Working on my sheet as we speak. Wondering if my god should LG or LN. Since, he is the type of being who'd rather people do the right thing not because of the law, because it is the right thing, or they have concluded it is the right thing. Though, the law itself is an important tool, especially higher law.
Because this intrigues me and I like writing yanderes not-so-good characters. The core idea being a former love goddess that was spurned by a lover and went more than a little overboard in response, possibly being censured by the rest of the gods in response or whatnot, resulting in their no longer having the title/powers associated with being such, and acquiring a newer, darker portfolio instead (Going to go with assassins, obsession, and vengeance, I think? Maybe just obsession and vengeance, not sure.) Writing up a sheet now and will edit it into this post when its done!
Edited Saturday: Apologies for anything that seems off-rhythm/weird grammatically, its been a long while since I've written to be quite honest.
Sheet in spoiler, lemme know if anything should be touched up on! (Honestly still derping about with the personality section right now, not sure how 'yan' she should be, if you get my meaning.) Also surprised I managed to keep 'dark' down to three five uses during writing the thing. Any suggestions for corrections or things I should adjust to better fit the theme I'm trying to go with are welcome!
Third Edit: Every time I try and do the select-text-and-bold trick it bolds everything after the word in the entire post. REEEEE. Still WIP DX
Edit The Fourth: Got a hero down, switched some stuff about, gonna work on one last hero, an assassin I think and then it should be done-ish? Edit 5: REEE LOST MY PROGRESS. All the major points are hit though and both heroes are more or less done x.x
God Name: Aiyami Title: God of Assassins, Thieves, Obsession, and Temptation; The Scorned One Gender: Female Alignment: Neutral-Evil God Appearance:
Image artist is Pas from Pixiv
Once, when Aiyami held a different name, she was a shining beacon of purity, beauty, and love, with hair like the sunset and warm skin, a halo of light composed of her love that wrapped around her like ribbons from behind her back.
Her fall from grace was not kind to her appearance, as the corruption within soon forced changes on the form without. Once long tresses of shining gold and red hung across her shoulders were replaced by an inky black, and skin like warm cream turned pale white. Even her face wasn't left unchanged, her inner violence turning a warm smile into a feral grin filled with knives, her ears taking on more bestial shapes, all to match her inner savagery.
The most noticeable change of all, however, occurred to the ribbons of light that once garbed her form. Not quite darkness, not quite blood, no longer do they frame her face and body, instead streaming forth from her spine like monstrous tails, if tails could have hungry, gnashing mouths, or gleaming, hateful eyes.
She still retains a fraction of her beauty from before, but it has been visibly tarnished by her obsession and hate.
Personality:
The very picture of a scorned, vindictive lover, Aiyami's once boundless love has been replaced with a selfishness founded upon insecurity, demanding love and worship where once it came to her unbidden. Worse still, she clutches onto her grudges like a miser his purse, refusing to let go of any slight, actual or perceived, without first plotting some bloody misfortune upon the perpetrator.
She is especially dangerous to those she claims to love. A selfish, violent creature, should some unfortunate god or mortal hook her attentions she will pursue them without regard for their wishes, desires, or well-being, her own delusions often preventing her from seeing the truth, causing her to even pursue those who are otherwise unavailable. Should the current target of her affections actually reciprocate, they will have the dubious benefit of her violent nature being turned outward, away from gaining their attention and affection and instead towards the removal of rivals and competing suitors, in a misguided attempt to solidify the 'relationship'.
Her deepest hate, however, she reserves for Artis and his worshipers. During the war of the gods, Aiyami, before she was known as such, did not care for the bloodshed, and sought peace amongst her followers and with the other gods. It was then that she met the god of trade, and they, sharing the ideals of peace, fell in love during their efforts to end the war. She combined her efforts with his and, eventually, she sought his hand in marriage.
However, the relationship became strained, as Artis, while a dutiful husband, held a stronger love for mortals than other gods, and the former love goddess allowed jealousy to enter into her heart. It culminated shortly after the war's end in an argument. Some might whisper that, in her anger, she fought Artis, resulting in her aspect of Love being ripped from her, others suggest she willingly tore out her own heart and cast it from her person, denying both Love and Artis in equal measure for what she perceived as his choice of the mortals over her. Aiyami herself, however, does not truly remember how the relationship ended, only that it did, and that she was hurt, and thus encourages her worshipers to oppose Artis's own at every turn, all to further her vendetta with the god of commerce.
Overprotective of her charges, smothering in her love, vindictive, jealous, and spiteful, she is a broken creature filled with envy and hate, yet still desires to be truly loved once more.
Opinion of mortals:
"I do love them so, and all I ask in return is that they love me. Forever."
Aiyami has a deep fondness (most would say too deep) for those humans who worship her, but welcomes all with open arms if their devotion is both true and unwavering.
She holds a special place in her twisted heart, however, for the remnants of those she had a hand in creating. Vibrant, spiritual creatures that could walk the realms of man, beast, and spirit, delighting in love, nature, and tricking the wicked, now brought low with their mother, their great spiritual powers of transformation and magic severed as Aiyami's hate twisted them into darker, more savage shapes. These beings have now been changed, walking as men, but with the claws and visages of savage beasts. Though some of her children might have escaped her touch unmarred, perhaps seeking the aid of other gods, the beast-kin that remained loyal to Aiyami are a reflection of her hunger and violence.
For the other mortal races, she could at best be described as apathetic, especially towards the children of other gods, and her patience wears thin with any who don't seek her love, but she concerns herself more with those among her followers and children who have rejected her love, and thus earned her undying and eternal wrath.
God’s Domain:
Aiyami's gardens were once among the most beautiful realms of the gods, a paradise of flowering plants, succulent fruit, and tranquil waterways. After her fall, however, her inner darkness twisted her realm as well as her appearance. The outer rings of her realm are twisting, ever-changing mazes of thorns, each plant seeking the blood of those who trespass. Should one's devotion (or stubbornness) lead one past the wall she has built around her realm, they will come across a tepid swamp filled with grudges, regrets, and those she has rejected from her tower, constantly climbing on top of each other and pushing themselves further into the mire either in their attempts to escape or to regain entrance to Aiyami's abode.
The tower itself, once stretching high enough to view the entire domain, has outwardly crumbled and fallen into disrepair, but still looms ominously over the landscape as spirits and creatures loyal to the Scorned One stalk its grounds, occasionally removing a soul who has displeased her or seizing one of the strugglers from the swamp, dragging them inside whether they desire it or not.
Aiyami herself lives inside the tower's tallest surviving floor, surrounding herself in decadence in a vain attempt to ignore the plight of those she has wronged, the opulent halls decorated to resemble a noblewoman's court, complete with courtiers, servants, and all the luxuries therein. Should a mortal have caught her eye and been brought to her domain, she will never willingly allow them to leave her side, drowning them in gifts and affection, until such time as they displease her, and she ejects them from her presence and tower, leaving some worse than before, now that they have tasted that which she offers.
Avatar Name: Miyako of the Twin Tails Avatar Appearance:
Perhaps one of the few of Aiyami's personal children to retain a form similar to that she enjoyed before her goddess' fall, Miyako is a foul and cruel creature that wraps herself in false beauty to lure her chosen prey to their doom, be it a foreign noble or a passing sage. Her 'true' form, as close as it could be called such, holds a human face and body, barring those savage traits that the corruption of her goddess have forced upon her, in the form of constantly twitching triangular ears, bestial limbs ending in vicious claws, and a pair of surprisingly sinuous (yet fluffy) tails, all covered in inky black fur matched by her hair and eyes.
Personality:
As spiteful and vindictive as her goddess, Miyako hides a seething envy and hatred behind a mask of courtly beauty and politeness, perpetuating horror in the name of 'love', be it love for her goddess, or for whatever hapless fool she has used to seduce her way into a position of power. Nonetheless, though she despises the enemies of her home, she too seeks love for her own sake, and can find herself drawn into 'hunting' a prospective spouse to the detriment of her objectives.
Magic Abilities:
Perhaps the best magic Miyako has managed to retain since the fall of her goddess would be her ability to shapeshift and cast illusions, allowing her to disguise her monstrous nature from enemy and follower alike. All other talents from before Aiyami's fall have been twisted, and made lesser. No more can she seal foes away with preparation and runes written in blood, though she retains the ability to dole out curses, whether those designed to sabotage one's luck, or one's body.
Aside from these she has no real magical abilities of note, with her skills as a courtesan and at politicking being entirely earned by her life of deception.
Hero: Souta
no pictures yet, sorry
Rank/Reason: Assassin-Priest of Jihak
Personality:
Souta, viewed from the outside, is a rising star within the Temple of Aiyami, being the only member of a team of assassin-priests to survive on the quest to secure the recipe to Avuvian Fire. That he was partially successful and brought back a partial bit of the recipe only added to his reputation. Within the jockeying of assassinations, espionage, and betrayal that is the Temple, his position was envied.
Much to his detriment, given that it wasn't any of his doing that he survived, much less managed to secure the partial recipe, he was only the assassin unlucky enough to have been close to his mentor when he fell, and revealing that it was not his own skill that ensured his survival would be a death-sentence as sure as diving into the sea with weighted boots. Souta puts up a facade of confidence and stoicism in order to hide his panicky nature, and still hasn't gotten over the clumsiness of his youth, leading to him botching or bumbling more missions than most, especially when put under pressure. Unsure of himself and relying on mediocre skills as an assassin backed by a reputation he didn't truly earn, he's now in far too deep to escape the life he was forced into.
(Thanks almostinsane for giving me permission to yoink part of the recipe for the not-greek fire stuff :3)
Hero: Kaito
Art by Daken on pixiv
Rank/Reason: Ascendant Pirate-Lord Personality:
Kaito was one of many orphans skittering about Niwati's streets, making his living through pick-pocketing and general thievery, until one day his hand dipped into the wrong coin-purse. Dragged away from the streets to serve on the ship of the man he tried to steal from, his new life was cruel, but fulfilling, as he tasted power and wealth for the first time, if only by proxy of being on the same crew as a successful pirate-captain. It awoke in him a thirst for power and a great ambition as his ship sailed past Jihak, and his eyes saw the ruinous glory of the capital.
His ambitions were not slaked when he rose to first mate, nor when he assisted his former captain into 'retirement', not even when he blackmailed, browbeat, and slaughtered his way into forming his very own pirate clan, with a handful of ships sworn to him. His sights are set on the title of 'Pirate King', and he's never satisfied, always constantly pushing himself and his crews harder as he seeks to gain enough renown and wealth to assemble a grand fleet.
He is ambitious, cunning, and ruthless, brooking no dissent among those who follow him on the waves. More than a few have met their ends by his hand or have had 'tragic accidents' at sea while attempting to usurp his position. The only time he allows himself happiness are when his ships return to port and he goes over his ledgers, though rumors state that at least one orphanage within the city of Niwati holds his patronage.
Terrain Preference: Forests and mountains.
Name of Kingdom/Empire: Jihaka Capital: Jihak Major Cities: Jihak, Niwati Society:
Jihaka is a small realm, a few small scattered cities and lordships all paying fealty to the central city and namesake of the nation, Jihak, itself sprawling outward from the temple of Aiyami like a tumor, buildings and streets spiraling outward from the temple, the organization and layout of which determined by whoever was the ruler at the time of its building. This can lead to quite a chaotic mess of conflicting styles and directions, as the true rulers of Jihaka, the assassin-priests of the temple, are quick to remove any problematic nobles who they have cause to believe have offended their patron goddess, either through suspicion or divine providence (though this sometimes could be as simple as the current Emperor having accidentally offended the Avatar or High Priestess.)
The noblemen and wealthy merchants who call Jihaka their home are constantly attempting to curry favor with the temple, to prove their love to the goddess, willing to utterly destroy their rivals for the chance to earn the title of Emperor, and thus a place at their goddess' side in the afterlife, resulting in the temple of Aiyami receiving more contracts for jobs inside the city than out of it.
The jockeying for position within the temple itself is no less fierce, the assassin-priests vying for the favor of the chosen Avatar whenever she deigns to return to Jihaka from whatever neighboring country she chose to disgrace with her presence.
Those without the power or wealth to join the elite of the ruling city live fairly normal lives, feuding with neighbors, farming, and preparing for the coming of the taxman or local bandits (though the differences between the two often depends entirely upon which lord you pay fealty to and whether or not your land still belongs to him.) Though some head to the coastal city of Niwati, instead choosing a life on the sea instead of the drudgery of living on land.
Unfortunately for Jihaka's neighbors, Niwati is an even worse den of thieves and liars than Jihak, making the most of its living via 'exporting' pirates, bandits, and other cut-throats to the rest of the continent, with ships and caravans laden with ill-gotten loot from those who survive the trip coming back home funneling their stolen wealth into the pirate port or to fuel whatever misbegotten ventures they have in mind for the capital.
Those rare moments of stability, however, are when Jihaka is most dangerous to outsiders. Whether it be a pirate-king of Niwati, the Avatar herself, or a surprisingly long-lived Emperor, Jihaka when united becomes most active in raiding and banditry, seeking both resources and slaves in order to build a grandiose tower dedicated to their goddess (as well as to fill their own coffers and keep the luxuries coming.)
This can especially cause problems due to Jihaka's penchant for stealing ideas and technology during large-scale raids as much as wealth and people, as their new fire arrows can attest, being a product of a partially stolen recipe of the vaunted Avuvian Fire. That the partial recipe is nowhere near as effective or stable, and can result in more than a few archers losing their fingers is considered an acceptable sacrifice for even acquiring part of the secret.
The races most found within the borders of this land tend to be humans, or the fallen beast-kin children of Aiyami, and as a whole while personable, they are a conniving, backstabbing bunch who seek to use others for their own gain. This is exemplified by perhaps their most well-known trade and profession: the assassin-priests of Aiyami.
Trained from birth in the arts of subterfuge and politics, these courtesans wield their minds and bodies as weapons against whoever they are contracted against, acting as spies in foreign courts, whispering treasonous thoughts into the ears of their lovers, and, if need be or hired to, slipping knives between ribs to remove political enemies. There is no job too 'low' or dishonorable for these courtly killers, all that matters is that you can pay, so they can fuel ever more elaborate constructions or fuel their own rise to power back in the homeland.
Other: What else do you want to tell us?
tl;dr: "Khatun did you make a spurned former love goddess who accidentally monsters/monstergirls when she fell?" Yes. Yes I did. I'm not sorry.
Because this intrigues me and I like writing yanderes not-so-good characters. The core idea being a former love goddess that was spurned by a lover and went more than a little overboard in response, possibly being censured by the rest of the gods in response or whatnot, resulting in their no longer having the title/powers associated with being such, and acquiring a newer, darker portfolio instead (Going to go with assassins, obsession, and vengeance, I think? Maybe just obsession and vengeance, not sure.) Writing up a sheet now and will edit it into this post when its done!
Because this intrigues me and I like writing yanderes not-so-good characters. The core idea being a former love goddess that was spurned by a lover and went more than a little overboard in response, possibly being censured by the rest of the gods in response or whatnot, resulting in their no longer having the title/powers associated with being such, and acquiring a newer, darker portfolio instead (Going to go with assassins, obsession, and vengeance, I think? Maybe just obsession and vengeance, not sure.) Writing up a sheet now and will edit it into this post when its done!
Still narrowing down a few things for mine, might need some help. Anyways, I figure the civ he is the patron of is on the same sea as the other two currently on the map given that it is going to be thematically related. Or could put it far a field and be an outpost of the same sort of civilization that lies on the edge of what they consider the civilized world.
Currently I'm incorporating;
Giants, Dwarves, and Ghouls within my sheet.
Obviously the Restless (Un)Dead as well. Someone has approached me about creating the first Elementals as a joint project, as well. I'll probably add more races as I feel its appropriate. If anyone wants to do joint-projects for creating races together, I can do that too. My main shtick while alive was making things.
Also, if anyone wants a weapon or item of power for their god throw me a DM.
Currently I'm incorporating;
Giants, Dwarves, and Ghouls within my sheet.
Obviously the Restless (Un)Dead as well. Someone has approached me about creating the first Elementals as a joint project, as well. I'll probably add more races as I feel its appropriate. If anyone wants to do joint-projects for creating races together, I can do that too. My main shtick while alive was making things.
Also, if anyone wants a weapon or item of power for their god throw me a DM.
@almostinsane Which would work better, one of the same cultural group to your nation, or people descended from the conquests of the setting's Alexander and essentially the Graeco-Bactrian Kingdom (except a league of cities) or fantasy Bosporos?