Memnos

MEMNOS
Power: GG
Alignment: LE
Pantheons: the Parthan Order
Titles: The Primus Deii, the Dark Emperor
Portfolio: Civilization, war, law, the night
Symbol: A sword joined with a crown
Constellation:
Description: Memnos (MAE-mnos) is the supreme ruler of the Parthan deities and, indeed, the Parthan people and all that they control. He is the dark tyrant who seeks to bring all mankind under his dominion. He is the unstoppable warlord who sweeps aside all who oppose his will. He is the supreme force whose will no one can stand against. Only when all men have been brought under Memnos’ order will the world truly know order and peace, for all other rulers are weak and doomed to fail.

Unknown to all but the gods, Memnos and Thamor come from the same stock. Despite striking similarities, they are ultimately as different in vision as they are in their appearance. Both deities are paragons of warfare, but where Thamor is gallant and merciful, Thamor is ruthless and merciless. Where Thamor rules through benevolence, Memnos demands total obedience. Thamor rules to empower his people, but Memnos believes that freedom is ultimately a danger to society. The strong are the ones who should rule and the weak are the ones that should be ruled. This, in his eyes, is the natural Order of things. Anything else invites chaos and destruction, and should be crushed. Thus, like Thamor he aims for a world in which humanity rules and prospers, but the two tread very different paths to that end.

Appearance: Memnos appears as a tall man with skin as white as marble and eyes as black as a starless night. His musculature is statuesque, and his features are flawlessly handsome. He keeps his raven hair short, and affects a sharp, curly beard. Memnos is typically depicted as wearing robes of purple and gold that reveal much of his upper torso. Though unarmored outside of battle, he always carries a war-spear (using it as a sort of walking staff) and a magnificent scepter. On his head rests a simple crown of what appears to be steel.

Personality: In foreign pantheons, “Memnik” is either depicted as a wide-eyed megalomaniac or as a faceless, brooding tyrant. Those who have actually seen him in visions, though, report him as solemn, composed, and capable of inducing fear and groveling with but a furrow of his brow.

History/Relationships: As Primus Deii, Memnos rules over all Parthan deities. None dare challenge his authority directly; only the lineage of Salix works to affect change within his order, and he scoffs at their efforts. The only deities associated with Parthans that he views with suspicion are the Ronan wind-gods—Sheliaccea and Reahnae especially, who are not only of Gelvan blood first, but who consort with Thamor's ilk as well.

Memnos holds Hathonae as his Prima and consort, but this is during the spring and summer months. During the fall and winter months, he turns to the embraces of Hedera. Of his children, he trusts Kastorius the most, but prizes Polynikia even more. He despises Kraetis, and does not imagine he will ever recover from his fall. As such, he uses him and Sekthiss as tools for the most loathsome of tasks.

Memnos’ relationship with Daegaros is complex. He knows that, like Cauldred and Lutheriq, his and Ishobel's son was little more than a necessary evil. Unlike his brothers, though, and despite the role he has come to fill, Daegaros carries himself with a dignity that Memnos finds admirable. For this alone, he treats his outcast shadow-son with a level of respect the other Parthan deities find surprising.

Powers:
Children:
After life:
Servitors:

Worshipers: Parthans as a people; as “Memnik”, he is feared throughout the Thamor-worshipping lands. Memnos is universally revered and praised by all Parthans. He is specifically the Patron and Master of the Primi themselves, but he fills many other roles as well. He is the supreme war deity, the builder of civilizations, the upholder of laws, and the protector of the people. As such, generals, priests, judges and, indeed, virtually any Parthan has to (and does) offer his praise to the Dark Emperor on virtually every day. The mysteries of Memnos always begin during the darkest hour of the night. Prayers are generally delivered after sunset.
Worshiper's Ability:
1/Round Ability:
1/Day Ability:

Priests:
Spell Domains: Domination, Law, War, Strength (the first is from Complete Divine)
Favored Weapons: Spear or scepter (mace)
Cleric Alignments: LE, LN (technically, NE could be allowed; Memnos will not suffer capricious priests, though)
Dogma: It is the duty of the strong to rule over the weak; this is the natural order of things. Without order, weakness consumes and chaos ensues. It is those who understand the values of discipline who develop true strength and are thus able to keep chaos at bay. Those who peddle the illusion of freedom instead invite the reality of slavery and defeat.
Clergy and Temples: It is said that the only temple of Memnos in each citadel is the Prima Palatia in which his mortal representative—the Primus—resides. This is true in many ways. The mysteries of Memnos begin and end at the Prima Palatia in every single citadel. Furthermore, it is considered undignified to have houses of the Primus Deii outside of the ruling seat of a community. The only exception to this is the majestic, remote temple-fortresses high in the XXXX mountains east of Sartha. Legend states it sits over the cave that Memnos was reared in, and it is here that the most pious priests of Memnos devote their daily lives to his worship and honor and glory—away from the influences of mortal politics.

Priests of Memnos serve as the counselors and religious advisors to Primi themselves. Their most important role, though, is to serve as the heralds of the new Primus. When the leader of a citadel dies, they undertake the most important mystery of Memnos and pray until visited by a vision that directs them to the next suitable man for the throne. The word of the priests is as strong as law, but they do not deign to be the law for this would undermine the rulers Memnos chose.

Of note are also the dreaded Dominions of the Black Horn. These are the pre-eminent holy warriors of Memnos, forever doing his bidding where and when he sends them. It is said that the arrival of a Black Horn Dominion marks a time of great revelation and tumultuous times.

OLDER:
MEMNOS
The Primus Deii, the Dark Emperor

Greater Deity
Symbol: A sword joined with a crown
Home Plane:
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Portfolio: Civilization, war, law, the night
Worshippers: Parthans; as “Memnik”, he is feared throughout the Thamorian worshipping lands
Cleric Alignments: LE, LN (technically, NE could be allowed; Memnos will not suffer capricious priests, though)
Domains: Domination, Law, War, Strength (the first is from Complete Divine)
Favored Weapon: Sword or scepter (mace)

Memnos (MAE-mnos) is the supreme ruler of the Parthan deities and, indeed, the Parthan people and all that they control. He is the dark tyrant who seeks to bring all mankind under his dominion. He is the unstoppable warlord who sweeps aside all who oppose his will. He is the supreme force whose will no one can stand against. Only when all men have been brought under Memnos’ order will the world truly know order and peace, for all other rulers are weak and doomed to fail.
Unknown to all but the gods, Memnos and Thamor come from the same stock. Despite striking similarities, they are ultimately as different in vision as they are in their appearance. Both deities are paragons of warfare, but where Thamor is gallant and merciful, Thamor is ruthless and merciless. Where Thamor rules through benevolence, Memnos demands total obedience. Thamor rules to empower his people, but Memnos believes that freedom is ultimately a danger to society. The strong are the ones who should rule and the weak are the ones that should be ruled. This, in his eyes, is the natural Order of things. Anything else invites chaos and destruction, and should be crushed. Thus, like Thamor he aims for a world in which humanity rules and prospers, but the two tread very different paths to that end.
Memnos appears as a tall man with skin as white as marble and eyes as black as a starless night. His musculature is statuesque, and his features are flawlessly handsome. He keeps his raven hair short, and affects a sharp, curly beard. Memnos is typically depicted as wearing robes of purple and gold that reveal much of his upper torso. Though unarmored outside of battle, he always carries a wicked blade and a magnificent scepter. On his head rests a simple crown of what appears to be steel.
This appearance is strikingly different from the one attributed to him by Ronan priests. In foreign pantheons, “Memnik” is either depicted as a wide-eyed megalomaniac or as a faceless, brooding tyrant. Those who have seen him in visions, though, report him as solemn and composed, but capable of inducing fear and groveling with but a furrow of his brow.
Memnos is universally revered and praised by all Parthans. He is specifically the Patron and Master of the Primi themselves, but he fills many other roles as well. He is the supreme war deity, the builder of civilizations, the upholder of laws, and the protector of the people. Generals, priests, judges; indeed, virtually every Parthan offers his praise to the Dark Emperor on virtually every day.
The mysteries of Memnos always begin during the darkest hour of the night. Prayers are generally delivered after sunset.

History/Relationships: As Primus Deii, Memnos rules over all Parthan deities. None dare challenge his authority directly; only the lineage of Salix works to affect change within his order, and he scoffs at their efforts. The only deities associated with Parthans that he views with suspicion are the Ronan wind-gods—Sheliaccea and Reahnae especially, who are not only of Gelvan blood first, but who consort with Thamor as well.
Memnos holds Hathonae as his Prima and consort, but this is during the spring and summer months. During the fall and winter months, he turns to the embraces of Hedaera. Of his children, he trusts Kastorius the most, but prizes Polynikia even more. He despises Kraetis, and does not imagine he will ever recover from his fall. As such, he uses him and Sekthiss as tools for the most loathsome of tasks.
Memnos’ relationship with Daegaros is complex. He knows that, like Cauldred and Lutheriq, his and Ishobel’s son was little more than a necessary evil. Unlike his brothers, though, and despite the role he has come to fill, Daegaros carries himself with a dignity that Memnos finds admirable. For this alone, he treats his outcast shadow-son with a level of respect the other Parthan deities find surprising.

Dogma: It is the duty of the strong to rule over the weak; this is the natural order of things. Without order, weakness consumes and chaos ensues. It is those who understand the values of discipline who develop true strength and are thus able to keep chaos at bay. Those who peddle the illusion of freedom instead invite the reality of slavery and defeat.

Clergy and Temples: It is said that the only temple of Memnos in each citadel is the Prima Palatia in which his mortal representative—the Primus—resides. This is true in many ways. The mysteries of Memnos begin and end at the Prima Palatia in every single citadel. Furthermore, it is undignified to have houses of the Primus Deii outside of the ruling seat of a community. The only exception to this is the majestic, remote temple-fortresses high in the XXXX mountains east of Sartha. It is here that the most pious priests of Memnos devote their daily lives to his worship and honor and glory—away from the influences of mortal politics.
Priests of Memnos serve as the counselors and religious advisors to Primi themselves. Their most important role, though, is to serve as the heralds of the new Primus. When the leader of a citadel dies, they undertake the most important mystery of Memnos and pray until visited by a vision that directs them to the next suitable man for the throne. The word of the priests is as strong as law, but they do not deign to be the law for this would undermine the rulers Memnos chose.
Of note are also the dreaded Dominions of the Black Horn. These are the pre-eminent holy warriors of Memnos, forever doing his bidding where and when he sends them. It is said that the arrival of a Black Horn Dominion marks a time of great revelation and tumultuous times.

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