BALIUS – God of the Open Plains, Freedom and Solitude

Status:  Younger God

Level:  7000

Avatar:  Barint

Balius was of a mythical race, half man, and half horse, known to mortals as a centaur; who dwelt in the mountain plains of the north just below the North Wall. Their strife with the elves and the young race of man brought the centaurs close to extinction. These tales have become the subject of many myths and legends.

The centaurs lived long in peace with their neighbouring tribes of Northmen, Bearfolk and Dwarves until the wedding of Pirithous, a strong Northman warrior. Pirithous invited all the Northman and Bearmen tribes of the area and all the Centaur tribes to feast in tribute to his marriage to the strongest mortal woman to walk on Eä, Hippodamia. At the wedding the centaur Eurytes was enamoured of her heavily muscled form and heavy masculine looks and was driven by an insane rage of jealousy.

As the final part of the ‘Soul bonding’ was being ritualised Eurytes leapt up onto the dais of Ro’Azarkh and carried off Pirithous’ new bride, ordering his gathered tribes of centaurs to attack the gathered Northmen and Bearmen.

In the ensuing bloodletting the Northman were unable to stop the kidnapping. Eurytes fled the battle with his elite chieftains and personal bodyguard towards the mountains. Taken by surprise the Northman clans were broken and scattered. Of the Northman clans, only Pirithous was fit enough to give chase. However, aid came to him in the form of help from Cainous the giant who was present at the wedding as a special guest and Balius, the only one of the centaurs to revolt against Eurytes preposterous designs on Hippodamia.

The chase lasted 7 days, seeing the demise of Cainous, when he was shot in the eye with a poisoned barb from Eurytes’ Black yew bow. On the eve of the seventh day Balius and Pirithous met up with a large group of drunken dwarves who were late comers to Pirithous’ wedding celebrations. With the dwarves knowledge of the underpasses they were able to track down and over throw the remaining centaurs and rescue Hippodamia. Eurytes was slain and together Balius and Pirithous drove the remaining Centaurs back into the mountains.

As a reward for his help to the Northmen Pirithous granted Balius a pardon, excusing him from the evil of the rest of his malicious kin and granting him the great bow of the fallen Eurytes.

For a while Balius lived amongst the Northmen learning from them and teaching them of the centaur folk. Eventually Balius grew tired of the humans and decided to set off alone onto the plains to be free and alone. For many years did Balius roam alone, hunting on the open plains with his mighty Black Yew Bow named by the elves as ‘Bethronding’.

Whilst out hunting early in the autumn months he happened upon a group of Humanoids surrounded by a vast pack of huge dire wolves. The wolves were obviously moving for the kill and the humanoids ill equipped and already near deaths door had no chance. Balius notched and fired, dropping four of the great wolves with a single shot. After a few more, well aimed shots the rest of the pack fled.

One of the humanoids approached Balius, his name was Fjalar and he was the great herd leader of the Kelpie, humanoids with horse like features. It was a tender time of learning and trust building, and Balius helped the Kelpie to track and capture the great Ghost bear of the Northern plains, after which Fjalar bowed before the centaur believing him from the Gods. From this day forth the Kelpie worshipped Balius, building temples to him across the world.

SYMBOL

Horses Head

WORSHIP

The whole of the Kelpie tribe worships Balius, asking for his protection and blessing on their families, crops and for success in hunting. A prayer to Balius precedes every major act started by the clan. The priesthood is the directing force of the main ceremonies, and it is always seen as an honour when a member of a Kelpie family decides to follow the way of the Priest. He is also worshiped by some Northman clans beside Ro’Azarkh.

TEMPLES

Balius’s temples are sparse of furnishings, with a simple shrine consisting of various animal skins and various hunting trophies around the shrine. All shrines, though, have no roofs, being open to the elements.

HOLY DAYS

The Kelpie hold a great festival on the first of each season asking for Balius to bless their family, crops and for success in hunting. Minor Holy Days are held on the last of each month where the priesthood prays for deliverance from the wolves.

FRIENDS AND ENEMIES

Followers of Balius have no real friends or enemies, preferring instead to remain away from other cults. However they have sympathies towards the Fire god disciples of Ro’Azarkh.

CULT REQUIREMENTS

The cult of Balius only excepts healthy / fit individuals into their herd.

STRICTURES

• Never sleep in a roofed building when there is the option to remain outside.
• Civilisation is to be shunned and all contacts made with it are to be kept at a minimum.
• Money and jewellery is the curse of civilisation and may never be used by a priest of Balius for personal gain/wealth.