ICE gods

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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. There was a transitional period of a few years where the gods documentation was set in Elanthia, but the details were closer to their less child-friendly Shadow World origins. These "intermediate" forms are also listed.

Lornon

The "Lords of Lornon" are based on the Dark Lords of Charon pantheon of Shadow World which have the following relationships. There was no Pantheon of Neutrality originally. The Charon gods are not actually a true pantheon, they are an unstable truce of rivals who often hate each other. While the Lords of Orhan are known to have originated in a higher plane of existence, there are competing theories on the origins of the Dark Gods. With only a few exceptions the Charon gods are significantly weaker than the Orhan gods, and were banished back to their moon at the end of the Wars of Dominion.

Nature:

The Dark Lords are the most intrinsically powerful forces of "evil" in the canonical Shadow World setting. They are "manifestations of the chaotic aspects of the Anti-Essaence", which is not as extreme as the Unlife itself, which is too alien to be seen or detected in this universe and a collective energy rather than a single entity. The Dark Gods are not bound by its single will to destroy and absorb, but are not completely independent from it like the Dragonlords. Most are incomplete personalities, focused inflexibly on specific things. The servants of the Unlife are usually artful, lordly and distant nihilists; in manner almost the opposite of the Dark Gods, who are vindictive and wantonly violent with their destruction. Whatever their ultimate origins, natural or unnatural, their intrinsic nature is antithetical to the Light Gods.

Status of the Dark Lords:

They are still capable of visiting the world below but in a much more limited fashion. The Lords of Orhan sealed and warded the gates on Charon that had made it easy for them to strike without being greatly weakened by distances. There are enchanted guardians on these portals, and the Lords of Orhan become alerted when such things are tampered with, including objects containing imprisoned dark gods. Orgiana had her own pantheon, which was possibly a subset of Charon gods following her, whose members were mostly destroyed or banished to a demonic plane known as the Black Hel.

The Lords of Essaence had dormant portals on Charon in the First Era, which were ripped open by the unnatural comet Sa'kain in the Second Era. The Dark Lords began appearing as a result of this complication, and their presence forced the Lords of Orhan to reveal themselves to the world. There are subtle inconsistencies in the Shadow World documentation on this issue, such as whether it was 450 S.E. or 1900 S.E., the presence of the Black Hel pantheon dating back to the First Era and Andraax lecturing on the Orhanians in 300 S.E. while they had hidden themselves from the essence lords. The "Emer" book notably has the 1900 S.E. comet incident giving "special access to the negative planes" allowing easy access to the world, which is kept secret, and the 6450 S.E. incident freed them from their "imprisonment" on Charon where after the Wars of Dominion "new guards" were set by the Lords of Orhan to keep them contained on the moon after they were captured one by one and the portals sealed.

Amasalen

I.C.E. Age: Akalatan

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears =20). Eyes: Green. Hair: White. Build: Muscular. Height: 6'4". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/Male. Skin: Bronze. Demeanor: Arrogant. Dress: White silk pants. True Attitude: Cruel. Home: Charon.

A servant of Klysus, Akaltan is also frequently on Kulthea to oversee ritual sacrifices. A striking figure with his white hair and broad, bare chest, he craves human blood and is energized by frenzied religious celebrations. While not as visibly tied to reptilian roots, Akaltan's eyes have slitted pupils, and his tongue is unnaturally long.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 46 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a dark spirit was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence possibly permanently.

  • Status: Dark Spirit of Charon
  • Level: 45
  • Hits: 250
  • Melee: +300 falchion; Missile +280 dagger
  • Mana: 1,260 (180 x 7) powerpoints
  • Profession: Sorcerer.
  • Spells: Base Spell OB +70, Directed Spell OB +140 (Firebolt). Knows all Sorcerer Base lists to 30th Level. Ten Essence and Channeling lists to 20th Level.
  • Special Abilities: As all Dark Spirits of Charon.
  • Skin: Skin is normal flesh except acts as AT 11 (ASG 11) armor.
  • Weakness: The gem called Eissa's Tears force him to retreat within 50 feet, within 10 feet that inflict hits. If enough touch him at once he could be banished.
  • Falchion: Clear laen, +40. "Blade of Go'orth." Unholy. Burns both hot and cold on opposite sides. Inflicts heat and cold criticals of equal severity when crit hit. Steams constantly on edges when drawn from clear laen scabbard.
  • Dagger: +30. Thrown up to 200 feet without range penalty. Returns magically.
  • Diadem: Golden circlet, protects as full helm. 7x powerpoint multiplier.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 46 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 118 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 147 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 153 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 109 (2003)

Evolution:

  • In some books his name is "Akaltan" and others "Akalatan." He is the weakest of the listed Dark Spirits, not including the Dancers of Inis.
  • Akalatan is explicitly the servant of Klysus, whereas other listed Dark Spirits do not have specified masters. He physically resembles Klysus.
  • The theocracy of the Lankan Empire in Emer is in homage of Klysus, where he is treated as a sun god. But later Emer books clarify that the vast majority of the population in practice is part of the Akalatan cult. They believe Akalatan is the demigod offspring of Klysus. His mother is supposedly Zania, who was the wife of the first chieftain, and Klysus is believed to have made her a demi-goddess as a reward. This is not how Dark Spirits of Charon actually work.
  • The manor lords of the Lankan Empire have high standing in the theocracy of Klysus. This is relevant to the original context of the Path of Enlightenment speech in the Order of Vult regarding Fasthr K'Tafali. The manor lords of the "outlying provinces" would be soldiers being rewarded for military conquests. In later books the manor lords are supposed to be blood relatives of Akalatan.
  • Akalatan has two demi-god twin offspring in 4145 Second Era, named Sendar and Seril, who eventually come to power in the Lankan Empire in 6052 Third Era (which is roughly when GemStone III was set in the I.C.E. Age). This involves a powerful artifact belonging to Schrek called the Eye of Agoth. Their mother was the youngest daughter of a King of Thanor in Emer. Akalatan put them in a magical sleep between 4200 Second Era and 6052 Third Era after the Dragonlord Voriig Kye lays waste to Thanor.
  • In Master Atlas 2nd Edition (1992) his name is (mostly) Akalatan, and his falchion is described as Unholy.
  • In Master Atlas 3rd Edition (2001) he is given the title "God of Procreation", with "seductive" added to his demeanor and "voracious" added to true attitude. Adds that in some religions he is called the "son" of Klysus, and that he has many snake tattoos.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) it is said he does not actually compete for followers with Inis and Moralis, because his cults have a different orientation. His ceremonies are far more ritualized and less about carnal pleasure, being focused on procreation and rebirth. However, this is close enough to be rivals with Moralis, who is much more powerful.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) his level is increased to 50, his hits to 350 and melee to 350, with 310 missile for his chakram. The chakram replaces the dagger, being +30 with a 400 foot range and he catches the return in his bare hand. His diadem is narrowed to being a multiplier for Sorcerers.
  • In the Temple of Darkness Poem (1994) he is characterized as a "dark watcher" and "grim reaper" who "gathers the tares." This is remarkable for being completely different from his canonical form. Gathering the tares is a Biblical allusion for separating out the souls of the evil.
  • However, later books covering the Lankan Empire assert that they believe souls of the Devout (women and commoners) go to the Underworld - a place of penance known as the Abyss of Pain - where they have to wait for Akalatan to come retrieve them to be reincarnated. This psychopomp role is somewhat consistent with the Temple of Darkness poem, except he is a rebirth god rather than a death god.
  • In the intermediate period Amasalen was originally depicted in the Luukos shrine using their ICE Age forms.
  • There was no intermediate documentation for Amasalen. However, he later (1999-2002) had story development in Icemule with the Council of Ten, involving the halfling wizard Thurfel.

Intermediate: Amasalen

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Amasalen

Servant of Luukos, he oversees ritual sacrifices and craves human blood. A striking figure with his white hair, muscular frame, bronzed skin and broad, bare chest, Amasalen dresses only in white silk pants. He’s arrogant and cruel, energized by frenzied religious celebrations. Although he’s not related to the reptile family, his eyes have slitted pupils and his tongue is unnaturally long.

Amasalen’s shrine is located outside the west gate, in the Ice Plains, near Icemule Trace.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

There was nothing included for Amasalen, he is not mentioned.

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Amasalen-
Servant of Luukos, he oversees ritual sacrifices and craves human blood. (Akalatan)

Later Form:

- Amasalen -
Servant of Luukos, he oversees ritual sacrifices and craves human blood. A striking figure with his white hair, muscular frame, bronzed skin and broad, bare chest, Amasalen dresses only in white silk pants. He's arrogant and cruel, energized by frenzied religious celebrations. Although he's not related to the reptile family, his eyes have slitted pupils and his tounge is unnaturally long. Shrine - unknown. (Akalatan)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Amasalen is not mentioned in the original History of Elanthia document.

Modern: Amasalen

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

In the modern documentation it is made ambiguous about whether Amasalen is truly a servant of Luukos, with Marlu and Mularos mentioned as other possibilities. This detail seems largely ignored. This is also remarkable as later Shadow World books treat Moralis and Akalatan as rivals. He is rumored to be the ascended form of a Faendryl from before the Undead War, which is an example of GemStone making "ascension" explicitly part of the documentation. (It is not in Shadow World canon itself as an actual phenomenon, though there are Rolemaster books that support it.)

Andelas

I.C.E. Age: Andaras

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears =25). Eyes: Brilliant green/slit pupils. Hair: Shoulder-length, straight, black. Build: Muscular but lithe. Height: 6'8". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/Male. Skin: Very dark. Demeanor: Playful. Dress: Black leather loincloth. True Attitude: Sadistic or indifferent. Home: Charon.

The Lord of Cats is an interesting character, being less single-minded than some of his brethren. He is lord of numerous cat-cults on Kulthea, and has a certain twisted sense of humor when dealing with his minions or their foes. Like a cat, he will toy with his prey before finishing it off.

Andaras' alternate form is - not surprisingly - that of a huge black panther, 8' high at the shoulder.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 40 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Dark Lord of Charon
  • Level: 130
  • Hits: 300
  • Melee: +440 mace; Missile 350lb
  • Mana: 8,320 (1040 x 8) powerpoints
  • Profession: Seer/Mentalist.
  • Spells: Base Spell OB +80, Directed Spell OB +180 (Lightning Bolt). Knows all Open and Closed Mentalist, all Base Mentalist and Seer lists to 50th Level.
  • Special Abilities: As all Gods of Charon.
  • Sceptre: A +40 Mace, ebon rod with silver wrought head resembling cat-head. 2x damage.
  • Collar: Wide segmented golden collar, drapes over shoulder. +100 DB. It transforms and stays within him in cat form. Dozens of jewel inlays in metal plates.
  • Bracers: Golden wristbands. Together are x8 powerpoint multiplier. Shoot lightning bolts, 1x per round 200 feet.
  • Longbow: Black yew. 2x normal range. Fires 2x per round. Of slaying dogs/hounds.

Development:

  • Emer: The Great Continent; page 8 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 40 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 115 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 146 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 151 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 104-105 (2003)

Evolution:

  • Andaras descended to the world below in 3345 Second Era to lead an army in the region of Emer known as Uj. The war lasts two years. He nearly kills the master of Uj, the titan Kio Viax, who had been stubborn about calling the other Masters of Emer for aid. For the next 1500 years the Dark Gods undermine and push back the titans in Emer, who retreat into the isle of Votania. Foul creatures run amok and sadistic cults rule the lands for a few thousand years until the Wars of Dominion when the Dark Lords launch an all out war.
  • In the Master Atlas, 3rd Edition (2001) he is given the title "God of Wisdom", having always been a Seer/Mentalist by orientation. This is not referenced in intermediate or moderate documentation for the Elanthia setting.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003, page 104) he is a god prayed to for visions of the future and prophetic dreams. This becomes the implicit basis for the rivalry then established between him and Scalu, whereas there is no reference to such rivalry between Andelas and Sheru.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" it established he enjoys the night like nocturnal cats, and that his dimly lit palace in the caverns of Charon have many types of cats. Statues of him are cat formed or a man with a cat head. Some cults keep panthers as holy incarnations, letting them chase down victims in great hunts. He is given an alternate form of a black house cat in addition to his black panther form.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (p. 124) it establishes that, as god of wisdom and dark knowledge and prophecy, the enemies of his cult are followers of Valris. Cults of Scalu are considered rivals.
  • The intermediate documentation first establishes that Andelas cults dress up and perform ritualized hunts on humanoids. This is significantly older than the "Powers of Light and Darkness" documentation on similar sacrifices.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" his avatar can control all cats within ten miles, or a projection of him can control up to 4 cats within 1000 feet, but he has to concentrate to do it.
  • Master Atlas 2nd Edition establishes his bracers are 1x per round with a 200 foot range. In "Powers of Light and Darkness" it is 400 feet and 1x per four rounds, but dealing 4x hits.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" it is clarified that Andaras cannot cast spells in his cat forms. The cat form has 600 hit points and claws at +300, with AT(DB) of 11(200).

Intermediate: Andelas

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Andelas

Greater God

Spheres of Power: Felines, Hunting

Lord of Cats, brilliant green eyes with slit pupils, muscular and lithe, with shoulder length black hair. His attitude can be playful, sadistic, or simply indifferent. He greatly enjoys toying with his prey. Upon spotting a huge black panther, eight feet high at the shoulder, you will know that you have been blessed with seeing Andelas in his alternate form. In human form, he’s been noted as appearing about twenty-five with brilliant green slit pupiled eyes, shoulder-length, straight, black hair, and a muscular but lithe build covered by a black leather loincloth.

Andelas is the God of Cats, and so is different to some degree from the rest of the Dark Gods. In fact, were it not for his decidedly sadistic nature, it could be argued that Andelas is not really "evil".

Followers of Andelas form cat-cults, and idolize felines to the point of re-enacting the stalk, the hunt, and the kill, complete with costuming, fangs, and claws. Andelas’ influence is revealed in that the quarry in the re-enactment’s are most often members of one of the humanoid races. Unfortunately, they are rarely as enthused about their own participation as the members of the cult are.

It is rumored that Andelas has an avatar that walks the land known as The Claw of Andelas.

Andelas’ symbol is a black cat’s head on a field of red.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Andelas
Greater God
Spheres of Power: Felines, Hunting
Humanoid Manifestation: While Andelas appears most often as a great cat, in human form he retains his cat-like quality from his eyes to his unusually sharp fingernails.
Demeanor: playful, sadistic or indifferent

Andelas is the God of Cats, and so is different to some degree from the rest of the Dark Gods. In fact, were it not for his decidedly sadistic nature, it could be argued that Andelas is not really 'evil'. 

Followers of Andelas form cat-cults, and idolize felines to the point of re-enacting the stalk, the hunt, and the kill; complete with costuming, fangs, and claws. Andelas' influence is revealed in that the quarry in the re-enactments are most often members of one of the humanoid races. Unfortunately, they are rarely as enthused about their own participation as the members of the cult are. 

It is rumored that Andelas has an avatar that walks the land known as The Claw of Andelas. 

Andelas' symbol is a black cat's head on a field of red. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Andelas-
Lord of Cats, brillant green eyes with slit pupils, muscular and lithe, with shoulder length black hair. His attitude can be playfull, sadistic, or simply
indifferent. He greatly enjoys toying with his prey. Upon spotting a huge black panther, eight feet 'high at the shoulder, you will know that you have been blessed with seening Andelas in his alternate form. (Andaras)

Later Form:

- Andelas -
Lord of Cats, brillant green eyes with slit pupils, muscular and lithe, with shoulder length black hair. His attitude can be playfull, sadistic, or simply indifferent. He greatly enjoys toying with his prey. Upon spotting a huge black panther, eight feet high at the shoulder, you will know that you have been blessed with seening Andelas in his alternate form. In human form, he's been noted as appearing about twenty five, with brilliant green slit pupiled eyes, shoulder-length, straight, black hair, and a muscular but lithe build covered by a black leather loincloth. Shrine - unknown. (Andaras)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Without the dragons controlling them, they began to strive against the others. Eorgina, Goddess of the dark, became their leader. Aligned with her were Ivas, mistress of seduction, Fash'lo'nae, master of the arcane arts, Andelas the Cat, whose joy is others' pain, and V'tull, the dark warrior.

Modern: Andelas

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

The Claw of Andelas was an avatar that appeared and killed adventurers during the First Griffin Sword War (August/September 1996). The meaning of the word "avatar" has become inconsistently used. It is unclear from the documentation whether this should be a specific manifestation of Andelas himself, as in the Shadow World usage, or some special powerful follower like the Dark Alliance high priests which seems to be how the word is used in practice. However, the Claw of Andelas probably existed in the game first, the first document referencing him likely being written later. Andelas is a patron of the Nalfein.

Eorgina

I.C.E. Age: Orgiana

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears =20). Eyes: Glowing red. Hair: Long, Black. Build: Shapely. Height: 5'9". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/Female. Skin: Steel Grey; Aflame. Demeanor: Cruel, Destructive. Dress: None. True Attitude: As Demeanor. Home: Charon/ the Black Hel.

Goddess of Darkness, Orgiana escaped a purge of Dark Godlings in southern Jaiman during the Wars of Dominion. She alone escaped back to Charon, while the others were imprisoned, banished to one of the Outer Planes (a place known as the 'Black Hel') or utterly destroyed. She had a number of serving Spirits, who were also destroyed.

But she has been rebuilding her power, and prepares for the day when she will return to the Shadow World. Cruel beyond belief, she delights in pain. She has a particular loathing for men; her cults are most frequently made up of females who torture and kill the males of their species.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 38 (1990)

Oldest Description:

"Little is known of the origins of the gods of the Nureti. Perhaps the answer to that mystery lies in the source of their greatest and least understood member: Orgiana, Mistress of the Dark. It was she who first contacted V'rama Vair (part IV), when V'rama begged the darkness to give her power. Orgiana appears as a black-haired woman with skin like polished steel, her sleek limbs wreathed in curtains of red flame.

Cult: None. God's Name: Orgiana. Physical Form: Varies. See above. Symbol: The Helm. Primary Power: All of Below."

- Demons of the Burning Night; page 12 (1989)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Dark Lord of Charon (banished)
  • Level: 100
  • Hits: 450
  • Melee: +330
  • Mana: 750 powerpoints
  • Profession: Sorcerer.
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 120, Directed Spell OB 240. Knows all Sorcerer Base, Open and Closed Essence lists to 50th Level. Casts all Magician Base "Fire Law" spells at will, along with a special 5x damage 300 foot range Firebolt ability.
  • Special Abilities: Immune to all heat and flame, cold causes 2x damages to her. Her metallic skin is a natural AT 20 (ASG 20), which is plate armor.
  • Orb of Agony: Rips out the soul of target with 300 feet if they fail to resist vs. 30th level. Soul remains in orb for 1 round for every 10 failure, drains a few temp stats by 1-10 each round. Soul returns to body after released. Within 5 inch range the body is in a coma for -12 "Phases", and certain stats are drained at -1 per phase, with the soul being destroyed if they all reach zero.
  • Firewhip: Hits as +35 flail or else a heat critical. 20 foot range.
  • Tiara of Torment: All within 10 feet at will are at -25 for that round if they fail resistance vs. 20th level. They take 10% of remaining hit points every round under its effect.


Development:

  • Demons of the Burning Night (1989)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 38 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 114 (1992)
  • The Burning Goddess; novel, not source book (1994)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 145 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 151 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 102 (2003)

Evolution:

  • Whether Orgiana escaped to the moon or was banished to the Black Hel is a point of self-contradiction in the Shadow World books. In the later description of Inis she was banished to the Black Hel, and in the "Demons of the Burning Night" adventure module (1989) Orgiana is actually physically present and trapped in the Black Hel. In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (page 102, 2003) there is also a line about the Dark Gods being more dependent on physical forms than their Orhan counterparts, with the banishment of Orgiana used to illustrate the point. Her own description still says she escaped, but implies she is in exile or hiding. In the "Demons" book it says the Lords of Orhan themselves do not know where she is, that it is a "mystery to all", and that it is suspected she is hiding on Charon. This might be reconciled if she escaped to Charon during the purge, was hiding there at first, and became imprisoned in the Black Hel when the Lords of Orhan sealed the gates on Charon.
  • The author of Shadow World has stated (2016) that he only put her in the Charon pantheon because she had been in "Demons of the Burning Night", where it claims it is suspected she is hiding on Charon, and that her followers should be restricted in power as she is not an active deity at present. (The "Powers of Light and Darkness" description of Inis describes her as pleased to not have to compete with Orgiana for female followers any longer and that there would be friction if Orgiana escaped her prison.)
  • The crypt in The Graveyard appears loosely based on aspects of Orgiana's temple and the crypt of the royal palace of Kadaena's daughter from "Demons of the Burning Night", which contains information about Orgiana's Black Hel pantheon which she actually rules. These were the spots the Helm of Kadaena artifact was held, which was Orgiana's symbol in that culture, which Bandur Etrevion could only have known from visions of the future rather than seeing it himself. The Lovecraftian interpretation of Kadaena is unique to GemStone III.
  • The Broken Lands conflates Orgiana and Empress Kadaena along with the Temple of Darkness Poem (1994), which refers to Morgu (Marlu) being the guardian of the "Dark Queen." This may be implying that in the I.C.E. Age of GemStone III, specifically, Orgiana may be the ascended form of the dead Empress. Kadaena was known to use great demons as body guards, and Orgiana has demonic servants made from spirits.
  • The Temple of Darkness Poem is unique to GemStone III and describes a "Mother of Darkness" role that Orgiana does not ordinarily possess, and insinuates Morgu (Marlu) was a "spirit born of death" to serve her. The "silent repose" of death line of the poem for her is used in the crypt of his shrine in the Broken Lands. Morgu is the master of what we call the vruul, which were invented by Empress Kadaena to serve her.
  • The Temple of Darkness Poem describes the Charon pantheon membership as it existed for most of the Third Era. The Broken Lands was sealed off early in the Wars of Dominion which was near the end of the Second Era. These poem details were apparently written to be an anachronistic view of the Dark Lords.
  • The Temple of Darkness Poem suggests she is waiting in sleeping death to return vengefully, like the Kadaena poem in the Temple of Burning Night. This may be implying Lovecraftian themes in context, such as Cthulhu cult-like dream visions, where Kadaena is the analog of Yog-Sothoth and Morgu as Cthulhu.
  • In the later documentation Eorgina is given the "unleashing demonic apocalypse 100,000 years ago" role that Kadaena has in Shadow World. She is given a Dark Queen premise in Elanthia that does not particularly have in Shadow World. Orgiana is not the ruler of the Charon pantheon. However, her Black Hel pantheon is possibly a sub-pantheon of Charon, though it is not explicitly stated.
  • Orgiana and Inis dislike each other as rivals in the Shadow World documentation, but this is not established until "Powers of Light and Darkness" in 2003. There was allegedly a carnal relationship between them in the mid-90s of GemStone III, but this may have been invented by players and does not come from documentation.
  • Shadow World books always describe her as nude, not dressed in royal finery. The later books (2001, 2003) mention wearing her Orb and tiara under "Dress."
  • Orgiana notably lacks a powerpoint multiplier artifact, which would give her drastically less spell-casting ability relative to other deities. However, she has a special flame throwing attack, which could be an innate spell-like ability that does not require casting in that way. "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) clarifies that deities themselves do not actually have limited powerpoints, the statistic refers to how much power they can channel to their avatar before the avatar has to return for recovery.
  • Orgiana as the banished ruler of the Black Hel is an obvious reference to the Norse goddess of the underworld Hel, who ruled over a land of the dead of the same name, part of a general bound monster motif in their mythology. This was the place where those who did not die heroic or notable deaths went, which could conceivably be relevant in a comparative mythological subtext sense to the way the Eissa lore was implemented with Purgatory and the deeds concept, along with her contrast with Empress Kadaena in GemStone III.

Intermediate: Eorgina

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

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.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Eorgina
Greater Goddess
Sphere's of Power: Darkness, Domination, Tyranny 
Humanoid Manifestation: Eorgina appears as a beautiful queen wearing the richest and most beautiful of velvet robes and weighed down with lavish jewelry.
Demeanor: cruel, destructive

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 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 the favor.

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

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Eorgina-
Goddess of darkness, grey flaming steel skin, glowing red eyes, long black silky hair, truely 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. (Origiana)

Later Form:

- Eorgina -
Goddess of darkness, grey flaming steel skin, glowing red eyes, long black silky hair, truely 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. Shrine - unknown. (Origiana)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Without the dragons controlling them, they began to strive against the others. Eorgina, Goddess of the dark, became their leader. Aligned with her were Ivas, mistress of seduction, Fash'lo'nae, master of the arcane arts, Andelas the Cat, whose joy is others' pain, and V'tull, the dark warrior.

Modern: Eorgina

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

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 Vylem gnomes worship her. Eorgina has a temple in Solhaven.

Fash'lo'nae

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

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears =). Eyes: Grey. Hair: Short; Black with grey streak. Build: Average. Height: 6'5". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/Male. Skin: Olive. Demeanor: Cool; calculating. Dress: Hooded robe. True Attitude: Distracted. Home: Charon.

Kesh'ta'kai is the master of signs and symbols. The magic of words and letters is known better by him than perhaps any entity in the Shadow World milieu. This Dark God would be considered mastder of Charon due to his superior powers, but he is relatively reclusive and has no desire to dominate the others. In fact, he (along with Andaras) is in some ways not what one could consider 'evil.' He hates the Lords of Orhan and the Loremasters - and nearly slew one of the Masters of Emer an age ago - but has little wish to dominate the peoples of Kulthea.

In some ways he is still the most dangerous of the Dark Gods. His followers are scholarly men and women, devoted to learning and copying ancient texts, and to mastering the arcane arts. Among these they count the mastering of Demons and the control of Gates and Portals. Unfortunately, their experimenting disrupts the Essaence balance and causes constantly increasing access to the Shadow World by more unpleasant creatures.

In appearance, Kesh'ta'kai is a man of perhaps 30, though his eyes have a much older look, and his hair has a streak of grey. Ironically, his natural form is the most hideous: a tentacled mass which resembles some of the more unspeakable Agothu more than a creature of the Essaence.

Kesh'ta'kai is a master of glyphs (spells cast by tracing luminous symbols in the air) and Power Words. He could paralyze an army in an instant.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 40 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Dark Lord of Charon
  • Level: 140
  • Hits: 600
  • Melee: +350
  • Mana: 6,720 (1,120 base, 6x enhancer)
  • Profession: Mage/Cleric.
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 280, Directed Spell OB -. Knows every list inany realm dealing with Power Words, Runes, Symbols, Signs, and so on. All Magus and Runemaster base lists.
  • Runesword: Silver sword, clear Laen edged. One-handed but strikes as +30 two-handed. Runes reconfigure after hitting a target to become "Of Slaying" that target. 6x powerpoint (mana) multiplier for Essence spells. Stores up to 20 spells of 20th level like a scroll.
  • Robes: Flowing robes with shifting symbols and patterns. Protect as heavy hide, AT 12 (ASG 12).
  • Book: Always has a large tome on him. Contents change depending on his needs.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 40 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 114 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 145-146 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 151 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 103-104 (2003)

Evolution:

  • His "natural form" is compared to the Agothu in early books and becomes explicitly compared to a Tresh in later books (2003), where detailed statistics for that avatar form are given, though the way his form is actually described is almost exactly the same as a Xaastyl. This may be an intentional easter egg in the source books given their shared natures, but was seemingly not established until after the I.C.E. Age of GemStone III.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) his special abilities with glyphs becomes more defined, and creation of the undead (necromancy) is added to the list of hazards of his followers. He is given the title "God of Magic."
  • Fash'lo'nae is broadened into being the master of esoteric knowledge, with merely a preference for arcane and magical knowledge, and made into a god of method and experiments. Kesh'ta'kai in contrast is specifically focused on magic involving glyphs, runes, and "words" such as the sorcerer "Word of Pain" spell (which after a few name changes such as "Throes of Pain" became simply Pain (711).)
  • The sigil staff made in 2018 and Thalior's staff are both similar to Kesh'ta'kai's rune sword.
  • The Legend of Soulingen story refers to Fash'lo'nae as "God of Magic and Forbidden Knowledge". He is "God of Magic, Forbidden Knowledge and Libraries" in the modern documentation, and also includes those three things in the intermediate version. It was added to the play.net website around December 2003.

Intermediate: Fash'lo'nae

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

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.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Fash'lo'nae
Greater God
Sphere of Power: Magic, Forbidden Knowledge, Libraries
Humanoid Manifestation: Fash'lo'nae appears as an ancient man or woman of scholarly bent.
Demeanor: cool, calculating


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 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 yellow, slit-pupilled eye on a field of grey. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Fash'lo'nae-
He is the master of signs and symbols, of all knowledge arcane. Short black hair, with a steel grey streak, cool and calculating. Magic of all things is his realm, many belive he is the true path to all sorcerous power. (Kesh'ta'kai)

Later Form:

- Fash'lo'nae -
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 is superious 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 belive he is the true path to all arcane power. Shrine - unknown. (Kesh'ta'kai)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Without the dragons controlling them, they began to strive against the others. Eorgina, Goddess of the dark, became their leader. Aligned with her were Ivas, mistress of seduction, Fash'lo'nae, master of the arcane arts, Andelas the Cat, whose joy is others' pain, and V'tull, the dark warrior.


Modern: Fash'lo'nae

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

Fash'lo'nae contains an archaism easter egg in that "Lo'nae" is Iruaric for "Spirit of the Past." His intermediate form loses the insinuation he is a foreign extraplanar entity, becoming instead the eldest god in later documentation. Fash'lo'nae was responsible for unleashing the Vishmiir on the world as some form of experiment. (2002) This led to the appearance of the world having stopped spinning, which ushered in the new day/night system. He was later developed to have an origin story related to ancient writing. Trips have been made (as recently as 2017) using vesperti to his library on the Inorios Plateau.

Fash'lo'nae is a patron of the Illistim and Nalfein. The Wardens of the Hallowed Scroll were a group that had many Fash'lo'nae followers 800 years ago with an arctic library in the base of the DragonSpine Mountains. This was encountered along with Nexur around 2010. The Erudites of Fash'lo'nae began in the colleges at Nydds. The Celestial Cenobites were scholars and monks dedicated to him who turned to cannibalism in the Witch Winter.

Gosaena

I.C.E. Age: Kadaena

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Fountains of lava spewed from the tortured earth, washing over verdant lands in a burning tidal wave. Shattered ruins lay where boulders had been hurled like a rain of pebbles to crush glittering cities. Oceans vaporized. The Sun and the Five Moons were lost behind a black cloud of soot.

At last two stood upon the planet which had become one vast battle-field. Kadæna, Empress of the Galaxy and Queen of the K’ta’viiri race, faced her opponent: the rebel Utha. They had the look of siblings but for the glaze of hate in Kadæna’s violet eyes, and the haunted mask which Utha’s face had become. He held in his bleeding hands a sword. A strange barbaric weapon for a time when ships flew between the stars and the people of his race could slay with one thought of their telepathic minds, but the Soulsword was all that could protect him from She who wore the Shadowstone.

Pulsing with a thirsty crimson light, that gem lay upon Kadæna’s breast, held by a heavy chain of black iron. Kadæna thrust her hands forward, palms out at waist height, her bearing one of readiness. “Here we stand at the end of all things, my cousin. Are you well pleased that you have brought about the downfall of your people?” Her words were barbed with psionic knives, but Utha was beyond feeling.

“You destroyed us long ago, My Queen. Better that we die now than live on as a mockery of what we should have been.”

“You wanted my throne!” Her hands snapped forwards and from her fingers lashed twisting bolts of white-hot energy, arcing towards her opponent.

But they splashed aside harmlessly: the sword shielded Utha. It diverted those deadly charges, but it took its own toll on his strength. The earth trembled. He took an unsteady step closer to his cousin.

Again Kadæna attacked with lightning, again the Soulsword absorbed the energy.

The black blade began to glow with a faint silvery light. 

Utha raised the sword, his sinewy shoulders protesting, every muscle trembling with fatigue.

“No!”

The sword flashed in a mighty horizontal arc, severing the beautiful Kadæna’s head.

Groaning in its own pain, the earth opened at her feet, and the Shadowstone tumbled from Kadæna’s shoulders into a fiery crevasse. The Empress of the Galaxy’s body trembled, then disintegrated to dust, floating to the smoking ground.

Utha stood silent for a moment to gather his strength. He touched a finger to his forehead and vanished from that battlefield. The most difficult task was yet to do. 

The Battle for the Shadow World 
The End of the First Era (˜ 112,000 years ago)

- The Grand Campaign, Book One; page 4
- Quoted on a campaign Website

Racial Appearance:

The Lords of Essaence all have some shared physical characteristics, which Kadaena would have possessed herself. Light brown skin, coal-black hair, slit-pupiled deep vibrant violet eyes. Six fingers on each hand, slightly longer and more slender than typical humanoids. No body or facial hair. Inner eyelid. Small ears, more rounded than average humanoids. Generally very attractive, appearing youthful with "graceful but muscular bodies." Men are typically between 6 and 7 feet, women are slightly smaller. Her half-mortal daughter V'rama Vair (unnaturally) has black skin, black hair, and black eyes.

Development:

The fate of Empress Kadaena's body is contradicted by the much older Emer book:

Then the rebellion began, sweeping through the galaxy, returning finally to the home world, where Utha and Kadaena faced each other before the Black Gate of the Void. Utha slew her with the Soulsword and Kadaena's head fell to the ground, her body (and the Shadowstone) sucked into the Black Gate. The world cried out in an agony of relief. Kulthea would have been utterly destroyed if Utha had not at once placed the Eyes at the poles to stabilize the planet. Exhausted by his efforts, he departed; the Era came to an end with the world a wasteland.

- Emer: The Great Continent; page 7 (1990)

(Note: This itself is contradicted on page 64, where Kadaena's body is in a sarcophagus near the south pole, controlled by Lorgalis. The exact timing of these books becoming available compared to the initial design of The Graveyard is unclear. This portal is the analog of The Rift. It is interesting to note "Gates of Oblivion" was replaced with "Ebon Gate", though this is probably coincidental. The Ebon's Gate festival was supposedly named that to not imply Lorminstra's Gate. This is curious as "Ebon Gate" seems to be used in the intermediate descriptions.)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Dead. (Possibly ascended as Orgiana in GemStone III.)
  • Level: Unknown. (Possibly higher than Orgiana, but without the innate deity powers.)
  • Spells: There is a special Level 50 "Fatal Channeling" (an instantly willed death spell) called "Kadaena's Kiss" that melts the flesh off the target, leaving the skeleton alive in agony until eventually the soul is destroyed.
  • Special Abilities: As all other Lords of Essaence.
  • Helm of Kadaena: Black helm with two emeralds and a huge ruby across brow. Constant 10 foot radius of cancelling essence magic, casts level 30 disruption up to 10 times a day against light creatures and light law casters. Darkness in 10 foot radius at will. Immune to illusions. Wearer becomes immune to weapons under +10 enchantment, all poisons, disease, illusions, fear, and sleep. Left emerald adds +30 to resistance rolls (warding) against non-evil channeling, +50 OB to dark channeling spells, stores 50 powerpoints (mana). Right emerald is +30 against non-evil essence, +70 OB to dark essence spells, stores 75 powerpoints, allows flying at will and automatically hastes first round of combat. Ruby is +40 against all mentalist attacks, adds +50 OB to mentalist spells. Gems recharge once per day. Negative side effects include resistances being halved while in daylight, aging 10 years every time hasted by combat (only happens when helm removed), helm tries to fly toward light oriented things within 10 mile radius and has to be resisted by wearer with -20 warding penalty. Only destroyed with Absolute Pure or dropped into the Mount Kadaena volcano. (The history of how and where this artifact was recovered is unknown, Kadaena presumably was not wearing it when she was decapitated.)
  • Shadowstone: Immensely powerful amulet necklace chained with star iron, made using many captured souls and the blood of her infant daughter. Also known as "Kadaena's Heart" and the "Dark Jewel", now in the possession of a Lord of Essaence known as Ondoval. The jewel pulses an angry red when its powers are used, and even the Lords of Orhan fear it. The stone itself is oval, smokey, and multifaceted, with an insanely convoluted surface. Legend holds the stone itself comes from the Pillar of the Gods. (Wearer is immune to Essence and Mentalism spells, able to dispel them at will from 200 feet with a big warding penalty, and also Channeling spells without the penalty. It has very powerful effects of literal darkness and shadows that make it very difficult to approach or harm the wearer. It was only possible to slay Kadaena by wielding a sword that was specially designed to negate or ignore the effects of the Shadowstone. It is a soul devourer and thought to have unique powers according to the wearer.) The Shadowstone is the most powerful artifact of darkness ever created. It was needed by Ondoval to break through the barriers to steal the northern Eye of Utha, akin to the role of the Stones of Virtue in the Vvrael quest.

Evolution:

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 from "The Shadow out of Time" 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. The Purgatory death mechanics makes allusions to "Oblivion" descriptions in certain Lovecraft stories, as well as the "doom" and aeons of cosmic cycles description near the end of "The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath." In the Bandur story Kadaena is acting as the analog of Yog-Sothoth, who is the key and the gate in stories such as "The Dunwich Horror", the guardian of forbidden knowledge and transformation. Morgu's shrine in the Broken Lands is shaped like a skeleton key, probably an allusion to "Through the Gates of the Silver Key". The Dark Shrine is arguably a symbolic anti-parallel to the deed ceremony in the temple of the Landing. There is a Rift room resembling a half-demonic Gosaena with a scythe, but it is slightly older than the modern Gosaena description. This corresponds instead to the Judgement card in Tarot.

Intermediate: Gosaena

Official?: 1996 - 1998

This description should be taken with a grain of salt. It might have been invented by players trying to read meaning into the Graveyard gate in a time period where Gosaena was a visible name without any documentation.

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Gosaena

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

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia"

There was nothing included for Gosaena, she is not mentioned.

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Gosaena-
Perhaps a powerful and evil local goddess, she had quite a following in ancient times. You will learn more about her if you read about Bandur Etrevion. (Kadaena)

Later Form:

- Gosaena -
Perhaps a powerful and evil local goddess, she had quite a following in ancient times. You will learn more about her if you read about Bandur Etrevion. Shrine - unknown. (Kadaena)

Evialla Form:

Gosaena

Goddess of death and cycles, Gosaena had a strong following in ancient times, though in recent times, her powers seemed to have dwindled. 

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

There was nothing included for Gosaena, she was not mentioned.

Modern: Gosaena

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

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. Gosaena was given a sickle as her symbol. The scythe was associated instead with the Huntress. There is a "forbidden pseudo-cult to Gosaena" in Ta'Illistim, and cultists of Gosaena have also appeared in the storyline of Ta'Vaalor freezing over.

Ivas

I.C.E. Age: Inis

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears =25). Eyes: Green. Hair: Blonde. Build: Voluptuous. Height: 6'1". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/Female. Skin: Fair. Demeanor: Seductive. Dress: Diaphanous skirt; veils. True Attitude: Insatiable. Home: Charon.

The Dancer is a lovely woman with fair skin - and four arms. She vies with Moralis for the attentions of weak, seducing those who cannot control their lusts.

Cults of Inis are invariably devoted to the carnal pleasures, including any number of perversions, most of them unspeakable. Her servants infiltrate cultures and bring about their downfall through the violence brought about by uncontrollable jealousy and lusts.

Inis is not a warrior herself, though she can be a formidable opponent in combat, wielding four curved swords with her four arms in a whirling dance of death.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 39 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Dark Lord of Charon
  • Level: 80
  • Hits: 350
  • Melee: +320 (4 attacks/round)
  • Mana: 3,920 powerpoints (560 base, 6x enhancer)
  • Profession: Bard/Mentalist.
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 160, Directed Spell OB 160. Knows all Bard Base lists. Evil Mentalist lists Mind Disease, Mind Subversion, Mind Death. (All Dervish base, all Arcane Coven Allurement, all Houri base lists.) To 50th.
  • Daggers: Four curved blades, golden alloy. Strike as +30 broadswords.
  • Skirts and Veil: AT 12 (ASG 12) armor.
  • Necklace: Plating with milky white stone, called a Lovestone. 7x PP multiplier. Perspiration of someone touches a Lovestone, the person is enslaved to the wearer forever.
  • Dancers of Inis: Her spirit servants.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 38 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 114 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 145 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 151 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 102 (2003)

Evolution:

  • In later Shadow World documentation (2003) Inis and Orgiana are rivals, and Inis is pleased Orgiana is banished to the Black Hel. In GemStone III it was rumored they were romantically involved
  • In the Shadow World documentation in general Inis and Moralis are rivals for followers (preying on the weak-willed who cannot control their lusts for the flesh), which is no longer mentioned in the intermediate and modern documents.
  • Ivas was given tentacle arms in the modern documentation. There was not originally a premise of rotting diseases or razor teeth.
  • Dancers of Inis were not brought forward as lesser spirits into the Intermediate period.
  • The I.C.E. version of Tilamaire considers her to be his nemesis because they are both deities of dancing. This is no longer mentioned in documentation.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) she is given the title "Goddess of Beauty."
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) it is elaborated that her cults are always female and devoted to "carnal pleasures" and perversions. They lure in men and exploit them until they are useless, usually sacrificing them to Inis, torturing them to death and/or sacrificing their souls to her. They capture male slaves for her. She targets male-dominated cultures to be brought down from within by her servants, but she rarely cares about political matters.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) it is clarified she can fight four foes in 360 degrees simultnaeously, and she gains an (8x/appearence on Kulthea) "Kiss of Death" ability. In her human sized form she sucks the life out of the target, absorbing their soul. She gains powerpoints equal to their hitpoints, transforming the victim into a skeletal mummified body. The distance form can be blown from 300 feet away, whether she is normal or large sized, resistance roll of half Inis' level and she does not get powerpoints.

Intermediate: Ivas

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

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.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Ivas
Greater Goddess
Sphere's of Power: Unbridled Desire, Lust, and Passion
Humanoid Manifestation: A beautiful woman with tentacles in place of arms
Demeanor: insatiable

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' symbol is a stylized, green wisp of smoke on a field of red. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Ivas-
The Dancer, beautiful four-armed woman with blond hair, and is very voluptuous and seductive. Said to be the goddess of lust and jealousy. Her cults are quite devoted to well...the more pleasureable pursuits in life. Has the power to enslave mortals utterly. She generally perfers those than can not control thier lusts, inline with Mularos. (Inis)

Later Form:

- Ivas -
The Dancer, beautiful four-armed woman with fair skin, green eyes, blond 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 perfers those than can not control their impulses, inline with Mularos. Shrine - unknown. (Inis)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Without the dragons controlling them, they began to strive against the others. Eorgina, Goddess of the dark, became their leader. Aligned with her were Ivas, mistress of seduction, Fash'lo'nae, master of the arcane arts, Andelas the Cat, whose joy is others' pain, and V'tull, the dark warrior.

Modern: Ivas

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

There is now a shrine in the Vipershroud, the Children of Ivas concept, and her Oire followers. The Vipershroud temple was designed by GM Ioranthe and put there in 2001, but seemingly contains archaic references. It makes an emphasis of "dancers" which is the archaic Inis concept, as well as flame themed friezes and a statue of Ivas holding a spherical ruby with a stylized flame in it. This is seemingly the symbol of Eorgina, whereas there is a wisp of green smoke in the Ivas symbol. This has been interpreted by some as symbolizing Ivas holding the heart of Eorgina in her hand as a throwback allusion. This is only a coincidence, it is an old typographical error. The temple was designed to be reminiscent of art and architecture from the Khmer Empire and the shape of its layout is symbolic.

Ivas has a group in the Turamzzyrian Empire known as the Maidens of Ivas who are often associated with brothels and even travel in large caravans or where imperial soldiers are camped. Their founders were murderous but only some still take their devotions that far.

Luukos

I.C.E. Age: Klysus

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears = 30). Eyes: green/slitted & reptilian. Hair: black; slicked back. Build: Extremely muscular. Height: 7'. Race/Sex: Godlike being/Male. Skin: Bronze. Demeanor: Creepy, yet persuasive. Dress: A long white pleated tunic. True Attitude: Treacherous; sadistic, bloodthirsty. Home: Palace of Golden Sand, Charon. Aka: Soul-taker, The Lizard.

The lizard-god is the God of Death, enemy of Eissa (a Lady of Orhan). While she is the Goddess of Death as well, hers is a clean ending, with the release of the soul. Klysus' death is a tortured sacrifice, where he drinks the blood and devours the very spirit of the dead. He is the Soul-taker.

Very tall, muscular, with skin of an almost metallic bronze color, Klysus has large almond eyes which have slitted, reptilian pupils. His long, forked tongue and fangs are not normally noticeable, though he does speak with a hissing lisp.

Klysus has a continuous thirst for vicitms, and is one of the more frequent visitors to Kulthea to partake personally. One of his most favored groups of followers are the citizens of the Lankan Empire in Tai-Emer.

Klysus' alternate form is of a huge winged snake with a great frilled collar. While he has no limbs, he has the power of levitation and swift flight, and he can cast any spell form any Air or Wind list (any realm), can cast his other spells as normal, and can breathe a Death Cloud of a cone 100 feet long by 30 feet at the far end, which delivers Disruption criticals: 'E', the first round, 'D' the second, etc.

Klysus and his followers are turned back by a lovely but inexpensive gem, Eissa's Tears. Klysus himself can overcome small concentrations of the gems (though at a subtraction). But they can literally kill his priests if they come into direct contact with the gems.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 43-44 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Dark Lord of Charon
  • Level: 100
  • Hits: 300
  • Melee: +300 (trident), +280 thrown
  • Mana: 5,600 powerpoints (800 base, 7x enhancer)
  • Profession: Evil Priest (Necromancer)
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 100. Directed Spell OB 180 (Nether Bolt). Knows all Evil Channeling lists to 50th, Open Channeling Barrier Law, Detection Mastery, and Weather Mastery to 50th Level. (All Necromancer base to 50th from Rolemaster Companion II.)
  • Armor: His skin is like normal human flesh, except it protects as AT 12 (ASG 12) armor.
  • Trident: Blue-green alloy with black eog tips. +40 polearm, thrown up to 200 feet without penalty. Of Slay elves.
  • Amulet: 7x powerpoint (mana) multiplier. Can be used to rip souls out from 100 feet away as a Dark Absolution, storing up to ten souls. The soul gets destroyed when he casts it as a Nether Bolt which does 4x damages.
  • Bracelet: Named "Defender." Casts Deflections or Bladeturn once per round, and adds +50 DB vs. frontal elemental attacks.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 43-44 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 117 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 146-147 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 152 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 107 (2003)

Evolution:

  • The primary form of the Klysus avatar in Shadow World has a lizardlike head, except with fangs and a forked tongue like a serpent. This is given in the form of a drawing on page 44 of Master Atlas Addendum 1st Edition. His alternate bestial form is a flying wingless snake with a frilled collar. He is portrayed this way in archaic death mechanics, and was originally represented this way on Teras Isle which was released in the intermediate period.
  • Klysus and Eissa have always been portrayed as enemies. Necromancy is a much larger aspect of this animosity in the Luukos versus Lorminstra version beginning in the intermediate period. In the Shadow World context it is more about his being a soul destroyer. His theocracy is not undead oriented and in later documentation it is established the majority of its population actually engages with the Akalatan cult which is about procreation.
  • The Order of Vult steps never mention him. However, their origin story in its original context is asserting Fasthr K'Tafali was a manor lord in the theocracy of Klysus in the Lankan Empire, now retconned as the Kannalan Empire which was no such thing. This was absurd for numerous reasons, but the intent of it is not clear.
  • Akalatan is specified as the servant of Klysus. In the modern documentation it is made more ambiguous whether Amasalen is truly a servant of Luukos. In the later Shadow World documentation the Dark Spirit Bogaluth is presumably a servant of Klysus but it is not specified.
  • The "Eissa's Tears" gems do not exist in the game, but the concept of Lorminstra's tears appears in the intermediate period. The "Lake of Tears" has this symbolic value inside Mount Aenatumgana just before The Rift. Klysus is able to overpower small concentrations of the gems without being repelled, but they are fatal to his priests.
  • In the modern period he has a high priest named Morvule, an immortal or "True Luukosian" who appears in the Griffin Sword Wars, and later returns in the Ride of the Red Dreamer storyline where he brings back Tseleth as an arch-lich. There is a Luukosian Order on Elanith.
  • Klysus has some relationship with the warlord Lorgalis, having used his influence to help Lorgalis make the site of Empress Kadaena's sarcophagus one of the Jerak Ahrenreth fortresses. If the shrine in the underground stronghold on the Coastal Cliffs originated in the I.C.E. Age rather than the intermediate period, this probably means one of Kestrel Etrevion's sons was running a Klysus cult before The Dark Path was founded. Kestrel was implicitly serving Lorgalis.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) he is given the title "God of Death & Rebirth", which is a phrase used in the description for Eissa.

Intermediate: Luukos

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Luukos

Greater God

Spheres of Power: Death, Lies

God of Death, "The Soul-taker", enemy of Lorminstra. One gets the feeling that the Gates of Oblivion are Lorminstra’s way to protect the souls of the dead from Luukos, who would otherwise consume and destroy them, drinking their blood and torturing their souls. Very tall, muscular, with almost metallic-bronze hue, he has slitted pupiled, large almond shape eyes. His tongue is forked, has concealed fangs and speaks with a hissing lisp. He wears a long, white pleated tunic in mortal form - his alternate form is a huge winged snake with a frilled collar.

Luukos is the God of Unending Death. Unlike Lorminstra, Luukos shows no reverence for the souls of those who have died. To him they have two uses, either to animate one of his undead minions in his efforts to extend his power, or as sustenance for himself. Luukos’ primary foods are the blood of the dead, and the souls of the recently fallen. Luukos’ form of choice is that of a large green serpent. It is not unusual for survivors of a large battle to report the sighting of such a creature slithering from corpse to corpse on the recently abandoned field of combat.

Luukos’ is able to claim the souls not only of those he takes by force through his undead minions, but also of those who have sullied themselves in life. Thus, Luukos is also the Lord of Lies, and his minions always seek to spread misinformation among mortals. Legend holds that Luukos can snatch the soul of one who has died with a lie on their lips even from Lorminstra, and that the only way to be freed from his hideous jaws is to renounce the lie.

Luukos’ symbol is a green serpent on a brown field.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Luukos
Greater God
Spheres of Power: Death. Lies.
Humanoid Manifestation: Luukos appears as a darkly complexioned man with faintly reptilian features and a forked tongue.
Demeanor: persuasive, treacherous; sadistic

Luukos is the God of Unending Death. Unlike Lorminstra, Luukos shows no reverence for the souls of those who have died. To him they have two uses, either to animate one of his undead minions in his efforts to extend his power, or as sustenance for himself. Luukos' primary foods are the blood of the dead, and the souls of the recently fallen.

Luukos' form of choice is that of a large green serpent. It is not unusual for survivors of a large battle to report the sighting of such a creature slithering from corpse to corpse on the recently abandoned field of combat.

Luukos' is able to claim the souls not only of those he takes by force through his undead minions, but also of those who have sullied themselves in life. Thus, Luukos' is also the Lord of Lies, and his minions always seek to spread misinformation among mortals. Legend holds that Luukos' can snatch the soul of one who has died with a lie on their lips even from Lorminstra, and that the only way to be free from his hideous jaws is to renounce the lie.

Luukos' symbol is a green serpent on a brown field. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Luukos-
God of Death, the Soul-taker, enemy of Lorminstra. One gets the feeling that
the Gates of Oblivion are Lorminstra's way to protect the souls of the dead
from Luukos, who would otherwise consume and destroy them. (Klysus)

Later Form:

- Luukos -
God of Death, "The Soul-taker", enemy of Lorminstra. One gets the feeling that the Gates of Oblivion are Lorminstra's way to protect the souls of the dead from Luukos, who would otherwise consume and destroy them, drinking thier blood and torturing their souls. Very tall, muscular, with almost metallic-bronze hue, he has slitted pupiled, large almond shaped eyes. His tongue is forked, has concealed fangs and speaks with a hissing lisp. He wears a long, white pleated tunic in mortal form - his alternate form is a huge winged snake with a frilled collar. His shrine is located in the underground ruins in the Coastal Cliffs. (Klysus)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

(1)
Also joined with Eorgina were Sheru, bringer of terror and nightmares, Mularos, who twists love to control and destroy, and Luukos, he who feeds on souls.

(2)
For the past two years the Throne of Turamzyrr has been held by the Empress Mynal'lyanna. She is rumored to have the backing of a cult of Luukos. Two of those who contested her claim to the throne were struck down with diseases which defied all treatments, and one was attacked by undead in the first such attack ever recorded in the city of Tamzyrr. The victim was held in confinement until he displayed signs of the Curse of Luukos, and then was mercifully slain before the curse could fully manifest itself.

Modern: Luukos

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

Luukos, Sheru, Mularos, and V'tull were the Dark Alliance gods in the Griffin Sword Wars. The first one was in the intermediate period (mid-90s), and appears loosely based on the Grail sword mythology. The second war was in the mid-2000s, involving some of the same NPCs. Luukosian deathwort has been used as a poison to prevent resurrection in a number of storylines over the years. Luukos has a temple under Solhaven representing the three paths of following him, the paths of lies and death and the balance. There was a "pale priest" NPC there who had transferred his soul into new hosts over the years.

Luukos is known to have a hellish plane of existence known as the Maw of Luukos containing his souls. It is filled with soul scorching green flames called mawfire that are heatless, only burning when coming into contact with flesh. There are various spots on this plane of existence that are lasting gateways leading into the Maw. Luukos speaks with a hissing lisp just as did Klysus.

Marlu

I.C.E. Age: Morgu

Official: 1990 - 1995

Age: ? Eyes: Luminous green. Hair: None. Build: Muscular. Height: 8'. Race/Sex: Godlike being/Male. Skin: Black, glistening. Demeanor: Wantonly cruel. Dress: None. True Attitude: Evil. Home: Charon.

A hideous creature with glistening black skin, leathery wings and large, red claws, Morgu has a distinctly demonic presence, and has been confused with the greater demons - by those who have the time to think about it.

Morgu is frequently accompanied by his favorite pets, the constructs known as Gogor. He has found hundreds hidden away in ancient crypts on Kulthea, and has succeeded in awakening them from their long hibernation after the Great Conflict at the end of the First Era.

Avatar:
The avatar of a dark spirit was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence possibly permanently.

  • Status: Dark Spirit of Charon
  • Level: 70
  • Hits: 350
  • Melee: +350 Claw, +350 Flail
  • Mana: 350 powerpoints
  • Profession: Fighter
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 70, Directed Spell OB 140 (Absolution). Knows all Evil Cleric lists Dark Channels, Diseases, Curses to 30th Level.
  • Armor: Leathery skin protects as AT12 (ASG 12).
  • Flight: Flies up to 600 feet per round (40 miles per hour). Can hover without using his wings, pick up to two passengers in claws.
  • Whip: Strikes as flail, up to 15 feet away.
  • Weakness: Morgu dislikes running water. Takes damage from rainfall, 5 to 50 damage per round in heavy rain.
  • Collar: Iron collar that is purely for decoration.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 46 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 119 (1992)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 110 (2003)

Evolution:

  • Morgu is only a "Dark Spirit" (what we would call a "lesser spirit") in Shadow World. His physical resemblance to the gogor (what we call vruul) and interest in them is never explained in the source books. Post-I.C.E. Age in GemStone III his ancient crypt diving is kept, but his relationship with the vruul is removed. He is turned into a "greater god" and described as possibly Ur-Daemon.
  • Morgu is not mentioned in the 3rd and 4th editions of the Master Atlas. In "Powers of Light and Darkness" it adds that he is often worshipped by goblins and orcs, and that he enjoys tearing men and Elves limb from limb. This is consistent with the "Emer" book from 1990 where he is worshipped by the bestial Charn Raiders.
  • In the I.C.E. Age he is described as a "spirit born from death" and bodyguard of the "Dark Queen" in the Temple of Darkness Poem (1994), which is conflating Empress Kadaena (who was the "Queen of Evil" who invented the gogor in the First Era and had powerful demons as bodyguards) with Orgiana the Lady of Darkness. (However, the exact epithet "Lady of Darkness" comes from later Shadow World documentation, she only had been called Mistress of the Dark before 1994.) In context this is darkly contrasting with Eissa as goddess of death and rebirth, where here there is a demonic ascension and necromancy implication of unnatural transmogrification and forbidden knowledge.
  • The relationship and contrast between Marlu and Eorgina has been a recurring theme which does not exist in the Shadow World books. Eorgina as "mother" originates in the Temple of Darkness Poem, and emerges again in Origins of Tonis (2018).
  • In the Broken Lands his ancient crypt delving is implicitly twisted into Lovecraftian terms, with the stairs to his shrine being an allusion to the Tower of Koth from the "Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath". This way of understanding Marlu as a Cthulhu-like figure of sleep, dreams, and incomprehensible madness has a subtle history. The Tsoran map obscures it by arbitrarily placing an archway on the north side of the hallway for formatting convenience, but the Dark Shrine is shaped like a skeleton key, which is probably an allusion to "Through the Gates of the Silver Key" with vruul creation symbolically anti-parallel to the deeds ceremony in the temple of the Landing.
  • The Marlu lore encodes the Shadow World premise that portals are inherently dangerous and summoning demons weakens the barrier between planes of existence and allows dark power through. It is not mentioned in the Morgu description, but it is cited in the Kesh'ta'kai description.
  • In the intermediate period Marlu loses the red claws and gains fanged / barbed tentacles, which are not possessed by the vruul. The Shadow World version of gogor (vruul) had poisonous tails, and later Shadow World books give them a faintly reptilian appearance.
  • In the modern documentation for Amasalen it is made ambiguous whether he is actually a servant of Luukos, with some people believing his true master is Marlu. In the Shadow World lore they are both lesser spirits, with Akalatan explicitly serving Klysus.
  • Morgu does not have a specified master among the Dark Lords. If there were one in particular it would likely be Z'tarr, and there was allegedly a "Z'tarr training grounds" in the Broken Lands at one point. In the Broken Lands documentation he is instead implied to be a servant of Orgiana. In her earlier Black Hel documentation, it is asserted her pantheon transformed souls into demonic servants.
  • Morgu is not actually anywhere near as big in his Shadow World specifications as the staircase implies in the Broken Lands. This represents instead the gait of something more like the Ordainer which are dozens of feet tall. Dark Lords have the ability to take smaller humanoid forms, but their natural forms (when known/specified) are typically large and hideous.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) he is given the title "Morgu the Beast."
  • The intermediate and modern documents introduce a premise of him devouring still living prey.

Intermediate: Marlu

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Marlu

Greater God

Spheres of Power: Demonic Summoning, Destruction, Power

A hideous demonlike creature, he is the master of the vruul. He has black skin, leathery wings, large luminous green eyes and large, red claws. He is not someone whose attention you want to have - he’s wantonly cruel and favors none.

Often mistaken for one of the greater demons and frequently called the Demon Lord, Marlu delights in death, destruction, and the devouring of still-living prey. Tales tell of Marlu being seen around ancient ruins, prying open old chambers and delving into all manner of spaces. Common legend has it that he seeks others of his kind to loose upon the innocents of Elanthia.

Just as some believe Koar is actually the last Drake, there are those who hold that Marlu is a true Ur-Daemon who sought asylum with the Arkati when the rest of his kind were killed or driven out of this realm of existence.

Marlu derives power from the summoning of demons, one reason that such practices are frowned upon by many worshippers of the Light Gods. Whether his power comes in the same manner as other Arkati, or from the loosening of the portals between dimensions, is unknown. Marlu is also drawn to all manner of destruction. More than any other of the Dark Gods, Marlu seems bent on destruction of a scale so massive that it might actually eliminate the world and all his worshippers with it. While Eorgina personifies power over others, Marlu is the embodiment of personal destructive power. Marlu’s symbol is a black tentacled "star" on a field of grey.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Marlu
Greater God
Spheres of Power: Demonic Summoning, Destruction, Power 
Humanoid Manifestation: Marlu is a gruesome creature with glistening black skin, leathery wings, and fanged tentacles.
Demeanor: Demonic

Often mistaken for one of the greater demons and frequently called the Demon Lord, Marlu delights in death, destruction, and the devouring of still-living prey. Tales tell of Marlu being seen around ancient ruins, prying open old chambers and delving into all manner of spaces. Common legend has it that he seeks others of his kind to loose upon the innocents of Elanthia.

Just as some believe Koar is actually the last Drake, there are those who hold that Marlu is a true Ur-Daemon who sought asylum with the Arkati when the rest of his kind were killed or driven out of this realm of existence.

Marlu derives power from the summoning of demons, one reason that such practices are frowned upon by many worshippers of the Light Gods. Whether his power comes in the same manner as other Arkati, or from the loosening of the portals between dimensions, is unknown. Marlu is also drawn to all manner of destruction. More than any other of the Dark Gods, Marlu seems bent on destruction of a scale so massive that it might actually eliminate the world and all his worshippers with it. While Eorgina personifies power over others, Marlu is the embodiment of personal destructive power.

Marlu's symbol is a black six tentacled 'star' on a field of grey. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Marlu-
A hideous demonlike creature, he is the master of the vruul. He is not really someone whose attention you want to have - you can't get on his good side because he doesn't have one. (Morgu)

Later Form:

- Marlu -
A hideous demonlike creature, he is the master of the vruul. He has black skin, leathery wings, large luminous green eyes and large, red claws. He is not someone whose attention you want to have - he's wantonly cruel and favors none. Shrine - unknown. (Morgu)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Marlu is not mentioned in the original History of Elanthia document.

Modern: Marlu

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

There was a Hunt for History prize item called an "urglaes-set pitted silver talisman" with a Lovecraftian loresong reminiscent of the Broken Lands that mentions the Vishmiir using the archaic language from storylines in that period. This treats Marlu as an incomprehensible entity and a god of nightmares and madness. There is similarly a subtle history in the game of treating the Ur-Daemon as sleeping demon gods who are never truly dead. This loresong includes a description of the sound of a dead man thrashing in a vat of oil, which is quite possibly a modern allusion to how the vruul are created from sacrificial victims. Marlu is other times depicted instead in more stereotypical malevolent demonic terms such as his statue in Solhaven.

Mularos

I.C.E. Age: Moralis

Official: 1990 - 1995

Age: ?  (Appears = 20). Eyes: Blue. Hair: Blond. Build: Muscular. Height: 6'4". Race/Sex: Godlike being/Male. Skin: Fair. Demeanor: Charming. Dress: A fine tunic or silk loincloth. True Attitude: Unspeakably Sadistic. Home: Palace of Tears, Charon. Aka: The Lover.

The God of Love and Pain is one of the more twisted of his pantheon. He appears normally as a very handsome blond young man, virile and charming - though he sometimes assumes female guide, equally beautiful. He visits Kulthea to seduce young women and men. Once he has them in his thrall, he takes them to his palace in the caverns of Charon where he keeps them as slaves. He abuses them in a perversion of love, leaving them bloody and battered, yet they are so taken with him that they fight for the opportunity to be with him. His harem is large but the membership turns over rather frequently.

Moralis' followers differ from Inis' in that they are more self-obsessed and masochistic. Their orgies end with many dead.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 43 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Dark Lord of Charon
  • Level: 110
  • Hits: 600
  • Melee: +400 broadsword, martial arts skills; +400 longbow
  • Mana: 6,600 powerpoints (1,100 base, 6x enhancer)
  • Profession: Mentalist/Bard
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 110, Directed Spell OB 200 (Water Bolt). Knows all Mentalist Base, Evil Mentalist and Bard spells to 50th. All Open and Closed Mentalist to 20th. (All Dream Lord Base to 50th, Arcane Coven Allurement, Houri Base.)
  • Armor: His skin protects as AT11 (ASG 11).
  • Pendant: 6x powerpoint multiplier. Gold pendant with glimmering blue stone.
  • Bracers: Golden wrist and ankle bands. Parry all missile melee attacks with half his OB without reducing his OB. Can simultaneously fight five foes all around him.
  • Sandals: Golden. Utilize any spell from Monk Base "Monk's Bridge Spell" list at will.
  • Bow: +35 longbow, 3x normal range. If a critical happens it is a depression crit instead of a puncture crit. Causes a resistance roll versus 50th level. Failing the warding causes the victim to be hopelessly in love with Moralis, incapacitated (-90 for all activity). Only cure is Remove Curse or Mind Disease Cures spells.
  • Loincloth: Protects hips, lower torso, groin from criticals 90% of hits.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 43 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 116 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 146 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 152 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 107 (2003)

Evolution:

  • The Sword of Moralis is depicted on page 100 of Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition. (1992) It says it is used for rituals. Its details do not seem to be given until "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003).
  • There is a Shadow World cult of followers known as the Moralis Sanctity, which is introduced in later books. In the later books it is also said that his priests summon procreator demons for special rituals, civilized high society types engage in the perversions of the secret cults, and that his victims left on the world below end up mutilating themselves from the suffering of not being with him.
  • In the "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) he is given the title "God of Lust and Pain", and has a broadsword named Drinker which gives spasms of pleasure to the people it kills as they are dying.
  • In the SHIFT verb there was a typographical error calling him "Molaris."
  • Mularos was one of the four Dark Gods represented in both Griffin Sword Wars. The others were V'tull, Sheru, and Luukos.
  • Moralis is a sadist and his follower masochists, whereas Mularos was made into a god who suffers, being alternately dominant and submissive himself.
  • There was a mid-90s story of him, whether Moralis or Mularos at that point, being related to Kai and Phoen. Eonak imprisons him the strongest magic metal he can find (presumably veil iron) deep below the Sea of Fire and then glaes when he almost escapes. This was several years before the Sea of Fire was defined by the History of the Turamzzyrian Empire (2000) document, existing before that as a fiery shaded region on a map (1996) of the northwest of the continent. This is reminiscent of the imprisoned suffering Ur-Daemon in the lava and veil iron cage of the Glaes Caverns a few years later, as well as the Black Hel gods who were imprisoned in eog by Iorak, where the boiling sea around the isle of their theocracy was called the Sea of Fire.
  • In the Stump saved post from December 1996 describing the nature of Arkati and their relationship with the Drakes, Mularos is still described with his Moralis characteristics.

Intermediate: Mularos

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Mularos

Greater God

Spheres of Power: Suffering, Torture

God of Love and Pain, masochistic, a very twisted sort. Like many of the gods of Liabo, he will assume male or female form to seduce mortals. He appears normally as a very handsome blonde haired, blue eyed, young man - and when assuming the female form, is equally as beautiful. He seduces mortals for enslavement and abuses them in a perversion of love, leaving them bloody and battered. His followers and slaves do not last long, for they’ll kill each other for the opportunity to be with him.

Known as "He who is the Sorrow of the World", Mularos is the God of Suffering, both physical and emotional. He draws the most strength from pain inflicted by others. While Mularos is not worshipped by any formal church, cults to him have surfaced from time to time. These are most often collections of sado-masochists, often led by a charismatic, but twisted leader. These cults seduce young followers with a decadent and reassuring life-style, and then bend their minds to dependent love and strict obedience. While the usual end result is mass suicide, it is rumored that there are such cults that have lasted for centuries.

At times, Mularos seems to revel in causing pain, but he feels the pain of mortals at the same time that he draws strength from it. In a sense, he is a victim of mortals as much as they are victims of him.

Mularos’ symbol is a heart with a dagger piercing it, on a field of white.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Mularos
Greater God
Spheres of Power: Suffering, Torture
Humanoid Manifestation: Mularos appears as a young man of delicate features dressed in simple silk robes. Often a slight glimpse of the scars left by manacles can be seen at the hem of his robe, or the bloody mark of a lash below the collar.
Demeanor: charming, sado-masochistic, sad

Known as "He who is the Sorrow of the World," Mularos is the God of Suffering, both physical and emotional. He draws the most strength from pain inflicted by others.

While Mularos is not worshipped by any formal church, cults to him have surfaced from time to time. These are most often collections of sado-masochists, often led by a charismatic, but twisted leader. These cults seduce young followers with a decadent and reassuring life-style, and then bend their minds to dependent love and strict obedience. While the usual end result is mass suicide, it is rumored that there are such cults that have lasted for centuries.

At times Mularos seems to revel in causing pain, but he feels the pain of mortals at the same time that he draws strength from it. In a sense, he is a victim of mortals as much as they are victims of him.

Mularos' symbol is a heart with a dagger piercing it, on a field of white. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Mularos-
God of Love and Pain, a very twisted sort. Like many of the gods of Liabo, he will assume male or female form to seduce mortals. But his followers and slaves do not last long, for they'll kill each other for the opportunity to be with him. (Molaris)

Later Form:

- Mularos -
God of Love and Pain, masochistic, a very twisted sort. Like many of the gods of Liabo, he will assume male or female form to seduce mortals. He appears normally as a very handsome blonde haired, blue eyed young man - and when assuming the female form, is equally as beautiful. He seduces mortals for enslavement and abuses them in a perversion of love, leaving them bloody and battered. Hi followers and slaves do not last long, for they'll kill each other for the opportunity to be with him. Shrine - unknown. (Molaris)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Also joined with Eorgina were Sheru, bringer of terror and nightmares, Mularos, who twists love to control and destroy, and Luukos, he who feeds on souls.

Modern: Mularos

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

Mularos was also one of the Dark Gods in the Dark Alliance in the second Griffin Sword War. He had a high priest named Eryael, as well as another follower named Harith. He has a shrine in Solhaven, and a temple by Ta'Illistim. The dark tower in the hobgoblin village outside Wehnimer's Landing has long been rumored to have been a shrine of Moralis. He was later given an origins story involving the tormented death of the Drake Goragan, another Drake named Athma, and the mutilation of another Arkati named Maigra. In the Keeping up with the Kestrels storyline (2017) Cyph Kestrel had been victimized by Carenos and a cult of Mularos followers. The Sons of Sorrow in the Turamzzyrian Empire reach into combat arenas, underground slave markets, and dark brothels.

Onar

I.C.E. Age: Omir

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears =30). Eyes: Grey. Hair: Black. Build: Slight. Height: 5'9". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/Male. Skin: Fair. Demeanor: Relaxed, Confident, Friendly. Dress: Varies. True Attitude: Cold-blooded, emotionless. Home: Charon.

Omir is known in some circles as the Assassin of Charon. Unlike the other Spirits, he is cooly professional and rarely kills without reason. He is sent to Kulthea to do away with those who the Dark Gods find particularly troublesome.

He particularly likes to assume the Waterform, Mistform, or Flattening to get to his prey.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 45 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a dark spirit was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence possibly permanently.

  • Status: Dark Spirit of Charon
  • Level: 60
  • Hits: 300
  • Melee: +250bs; +180MedCl (2x; poisoned)
  • Mana: 1,800 powerpoints (360 base, 5x enhancer)
  • Profession: Thief/Mystic (Assassin)
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 40, Directed Spell OB 160. Knows the Mystic Base lists Confusing Ways, Hiding, and Mystical Change to 50th. Mentalist Closed lists Movement, Mind's Door, and Shifting to 50th.
  • Special Abilities: As all Dark Spirits of Charon. Fingernails act as Medium Claws that have tiny poison glands unleashing Level 30 nerve poison when criticals hit.
  • Weakness: Scents of lillies of the valley. Cannot approach within 100 feet of the flowers.
  • Dagger: Black eog. Strikes as broadsword.
  • Coverall: +80 to hiding. Shimmering black material that changes color to match surroundings.
  • Boots: Monk Base Monk's Bridge spells to 30th Level. (4x per day)
  • Ring: Plain gold ring. 5x PP multiplier for Mystics only.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 45 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 118 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 147 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 153 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 109 (2003)

Evolution:

  • As a Dark Spirit rather than a Dark Lord, Omir is able to spend indefinite amounts of time on the world. Dark Spirits are more prone to special vulnerabilities, and can potentially be destroyed entirely if they are killed on the world below. He would lose his items if his avatar was slain.
  • In the Temple of Darkness Poem (1994) Omir is described as "patient vengeance, righteous retribution." This is a deviation from his contemporary Shadow World lore, which had not yet associated him with revenge or retribution. The same poem associates Orgiana with revenge, possibly insinuating the later Eorgina-Onar relationship.
  • Given the title "God of Vengeance" starting in Master Atlas, 3rd Edition (2001). This role belongs to the Huntress in the post-I.C.E. Age setting of Elanthia.
  • In Master Atlas, 4th Edition (2003) he is given the title "Thief" in addition to "Assassin of Charon." His coldly professional nature is explicitly contrasted to the other Dark Spirits, but that he is often called upon by those swearing vengeance in anger. Patron of assassins, thieves, others who operate by night and stealth.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) his spirit title is changed to "Omir the Stealthy" instead of "God of Vengeance", and "Thief" is removed from next to "Assassin of Charon", with Daglea the spider themed vengeance spirit becoming the "Mistress of Vengeance." This was significantly later than GemStone's Huntress/Arachne documentation.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) his description is altered again to return the wording that he rarely kills without reason, and qualifies the "particularly troublesome" line with the preference of the Dark Lords to deal with enemies themselves or through their own minions. He is specifically named as patron of the order known as the Cult of Stars.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) his weakness is clarified that he must make a resistance roll (warding) versus his own level (only once) or be turned away. If he comes within ten feet of lillies he must make this roll every minute, or his projection dissolves or his avatar is sent back to Charon.
  • "Onar" is the De-I.C.E.'d name for Omir, but "Onar" is also a region of the continent Emer in Shadow World. It is where A'kesh, the son of the artificer Tethior, resides in a fortress of the Jerak Ahrenreth. It is also where the Shuluri are concentrated.
  • The intermediate documentation introduces a specific premise of Onar usually serving Eorgina, who at that point was given a premise of having worshippers who seek vengeance for being wronged by tyranny. Neither of these comes from Shadow World, with Onar's association with vengeance introduced to Shadow World later.
  • The intermediate documentation introduces the idea that other Dark Gods pay Onar and regularly use him. In the Shadow World lore Omir is not the servant of a specific god, does not require payment, and in the later lore the Dark Gods prefer to do things themselves or use their own minions rather than him. His orientation is eliminating "troublesome" people to the Dark Gods, which then became vengeance oriented, which then reverted back again later.
  • The intermediate documentation changes his "rarely kills without reason" to "never chooses a target without reason."
  • The intermediate documentation introduces the premise that Onar possesses others and almost exclusively acts through others. V'tull was also given possession powers at this time which are not possessed by Z'tarr, the difference being Onar singles out targets and V'tull does mass slaughter.
  • The intermediate documentation makes "homicide" his sphere of power, and keeps his "friendly" outward demeanor. This surface facade of seeming friendly is dropped in the modern documentation and he is called the "patron of homicide." He is called "Assassin of the Gods" rather than "Assassin of Lornon" in both. There is a 2014 legend in Elanthia where Onar is called "patron of assassins" and born of anger and the desire for vengeance, and he invents homicide through possessing the first man to learn fire who is then killed.
  • Castle Anwyn was built and released as part of the Vvrael quest (1997/1998). The kingdom had Onar as its patron. In the Demon Queen of Anwyn storyline his power was rumored to originate in the living stone below ground, and Onar himself intervened to banish the Queen, who was the mother of Terate. Anwyn has various mythological references to fey and water spirits. The choice of Onar in this context might be rooted in the Omir description of preference for killing through shapeshifting water forms which is dropped in the Elanthia documentation. Similarly, Orgiana's banishment to the Black Hel is clearly based on the Norse mythology of the banished goddess Hel, which was located in Niflheim. This is subtextually related the Niebelungliend, where the rulers of Castle Anwyn had the last name Niebelun.
  • Omir's special weakness to "lilies of the field" is a Biblical reference to the Sermon on the Mount, where they are symbolic for lack of concern for material things and struggling for them, paling in comparison to the value of life itself. The lilies are provided for idly as wildflowers. This is essentially the anti-thesis of Omir, who by his inherent nature is a thief assassin.
  • In the I.C.E. Age of GemStone III, there was a period when Omir was allegedly sending demons after a thief class player character, but the details or motivation are not widely known.

Intermediate: Onar

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Lesser God

Sphere of Power: Homicide

The Assassin of Lornon, patron of Assassins. He is not malevolent nor does he seek power, but he is a professional killer who eliminates those the Gods of Lornon find especially troublesome. Cool and calculating, he rarely kills without reason, and is generally found to be relaxed and friendly in his confidence. He appears thirty-something, with grey eyes, black hair and slight build.

Most often working at the behest of Eorgina, Onar’s services are used whenever a single death will achieve Eorgina’s ends.

Onar also serves the other gods, but always at a price. What coin can pay a God is not for mortals to guess at, but the Dark Gods seem to use his services regularly against mortals who cross them. In many courts of law, possession by Onar is a defense to a charge of murder. Such possession can usually be detected by the presence of a skull marking somewhere on the body of the one possessed.

Onar’s symbol is a broken white skull on a field of black.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Onar
Lesser God
Sphere of Power: Homicide
Humanoid Manifestation: Onar's true face is unknown. He acts almost exclusively through the hand of others.
Dress: varies 
Demeanor: friendly
True Attitude: cold-blooded, emotionless 

Onar is known as the Assassin of the Gods. Most often working at the behest of Eorgina, Onar is professionally cold and calculating. He never chooses a target without a reason. His services are used whenever a single death will achieve Eorgina's ends. 

Onar also serves the other Gods, but always at a price. What coin can pay a God is not for mortals to guess at, but the Dark Gods seem to use his services regularly against mortals who cross them. In many courts of law, possession by Onar is a defense to a charge of murder. Such possession can usually be detected by the presence of a skull marking somewhere on the body of the one possessed. 

Onar's symbol is a broken white skull on a field of black. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Onar-
The Assassin of Lornon. He is not malevolent nor does he seek power, but he is a professional killer who eliminates those the gods of Lornon find especially troublesome. Also a patron of assassins. (Omir)

Later Form:

- Onar -
The Assassin of Lornon, patron of assasins. He is not malevolent nor does he seek power, but he is a professional killer who eliminates those the gods of Lornon find especially troublesome. Cool and calculating, he rarely kills without reason, and is generally found to be relaxed and friendly in his confidence. He appears thirty-something, with grey eyes, black hair and slight build. Shrine - unknown. (Omir)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Onar is not mentioned in the original History of Elanthia document.

Modern: Onar

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

The Coastal Cliffs shrine dates back to the late 1990s. The Solhaven shrine was released in 2008. GM Scribes released a legend in 2014 that Onar was created out of the anger and desire for revenge in the backlash of Fash'lo'nae giving fire to mortals, and that he possessed this first man to use fire and killed his cohorts with an obsidian blade until a woman discovered she could murder him first. This is in marked contrast to his cold and emotionless manner, and explicitly associates him with vengeance and anger. This is more likely motivated by the Eorgina revenge motif than Omir from the early 2000s.

This is a retconned association of Onar with obsidian, which is in his Coastal Cliffs shrine; Onar had an association with skulls through the chapel of Castle Anwyn, though the exact timing of it compared to the intermediate gods document is unclear. In the later Shadow World lore it is instead Vult (Voln) that is born through Eissa (Lorminstra) being cut by obsidian in the River of Life, and Omir is not associated with homicide in general. There is in the modern lore a known assassin group of Onar worshippers in the Turamzzyrian Empire known as the Hand of Bones. Onar is respected by the Nalfein of the lesser gods.

Sheru

I.C.E. Age: Scalu

Official: 1990 - 1995

Age: ? (Appears =30 as a human). Eyes: Luminous Yellow (amber as a human). Hair: Black furred hyena head (shiny black hair as a human). Build: Very muscular. Height: 10' (6' as a human). Race/Sex: Godlike being/Male. Skin: Pale. Demeanor: Cold; Emotionless. Dress: A metallic gold kilt. True Attitude: Cruel. Home: Charon.

The bringer of Night (and nightmares), Scalu has a particularly terrifying visage, if only because of its strange fusion. Though he may appear as a handsome human, Scalu's normal form is that of a ten foot tall man with the head of a black hyena.

Scalu is frequently at odds with Reaan, the Lord of Orhan who also sees the Night as his realm. A god named for a constellation of seven stars of different colors in an almost circular arrangement (the ring of Scalu).

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 42 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Dark Lord of Charon
  • Level: 150
  • Hits: 400
  • Melee: +300 (battle axe), +280 (javelin)
  • Mana: 9,600 powerpoints (1,200 base, 8x enhancer)
  • Profession: Mystic (Moon Mage/Dream Lord)
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 150, Directed Spell OB 150 (Ice Bolt). Knows the Mystic base spells, but also every spell involving controlling or manipulating minds.
  • Dream-Cleaver: Large unholy hand-axe striking as a +30 battle axe, used either melee or thrown up to 200 feet and returns. If it inflicts a critical at all on the head, neck, or shoulders, it decapitates the targets.
  • Dreamstaff: Six foot milky-white crystalline rod. 8x powerpoint multiplier. Allows Scalu to scan the minds of all within 100 feet without spell casting. If he says "sleep" all within 100 feet must resist vs. 50th level or fall into deep slumber.
  • Armor: AT 19 (ASG 19). Shimmering silver formed breastplate with etchings and matching greaves. Flowing gossamer surcoat.
  • Javelin: Silver with black tip. +30 and thrown up to 400 feet without penalty. "C" crit or higher it automatically casts the Banishment spell from the Evil Mentalist Mind Domination list. Can also be sent up to 400 miles to seek out a target previously Mind Stored by Scalu at half the OB strength. Teleports back to him.
  • Amulet: Massive silver necklace with 4 inch moonstone echoing Charon's phases. Intelligent artifact. Scalu can view and influence the dreams of anyone on Kulthea he has previously Mind Stored who fails the resistance roll.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 42 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 116 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 146 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 152 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 106 (2003)

Evolution:

  • Scalu is arguably the most intrinsically powerful of the Dark Lords, in spite of the Kesh'ta'kai description regarding his spell abilities. Scalu has a "bewildering" array of spells. However, his spells are narrowly focused on mind effects, while Kesh'ta'kai's are far more diversified.
  • Andraax was terrified of Scalu. Was nearly killed by him at the Battle of Meagris in the Wars of Dominion but saved at the last minute by Cay.
  • In the I.C.E. Age of GemStone III, Estrion attempted to open a special portal to Charon (in what is now called Darkstone Castle) that would have allowed Scalu to come through indefinitely without being weakened by the great distances, but this resulted in a lingering flow storm over the castle.
  • Scalian heralds were Scalu's "Herald of Night" lieutenants who led his demonic legions in the Wars of Dominion. Heralds of Night (referenced as "of Chaos" for "Unlife" in the Sheruvian harbinger description) rode evil black unicorns, but the Scalu ones in GemStone ride nightmare steeds. Heralds were the direct hand servants of evil things like Dark Gods and Dragonlords, with mind controlling swords that imitated the appearance of Valris's sword.
  • There was a player distinction that emerged in the intermediate period of the Darkstone Castle Sheruvians being "Estrionian" (betrayers) and the Broken Lands Sheruvians being "Sheruvian Order." Both areas have a monolith based teleportation network, though the Broken Lands one is broken.
  • The Sheruvian Monastery in the Broken Lands is intermediate period with some out-dated details like having a dead Sabrar in the kitchen. The modern materials documentation was not released until roughly 2001. In the older ICE materials lore, what we call vaalin, veil iron, and krodera were the rarest metals, with vaalin (vaanum) only known to exist on Charon (which technically gets referred to as an "alloy" but has material properties thought to originate from that moon.) This would be why it is so represented in the monastery, and probably why it was the most expensive lockpick material.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) it is established that Scalu and Andaras are rivals for followers, described as 14 feet instead of 10 feet tall, and that dark people pray to Scalu to be protected in their sleep and be guided with dreams. This overlaps the domain of Andaras in the later Shadow World books.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (page 108, 2003) it is established that deities are immune to spells of illusion, control (such as sleep and stun), as well as those targeting the mind or soul. This would drastically limit the ability of Scalu in particular to fight another avatar with magic.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" he is given the title "God of Night & Dreams."
  • There is nothing unusual about his stanza in the Temple of Darkness Poem. (1994)
  • Sheru as a god of insanity, madness, and feeding on fear is more of a GemStone quality from his intermediate and modern descriptions. Scalu's orientation is more narrowly about nightmares. Likewise, he would not have been explicitly a madness god yet when the Sheruvian monastery was built in the Broken Lands, which is implicitly dream themed. There is no rivalry with Zania/Zelia in the I.C.E. versions.
  • In the History of Luukos document (2006) he is described as "an Arkati who had changed drastically since the rule of the Drakes", whereas in the Origins of Ronan and Sheru document (2015) his transformation happens during the rule of the Drakes.

Intermediate: Sheru

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Sheru

Greater God

Spheres of Power: Night, Nightmares, Insanity, Terror

He is the bringer of the night, and nightmares. With luminous yellow eyes, a black furred hyena head, and a cruel attitude, his visage matches his duties. Merely glancing at his in true form has left many mortals babbling for the rest of their short existence. He is frequently at odds with Ronan, who also considers night his realm.

Truly, the God of Terror, and of unbridled fear, Sheru thrives on these emotions in lesser creatures. Only experiencing satisfaction when his efforts unseat a being’s sanity. Sheru will use any means to achieve this end.

Luukos’ undead minions tend to cause more terror than most of the other minions of darkness, and so Sheru and Luukos are allied more often than any of the other Dark Gods.

The insane are often said to have received Sheru’s gift.

Sheru’s symbol is a black hyena’s head on a field of gold.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)


Sheru
Greater God
Sphere's of Power: Night, Nightmares, Insanity, Terror
Humanoid Manifestation: Sheru appears as a large man with a black furred hyena's head.
Demeanor: cold; emotionless, cruel

Sheru is the God of Night and Nightmares. Truly the god of terror, and of unbridled fear, Sheru thrives on these emotions in lesser creatures. Only experiencing satisfaction when his efforts unseat a being's sanity, Sheru will use any means to achieve this end.

Luukos' undead minions tend to cause more terror than most of the other minions of darkness, and so Sheru and Luukos are allied more often than any of the other Dark Gods.

The insane are often said to have received Sheru's Gift.

Sheru's symbol is a black hyena's head on a field of gold. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Sheru-
He is the bringer of night, and nightmares. With luminous yellow eyes, a black furred hyena head, and a cruel attitude, his visage matches his duties. Merely glancing at him in true form has left many mortals babbling for the rest of thier short existance. He is frequently at odds with Ronan, who also considers night his realm. (Scalu)

Later Form:

- Sheru -
He is the bringer of night, and nightmares. With luminous yellow eyes, a black furred hyena head, and a cruel attitude, his visage matches his duties. Merely glancing at him in true form has left many mortals babbling for the rest of thier short existance. He is frequently at odds with Ronan, who also considers night his realm. Shrine - unknown. (Scalu)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Also joined with Eorgina were Sheru, bringer of terror and nightmares, Mularos, who twists love to control and destroy, and Luukos, he who feeds on souls.

Modern: Sheru

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

The Sheruvian Monastery in the Broken Lands appears to be intermediate period, with certain archaisms such as having a dead Sabrar on their kitchen (their messaging implies they are cannibals or at least eat other humanoids.) Sheru was changed to having a jackal's head instead of a hyena's head in more modern documentation, where an antagonism is also introduced between him and Zelia (now neutral instead of Lornon affiliated) on the issue of madness. He was later given a temple below Solhaven.

Sheru was one of the Dark Alliance gods in the Griffin Sword War (August/September 1996), and was again in the second war (2002-2003) where his high priest was Draezir. Ronan and Sheru were later given a common origin in a story involving a Drake called the Shadow With Wings and a dream world realm. Prior to this point there is no implication of the two being related, and in their Shadow Realm forms have completely different origins.

V'tull

I.C.E. Age: Z'tarr

Official: 1990 - 1995

Age: ? (Appears =30). Eyes: Black/Luminous red. Hair: Silver. Build: Muscular. Height: 6'8". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/Male. Skin: Marble-white. Demeanor: Determined. Dress: Black silk tunic or Black chain shirt. True Attitude: Righteous, Obsessive, Vengeful. Home: Charon.

Z'taar is one of the more terrifying Dark Gods, partly because he seems almost mindless in his pursuit of followers and the destruction of his enemies.

A fearsome warrior, he wields the Slayer with a grim vengeance. He is the unofficial champion of Charon, though he will rarely enter battle on behalf of any other God. Z'taar's cults are always oriented towards warfare and dominating less martial cultures. He faced Cay (the greatest warrior among the Lords of Orhan) in single combat once during the Wars of Dominion, but the contest was inconclusive - interrupted by a shattering Flow-storm which swept them apart. Between them lies a grudging mutual respect.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 42 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Dark Lord of Charon
  • Level: 140
  • Hits: 800
  • Melee: +500 (2-handed sword)
  • Mana: 700 powerpoints
  • Profession: Fighter
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 70. Knows all Monk Base lists to 50th level, and Cleric lists Dark Lore and Light Lore.
  • Black Armor: Chain armor of black eog links, only reaches to upper thigh as tunic. Protects along with armbands as AT 20. All non-evil Essence spells must resist vs. 50th level or be cancelled.
  • Sword: +35 two-handed sword of black eog named Slayer. Has silvery edge of Vaanum, which is native to Charon. (Book calls it an "alloy.") 3x damage and Slaying criticals for all critical hits. Center of blade near hilt has large flat ruby that rips out souls. Critical hits require target to resist Dark Absolution or else have soul destroyed. All frontal attacks may be parried up to 1/2 his OB without any penalty to his OB. Sword is intelligent and cannot fumble attacks.
  • Helm: Black eog with skull faceplate.
  • Gauntlets: Keron alloy. Makes Z'tarr immune to heat, cold, and critical hits.
  • Armbands: Silver. Protect as greaves.
  • Surcoat: Crimson cloth. Continuously weapon deflects all attacks behind and flanking him by -100.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 42 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 115 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 146 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 151-152 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 105-106 (2003)

Evolution:

  • Z'tarr has almost identical information in all of the Master Atlas books. He is one of the most powerful Dark Lords.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) the wording regarding his cults changes to say "less aggressive cultures," and that he encourages martial power over all else. The weak must be crushed and enslaved to serve the strong, and his own followers are treated without mercy for failing to stand up to rigorous standards. The patron of despots, tyrants, and brutal warlords.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) he has the ability to fight four others simultaneously in 360 degrees and can "double haste" himself attacking all four at once. In his large 12 foot size he can swing at four targets at once with Slayer, the hits only being reduced by one critical level. When double-sized Slayer does 4x damage and an additional critical of same severity.
  • He is given the title "God of War" starting in Master Atlas, 3rd Edition (2001). In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) he is explicitly named the patron of petty despots, tyrants, and warlords.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) there is an image of what he looks like on page 105.
  • While the story has them fighting to a draw because of a flow storm, Cay is objectively more powerful than Z'tarr, especially with spells but also in martial combat and level. Z'tarr notably does not use a powerpoint multiplier artifact.
  • The Order of Vult (Voln) in GemStone has a dream where there is a sword and there appears the word "Slayer." It is unclear what this means; if it is a reference to Z'tarr or Kadaena, or something or nothing at all.
  • Z'tarr supposedly had a Z'tarr training grounds in the Broken Lands at one point.
  • Z'tarr is the Dark God of domination and in later documentation is explicitly the patron of tyrants. In the intermediate and modern periods Orgiana is changed to Eorgina and given tyranny and domination as part of an evil queen motif, while V'tull becomes focused on blood lust and berserker violence.
  • The intermediate form of V'tull introduced his having ecstasy over the sight of blood, making his motivation bloodletting for any excuse rather than Z'tarr's brand of tyranny. His armor is red from bloodstains instead of the fabric color, and is described as towering over all he meets. It retained the premise that he is more active with followers than most gods, and his demeanor/attitude has remained unchanged. He is only modernly the "Berserker." It introduced the premise of him possessing warriors, making their eyes black and turning them into killing machines, with devotees even in places his worship is banned for fear of warriors turning under him. Loosely speaking, V'tull is chaotic evil, while Z'tarr is lawful evil.

Intermediate: V'tull

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

V’tull
Greater God

Spheres of Power: Combat, Bloodlust

God of warfare and domination. His weapon is simply named the Slayer. His eyes are either black and impassive, or glowing red when he is in battle, his skin marble white, rippling with muscles, his hair silver. He is the champion of Lornon, the moon where the true ones dwell. His demeanor is determined, attitude righteous, obsessive and vengeful. If you are marked by V’tull, you can count your existence in only the time until he turns his attention to you.

The sight of the life’s blood of any creature seems to fill V’tull with ecstasy. Given his nature, he has spent all of his efforts in perfecting his fighting abilities and in using them at every opportunity.

While all the gods rarely manifest themselves among mortals, V’tull does so more often than most. He regularly enters into the bodies of warriors, who’s eyes are said to turn black as night when this happens, and turns them into machines of killing. His willingness to divinely inspire assures that his devotees among the martial classes are many, even where his worship is prohibited by those who fear their warriors will turn against them.

V’tull’s symbol is a black scimitar on a field of red.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

V'tull
Greater God
Sphere's of Power: Combat, Blood Lust
Humanoid Manifestation: V'tull has marble-white skin, coal-black eyes, and towers above all he meets. He is always dressed in armor so stained in blood that it's true color cannot be known.
Demeanor: determined, righteous, obsessive, vengeful

V'tull is the Champion of the Dark Gods Almost single-minded in his goal of bloodletting for its own sake, the sight of the life's blood of any creature seems to fill V'tull with ecstasy. Given his nature, he has spent all of his efforts in perfecting his fighting abilities and in using them at every opportunity. 

While all of the Gods rarely manifest themselves among mortals, V'tull does so more often than most. He regularly enters into the bodies of warriors, who's eyes are said to turn black as night when this happens, and turns them into machines of killing. His willingness to divinely inspire assures that his devotees among the martial classes are many, even where his worship is prohibited by those who fear their warriors will turn against them. 

V'tull's symbol is a black scimitar on a field of red. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-V'tull-
God of warfare and domination. His weapon is simply named the Slayer. His eyes are either black and impassive, or glowing red when he is in battle, his skin marble white, rippling with muscles, his hair silver. He is the champion of Lornon, the moon where the true ones dwell. His demeanor is determined, attitude rightious, obsessive and vengfull. If you are marked by V'tull, you can count your existance in only the time until he turns his attention to you. (Z'Tarr)

Later Form:

- V'tull -
God of warfare and domination. His weapon is simply named the Slayer. His eyes are either black and impassive, or glowing red when he is in battle, his skin marble white, rippling with muscles, his hair silver. He is the champion of Lornon, the moon where the true ones dwell. His demeanor is determined, attitude rightious, obsessive and vengfull. If you are marked by V'tull, you can count your existance in only the time until he turns his attention to you. Shrine - unknown. (Z'Tarr)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Eorgina, Goddess of the dark, became their leader. Aligned with her were Ivas, mistress of seduction, Fash'lo'nae, master of the arcane arts, Andelas the Cat, whose joy is others' pain, and V'tull, the dark warrior.

Modern: V'tull

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

The Eye of V'tull is a region on Teras Isle, which has a flow storm called the Felstorm. The modern documentation for V'tull is the same as his intermediate form. V'tull was one of the Dark Alliance gods in the Griffin Sword Wars. His avatar was present commanding the movement of the Miscere'Golab monstrosity which was constructed from the corpses of Elven soldiers. There is an underground cult of V'tull in Ta'Vaalor, where he is not one of their patrons. The Prisma Relics form a veil iron maul that together grants the wielder V'tull power of possession, with one of its parts possessed by a V'tull sect called the Brotherhood of the Sacred Fury.

Zelia

I.C.E. Age: Zania

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears =25). Eyes: Grey. Hair: Silver. Build: Statuesque. Height: 6'. Race/Sex: Godlike Being/Female. Skin:. Demeanor: Spaced. Dress: Silver breastplate, grey tunic. True Attitude: Insane. Home: Charon.

Zania is called the Keeper of the Moon by her followers, and it is believed that she drives a spectral chariot through the sky, towing the moon Charon. She is also reputedly insane, and sends her followers to the same twisted end.

She does indeed drive a misty chariot pulled by spectral grey stallions to Kulthea, where she haunts the tormented souls of its inhabitants.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 47 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a dark spirit was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence possibly permanently.

  • Status: Dark Spirit of Charon
  • Level: 50
  • Hits: 280
  • Melee: +250 hammer; Missile +300 longbow
  • Mana: 2,100 (300 x 7) powerpoints
  • Profession: Astrologer/Evil Mentalist.
  • Spells: Base Spell OB +100, Directed Spell OB +180 (Moonfires True, 300' firebolt striking as depression and cold criticals). Knows all Astrologer, Evil Mentalist, and Moon Mage lists to 50th Level. Ten Open and Closed Mentalist and Channeling lists to 20th Level.
  • Special Abilities: As all Dark Spirits of Charon.
  • Sceptre of the Moon: Strikes as +30 hammer. Silver rod. Milky-white orb, spiked head.
  • Longbow: +30 longbow. 2x normal range, delivers additional Depression critical on top of any other.
  • Armor: Gleaming silver breastplate and graves AT 17 (ASG 17). Form-fitting.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 47 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 119 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 147-148 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 154 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 110 (2003)

Evolution:

  • Zania was originally part of the Dark Gods pantheon until the modern documentation. There was no Pantheon of Neutrality for roughly the first decade of GemStone III.
  • Zania is only a Dark Spirit, rather than a Dark Lord, in terms of her power. She would lose her items if killed and would actually be dead. It also means she would be a servant of a Dark God, possibly even Scalu given he is the nightmare god.
  • There is no stated Zania/Scalu rivalry as there is between Sheru and Zelia. Scalu is a nightmare god and knows spells that can cause insanity, but he is not notably a god focused on madness. Zania was always an Astrologer but was not explicitly linked to divination until later documentation.
  • In Master Atlas, 2nd Edition (p. 119, 1992) and onward she is describe as having "fair" skin. The information is missing in the 1st edition addendum. In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (p. 110, 2003) her skin is instead "very pale", her hair long and flowing, and her eyes sometimes glow white.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) she is elaborated. Her followers are mostly Astrologers and Mystics, she is said to speak prophesies through the insane, making her a prophecy goddess. Andaras is explicitly made into a prophecy god at this book as well. Ceremonies involve drug-induced trances and dancing until collapse from exhaustion. She herself can never be still, flitting or rocking back and forth, whispering incomprehensible things to herself. She is described as beautiful in a severe and exotic way, but with wild crazed eyes and a leering smile.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) she is given the "Eyes of the Moon" power of shooting beams of intense cold from her eyes once every twelve rounds. Range of 400 feet. Cold Ball of 20' radius in effect. 4x hits.
  • In Master Atlas, 3rd Edition (p. 148, 2001) she is given the additional title "Goddess of the Moons." It is established she uses Doombringer and Procreator demons as servants. These are "thematic" demons. Demons of the Essaence from the Chaos planes. They are both mist oriented. Doombringers provoke panic, despair, and depression. Procreators are lust oriented trying to make human-demon hybrids, where if it is a mortal father they go insane and if it is a mortal mother they usually die from it.
  • The theocracy of Klysus in the Lankan Empire believes that Zania is the mother of Akalatan, that she was the mortal wife of the first chieftain, and Klysus rewarded her by making her a demi-goddess charioteer. They believe he brings the Sun across the sky, and she brings the moon. This is established in the later books.
  • "Zania" has obvious insanity roots such as "zany" and "mania." Zelia could be read similarly with "zeal" and "selia" as the Greek for "moon", where Selene was the Titan goddess who drove the moon across the sky at night with her silver chariot and two white horses. Similarly, the moon has "lunacy" connotations, being lunar.
  • More esoteric is the possibility of a Lovecraft influence, given Shadow Valley was made in the late I.C.E. Age. It seems to be partly based on Lovecraft's "The Mound", which was co-authored for Zealia Bishop.

Intermediate: Zelia

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Zelia

Called "Keeper of the Moon", she is a luna-tic. Stark raving bonkers, and her followers all wind up that way too. Wearing a silver breastplate and grey tunic over her statuesque form, her silver hair and grey eyes are wild with insanity. She haunts Elanthia in a misty chariot pulled by spectral grey stallions.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

There was nothing included for Zelia, she is not mentioned.

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial) (Note: In this case the summary is an exact quote of the Shadow World documentation with "Kulthea" changed to "Elanthia.")

Earlier Form:

-Zelia-
Called "Keeper of the Moon," she is a luna-tic. Stark raving bonkers, and her followers all wind up that way too. She haunts Elanthia in a misty chariot pulled by spectral grey stallions. (Zania)

Later Form:

- Zelia -
Called "Keeper of the Moon," she is a luna-tic. Stark raving bonkers, and her followers all wind up that way too. Wearing a silver breastplate and grey tunic over her statuesque form, her silver hair and grey eyes are wild with insanity. She haunts Elanthia in a misty chariot pulled by spectral grey stallions. Shrine - unknown. (Zania)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Zelia is not mentioned in the original History of Elanthia document.

Modern: Zelia

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

Zelia was changed into a neutral, isolated goddess in the modern documentation with a Sheru rivalry on the issue of insanity. She treats insanity as a gift of freedom from lucidity. She has green eyes instead of grey. Her misty chariot, stallions, breastplate, and tunic were kept. She is described as possibly chaos personified. The reasons for her insanity are not stated. In later development she has an origin story involving the Drake Cha'Anamos (chaos), and had unrequited love for Phoen which was traumatic.

Liabo

The "Lords of Liabo" are the directly based on the Lords of Orhan pantheon who have the following relationships. Orhan was a habitable surface with forests and rivers, and the Lords lived there with their servants. It is still represented that way accidentally by the Seethe Naedal observatory, which was originally designed before the moon lore document released in 2003. (It is more or less ambiguous where the Arkati actually reside in the modern history.) The Lords of Orhan are described as vain with overwhelming superiority complexes, who enjoy toying with mortals and occupying themselves with contests, as opposed the Liabo pantheon which is portrayed as "good" and nurturing. There is no premise that the Lords of Orhan and Charon are related to each other. The Orhanians are indisputably more powerful.

Charl

I.C.E. Age: Shaal

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? Eyes: Blue. Hair: Blue-white. Build: Muscular. Height: 6'8". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/M. Skin: Pale (almost white). Demeanor: Stern; Angry. Dress: Naked or draped in a rough kelp garment. True Attitude: Impatient; Quick-tempered. Home: Orhan/Kulthea's Oceans. Aka: Allanda (female, to the Myri).

God of the sea (and of Fall). Shaal is also called 'The Destroyer' by some, in association with the erosion of the sea and sea storms.

Shaal is moody and rarely is seen in his human form, instead assuming the shape of a Merman, whale or great dolphin. When in human form, he has blue-white hair, pale skin, and blue eyes. He wields a great trident of greenish alloy set with emerald points. Ruthless and unsympathetic to all but sea beasts and peoples, he cares little about events on the land.

- Tomes of Kulthea #1087 (1990)
- Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 30 (1989)


Shaal: Master of the seas, Shaal is moody and reclusive, spendin far more time on Kulthea than the other Lords, and most of that deep in the oceans. He has frequent fits of irrational temper, rousing mighty storms out of the unpredictable seas.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Lord of Orhan
  • Level: 160
  • Hits: 700
  • Melee: +500
  • Mana: 12,800 (1,600 base, 8x multiplier)
  • Profession: Sorcerer/Fighter
  • Spells: Base OB 160, Directed Spells OB 320 (Water Bolt). All Sorcerer Base and all liquid and weather spells (near a body of water) to 50th Level. Fatal channeling called "Shaal's Demand", dehydrating the target into powder by returning their water to the sea. Controls sea creatures, power extends to all bodies of water, but significantly weaker outside the greater seas.
  • Trident: +60 holy spear. Triple damage. Fires three bolts simultaneously of ice, water, and steam, which are equally effective under water or air.
  • Net: Ensnares within 300 foot range, unbreakable living fibers.
  • Natural Armor: Shaal's skin transforms to scales that are naturally AT17 (ASG 17), which is plate level armor protection.
  • Crown: Silver and coral. 8x powerpoint (mana) multiplier. Protects as a full helm. Cancels head criticals 70% of the time when hit.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 30 (1989)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; pages 48-49, 54-55 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 107 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 141 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 145 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 95 (2003)

Evolution:

  • In the original Shadow World context Shaal was with the Orhan pantheon from their shared origins and natures rather than some loyalty to Kuor. The Dark Lords of Charon came (most likely) from other origins and were constituted along the more chaotic or "Anti-Essaence" side of the existence spectrum. While violent and destructive like many of the Dark Lords, he was not associated with the "dark power" of The Unlife. Shaal is just quick to temper and destruction, with little regard for things that live on land.
  • In the Rolemaster context pure Sorcerers do not have spells related to necromancy or (for the most part) summoning demons. The spell lists are destructive and violent, but not inherently "Evil" by the world setting standards. Most of the spells directly destroy inanimate and animate matter (notably flesh dessication) which is its relevance to Shaal.
  • Shaal as the supposed father of Neela (Niima) comes from the Neela description.
  • Shaal is the master of the Nereids and Naiads, the water spirits or fey of Shadow World. Nymphs are human sized without body hair and minimally clothes, generally incredibly beautiful youths. When the focus of their "life" is destroyed (e.g. a river), they "die" by their spirit returning to their master on Orhan. The nymphs essentially observe things for the Lords. Offspring with nymphs is not possible, unlike demigods with the Lords and mortals. Other kinds of such spirits serve some of the other gods. They are like much weaker forms of the same kind of entity.
  • While Shaal is a sea god and his powers are bound and somewhat limited to bodies of water, as a Lord of Orhan he can actually only visit the world temporarily in his corporeal avatar form, though he spends most of his time on Kulthea and far more than the other Lords. This may simply mean he has to return to the moon at least once every couple of months, as his power would presumably be greatly less if he moved entirely to the surface like Kel.
  • In the intermediate documentation he is described as having needed to be commanded six times by Koar to join a meeting of the other gods. This probably originates in the Conclave documentation from the Master Atlas, which says even Shaal has to come when an actual Conclave is convened. This has only happened in the ICE lore a dozen times ever in the past two hundred thousand years.

Intermediate: Charl

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

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.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Charl
Greater God
Spheres of Power: Oceans, Storms, Revolution
Humanoid Manifestation: A towering man with a beard of seaweed and algae, blue and grey robes, and wielding a trident. Charl rarely appears except in the sea or the heart of a storm, and only his lower half is a fish's tail.
Manner: Stern, Angry, Quick-tempered

Charl is the God of the Sea.

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

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Charl-
God of the sea, he is sometimes called "The Destroyer" because his anger is like the worst sea storms. He doesn't care much for creatures on land. (Shaal)

Later Form:

- Charl -
God of the sea, father to Niima, he is sometimes called "The Destroyer" because his anger is like the worst sea storms. He doesn't care much for creatures on land, and is rarely seen in his human form - preferring to take the form of a Merman, whale or great dolphin. In human form, he's a burly man with blue-white hair and beard, pale skin and blue eyes which refelect his moody demeanor. He weilds a great trident of greenish alloy set with emerald points. His shrine is located along the Coastal Cliffs. (Shaal)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Others of the Arkati chose not individual races, but seasons, emotions, or tasks to be their own. Kai accepted warriors of all sorts, and Lumnis embodied wisdom and learning. Ronan controlled the night, the time of dreams, while Phoen's was the warm sun of summer. Imaera chose the autumn, while Lorminstra reigned over winter, the season of death. The raging seas were Charl's domain.

Modern: Charl

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

Charl's shrine on the Coastal Cliffs was built during the I.C.E. Age. The Illistim water mage society has had a bad run-in with Charl. Talon Isle seems to be an homage to the Pillar of the Gods from Shadow World, accessed through the Navigator obelisk in Danjirland (retconned as an old Chronomage obelisk in 2016), the top of "the talon" having a sea glass altar to Charl.

Charl is a patron of the Nalfein and was a patron of the Ashrim. He is actively disliked by the Vaalor, Ardenai, and Loenthra. The Illistim do not actively dislike him as a whole, but he gives them a "distinctly bad taste." Charl's Pride is a flagship of the human imperial navy. It has been asserted (e.g. by Glethad) that the krolvin god Khar'ta is Charl, which means they interpret Charl as the highest of the gods rather than Koar.

Cholen

I.C.E. Age: Kieron

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? Eyes: Blue. Hair: Dark Brown. Build: Slight. Height: 6'8". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/M. Skin: Fair. Demeanor: Playful; Mocking. Dress: Highly varied clothing. True Attitude: Self-infatuated. Home: Orhan. Aka: Davix (Myri), The Bard.

God of festivals, including the performing arts (music, plays, some poetry). He plays a stringed instrument called the Quindera and has a hypnotic singing voice. He is called upon to bless wine and ale, and to aid in recovery from hangovers. 

Also a prankster, he will often pose as his twin Jaysek (the two are 'naturally' identical, except that Kieron's eyes are blue), causing mischief on Kulthea. Although Kieron's clothing tastes are quite varied, he will often don a short tunic of sheer silk. 

He is somewhat of a lustful god, appearing in many attractive forms - including that of a beautiful woman - to seduce unwary Kultheans.

- Tomes of Kulthea #1089 (1990)
- Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 31 (1989)


Kieron: Patron of festivals and holidays, Kieron is also promoter of the performing arts. He is lusty, seductive and the most frivolous of the pantheon. Kieron is the twin brother (and in many ways the mirror image) of Jaysek.

Kieron and Teris: Most playful and immature of the pantheon, these two often exhibit childish tendencies, exacerbated when they are together.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Lord of Orhan
  • Level: 160
  • Hits: 700
  • Melee: +520 (rapier), +500 (missile)
  • Mana: 14,560 (2,080 base, 7x multiplier)
  • Profession: Bard
  • Spells: Base OB 160, Directed Spells OB 320. Knows all Bard and Mentalist Base lists. Knows the Mystic Base lists Confusing Ways, Hiding, and Mystical Change to 50th level. Knows all Open and Closed Mentalist lists to 50th level. Knows all Monteblanc lists from Rolemaster Companion III.
  • Quindera: Lute-like instrument. Very complex to play.
  • Rapier: +50 Keron alloy holy weapon.
  • Main Gauche: Casts "Total Deflect True", subtracting 100 from all attacks in every direction. Can also be used as a shield and to parry any attack.
  • Lockpick Kit: Magical devices assortment, aids in picking almost any lock.
  • Cloak: Matches color to surroundings, otherwise black hooded full length. +100 to hiding.
  • Longbow: +60, 3x normal range. 30 arrows with holy laen tips. Pale wood.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 31 (1989)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 107-108; p.99-100 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 141 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 145-146 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 95 (2003)

Evolution:

  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition (1992) p.99-100 there is a vignette of Kieron and Jaysek talking to each other in the void of space above the planet, pondering the identity of the Nameless One (who is Tethior the Smith). Jaysek says he hasn't tried hard to figure it out, but the guy has blocked his spells and dodged his priests. Kieron thinks it has to be Andraax, and accidentally triggers a monstrous hail storm while swirling cloud formations over Jaiman with his finger. (Interestingly, Jaysek questions how the Nameless One knows these disasters before they happen, when Jaysek himself does prophesies.)
  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition (1992) a line is added saying his hair is most often shoulder length in a ponytail.
  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition (2001) he is immortal but appears around 20. His clothing is elaborated to say it is "usually flamboyant", though the tunic of sheer silk line is unchanged.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) it says some theologies regard Kieron and Jaysek as the sons of Kuor and Valris, and others hold instead that Valris created Kieron from a grapevine and Jaysek from a feather quill. In the intermediate period of GemStone III it is instead asserted Cholen and Jastev are the sons of Imaera and Eonak.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) he gains the title "Lord of Music and Dance." It is elaborated that he impersonates his brother Jaysek by pretending to deliver serious prophesies to seers and mentalists. He also serves as a muse for musicians, artists, and playwrights. It adds a line to the part about seducing unwary mortals, saying that as often as not, once he has them at his mercy he may suddenly change his mind or wander off distracted.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) he gains two special abilities. His 2x/day "Song of Senselessness" has a 300 foot range, where those who do not ward it gradually enter a drunk mental state, losing 10 to all actions such as perception and combat each round until hitting -100. Emotional states are heightened (e.g. happy/angry drunks), and they pass out and have hang overs for some number of hours. He also gains a 5x/day "Water to Wine" ability, turning water in containers to wine, ale, or beer.
  • Kieron is described as having a 7x powerpoint multiplier, but like Jaysek there is no artifact specified for it.
  • In the Order of Vult monastery (Voln monastery, Landing) stained glass just past the gate, he is depicted with his Quindera. The word was changed to Kindana. It is described as a lute-like instrument. In the intermediate documentation this is changed to just say "lute."
  • Jaysek and Kieron are interpreted as two aspects of the same god in some cultures. While they are "twins" and "brothers", the premise that he is the younger brother, and that Imaera and Eonak are their parents does not appear until the intermediate documentation.
  • In the intermediate documentation his clothing is flamboyant, like it will become in Master Atlas 3rd Edition, but his cloak is now "patches of every color and shape imaginable" instead of stealth camouflaging.
  • In the intermediate documentation he is explicitly named as the god of humor, consistent with the Order of Vult (Voln) steps. The part about seduction is removed, but the gender swapping is kept, saying instead he does it for pranks instead of lust.
  • In the modern documentation the humor is emphasized even more, with Cholen gaining the title "the Jester." The intermediate document did not mention his own appearance; his blue eyes are retained, his hair changed to "summer-sun gold." Jastev's appearance varies across ages and Cholen retains his identity morphing pranks, so there is no premise of their being twins after the very initial History of Elanthia document, whereas Phoen and Ronan are the ones now almost identical and Laethe/Voaris are twins (with different hair colors) instead of the single god Baeris.

Intermediate: Cholen

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Cholen

Greater God

Spheres of Power: Festivals, Performing Arts, Humor

He has a beautiful singing voice and is said to play various musical instruments. He’s the opposite of his twin, Jastev, God of Visual Arts and Magic. Cheerful and mischievous, he’s called upon to bless wine and aid with recovery from hangovers. He’s been known to seduce mortals, sometimes in the form of a woman just for fun. He appears in mortal form as a tall, slight young man with blue eyes and flowing dark brown hair pulled back into a ponytail.

Offspring of Imaera and Eonak, younger twin to Jastev.

Patron of celebrations and all that goes with them, Cholen is renowned for his bright demeanor, his mastery of music, song, and dance, and of his mischievous nature. All performing skills commonly seen at festivals fall within his domain, and muttered prayers to Cholen are not uncommon among jugglers, actors, and bards who frequently perform at them.

The many comedies whose plots revolve around mistaken identity and cross-gender disguises owe their basis, at least in part, to Cholen’s penchant for cross-gender pranks, although his disguises are generally acknowledged as being more complete than most acting troupes could ever manage.

Cholen’s symbol is a crimson lute on a field of gold.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Cholen
Greater God
Spheres of Power: Festivals, Performing Arts, Humor
Humanoid Manifestation: Arrayed in fine but exaggerated clothing, Cholen's favors a great cloak with patches of every color and shape imaginable.
Demeanor: playful; mocking 

Cholen is the God of Festivals and the performing arts. Offspring of Imaera and Eonak, and younger brother to Jastev. 
Patron of celebrations and all that goes with them, Cholen is renowned for his bright demeanor, his mastery of music, song, and dance, and of his mischievous nature. All performing skills commonly seen at festivals fall within his domain, and muttered prayers to Cholen are not uncommon among jugglers, actors, and bards who frequently perform at them. 

The many comedies whose plots revolve around mistaken identity and cross-gender disguises owe their basis, at least in part, to Cholen's penchant for cross-gender pranks, although his disguises are generally acknowledged as being more complete than most acting troupes could ever manage. 
Cholen's symbol is a crimson lute on a field of gold. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Cholen-
God of festivals, and performing arts He's the opposite of his twin, cheerful and mischevious. He too has seduced mortals, sometimes in the form of a woman, just for fun. (Keiron)

Later Form:

- Cholen -
God of festivals, and performing arts, "The Bard". He has a beautiful singing voice and is said to play various musical instruments. He's the opposite of his twin, Jastev, God of visual arts and magic. Cheerful and mischevious, he's called upon to bless wine and aid with recovery from hangovers. He's been known to seduce mortals, sometimes in the form of a woman just for fun. He appears in mortal form as a tall, slight young man with blue eyes and flowing dark brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. Shrine - unknown. (Keiron)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Jastev's followers celebrated visual arts, and developed a gift of prophecy, while his twin Cholen became the god of festivals and performing arts. Tonis, remarkable for his speed and determination, became the messenger of the gods. Over all of them ruled Koar, with a firm but gentle hand.

Modern: Cholen

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

Jastev and Cholen are given a brother named Tarandel in an origins document from 2018. The legend holds they were born to Imaera and Eonak during a cyvail, when two or three drakes would sing in communion, and joined the drakes in their song. In this version Cholen is focused on weaving complex melodies while Tarandel was on the lyrics of songs. Cholen has supposedly disappeared in misery after Tarandel's death in the Ur-Daemon War until a still mortal Tilamaire found him and convinced him the world needed song. This is the elaborated explanation of the modern Tilamaire description about impressing Cholen.

There is a group in the Orders of the Turamzzyrian Empire (2015) document called the Children of Many Colors. However, this is actually a Lumnis group owing to her multi-colored rings, rather than Cholen with his many colored cloak. Cholen has an amphitheater (2018) in Solhaven. Cholen is a patron of the Loenthra Elves. However, the Illistim regard him as frivolous, and the Vaalor actively dislike him.

Eonak

I.C.E. Age: Iorak

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? Eyes: Brown. Hair: Black. Build: Bulky Muscular. Height: 6'2"/12'. Race/Sex: Godlike Being/M. Skin: Dark Tan/Brown. Demeanor: Impatient, Surly, Distracted. Dress: Sturdy cloth/leather garments. True Attitude: Gentle, Uncomfortable among others. Home: Orhan.

Husband of Iloura and Smith of the gods, Iorak is physically strong but not the match in combat of Cay or Kuor. With his dark complexion, black hair and beard, Iorak is an imposing character, an appearance which belies his gentle nature. He almost never leaves his great smithies on Orhan. In fact, he is somewhat of a recluse, avoiding many of the social gatherings frequented by the gods and their aides.

Iorak has made all of the items used by the Lords of Orhan, and is in most ways the most powerful Smith of the Kulthean system. However, an occasional Human or Elven smith has risen above Iorak's incredible yet 'workmanlike' abilities to produce an item of surpassing beauty or elegant power. The Smith Tethior was among this very small group.

- Tomes of Kulthea #1091 (1990)
- Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 32 (1989)


Iloura and Iorak: It might seem that the earth-mother and the metal-worker would be at odds (their followers often are), but Iloura and her husband have achieved a harmony of sorts.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 49 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Lord of Orhan
  • Level: 170
  • Hits: 750
  • Melee: +480 (two handed sword), +460 (heavy crossbow)
  • Mana: 17,680 (2,210 base, 8x multiplier)
  • Profession: Alchemist
  • Spells: Base OB 170, Directed Spells OB 340. All Alchemist, Mage, Runemaster, Arcane Base Lists. All Open and Closed Essence lists.
  • Tools: Special, enchanted tools for smithing and crafting.
  • Mask: Sheet of clear laen. Intelligent. Displays as visual overlay the components and powers of any magic item. Protects his face, head, and neck against heat/cold/other dangers.
  • Ring: x8 PowerPoint enhancer.
  • Gloves: Heat/cold resistant. Allows him to grasp with strength of a vise or powerful tongs.
  • Forge: Vast complex for every type of crafting. He also manages mining on the moon for the materials he needs.
  • Sword: Two handed sword. +60 Irgaak. (+65 total, all criticals doubled.) Casts Total Deflect True. Can deflect any spells cast against wielder.
  • Heavy Crossbow: 3x damage, 3x range, automatically reloads each round.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 32 (1989)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 49 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 108 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 141-142 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 146 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 96-97 (2003)

Evolution:

  • In Demons of the Burning Night (1989) it is established that Iorak imprisoned some of the Black Hel gods in meteoric eog.
  • In the original documentation for Melgorehn's Reach (~1991) the dwarves of the mountain named it Iorak's Reach, which is why the lake is still called Lake Eonak. This archaic name is implied in the first Order of Voln step. Melgorehn's dragon skyship crashed near this location, but that warlock's association with the mountain is murky. The mountain in the story was made by a wizard named Loul.
  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition (1992) it establishes he appears around 30.
  • The material iorake seems to be GemStone III specific, and became eonake later. Its present lore became official around 2001.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) his special abilities section gains a note about his having superior alchemical and smithing skills beyond anything known on Kulthea.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) his appearance is changed to 35. The line "most powerful Smith" is changed to "most powerful Artificer", but he is given the title "The Smith." Eonak was referred to as the "Artificer" of the gods in the intermediate period of GemStone III.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) a paragraph is added saying some religions say Iorak created the physical form of all the races on the planet, and that Iloura did the same for all the other flora and fauna. Eissa provided the waters from her River of Life, which Kuor rained upon them to give them life. Imaera gains a role similar to this in the intermediate period of GemStone III.
  • In the intermediate period Eonak is made short along with a large dwarf form, but still wears leather garments. He is missing his left arm and has replaced it with a veil iron prosthetic. His demeanor remains unchanged. "Husband" becomes "Consort". He retains lines about having made the artifacts o the gods and spending most of his time in his forge, but with a line added about coming out from decrees by Koar or the soft words of Imaera. Eonak is described as the inanimate material analog to Imaera. A line is added about personifying success via hard work over natural gifts alone (triumph over adversity.)
  • In the intermediate documentation he is given the role of father of Jastev and Cholen. In the modern documentation he is also the father of Tarandel. This is not the case in the I.C.E. versions. In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) some religions believe Jaynor (Jaston) is the son Iloura and Iorak.
  • In the modern documentation he is given the title "Master of the Forge." A line is added about taking the dwarves under his wing after the Ur-Daemon War. He is explicitly named patron of dwarves, which is implied in the earlier History of Elanthia document.

Intermediate: Eonak

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Eonak
Greater God

Spheres of Power: Craftsmanship, Labor, Triumph over Adversity

Smith of the Gods, husband to Imaera. While strong, he is no match for Kai. He is extremely skilled in his craft however, and has made all the weapons used by the gods of Liabo. being a master of his work, ever intent on producing the best quality possible, this has made him somewhat of a recluse, keeping to his smithy and avoiding social settings. Appearing thirty-something, burly, with black hair and deep brown eyes, he is an imposing sight which offsets his gentle nature.

Eonak spends most of his time at his forge. He is more at home there than anywhere else, and at times only a decree from Koar or the soft words of Imaera can separate him from it.

Often considered a strange pairing, Imaera and Eonak are each masters of crafting, although their choices of substances is vastly different. Imaera’s crafting is of living things, of cycles and seasons and balance. Eonak’s crafting is of inanimate things, yet even as Imaera’s, his creations must fulfill their purposes, achieve a balance of beauty and utility, and all, even as Imaera’s do, contain some part of him that marks them as creations of Eonak’s hand.

Eonak personifies success won by hard work rather than natural gifts alone. Legends differ as to how Eonak lost his arm, but all agree that the veil iron arm he spent lifetimes crafting is the greatest piece of craftsmanship ever undertaken and serves him better than the original.

Eonak’s symbol is a golden anvil on a field of brown.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Eonak
Greater God
Spheres of Power: Craftsmanship, Labor, Triumph over Adversity
Humanoid Manifestation: Eonak is heavily muscled, either a short Man or large Dwarf, and wears the leather garments of a blacksmith. His left arm is missing, replaced by a veil iron prosthetic.
Demeanor: impatient, surly, distracted 

Eonak is the Artificer of the gods. He is the Consort of Imaera. 

Maker of all of the fantastic items used by the gods, Eonak spends most of his time at his forge. He is more at home there than anywhere else, and at times only a decree from Koar or the soft words of Imaera can separate him from it. 

Often considered a strange pairing, Imaera and Eonak are each masters of crafting, although their choices of substances is vastly different. Imaera's crafting is of living things, of cycles and seasons and balance. Eonak's crafting is of inanimate things, yet even as Imaera's, his creations must fulfill their purposes, achieve a balance of beauty and utility, and all, even as Imaera's do, contain some part of him that marks them as creations of Eonak's hand. 

Eonak personifies success won by hard work rather than natural gifts alone. Legend differ as to how Eonak lost his arm, but all agree that the veil iron arm he spent lifetimes crafting is the greatest piece of craftsmanship ever under taken and serves him better than the original. 

Eonak's symbol is a golden anvil on a field of brown. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Eonak-
Smith of the gods, husband to Imaera. While strong, he is no match for Kai. He is extremely skilled in his craft however, and has made all the weapons used by the gods of Liabo. (Iorak)

Later Form:

- Eonak -
Smith of the gods, husband to Imaera. While strong, he is no match for Kai. He is extremely skilled in his craft however, and has made all the weapons used by the gods of Liabo. Being a master of his work, ever intent on producing the best quality possible, this has made him somewhat of a recluse, keeping to his smithy and avoiding social settings. Appearing thirty-something, burly, with black hair and deep brown eyes, he is an imposing sight which offsets his gentle nature. Shrine - unknown. (Iorak)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

These Arkati are those whom we today call gods. It is said that, in these early days, they walked the land as teachers, leaders, and guides. Imaera took the people of the forests, and taught them to be one with the land. Eonak showed the folk of the stone how to mine riches from the mountains. Oleani adopted the smaller folk of the valleys, instilling in them a joy for life and a special gift for growing things.

Modern: Eonak

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

Around 1999 the Glaes Caverns were added to Teras Isle, where a huge veil iron cage imprisons an Ur-Daemon encased in glaes. This was presumably done by Eonak, who made a veil iron prosthetic arm for himself. The lore for eonake was not made official until around 2001. In the Cholen origins document it is established Eonak is also the father of a dead Arkati named Tarandel. In the dwarven lore there is a river of lava under the DragonSpine Mountain's called Eonak's Belt.

The Golden Smiths are a group in the Turamzzyrian Empire rumored to have secret divine knowledge from him. The Green Sisters celebrate the marriage of Imaera and Eonak annually in Imaerasta with the Festival of the Land's Bounty. Eonak is a patron of House Vaalor. He is actively disliked by House Loenthra.

Imaera

I.C.E. Age: Iloura

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? Eyes: Hazel. Hair: Auburn. Build: Full-proportioned yet not overweight. Height: 6'2". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/F. Skin: Ruddy. Demeanor: Warm, Hospitable. Dress: Green and brown robes. True Attitude: Caring, Motherly. Home: Orhan. Aka: Illila (to Myri), Earth-mother.

Goddess of the Earth (and the Harvest/Autumn), she is the mistress of growing things, of plants and animals of the lands. Iloura wears flowing robes of green and brown, and her auburn hair is often adorned with flowers and colorful leaves. Her eyes are large and hazel, framed by soft features; she frequently appears on Kulthea in the form of a deer or other fleet-footed animal. Harvest festivals are the time she is most honored, and many peoples of the Shadow World give thanks to her for bountiful returns. Her husband is Iorak the Smith. 

- Tomes of Kulthea #1086 (1990)
- Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 30 (1989)


Iloura: The earth-mother, she is linked with autumn and the harvest. She is also mistress of all growing things, especially flora. Iloura is wife of Iorak.

Iloura and Iorak: It might seem that the earth-mother and the metal-worker would be at odds (their followers often are), but Iloura and her husband have achieved a harmony of sorts.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Lord of Orhan
  • Level: 160
  • Hits: 640
  • Melee: +320 (quarterstaff), +320 (missile)
  • Mana: 14,000 (2,000 base, 7x multiplier)
  • Profession: Animist/Ranger (Druid)
  • Spells: Base OB 160, Directed Spells OB 320 (Earthbolt, uses Icebolt attack and Impact criticals.) Knows all Animist and Ranger Base lists to 50th level. All Druid and Beastmaster Base lists from Rolemaster Companion I and Arcane Coven Base lists from Rolemaster Companion III to 50th. Unique fatal channeling that transforms target into a tree or large plant appropriate to the environment. This does not have its own name, its effectiveness is compared to Reaan's Sleep.
  • Special Abilities: Iloura can command all foliage within 5 miles, within the limits of their capabilities.
  • Earthstaff: +40 Quarterstaff, 7x powerpoint multiplier. Tall staff that seemingly grows and shifts in appearance between various types of tree with leafy branches sprouting from top. Shoots "rootlings" that grapple the target, critical on first attack allowing it to attack on every round. They only immobilize unless Iloura orders them to kill.
  • Robes: Green and brown. +200 to hiding bonus while outdoors. AT 17 (ASG 17).
  • Garland: Crown of living leaves and flowers. Acts as helm. Prevents head and neck criticals 70% of the time.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 30 (1989)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49, 70-71 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 106 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 141 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 145 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 94-95 (2003)

Evolution:

  • In the Shadow World Master Atlas (all editions) Oriana is described as "the Earth-goddess" in the Phaon description in spite of Iloura being the actual Earth goddess who is called "the earth-mother." This is presumably the seed of the later Oleani/Imaera overlap.
  • In Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition (1990) the Shrines of Iloura are described as special places of power. She has hundreds of small rural shrines in the wilderness, where her symbol is always present over the entrance as three leaves in a branch. The altar uses herbs to be burned as incense granting visions. Her shrine on what is now called Lake Marliese is based on this documentation. It was designed by GMs Fawn and Kygar, and was involved in the 1994 storyline for the ruined village nearby.
  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition (2001) her appearance is specified as seeming 30.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) she is given the title "Lady of the Earth" and said to be a fertility goddess in some cultures. Prior to this point there is no overlap between Oriana and Iloura.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) it is specified that many cultures (often the more primitive) only worship Iloura, Phaon, and Kuor as the gods of earth, sun, and sky/rain. It also adds a line to her fatal channeling that says only Iloura can change the target back from their plant form.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) the Iorak section states that some religions believe he made the physical forms of the races of the world and Iloura made the forms of the other flora and fauna. Imaera had this religious role in GemStone III beginning in the intermediate period.
  • In the initial De-ICE, Imaera is described as having the people of the forest and the autumn, while Oleani gains a "growing things" quality with the "smaller folk of the valleys."
  • The intermediate documentation makes Oleani the goddess of "cultivation" and mortal fertility, shifting Imaera's focus to the unfettered wilds and native animals. She retains her role as harvest goddess, but the premise is that she is required for the initial "spark of life."
  • The intermediate documentation credits her with the creation of most species including several human-like ones, being the master flesh worker and patron of healers. In the ICE history most races originated in Lord of Essaence experiments, though in Powers of Light and Darkness some religions credit this to Iorak, and hold she created the flora and fauna. Later in 2003 there is another (non-ICE) goddess L'Naere who tried to rescue life forms off world (and similarly fashioned life), which in the ICE lore was done by the Lords of Orhan during the Lords of Essaence civil war.
  • The intermediate documentation establishes her opposition to the twisting and deformation of life by the Dark Gods. In the modern documentation this is elaborated as her having been the one who focused on healing the damage of the Ur-Daemon War. In the ICE lore the nymphs from Orhan healed the lands, where the dryads (tree spirits) served Iloura.
  • The intermediate documentation introduces the premise that Jastev and Cholen are the offspring of Imaera and Eonak. Iloura and Iorak were always consorts in the ICE version, but with no relation to Jaysek and Kieron. Jastev and Cholen much later are described as being born to Imaera and Eonak during a dragon cyvail with a third brother named Tarandel. The later ICE lore has some theologies believing Jaysek and Kieron are instead sons of Kuor and Valris, and some religions hold that Jaynor (Jaston) is the son of Iorak and Iloura.
  • The intermediate documentation changes her symbol and bifurcates it by culture. Farmers who worship her use "a golden sheaf of grain on a field of green" and "elves" use "a brown doe on a field of green." Her manner is changed to "exuberant."
  • The modern gods document specifies that she is the patron of the sylvan elves and titles her "Lady of the Green." It keeps her description as a young woman dressed in robes of leaves and flowers. It changes the references of "elves" to more specifically "sylvan elves." Her manner remains "exuberant."
  • In the modern documentation she created Jaston from the body of a dead sylvan, and granted immorality to the giantman Kuon, in the aftermath of the Ur-Daemon War. These are Jaynor and Quen in the ICE version, who are very similar. However, there is no stated relationship between them and Iloura, and they are Spirits of Orhan not demi-gods or ascended.
  • The modern gods document adds "nature" to her sphere of influence and rearranges the other terms after it.

Intermediate: Imaera

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Greater Goddess

Spheres of Power: Autumn, Harvest, Healing, Plants and Animals

She wears robes of green and brown, and adorns her auburn hair with flowers and leaves - when she isn’t in deer form. Her eyes are wide and hazel colored, framed by soft features. She is honored at harvest festivals for her bountiful contributions of our land. her husband is Eonak the Smith.

While Oleani’s realm is cultivation, and the fertility of mortals, Imaera’s realm is the wilds and unfettered nature.

As the Goddess of Life and of growing things, hers are the plants and animals native to the land. Credited with the creation of most of the species on Elanthia, and with several of the human-like races, she is the mistress of shaping flesh, bone, and plant to suit any need. As such, her blessing is often sought by those who practice the healing arts. Imaera is also the Goddess of the Harvest and so of the bounty which the land produces in its cycle of life. While Oleani oversees cultivation and agriculture, the final blessing of Imaera is needed for the spark of life.

All of the aspects of Imaera are in direct opposition to the twisting and deformation of life forms practiced by some of the Dark Gods, and of the senseless destruction of life and land that most of their minions undertake as a matter of course.

Imaera’s symbol is a golden sheaf of grain on a field of green when she is worshipped by farmers. The elves ascribe to her a brown doe on a field of green.

Imaera’s shrine is located on an island on Lake Marliese.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Imaera
Greater God
Spheres of Power: Autumn, Harvest, Healing, Plants and Animals 
Humanoid Manifestation: A young woman, often elven, dressed in robes of leaves and flowers.
Manner: Exuberant

Imaera is the Goddess of the Nature and Autumn. While Oleani's realm is cultivation and the fertility of mortals, Imaera's realm is the wilds and unfettered nature. Her consort is Eonak, without who's rocky soil, no plant could grow. 

As the Goddess of Life and of growing things, hers are the plants and animals native to the land. Credited with the creation of most of the species on Elanthia, and with several of the human-like races, she is the mistress of shaping flesh, bone, and plant to suit any need. As such her blessing is often sought by those who practice the healing arts. 

Imaera is also the Goddess of the Harvest and so of the bounty which the land produces in its cycle of life. While Oleani oversees cultivation and agriculture, the final blessing of Imaera is needed for the spark of life. Because of this she is often honored in autumn festivals. 

All of the aspects of Imaera are in direct opposition to the twisting and deformation of life forms practiced by some of the Dark Gods, and of the senseless destruction of life and land that most of their minions undertake as a matter of course. 

Imaera's symbol is a golden sheaf of grain on a field of green when she is worshipped by farmers. The elves ascribe to her a brown doe on a field of green. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Imaera-
Gentle goddess of plants, animals and the earth. She wears robes of green and
brown, and adorns her hair with flowers and leaves - when she isn't in deer
form. She is honored at harvest festivals. Her husband is Eonak. (Iloura)

Later Form:

- Imaera -
Gentle goddess of plants, animals and the earth. She wears robes of green and brown, and adorns her auburn hair with flowers and leaves - when she isn't in deer form. Her eyes are wide and hazel colored, framed by soft features. She is honored at harvest festivals for her bountiful contributions of our land. Her husband is Eonak the Smith. Her shrine is located on an island in Silver Lake. (Iloura)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

These Arkati are those whom we today call gods. It is said that, in these early days, they walked the land as teachers, leaders, and guides. Imaera took the people of the forests, and taught them to be one with the land. Eonak showed the folk of the stone how to mine riches from the mountains. Oleani adopted the smaller folk of the valleys, instilling in them a joy for life and a special gift for growing things.

Others of the Arkati chose not individual races, but seasons, emotions, or tasks to be their own. Kai accepted warriors of all sorts, and Lumnis embodied wisdom and learning. Ronan controlled the night, the time of dreams, while Phoen's was the warm sun of summer. Imaera chose the autumn, while Lorminstra reigned over winter, the season of death.

Modern: Imaera

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

The later development of sylvan history documentation has the elves largely splitting over agriculture and sedentary lifestyles, with the sylvans instead favoring nature and forming a religion centered on Imaera. Imaera has appeared in animal form such as a doe on occasion. She is the favored patron of House Ardenai. Imaera's temple in Solhaven was redesigned at one point to be wilder, removing the cultivation/harvest aspects, which was controversial. Imaera remains on overlapping ground with Oleani in this way.

The Green Sisters and the Reeds of Jes'Tamaline are groups in the Turamzzyrian Empire with Imaera background. The Green Sisters celebrate the marriage of Imaera and Eonak annually in Imaerasta with the Festival of the Land's Bounty.

Jastev

I.C.E. Age: Jaysek

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? Eyes: Hazel. Hair: Dark Brown. Build: Slight. Height: 6'8". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/M. Skin: Fair. Demeanor: Pouting; Sullen. Dress: Dark, monochrome clothing. True Attitude: Self-possessed. Home: Orhan. Aka: The Poet.

God of Visual Art and Magic, twin brother of Kieron - and like his brother, he is lean and beautiful. Very serious and at times sullen, he occasionally takes to writing morbid poetry. He wears black or grey garments, and has been seen on the Shadow World astride a dark horse, wearing a black, hooded cloak and speaking dark prophesies.

Jaysek composed (or has claimed to compose) many of Kulthea's alphabets. He is the patron of Illusionists, Mystics, Seers and some Scribes.

Jaysek at one time took an interest in the Duranaki race in Tanara, and has adopted their favored weapon: the Kynac.

- Tomes of Kulthea #1088 (1990)
- Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 30 (1989)


Jaysek: Somber and thoughtful, Jaysek is associated with visual art, poetry, and Magic in its purest sense. At times positively morbid, he often goes to Kulthea in dark disguise to spout grim prophesies. He is twin brother of Kieron.

Reann and Jaysek: The moody, often grim pair will frequently travel to Kulthea together.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Lord of Orhan
  • Level: 160
  • Hits: 700
  • Melee: +460 melee, +420 missile
  • Mana: 13,720 (1,960 base, 7x enhancer)
  • Profession: Seer/Mystic
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 160, Directed Spell OB 320 (Fire Bolt). Knows all Mystic, Illusionist, and Seer Base lists. Knows all Loremaster "Lore"-related lists and all Scribe lists.
  • Long Kynac: +50 Keron alloy long knife, strikes as a rapier. Of Slaying demons. Cannot be fumbled.
  • Kynacs (4): Throwing returner knives, shorter versions of Long Kynac. +40 rapier. 3x normal throwing range, up to 150 feet without penalty, up to 300 feet at -25. Can throw all four in one round, up to two simultaneous targets.
  • Armor: Black Dragonskin, platinum fittings. AT 18 (ASG 18).
  • Orb: Intelligent spherical crysal with wry personality. Allows user to cast all Seer spell lists freely and in combinations.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 30 (1989)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 107; p.99-100 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 141 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 145 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 92-93 (2003)

Evolution:

  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition (1992) p.99-100 there is a vignette of Kieron and Jaysek talking to each other in the void of space above the planet, pondering the identity of the Nameless One (who is Tethior the Smith). Jaysek says he hasn't tried hard to figure it out, but the guy has blocked his spells and dodged his priests. Kieron thinks it has to be Andraax, and accidentally triggers a monstrous hail storm while swirling cloud formations over Jaiman with his finger. (Interestingly, Jaysek questions how the Nameless One knows these disasters before they happen, when Jaysek himself does prophesies.)
  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition (1992) he appears roughly 20, adds line that he is not the Nameless One.
  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition (2001) his age is called immortal and still appearing 20. Specifies his clothing has platinum fasteners, wears simple jewelry. He is unchanged in the 4th Edition (2003).
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) his poetry also includes depressing and tragic rather than just morbid. It says he appears as a normal man when riding his horse, and that he sometimes joins Reann at night. It adds that he is credited with inventing the Orhan Tarot, and that he is the patron of scholarly bards. It adds that he enjoys puzzles, word games, and mechanical devices.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) he gains the special ability of painting a glittering rune that acts as a Sign of Stunning or Sign of Striking (impact criticals) if the targets (60 degree arc) fail the resistance roll.
  • In the winter season the full moon of Orhan is a holiday in Rhakhaan where Jaysek is revered. (Haalkitaine book, 1998.)
  • He is described as having a 7x powerpoint multiplier, but the object that does it is not specified. Kieron has the same omission.
  • Jaysek is the Lord of Orhan who defeated Lorgalis in the Wars of Dominion. Lorgalis was assumed to be killed, having disappeared. He actually went into hiding and recovered from his mortal wounds in a secret place of the Lords of Essaence.
  • In the Grand Campaign documentation for Shadow World, Jaysek has a forest temple near the Black Forest of Dir, which is a kind of refuge from the Shards. This would loosely be somewhere around Danjirland if it existed in GemStone.
  • "The twins" in the context of I.C.E. Age lore refers Jaysek and Kieron being brothers, and in some cultures they are considered different aspects of the same being. Reann and Phaon are not related in Shadow World and Baeris does not have a brother. They also do not have designated parents, though in later lore some theologies say they are sons of Kuor and Valris, or that Valris created Jaysek from a feather quill and Kieron from a grapevine.
  • There is no analog of our Gosaena in the Shadow World setting and no pantheon of neutrality, so the special relationship between her and him does not exist.
  • There is no statement of a reason for Jaysek being sad and morbid, such as there is in the intermediate and modern forms blaming his prophetic powers. In the intermediate form he foresees the consequences of the actions of the Dark Gods and their followers. This is not specified for Jaysek.
  • Jaysek is one of numerous Seer deities, and it is portrayed as a matter of casting spells, rather than innate special abilities.
  • In the Landing's Voln monastery, originally Order of Vult (1994), the mural portrays him hooded with his dark horse. However, he is depicted holding a balance, while pointing at you with his other hand. This does not come from the Shadow World documentation.
  • The intermediate document adds that he is the only God of Light whose company Charl regularly keeps. It contrasts the kind of information Lumnis and Jastev will provide followers. His clothing is changed from "black or grey" to "drab", his skin pale rather than fair, and his age appearance varies from young to old. His being the god of visual arts is motivated by preserving beauty for what will come later, which is not asserted for Jaysek, and the lore about his being God of Magic and originating alphabets is removed with more weight put on his prophesies. He is described as sad with "fits of inspiration and joy" whereas Jaysek is always sullen. Illusionists and scribes are removed from his patrons list. While "mystics and seers" remain, they are no longer defined professions outside of the I.C.E. Age context, where in spite of the ordinary use of the word "mystics" actually referred to his illusionist aspect rather than divination. His crystal ball becomes one of his symbols rather than an intelligent artifact.
  • The modern document adds that he is the only Arkati who will speak to Gosaena at all, and gives him the title "the Soothsayer." It specifies he is the offspring of Imaera and Eonak, whereas the intermediate document only specifies this for Cholen. Jastev is the older brother.

Intermediate: Jastev

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Jastev

Greater God

Spheres of Power: Visual Art, Prophecy

God of Visual Arts and Magic, older twin to Cholen, God of Festivals and Performing. He rivals Kai’s good looks with his own sensual hazel eyes, dark brown hair, fair skin and lean, handsome frame. He is very serious, sometimes sullen and morbid and wears black or dark grey garments. He is said to have originated many of Elanthia’s alphabets and runes.

He is the only God of Light who’s company Charl regularly keeps.

Given to a somber demeanor and periods of depression, Jastev’s knowledge of the future is portrayed as a double-edged sword, giving him warning of the consequences of the actions of the Dark Gods and their followers, yet also showing him more than any being would wish to know. It is said that having foreseen the end of the world and of all that he loves causes his darker moods.

His patronization of the visual arts is also attributed to his knowledge of the future, since he encourages the preservation of each moment of beauty, emotion, or tragedy for those who will come after.

Jastev is the patron of mystics and seers, and his blessing is often invoked by practitioners of the arts of foretelling. While Lumnis will provide her followers with knowledge of the skills of fishing, Jastev is not averse to giving the location of the nearest fish.

Jastev’s symbol is a black artist’s brush on a field of grey, alternately, it is a silver crystal ball on a field of grey.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Jastev 
Greater God
Spheres of Power: Visual Art (Painting, Sculpture, etc.), Prophecy Humanoid Manifestation: A pale man dressed in drab colors. His age varies from the youngest of boys to the oldest of greybeards.
Manner: Most often Sad, with fits of Inspiration and Joy

Jastev is the God of Visual Art and Prophecy. He is the only God of Light who's company Charl regularly keeps. 

Given to a somber demeanor and periods of depression, Jastev's knowledge of the future is portrayed as a double-edged sword, giving him warning of the consequences of the actions of the Dark Gods and their followers, yet also showing him more than any being would wish to know. It is said that having foreseen the end of the World and of all that he loves causes his darker moods. 

His patronization of the visual arts is also attributed to his knowledge of the future, since he encourages the preservation of each moment of beauty, emotion, or tragedy for those who will come after. 

Jastev is the patron of mystics and seers, and his blessing is often invoked by practitioners of the arts of foretelling. While Lumnis will provide her followers with knowledge of the skills of fishing, Jastev is not averse to giving the location of the nearest fish. 

Jastev's symbol is a black artist's brush on a field of grey, alternately it is a silver crystal ball on a field of grey. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Jastev-
God of visual arts and magic. With his twin Kieron, he rivals Kai's good looks. He is very serious, sometimes sullen and morbid. (Jaysek)

Later Form:

- Jastev -
God of visual arts and magic, twin to Cholen, God of festivals and performing. He rivals Kai's good looks with his own sensual hazel eyes, dark brown hair, fair skin and lean, handsome frame. He is very serious, sometimes sullen and morbid and wears black or dark grey garments. He is said to have originated many of Elanthia's alphabets and runes. Shrine - unknown. (Jaysek)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Jastev's followers celebrated visual arts, and developed a gift of prophecy, while his twin Cholen became the god of festivals and performing arts. Tonis, remarkable for his speed and determination, became the messenger of the gods. Over all of them ruled Koar, with a firm but gentle hand.

Modern: Jastev

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

Jastev has been known to give divinatory player characters actual visions of the future during storylines. This has happened in Eyes of the Dawn (2016), for example, as well as preludes to Witchful Thinking. There is an order of Jastevian prophets in the mountains near Tamzyrr who have often advised Emperors of the Turamzzyrian Empire. He has a statue in Caear Var in Ta'Illistim, where he is one of the patrons chosen by the House, and the members of their secretive Grey Obelisk society generally have interest in him. Jastev is also one of the patrons for the Loenthra.

Jaston

I.C.E. Age: Jaynor

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears = 16) Eyes: Hazel. Hair: Long, Brown. Build: Slender. Height: 6'2". Race/Sex: Godlike being/Male. Skin: Fair. Demeanor: Playful. Dress: pants and feathered bands. True Attitude: Lighthearted. Home: Orhan. 

Follower of the Four Winds, Jaynor is also friend of birds and all non-evil flying beasts.

His costume consists of green pants and many colored bands about his arms, wrists and head. From all the bands hang brightly-hued feathers given by his many bird-friends. He communicates with the birds, which serve him as a vast information network.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 55 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a great spirit was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Great Spirit of Orhan
  • Level: 60
  • Hits: 350
  • Melee: +300 (quarterstaff); +290 (boomerang)
  • Mana: 2,520 (420 base, 6x enhancer)
  • Profession: Cleric (Druid).
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 120. Directed Spell OB 180 Air Bolt (300 feet; Water Bolt table, impact crits only). Open Channeling lists Weather Ways, Lofty Movements Nature's Law to 50th Level. Druid Base lists Druid's Peace, Animal Mastery, Nature's Forms to 50th Level.
  • Godlike Powers: As all Spirits of Orhan
  • Special Abilities: Flight. Jaynor can fly faster than any living thing except Teris (Tonis). Speech. Jaynor can speak to and understand the speech of any bird.
  • Necklace: 6x powerpoint multiplier. If stunned or incapacitated, it keeps him aloft. Lapis and other beads on a leather thong.
  • Quarterstaff: +35. It is a 10" golden wood long wand, transforms into a 6' semi-intelligent quarterstaff. Allows him to parry 3 attacks per round, including missiles, from any direction.
  • Bands: His feathered bands protect as AT 15 armor (ASG 15).
  • Boomerang: +25. Hits as club. 300 foot range and always returns to Jaynor.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addenundum, 1st Edition; page 55 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 111-112 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 143-144 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 148 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 100 (2003)

Evolution:

  • Jaysek was changed to Jastev and Jaynor was changed to Jaston. There is no particular relationship between them, but the similarity of their names was maintained.
  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition (1992) "pants" is changed to "breeches."
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) his age appearance increases to between 18 and 20. He gains an 11 foot form. His breeches are elaborated as "snug green cotton" and his bands are cloth. "bird-friends" is changed to "avian friends", but he is given the title "Bird-Friend". It clarifies that his quarterstaff blocks even from behind him.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) it adds that he is associated with Teris (Tonis) but generally independent. In some religions he is the son of Iloura and Iorak (Imaera and Eonak), which is not the case in the modern lore for GemStone, and he is the patron of many Animists and religions associated with birds. Favored god of many Hirazi cultures, some cults worship him in a form where he has the head of a hawk.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) his speech ability is expanded to being able to communicate mentally with birds within 100 miles of his avatar or projections.
  • In the modern documentation he is given the title "the Windrunner" and "Spirit of the Air, Patron of the Four Winds and Birds." He is changed to be an ascended sylvan elf, one of Imaera's "first experiments into the recreation of life upon Elanthia" after the Ur-Daemon War. The story is that she extended muscles and bones from his shoulder blades to create three wings on each side of his back, intending on making the sylvans into true tree-dwellers. She decided it would make the other mortal races too envious.
  • In the modern documentation his bird-like attributes are not a costume, which is only first mentioned as a religious possibility in 2003 in the I.C.E. version. His physical description and clothing stays the same aside from the sylvan elf specification and the six white-feathered wings on his back. His manner remains unchanged.
  • In the modern documentation Imaera begged Lorminstra for a soul, using it to reanimate the body of the fallen sylvan instead of allowing that soul beyond the Ebon Gates. Imaera "charged him with the care of birds, and made him caretaker of the Four Winds." However, there is no real premise of Imaera being air associated, which is the angle played up with Teris in the I.C.E. version.

Intermediate: Jaston

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Jaston

Follower of the four winds, patron of the birds. In mortal form he dons green breeches and many colored feathered bands about his head, arms and wrists. He is lighthearted and playful, appearing about to be in his late teens. With long brown hair, hazel eyes and slender build, Jaston is handsome in a boyish way.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

None. Jaston was not described in this document.

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Jaston- 
Follower of the Four winds, patron of the birds. (Jaynor)


Later Form:

- Jaston - 
Follower of the Four winds, patron of the birds. In mortal form he dons green breeches and many colored feathered bands about his head, arms and wrists. He is lighthearted and playful, appearing about to be in his late teens. With long brown hair, hazel eyes and slendor build, Jaston is handsome in a boyish way. Shrine - unknown. (Jaynor)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Jaston is not mentioned in the original History of Elanthia document.

Modern: Kuon

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

It is unclear when exactly the Jaston tree was first put into Elven Village near the Red Forest relative to the documentation. House Illistim has an "odd respect for Jaston." Four Winds Isle has a Jaston orientation by its name, but whether he actually used or created it is left ambiguous. It became the premium area after Frostacres around 2004.

Kai

I.C.E. Age: Cay

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? Eyes: Azure. Hair: Brown, curly. Build: Muscular. Height: 6'10". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/M. Skin: Fair. Demeanor: Lighthearted, Playful. Dress: Plain tunic. True Attitude: As Demeanor. Home: Orhan.

Lord of physical strength and athletic prowess, Cay appears as a sinewy yet (surprisingly) not exceedingly bulky youth. He cannot be bested in unarmed combat and only Kuor can beat him with weapons. Cay is considered most handsome of the gods (with the exception of the twins). He wears only a short blue tunic off one shoulder unless leading mass combat - an extremely rare occurrence for any of the Lords - in which case he dons shimmering silver armor. His favored weapon is a spear. Patron of athletic games, Cay is also an infamous seducer, having fathered countless children across Kulthea.

- Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 29 (1989)
- Tomes of Kulthea #1085 (1990)


Cay: Warrior of the Lords, Cay is associated with skill at arms and raw physical power.

Phaon, Oriana and Cay: This triad always seems to be involved in playful contests of athletic and combat prowess.

- Shaow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Lord of Orhan
  • Level: 180
  • Hits: 900
  • Melee: +600
  • Mana: 10,800 (2,160 base, 5x multiplier)
  • Profession: (High) Warrior Monk/Mentalist
  • Spells: Base OB 180, Directed Spells OB 270 (Lightning from bracers). All Monk and Paladin Base, as well as Essence "Shield Mastery" to 50th.
  • Special Abilities: Regenerates 18 hits per round, cannot be stunned or forced to parry. Skin is AT 11 (ASG 11 armor). Can Deflect and Bladeturn up to 180 attacks per round. May fight up to 4 opponents simultaneously with no penalty. 4x damage compared to normal unarmed combat.
  • Spear: Dir wood with adamantine head. +40 Lance. Parries missile attacks. Throws 600 feet without penalty, returns instantly through "Long Door" teleportation. (rarely uses unless armored)
  • Bracers: Four dark silver alloy bands, around ankles and wrists. Parries weapons without harm. Struck together releases Lightning Bolt with 5x damage up to 300 feet 5x/day.
  • Ge: Bola-like weapon. Up to 300 feet. +50 to Flail table. Of Slaying to Unlife creatures. Returns to carrying pouch after each throw.
  • Armor: Grey full plate.
  • Chain: Simple gold neck chain, protects against neck criticals 85% of hits. 5x powerpoint (mana) multiplier.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 29 (1989)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 106 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 141 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 145 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 92 (2003)

Evolution:

  • The parts about wearing armor when leading mass combat and "the twins" is dropped from the Intermediate form, and the spear and seducer parts are dropped by the modern form with his blue tunic replaced with light armor.
  • In the Order of Vult (Voln) step where you had to fight him with unarmed combat, he would kill you for cheating such as trying to cast spells. Supposedly it was possible at one point for a high enough level observer to kill his avatar when it was present.
  • In the Order of Vult (1994) monastery (Landing's Voln monastery) the stained glass inside the gates shows him naked except for a breechcloth.
  • The Monastery with the monastic liches has general representations of supporting Orhan, but the hidden stairwell specifically suggests these monks may have been a Cay sect, or else specially favoring him.

Intermediate: Kai

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Kai

Greater God

Spheres of Power: Strength, Athletic Prowess, Skills at Arms

Kai is the god of physical strength and athletic prowess.

Kai has been beaten once in armed combat by Koar, and fought once to a standstill against V’tull. Beyond these two instances, every opponent Kai has faced has fallen before him. Legend holds that in the Ur-Daemon war, Kai slew more of the enemy than any Drake did, despite their awesome might.

Kai’s joy of physical combat is such that Koar’s injunctions keep him from constant battle with the gods of Darkness. As an alternative, he often roams Elanthia looking for unsuspecting mortals to toy with in physical "contests" of one sort or another.

Kai’s blessing is oft invoked at contests of physical prowess.

Kai’s symbol is a silver arm with fist clenched, on a field of crimson. His clerics name their maces, cast in the same shape, the Fists of Kai.

Considered by many to be the most handsome of the gods, he is a known seducer and has fathered many mortal children. He appears to be a lean muscular young man with azure eyes and brown curly hair. He wears only a short blue tunic off one shoulder and carries what is said to be his favorite weapon, a spear.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Kai
Greater God
Spheres of Power: Strength, Athletic Prowess, Skill at Arms Humanoid Manifestation: A young man of epic build, with strong and carefree features. Kai is always dressed in light armor and is never without a weapon of some sort.
Manner: Carefree, Brave, Aggressive

Kai is the God of physical strength and athletic prowess.

Kai has been beaten once in armed combat by Koar, and fought once to a standstill against V'tull. Beyond these two instances every opponent Kai has faced has fallen before him. Legend holds that in the Ur-Daemon war, Kai slew more of the enemy than any Drake did, despite their awesome might.

Kai's joy of physical combat is such that only Koar's injunctions keep him from constant battle with the Gods of Darkness. As an alternative he often roams Elanthia looking for unsuspecting mortals to toy with in physical 'contests' of one sort or another.

Kai's blessing is often invoked at contests of physical prowess.

Kai's symbol is a silver arm with fist clenched, on a field of crimson. His clerics name their maces, cast in the same shape, the Fists of Kai. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:
-Kai- 
Lord ((God?)) of strength and athletics, none can defeat him in unarmed
combat. Considered by many to be the most handsome of the gods, and has
fathered many mortal children. 

Later Form:
- Kai - 
Lord of strength and athletics, none can defeat him in unarmed combat. Considered by many to be the most handsome of the gods, he's a known seducer and has fathered many mortal children. He appears to be a lean muscular young man with azure eyes and brown curly hair. He wears only a short blue tunic off one shoulder, his favorite weapon, a spear. His shrine is found outside of Wehnimer, near the velnalins. (Cay)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Others of the Arkati chose not individual races, but seasons, emotions, or tasks to be their own. Kai accepted warriors of all sorts, and Lumnis embodied wisdom and learning. Ronan controlled the night, the time of dreams, while Phoen's was the warm sun of summer. 

Modern: Kai

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Developments

The Kai shrine in the Lower Dragonsclaw is from the I.C.E. Age period, and likewise how he is represented through the Order of Voln. The GemStone III events involving Leya were the late 1990s, though possibly during the intermediate period. The Leya story was posted on the official website in 2004 but is significantly older. There is a Warlords of Kai group in Jantalar, but they are lukewarm followers, for the most part self-interested.

Kai is a patron of the Vaalor, and he is actively disliked by the Loenthra. There is no lore for whether Kai Toka was named for Kai. In an out-of-character sense it is clearly the De-ICE'd term for Sel-Kai in Emer, which was itself presumably not named for Kesh'ta'kai (Fash'lo'nae).

Koar

I.C.E. Age: Kuor

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

"Age: ? Eyes: Grey. Hair: White. Build: Muscular. Height: 6'6" Race/Sex: Godlike Being/M. Skin: Ruddy Demeanor: Aloof, Commanding. Dress: Flowing, toga-like garment. True Attitude: Reserved, Cautious. Home: Orhan. 

Kuor is King of the gods and ruler of Orhan. He can control the weather on Kulthea and reputedly is master of the Flows of Essence. While this isn't strictly true, he is able to manipulate the paths of the lesser Flows. Appearing as a man of middle years yet hale, he is beardless, and has a wild mane of snow-white hair. Kuor is almost never seen on Kulthea, preferring to observe activity on the Shadow World from afar. As leader of the Lords of Orhan, he keeps the others in check and will sometimes overrule one who is planning a rash action. One who he will not overrule, however, is Eissa, whose judgement is final. He presides over the Conclave of Orhan: the gathering of the Lords to debate a major issue."

- Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 25 (1989)
- Tomes of Kulthea #1079 (1990)


Kuor: generally accepted as Chief of the Lords, master of the Flows of Essaence and associated with weather.

Kuor and Valris: Complementing each other, these 'elder gods' are the most level-headed of the Lords. Valris is strong-willed as well as wise, and Kuor will often turn to her for advice.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Lord of Orhan, Ruler
  • Level: 210
  • Hits: 960
  • Melee: +630
  • Mana: 9,000 (1,500 base, 6x multiplier)
  • Profession: Cleric/Fighter
  • Spells: Base OB 240, Directed Spells OB 480. All Channeling and Essence. Cruel Curse called "Kuor's Wrath" reducing all Temp stats to 10.
  • Scepter of Orhan: +60 holy mace. Triple damage, double criticals. Level 30 Tremors spell. Glows blue-white blinding Unlife creatures within 100 feet.
  • Crown of the Lords: 6x powerpoints (mana), +100 DB
  • Bow of Wrath: +40 longbow. 5x normal range. 5x damage, also inflicts +100 lightning bolt.
  • Full plate: Alloy known only to Iorak, some "incredible" DB.
  • Shield: Clear Laen. Enchanted to fully protect against dragon breath. +80 DB vs frontal attacks, +50 vs directed spells.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 25 (1989)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)
  • 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)

Evolution:

  • Controlling the weather is implicitly from controlling the flows of essence, dropped from later GemStone III documentation. This is the meaning of Kuor as "master" of this, he actually has less "powerpoints" for spell casting than some of the other deities.
  • "Master of the Flows of Essence" was replaced with "master of mana" and "pools of mana" in Order of Voln steps. Dropped from later GemStone III documentation. The concept is still implied in his Well of Life (308) messaging and the Drake's Shrine.
  • Brooding god originally residing most of the time in the moon. Later changed to sleeping and brooding in a mountain on the world.
  • "Toga-like" dressing kept in the Intermediate form, removed from the modern form. The idea that even he will not overrule Lorminstra regarding souls exists in every period of the documentation. In the I.C.E. form he is beardless with white hair and modernly his character art is painted as dark haired with a beard.
  • As Kuor he is keeping the other Lords of Orhan in line, who largely disagree and act impulsively. Is not in any sense the ruler of the Dark Gods as well. In the Intermediate period this is changed to being ruler of both but only direct control in practice over Liabo.
  • In the Vvrael quest his Intermediate form is specifically described as "wrinkled" and "old as time itself." This is not quite from the documentation, though he was described having flowing grey hair, and as weary with deep creases in his forehead. In this specific context it was probably symbolic of Koar as the ancient Grail King and Lorminstra as the weeping Grail Maiden.
  • In the much later Shadow World documentation Vult (Voln) is the "son" of Eissa (Lorminstra). The idea of Koar as the father or creator of Voln originates in the Intermediate period of GemStone III.
  • In the Order of Vult (1994) monastery (Landing's Voln monastery) the stained glass inside the gates shows him holding the "sceptre of Liabo" (Orhan) artiact. He has his archaic description and wears a "toga-like robe."
  • In the History of Leya document Koar met with Kai in the form of a small winged lizard. These flying lizards appear in the Drake's Shrine and outside Pinefar. Talairi was involved in writing both things.

Intermediate: Koar

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

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.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Koar
Greater God, King of the Gods
Spheres of Power: Justice, Loyalty, Law
Humanoid Manifestation: A huge man upon a throne, contemplating fate of all things. Flowing grey hair and beard, shaggy brows, a deeply creased forehead, and weary eyes. Koar wears a golden crown.
Manner: commanding, detached, weary

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 too 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 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 respected scholar actually believes such nonsense, obviously born of chuckle-headed nostalgia.

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 symbol is a golden crown, often set on a circle of white. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Koar-
King of the Gods, Ruler of Liabo. 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. (Kuor)

Later Form:

- Koar -
King of the Gods, 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. (Kuor)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Others of the Arkati chose not individual races, but seasons, emotions, or tasks to be their own. Kai accepted warriors of all sorts, and Lumnis embodied wisdom and learning. Ronan controlled the night, the time of dreams, while Phoen's was the warm sun of summer. Imaera chose the autumn, while Lorminstra reigned over winter, the season of death. The raging seas were Charl's domain. Jastev's followers celebrated visual arts, and developed a gift of prophecy, while his twin Cholen became the god of festivals and performing arts. Tonis, remarkable for his speed and determination, became the messenger of the gods. Over all of them ruled Koar, with a firm but gentle hand.

Modern: Koar

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

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 and Church of Koar 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. The Vvrael quest and Drake's Shrine are from the intermediate period. (It is important to remember that in the late 1990s most of the historical documentation did not exist yet.) Much more recent developments include the Elders of the Everwatch Tower, which is part of the Church of Koar, and The Blameless which are a fanatical group of Koar worshippers who helped Prelate Chaston Griffin commit atrocities.

Koar is a patron of the Vaalor, and is actively disliked by the Ardenai. The Crown of Koar in Mestanir is a holy place of pilgrimage, with a Crown Trade Council. The Arcane Eyes of Mestanir initially had a loose devotion to Koar. One of the largest colleges in Nydds is the Halls of the Patriarch, established to provide religious education for those aspiring to join the Church of Koar.

Kuon

I.C.E. Age: Quen

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears = 20) Eyes: Hazel. Hair: Light Brown. Build: Muscular. Height: 6'8". Race/Sex: Godlike being/Male. Skin: Ruddy. Demeanor: Gentle. Dress: Flowing green-brown robes. True Attitude: Serene. Home: Orhan. 

The Patron of herbs and flowers, Quen is a strange character. He is a large, almost hulking presence, his shimmering green, amber and brown robes unable to conceal his brawny shoulders. He is as gentle as a father with his newborn, but there is a sense of controlled might. Destroyers of his wild flowers, beware!

Quen is called upon by many Herbalists and Animists when working in their Gardens. Flowers grow spontaneously in his wake. Where he walks, plants are not crushed or flattened. He can pass through even the most dense undergrowth with ease.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 53 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a great spirit was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Great Spirit of Orhan
  • Level: 65
  • Hits: 350
  • Melee: +320 (broadsword); +280 (long bow)
  • Mana: 3,640 (520 base, 7x enhancer)
  • Profession: Animist.
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 130. Directed Spell OB 200 Earth Bolt (Water Bolt tables). All Animist Base lists to 50th Level.
  • Godlike Powers: As all Spirits of Orhan
  • Staff: 7x powerpoint multiplier. Becomes a +30 wooden sword at will, which does not harm plantlife.
  • Long Bow: +35. 3x normal range. Doesn't shoot arrows, it shoots vines that do grapple criticals rather than puncture, similar to Iloura.
  • Robes of Autumn: Shimmering green, amber, and red-brown. AT 12 (ASG 12) armor and +100 to hiding outdoors.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addenundum, 1st Edition; page 53 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 110 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 143 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 147 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 98 (2003)

Evolution:

  • Quen is not explicitly associated with Iloura in the documentation, but his orientation along with his artifacts are clearly parallel to hers.
  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition (1992) "Patron" is made lowercase and the comma is removed from before "beware."
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) the line about flowers spontaneously growing in his wake is kept, but it is repeated redundantly after the next line about not crushing or flattening plants, adding only the detail of "aromatic" flowers. He is given the title "Lord of the Spring" in spite of wearing Robes of the Autumn and spring being the domain of Oriana when he clearly is implicitly associated with Iloura.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) it adds a line about his coming to the rescue of forests and other natural habitats under threat from the Dark Gods and the blight of the Unlife. It also gives him knowledge of all Ranger Base lists to 50th and "ten open or Closed Clerical" lists to 20th. Capitalizes Grapple Criticals and Puncture. Broadsword increased to +350, presumably not just including the +30 bonus.
  • There was no intermediate period documentation for Kuon. In the modern documentation his appearance is unchanged. His ability to not crush flowers and have them spontaneously grow is kept, and the "beware" thing is kept by saying he has a bad temper if pushed far enough.
  • In the modern documentation he is given the title "the Green" and made into an ascended mortal (former giantman) by Imaera when she was healing things after the Ur-Daemon War. It says that certain herbs were given healing properties by Imaera, at Kuon's suggestion. It also adds that it is said that as long as there is even a single green leaf on the planet, Kuon will be there to nurse it to health.

Intermediate: Kuon

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Kuon

Patron of herbs and flowers. He has hazel eyes, light brown hair and appears to be twenty-something,a large, hulking presence - his shimmering green, amber and brown robes unable to hide his massive shoulders. Flowers grow spontaneously in his wake and go uncrushed beneath his steps. He is gentle and kind, but has a bad temper once pushed far enough.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

None. Tilamaire was not described in this document.

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Kuon- 
Patron of herbs and flowers, a gentle giant unless you anger him. (Quen)


Later Form:

- Kuon - 
Patron of herbs and flowers. He has hazel eyes, light brown hair and appears to be twenty-something, a large hulking presence - his shimmering green, amber and brown robes unable to hide his massive shoulders. Flowers grow spontaneously in his wake and go uncrushed beneath his steps. He is gentle and kind, but has a bad temper once pushed far enough. Shrine - unknown. (Quen)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Tilamaire is not mentioned in the original History of Elanthia document.

Modern: Kuon

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

It is unclear when exactly the Kuon shrine was first put into Hearthstone Manor relative to the documentation. House Ardenai has particular respect for Kuon.

Leya

I.C.E. Age: Laia

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears = 20) Eyes: Azure. Hair: Mahogany/wavy. Build: Slender but athletic. Height: 6'0". Race/Sex: Godlike being/Female. Skin: Light Brown. Demeanor: Aloof, Confident. Dress: Belted tunic. True Attitude: Indifferent, Reserved. Home: Orhan. 

Daughter of Cay, Laia is one of the few children of the Lords of Orhan (see Section 6) who has been elevated to 'godhood.' She is a superior warrior, a martial artists like her father, though unlike him she has a cool demeanor. She is the patroness of the Amazon warriors of Itanis.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 51 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a great spirit was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Great Spirit of Orhan
  • Level: 60
  • Hits: 300
  • Melee: +350 (unarmed); +400 (Ge)
  • Mana: 1,500 (300 base, 5x enhancer)
  • Profession: Monk.
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 60. Knows all Monk Base lists to 50th Level, a monk of mentalism. Knows five Open and Closed Mentalist lists to 20th Level.
  • Godlike Powers: As all Spirits of Orhan
  • Special Abilities:' May engage three foes simultaneously without penalty. (i.e. Full DB versus all the foes, has to divide OB among them but no other penalty.)
  • Bracers: Wrist and ankle bans. Parry weapons without harm.
  • Ge: A ge of returning. Thrown 300 feet without penalty. Returns to belt pouch by Long Door.
  • Belt: AT 12 armor in effect. (ASG 12)
  • Headband: Leather. Protects head as if full helm. 5x powerpoint multiplier.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addenundum, 1st Edition; page 51 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 109 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 142 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 147 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 97 (2003)

Evolution:

  • Laia is one of the few demi-gods elevated to "godhood", being immortal and living on Orhan. This presumably means acquiring a non-corporeal existence with an avatar, but it is not defined. This is the closest the canonical Shadow World setting has to an ascension concept. Most offspring of the Lords do not end up this powerful or immortal, and there have been a few unnamed cases of immortal offspring the Lords had to destroy because they lost their "humanity" being unsuited for the longevity.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) she is given a second 11 foot form, and her Ge has its range increased to 500 feet. Gains the title "The Warrior."
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) it specifies she is the daughter of Cay with a mortal woman from Kuluku of southeast Emer. It adds that she is also the patroness of several other cultures where women are the dominant sex.
  • In the modern documentation Leya is titled "Master of Martial Arts", and "Patroness of Amazons and Martial Arts."
  • In the modern documentation Leya is still the daughter of Kai with a mortal woman, except in this case the mother was Ardenai elven. She is "skilled with many weapons", whereas her ICE form does unarmed combat and a throwing weapon. Her physical form is unchanged, except for the fact that the post-ICE descriptions mostly omit skin colors.
  • In the modern documentation Leya wielded the sword Soulingen during the Undead Wars, which holds the souls of those it kills, which led to her accidentally killing her lover in a situation staged by Luukos. Leya then wanders the lands and retires among the elves. This is seemingly a period that falls under historical record rather than a legend of pre-historical legend, but it is unclear to what extent it is or is not legend.
  • In "The History of Leya" story Kai watches tourneys on the world below, which is factual in the ICE version. He supposedly did this with Leya competing in them during the Elven Empire in the Second Age. It has them wandering around by foot and communicating by bird messengers rather than any powers. It refers to a "mountainous region east of Faendryl lands" which does not exist on the map of Elanith, and Kai himself "engaged with the fighting of the Despana." The story seems to pre-date the full continent map.
  • Laia is described as seeming compassionless, though not really. Leya founded the Amazons out of compassion for abused women.
  • The Shrine of Leya that is referenced as the burial place of her lover Egan is near Old Mine Road outside Wehnimer's Landing. It was found by adventurers in 1997 (the year 5097.)

Intermediate: Leya

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Leya

Daughter of Kai, master of martial arts, patron of Amazons. She is a superior warrior who appears to be twenty-something with azure eyes and wavy mahogany hair. She wears a belted tunic over her slender but athletic form and laced sandals upon her feet. She has a cool, confident demeanor and is skilled in many weapons.

Leya’s shrine is located deep down the mine road.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

None. Leya was not described in this document.

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Leya- 
Daughter of Kai, master of martial arts, patron of Amazons. (Laia)

Later Form:

- Leya -
Daughter of Kai, master of martial arts, patron of Amazons. She is a superior warrior who appears to be twenty-something with azure eyes and wavy mahogony hair. She wears a belted tunic over her slender but athletic form and laced up sandals upon her feet. She has a cool, confident demeanor and is skilled in many weapons. Shrine - uknown. (Laia)

(Note: This was apparently written before Leya's shrine was found in 1997. This detail is added in Version 1.)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Leya is not mentioned in the original History of Elanthia document.

Modern: Leya

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

The incident with Luukos is mentioned in the History of Luukos document. The Leya story was put on the play.net website in 2002, but was written some indeterminant time before hand. The Legend of Soulingen was put up in 2003. Leya is one of the lesser gods favored by House Vaalor. Leya has followers in the Turamzzyrian Empire known as The Battle Dancers of Leya, though they are largely entertainers.

Lorminstra

I.C.E. Age: Eissa

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? Eyes: Grey/Blue. Hair: Blonde. Build: Slight. Height: 5'10". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/F. Skin: Pale. Demeanor: Somber. Dress: Flowing black hooded robes with a white gown underneath. True Attitude: Restrained, Pensive, yet not Unhappy. Home: Orhan.

Goddess of Death/Rebirth (and Winter), she is the sister of Reann. Eissa is the deity appealed to when a religious "Lifegiving" is administered. She guards the Gates of Oblivion and it is her decision whether a soul is returned - even Kuor will not over rule her decision. Eissa is more inclined to allow the return of a soul whose mission on Kulthea has not been completed. If the being in question has lived a full life, or has died in a significant and meaningful way, she will usually deny the soul's return.

Eissa wears a hooded, flowing black robe and carries a staff of crystal - and a set of crystalline keys to the Gates. Before the Gates is a small garden, in the center of which is the Spring of Youth, which feeds the enchanted River of Life on Orhan. Essa rests here often, staring into the mere by the spring, through which she views her followers on Kulthea.

Cultures on Kulthea have myriad differing beliefs regarding the soul and what becomes of it when someone dies. Those who follow Eissa believe that the soul lives forever, though if the body is destroyed or fails due to age, the soul passes beyond the gates into another state of being. The worst fate is if the soul itself is somehow destroyed, something which can only happen to someone who falls victim to one of the Unlife's cruel servants.

- Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 27 (1989)
- Tomes of Kulthea #1082 (1990)


Eissa: mistress of death and rebirth, associated with winter. She is the only Lord of Orhan who can channel lifegiving power to Kultheans. (Other lords may bring lie back to a mortal only if they do so in person - an event unheard-of.)

Eissa: Almost always alone, beautiful Eissa wanders through her forest-garden where the River of Life flows. While friendly with the other Lords, she prefers solitude and the others respect her wishes.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Lord of Orhan
  • Level: 180
  • Hits: 600
  • Melee: +300
  • Mana: 19,440 (2,160 base, 9x multiplier)
  • Profession: Cleric/Healer
  • Spells: Base OB 180, Directed Spells OB 360 (Lightning Bolt). All healing spells on any list and all Cleric Base. Unique fatal channeling called "Eissa's Call", puts the living in a deep sleep coma and transfers the souls into her Staff of Doom if she wishes (or destroys the soul in the case of Unlife creatures.)
  • Mere of Life: Scrying pool that lets her view any of her adherents calling on her for help.
  • Staff of Doom: 6 foot laen staff that stores up to 12 souls. Uses it to transport souls to and from Oblivion, and for sending souls back to their bodies
  • Keys: The six keys of the Gates of Oblivion, two of which are called Life and Death. The "Void" key is forbidden and never used.
  • Necklace: Gold necklace with three 2 inch diamonds. 9x powerpoint (mana) multiplier.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 27 (1989)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 104 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 139 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 144 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 90 (2003)

Evolution:

  • In the ICE version Eissa is the only deity from whom resurrection spells can be channeled by Clerics. The other Lords of Orhan can raise the dead, but only if they do so themselves in person. The Dark Lords presumably cannot, being unholy. Worshippers of the dark gods in that system would have been Evil Clerics by class with different spell lists.
  • The "deeds" mechanic (including Purgatory) is unique to the death system of GemStone III (1990) and does not derive from her Shadow World theology. It was originally in a context where Eissa was the only deity involved in resurrection at all, which by the modern period laxened to being the only one who brings souls back and reincarnates them whereas the followers of any deity can resurrect. The meaning of deeds was retconned with the Death's Sting release around 2004, being related to her healing more fully those souls she brings back based on their worthiness.
  • The contrast between Eissa and Empress Kadaena only exists in GemStone III, seemingly an idiosyncratic theology of The Dark Path. There is no deity corresponding to Gosaena in Shadow World.
  • The contrast between Eissa and Empress Kadaena as encoded by the Bandur Etrevion story also exists in its Broken Lands spin-off where it is a lot more subtle. Both places have areas making a twisted symbolic parallel to the tapestry room in the temple used for the deeds ceremony.
  • The "Staff of Doom" artifact is explicitly mentioned outside the Graveyard gates, and implicit to the Purgatory death mechanics. The Gates of Oblivion were mentioned in both.
  • Her "Lake of Tears" in the Intermediate period is unique to post-I.C.E. Age GemStone III (1996), appearing in the First Griffin Sword War and the Drake's Shrine at the end of the Vvrael quest. It may be loosely related to her I.C.E. Age "River of Life" and mirror scrying pool next to the Gates of Oblivion. This was located in a forest-garden, and the Lake of Tears in the first Griffin Sword War was forest situated. She shed a tear for every lost soul that had chosen the dark path.
  • The "River of Life" is referenced as the "Enchanted River" by the grizzled old warrior NPC (1994), and the above scene is represented symbolically in the Order of Voln courtyard. The cleansing waters are described as a gift from Lorminstra by the guard inside the monastery gates. It has been retconned as part of the Reim death mechanics with its own hooded figure like the Landing temple tapestry room. (2016)
  • In the Order of Vult (1994) monastery (Landing's Voln monastery) the stained glass inside the gates shows Lorminstra with blonde hair, a white gown, and grey/blue eyes. She is depicted as blonde in the I.C.E. and Intermediate periods, but dark haired in the modern period.
  • "Purgatory" has been retconned to be between Liabo and Elanthia (2018). In the Shadow World context the River of Life is the flows of essence between the moon and planet, causing a drift that souls float along to reach the Gates of Oblivion on the moon. (The Lord of Orhan also ride the flows down to the planet, analogous to the teleportation disks from the Needle of Pentas on the Isle of Ornath.)
  • There were originally six keys to the Gates of Oblivion, in the modern period there is "one for every soul."
  • There is a drawing depicting Eissa with her Staff of Doom sitting before the Mere of Life and the Gates of Oblivion on page 105 of Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition.
  • The rivalry between Eissa and Klysus is primarily rooted in his being a soul devourer. While Klysus is a necromancer by profession, Luukos is far more heavily oriented toward the undead. This was shifting the lore in a way that made Vult (Voln) a lot more relevant. While Vult was the "releaser" of the undead, and there is an in-game premise of souls being cleansed, the Eissa lore actually had her destroying corrupt souls with her Staff of Doom. This is one of numerous contradictions between what the Order of Vult teaches and what was actually true in the Shadow World documentation.

Intermediate: Lorminstra

Official: 1996-1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Lorminstra

Greater Goddess

Spheres of Power: Death, Rebirth, Winter, Deliverance

Sister to Ronan, holds the crystal keys to the Gates of Oblivion. She is the one who determines whether a soul should be restored to its mortal body or dwell in the afterlife - unless the soul has been claimed by others and is out of her reach. She wears a flowing black hooded robe over a white gown and carries a staff of crystal. She has blonde hair, with grey blue eyes and of slight build. Her pale skin reflects her somber, pensive demeanor.

She is eldest offspring of Koar and Lumnis.

Lorminstra is the Guardian of Souls, and Keeper of the Ebon Gate. It is her decision whether a soul is allowed to return to Elanthia each time an appeal is made via a ritual of "Lifegiving", and even Koar will not gainsay her decision.

Lorminstra regards Luukos’ enslavement of souls to animate his undead as abominable. She supports her brother Ronan, in his struggle against Luukos’ minions, and also petitions Koar frequently to take direct measures to curb Luukos’ activities. 

Lorminstra’s symbol is a golden key, or a golden key set upon a gate of black.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Lorminstra
Greater Goddess
Spheres of Power: Death, Rebirth, Winter, Deliverance
Humanoid Manifestation: A thin woman with blonde hair and pale alabaster skin. She wears two layers of robes, black over white. At her side dangles a ring of keys, one for every soul.
Manner: Somber, Caring

Lorminstra is the Goddess of Death/Rebirth and Winter, she is the eldest offspring of Koar and Lumnis. Lorminstra is the Goddess of Winter, that annual 'death' of nature which parallels the death and rebirth of souls.

Lorminstra is also the Guardian of Souls, and Keeper of the Ebon Gate. It is her decision whether a soul is allowed to return to Elanthia each time an appeal is made via a ritual of 'Lifegiving', and even Koar will not gainsay her decision.

Lorminstra regards Luukos' enslavement of souls to animate his undead as abominable. She supports her brother, Ronan, in his struggle against Luukos' minions, and also petitions Koar frequently to take direct measures to curb Luukos' activities.

Lorminstra's symbol is a golden key, or a golden key set upon a gate of black. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Lorminstra-
Goddess of Death and Rebirth. She holds the crystal keys to the Gates of Oblivion. She is the one who determines whether a soul should be restored to its mortal body or dwell in the afterlife (unless the soul has been claimed by evil and is out of her reach). (Eissa)

Later Form:

- Lorminstra -
Goddess of Death and Rebirth, sister to Ronan, holds the crystal keys to the Gates of Oblivion. She is the one who determines whether a soul should be restored to its mortal body or dwell in the afterlife - unless the soul has been claimed by others and is out of her reach. She wears a flowing black hooded robes over a white gown and carries a staff of crystal. She's blonde, with grey-blue eyes and of slight build. Her pale skin reflect her somber, pensive demeanor. Her shrine is located in the town Temple, where one can donate gems or silver in an attempt to win her favor. (Eissa)

Drake's Shrine: (released spring 1998)

You gesture at a flawless silver stone.
As the thought crosses your mind, you are struck by a vision...

A young, golden haired lass appears before you, her face conveying a feeling of complete and utter sadness.  Just looking at her sweeps you into the emotion, as if her pain and suffering were your own.  A tear rolls down her cheek, tracing across her delicate skin.

Words unspoken form in your mind.  Though the lass simply watches you, there is no doubt that they are hers.

"I forgive you, my child..."

With that she fades away, disappearing as if never there.

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Others of the Arkati chose not individual races, but seasons, emotions, or tasks to be their own. Kai accepted warriors of all sorts, and Lumnis embodied wisdom and learning. Ronan controlled the night, the time of dreams, while Phoen's was the warm sun of summer. Imaera chose the autumn, while Lorminstra reigned over winter, the season of death.

Modern: Lorminstra

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

There has not been reference to her Lake of Tears since the Vvrael quest. The Koargard concept was put into the Turamzzyrian Empire history (2000) and developed more in Worship in the Turamzzyrian Empire (2015). The Gates of Oblivion were still referenced instead of the Ebon Gates in the death mechanics until shortly after the conversion to GemStone IV and introduction of Death's Sting (2004). The actual location of the Ebon Gates does not seem to be explicitly known, whereas the Gates of Oblivion were a portal on the moon. Her "River of Life" is now instead an ethereal stream in the Reim (2016) death mechanics and "Purgatory" is a space between Liabo and Elanthia that is accessed during the Rings of Lumnis event (2018). Lorminstra now has a Keepers of the Golden Key order in the Barony of Dragach, and has some theological development in the History of the Order of Voln (2014). Lorminstra dispelled an apparation of Luukos in a ritual in River's Rest in 2012 leading up to a Felstorm incident.

Lorminstra is actively disliked by the Loenthra, and is not a patron of any of the Elven Houses. Lorminstra is said to have provided Imaera a soul, giving birth to a nature spirit called Jes'Tamaline.

Lumnis

I.C.E. Age: Valris

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? Eyes: Pale grey. Hair: Black. Build: Slender. Height: 6'1". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/F. Skin: Pale. Demeanor: Aloof, Quiet. Dress: Flowing garments of light grey or white. True Attitude: Serene, Scholarly. Home: Orhan. Aka: "The Wise". 

Wife of Kuor and goddess of learning and wisdom, Valris is patron of scholars and masters of thought. Thick sable hair which flows down her back, large pale grey eyes and ivory skin are Valris' most striking features. She favors Mentalists, though of course does not channel power directly to pure users of Mentalism - they tap their own 'Essence'. Astrologers also often follow her. 

- Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 26 (1989)
- Tomes of Kulthea #1080 (1990)


Valris: wife of Kuor; mistress of learning and wisdom.

Kuor and Valris: Complementing each other, these 'elder gods' are the most level-headed of the Lords. Valris is strong-willed as well as wise, and Kuor will often turn to her for advice.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Lord of Orhan
  • Level: 200
  • Hits: 700
  • Melee: +300, +360 javelin (missile)
  • Mana: 19,200 (2,400 base, 8x multiplier)
  • Profession: Astrologer (also Scholar/Sage)
  • Spells: Base OB 200, Directed Spells OB 400. Favors a +30 firebolt called "Starhand" looking like a blue beam of light. Knows all Astrologer base, open and closed Mentalism lists. (Sage and Moon Mage lists.)
  • Girdle: Woven of gold, silver, and platinum. Precious gems forming shifting constellations. +60 DB, AT 17 (ASG 17) armor.
  • Tiara: Eyes of the Ages. Silver headband with teardrop shaped black pearls at her temples that look into the past and future.
  • Ring: 8x powerpoint multiplier. One of the four "Rings of the Elements" (the Air one) made by Iorak.
  • Starsword: +40 holy sword. Clear Laen tinted dark blue, looked at carefully "disconcertingly" appears to be panoramic view of the night sky.
  • Javelin: +50 lance with a 1000 foot range without penalty, Of Slaying any one target Valris wishes.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 26 (1989)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 103-104 (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 89 (2003)

Evolution:

  • There is a Valris shrine near the Library of Nomikos complex on the Isle of Ormian near a Navigator obelisk. In the modern game the Needle of Pentas is a Lumnis religious site, with teleportation disks to Liabo, near the Library of Biblia on the Isle of Ornath which has a Chronomage obelisk.
  • The Starsword of Valris is the anti-parallel to the swords of the Heralds of Night which dominate their minds giving them immunity to being stunned. The Scalian heralds, the ones serving Scalu, are now Sheruvian harbingers which are stun immune as well.
  • The Seethe Naedal observatory was originally designed as a Valris shrine but was not released until half a decade after the I.C.E. Age ended.
  • Valris has the ability to see the past and future, with a powerful artifact to that effect and being an Astrologer by profession. In later Shadow World documentation she sends her followers visions helping them see their futures. This detail is mentioned briefly in her modern documentation as Lumnis with fortune-tellers seeking her wisdom, and made more explicit in later documentation where she has groups of followers who are involved with divination and treated as oracles.
  • Valris has a powerful ring, one of four made by Iorak, but does not have a five ring symbol or a notion of five spheres of knowledge.
  • Valris and Kuor are the most level-headed and most powerful of the Lords of Orhan. Words like "wife" are always put in quotation marks for being only metaphorical, and later Shadow World documentation says some cultures treat her as a male deity.
  • While Reann is the "brother" of Eissa in the Shadow World theology, Valris and Kuor are not described as their parents. This changes by the intermediate period where Lorminstra is described as their "eldest offspring." The motherly quality was added to Lumnis.
  • The antagonism between Eorgina and Lumnis is introduced in the intermediate forms, Orgiana does not have a "Queen of the Gods" rivalry premise in Shadow World.
  • There is no mention in the Shadow World lore of any particular antagonism between Valris and Kesh'ta'kai, other than Kesh'ta'kai hating the Lords of Orhan in general. Valris is indisputably more powerful than Kesh'ta'kai. There is no premise of Valris giving counsel to the Dark Gods. The premise of her disappearing power-hungry and dangerous magic users was added to Lumnis. The contrast of Lumnis as a goddess of insight, intuition, and understanding versus Fash'lo'nae as a god of methods and knowledge for its own sake is not from the I.C.E. forms.
  • In the Order of Vult (1994) monastery (Landing's Voln monastery) the stained glass inside the gates shows her with black hair (no white shock) with pale skin and pale grey eyes.

Intermediate: Lumnis

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Lumnis

Greater Goddess

Spheres of Power: Wisdom, Knowledge

Patron to scholars and masters of thought, "The Wise". Tall and slender, Lumnis’ ivory skin compliment her black hair, pale grey eyes, and full red lips. She is serene, scholarly, seemingly aloof in her quiet ways. She wears flowing garments of white or light grey and is the beautiful wife of Koar, King of the Gods. She is not considered the "Queen" of the Gods, however. She gives counsel willingly, even to the Dark Gods, but never commands.

Lumnis’ power lies in her understanding of the interrelationships of the Spheres of Knowledge and her intuitive grasp of their intricacies. Able to accomplish feats that leave even Koar amazed, she wields her knowledge with the style of an artist. She is worshipped by scholars and practitioners of the arcane arts who explore the boundaries of their knowledge with a wonder and respect of the powers they discover. 

Her wisdom is also sought by fortune-tellers and all in need of guidance.

She regards Fash’lo’nae’s approach to knowledge as ultimately self-destructive and unconscionable. Her disapproval of knowledge for personal gain or power is such that she has been attributed with the sudden disappearance of several notably power-hungry magic-users over the centuries.

Lumnis’ symbol is a golden scroll overlaying five conjoined circles, the circles being red, blue, black, green, and white - symbolizing her mastery of the Spheres of Knowledge.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Lumnis
Greater Goddess
Spheres of Power: Wisdom, Knowledge
Humanoid Manifestation: A mature woman in a gossamer robe of light grey so long that her feet are never seen and the hem is lost in distant mists. Her hair is black with a single shock of white at her forehead.
Manner: Serene

Lumnis is the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge, and the Wife of Koar. She is not considered the "Queen" of the Gods, however. She gives counsel willingly, even to the Dark Gods, but never commands.

Lumnis' power lies in her understanding of the interrelationships of the Spheres of Knowledge and her intuitive grasp of their intricacies. Able to accomplish feats that leave even Koar amazed, she wields her knowledge with the style of an artist.

She is worshipped by scholars and practitioners of the arcane arts who explore the boundaries of their knowledge with a wonder and respect of the powers they discover. Her wisdom is also sought by fortune-tellers and all in need of guidance.

She regards Fash'lo'nae's approach to knowledge as ultimately self-destructive and unconscionable. Her disapproval of knowledge for personal gain or power is such that she has been attributed with the sudden disappearance of several notably power-hungry magic users over the centuries.

Lumnis' symbol is a golden scroll overlaying five conjoined circles, the circles being red, blue, black, green, and white - symbolizing her mastery of the Spheres of Knowledge. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Lumnis-
Goddess of learning and wisdom, patron to scholars. Pale, but beautiful. Wife of Koar. (Valris)

Later Form:

- Lumnis -
Goddess of learning and wisdom, patron to scholars and masters of thought, "The Wise." Tall and slender, Lumnis's ivory skin compliment her black hair. pale grey eyes, and full red lips. She is serene, scholarly, seemingly aloof in her quiet ways. She wears flowing garments of white or light grey and is the beautiful wife of Koar. Shrine - unknown. (Valris)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Others of the Arkati chose not individual races, but seasons, emotions, or tasks to be their own. Kai accepted warriors of all sorts, and Lumnis embodied wisdom and learning.

Modern: Lumnis

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

Lumnis was given an elaborated origins document in 2003. She has an Illistim group of followers called The Unending Circle, as well as being one of the Illistim patrons. She has divination oriented Turamzzyrian Empire groups called the Daughters of Lumnis and the Children of Many Colors, and a group of followers on the Isle of Ornath that run the Needle of Pentas.

Niima

I.C.E. Age: Neela

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears = 16) Eyes: Blue. Hair: Pale Blond. Build: Slender. Height: 5'9". Race/Sex: Godlike being/Male. Skin: Very Pale. Demeanor: Wistful. Dress: Clinging blue-green gown. True Attitude: Melancholy. Home: Waterways of Kulthea. 

Said to be a daughter of Shaal, Neela is of of the few who might stay his temper. She is mistress of waters and patron of sailors.

With the look of a spritely but somewhat pensive young woman (no more than a girl, really), she swims through the waters of the world seeking ships in trouble.

Neela tries to moderate Shaal's stormy temper and save those who miht otherwise be lost at sea. Even if she cannot stop a shp from being smashed, she will guide shipwrecked sailors to islands. (Admittedly, she saves young men who she finds attractive.)

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 54 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a great spirit was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Great Spirit of Orhan
  • Level: 60
  • Hits: 350
  • Melee: +250 (broadsword); +280 (net)
  • Mana: 2,520 (420 base, 6x enhancer)
  • Profession: Mystic.
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 120. Directed Spell OB 180 (Water Bolt). All Mystic Base lists to 50th level. Magician Water Law to 50th Level. Ten Open Mentalism or ten Open Essence lists to 25th.
  • Godlike Powers: As all Spirits of Orhan
  • Special Abilities: Form Mastery. Can assume the form of any sea creature up to 5x her mass at will. Easily maneuvers and breathes through water.
  • Net: +30. Grapples Table. Net can only be cut by laen or eog weapons, enchanted. Can cast it 100 feet in air or water. If the net entangles the target (GM discretion) she can Long Door either net back to her or the net and prey, with a resistance roll (warding) vs. 30th level.
  • Knife: Slender curved dagger. Strikes as +30 broadsword.
  • Gown: Protects as AT 12 armor. (ASG 12)
  • Necklace: Of shells. 6x powerpoint multiplier.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addenundum, 1st Edition; page 54 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 111 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 143 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 147-148 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 99 (2003)

Evolution:

  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) she is given the title "Ocean Lady". It reverses the order of the first and second sentences.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) it adds that she is friendly to most of the naiads, oceanids, and nereids who live in the various waterways of the planet. She has the power to control them if they become uncooperative, but she prefers persuasion to force unlike her father Shaal.
  • In the modern documentation she gains the title "the Wavedancer" and is patroness of "the water, sailors and sea life" instead of "mistress of waters and patron of sailors." Her appearance is kept the same but she is changed from wistful/melancholy to playful/flirtatious. She is still daughter of Charl, mother of an Arkati lost in the Ur-Daemon War. It keeps the part about rescuing the attractive sailors first.
  • The modern documentation adds that there are many tales of sailors being rescued from the water by her, as well as unfaithful ones using the excuse to their wives that it was required because Niima saved their lives. It adds that she is the subject of sea chanties and pirate songs, and often the figurehead on ships.

Intermediate: Niima

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Niima

Mistress of the water, patroness of sailors, daughter of Charl. She acts as Charl’s conscience and moderates his temper. She rescues shipwrecked sailors, but tends to save the young and handsome ones first. She looks somewhat spritely, with very pale skin, blue eyes, and pale blonde hair. A blue-green gown clings to her slender form though she appears to be no more than a young girl.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Niima is not mentioned in this version of the gods documentation.

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Niima- 
Mistress of the water, patroness of sailors, daughter of Charl. She acts as Charl's conscience and moderates his temper. She rescues shipwrecked sailors, but tends to save the young and handsome ones first. (Neela) 


Later Form:

- Niima - 
Mistress of the water, patroness of sailors, daughter of Charl. She acts as Charl's conscience and moderates his temper. She rescues shipwrecked sailors, but tends to save the young and handsome ones first. She looks somewhat spritely, with very pale skin, blue eyes, and pale blonde hair. A blue-green gown clings to her slender form though she appears to no more than a young girl. (Neela)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Niima is not mentioned in the original History of Elanthia document.

Modern: Niima

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

Niima was one of House Ashrim's chosen gods. The Wavedancer was a quest ship named for Niima around 2005, it travelled off the coast of the Southron Wastes. It is sunk next to Caligos Isle. The elaborated origin story of Niima with Charl was released in 2014 but was written much earlier. The mother is called "the Unnamed One" in the story, involving a Drake named Pier'Anthyia. The County of Torre has a navy named Niima's Own.

Oleani

I.C.E. Age: Oriana

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? Eyes: Violet, gold-flecked. Hair: Golden blonde. Build: Statuesque/Voluptuous. Height: 6'3". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/F. Skin: Lightly tanned. Demeanor: Caring; Sometimes Amorous. Dress: White gown. True Attitude: Serene; Empathic. Home: Orhan/Mur Fostisyr. 

Goddess of Love and Fertility (and Spring), Oriana is great beauty with golden hair and violet eyes. She is the wife of Phaon, and flies beside her husband on golden wings made for her by Iorak. 

As is typical with the Lords of Orhan, the concept of 'marriage' between gods is more a loose association than a true spiritual union. Both Oriana and Phaon have many lovers; in Oriana's case it was part of her first ritual with the Kytaari to bear the first members of the royal line. 

Called upon to aid in many wedding ceremonies, her blessing promises many healthy children, and (perhaps ironically) an undying mutual love. She is called upon often, but rarely bestows her full blessing. Although almost always bearing a serene visage, Oriana has been known to break down and weep should one partner in a beautiful relationship (which she may have nurtured) meet with a tragic end. She also has a more sensual side, playful and lustful.
 
Oriana favors a tunic or gown of shimmering white trimmed with gold. Sometimes her tunic is a sheer, revealing garment. 

She is an adept martial artist, and may have brought those skills to her Ky'taari people - along with the unusual weapon called the Ikasha. It is similar to a large throwing star, but more effective, and the accomplished user can cast it so that it will return safely to him. 
NOTE: Oriana is worshipped by the arctic Ky'taari people as Ariaana, goddess of the Sun (the reason she is worshipped rather than Phaon is not clear). She appears to her followers there with golden eyes.

- Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 26 (1989)
- Tomes of Kulthea #1084 (1990)


Oriana: Goddess of love and femininity, she is associated with spring and weddings. She is the wife of Phaon (though, after the manner of the Lords, both are notorious philanderers).

Phaon, Oriana and Cay: This triad always seems to be involved in playful contests of athletic and combat prowess.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Lord of Orhan
  • Level: 180
  • Hits: 720
  • Melee: +360 (broadsword), +420 (throwing star)
  • Mana: 17,280 (2,160 base, 8x multiplier)
  • Profession: Mage/Monk
  • Spells: Base OB 180, Directed Spells OB 360 (Firebolt). All lists dealing with fire, including Mentalist "Brilliance" list (Mana Fires from Rolemaster Companion I). All Monk Base to 50th Level.
  • Sunsword: +40 Holy broadsword. Flames on command, gives additional heat critical.
  • Pendant: Golden sunburst with large cabochon of yellow crystal in center. Casts Sunfires True at will, 3x normal power. 8x powerpoint enhancer.
  • Bracers: Gold-alloy wrist bracers. +80 DB, allow wearer to parry missiles as frontal melee attacks. Energy field acting as AT 20 (ASG 20) armor.
  • Ikasha: Gold-alloy throwing star. Strikes as +40 broadsword, magically returns. 5x normal range.
  • Tiara: Golden filigree diadem set with yellow stones. Protects as helm. Negates head crits 60% of the time.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 28 (1989)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 105-106 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 140 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 144 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 89 (2003)

Evolution:

  • In the Shadow World Master Atlas (all editions) Oriana is called "the Earth-goddess" in the description of Phaon, presumably from her being the goddess of the Spring, in spite of Iloura being the actual Earth goddess who is called "the earth-mother." This is possibly the seed for the later overlap in roles of Oleani and Imaera.
  • In the Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition she is immortal but appears as 25. Fixes the typo to say "a beauty" rather than "beauty."
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) she appears 30. The description is altered to add that in some places she is a goddess of the Sun. Adds to the playful and lustful line, saying she inspires lovers to daring rendezvous.
  • In "Powers of Light and Darkness" (2003) she gains the special ability of being immune to all forms of heat and cold including dragon fire-breath.
  • The Ky'taari are a half-elven race from Mur Fostisyr, who know her as Ariaana, the goddess who bore the first members of their royal line. Mur Fostisyr was an island just northwest of what we call Darkstone Bay, roughly where Ruin Creek is on the map of Elanith. It was also the home of the Dragonlord Oran Jatar, referenced in Ditmar's Tale, and the Priests Arnak who would have been the ones behind the Council of Light. In the Shadow World history what we call roltons were first imported to this region from Mur Fostisyr.
  • In the Order of Vult (1994) monastery (Landing's Voln monastery) the stained glass inside the gates shows her with wearing the golden wings.
  • In the intermediate documentation Tonis becomes the "offspring" of Phoen and Oleani, though his origin documentation in 2018 makes this ambiguous as he spawned fully formed when a drake flew over them. There is no such relationship for Oriana and Teris until Powers of Light and Darkness in 2003, and that is some religions interpreting Teris as the son of Oriana and Cay rather than Phaon. She is considered in some religions to be the mother of Baeris (Voaris).
  • In the intermediate documentation there is no reference to her having golden wings given to her by Eonak to fly alongside Phoen. There is also no reference to her being a Sun goddess. There is no indication of her martial fighting prowess or her fire powers, and she takes on many forms.
  • In the intermediate documentation she becomes more of a love and general romance goddess and less lustful, with only a slight reference to illicit affairs (though not the affairs themselves and not herself in them) and no reference to multiple lovers or birthing royals herself or sheer clothing. That sort of thing is essentially ceded to Ivas, whereas Inis is more oriented toward killing men and destroying things with lust and jealousy. The marriage with Phoen is not brushed off as exaggerated. The tragic death of lovers is reframed as an interest of hers. Oleani is given a cultivation of fields and agriculture role, contrasting her with Imaera, whereas Oriana is merely a goddess of the Spring.
  • In the modern documentation she is given the title "Mistress of Adoration", and is considered the patroness of halflings. This is implied in the original History of Elanthia document (1996). In contrast Oriana is the Sun Goddess and immediate patron of a half-elven people near where the Landing was set geographically.
  • In the modern documentation Tonis is the only offspring of Oleani and Phoen, with their difficulties having children reinforced in the much later origins of Tonis document. In the I.C.E. setting Phaon has sired many children, and Oriana is known to have born children for the Kytaari royals.

Intermediate: Oleani

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Oleani

Greater Goddess

Spheres of Power: Love, Fertility, Spring

Wife of Pheon, and the most beautiful of all the goddesses with violet, gold-flecked eyes and long golden blonde hair. She is very feminine and voluptuous with lightly tanned skin. She wears a tunic or gown of shimmering white trimmed with gold. Sometimes her tunic is a sheer, revealing garment, showing her playful, lusty side. Often called upon to aid in wedding ceremonies, she grants small blessings of fertility and undying love upon the newly-wedded couple.

Oleani represents the many aspects of love. Her interests range from the romantic aspects of a respectable and proper courtship to the sensual magnetism which may spark an illicit love affair - from the tragedy of a lover’s untimely death to the joy of a new birth.

In most lands she is honored in the early spring when a celebration of new love and a ritual requesting her blessing on the fields are combined into a single holiday.

Oleani’s symbol is a red heart with a budding flower growing from it.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Oleani
Greater Goddess
Spheres of Power: Love, Fertility, Spring
Humanoid Manifestation: Oleani appears in many forms, but always as a woman of maddening beauty.
Manner: Amorous, Nurturing

Oleani is the Goddess of Love, Fertility, and Spring. Her consort is Phoen, the Sun God

Called upon to bless weddings and birthings, Oleani represents the many aspects of Love. Her interests range from the romantic aspects of a 'respectable and proper courtship' to the sensual magnetism which may spark an illicit love affair - from the tragedy of a lover's untimely death to the joy of a new birth. 

In most lands she is honored in the early spring when a celebration of new love and a ritual requesting her blessing on the fields are combined into a single holiday. 

Oleani's symbol is a red heart with a budding flower growing from it. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Oleani-
Goddess of love and fertility, and things feminine. Wife of Phoen, and the most beautiful of all the goddesses. Wears white and gold. (Oriana)

Later Form:

- Oleani -
Goddess of love and fertility, and things feminine. Wife of Phoen, and the most beautiful of all the goddesses with violet, gold-flecked eyes and long golden blonde hair. She is very feminine and voluptious with lightly tanned skin. She wears a tunic or gown of shimmering white trimmed with gold. Sometimes her tunic is a sheer, revealing garment, showing her playful, lusty side. Often called upon to aid in wedding ceremonies, she grants small blessings of fertility and undying love upon the newly-wedded couple. Shrine - unknown. (Oriana)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

These Arkati are those whom we today call gods. It is said that, in these early days, they walked the land as teachers, leaders, and guides. Imaera took the people of the forests, and taught them to be one with the land. Eonak showed the folk of the stone how to mine riches from the mountains. Oleani adopted the smaller folk of the valleys, instilling in them a joy for life and a special gift for growing things.

Modern: Oleani

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

Oleani appears in the origin stories of Zelia and Tonis. She is generally bowdlerized compared to her older form and not much mentioned outside the context of her marriage to Phoen. The Festival of Oleani holiday is Ivastaen 20th (May 20th) each year. Oleani has been referenced in contexts such as wedding ceremony of Emperor Aurmont Anodheles. Oleani is a patron of the Ardenai and Loenthra Elves. However, she is actively disliked by the Vaalor, who also do not like Tonis. The Vaalor generally dislike what might be perceived as soft or frivolous Arkati (and Charl.)

Her most prominent aspect in the game is the fallen Temple of Love with the nedum vereri. There is a player written "The Tale of the Dead Trees" with some claim of officialness through GM Voraviel. The Temple of Love was made by GM Varevice, and the malevolent power from the castle in the distance was never elaborated further. The surrounding areas are much older than the Temple of Love, making any such story a retcon of Sentoph. The dead trees motivate the undeath conditions needed for darkwoodes, and tree spirits, which were originally located with them.

Phoen

I.C.E. Age: Phaon

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Phaon Age: ? Eyes: Amber. Hair: Golden Blond. Build: Muscular. Height: 6'10". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/M. Skin: Tanned. Demeanor: Egotistical. Dress: short tunic of white cloth trimmed with gold. True Attitude: Well-meaning, yet Self-confident. Home: Orhan. 

God of the Sun (and Summer), Phaon rides a great winged horse with flaming mane and tail. His eyes are a deep amber and his hair is golden blond. Very tall, tan and muscular, he wears only a short tunic of white cloth trimmed with gold. 

Phaon was once patron of the Cloudlords of Tanara; he is often considered the god of 'fatherhood' in that, as husband of Oriana (the Earth-goddess) and god of the Sun, he represents the masculine aspect of fertility. He has fathered numberless children on Kulthea.

- Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 28 (1989)
- Tomes of Kulthea #1083 (1990)


Phaon: lord of the sun and summer. Husand of Oriana, he is associated with fertility and virility.

Phaon, Oriana and Cay: This triad always seems to be involved in playful contests of athletic and combat prowess.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Lord of Orhan
  • Level: 180
  • Hits: 900
  • Melee: +560 (mace), +500 (javelin)
  • Mana: 10,800 (2,160 base, 5x multiplier)
  • Profession: Mentalist/Fighter
  • Spells: Base OB 180, Directed Spells OB 270. Mentalist Lists Brilliance, Self-healing, Spell Resistance, Sense Mastery, Speed, Mind's Door, Movement, Mind Control, and Mind Speech to 50th Level. Mana Fires lists and Hellscape spell from Rolemaster Companion 1.
  • Special Abilities: Immune to all forms of heat, including dragon fire-breath.
  • Winged Steed: Immortal pegasus named Shurok, highly intelligent. Level 30, 300 hits. Flies 200 miles per hour. Can summon and command any pegasus or steardan within 5 miles.
  • Scepter of the Sun: +50 Holy Mace, delivers double hits and plasma critical with same intensity as the regular crit. Golden mace with yellow sapphires, inlaid with onyx and wood. Head is large globe of yellow laen, glows brightly, blinding all creatures of the Unlife within 300 feet. Can cast Sunfires True, except it uses the plasma attack/crit tables from Rolemaster Companion 3, 6x damages.
  • Javelin: +60. Golden alloy. 500 feet without distance penalty, instantly returns to wielder. Bursts into flames in flight. Delivers extra plasma critical of equal severity to the regular crit.
  • Armor: +50 breastplate and greaves. Lightweight golden alloy. Only worn in battle.
  • Circlet: 5x Mentalist powerpoint multiplier. Protects as full helm, negates head/neck criticals 75% of the time. Golden band with a single large yellow sapphire.
  • Sandals: Golden dragonskin. Allows him to fly at 100 miles per hour, run at 50 miles per hour.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 28 (1989)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 105 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 140 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 144 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 91 (2003)

Evolution:

  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition (2001) he is specified as appearing about 30.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) it says he is known among the Lords "as a charmer and seducer of Kulthean women", often appearing in different disguises. It adds a line that most of his children have no special powers, and how the children are even possible from non-corporeal beings is a "vexing mystery for the Loremasters" and a miracle for theologians.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) he gains an "Eyes of the Sun" special ability. Fires beams of intense energy from his eyes 5x per day. 2000 foot range, can cover an area of 1000 square feet by arcing the beam, minimum dimension is 10 feet. All within suffer point-blank Fireball, 5x damage.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) Shurok's level is increased to 50. Clarifies Shurok takes a larger form when Phaon is in his 12 foot deity form. Shurok is treated as a super-large creature instead of a large creature in this form and all attack bonuses are tripled.
  • In the intermediate period his name is changed from Phaon to Phoen. Phoen is the Iruaric word for "travel", presumably an easter egg, implying the transit of the sun across the sky.
  • In the intermediate period he no longer has a pegasus mount. Tonis becomes his son and has a flaming pegasus as his preferred manifestation while flying.
  • In the intermediate and modern documents he is called the "consort" of Oleani rather than "husband."
  • The intermediate document removes the reference to his having sired many children, and the modern document has Tonis as his only offspring with Oleani. Then the much later origins of Tonis document has them having long wished for a child and it is unclear if Tonis actually came from them or they merely adopted him when he was caused by a dragon.
  • In the intermediate period he is made almost identical in features to Ronan, who is made into his twin brother. These are not the case in the I.C.E. version, where they are unrelated. His scepter's power of blinding the Unlife is changed to his hair shining so blindly it blinds mortals. His clothes are made golden instead of white cloth trimmed with gold.
  • The intermediate documentation keeps him as confident but egotistical and as the god of fatherhood and fertility. It adds a line about fables of Phoen sometimes causing harm through careless use of his great power. Adds a line about warmth/light associated with the sun and their life-nurturing qualities putting him in direct opposition to the Dark Gods, more often because of their regarding him that way, and that he may face them simply as a staunch ally of Oleani.
  • In the modern documentation he is given the title "the Sun God", but his description is otherwise unchanged. He is later described in the Zelia and Tonis origins documents. In the Ronan origins document, Ronan deliberately chooses to resemble Phoen rather than his actual brother Sheru, where Phoen had really been a more distant relation.

Intermediate: Phoen

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Phoen

Greater God

Spheres of Power: Sun, Summer, Fatherhood

Husband of Oleani, though their marriage is a bit - looser than traditional. His eyes are a deep amber, hair flowing golden blonde. He wears only a short tunic of white cloth trimmed with gold over his tall muscular frame. Well - meaninged, Phoen tends to be foten over - confident and egotistical. Representing the masculine side of fertility, he sires numberless children on Elanthia.

The Sun God personifies manly power, to the point that he is often egotistical. There is more than one fable of Phoen causing harm rather than good through careless use of his great power.

The warmth and light associated with the sun, as well as the fact that they are life-nurturing qualities lace Phoen in direct opposition to the Dark Gods. However, more often it is the Dark Gods regarding him as such that leads to conflict, rather than his desire to oppose them. he may also face them simply as a staunch ally of Oleani.

Phoen’s symbol is a golden sunburst on a field of blue.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Phoen
Greater God
Sphere of Power: Sun, Summer, Fatherhood
Humanoid Manifestation: Phoen's features are almost identical to Ronan's, but his hair is golden, shining so brightly as to blind mortals. His clothes are golden also.
Manner: Confident, to the point of egotism 

Phoen is the God of the Sun and Summer. Phoen is Consort to Oleani. 

He is often considered the god of 'fatherhood', given his relationship with Oleani (the goddess of fertility) and as God of the Sun he represents the masculine side of fertility. The Sun God personifies manly power, to the point that he is often egotistical. There is more than one fable of Phoen causing harm rather than good through careless use of his great power. 

The warmth and light associated with the sun, as well as the fact that they are life-nurturing qualities place Phoen in direct opposition to the Dark Gods However, more often it is the Dark Gods regarding him as such that leads to conflict, rather than his desire to oppose them. He may also face them simply as a staunch ally of Oleani's. 

Phoen's symbol is a golden sunburst on a field of blue. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Phoen-
God of the sun and fatherhood, and things masculine. Husband of Oleani, though their marriage is a bit - looser than traditional. Wears gold and white. (Phaon)

Later Form:

- Phoen -
God of the sun and fatherhood, and things masculine. Husband of Oleani, though their marriage is a bit - looser than traditional. His eyes are a deep amber, hair flowing golden blonde. He wears only a short tunic of white cloth trimmed with gold over his tall muscular frame. Well-meaninged, Phoen tends to be often over-confident and egotistical. Representing the masculine side of fertility, he sires numberless children of Elanthia. Shrine - unknown. (Phaon)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Others of the Arkati chose not individual races, but seasons, emotions, or tasks to be their own. Kai accepted warriors of all sorts, and Lumnis embodied wisdom and learning. Ronan controlled the night, the time of dreams, while Phoen's was the warm sun of summer. Imaera chose the autumn, while Lorminstra reigned over winter, the season of death.

Modern: Phoen

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

In the origins of Ronan document there is no reference at all to Lorminstra, who had always been his sister, and who in post-ICE lore became attributed as the offspring of Koar and Lumnis. Consequently, there is no implication of Ronan being their offspring, and no basis for assuming Phoen was either as Ronan merely chooses to imitate Phoen's features. In the origins of Tonis document it is unclear whether a drake caused Phoen and Oleani to spawn Tonis of themselves or if he was caused by a drake flying over them and it was simply their long wish for a child. This is ironic as he is still a fertility god. Phoen is a patron of the Vaalor and Ardenai.

Ronan

I.C.E. Age: Reann

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? Eyes: Dark grey. Hair: Black. Build: Slender. Height: 6'8". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/M. Skin: Fair. Demeanor: Sleepy; Sardonic. Dress: Various garments, always black. True Attitude: Alert, yet Weary. Home: Orhan. Aka: Dream-master, Bringer of Sleep, Lord of Dreams.

God of the Night, he is master of sleep and dreams, sending visions to his followers. He is the only god who prefers the night. It is his domain, though one which is tainted by the evils of the Unlife. As a result, Reaan has faced the terror of the Unlife more than any other Lord. While there is little danger that he would ever be turned to its evil path, the endless (sometimes seemingly hopeless) struggle has wearied him.

He often travels to the Shadow World, hunting evil beasts through the night astride his mighty steed: a white Unicorn with luminous silver horn. He is feared by servants of the Unlife more than any other Lord. Riding through dark forests, a misty, shimmering presence in the night, his endless quest is to save the helpless from the fangs and claws of the evil demonic creatures of evil.

Reann also has a wry sense of humor and has beenseen in Jaysek's company (in his rare appearances during the day).

Reann is a tall, slender young man with fair skin, black hair and dark, hypnotic eyes. He wears only sable-hued cloth garments, often trimmed with black leather.

- Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 26 (1989)
- Tomes of Kulthea #1071 - Story of Ranzi Arain (1990)
- Reann Description


Reann: master of night and dreams. He is associated with visions.

Reann and Jaysek: The moody, often grim pair will frequently travel to Kulthea together.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Lord of Orhan
  • Level: 180
  • Hits: 720
  • Mana: 15,750 (2,250 base, 7x enhancer)
  • Profession: Seer/Ranger.
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 180, Directed Spell OB 360. All Seer and Mentalist base lists. All Open and Closed Mentalism lists. All Ranger Base lists. Mystic lists of "Confusing Ways", "Mystical Change", and "Hiding." All Dream Lord base lists. Unique fatal channeling called "Reaan's Sleep": Immediately kills anyone of the Unlife, everyone else thrown into deep sleep that cannot be woken without "Awake" spell or Reann himself.
  • Bow of Sleep: +60 Longbow, 3x normal range. Arrows are "Of Slaying" Unlife creatures. All others do not take criticals, only hit points, throws them into deep sleep for 3 hours. Magically formed arrows, not physical.
  • Dark Sword: +60 Dark Laen Sword. Strikes as 2-handed, delivers cold criticals on top of normal criticals. "Of Slaying" servants of the Unlife.
  • Steed: White unicorn named Dirsus. Can ride flows of essence at 600 miles per hour, and much faster between Orhan and Kulthea or teleports. 400 hits with natural AT 11 (ASG 11).
  • Amulet of Dreams: Chain of silver alloy with large cabochon moonstone in platinum rim. 7x powerpoint (mana) multiplier. May see the dreams of any one target within 100 miles, as well as the dreams of the target within the past 10 days.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 26 (1989)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 104 (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 89 (2003)

Evolution:

  • The spellings "Reann" and "Reaan" are both used repeatedly in the Shadow World source materials.
  • Reann is higher level than Scalu, the highest of the Dark Lords, and his Amulet of Dreams is significantly more powerful than Scalu's more limited analog.
  • The New Year is the Winter Solstice when Orhan is new by the lunar calendar. In Rhakhaan Reann is revered on the holiday. (Haalkitaine book, 1998.)
  • There is no premise of Reann and Phaon being related. Reann is described as the "brother" of Eissa. This appears in the Intermediate period.
  • There is no premise that Reann and Eissa are the offspring of Kuor and Valris. This appears in the Intermediate period.
  • The explicitly stated antagonism between Reann and Scalu comes from the Scalu description rather than Reann's. The Dark Lords are relatively limited in their ability to directly act on Kulthea after the Wars of Dominion, so Reann's clashing with forces of the Unlife in practice is more likely focused about monsters and demons than Ronan.
  • In the Order of Vult (1994) monastery (Landing's Voln monastery) the stained glass inside the gates shows him with black hair and dark grey eyes instead of black pools with a faint grey swirl.

Intermediate: Ronan

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Ronan

Greater God

Spheres of Power: Night, Dreams

Ronan is the god of night, the master of sleep and dreams and guardian against those who would violate the peaceful respite of that world. Ronan is perhaps the most active foe of the Dark Gods.

Ronan is the darker twin of Phoen, and it is said that the two, being night and day, cannot come together in the same place.

Given their avoidance of light, and their use of darkness as a cloak to cover their activities, Ronan finds the Dark Gods trespassing in his realm quite regularly. Ronan and Sheru are in constant conflict since they both regard the night and sleep as their rightful territories. Luukos also mounts a constant assault on Ronan’s realm with those who have failed to die cleanly and are now subject to his curse.

Ronan’s symbol is a black sword with a silver edge on a field of black.

The master of dreams and visions, brother of Lorminstra, he is oft referred to as the "Dream-Master". Along with Sheru, he is also constantly fighting all the gods of Lornon. Though he cannot be corrupted, he is weary. He is tall and slender with fair skin, black hair, and dark, hypnotic eyes. He favors only sable-hued garments often trimmed in black leathers. Though weary, he is alert and has a sardonic, wry sense of humor, and can sometimes be seen with Jastev.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Ronan
Greater God
Spheres of Power: Night, Dreams
Humanoid Manifestation: A gaunt man with heavy-lidded eyes and a mysterious smile. His eyes are without whites, being entirely black save a faint grey swirl. He dresses only in black and even the steel of his weapons are black.
Manner: Sleepy, Sardonic

Ronan is the God of Night, he is master of sleep and of dreams and guardian against those who would violate the peaceful respite of that other world. Ronan is perhaps the most active foe of the Dark Gods.

Ronan is the darker twin of Phoen, and it is said that the two, being night and day, cannot come together in the same place.

Given their avoidance of light and their use of darkness as a cloak to cover their activities, Ronan finds the Dark Gods trespassing in his realm quite regularly. Ronan and Sheru are in constant conflict since they both regard the night and sleep as their rightful territories. Luukos also mounts a constant assault on Ronan's realm with those who have failed to die cleanly and are now subject to his curse.

Ronan's symbol is a black sword with a silver edge on a field of black. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Ronan-
God of the Night, master of dreams and visions. He is always fighting against evil, especially the god Sheru; though he cannot be corrupted, he is weary. He always wears black, though his symbol seems to be a white horse. (Reann)

Later Form:

- Ronan -
God of the night, master of dreams and visions, brother of Lorminstra, "Dream-master". He is always fighting against Lornon, especially the god Sheru, his counterpart. Though he cannot be corrupted, he is weary. He is tall and slender with fair skin, black hair, and dark, hypnotic eyes. He favors only sable-hued cloth garments often trimmed in black leathers and his symbol seems to be a white horse or unicorn. Though weary, he's alert and has a sardonic, wry sense of humor, and can sometimes be seen with Jastev. Shrine - unknown. (Reann)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Others of the Arkati chose not individual races, but seasons, emotions, or tasks to be their own. Kai accepted warriors of all sorts, and Lumnis embodied wisdom and learning. Ronan controlled the night, the time of dreams, while Phoen's was the warm sun of summer. 

Modern: Ronan

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

The Ronan shrine by the Lower Dragonsclaw is probably from the late I.C.E. Age period, in spite of Version 3 not listing it. The idea that Lorminstra and Ronan are siblings originates in the Shadow World lore, where there is no premise of being children of Kuor (Koar) and Valris (Lumnis), and there is no relationship between Reann and Phaon (Phoen) in contrast to the idea they are brothers or mirror images. Later development includes reference in the Zelia origins story where they are brothers, and later an origins story involving a Drake known as the Shadow With Wings that causes the birth of Ronan and Sheru without reference to Phoen. Ronan chooses to take Phoen's features, where Phoen had been a more distant kindred.

The Dreamwalkers were a Ronan group in a major storyline called the Ride of the Red Dreamer. Chaeye from the second Griffin Sword War is one of their members, as was the arch-lich Tseleth formerly. The Order of the Night's Blade is aligned with the Order of Voln in the southern Turamzzyrian Empire. The Fellowship of Night is supposedly an ancient Ronan group that might still exist. Ronan is a patron of the Nalfein and Loenthra.

Tilamaire

I.C.E. Age: Talaraine

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears = 20) Eyes: Blue. Hair: Blond. Build: Average. Height: 6'4". Race/Sex: Godlike being/Male. Skin: Fair. Demeanor: Charming. Dress: Varies. True Attitude: Self-indulgent. Home: Orhan. 

A servant of Kieron, Talaraine is the patron of Music and Dance. Usually light-hearted, he is a deadly foe when confronted with a genuine challenge (such as Inis the Dark Goddess).  Talaraine frequently travels as a wandering minstrel in disguise to seek out new musical talents. When he finds gifted youg men and women he will often stay and tutor them for a few months, greatly increasing their skill, and sometimes imparting magical abilities.

GM Note: The GM may wish to consider having a Bard PC be tutored by a mysterious minstrel in his youth, and give him a +10 bonus to spells involving singing or playing an instrument because of Talaraine's teaching.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 53 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a great spirit was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Great Spirit of Orhan
  • Level: 60
  • Hits: 300
  • Melee: +260 (rapier); +240 (dagger)
  • Mana: 2,880 (480 base, 6x enhancer)
  • Profession: Bard.
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 120. Directed Spell OB 140 (Fire Bolt). All Bard Base lists to 50th Level. Ten Open and Closed Essence lists to 20th level. (He's an Essence Bard.)
  • Godlike Powers: As all Spirits of Orhan
  • Pendant: 6x power point multiplier. Golden necklace, emerald setting.
  • Lute: Never out of tune.
  • Rapier: +35. Keron.
  • Dagger: +30. Thrown up to 200 feet without penalty, returns via Long Door.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addenundum, 1st Edition; page 53 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 110 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 142-143 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 147 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 98 (2003)

Evolution:

  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) he gains the title "The Bard". His age appearance becomes 20 to 25. He gains an 11 foot form. Dress is elaborated to say he usually wears flamboyant colors. The first line is changed to "an associate and sometimes servant of Kieron." His attacks are increased to +320 (rapier) and +280 (dagger).
  • In the intermediate period there is no documentation for Tilamaire. In the modern documentation he is instead an ascended mortal because he impressed Cholen with a song so full of joy and laughter, which is elaborated upon in the much later Origins of Cholen and Tilamaire document. The lines about being patron of music dance along with his wandering minstrel and tutoring and imparting magical abilities are kept. The line about his antagonism with Inis (Ivas) is removed, as Ivas was changed to remove emphasis on dancing.
  • In the modern documentation he has tawny hair. His eyes are only described as wide, and he has full lips. He wears a flamboyant multi-colored cloak like Cholen. This last detail may have been established in GemStone before it was established in the later I.C.E. lore, where it appears in Powers of Light and Darkness but not the Shadow World Master Atlas. However, Kieron's clothing becomes flamboyant by the 3rd Edition, which is 2001.
  • In the modern documentation he carries several instruments instead of just the lute. His manner is carefree and exuberant rather than charming and self-indulgent.

Intermediate: Tilamaire

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Tilamaire

Patron of music and dance. Servant of Cholen, he frequently travels in the guise of a wandering minstrel to seek out new musical talents. Upon finding one worthy of his time, he offers to stay and tutor them, greatly increasing their skill and often bestowing magical abilities. Though he’s generally light-hearted, he’s a deadly foe when confronted with his enemy, Ivas.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

None. Tilamaire was not described in this document.

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Tilamaire- 
Patron of music and dance. Servant of Cholen, patron of music and dance, enemy of Ivas. (Talaraine) 


Later Form:

- Tilamaire - 
Patron of music and dance. Servant of Cholen, he frequently travels in the guise of a wandering minstrel to seek out new musical talents. Upon finding one worthy of his time, he offers to stay and tutor them, greatly increasing their skill and often bestowing magical abilities. Though he's generally light-hearted, he's a deadly foe when confronted with his enemy Ivas. (Talaraine)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Tilamaire is not mentioned in the original History of Elanthia document.

Modern: Tilamaire

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

The story of Tilamaire's ascension was elaborated much later in an origin story for him and Cholen. Tilamaire used his song to bring Cholen out of his melancholy over the death of his brother Tarandel back in the Ur-Daemon War. Of the lesser gods, House Loenthra respects Tilamaire.

Tonis

I.C.E. Age: Teris

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? Eyes: Light Brown. Hair: Blond, curly. Build: Slender. Height: 6'4". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/M. Skin: Lightly Tanned. Demeanor: Hyperactive, Childlike. Dress: Short, diaphanous tunic. True Attitude: Serious about his duties, but little else. Home: Orhan.

Messenger of the gods, he appears as a beautiful youth in his middle teens. He carries a short staff which records the messages to be delivered. Always barefoot, he can run faster than any living creature, or travels on his magical shield with superlative balance. Teris is the patron of one of the Navigator Guilds ("The Navigators"), his name occasionally mentioned - not always in a positive way - by other Navigators.

- Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 31 (1989)


Teris: A beautiful youth, Teris is associated with speed and the fair winds. As messenger of the Lords, he visits Kulthea frequently but rarely lingers.

Kieron and Teris: Most playful and immature of the pantheon, these two often exhibit childish tendencies, exacerbated when they are together.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Lord of Orhan
  • Level: 140
  • Hits: 500
  • Melee: +380 (quarterstaff), +360 (longbow)
  • Mana: 10,080 (1,680 x 6)
  • Profession: Mentalist
  • Spells: Base OB 140, Directed Spells OB 280 (Lightning Bolt). All Base, Open, and Closed Mentalist lists. All Navigator spell lists.
  • Staff of Remembering: +50 Holy Quarterstaff. Short silver, gold head with pair of spread wings. It speaks and will record any message to be replayed, even producing holographic images.
  • Shield of Essence-Riding: Long oval shield, pale golden wood. Either floats in front of him for defense, or carries him at high speeds standing on it.
  • Longbow: Same wood as the shield. +40, 2x normal range.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 1st Edition; page 31 (1989)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 48-49 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 108 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 141 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 146 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 96-97 (2003)

Evolution:

  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition (1992) it adds the detail that he is androgynous.
  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition (2001) it specifies that he appears about 16.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) it makes his appearance between 15 and 17.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) his childlike qualities are elaborated. He teases mortals and Elves leading them along. He will appear in human form and enter races or competitions to surprise and amaze spectators. He cheers different competitors with Cay (Kai).
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) he is considered important to the United Orhan Church in Rhakhaan since he is believed to be the principal link to the other Lords of Orhan, and many pray to him to carry their thoughts to the other Lors.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) it asserts a few theologies associate Teris with the sun, and assert he is the son of Oriana and Cay (Oleani and Kai). Prior to this point there is no such relationship stipulated for him in the I.C.E. version, and this is much later than GemStone making him the son of Oleani.
  • In the intermediate version for GemStone III, Tonis is given the role "offspring of Phoen and Oleani." Instead of riding on a golden shield, he takes the form of a golden pegasus whose hooves strike flames in the sky. It adds that he is worshipped by thieves, who try to emulate his speed and daring. (Later I.C.E. lore associates thieves with Omir.) It adds a line about being able to slay an army by stealing their breath from rushing by so fast. He appears the same with the same demeanor, but carries a messenger pouch instead of a recording staff.
  • The intermediate version where he gains his flying pegasus with flaming hooves form also correlates with Phoen no longer being described having a similar mount. Phaon was described as riding a "great winged horse with flaming mane and tail."
  • In the modern documentation he is given the title "the Fleetfooted, King of Thieves." It clarifies that he is "the only offspring" of Phoen and Oleani. Much later there is documentation stating he came into being as the golden drake Arabros flew over Phoen and Oleani, who had long desired a child. This leaves it somewhat ambiguous the extent to which he is their "offspring."

Intermediate: Tonis

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Tonis

Greater God

Spheres of Power: Speed, Travel, Thieves

Messenger of the Gods, he appears as a beautiful androgynous youth in his middle teens. Clad in a short diaphanous tunic and always bare-footed, Tonis can run faster than any living creature. He carries a short staff which records the messages to be delivered and occasionally rides upon his magical shield (like a skateboard). With curly blonde hair, light brown eyes and slender build, his lightly tanned skin flushes with his childlike hyperactivity. He’s rarely been encountered by mortals.

Offspring of Phoen and Oleani.

He is renowned for his speed, and for the shape he commonly chooses on an errand. Even more frequently than his "human" form, Tonis takes on the form of a golden pegasus whose hooves strike flames from the sky.

Tonis is also worshipped by thieves. Myths of his speed and daring spur his worshippers on to perform similar feats, and it is the skill and daring of their acts that motivates them more than the trinkets they take. In battle, Tonis can slay an army in a few moments by rushing among them and snatching the breath from their mouths.

Tonis’ symbol is a golden pegasus on a filed of blue.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Tonis
Greater God
Spheres of Power: Speed, Travel, Thieves
Humanoid Manifestation: A lithe young man dressed in a simple tunic and carrying a messenger's pouch across one shoulder.
Demeanor: hyper-active, childlike 

Tonis is the Messenger of the gods. Offspring of Phoen and Oleani. 

He is renowned for his speed, and for the shape he commonly chooses when on an errand. Even more frequently than his 'human' form, Tonis takes on the form of a golden pegasus whose hooves strike flames from the sky. 

Tonis is also worshipped by thieves. Myths of his speed and daring spur his worshippers on to perform similar feats, and it is the skill and daring of their acts that motivates them more than the trinkets they take. In battle, Tonis can slay an army in a few moments by rushing among them and snatching the breath from their mouths. 

Tonis' symbol is a golden pegasus on a field of blue. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Tonis-
Messanger of the gods. Rarely encountered by mortals. (Teris)

Later Form:

- Tonis -
Messanger of the gods, he appears as a beautiful androgynous youth in his middle teens. Clad in a short diaphanous tunic and always bare-footed, Tonis is can run faster than any living creature. He carries a short staff which records the messages to be delivered and occasionally rides upon his magical shield (like a skateboard). With curly blonde hair, light brown eyes and slender build, his lightly tanned skin flushes with his childlike hyperactivity. He's rarely been encountered by mortals. Shrine - unknown. (Teris)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Others of the Arkati chose not individual races, but seasons, emotions, or tasks to be their own. Kai accepted warriors of all sorts, and Lumnis embodied wisdom and learning. Ronan controlled the night, the time of dreams, while Phoen's was the warm sun of summer. Imaera chose the autumn, while Lorminstra reigned over winter, the season of death. The raging seas were Charl's domain. Jastev's followers celebrated visual arts, and developed a gift of prophecy, while his twin Cholen became the god of festivals and performing arts. Tonis, remarkable for his speed and determination, became the messenger of the gods. Over all of them ruled Koar, with a firm but gentle hand.

Modern: Tonis

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

Tonis was given an origin story of being left in the care of Oleani and Phoen after a drake "soared above the two lovers", and later being tricked by Eorgina into stealing from Lumnis and Koar. Tonis is particularly disliked by the Vaalor, presumably due to his childish behavior. He is a patron of House Nalfein.

Voaris / Laethe

I.C.E. Age: Baeris

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears = 18) Eyes: Green. Hair: Red. Build: Muscular. Height: 6"6". Race/Sex: Godlike being/Male. Skin: Fair (freckled). Demeanor: Melancholy. Dress: Short, belted tunic off one shoulder. True Attitude: Angst-ridden. Home: Orhan. 

A servant of both Oriana and Eissa, Baeris has the interesting occupation of being the patron of young love - and its inevitable tragedies. While boyishly attractive, he never smiles and always looks to be on the verge of tears. He will sometimes act to reunite couples who are divided because of a misunderstanding, and he comforts those who have lost a lover.

In cases of a special tragedy where one lover has been slain, Baeris will beseech Eissa to allow him to return the dead lover to the living. If Eissa allows him to cry, his tears falling on the face o the dead youth will heal their wounds and bring him or her back to life. This would be quite unusual of course, and Baeris will only ask for this under the specific circumstances of star-crossed lovers. Baeris does have considerable healing powers short of raising the dead. However, his followers will oten call upon him to protect or save their loved ones who have been injured - especially in battle.

On a more tangible level, Baeris frequently combats the Procreators, demons of Essaence who pervert the higher ideals of love. In his fury he will sometimes get in over his head, and has had to be rescued more than once. Frequently his avior has been the (seemingly) compassionless Laia.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 52 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a great spirit was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Great Spirit of Orhan
  • Level: 80
  • Hits: 350
  • Melee: +350 (broadsword); +300 (longbow)
  • Mana: 5,040 (720 base, 7x enhancer)
  • Profession: .
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 160. All Open and Closed Clerical spell lists to 50th Level. All Clerical Base Lists of Repulsions, Protections and Channels to 50th Level.
  • Godlike Powers: As all Spirits of Orhan
  • Special Abilities:' Lifegiving Tears. Under special circumstances Eissa will allow him to cry, and his tears when touching a face have the power of Lifegiving True, a high level resurrection spell.
  • Sword: +35 Holy sword. Great weapon of gold. Glows with bright light when Baeris wishes, blinds all demons within 30 feet.
  • Shield: Of Reversal. Mirror-bright shield absorbs one spell per round and reverses it back onto the caster.
  • Bracers: Gold arm and leg guards. Stop criticals there 70% of the time.
  • Earring: 7x power point multiplier for Healers.
  • Tunic: No encumbrance. AT 17 armor. (ASG 17)
  • Long Bow: 3x normal range, gives additional disruption critical to demons.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addenundum, 1st Edition; page 52 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 109-110 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 142 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 147 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 97-98 (2003)

Evolution:

  • "All Open and Closed Clerical" spells is probably a typographical error for "Channeling" spells. Baeris does not have a profession listed in the 1st edition, but it is Cleric later. His earring would have implied he was a Healer.
  • Baeris can perform resurrections through his special ability, but only by contact from being there himself and only if Eissa allows him.
  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition (1992) his hair becomes red-blond, height is fixed to 6'6".
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) he gains a second 11' form. Changes his servant line into he is often considered the son of Oriana but one who often appeals to Eissa. Gives him the title "The Lover." Adds Avenger demons with the Procreator demons. (Note that in the modern lore he is not a son of Oleani, where Tonis is considered the only child of Phoen and Oleani.)
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) Daglea, who does not have a true counterpart in GemStone but resembles a cross of The Huntress and Arachne, is considered the evil counterpart of Baeris.
  • Baeris was not included in the SHIFT verb when I.C.E. Age terms were converted. There is another glossary in the first Elanthian Herald where "baeris" is converted to "voaris." "Laethe" was apparently coined later.
  • In the modern documentation he is given a brother named Laethe who does not exist in the I.C.E. version. His special concern for "star-crossed lovers" is retained as "patron of young love and especially forbidden love." He and Laethe are described as orphans of the Ur-Daemon War, which is likely carrying over from his demon fighting and loved ones lost in battle motifs. He is "watched over by Oleani" rather than being the son of Oleani.
  • In the modern documentation it explicitly says he and his twin brother are the youngest of the Arkati, which only makes sense if ascended demi-gods such as Voln and Leya are not considered Arkati. This document asserts their power grows over time, and his powers have not grown great enough yet to be considered part of the main pantheon. Voaris is "the Charming."
  • In the modern documentation his relationship with Eissa (Lorminstra), healing, and resurrection is removed. His interest in forbidden love is expanded beyond the narrow context of death. His point of reuniting divided lovers is altered into his cleris will transport and shelter lovers in other places where they are allowed to be wed. His hair is changed to "golden" instead of red or red-blond. His eyes are made blue instead of green, and clothes to match local traditions rather than a tunic. Instead of being melancholy and angst-ridden, he is "clever and mischievous."
  • Laethe "the Lovelorn" is given Baeris' depressed and death oriented details. The modern documentation has him never truly coping with their parents death (losing them in the Ur-Daemon War roots in Baeris with battles), and he focuses on helping people who have lost loved ones. Laethe also has fair skin and blue eyes, but black hair, and wears black clothing without decoration. He is caring and sad.
  • It is reasonable to interpret Voaris and Laethe as splitting Baeris and his role into two different lesser gods, with "Lae" coming from "Bae" and "ris" in Voaris coming from Bae"ris".

Intermediate: Voaris / Laethe

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Voaris and Laethe are not mentioned at all.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

None. Voaris and Laethe were not described in this document.

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Voaris and Laethe were not summarized in this source. Baeris was not mentioned.

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Voaris and Laethe are not mentioned in the original History of Elanthia document.

Modern: Voaris / Laethe

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

Voaris and Laethe had no development in the intermediate period. In the modern period they are watched over by Oleani. Valentine's Day in the Elanthian calendar is called the Day of Voaris and Laethe. Laethe is considered a patron of Icemule Trace, where Oleani is the patroness of halflings. There was a young priest of Laethe during the War of Nations, with the V'reen morphs, in Archmage in the Alchemists. (2003)

There was a dark elven horror story contest for players (around 2014) where several of the winners were incorporated into a document. One of the Dhe'nar horror stories made Oleani into a monstrous entity called the Adversary, with Laethe and Voaris as the twin demons Loss and Anathema, where the protagonist is horrifyingly reunited with a dead lover.

Voln

I.C.E. Age: Vult

Official: 1990 - 1995

Description:

Age: ? (Appears = 25) Eyes: Blue. Hair: Black. Build: Muscular. Height: 6'7". Race/Sex: Godlike Being/Male. Skin: Fair. Demeanor: Grim, sometimes Snide. Dress: Black chain with white surcoat. True Attitude: Determined. Home: Orhan. 

Vult is indirectly a servant of Eissa; it is his task to free the Undead and cleanse their souls. He wanders Kulthea alone seeking out cursed Undead and slaying them.

With his flowing sable hair and striking blue eyes, he is handsome but unapproachable. His black chain armor looks like it is rent in places, but his surcoat is always gleaming white.

- Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 54 (1990)

Avatar:
The avatar of a great spirit was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Status: Great Spirit of Orhan
  • Level: 60
  • Hits: 350
  • Melee: +350 2-handed sword
  • Mana: 2,100 (420 base, 5x enhancer)
  • Profession: Fighter (Paladin).
  • Spells: Base Spell OB 120. Open Channeling Purifications and Detection Mastery lists to 20th level. Closed Channeling lists Lore and Locating Ways to 20th level. Cleric Base Repulsions list to 50th level. (Rolemaster Companion's Paladin Base Spell Breaker list.)
  • Godlike Powers: As all Spirits of Orhan
  • Special Immunity: Lords of Orhan are resilient, but Vult is completely immune to any spells or special magical effects of the Undead.
  • Liberator: +30 enchant 2-handed sword, clear blue laen, named "Liberator." Of Slaying Undead, delivering an extra Disruption Critical. Soft blue radiance within 300 feet of Undead.
  • Armor: Chain armor enamelled black, AT 17 (ASG 17) but encumbers as leather.
  • Amulet: 5x Channeling powerpoint enhancer necklace.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addenundum, 1st Edition; page 54 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 111 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 143 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 148 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 99 (2003)

Evolution:

  • In Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition (2001) his two handed sword is changed to a blue laen battle axe, and remains that way in the 4th Edition (2003).
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) he is given the title "Vult the Releaser." His age is listed as Immortal and changed to say he appears to be 30. Snide is changed to sarcastic. His black chain is described as "torn", and he also wears high black boots, black leather breeches and a white tunic.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) he is described as a "son" (their quotation marks to imply it is not literally true) of Eissa, the younger brother of Jon'no who did not exist yet in the I.C.E. Age of GemStone III. He is described as looking mongoloid, or Asian, and looks like an unusually tall member of the Y'nar race.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) his origins are described (in legend) as Eissa reaching into the River of Life and cutting herself on a chunk of obsidian, dropping it in surprise, where it shattered into a thousand pieces. Out of the obsidian and her blood rose Vult, who was the great warrior she needed, having been angered by necromancers who had debased the sanctity of death. Obsidian weapons blessed by Vult are Of Slaying undead. (In the modern lore Onar is said to have originated in a similar way from obsidian.) There was never any premise of being a demi-god or the son of Kuor.
  • In Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) his weapons is changed back to Liberator, the two-handed sword rather than the battle axe. His hit points are increased to 450, and a line is added that as a warrior his strength is comparable to that of the Lords. He also has two black laen throwing knives that are Of Slaying Undead, go 5x the normal distance, and teleport (Long Door) back to his boots.
  • In the later material there is what is essentially an anti-Voln analog for the Dark Spirits of Charon. Bogaluth is the god of necromancers rather than Klysus.
  • Unlike the Order of Vult (1994) in GemStone III, in Powers of Light and Darkness (2003) he is the patron of priests who seek to destroy the creators of the undead, not only the undead themselves. In the modern lore (2014) this is analogous to the Halluckite interpretation of Voln's theology.
  • The Order of Vult implies that souls are cleansed with water from the River of Life and Spring of Youth, where the monastery courtyard is a symbolic representation of the Gates of Oblivion on Orhan. This does not come from the Shadow World documentation. Initiates are cleansed of all worldly pollutions, the waters being a "gift" from her. This wordly pollution messaging was copied for the Drake's Shrine with Lorminstra's Lake of Tears.
  • While the Vult documentation holds that he releases and cleanses souls as an indirect servant of Eissa, it is important to note that Eissa herself annihilates corrupt souls with her Staff of Doom. The Lords of Orhan are highly aloof and mostly do not care what mortals do on the world below. They were completely absent from the world when the Order of Vult was supposedly founded. They rarely cooperate cooperate or agree to joint actions, where they even took a few hundred years to decide to end the Wars of Dominion. These are fairly serious inconsistencies with their Order of Vult representation.
  • The Order of Vult (1994) has ambiguous subtext. The story the monks tell in its original context is deeply contradictory, with the founder Fasthr K'Tafali also meaning "Lord of the Half-Heads" in Iruaric and Erlini. It is impossible for it to be true for numerous reasons, and actually implies the Order is a front for the theocracy of Klysus. In this way it might have eventually turned out to be a rival of the Council of Light, perhaps for Lorgalis, where there would be a parallel between the Grand Poohbah and the Grand Master, and the Path of Enlightenment in that every new sign learned from the High Taskmaster was described as her "enlightening" the member with the next societal power. If this were the case it throws their lessons in a very different light, such as their downplaying the Unlife as the ultimate source of corruption, and insisting only the undead should be attacked rather than the dark powers behind them. The con might be that long exposure to the undead would similarly corrupt the soul with the Unlife.
  • In the old death mechanics the Great Spirit Voln, and presumably Vult before him, would intervene to save very low level dead characters when they decayed.
  • One of the Hrassk priests was named Valtar, and his name was changed to Volnar. There is no obvious relation or connection between them.
  • The intermediate period player summaries referred to Voln as "The Liberator", but this was only the name of Vult's sword.
  • In the intermediate and modern documentation the line about not being directly a servant of Lorminstra is kept and retains the word snide for his demeanor. They are almost the same as each other, with the exception of the modern lore giving him the tile "the Paladin", as well as "Destroyer of the Undead." This last point somewhat contradicts the mercy premise of the Order of Vult, which was based on the I.C.E. Age lore, and not his having "undying hatred of the undead" as he does modernly.
  • In the intermediate and modern documentation Voln is described as the demi-god offspring of Koar with a mortal woman, and that he hates Luukos because he grew up losing loved ones to the curse of Luukos. He is pledged to releasing all those enslaved by Luukos, which was simultaneous with a lore change greatly increasing the role of Luukos with the undead. The loresong on one of the Stones of Virtue from the Vvrael quest (1998), now in the crown of Mount Aenatumgana, depicted Voln becoming self-aware of his own immortal nature when faced with a Luukosian priest. The loresong has him learning this from Koar. In the Voln history document (2014) he is told by Lorminstra.
  • In the History of Luukos (2006) document it is asserted that Voln was ascended some time after the Undead War with Despana.

Intermediate: Voln

Official?: 1996 - 1998

Version 1: Tebon Compilation (mixed unofficial and deprecated official)

Voln

Lesser God

Sphere of Power: Battle against the Undead

"The Liberator", wanders Elanthia slaying undead creatures and breaking the curse that keeps them from Lorminstra. He appears about 25, has flowing sable hair striking blue eyes, and is usually found wearing black chain armor with a white surcoat...He’s handsome, but unapproachable with his grim, sometimes snide demeanor.

While not directly a servant of Lorminstra, Voln does owe much to her and shares her hatred of Luukos. Tales suggest that Voln’s very existence is a result of Lorminstra’s constant entreaties to Koar for some direct action to counter the spreading curse of Luukos’ undead. Most tales attribute Voln’s paternal lineage to Koar and a mortal woman. His upbringing, in a land where he witnessed loved ones lost to Luukos’ curse, shaped him with an undying hatred of the undead and provided a lifelong mission. Now fully cognizant of his own immortal nature, Voln has pledged himself to the release of every soul enslaved by Luukos.

Voln’s symbol is a white shield on a field of black.

Voln’s shrine can be located at the Voln Monastery, just outside of Wehnimer’s Landing.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia" (deprecated official)

Voln 
Lesser God
Spheres of Power: Battle against the Undead
Humanoid Manifestation: Voln always appears ready for battle in full armor of black chainmail topped by a white surcoat and carrying a white shield.
Demeanor: grim, sometimes snide

While not directly a servant of Lorminstra, Voln does owe much to her and shares her hatred of Luukos. Tales suggest that Voln's very existence is a result of Lorminstra's constant entreaties to Koar for some direct action to counter the spreading curse of Luukos' undead. Most tales attribute Voln's paternal lineage to Koar and a mortal woman. His upbringing, in a land where he witnessed loved ones lost to Luukos' curse, shaped him with an undying hatred of the undead and provided a lifelong mission. 

Now fully cognizant of his own immortal nature, Voln has pledged himself to the release of every soul enslaved by Luukos. 

Voln's symbol is a white shield on a field of black. 

Version 3: Laranna Summaries (unofficial)

Earlier Form:

-Voln- 
The Liberator, wanders Elanthia slaying undead creatures and breaking the curse that keeps them from Lorminstra. (Vult)

Later Form:

- Voln -
"The Liberator", wanders Elanthia slaying undead creatures and breaking the curse that keeps them from Lorminstra. He appears about 25, has flowing sable hair striking blue eyes, and is usually found wearing black chain armor with a white surcoat.. He's handsome but unapproachable with his grim, sometimes snide demeanor. The shrine, the "Voln Monestary," is found just outside the Graveyard. (Vult)

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

Voln is not mentioned in the original History of Elanthia document.

Modern: Voln

Official: 1999 - Present

The details of this gods document appear to be unchanged, and often the same or very close to the intermediate version.

Later Development

The Order of Voln had the details of its origin story retconned by the Turamzzyrian Empire history document in 2000. Various free floating De-ICE'd location terms without definition, including the Kannalan Empire, were incorporated into the human history. The year 1300 in their origin story became taken to refer to the Kannalan Empire calendar, which was entirely different in nature from the Lankan Empire. This shift removes the original context that the monks are lying for some reason. There was later a review where various Order of Voln symbols on the Path of Enlightenment were changed.

The history of the Order of Voln (2014) was given a completely modern formulation within the framework of the retconned origin story. This describes an elaborate historical progression of different theological schools of thought within the Order evolving in reactions and counter-reactions regarding the scope and meaning of their task. This is both considerably newer and broader than the specific messaging given on the Path of Enlightenment. These doctrines do not reference the soul cleansing of corruption or taint of dark energy in the curse of the undead. The concept is given in the Dandrellian context of purifying members and being born again in the mandate of Voln. Mercy and the idea of releasing souls of their suffering remain foundational, but no reference is given to his hatred of the undead or "destroying" them.

The Order of Voln has been a factor in a number of storylines west of the DragonSpine Mountains. These range from the champion Vordilion in All the Lich King's Men (2013) and the unarmed combat system (2012) release events, the War of Shadows (2014), to the Rise of Rone (2018) with Malluch Burdos as a Halluckite extremist. Various monastery groups and Order of Voln history is detailed in Orders of the Turamzzyrian Empire (2015). The Vaalor respect Voln and Leya of the lesser gods.


Other Entities

There were some other entities from the I.C.E. setting that were peripherally or implicitly present in the GemStone III setting.

The Black Hel

The Black Hel pantheon was an assortment of thirteen gods and spirit servants ruled by Orgiana, who was assumed to have fled to Charon but is actually hiding in the Black Hel. They were probably never mentioned in the game, but they implicitly existed and there were demons of the Black Hel. One of these claimed to swear fealty to Maleskari, the Demon Lord now imprisoned in Bonespear Tower. These deities were all imprisoned, destroyed, or banished by the time period the game was set. The material one of these gods was imprisoned within was used to forge a powerful sword.

On the island of Aranmor under the theocracy of Orgiana, there were four state cults in homage to the pantheon of the Black Hel, where Orgiana is the "greatest" among them. However, her avatar is described in later books as Level 100, while the dark god Solus is also described as level 100. Her "primary power" is described as all of these other ones. Whether the Black Hel should be retconned as a sub-pantheon of Charon because of Orgiana is a matter of interpretation.

(1) Agskirn

  • Form: Giant Ant
  • Symbol: Crossed Fingers
  • Cult: Avaris
  • Primary Power: Trickery
  • Status: Unknown (Destroyed or banished.)

(2) Aminos

  • Form: Bearded Elder
  • Symbol: Crossed Lightning Bolts
  • Cult: Retaliar
  • Primary Power: Destructive Weather
  • Status: Unknown (Destroyed or banished.)

(3) Calabarius

  • Form: Woman-Reptile
  • Symbol: Orb
  • Cult: Concup
  • Primary Power: Sorrow
  • Status: Unknown (Destroyed or banished.)

(4) Dalogor

  • Form: Man-Wolf
  • Symbol: Man's Head
  • Cult: Retaliar
  • Primary Power: Hatred
  • Status: Dead

(5) Derion

  • Form: Imp with Whip
  • Symbol: Branding Iron
  • Cult: Mortos
  • Primary Power: Sadism/Pain
  • Status: Imprisoned in meteoric eog and buried deep by Iorak.

(6) Homisaer

  • Form: Jewelled King
  • Symbol: Gold Boot
  • Cult: Avaris
  • Primary Power: Intimidation
  • Status: Unknown (Destroyed or banished.)

(7) Mournos

  • Form: Cloaked Wraith
  • Symbol: Inverse dagger
  • Cult: Mortos
  • Primary Power: Oppression
  • Status: Imprisoned in meteoric eog and buried deep by Iorak.

(8) Solus

  • Form: Mutated Thing
  • Symbol: Hieroglyph
  • Cult: Mortos
  • Primary Power: Soul-Devouring
  • Status: Imprisoned in meteoric eog and buried deep by Iorak. Eog forged into the sword Soulcrusher.

(9) Syncarnos

  • Form: Man-Bull
  • Symbol: Horns
  • Cult: Concup
  • Primary Power: Lust
  • Status: Imprisoned by Kieron.

(10) T'Marrow

  • Form: Invisible
  • Symbol: The Cloak
  • Cult: Avaris
  • Primary Power: Stealth
  • Status: Unknown (Destroyed or banished.)

(11) Urich

  • Form: Hairless Bear
  • Symbol: Rope
  • Cult: Concup
  • Primary Power: Pain
  • Status: Unknown (Destroyed or banished.)

(12) Zorsch

  • Form: Batlike Human
  • Symbol: Sun
  • Cult: Retaliar
  • Primary Power: Rage
  • Status: Unknown (Destroyed or banished.)

In the Wars of Dominion these gods when summoned would help crush "white essence" users who intervened. When their followers then began assaulting people on Jaiman, the Lords of Orhan had enough and called a grand inquisition, which was impolitely refused which led to the pantheon being purged around 6800 Second Era. Things were quiet for several years until their followers massacred an entire town, which ended up provoking a response that caused the fall of the theocracy. This situation of Orgiana being banished and desiring revenge is referenced in the Temple of Darkness Poem, with the significance being that the conditions of the poem were written in the Broken Lands long before they actually happened. This was apparently written many millennia earlier by a speaker of Iruaric.

"Lesser demons" of the Black Hel were spirits transformed into demons by the dark gods as servants. They were fashioned into seven wards, each having only one purpose, where asking it to do anything else will immediately free it.

  • (1) Preventors: Black vapor unless bound within object. Guardians or barriers, calling for help or attacking.
  • (2) Riddlers: Put into jewelry and keepsakes. Encyclopedias of information, but very dishonest. More it knows, less likely to get the truth.
  • (3) Flete: Featherless crows with red eyes. Transform into huge winged bats that can be ridden vast distances very fast without tiring.
  • (4) Protectors: Always constrained into defensive items. Absorb damage and crits. Very difficult to break. Possibly special powers.
  • (5) Slayers: Nine feet tall, four sets vicious claws, hairless. AT20 Very fast. Often immune to non-magical attacks. Special powers when put into weapons.
  • (6) Fulfillers: Reflect creator's conception of beauty. Provide things as servants, such as food, herbs, weapons, magic items.
  • (7) Fateless: Rip out the soul of targets and possess their bodies. Cannot be harmed by non-magical weapons. Some must be exorcised.
  • (8) Invokers: Greater demons who can take the form of any of the wards. Essentially demi-gods with their own will, possibly offspring of the Black Hel gods or lesser demons who grew beyond the control of their masters.

The Iron Wind

The manifestation of The Unlife that the Priests Arnak served. The Council of Light refers to it as the Great One. They would commune with it and learn their calling.

Hrassk

The Spider Temple goddess. There is nothing in the way of details about Hrassk itself, other than the word "goddess" being used for her. The word "goddess" for Hrassk was also used in room descriptions of the Spider Temple. The Arachne lore is quite different. The SHIFT verb listed the names of Hrassk's priests under the "Dark Gods" section, because their names are used to label the legs of the Spider Temple. They were not gods. In the release event around April 1991, Askylor teleported adventurers into imprisonment. Unlike the source book, in the Spider Temple it was Askylor who was labeled High Priest, with a log existing showing him as an NPC praying at the altar. The Shards were present as poisonous creatures, but canonically should not have been that far west.

The Hrassk priests were as follows, originating in the Quellbourne (1990) source book on pages 23-24:

  • Askylor: Now Aldemur. The Venom of Hrassk. Enforces Hrassk's will on the treasonous with drugs, torture, and sacrifice. Weakness for tapestries.
  • Karamon: Now Carelin. The Mind of Hrassk. Plots the raids against surrounding trappers and miners.
  • Trandel: Now Drevthrel. The Fang of Hrassk.
  • Faeldin: Now Folthre. The Eye of Hrassk. Holds maps of surrounding areas.
  • Valtar: Now Volnar. High Priest of Hrassk.

Askylor as seen in the Spider Temple:

You see before you Askylor, the High Priest of Hrassk. His thin, spindle-like arms and legs remind you greatly of the deity he has choosen to serve. He wears a long, flowing robe, embroidered in silver with arachnids and their webs.

Shaaljin

The Shaaljin monks were local to the area and are now called Zhaolmin monks. They believed in a total absence of disturbing things. There was a contrary local deity named Ruusak whose followers focused on destroying everything. Including rocks and inanimate objects. The destroyers were associated with the mountain Galtoth, which became Keltoph but does not exist on the maps.

Maleskari

The Demon Lord of Death and Undeath. This one had a subtle background influence and was eventually reintroduced in Elanthia as the Bonespear Tower demon. Maleskari is an enormous (building sized) armored skeleton. There are other named Ordainers in the source books, Maleskari is one of the most powerful. There was a sword with a slayer demon of the Black Hel which claimed to serve Maleskari, but the demon was either lying, or else Maleskari is somehow involved with or serving Orgiana which would be specific to GemStone III. There is no source book basis for Black Hel demons having anything to do with Ordainers.

Kralta'ain

Kralta'ain was the war god of the Ice Kral. They are now called krolvin and have a different religion, so there is no direct analog. It might be inferred that the Kral, an inherently warlike race, have the origins of their name tied up with their war god.

Menachrahan

Menachrahan was the sea god of the Ice Kral. The krolvin warfarers would have dumped ten to twenty percent of all their raiding loot into the sea as a sacrifice to him. There is no direct analog in the modern krolvin religion.

Dancers of Inis

Level 30 spirit servants of Inis that infiltrated societies and destroyed them from within using jealousy. There are a dozen of them. They are all identical and resemble Inis, including the way she dresses. They have the ability to return to Charon if they destroyed on Shadow World. This is not a universal property of Dark Spirits, who are more vulnerable than the Dark Lords. The dancers are repelled by holy songs such as those of Kieron.

Development:

  • Shadow World Master Atlas Addendum, 1st Edition; page 47 (1990)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 2nd Edition; page 119 (1992)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 3rd Edition; page 144 (2001)
  • Shadow World Master Atlas, 4th Edition; page 154 (2003)
  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 110-111 (2003)

Masters of Emer

The Titans were demi-god scale powered members of the Orhan pantheon who relocated to the surface of Emer early in the Second Era. They are thought to be the offspring of Orhan gods with Elves during the Interregnum. This was known lore in the I.C.E. Age but seemingly had no relevance to the game, so none of these figures are listed as deities in the modern documentation. While the Lords of Orhan are benign and only occasionally are moved to lust or love with mortals, the Masters of Emer are well-meaning, but considerably more petty and follow their desires rather than higher ideals.

In the Third Era they mostly live alone on mountain peaks in bitterness at the "thankless mortals" who turned on them long ago. They mostly do not speak even to each other. They do not consider others to be anything more than toys, and shun contact with "lesser" races. These are generalities. Kio Viax loves the Rhiani people, and some Titans speak with Titus Hiaz again. The Xiosians are mortal servants on Votania. They are "warriors of unmatched skill" and taught the Changramai how to fight.

  • Titus Hiaz: Master of Haestra, Warrior King of the Titans. Resides on top of Votania. Has settled differences with a few masters. Fought Ordainer of Scalu at Battle of Maegris.
  • Xaym Jyax: Formerly master of Tai-Emer, now ruled by the Lankan Empire, the theocracy of Klysus. Resides with Titus Hiaz.
  • Ria Xain: Former mistress of Khum-kaan. Resides with Titus Hiaz.
  • Xaix Yjan: Lord of Onar. Resides with Titus Hiaz
  • Kio Viax: Master of Uj. Has not spoken to Titus Hiaz since Second Era. Lives alone near City of the Dead, ruins of the Lords of Essaence pre-dating him.
  • Mira Zyan: Former mistress of Silaar. Imprisoned in a 7 foot mirror by the Dragonlord Voriig Kye, which is actually a dimensional cage.

Development:

  • "Emer: The Great Continent" (1990); page 8, 77 [along with references in numerous Emer books]

Non-GemStone I.C.E. Gods

The Shadow World documentation refers to the deities as a "few selected" examples of the most powerful ones. There are "dozens" of other lesser and greater spirits that are left unmentioned. Sometimes one will not be mentioned in a later book, such as Morgu, but some other deity not heard of before will be described. There are consequently known members of our pantheons in the Shadow World setting that never existed in GemStone III, thus not existing in the modern documentation. There are also deities or figures that could be treated as deities in the Shadow World lore that did not exist in GemStone.

Charon

There is one additional Dark Lord of the Charon pantheon that is named along with the others in later Shadow World books. This is because Nynaku was one of the dark gods imprisoned in the Wars of Dominion, but he did not escape his prison until extremely recently in the Shadow World history. The Black Hel members may be Charon associated under Orgiana, though the timing and extent of her own association with Charon is ambiguous. Other imprisoned, banished, or destroyed Dark Lords may exist.

Nynaku

Volcano god of the Charon pantheon imprisoned by Cay at the end of the Wars of Dominion using an orb constructed by the artificer Tethior. Released by accident as a result of the failure of the northern Eye of Utha late in the Third Era, which is the direct analog to the events of the Vvrael quest in Elanthia and the Eye of the Drake. He has considerable command over fire elementals and fire demons.

Avatar:
The avatar of a deity was a physical incarnation that could be destroyed by violence requiring days of recovery.

  • Level: 120
  • Hits: 700
  • Melee: +450 (huge crush, fists 2x/round)
  • Mana: N/A
  • Spells: Base OB 100, Directed Spell OB 200 (Fire Bolt). Knows Mage Base lists for Fire Law and Earth Law to 50th.
  • Armor: Skin is AT20 (ASG 20), effectively plate armor. Immune to all fire and heat, 2x damage to water and cold.
  • Passing: Walks through stone like water, leaving molten rock behind. Metals take longer. Laen (glaes) is impenetrable because it gets harder as it gets hotter.
  • Immolation: Bursts into flames at will.
  • Eyes of Fire: Spell-like ability. Stream of fire from eyes that can be turned up to 30 degrees in an arc and hitting up to 500 feet. 4x/day ability.
  • Tread of Trembling: Stomps ground making 6 Richter scale earthquake in 1 mile radius. Cracks open ground 300 feet deep, 30 feet wide, jagged path extending 1 mile. (1x/day ability)
  • Summoning: Summon/control up to four strong fire elementals per day, even simultaneously. Exist as long as he concentrates. Can summon up to two fire demons using a Demonic Gate. Controls as long as he concentrates.
  • Equipment: No longer has any artifacts he may have once possessed before being imprisoned.

Development:

  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 112 (2003)

Daglea

Dark Spirit, Mistress of Vengeance. Level 50. Has a red hourglass symbol on her forehead and a monstrous 30 foot spider form. She can be considered apocryphally to be the analog of The Huntress, who was spun off the Hrassk spider god concept, which became Arachne and changed to an ascended lesser spirit instead of a local god. (Essentially the evil Baeris.)

Development:

  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 111 (2003)

Bogaluth

Dark Spirit, Lord of Pestilence. Level 60. The god of necromancers and patron of those who control the undead. Seeks to dominate the world with his undead slaves. (Essentially the evil Vult.) Klysus is a God of Death and a necromancer by profession, but his primary focus is devouring rather than enslaving souls in Shadow World.

Development:

  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 112 (2003)

Schreyach

Dark Spirit, the Gatekeeper. Level 60. Physically resembles Jon'no. Guards the portals and pits of Charon (leading to the Pales and elsewhere) where the souls of the followers of the Dark Gods end up. (Essentially the evil Jon'no.)

Development:

  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 112 (2003)

Orhan

Kel

Kel is a "powerful Dryad-like being" who the Loremasters believe was a Spirit of Orhan who gave up a lot of his powers to reside instead on Emer. His avatar is Level 90, and he is playful and mischievous by nature and manner. His sphere of emanation is anchored on a "huge, sentient Oak Tree" in the center of the Emerald Forest, to which he is empathically linked and senses intruders to the forest. They can manifest a barrier around it to the power of a Greater Warding Perimeter, which retreats in scope to the Vale of the Tree if he is defeated. If the tree were destroyed while recovering, he would be slain.

He was established early in the documentation to qualify as implicitly present in the GemStone III world setting, but there seems to be nothing of relevance to include him in that category. He is weak by the standards of a Lord of Orhan, for which he has similar powers and immunities, higher level but roughly equal in might to Vult. He is implicitly a local god now and should be weakened by traveling far.

Development:

  • Emer: The Great Continent; page 22 (1990)

Jon'no

Great Spirit, Level 50. Jon'no is the "son" (spirit servant) of Eissa who actually guards the Gates of Oblivion, and brings souls across to their destinations. He will also travel to the realms of the dead to retrieve a soul if needed. Jon'no was invented in the later Shadow World documentation and loosely has the role Gosaena was given in the modern lore for Elanthia. He has his own set of keys to the Gates of Oblivion, including the Key to the Void which is never used.

Development:

  • Powers of Light and Darkness; page 99 (2003)

Non-I.C.E. GemStone Gods

The following deities exist in GemStone IV but their descriptions do not have a counterpart in the Shadow World source material.

Disclaimer

The exact wording on the gods descriptions is especially relevant, so fairly small blocks of text are being quoted. These are copyrighted terms of Iron Crown Enterprises, though it is no worse than much of the Kelfour Editions which are also on the Wiki. They are transcribed directly from given source books, cited with publication years and page numbers. Their avatar specifications are partially listed and paraphrased. What may look like transcription errors will sometimes be actual typos from the source book itself. These were not documents created by Simutronics, and GemStone III was non-canonical.

I.C.E. Documentation

The precise years are given for documents whenever possible, separating out when various things became established. When there is source book material created later than a given part of the game, that material cannot have been used in its creation. Information first published later than 1995 is much less likely to have any relevance to GemStone III or GemStone IV. There is some documentation and lore that only ever existed in GemStone, and things in GemStone were not necessarily introduced without alteration. Much of the Shadow World and Rolemaster material had little or no relevance to GemStone III.

There is an additional subtlety regarding the dates. The listed year is a copyright date, and therefore should be read as "no later than this year", rather than "not before this year." The information that appears in a published book, such as some of the deities that do not exist in GemStone, may have been partially available at earlier dates. As such it is possible some "later" content may have been relevant.

Intermediate Documentation

These versions are listed in order from most recent to oldest. The Laranna paraphrases pre-date the Simutronics documentation, and the Tebon compilation mixes the two together, but pre-dates the more modern form of the same document. The gods lore has continued to develop in ways that are not necessarily consistent with that document but it has not been modified in decades.

Version 1: Tebon Compilation

The transitional form descriptions are taken from a compiled document with commentary (version 1) rather than a copy and paste from an unaltered Simutronics documents. This appears to be combining information from two different gods documentation. The first parts (bolded) are clearly in between the Shadow World and contemporary documents, and the other parts are still from a point when some of them had no definition yet. Typically these are paraphrases of the Shadow World version but appended with Elanthia setting details. This should be used cautiously because of this ambiguity.

The part that agrees with Version 2 appears to be the actual intermediate document by Simutronics, which is very similar to the current gods document of this format. The bolded parts came from Laranna's Lair where both are present but they are separated. Luukos and Amasalen were depicted in their I.C.E. forms on Teras Isle, which was in the documentation gap of Spring 1996.

Version 2: House Chesylcha copy of "Gods of Elanthia"

In some cases for Liabo and Lornon there is a corroborating copy and paste of Version 1 from an old Simutronics document (version 2) that may have higher fidelity. Marlu and Onar are listed under Dark Spirits, though Marlu was already promoted to "Greater God", and his relationship with the vruul had been made implicit. Ivas does not have both four arms and two tentacles, nor is there both "Ebon Gate" and "Gates of Oblivion" together. It still contains archaic details such as Lorminstra having blonde hair (but with "Ebon Gate") and Sheru having a hyena head instead of a jackal. Zelia is not mentioned. Many lesser gods were not given documented descriptions until later, but these are generally consistent with their I.C.E. Age forms when relevant. They may have in-game representations older than documentation.

Version 3: Laranna / Evialla Compilations

Additional corroboration is found on the old website of Evialla Violetskye called The Arkati Volumes. This includes information about lesser entities, including Shar, who have been largely forgotten since the 1990s. It is also a source for corroborating what would now be considered archaic transitional period notions such as Eorgina being the lover of Ivas and Luukos. This is much the same information as Laranna's Lair. This seems to be a player driven project during a documentation gap, followed by an actual document represented by Version 2. They were mixed together in Version 1.

Laranna wrote the bolded summaries that were incorporated into Version 1, compiling information from other players with attribution given to Thalior and Ellie. Her site contains these plus the second part reflected by Version 2. The following is a December 1996 post on the nature of the Arkati attributed to Stump, describing their relationship with Drakes and power changing over aeons. There are some details in this post which are closer to the I.C.E. lore than is seen in Version 2. The way Mularos is described, for example, is really describing Moralis.

The transitional period had a lot of weird idiosyncratic Arkati roleplay that is not well recorded now and would likely not be considered valid. There was very little historical and lore documentation in the late 1990s, things that were made up by groups of players became validated sometimes. The game lore did not truly solidify until around 2000. Some of these things are mentioned in passing.

Version 4: History of Elanthia (still official, but oldest)

The oldest representation of the moon gods as "Arkati" is the base "History of Elanthia" document from the time of the De-ICEing. Not all of the deities in the "Shift" verb were mentioned in it. Those who were mentioned are sometimes more reflective of their I.C.E. Age form rather than their later details. Luukos is emphasized as a soul eater, for example, with only a glancing reference to the undead.

Modern Documentation

The "modern" descriptions of the Arkati were given toward the end of the 1990s, some of them are very close or identical to the transitional copy labeled Version 2. The Pantheon of Neutrality was invented and various lesser spirits were given descriptions. These descriptions are not given on this page to avoid mixing current and archaic documentation. The Gods of Elanthia document has not had its details changed in this time period in spite of later developments. This is complicated by the later documentation taking the form of legends, myths, and dogmas which may only be distantly related to the truth.