Khoras - Religion - Gods of the Avarians

The World Of Khoras - Religion - Gods of the Avarians

Arros

Other Names	The Everlasting Sky, Cloud Master
Area Of Control	Flight, The Sky, Winds, Weather, Clouds
Ethos	The everlasting sky is the domain of Arros and he rules all things above and beneath.
Pantheon	Avarian
Worshipers	All avarians.
Appearance	Arros has many forms. He is known as the sky and often appears as objects of the sky: a cloud, a large bird of prey, a flock of birds, etc. In his natural form, Arros appears as a giant half man, half bird.
Symbol	Cloud

Description

Arros is a vague entity associated with the sky. He is loosely thought of as a male avarian who is perfect in all ways. He has been depicted in literature and history as a cloud, the sky, a giant bird, an avarian male, a winged human, a flock of birds and more. Many of his temperaments resemble the sky... infinite patience, constantly changing his form yet always remaining the same and punctuated by stormy wrath.

History

As the primary god of the Avarians, Arros is also the most ancient. He has been worshiped for as long as there have been avarians. Some non-Avarian historians believe that Arros may, in some way, be responsible for the creation of the avarian race. The Eik’Jahud contains a passage which depicts the magical creation of the race (see below). Avarian worshipers of Arros argue vehemently that the passage should be taken literally and worshipping mages have gone to great lengths to perform magical experimentation in support of those claims. In any case, the worship of Arros has existed for as long as there have been avarians and permeates many aspects of the culture.

Religion

The worship of Arros is very loose and personal. The only focus of worship is centered upon a single text, a scroll known as the Eik’Jahud. This ancient parchment is 21,700 words long and, according to legend, was written by Arros himself. It holds all of Arros’ laws and teachings. Followers of Arros are mostly avarian, but many non-avarians also worship. Many worshipers do so simply because they love the sky.

Arros is said to dwell in a huge palace of marble and ivory that sits upon the highest cloud. This paradise realm is called Meroka. Avarian mysticism states that it is to this place that all avarian souls eventually go to live in peace and harmony with the Universe.

"... Arros stretched out his trembling wing and with his beak tore out feathers more numerous than the stars and cast them to the Four Winds where they flew the world over. The Four Winds sought high cliffs and swept across the land to western peaks where, one by one, the feathers fell into the craggy cliffs below. And where each downy feather touched the land, there sprang forth a being both man and bird in one. From the wings of Arros did we grow and so to the everlasting sky do we return in dreaming flight to be one with our creator...."

The Four Winds

In avarian mysticism, there are four winds: North, South, East and West. They came into being when the world was formed. The Winds represent aspects of Arros. The North Wind is Arros' hopes for the future. The South, his desires and needs. The East, his fears and the West, his promises. Each responds to Arros. For instance, a wind or storm from the south signifies that Arros is in need of something and searching for it.

While the Four Winds are intertwined with the worship of Arros, they are in some respects a separate church and many fables are written about the Four Winds and their dealings with the world. Traditionally linked with the worship of the Four Winds is something known as cloud reading. Many avarians believe that clouds reveal the future in the shapes they take. A dagger shaped cloud might portend a murder. A large winged cloud might foretell the coming of a dragon and so on. Such cloud reading has been practiced for centuries by the avarians and is considered an art form. Some avarians combine drugs or magic with cloud reading. It is a very spiritual and personal practice.

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