Atgeldes (At-gel-dis)
Atgeldes is a Lesser power of travel, exploration and portals.
Atgeldes is an old deity, once an intermediate deity popular in the Menedynn (and later a demi-power), whose divine status predates the creation of Baisha and Fortuna. Atgelde’s church collapsed and his followers dwindled in the aftermath of the fall of the Menedynn's aplocalypse, and he dwindled in status to the rank of demipower. Baisha later used his name to promote discord among the Buqmatians, who now curse him as the Treacherous Lurker in the Sands. Since The Gods War, Atgeldes has never reached back the level of Intermediate Power and has to ally himself with deities such as Akadi, Avandra, Ehlonna, Lune and the more daring members of The Seldarine. He opposes Nyx because he dislikes secrets and enjoys spreading the word of hidden places. He battles with Baisha for the suffering she has inflicted in his name.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Clergy, Temples and Worshippers
After falling into obscurity in the wake of the fall of the Menedynn Empire, the church of Atgeldes' has suffered greatly. Clerics of Atgeldes' pray for their spells in the morning right after the wind shifts from the changing temperature. Their holy day is the The Windglide. Members of the clergy are expected to live off the land and work as guides and protectors of travelers, caravans, and mining expeditions. Many serve as guides for adventuring companies or as explorers. A very few were Howlers, before the breaking of the Howlers. All seek to visit the scattered shrines of Atgeldes (particularly the great one in old Menedynn) as frequently as possible and to construct new ones when they acquire sufficient resources. Ever since Atgeldes added portals to his portfolio, his clerics have been tasked with locating and identifying portals that would be useful for trade and exploration. Atgeldes prefers to be venerated at shrines, most of which are uninhabited and in remote places. Typically, a shrine to Atgeldes is a stone dais built atop a high place, crowned with a stone seat or throne, and accompanied by one or more stone pillars pierced with holes through which the wind whistles. Many such shrines exist throughout Nidoran and the Free Marches, some of them over a thousand years old. Atgeldes is not commonly worshiped within cities and he has few formal temples as a result. Because the clergy members love to wander, his few temples constantly have new clerics arrive as others leave. Atgeldes’s clerics wear a dark swirling cloak over a garb appropriate for the trail, and favor dark colors and silver in general. Many wear their holy symbol on the back of their gauntlet (usually leather or chain mail). Atgeldes’ church is loosely organized, and its branches are largely independent. There is little in the way of formal hierarchy, although those who served the Windglider prior to the Godswar hold positions of great respect in the church. Since the Gods War, several military orders have been founded in the name of Atgeldes. Atgeldes' clergy members have a few simple ceremonies they practice when appropriate. They are to utter a simple prayer every time the wind changes significantly. Whenever they discover previously uncharted territory (such as an undiscovered valley, lake, or island), they are to create a small throne of rocks marked with Atgeldes' symbol near the location where they first made the discovery. If they are in sufficient level, they are to create a shrine to Atgeldes using stone shape magics.Tenets of Faith
Spread the teachings of the Windglider by example. Work to promote him among traders, especially trailblazers who seek out new lands and new opportunities. Unearth and reactively ancient shrines of Atgeldes. Ride the wind, and let it take you wherever it blows. Aid those in need, and trust in the Helping Hand. Seek out the riches of the earth and sea. Journey to distant horizons. Be the first to see the rising sun, the mountain peaks, the lush valleys. Let your footsteps fall where none have tread.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Atgeldes appears as a handsome, man of regal bearing, standing somewhere between the normal but notably tall height of 6 feet (1.8 meters) to the incredible stature of 18 feet (5.5 meters). He is clad in the plain leather armor favored by most rangers as well as a dark, swirling cloak being constantly whipped about as if buffeted by the wind. Usually only his dark-haired head, his arms, and his massive sword can be seen clearly. Since his booted feet never quite touched the ground he walked in silence, but was constantly accompanied by the keening whistle of the wind.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Atgeldes is a stern yet kind deity who spoke few words, preferring to let his actions speak for him. He does occasionally get lonely however, disliking secrecy and enjoying interaction with others. He likes to spread word of hidden places and have a good chat, particularly if he can trade jokes, often displaying a rugged sense of humor.
Social
Contacts & Relations
A primary problem for Atgeldes is that of his rather broad portfolio. His spheres of influence frequently overlapped, however slightly, with many other gods, none of which were likely to tolerate any further encroachments on their domains, which would be a potential hindrance to his long-term success. This applied even to allied deities of air, travel, nature, and night.
Atgeldes encroached on Avandra's portfolio in particular, though they are still allies and at one point enjoyed a brief dalliance. He is also said to have once had a romantic relationship with Lune, another deity with a broad portfolio (which included navigation) from which ensued the birth of their daughter. Other allies of the Helping Hand includes the magical beast deities Lurue and Safwah, and more daring members of the Seldarine (namely Shevarash and Solonor). Finally, the Rider of the Winds was an ally of Akadi.
While neither his ally nor enemy, Heimdal was one of the deities potentially threatened by the the Lord of Shortcut's broad portfolio. Atgeldes's dislike of secrets also put him and odds with Nyx. He opposed Beshaba for sullying his good name as revenge for once spurning her, making trouble for the Bedine nomads while posing as him under the title of the Treacherous Lurker in the Sands.
Titles:
The Lord of Shortcuts;Rider of the Winds;
Windglider;
Divine Classification
Lesser Power
Alignment
Chaotic Neutral
Realm
Children
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Ruled Locations
| LG | NG | CG |
| LN | N | CN |
| LE | NE | CE |
Comments