Gods of Ambar (updated 2004/03/24)

  Earth Mother    Sun King    Unknowable Void    Veiled Maiden    Winged Messenger 

All of the gods of Ambar can be identified to one of five divine archetypes: Earth Mother, Sun King, Winged Messenger, Veiled Maiden, and Unknowable Void. The gods within an archetype are all similar in some ways, but are still distinct and unique. For example, Mrmym and Reshuk are both aspects of the the "Winged Messenger" archetype, and are both gods of the air represented as archer messengers. However there are many differences as well: Mrmym is surrounded by birds and Tark by flies; Mrmym carries the messages of the gods and Tark carries false messages.

It is thought that these five archetypes were derived from the ancient gods of the Eldar and creators of Ambar: Amarnaneth, Anoril, Hirmenel, Ithilriel, and Gollor. Along with the Eldar, these ancient gods have been all but forgotten, yet, they have had a profound influence on their successors.

Each of the five archetypes fills a role in ancient society, and in their own roles none is more important than the others. The "Sun King" is the warrior God of battles and power, but the "Earth Mother" is in charge of the more mundane aspects of everyday life, such as rain, crops, and life. Similarly, only the "Winged Messenger" can deliver the rain and storms created by the "Earth Mother", and only the "Veiled Maiden" can grant mortals the mysteries of music and joy. Lastly, the "Unknowable Void" is responsible for keeping knowledge that would be dangerous were it to become widely known.

Some cultures believe that the five archetypes are simply aspects of a single god, such as the Allfather of the Dwur, who Named every thing in creation with Runes. Depending on the culture, this single god is often identified more strongly with one of the archetypes than the others, typically either the "Sun King" or the "Earth Mother".

Earth Mother (updated 2004/05/12)

  Damgalnuna, the Lady of that which is ...    Danu, the Goddess (Kith)    Hypsiglena, the Serpentmother (Alu, ...    Xohm, the Earthmother (Baal, Dwur) 

The "Earth Mother" is one of the most powerful and widely worshiped primal divinities. Among the Eldar she was worshiped as Amarnaneth, and greatly loved. She presides over the natural process of life and death, giving birth to all creatures from the earth, nurturing them as only a mother can throughout life on the earth, and protecting them in their earthly tombs when they pass on. She rules not only the lands but also the seas, which both together make up the earth. She is also the goddess of the necessities of daily life, such as agriculture, fertility, harvests, hearth, dreams, builders, and crafts. She is patient as the earth itself and slow to anger, but when roused she can cause severe disasters such as earthquakes and storms.

While the "Earth Mother" is responsible for rain and storms, She relies upon the "Winged Messenger" to deliver those "messages" to the world. When crops were abundant, the "Earth Mother" and "Winged Messenger" are often praised and thanked for their abundant rain. Not only is l [ more... ]

Sun King (updated 2004/03/15)

  Allfather, the Namer (Dwur)    Dagon, Lord of the Waves (Deep Old ...    Kornun, the Horned God (Kith, Alhanians)    Kurg, the Blood God (Avathar)    Pyrose, the Fyrelord (Alorn, Baal) 

The "Sun King" embodies the spirit of the noble warrior. He is usually depicted as wounded in some way, which is always bleeding. The Eldar worshiped him as Anoril, the Fyrelord. He is the king of the gods, consort to the "Earth Mother", and lord of sun and fire.

The "Sun King" is a powerful war god, unparalleled in his skill with arms, courageous, and terrible if roused to anger. In the wars of the gods he acts as the general, champion, and artificer of the weapons of the gods. He is attended by the "Winged Messenger" and "Veiled Maiden", who act as his scout and shield maiden, respectively. The "Sun King" is also the god of courage, nobility and self-sacrifice; He is the first to enter and last to leave any battle, holding the place of honor in the vanguard and rear-guard.

He is often at odds with the "Unknowable Void", whose words are persuasive but often filled with madness.

Unknowable Void (updated 2004/07/08)

  Abzu, the Chambers of the Deeps (Deep ...    Hruul, the Faceless One (Baal)    Reshuk, the Maggot God (Alu, Avathar) 

The "Unknowable Void" is the master of time, knowledge, and secrets. The Eldar knew it as Gollor, which literally means magic. It controls that which is not meant to be known, that which people want to keep secret, and abstruse knowledge such as the magic arts. In some aspects either one particular secret or the accumulation of limitless knowledge has driven It completely insane. It is Itself an unseen, unknowable secret, and has a voice but no visible form.

While It excels at keeping secrets, It is still bound to reveal them if asked in the proper way. These secrets either bring extraordinary knowledge or insanity.

Veiled Maiden (updated 2004/05/04)

  Hyakki, the Huntress (Avathar, Alorn, ...    Lunara, Maiden of Song (Alorn)    Sharheen, Mistress of Swords (Alorn)    Suul, the Maiden of the Mists (Baal)    Tyaa, the Winged Maiden (Avathar, ... 

The "Veiled Maiden" is the keeper and protector of sacred mysteries. The mysteries of the "Veiled Maiden" are those which mortals should seek and cherish, but not defile. She is often portrayed as zealously guarding the mysteries of night, water, fate, and the sacred feminine. It should be noted that while the "Unknowable Void" is also a keeper of mysteries, His secrets are often unknowable, should not be known, or cause madness.

She was the most loved of the Eldar gods, known as Ithilriel, and is most similar to Lunara. Worship ceremonies are always conducted at night, typically under the light of the moons. She represents the moving water of rivers and streams, whose touch can both sooth and heal. She is associated with other mysteries such as youth, health, beauty, music, dance, seduction, joy. In contrast, the "Earth Mother" represents the sea and lakes, and presides over motherhood.

She also represents the mystery of the forests, and only her gentle touch can tame the rarest and most magical of beasts [ more... ]

Winged Messenger (updated 2004/03/24)

  Mog, the Spider God (Southmarens)    Mrmym, the Sky Dragon (Baal)    Tark, Lord of Flies (Avathar)    Wendigo, the Howling God (Kith, Alu) 

The "Winged Messenger" is the primal aspect representing a messenger who swiftly carries the word of the gods, avoiding any obstacle with luck, skill, and cunning. He also represents elemental air, sky, wind, clouds, archery, cunning, and travel. He was greatly admired by the Eldar, for He embodies many Eldar ideals, and they knew him as Hirmenel, the "Rider of Clouds". Most cultures depict him as a wing-heeled messenger or archer bearing a trumpet. Sometimes he travels in state with loud proclamations, other times in secret to deliver messages discreetly in signs or whispers that only the intended recipient can understand. The "Winged Messenger" is also responsible for delivering rains and storms sent by the "Earth Mother", and for delivering knowledge from the "Keeper of the Void".