The Blessed Charioteer's Land

Introduction

This is an otherworld of the main world of the Northern Lights setting. It is one of those otherworlds that is closely associated with the mundane world, such that it overlaps in places, and is responsible for quite a lot of the spirit energy found in the mundane world. Wanderers in remote natural places may at times find themselves having wandered into the Blessed Charioteer's Land. Elves in the setting are seen as being as extraordinarily magical as they are in part because of their affinity to this Land. Many elves even live there full time, instead of just occasionally visiting.

The Land is named for a great spirit that roams the land in a massive chariot drawn by gigantic deer that stand three times as high as the typical elf. Where she goes, her land prospers and grows with sudden wild abandon. It is because the Blessed Charioteer is not seen about as often these days that her land is known also as The Dying Land. Though it's taking an awfully long time for the land to actually perish (especially by human standards).

The Blessed Charioteer is one of a pantheon of mighty sprits of the land. The elves revere these spirits with a fervor that borders on worship, though not quite being that. It is surmised that the elves are descended from these spirits in part, so they're looked on almost more like very special ancestors.

Blessed Charioteer "Pantheon"

Chief Spirit: The Blessed Charioteer

Also known as Adakoc, the originally The Blessed Charioteer was known as a spirit of capricious joy and celebration. Of late this has changed dramatically and she is considered to be a spirit of Sorrow, though she is still invoked during celebrations.

She usually appears with elven features, but is, like her chariot and deer, also herself of gigantic stature. Notably, her eyes are two massive almond-shaped orbs of glowing spirit energy that overwhelm her features, sending tendrils of spirit power flowing out from her face. She is of hearty build for someone who appers so elven, and is usually frowning these days. Otherwise she is almost plain-looking, with tanned skin, short, curly dark grey hair. She usually wears chain mail dyed dark grey and grey-green.

She is often worshipped by men. Her almost fanatical followers can be primarily distinguished by the symbols they wear. There are quite a few depictions of her in the foothills of mountains. There are many myths involving her happy relationship with Inar. She is the sister of Xitual. She is known to send dreams to mortals with quests.

Other Deities

Paylanas

A Spirit of Desire, is somewhat plain, with very pale skin, waist length, auburn hair, and eyes the color of moonlight. She is surprisingly short and willowy, and almost never frowns. She usually wears formal attire dyed tan and yellow-orange. She is also associated with fertility. She is often appealed to by noble elves, especially those who wish to have offspring. Her surprisingly few followers can be primarily distinguished by the charms they carry with them. There are many offerings to her in military outposts. There are many myths involving her friendship with Manai. She is the daughter of Cerurn. She is known to pose riddles to epic mortal heroes.

Cerurn

A Spirit of Theatre, Dusk and Law, is surprisingly ugly, with bronzed skin, shoulder length, flowing red-gold hair, and eyes the color of fresh snow. She is medium height and somewhat muscular, and often looks sly. She usually wears rich robes dyed dark bronze.

She is also associated with cooking, passion and secrets. She is often dealt with by the wealthy. Her surprisingly numerous followers can be primarily distinguished by the ritual greetings they use. There are a few sacrifices to her in meadows. There are many myths involving her many misadventures with her daughter Paylanas. She is the wife of Xitual. She is known to give advice to great mortal warriors.

Milyor

A Spirit of Lovers, the Underworld and Marriage, is unusually beautiful, with bronzed skin, waist length, curly dark grey hair, and eyes the color of green leaves. He is medium height and broad-shouldered, and almost never frowns. He usually wears light armor dyed golden-brown and pale blue.

He is also associated with night, oaths and life. He is often sought out by merchants who wish to seal their oaths magically. His numerous followers can be primarily distinguished by the symbols they wear. There are many shrines to him in cities. There are many myths involving his rough relationship with Paylanas. He is the husband of Manai. He is known to pose riddles to virtuous mortals.

Xitual

A Spirit of Famine, Creation and Fog, is very beautiful, with tanned skin, waist length, rippling cinnamon hair, and eyes the color of polished oak. He is average height and broad-shouldered, and looks rather smug. He usually wears simple robes dyed light green.

He is also associated with the desert. He is often worshipped by commoners. His many followers can be primarily distinguished by the ritual greetings they use. There are more than a few shrines to him in cities. There are many myths involving his unlikely friendship with Adakoc. He is the cousin of Inar. He is known to challenge mortal heroes.

Inar

A Spirt of Tricksters, is almost plain-looking, with sallow skin, short, flowing pale golden hair, and eyes the color of fire opals. He is very tall and willowy, and often looks sly. He usually wears light armor dyed bronze and medium red. He is also associated with arrogance and fish. He is often worshipped by lawbreakers. His surprisingly few followers can be primarily distinguished by the symbols they wear. There are widespread shrines to him in most villages. There are many myths involving his scandalous relationship with Xitual. He is the brother of Lallaxo. He is known to appear to wicked mortals.

Manai

A Spirit of Battle, is surprisingly ugly, with ivory skin, short, curly cinnamon hair, and eyes the color of red wine. She is of average height and of average build, and almost never smiles. She usually wears simple clothes dyed beige. She is also associated with peace and shame. She is often worshipped by priests. Her few followers can be primarily distinguished by the symbols they wear. There are a respectable amount of offerings to her at the edge of forests. There are many myths involving her vast travels with Lallaxo. She is the daughter of Xitual. She is known to give help to mortal villians.

Lallaxo

A Spirit of Cats, Storms and Keys, is surprisingly plain, with ivory skin, shoulder length, curly red-brown hair, and eyes the color of summer sky. He is tall and broad-shouldered, and often looks sly. He usually wears stylized armor dyed red-violet and grey-brown.

He is also associated with beauty, dawn and summer. He is often worshipped by merchants. His many followers can be primarily distinguished by the way they conduct themselves. There are quite a few altars dedicated to him in most cities. There are many myths involving his many misadventures with certain mortals. He is the brother of Inar. He is known to give help to great mortal leaders.

Elven Royal Court

What follows are the elves of the royal court at Woodmead.