Irori (ear-OR-ree)

Master of Masters

God of history, knowledge, and self-perfection

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Mortal Incarnation: Sutos the Just, the First Emperor
Edicts: Be humble; help others perfect themselves; hone your body, mind, and spirit to a more perfect state; practice discipline
Anathema: Become addicted to a substance, destroy an important historical text, repeatedly fail to maintain self-control
Divine Font: Harm or heal
Divine Skill: Athletics
Favored Weapon: Fist
Temples: Dojos, libraries, monasteries
Worshippers: Hermits, historians, martial artists, monks, scholars
Sacred Animal: Snail
Sacred Colors: Blue and white
Divine Ability: Intelligence or Wisdom
Domains: Knowledge, might, perfection, truth
Alternate Domains: Change, vigil

Irori in Alkun

While the Elurians often lay claim to the deity, the simple truth is that worship of this god predates Sutos, and, in fact, the Kingdom that preceded him. The devotion to personal mastery originated, many believe, in the Nihon Isles many centuries ago. Indeed, the temples use much of the iconography now used to represent the deity even today.

The actual observances and practices vary from place to place and time to time, of course, but the tenets have remained unchanged and unchanging. There tend to be far more ascetics, hermits, and anchorites associated with Irori than with any other deity.

Irori in the Empire

The Elurians have always appropriated and adapted the useful things of other cultures for their own. This is, of course, highly ironic, as the human Sutos abhorred conquest in favor of mutual interests. It is a uniquely Elurian phenomenon, then, for them to retroactively assign a former leader as the earthly form of a (usually foreign) god or goddess.

That said, it was a fairly obvious choice to associate the author of the Irorian philosophy (formerly known as Sutosian philosophy) with the deity whose precepts are nearly identical.

Sutos was officially deified on 11 Deepfrost 459 3A, which has become his feast day (see below).

Holidays

Mastery Day, 11 Deepfrost. Devotees spend the morning in deep meditation to prepare for nightfall. Austere meals are served early. The uninitiated are often surprised by the dramatic change the moment the last glimmer of sun falls below the western horizon.

As the last light fades, torches and bonfires are lit to showcase remarkable performances of almost superhuman skill and concentration. Acrobatics, martial arts displays, intense dancing, archery... it is a bacchanalian orgy of skill and discipline, followed by a proper feast. The orgiastic celebration continues until the rising of the sun.

Religions

• Church of the Seven Emperors

Divine Allies
Abadar
Relationships
Gruhastha (nephew)
Divine Enemies
Asmodeus
Norgorber
Divine Realm
Serene Circle (Axis)
Religious Orders
The Grey Friars
The Silent Fists