The Void-God

A work in progress of my thesis of the Void-God

Elfërlas Yavrï of House Sedithihl, Student of the Valgaartiran Academy; Divine Studies

The Void-God (a.k.a. Marëkhs, Mariax Stygal)

Mariax Stygal, known by many names, is figure of mystique and danger. To the andeamer he is Mariax Stygal and Marëkhs, two parts of a whole. Mariax Stygal is the voidly nature of this entity, the Lord of secrets and shadows. Marëkhs the divine aspect is one of redemption. These two aspects together create the Void-God, a being of duality and reminder that not everything is as it appears. Andeamer creation myths tell of a time when our ancestors were captives of the Void. Slaves for Akhemaaz and his children. However Mariax Stygal took pity on them and devised a plot to free them. Mazarath, Akhemaaz's opposite and rival, was the first he sought out. Mariax knew she would free us and keep us free from Akhemaaz. Because of this act of righteousness and justice, we call him Marëkhs. The Void-God. Neither thïsenyärr, ätherä, or säthespïra; the Void-God is shadows of night, the faint whispers in the dark, and the knife hidden behind a smile. He represents duality as the Void-God, redemption as Marëkhs, and secrecy as Mariax Stygal, but is a singular deity. The Void-God is an enigma to even the people who revere him, but we respect his sphere and its importance in what it teaches us.

Once freed, we were returned to Ënokh, our Father. Then in a fit of rage, Akhemaaz murdered Ënokh. Mariax Stygal knew we would not survive without our father and so he used his Voidly knowledge to revive him into the planet we inhabit today. This teaches us even the sorcery of the Void can be used for good.
- Excerpt from Priest Dihvän's Lessons

The myths of the andeamer first reveal Mariax Stygal at the death of Ënokh. He witnessed Akhemaaz murder the ätherä Ënokh and Akhemaaz abducting the primordial andeamer, but did not intervene until after. Knowing Mazarath the enemy of Akhemaaz, Mariax Stygal sought her help to avenge the death of Ënokh and also retrieve the primordial andeamer from his captivity. For this, he is considered not entirely malevolent like his Greater Void peers. His feats continue and he recreated Ënokh as the planet the andeamer now inhabit. Throughout their lore, Maraix Stygal is enigmatic figure, not one the andeamer know the motives or goals of. He would appear take on a transitional role, indirectly guiding people towards where they need to go. To the andeamer, he embodies duality, the inherent and inseparable flaws of people, and that the kind thing to do is not always the pleasant thing to do. His trials and tests for the andeamer make them stronger and wiser to the world around them. As Marëkhs he showed this perspective to the andeamer; the Void is not always a bad thing. The struggle it presents is eternal, but also something to learn from. As Mariax Stygal his Voidly sphere is that of secrecy, shadows, and often attributed to espionage and the hidden-handed nature of politics. Together both of these spheres create a deity that is resources, versatile, and one that knows what the right thing to do is, but how he gets there may not always be done in the light for all to see. Mariax Stygal is observed as a Greater Void, however was not created from the pieces of Akhemaaz shattered during a battle with Mazarath. Yet, we have this quote from the Dirrag:

Aharmoz, upon seeing Mazhora birth another son, this one Mizar the god of sorcery and the unknown, took the fiery ash of the Void, his blood, and brain and created a new son. This son, a greater Void, is the most intelligent. He observes an absorbs, power and knowledge. His fury knows no bounds, but his patience is without limit. This son was Mariax Stygal, the one to bring the light unto the endless Void.

This inconsistency is unusual for the Void-God, but may be symbolic more than literal. The High Priestesses of Mazarath say it is meant to be congruent with the description of the other Säthespïra, but not literal. Mariax Stygal had already existed along side the other ätherä thus he was one, just as were the Voids who already existed. It is those who came after the battle with Mazarath who are not ätherä. Yet, it would appear to imply Mariax Stygal and Akhemaaz were on the same side and they may have been. Or it may have been the very nature of Mariax Stygal to appear so, after all had he not been observant of Akhemaaz he would have never witness Ënokh's murder. Perhaps another lesson of the Void-God, intentionally or not; not all is as it appears. Which is actually a common phrase found somewhere in conversations in which the Void-God is concerned. His very nature is even observed in art of him. The image to the right is a recreation of a fresco and style common to the Void-God. Unlike the thïsenyärr he is often illustrated as being disembodied or most of him hiding. Here we see his face and multiple hands, again more imagery to symbolize him. However, only five hands are clearly seen, the 6th is hidden and grasps a sharp object. His very features are quite peculiar compared to how the thïsenyärr and Mazarath are concenptualized. His voidly nature is very apparent in the blackened eyes, the complexion, yet he bears a brilliant halo. As for the tearing open of the black to reveal his heart, this is a feature found in numerous frescos and art of the Void-God in ancient sites, specifically those found in Nir Rizaal. This symbol is not commonly repeated in modern Ënokh, but as for what it means of great interest to scholars. Some theories believe it is congruent with his nature. It is a temptation to strike where he is vulnerable, his heart symbolizing his weakness. Then why show it at all if it his weakness? It is a trap. It is not his actual weakness. Using how he interacts with the sädthäsan and säthespïra, this may be a provocation for them. Many stories of the Void-God tell of his encounters with sädthäsan and how he dominates them in battle, intellectually or physically and for the säthespïra as well. The Void-God also warns the way in which the säthespïra operate and how to combat them. Clearly the Void-God is not on their side. Other theories symbolize the heart as the truths he offers, shrouded in the darkness that veils him. And it is this truth he gives to the andeamer, but he must be covert about it. The covert nature of the Void-God is not unusual or unfounded. The way in which he communicates is not always direct and on may occasions urges people to come to their own decisions rather this his conclusions. The truth is whatever the person needs or makes of it.

Divine Domains

The Void-God resides in the Fringe Athenaeum. Supposedly few have seen his realm. Surviving texts from before the Great War state it is a grand library filled with knowledge from the entirety of the universe. One fractured transcription in particular dating to about 45 years before the war and written by High Priest Dyrrven has been the subject of extensive study as well as conjecture of what we believe of the Void-God.

In the Athenaeum, do not look into the abyssal sea. Stay on the path, despite what our Lord teaches. Even gods have rules. The Library has words from past, present, and future. From people not of Ënokh and not of this universe. The Lord binds no one, those who are lost are lost of their doing.

During my collaboration with Sälethïa Laelis Leth, we discovered this obscure note in one of many rooms sealed away from time itself. The context of this piece itself isn't wholly known yet. It was a note found in between the pages of blank book in the ruins of Nir Rizaal, in quadrant 36 of the Zyendil Maar catacombs. Its survival through the ages is surprisingly by itself, however its author the High Priest Dyrrven is under scrutiny. At this time in Ënokhïa, the names of the high priests and priestesses were meticulously catalogued as they were considered an elite class. The surviving records recovered date back thousands of years prior to the Great War and none mention a High Priest Dyrrven or any clergy associated with the Void-God. Laelis Leth's own theories of what the temple organization may have looked like before the war could give us some insight as to why this name may have not survived in an official record recorded in the data archives that have been unencrypted so far. Laelis Leth and Lethïlas Mä Dvaar's work in the ancient have pieced together a dark image of an endless struggles for power among the clergy of the thïsenyär. Without a doubt, names have been struck the digital records left behind from our ancestors. However an entire clergy devoted to Marëkhs? Lethïlas Mä Dvaar, Salethïa Laelis Leth, and I are still unraveling this story.

The Temple of Marëkhs is relatively new organization and arguably is not truly a clergy. The oldest mentions of this supposed temple have been dated to less than 200 years; only three exchanges between different temples and their clergies and even some private correspondences given to the Temple of Mïzärn's archive have directly stated "Temple of Marëkhs". The letters between devoted clergy were all inquiring about the supposed Temple. None knew of its existence. Naturally, I suspect a word-of-mouth rumor began this. This controversy also from the lack of interaction with the supposed temple; there are so few documented individuals claiming to be from the Temple of Marëkhs and even the Temple of Mazarath lacks any records. Others claim they are an association of spies and thus deny any such existence of a temple devoted to Marëkhs

Holidays

The month of Marëkhs recognizes his sphere. It is a time for contemplation before the beginning of a new year. We take this time to reflect on ourselves and our lives. Have we done good or wrong? We're we with reason or without? Throughout the entire month, Andeamer may realize they have done wrong and wish to right those wrongs. Solitary meditation and reading the lessons of the Void-God in the Dirrag are a common observance to learn and internalize his wisdom. During the days of night, when the sun does not rise, the Week of Penitence begins. Throughout the year we encounter many difficulties with our family, friends, and others in our lives and it is on this day we strive for forgiveness, attempt to make truces, find redemption, or even give forgiveness. The first day of the Week of Penitence begins when an Andeamer asks another who wronged them why they did so or to give further explanation of some prior event. The inquirer does this through a letter so the exchange is as discreet as possible, but this question is not meant to be answered right away. It is on the last day of the Week of Penitence when the sun rises again, that the inquiry must be answered. The respondent gives their explanation in a letter as well. The respondent explains themselves, their actions, their reasonings, feelings, etc, and may ask for forgiveness or stand by their actions, but the inquirer does not have to accept an explanation if they do not wish to or even forgive the respondent. Throughout the month, many write their secrets, thoughts, or desires to the Void-God. These short letters written on hide scraps are sent to him in a variety of way. One of the most popular in Mäsvel Dinmaar and Vindyarr Khrïn is being sent into the sky through small kites or balloon made of animal skins or organs. In Vinde Yal Mäsvell they are shredded into three pieces and let taken by a gust through the mountains.

Divine Goals & Aspirations

The month of Marëkhs being the last of the year is suiting for the Void-God. It is the coldest and harshest month. All across the continent from the wandering houses of Vinde Yal Mäsvyel to the metropolitan capital city of the Valgartiraan, Andeamer prepare for the longest and frigid season. However, this is the method of the Void-God. He teaches us the harsh reality of nature. It is necessary to remember even in the bountiful month of Mazrath, we mustn't forget that food is finite and so we must stock reserves for when winter comes. The warmth of Älëas's and Dïbe's season too shall pass. This is not his only lesson; the month of Marëkhs and even the days of night have purpose. Without the bitter rotation of the seasons we would not have food, water, or fertile fields. Winter brings the thaw and the thaw brings spring. The Void-God's sphere of duality is one we cannot seperate from life. Without those bad parts of life, without winter, we cannot experience the good of spring. Like the cycles of Ënokh, at the end there is redemption. The month of Alkhäd is the thaw that leads to the spring and bounty of Mazarath.

Mental characteristics

Intellectual Characteristics

In his appearances in the Dirrag and other lore, the Void-God is characterized as being intelligent, perhaps even all knowing. Just as his domain in the Void would suggest: Mariax Stygal hoards knowledge, secrets.

Morality & Philosophy

The Void-God represents duality. As Marëkhs he is redemption and Mariax Stygal is secrecy. Among scholars, there is reluctance to ascribe motivations to the Void-God for fear of simplicity. They believe even the behavior and motives of mortal life is just as complex and difficult to truly understand. The Void-Gdo isn't without motivation even in what may appear to be chaotic or even cruel.

In the first book of the Dirrag, we see Mariax Stygal betray the Abyssal King. However we only assume Akhemaaz is his king simply because we believed him to be a Greater Void. In my research, any claims of Voidly origin are made by Andeamer. Even his title of Void-God is given to him by us. Not even Mazarath ever states or gives us reason to believe he is of the void. Thus to say he betrayed Akhemaaz by informing Mazarath of the captive Andeamer ancestors of our ancestors is a loaded statement. Instead we must look directly to the Void-God to get past the obscurity put in place by those around him. Such a thing is characteristic of Mariax Stygal though, so perhaps not all we believe of him is incorrect.

To inquire as to why Mariax Stygal would never correct any attribution to the Void or ties to the Greater Voids and Abyssal King is a valid question. I would say that is his objective. The thïsenyär have a purpose and Mazarath directly appointed Mariax Stygal to sit among them renamed Marëkhs. He had to have a purpose because Andeamer needed a new aspect of nature. The Void-God fulfils an aspect of nature that I can say, albeit roughly, is sometimes evil is necessary. Necessary for growth and realization. Why else would the thïsenyär disappear from Ënokh? Mazarath too? The time before the war is agreed upon as being a delicate and unstable moment in Andeamer history. A pivitol point in which the Andeamer had to learn from our mistakes. A devastating result left us with a fractured history and only theories as to what life was like before then. No Andeamer lived long enough to tell their descendants, nor the descendants of those descendants. Had we the lifespan then we do now? We don't even know that. Once again, maybe that was the objective.