Rystaia the Lightbringer, Flame of the Heavens
| Favored Race | Ch'taren |
|---|---|
| Element(s) | Spirit & Air |
| Home(s) | The Plains of Freedom, A Chamber of Light |
| Alignment | Chaotic Good |
| Symbol | Pegasus |
| Porfolio | Ch'taren, spirit magic, freedom, joy, zeal, crusades |
| Worshippers | ch'taren, spirit casters, chaotic good peoples, zealous warriors of good |
History in Avendar
Rystaia's history within the lands of Avendar began in the final months of the war of night, but the start of her tale is older still. She was one of the two twin deities worshipped by the Ch'taren race in their cities. Some say their realm was deep within the plane of Spirit. Others that it was farther still afield, beyond the Creation by the three Overgods. This home, however, was not to last. Cataclysm struck, as horrors from the depths of their land and the Dragon of the Void, A***r, began their assault. The Dragon struck down and entrapped Rystaia's brother-God, Vaialos and destroyed the form of the Lightbringer. Rystaia was forced to retreat to the body of her high priestess and flee their dying land with the remainder of her people. It is said that she and the Ch'taren learned of the Dragon's plans and the Great Summoning his minions would enact. All the able Ch'taren assembled on the proper day, and they began their own ritual to intercept the calling to the plane of demons.
When at long last the portal opened, the Ch'taren poured through, leaving behind their decayed cities and the darkness that had claimed their land. The Shuddeni were ill-prepared for the spirit magics of the Ch'taren and were routed in what would be known in the halls of history as the Day of Two Dawns.
Rystaia's power grew as the forces of light waxed mighty once more, and it was the Flame of the Heavens who discovered the treacheries of Serachel in the final days of the War of Night. The Shadow Mask was ill-prepared for the sudden appearance of the magics of spirit and their spells of divination. Aided by Aeolis, the Lightbringer defeated Serachel and bound him in the Nightmare Realms, where he would languish for a millennium.
Through the Ch'taren, the worship of Rystaia was spread through the goodly people of Avendar. Rystaia's faith quickly took hold in the hearts of those who had fought in the war, and she became known as the "Lightbringer" for bringing hope in the face of the night. In the hundreds of years since the war, worship of the goddess has fallen some, as many are now used to their freedom and take it for granted rather than appreciate it. But for those who still follow her teachings there are temples dedicated to her scattered throughout the lands.
Goals and Methods
Rystaia seeks to scour evil from the realms, rooting it out and destroying it through spell and blade. Her followers battle the forces of darkness with a passion and zeal unmatched by other warriors of light. The memory of a land blighted by evil burns with an incandescence undimmed by the march of ages for the Lightbringer, and she will not allow such a tragedy again.
Organizations and Followings
While rarely organized, the followers of Rystaia often form fellowships with like-minded brethren. The sworn of the Pegasus see little need for rules amongst themselves, settling their differences as they see fit.
The Chosen of the Pegasus
"Your spirit is a blight upon the weave, one I shall wash clean with your blood."
Fierce, passionate warriors, these disciples of the Pegasus are sworn to work against evil- wherever it is to be found. Little else which is not spirit-blessed is sacred to the Chosen, who are known to disregard the Laws of Iandir at a moment's notice, and break oaths that bind them from their cause. Seeking to efface the stains upon "the Weave" caused by the existence of tainted souls, the Chosen wage endless war upon those who serve the forces of darkness - and any suspected of doing so. They often elect to mete justice out indiscriminately to those bearing tainted auras, trusting in their goddess to sort the truly repentant out in the afterlife.
Sunderers of Chains
"The enslaved of Avendar shall shed their bonds and rise up against the looming dark!"
Believing freedom to be the Light-given right of all sapients, the Sunderers of Chains seek to ensure that none suffer under a yoke of oppression. They battle against slavers and tyrants, and often end up in conflict with less-malignant factions of law by their nature. Chain-breakers were often victims themselves, once. Enslaved by blade or by oath, they know the suffering of the bound and do not wish the fate upon any other. Those who battle these faithful do so carefully; because of the nature of their religion, the Sunderers never take prisoners. They would sooner free a soul in death then leave a foe to rot in a cage.
Society of the Shelratha
"It was a clever plan, but easily thwarted. They will not have the element of surprise."
The Society of the Shelratha is a paramilitary band of protectorates who guard the last fastnesses and relics of the Light. Predominantly comprised of Ch'taren who seek to preserve the memory and magics from their previous home in the Spiritrealm, the Society is named after the tower in Jh'ten which is their primary stronghold. Members can also be found in many places throughout Avendar where ancient artifacts or crucial tactical locations require their presence; the Tower of Aramril, the Sy'ceera, and the Great Seal of Kor Thrandir are all under the ward of the Society. Additionally, the Society has been known to accept members whose sole purpose is to warn of incipient plots or strikes on the part of the forces of darkness. Quiet, inobtrusive, and watchful, these spies have foiled countless plots under the noses of those not expecting deception or guile from the forces of the Light.
Individual Followers
The followers of Rystaia cleave to lofty ideals and a grand, sweeping vision of the world as it could be. They pursue their dreams with unmatched zeal and are loathe to compromise in their quest. This religious fervor often leads them to violent conflict with those dedicants of darkness to whom no mercy can be offered or agreement reached. The dark faith of these foes leaves them no place in this world, so their souls are sent to the Next to ponder the error of their ways for a time. Followers of Rystaia rarely come to blows with those of the Light, seeing it as not in keeping with the Lightbringer's will, but will not aid in tasks that are counterproductive to their goals.
Relationships
Rystaia is counted as a strong ally to all Gods of Light, as she works tirelessly against the forces of Darkness. She, along with Aeolis and Jolinn, is one of the patron gods of the Champions of Avendar. She is sworn enemies with Serachel and A***r. The animosity is more than mutual, as it was the Lightbringer who exposed the deceptions of the Shadow Mask and saw him imprisoned in the Nightmare Realms. Since his release she has sought to expose and destroy the works Lord of Deception. What power, she reasons, does a god of lies have when all his secrets are uncovered? The Dragon is even more reviled by Rystaia and her followers for his part in the destruction of her home and the god-murder of her brother. Rystaia seeks to return the favor at every opportunity since her victory in the War of Night.
