Oriax, the Watcher

Due to the removed nature of those who truly follow Oriax, they are not reliable allies. They, as an organization do not get involved in anything unless absolutely necessary. Those who believe in seeking out information are naturally considered 'allies' as their goals align with the followers of the Willow's Eye, but no sides are ever truly chosen. They fight only in pursuit of more knowledge or to prevent false information from spreading.

— Archchancellor Ambrosus

Oriax is the deity of Arcana, Knowledge, Science and the pursuit of Truth. The last known deity to ascend to godhood, Oriax is revered by scholars, scribes, learned individuals, and seekers of truth and knowledge. He is most often seen as an aloof, neutral god interested only in the acquisition of information. His closest followers believe the only reason he ascended to a deity status is to continue an endless pursuit of understanding.
There is much truth to this claim as Oriax suffers from a divine malaise. He is one of two deities blessed with All-Sight and has seen his future through a vision, the other deity being Luniwyn the Silver Maiden. Oriax believes he has seen the destruction of Erenel and the multi-verse, much to the chagrin of the Erenel Pantheon. The Watcher unrelentingly seeks to amass more knowledge to one day prove his vision as truth and rescue Erenel from cosmic annihilation.

Divine Domains

Arcana, Knowledge

Divine Symbols & Sigils

The holy symbol of Oriax is a weeping willow with one eye in the trunk. This symbol represents Oriax's seeing eye as he observes, without interfering. Always recording what is most important after the Great Sacrifice, Knowledge.
Followers of Oriax will often tattoo or carry paint made from a mixture of ground plants, to mark the center of their foreheads with a third eye. Anyone bearing the mark of Oriax has devoted themselves to the life long pursuit of pursuing and recording knowledge.

Tenets of Faith

All Must Be Seen

When open, the mind can see truths that the naked eye cannot. When your mind is ready, the mind’s eye opens, and you may perceive true knowledge. Travel the lands and leave nothing ignored, for only by learning will you unlock your mind’s eye and true knowledge.

Observe Without Interfering

To ascend as a civilization, we must spread true knowledge and build upon one another’s insight. All knowledge must be seen without contamination. To interfere is to contaminate truth and disrupt the natural order of what we are recording.

Purge Falsehoods

There is only room for incontestable facts when pursuing absolute knowledge. It is the duty and purpose of all to find and examine the truth, purging anything that may mislead future generations.

Holidays

Day of Purged Falsehood

17th of Belthus

During the Day of Purged Falsehood, faithful of Oriax, the Watcher honor scholars for their contributions to society. The day is filled with feasts, lectures and celebrations of the written word as universities band together across neighboring nations in search of giving scholarships to worthy individuals.

Divine Classification

Demigod

Species

Kavuli

Honorary & Occupational Titles

The Willow's Eye, The Watcher

Current Residence

Unknown

Calendar of Oriax

When creating Erenel's calendar, Oriax skillfully included great scholars and mages in the names of the months, ending each name with a distinction for the season.

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Ascension to Demigod

An inspiration to his Kavuli brethren, Oriax went to great lengths to conceal his path of ascension. It is believed this secrecy was done not out of spite to prevent others from ascending but due to the enormous risk posed to Erenel. The only trace of evidence comes from the Creed. Oriax suffered greatly from Tetherbane before ascension.

The Archivists

The most zealous followers of Oriax are the Archivists. This religious sect is notable for refusing to speak his true name, referring to Oriax only as The Willow's Eye. They do not have a particular uniform, mainly donning red, grey or green robes. The only identifying feature is a tattooed eye in the middle of their forehead or palm.
Archivists carry hundreds of scrolls to record what they see and a knife to expand what Oriax may see. They wander the world, amassing knowledge and carving large lifelike eyes into any bare willow trees they find. Each tree they cut will only show a singular, large eye in the center of the trunk.
Archivists have no temples, only a hand-planted forest of willow trees known as the Archives. The forest goes on for miles, knowledge gathered over the years carved on the trees. Each tree's trunk is covered almost entirely in carvings. They write down everything they learn, travel until they cannot anymore, or have collected enough to return and add to the Archives.

by Dean Spencer