The Idols

The Idols are strange creatures, usually giant in size, who roamed and ruled the Eyreth long before humans came into existence. The Idols are largely obscured,
and not much is truly known about them in today's modern age.

In a time known as the Age of Idols, it is believed that hundreds, if not more, Idols roamed the Eyreth. They varied a great deal, and fought one and other for centuries.

Many Idols have a similar self awareness as humans. Others lack this awareness, but have a wisdom and understanding far beyond what humans could ever imagine.
Most Idols are neutral by nature; they strive to do neither good nor evil, their goal being to focus on their own true nature. Some however lean towards one side or the
other, due to either conscious choice, or lack of sympathy.

Humans do not normally encounter Idols. One will most likely go their entire lives never encountering an Idol, but to the vast majority of people their existence in the
world is not one of question. Even though the Idols themselves may go unseen, many of them leave traces of their presence behind, and there have been enough
recorded encounters in the current age to quell any suspicion.

The Idols are not gods, but they are influential on the lives of humans and the land.
From the Age of Idolatry, 32 different figurines have been found that are believed to have been carved in the likeness of an Idol. However, ever since the
Age of Kings when recorded history began, only 12 have been noted in existence.

All 12 Idols are recognized out of respect, but a few of them are very much feared, unwanted presences.

The Manta

A giant Manta ray rumored to live deep within the Myradic Ocean. It has animal-like intelligence but is unmatched in its vastness. The largest of all the Idols, the
Manta reportedly spans wider than 6 large ships. He is considered male, and has a neutral disposition.

The Manta is the patron of sailors, and is said to help guide distressed ships to safer waters. A Manta Idol is often carried in the pocket or around the neck of Sailors
for luck and safe passage.

It is said that the Manta can cause immense waves capable of destroying entire fleets of ships or costal cities if he is offended. Disrespecting the Manta or the sea
itself is enough to get you arrested in some Seaside Kingdoms.

The Manta is a very passive Idol and very unlikely to be seen. He is considered the guardian of the oceans and the father of sea life. Particularly rich seas are
believed to be visited by the Manta often.

The Serpent

A huge green snake with a golden belly, his exact size is unknown. He has been described as "Large enough to swallow a house, long enough to swallow a town".
The Serpent has human-like intelligence, is male, and has a neutral yet unpredictable disposition.

The Serpent is known for his hoard of all manners of things. It is said that his most treasured possessions are the things that held value to others, and that to gain
his favor you should not bring him an item of value, but an item that YOU value. It is considered dangerous and unwise to seek out the Serpent, because it is said that he
will eat you for bringing him a gift he deems unworthy.

Representative of Greed, Sacrifice, and Gluttony. A Patron of many wealthy families and Kingdoms. He also has connections to the concept of distrust, and being
being dubious or wary.

The Serpent Idol is often carried by wealthy merchants who are paranoid about loosing their wealth. The image of the serpent is often found on treasury
doors and valuable amulets.

Common Language:
"Keep the eye of the Serpent about you," is a way of saying "Be careful, watch your back and don't let your guard down"

He is fairly well known to reside in the desert mountains near Ayavilln, and the area is generously avoided by travelers.

The Shifter

The Shifter can take any form of its own choosing, and no one knows whether it actually has a form of its own, or not. It is also considered genderless since it
so often changes forms, has greater intelligence than a human, and has an extreme neutral disposition.

The shifter is one of the most feared Idols -not because it is necessarily dangerous, but because it is impossible to tell whether or not it is around. Its presence
often causes huge changes to all those around it, and people worry how their lives might change should they encounter it unknowingly.

Very little is known about the shifter, and most encounters are suppositions, but most agree that the person or creature they suspect was the Shifter, was interested
in whatever the person had to say, and it did not seem malicious.

It is believed that the King of the Acreseon Empire encountered the Shifter, who made him question his methods and beliefs, in turn causing the fall of the
Age of Empires and the rise of the Age of Ascension.

Representational of secrets and change. Encountering the Shifter is likely to turn your life upside down. It also often represents intelligence, and is sometimes
a Patron of progressive thinkers and philosophers.

Common Language:
A "shift" is a term used to describe a time of great upheaval. It often alludes that the person saying it believe the upheaval was due to a visit from the Shifter.

Its location is entirely unknown, and likely varies rapidly.

The Sphinx

The Sphinx has the body of a lion, the torso and head of a human woman, and the tail of a reptile with green and blue iridescent scales down her belly.
The Sphynx is female, with much higher intelligence than a human, and an extremely positive and lawful disposition.

One of the most powerful, influential, and respected Idols, she is the only female Idol to be referred to by male pronouns. She is the Patron of several powerful Kingdoms.

Representational of wisdom and law, she is present in many throne rooms and court rooms. Often carried by kings, judges, and lawmakers.

It is believed that the gaze of the Sphynx can see the truth and intent within your soul. Displaying the figures in courtrooms is thought to persuade truthfulness.

Common Language:
"Tell it to the Sphinx!" is a way of not accepting penance when someone apologizes or tries to make right a wrong they have done to you. "Let the Sphinx gaze
upon you" is similar to telling someone to let their judgment be by god alone.
Often someone might say they are "seeking the Sphinx" if they have done a terrible wrong and are ashamed of their actions. They want forgiveness but are not
convinced they deserve it, and have not forgiven themselves.

The Sphinx supposedly lives in the deep, forested mountains of Learith. It is said that the Sphinx is impossible to find if being searched for.

The Elder

The Elder is a huge magnificent tree with a trunk more than 250 feet in diameter, and more than 1300 feet tall. The Elder is genderless, and its intelligence is unknown,
though it is considered to have a neutral yet positive disposition.

A passive Idol representative of growth, strength, and life. It is The Patron of only a few Kingdoms, but is the site of massive pilgrimages every Spring and Autumn.

The image of the Elder is often used in Wedding ceremonies as a symbol of eternity and permanence. It, like the Spinner, also has correlations to connections. It is said
that the roots of the Elder delve deep into the Eyreth, and sprout up in forests all over the world.

The sap is said to be regenerative, but it is forbidden to harvest as it is seen as harming the Elder. It is said that if one sits below the branches of the Elder, and is
deemed worthy, the sap will be given freely to those who ask.

The Elder is the Patron Idol of the Sprig Witches coven. Followers of the Sprig will make a pilgrimage to the tree at least once a year. They collect fallen twigs and
branches each visit, and the highest in the order of witches carry great staves constructed from the twigs. Idols carved from a branch of the Elder itself are particularly
rare, but are believed to still hold the spirit of the Elder itself.

The Elder Tree stands near the center of Tathica.

The Wyvern

The Wyvern is a large serpent-like dragon with feathered wings. Primarily green and turquoise, he boasts highlights of gold, orange, and red in his feathers. He is
considered male, with great intelligence and animal-like instinct, and has a generally positive disposition.

The Wyvern represents strength, particularly moral strength.

Used symbolically for the courage to stand by your personal understanding of morality. Worn as an amulet by martyrs, and often carried by soldiers into war.
The Wyvern is Patron to anyone who fully and truthfully believes that what they are doing is right- whether or not the reality is truly good is beside the point. The only
importance to the Wyvern is that the intent of the individual is to cause good.

Patron Idol of Acresia during the time of the Acreseon Empire. Acreseon Kings had held strong belief in their endeavors for centuries during the Age of Empires.
When the Acreseon King began to question his beliefs it triggered the fall of the empire.

Common Language:
When someone says "I am right by the Wyvern" it is to say that you cannot sway their beliefs, no matter what. To say "The Wyvern is at my/your side" means that
one will remain unfaltering in the face of adversary.

He supposedly lays at rest somewhere in the Acreaseon Mountains.

The Tussick

The Tussick is a huge white deer or stag-like creature, with a single giant antler protruding from its forehead. He is said to stand about as tall as a two story building.
It's forelegs are cloven hoofed, and its back legs for massive talons covered in turquoise scales that cascade down its muscular, serpent-like tail. At the end of its tail
sprouts a tuft of white, downy feathers.The Tussick is Male, is more intelligent than a common animal, and has a deep wisdom beyond human understanding. He can be
subject to animal-like instincts, and has a gentle and positive disposition.

The Tussick is considered the Father of the Forests. It represents Life and Travel. In blessed forests (likely where Elder roots sprout up) he leaves behind a sentinel to
protect it. These sentinels are known as the Sutak. Wisps are a byproduct of the Sutak, so it is fairly easy to tell when a forest has been blessed by the Tussick,
making these forests somewhat sacred to the people who live nearby.

The Tussick is primarily the Patron of people who live near forests, and often Patron to the other humanoid creatures that reside in the forests themselves. Idols are
often carried by travelers who will be journeying through the woods and desire safe passage-the Idol is a promise that during their presence in the forest the will do no
harm, and thus wish no harm be done to them.

The Patron of only one Kingdom, Vucuria, where the forests grow unusually rich and deep.

The Tussick is one of the rarest Idols to be seen, although its Sutaks are much more common. Anyone who might witness the Tussick is truly blessed, for you will
only see it if it desires you to.

The Tussick is believed to constantly roam the forests of Eyrethia, and has dominion in every wood.

The Drynegog

The Drynegog is a giant wolf-like creature with silvery-gray fur. It is several stories tall, and can walk entire forests in only a few steps. It is often said to take the
form of fog or mist, to diminish its presence. The Drynegog is male, has human-like intelligence and deep wisdom and understanding. He has a generally neutral
disposition, but can often be chaotic and fierce.

The Drynegog is considered the father of all wolves, represents survival and predatory instincts, and is usually associated with cold, snowy weather and fog.
This Idol is often carried by wanderers and vagabonds, for protection from the harsh, homeless roads.

Patron Idol of only one Kingdom, Waerid, as a treaty with the Dryn, the ancient people who lived there long before the Age of Empires. The Dryn have worshiped
him since the Age of Idolatry, and were an odd, secluded tribal people living all across the Waerid province. They are rumored to have a remarkably close relationship
with the Idol, and have received from him a gift unique to their people.

The Drynegog is believed to pace the Waerid Mountains, where he has been since ancient times, causing near constant snowfall and frost, preventing thaw from
ever coming.

The Nahgerott

The Nahgerott's appearance is entirely unknown, but its presence is marked by large amounts of decay. It is genderless, believed to have at least semi-high intelligence,
and has an extremely negative and destructive disposition.

Representative of decay and rot, but not just in the physical, more so even in the mental/spiritual realm. The Nahgerott is the most feared of the Idols, and is
known to induce madness, and cause the deterioration of ones mind and spirit. It seems to feed on the unhealthy mind, and tortured souls.

The Idol is forbidden to be carried on ones person throughout all of Eyrethia. Most often the only depictions of the Nahgerott are in Idol sets, which represent all
12 Idols. Still, many sets only have a blank, uncarved piece, representing its existence. In many places it is believed that an actual representation would invite it in.

Since it's appearance is largely unknown, when it is depicted it is as a cloaked and hooded figure. There is a great deal of superstition surrounding the Idol and
depictions of it.

Anyone caught carrying a Nahgerott Idol on their person may be committed to death. Only worshiped by the mad and damned, the figure was once carried into
battle by a mad general who's army defected and left mass genocide in their wake across a rural countryside. Then without a trace they mysteriously disappeared.
Discovered months later deep in the mountains, each soldier had gouged out his eyes, and had his own sword through his throat.

Not much is known about this Idol and its whereabouts are a complete mystery.

The Oracle

Usually described as a blind woman who's eyes are kept hidden. Some believe she is not truly blind, but hides her eyes from mortals. Records of her appearance are
incomplete and rare. Often individuals who try to describe her say they have a hard time remembering. The most common description is simply a woman whose eyes you
cannot see, and something about her seeming 'not quite right', but no one can say for sure exactly what it is. She is female, extremely intelligent, and has a completely
neutral disposition.

The Oracle represents time, choice, and fate. It is commonly believed that the Oracle is the mother of humanity, and her Idols are carried by pilgrims, monks, and
those seeking truth.

Encounters with the Oracle are extremely rare, and her location is entirely unknown. She is said do see the past, present, and future, along with all the possibilities that
could be and never were. Many men have sought the Oracle, but very few have ever found her, and more often than not it is said that she will find you.

She is Matron of Echentharia, one of the Ancient Kingdoms where her image has always reigned. There are forests there where time seems to pass differently, and
people often claim to catch glimpses of futures, pasts, and non-realities... not always their own. She also became the Matron of Acresia during the collapse of the
Age of Empires. When the King began to question his beliefs, he went on a pilgrimage to Echentharia to find the Oracle, seeking complete truth. His Empire under the
Wyvern collapsed, but after a 20 year pilgrimage he found the Oracle, and in his enlightenment a new age began for all of Eyrethia. It is the most recent account of the
Oracle in more than 300 years.

She is Matron of The Eternal Coil; an order of monks who spend their lives on a spiritual journey in attempt to gain an understanding of time itself.

She is often represented by silk moths, which are considered sacred by the Eternal Coil, and generally respected by the common people as a symbol of time.