Race: Faun
Domains: Mortals, Potential, Stories
Ethos
Mortals must be free to tell mortal stories. Malykan, Lord of Rest, The Immortal Hunter ensures immortal interference does not cut these tales short. They appear as a faun with barken skin and long backwards sweeping antlers; glowing symbols of black and white floating at their sides
History/Relationships
Much of the history of the Ageless named Malykan has been lost to time; but one thing is known for certain. Malykan has always been. While no one is sure of the exact relationship between the two, it has become clear that the story of the faun William Cedarbough has become entangled with the infinite tale of Malykan.
Cedar was born to a faunish family in Junction at the border of Tarkalsys and Sardia. An upbringing as a farmer's son did little to prepare him for the trials he would face and adventures ahead. Cedar ended wars, advised immortals, restored ages old rifts in creation, and learned the Music of the Spheres to wield the powers of creation and destruction.
A time came when Istensia, The Lady of Morn, had lost faith in the creations of The Ageless, and sought to reclaim their essence to do battle against those monsters that lurk in The Beyond. By the words of William Cedarbough and the actions of Jastrey, the Ageless immortal's heart was swayed, and the mantle of protector of Orn passed from The Children of Baam to The Children of The Nexus.
Some say that Cedar was the mortal avatar of Malykan; come to Orn to show the potential mortals could wield. Others believe the faun was blessed by Malykan and now rides in the host of The Immortal Hunter through The Gloaming. All that is known is that Cedar has not been seen again since Istensia stayed her hand and Malykan is active with renewed vigor.
Malykan's relationships with other immortals tend to hinge upon their interaction with mortals. Due to their propensity for causing undue harm to Mortals, Malykan is at odds with the immortals of the pit: Hexadus, Hursisa, and Syflare. As immortals who directly interfere in mortal affairs, Malykan is directly opposed to Xavros, Secronus, and Ressik. Malykan works with many of the immortals of balance, or those who assist in the cycle of mortal tales; Antasia, Kelvaros, and Xavix. Malykan and Ivelis are closely allied, with rumors of a paternal relatoinship between the ageless and the child immortal. Malykan and Aldrhunrik frequently work closely together as Fate and Potential help to guide mortals towards their best stories.
Dogma
The tale of a peasant is no less important than the tale of a king. Oppose those who would cut the stories of mortal lives short or stagnate them through oppression. Live life to the fullest and leave behind an interesting tale.
Followers/Temples
Malykan is a hearth diety rather than having a cult center. As such many homes may be found with an elk or deer skull mounted to a wall as a shrine to Malykan, but no formal temples exist.
Followers of Malykan attempt to live their lives to the fullest and improve themselves to meet their full potential. Some choose to not only improve themselves, but to remove obstacles to others as well; from charity and community building, to deposing tyrants
Noteworthy Followers
- Hunters of Malykan - Those followers who pledge themselves to free others from the obstacles they cannot yet overcome are The Hunters of Malykan. These faithful hunt down everything from rampaging monsters to oppressive despots in an effort to allow each mortal to achieve their fully story. In time, many Hunters of Malykan join their immortal in The Gloaming to protect Orn and hunt Exiles for all time.
- Chroniclers of Malykan - Those followers who allow stories to consume them become Chroniclers of Malykan. These faithful travel the shards gathering stories and tales wherever they go; no story is too insignificant or too great. Chroniclers will sometimes alert Hunters if a story with particular promise is being stifled.