Followers of Xukthalas
The balance must be kept in check. Today you suffer my anger and wrath but tomorrow we shall dine and laugh. Forgive me for my duty my child, it is the way of Order. Choas today, Order for tomorrow.
- Priestess of Xukthalas preaching to a fallen foe.
The Followers of Xukthalas - Watchers of Night -
Xukthalas is the large moon that rises in the nights after the brothers, Gotruis and Perteum, disappear and rest. He works and tries to undo both brother’s plots for his own designs for rule. Where the two brothers see the people of Hewdamia as pawns on a chess board that are just there for their own designs and desires, Xukthalas looks down on them as children that need to be taken care of before they hurt themselves. While he is not overly kind to them, he sees what he does as a service to them and if one of them should die because of one of his actions then so be it. He did what he could, they brought it on themselves. They are only mortal after all and incapable of understand His concepts. Xukthalas normally would not choose a favorite among the mortals, but the Sslassti tend to get the most leniency from him most of all.
Xukthalas came around the time of Sethalis and the other new Gods. Because of his constant vigilance, his body hardened and he is now the moon that circles the world. He sits back and tries to leave all alone to the other Gods, but will sometimes play a hand at keeping the world the same as it was when he joined the celestial bodies. He sees the mortals below as children that need guidance and help through life. He does little to help them, that most people see, but he stands a constant vigil over the world and waits for the other Gods to change the world he sees as being perfect. He will act when something changes and attempt to return it to its natural order. He is neither good natured or evil, he is about as unopinionated as one of the Gods can get. He will act in whichever way will return the world to its supposed natural order. The time when He plays a part can be seen when He stands between the two brothers and the world of Hewdamia. He hides the world from their eyes and does his work in secret and comfort knowing that all is as it should be.
Doctrine - All of Xukthalas’s followers are neutral in their opinions. Waiting to see which side has the better claim or argument before they act. They will not act in anger or hatred, but sometimes their actions seem vile or evil. They are uncaring of their actions, only that in their eyes their actions are correct. They will never side with any one side in a conflict. They will wait and see which side of the balance is being disrupted and then act. If morality is in danger, they will act to save it. If diabolical intentions are being destroyed, they will act to preserve them. They choose no sides and harbor no ill will toward anyone. Whatever their God says to do, they act and do it.
Major Religious Centers -
Breakdown of the religious Order - The priesthood is well organized; the exact balance between male and female is always even. The structure is broken down in a simple way compared to the other religions. There are no Covens to separate the followers. Everyone does everything. Whatever is required at the moment. They are all devoted to their God and will act in whichever manner He so chooses. It will be difficult to correctly play a member of this religion unless everyone is of this following. Therefore this religion is normally reserved for an NPC character, or someone that the G.O.D. seems fit enough to control them.
While they seem like the most disorganized group of any of the other religious followers, they are the exact opposite. Their view on religion and other aspects that cloud the mind of the other groups tends to be a little on the confusing side since they focus more on study and keeping the balance as they call it even.
They understand that should one side of the gods become more dominant the world will waiver and relity will shatter. They act to preserve this equality. They are viewed with suspician and have many rumors about their dark practices, however they do not worship evil or good.
Priests of this religion tend to have more advisors to kings than any other priest. Their view of a step back and overview is far different from the others. Even the usual indecisive advisor. While not indecisive, they do have a rather peculiar outlook and view of the world being that they feel they are here to stop the gods from wiping the slate clean and starting over. Hence why they try to keep the balance.
They feel their god is the mediator between the others. He is the older brother of sorts who steps in to calm and difuse quarrals before the escalate. They see him as the opinionated diety who wishes to protect the world from harm, but by doing so harm must be done to keep the eyes of the childish gods from paying to close attention to the others motives.
And while they do not choose sides, they have been known to start conflicts of mass porportions just to correct a wrong or a right. They care little for the populace of the world and only that by doing their gods bidding they keep the other gods from causing havoc on the world and tearing it appart.
While true neutral dieties (D&D.. .gasp…) believed in gods of neutrality I do not. I do not see them as being neutral but having a defined purpose that is to fold.
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? Responses (8)
Two paws and a tail up. Well written, good explanation, and helps balance the existing entries.
Ah, I forgot I put this up... glad this one was as enjoyable as it is. I was conflicted in my approach with it.
Now this I like, a neutral god with a purpose.
Neutrality you can be proud of.
I have had this one stored in my favorites for quite some time now, the idea was that I was going to vote 'later'. Mathom save me. Well, here is my vote and an HoH as well.
The reason I really like this post is its balance in itself and, as Moon pointed out; How it balances other entries. Wery nicely done.
Thank you for your comments.
I think this could be elaborated even more - for example, unless the followers are simply vessels for the god's will, their interpretation of his intentions and hence their judgment will be flawed. This could even lead them to side with opposing sides of a conflict.
Also, with their total disloyalty to any cause (save balance) and perfect unreliability, they'd find it hard to get any allies or even be let into a home. After all, they might realize that balance is best served by feeding their host to the wolves outside.
Perhaps it would make sense to write them up as a secret order?
Yes, I remember discussions about beings with this idea of neutrality being in fact elements of Chaos. What can be more chaotic then this behaviour? It may make sense for the organisation at the large scale moving to moderate the world, but at the level of the individual it equates to insanity. A person who may act one day to build an orphanage, and then a week later burn it down?
And a King would be well advised to kill any of this order who entered his kingdom, their advice is not for his benefit but the Balance. Only a fool with the same world-view as them would heed their advice.