| Other Names | The Walker, The Wingless |
| Area Of Control | The land, the world below. |
| Ethos | All things depend on the land. |
| Pantheon | Avarian |
| Worshipers | Avarian farmers, miners, certain craftsmen and those unable to fly. |
| Appearance | A short blue feathered avarian with stubby wings.. |
| Symbol | A broken wing. |
Xyrus is the patron defender of all avarians who are born different, weaker or deformed. This seems not to apply to setharins, as they usually turn their backs on this cult to serve Setharus. Xyrus is said to walk the lands (literally) and help avarians in need. He appears only very rarely, and then usually only to a single avarian at the time of greatest desperation. He has powerful magic and is said to appear and disappear at will, walk through walls and more. His powerful beak has snapped swords in two.
This religion holds that Xyrus was the first avarian ever known to be born without wings (during the Great War). His wings were short, stubby things with no chance of ever giving him flight. Likewise, his arms and hands were also deformed - little more than vestigial organs. Without flight and with little manual dexterity, he was often unable to perform the most common daily tasks, sometimes having to manipulate his environment with an awkward beak or clumsy foot. The avarians of old looked down on him as a lesser being for he was cursed to be a walker for having an impure soul and consorting with demons. He was driven out of his village and banished forever. He was last seen running away, deeper into the Thunder Peaks. Since that time, he has been seen many times. Always aiding those in need, always settling conflicts or driving away danger. Over the centuries, a small gathering of faithful have formed and this small church has gained a modest respectability. Xyrus has become associated with the land which, though they are loath to admit it, the avarians could not live without. He represents all good things of the land: plants and animals which feed the avarians, shelter from storms, perches to rest and such.
Xyrusian priests clip their wings, condemning themselves to be walkers for life. They wear blue robes in honor of his heritage. This religion is small and forms in small groups for worship. Often the church of Xyrus is very sympathetic to other nations and tries to smooth international relations between Avar and other cultures. Those avarians who work with things of the land (farmers, shepherds, hunters, woodcutters, stone mason, miners, etc.) will often pray to this god.
This page last updated Wednesday, December 24, 2008. Copyright 1990-2009 David M. Roomes.