Charl (2014 posted, but written earlier)
• Origins of Ronan and Sheru (2015)
• Worship in the Turamzzyrian Empire (2015)
• Origins of Tonis (2018)