PLOUTON – The God of Knowledge

Status:  Younger God

Level:  8500

Avatar:  Aarint

Also known as the ‘Lorelord’ and ‘Enlightenment’ to his followers, this firstborn chose not to control or manipulate the other beings he came across when the world was young. Instead he choose to learn and study their ways. It was because of this innate curiosity that he was taught by the Elder Gods. They taught him the art of writing, and with this knowledge he taught the human race the magic of the written word.

Using his newfound gift, Plouton travelled the known world with the young gods, collecting and storing information in a huge library. It is said that this library contains all the knowledge in the world. Even Marnarka it is said visited the celestial library of occasion.

Pharastus was jealous of Plouton’s gift however, and he coveted the knowledge in his library. One night, when Plouton was out, gazing at the star queen Tanarsa in her celestial beauty, Pharastus sent a cohort of his most vicious daemons lead by Astaroth into the library to destroy all the books and manuscripts.

Unbeknown to Astaroth, the library was protected by many dweomers, for Plouton was not naïve, and large numbers of the daemons were destroyed and had to turn back before they could reach any valuable books. It is said that when Plouton returned from his stargazing, all he found were charred remains, which he proceeded to study with great interest.

Plouton is the patron deity of all those who wish to learn and study. He teaches the illiterate to write and his clerics are often fluent in many languages themselves.

SYMBOL

Plouton’s symbol is of a white feather quill (often on a red background)

WORSHIP

This cult has a neutral outlook on almost everything, until they learn about it. Other religions are viewed with interest but treated neutrally. Because of this fact Plouton’s cult is a very much open and respected one with most civilised towns having at least one large temple dedicated to him, although the general population are not on the whole incredibly literate. Most scribes seeking an apprenticeship apply at his temples where they will be taught the skills of reading and writing if they pass an entrance exam.

The main source of income for the cult is the selling of information, for which some people will pay high prices, as the clerics are able to divine knowledge straight from their deity.

TEMPLES

Plouton’s temples are very spacious, open plan buildings, mainly revolving around a central library of some sort (protected by many potent dweomers), which in the big temples sometimes extends miles underground. They all have a number of reading rooms where the faithful may sit in solitude and contemplate words from a book. If the temple is in a main town or city then it may also pay for the upkeep of a small, less comprehensive library, that is accessible by the general population. This will normally be staffed by a few lower ranking clerics as part of their training.

HOLY DAYS

Plouton has no organised holy days.

FRIENDS AND ENEMIES

This cult regards other religions with interest but is otherwise neutrally disposed towards them. They hold only a grudge against followers of Pharastus and will seek to root out and destroy his cults by any means. The feeding of information to the respective authorities (free of charge) usually does this.

CULT REQUIREMENTS

Before joining the cult the prospective follower must be literate and eager to learn. He or she must also pass an entrance exam. This, however, may be substituted for a daring quest to retrieve some artefact for study or whatever.

STRICTURES

• All knowledge acquired is to be presented and assimilated with the temple library.
• Never allow the destruction of knowledge in any form (a duplicate record must be made first).
• Never refuse to act as an arbitrator or advisor in any situation.
• Never make light of the Lord’s gift of knowledge, it is the most valuable gift and can be given freely only to the faithful. All others must pay a minimum of 100 Gelts for any required knowledge (unless Pharastus and his minions are effected then this can be offered free).
• Weapons skills and the wearing of armour are usually forbidden, if they must be learnt, the faithful has to prove themselves worthy in the eyes of their high priest. Even so the cult will only tolerate the following :-

Weapons Allowed:

Staff, Mace, Hammer (or other suitable blunt weapon)

Armour Allowed:  

Leather (max hard or studded leather)