Memnor Character in Theras | World Anvil

Memnor

Memnor is the god of pride, honor, mental prowess, and control.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Clergy, Temples and Worshippers

Memnor is worshipped almost exclusively by evil cloud giants and evil sirilians who found Memnor somewhat supporting, his chosen instruments in his bid for power. He corrupted them by telling them of their natural superiority, that they were the first-born of giantkind and that all other breeds are inferior. Memnor is worshipped rather perfunctorily by the cloud giant clan Azeil in the Barrier Peaks. Memnor's clerics highest priority is to keeping their true ambitions a secret — even to their followers and parts of the clergy. When a giant first wishes to join the ranks of Memnor's clergy, they are closely questioned by the high priest to gauge their suitability. This questioning takes the form of a friendly interview, and the questions are designed to subtly elucidate the candidate's opinions on a wide variety of matters. Those who are weak willed are inducted into a pseudo-lay clergy role, where they can easily be manipulated into furthering he priesthood's goals while believing they are doing good work. If the candidate shows a suitable character, they are inducted into the priesthood in an open ceremony where they pledge to better the lives of all giants, followed by a secret ceremony, where the details of Memnor's long term goals are revealed — to overthrow the god of creation and put the god of pride, honor, and mental prowess on the throne. Memnor's general followers do not know this, viewing their deity as an honest god of racial honor and pride. Memnor's clerics also play the role of wise counselors and advocates for the underprivileged.   Memnor's clergy are able to communicate with each other in the presence of the non-faithful by employing a special sign. By subtly touching the index finger of their right hand to the wrist of their left, they are able to warn or recognize fellow members of the priesthood. In addition, such signals can communicate a variety of short messages, such as indicating that a specific giant is a foe, warning against acting upon a plan they have just outlined, request a private meeting later, and many similar short phrases. Such signals do not count as languages, and cannot be read through the use of spells that allow the comprehension of written, spoken, or standard sign languages.   High-level clerics of Memnor receive wyvern servants from their god, which they summon by means of a fierce talon they wear in leather pouches around their necks.  
Priestly Vestments
Clergy of Memnor wear deep blue robes when performing ceremonies or functioning in an official capacity. Such robes are always of the most expensive material and kept immaculately clean. The edges of the robes are fringed in a double band of black and gold, with black on the outside. Both sexes wear their hair long, and males wear beards long as well; in all cases, great care is spent keeping hair and beards neatly groomed at all times. Circlets of gold are worn to keep hair from flowing too freely, and are inset with polished or cut stones of a deep black (usually jet or obsidian) used to denote rank. The holy symbol of the clergy is an amulet in the shape of a shining sun half obscured on the bottom by a cloud. Priests tell other giants that this is a symbol of hope, that the sun will always rise above the clouds to shine brightly, but in reality, it symbolizes the fog of deception blocking out the light of truth. Holy symbols are typically made of silver or carved on a round stone. Those priests who worship Memnor in his Vilya guise use a holy symbol in the shape of a wyvern's talon.   The priesthood of the Manipulator eschews armor even when able to wear it, preferring fine but unadorned robes of a deep blue when not performing a ceremony or acting in an official capacity. Morningstars are the favored weapon of all of Memnor's priests, and these are often decorated with gold or silver inlays, if they can afford it.  
Temples
Temples dedicated to Memnor are usually rectangular marble buildings surrounded by regularly spaced columns and topped by a long, low-sloped slate roof. White marble heavily streaked with black is preferred; the priesthood sees it as the dark heart of their patron permeating the white cloud islands of the giants, but tells others it is simply for the aesthetic effect. Friezes run along the top of the temple, beneath the roofline, showing scenes of cloud giants performing great deeds and acting magnanimously. They are always in positions of respect and authority, and all other giant breeds are shown even smaller than they should be; in addition, they are often shown being helped or saved by the cloud giants. The pediments at each end of the temple most often show Memnor off center next to Annam, in a position of wise sibling or faithful son, although there are sometimes hidden signs indicating their true relationship to those who know what to look for. Memnor is always shown as the same size as Annam in these friezes, with all the other gods surrounding them, but invariably shorter. When questioned on the matter, the priests laugh off the significance, claiming it is just due to the triangular nature of the pediments. Sometimes the pediments will show other scenes such as wyverns and other beasts in symmetrical positions; in these cases, statues of Memnor will rest on top of the pediment peaks. Thin black obelisks adorn each corner of the roof, as well as each end of the roof peak if there are no statues of Memnor himself. None of the friezes are ever painted. Temple interiors are always restricted to clergy members only, and magic is often used to prevent intrusion. The central cella of the temple contains a statue of Memnor, decorated with expensive materials, such as lapis lazuli for his robe and gold leaf for his skin. Shrines dedicated to Memnor are usually circular chambers within a giantish building, with half-columns inset into the walls and a central statue; decoration beyond this is generally a minimal. Temples and shrines of Memnor mimic those above, but are usually made of black marble or basalt, and the sculptures show scenes of domination and violence, and wyverns figure prominently in the artwork. Depictions of Memnor on these temples show him as a long-tusked, bare-chested cloud giant with a large, cruel-looking morningstar.    
Hierarchy
Novices of Memnor are known simply as Neophytes. Full priests of the Manipulator are known as Inveiglers. In ascending order of rank, the titles used by the Memnari priesthood are Congenial Conniver, Trustworthy Schemer, Honorable Dissembler, Honest Deceptor, Benevolent Manipulator, and Master/Mistress of Control. High ranked priests often have unique titles granted them by their fellow clergy members that are used in addition to Master or Mistress of Control. Titles are never used publicly; instead, priests refer to those of equal or lesser rank as Honorable Brother/Sister, and those of higher rank as Most Honorable Brother/Sister. Specialty priests are known as Congeniuses.  
Rituals
Three times a year, Memnor's cleric hold feasts in which other giants are invited to attend. Among themselves, the clerics meet with Memnor's avatar and his wyvern servants on midnight every one hundred days. After these meetings, they gather their faithful cultists to discuss strategy and tactics.   This tradition goes to the Sirilians aswell, they invite other cultures and even join the Giants.

Tenets of Faith

Annam has grown old and weak, is an ineffective leader, and has spawned numerous contemptible offspring. Only the cloud giants are worthy of ruling their brethren and the lands of the smallfolk. Annam's ineptitude is the cause of the greatest failures in the history of the Jotunbrud. Secrecy is the surest path to victory. Manipulation of others is the best way to assure a desired outcome. Cunning is sharper than the best-forged blade, and the greatest tool in an individual's arsenal. Surprise your foe and your battle is half-won already. Act as if in the best interests of the community and those suffering hardship, but be subtle and wily in manipulating events to favor the Deceiver. Be cunning with words and deeds, and plant seeds of blame towards blameless foes. Be convincing in your speeches; make an audience firmly believe their suffering is in their best interest or the cause of outside agencies. Always work towards positions of influence and power in order to better serve the Manipulator.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Memnor was originally worshiped almost exclusively by cloud giants. As a member of the giants' pantheon, Memnor answered to Annam, the Allfather, but was always resentful of what he saw as a subservient position. When the gods had gone to war with the primordials, Memnor saw an opportunity. He spoke with the dragon queen Tiamat, who already despised the giants due to their war with the dragons, and convinced her that Annam's primordial wife--who had stood aside with her husband rather than join the divine conflict--was just as much an enemy as the rest of the primordials. So strong was Memnor's case that Tiamat was even able to convince her rival, Bahamut, of the need to bring Annam's wife to justice. Memnor stood aside while Annam's wife was killed and Annam himself banished, intending to take his place at the head of the Giant Pantheon. Unfortunately for Memnor, Tiamat openly revealed his scheme to the other gods. While Tiamat claimed she had been unknowingly tricked, Memnor believed that she had intentionally betrayed him to improve her own standing in the eyes of the gods. Whatever the truth, Memnor was exiled from his home in Ysgard by the other gods that dwelt there, taking up new residence in Gehenna. Though he still counts a number of cloud giants among his worshipers, his power is greatly diminished from what it once was.   It is said that when magic returned in the year -3,000 BB, the gods were doubtful and the extent of magic that they can use magic again. Then, Bane confronted Memnor and had told him that he plans to take on Tiamat, as she has risen again. Memnor, knew from many sources that Bane fought once Tiamat and most of the accounts say that he won that eventful battle and one small account, presumably a good hearted Celestiall tried to warn Memnor. However, Memnor couldn’t perceive the notion that someone is manipulating him and then went to battle Tiamat. Memnor, used his magic first through the new constructed weave and he transported himself and his army to Tiamat's doorstep, where it was seemed abandoned. Memnor marched first, hoping to destroy Tiamat for her treachery long ago – while the Banites forces were delayed outside – having some problem with their magic and its use.   There, he confronted Tiamat, alone in her keep, bruised… all an illusion set by Nyx who had long begged for allies in her fight against Helios and Lune, who were having the upper hand without magic and had to trade her skills in order to build a new world order.   Memnor was beset by all sides, The Banites came from behind attacking his only escape, Nyx sheltered it and Tiamat, rose in all her might and began fighting with Memnor. Memnor managed to escape, only to fight Bane, the Aspect of Tiamat and his final moments, he saw the truth, he is to be an additional 'head' for Tiamat's reach.   Bane won the battle after the tiresome battle that some lasted an entire year.  

Myths and legends

Childhood games
A legend recounts the youthful days of the giant deities, when a spiteful prank by Memnor and his sibling Grolantor sparked a brief conflict between giants and ogres. As punishment, Annam prohibited them from meddling in the lives of giants and their relatives during his reign. However, once Annam withdrew to the Outlands in sorrow, Memnor and Grolantor persuaded Stronmaus and Hiatea that Annam's command was no longer applicable, leading them to intervene freely ever since.  
Ancient war
Another myth offers a grander narrative, casting Memnor as an ancient and malevolent god, possibly Annam's sibling, who sought to usurp the giant pantheon. In a fierce showdown, Annam and Memnor clashed, with neither gaining the upper hand, until Annam ultimately exiled Memnor to Gehenna. Following this ordeal, Annam is said to have retreated to the Outlands to heal from the battle's toll.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Memnor is variously said to be the son, brother, or enemy of Annam, the giant god of creation. One myth says he was born from the severed head or ripped-out entrails of a titanic, sub-sentient, planet-eating monster slain by Annam or Stronmaus. The giantish pantheon of gods consists of the leader Annam, as well as Diancastra, Grolantor, Hiatea, Iallanis, Karontor, Memnor, Skoraeus Stonebones, Stronmaus, Surtr, and Thrym. Other powers worshipped by giants or giant-type creatures include Baphomet, Cegilune, the Elder Elemental God, Kostchtchie, and Vaprak. Memnor is allied with Grolantor. Of all the gods, Stronmaus is Memnor's greatest and most implacable foe.
Titles:
The Deceiver;
The Charming;
The Wise;
The Wise Counselor;
The Prideful;
The Manipulator;
Divine Classification
Intermediate Power , Aspect of Tiamat
Alignment
Neutral Evil
Realm
Children
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Aspects/Aliases
Tiamat, Bane
Home Plane
Gehenna
Subservient Deities
None
Portfolio
Pride, Honor, Mental Prowess and Control, Evil Cloud Giants, Sirilians
Domains
Death (Samhain), Evil (Fear), Glory (Honor, Hubris, Legend), Knowledge (Espionage, Memory, Thought), Rune
Symbol
Thin black obelisk
Worshippers
Giants (particularly evil cloud giants) and Sirilians
Worshipper's Alignments
LG NG CG
LN N CN
LE NE CE

 
Favored Weapon
Morningstar
Holy Days
None
Gender
Masculine
 

Orders

Memnor's clergy maintains no martial orders, as that would run counter to winning through manipulation and secrecy. They do on occasion secretly sponsor raiders who attack their own communities, in order to convince their fellows of imagined dangers, but these groups never know who their benefactors truly are.

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