Illtyd the Wise

(a.k.a. He Who Knows)

Illtyd the Wise is the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, Speaker of Truth and Guardian of the Sacred Texts of Ka-Amroth. These he keeps carefully guarded in his Endless Library, a planar nexus said to contain all books from the past, present, and future. It is said that at the end of days, the books shall be laid open and the knowledge therein will remake the multiverse, but these are fanciful speculations about what may be nothing more than a legend. Whether the truth is revealed to the most trusted initiates of the Order of Illtyd is not known to any outsiders--but the priests do not speak of it.
Legend has it that Illtyd was once the Chief Scribe to A'ani the All-Knowing, who gave his servant charge of the Endless Library. One probably apocryphal story holds that Illtyd was driven mad by the contradictions and limitless possibilities he encountered in that labyrinth and that the methods he imposed to put it into some kind of order helped him recover and even sharpen his mind. After A'ani disappeared into the Void, ushering in the end of the Era of the Nine Gods, Illtyd was one of the few who refused to submit to the Light of Amon. For three days he disappeared into the Library, during which time many eons passed for Illtyd for the corridors of the Endless Library do not reckon time as the Prime Material Plane. But when he emerged from his seclusion and study, he bent the knee to Amon, prompting many of the other gods to do the same. Amon accepted Illtyd's submission and retained his service as Keeper of the Library.
Illtyd's moral neutrality gives him a unique standing among those who dwell in the Light of Amon, for he is not blinded by the desire to do good but considers only the truth in his judgments. For this reason, he is Amon's most trustworthy servant. It is said that Illtyd has a knowledge of the future that is obscure to all the other gods, even to Amon. Though Illtyd knows the future, he never reveals it, even to the greatest of his clerics, for the essence of understanding is that it must never be compromised by the fore-knowledge of outcomes. For this reason, Illtyd is careful in his speech, for his is the voice of doom, even for the gods.

Divine Domains

Knowledge, Secrets, Locks

Holy Books & Codes

The Sacred Texts of Ka-Amroth

Tenets of Faith

• Knowledge and Wisdom are One
• Thought and Action are One
• Tradition and Novelty are One

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Illtyd has only one known guise--a big, broad-shouldered man with white hair and beard, holding a staff of bronzewood with a glowing gem set into his forehead. His eyes are blue and piercing, and seem to glow with an otherworldly light. The gem on his forehead is set within a tattoo, making it seem like a third eye.

Special abilities

It is said that Illtyd possesses the power to compel those who come into his presence to speak only the truth. He can also rob his enemies of their wits, reducing them to babbling fools. On the other hand, he can empower those he favors with great intelligence, but those who are so empowered may be driven mad by the experience.

Apparel & Accessories

Illtyd usually appears dressed in the humble brown robes of a sage and a simple turban wrapped about his head. He holds a staff in his hand and wears a glowing gem on his forehead. Hanging from his belt are a massive volume bound in green leather, a golden decanter, and a set of golden keys. The keys open the book as well as the door to the Endless Library. The other items are magical artifacts which confer the following powers on mortals who are able to use them:
Staff of Wisdom: Augury (at will), Commune (3 times per day), Contact Other Plane (once per day)
Eye of Truth: Know Alignment (at will), Detect Lie (3 times per day), Dispel Illusion (2 times per day), True Seeing (once per day)
Book of Knowing: Answers any question...for a price
Decanter of the Open Mind: Intelligence bonus of +2-7 for 1-6 turns

Divine Classification

Greater God

Religions

• Church Structure
• The Kingdom of Gwent-Glywising

Alignment

Lawful Neutral

Church/Cult

The Order of Illtyd the Wise

Eyes

Bright, glowing blue

Hair

White wild mane and long beard

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Yellow with age