The Trickster, The Charlatan, Devious Jester
Spheres of Influence: Trickery, Deception, Greed, Seclusion, Shadows
Symbol: A Black Cat with red or emerald eyes.
PLAYER INFORMATION:
Requirements for Worship:
The way of the world is to win, to come out on top. One could seek goods, works or hope for a lucky break. But the followers of Ruhn, would rather tip or own the scales for themselves. No trick or prank is too grand, too dangerous, or too dishonorable. True worth comes from what one has at the end of the day, be it riches or the last laugh. Followers must be of any evil alignment.
Clerical Domains: Required: Evil, Trickery, Knowledge, Magic
Optional: Air, Animal, Death, Destruction, Earth, Fire, Healing, Plant, Protection, Strength,T ravel, War, Water
Banned: Good, Sun
Noted followers and faithful:
High Priest(ess): None known
Persistent Blade : None known
Lexicon of Seclusion: None known
The Trickster's Tools (Sacred Items)
Cat's Claw Dagger: This dagger is almost two feet in length. Large for its size, it is somewhat quick to wield. It looks to be made of ivory but it has an almost hidden beauty not found in earthen stones. The blade is somewhat curved to appear like that of a claw. On the silver hilt a emerald and crimson sunburst is engraved on the pommel.
The Trickster's Confidence (Places of worship)
Temple: Ruhn does not have a church in the traditional sense, though many guilds and organizations of thieves dedicate themselves to his teachings. These followers find each other through the Hidden Highway, a secret pathway of language and symbols the followers and clerics use to know each other.
The Church in War
Ruhn Aleasi has not been around long enough to be known how they would conduct themselves in a time of war that would unite them.
VIEWS ON OTHER CHURCHES
- The Sun Church: (Hated) I've never seen someone eat his own head before. That's impressive.
- The Church of the Helmsman: (Hostile) Waitwaitwait, his granddaughter? Oh man, hold my beer and watch this.
- The Church of Branneggarr: (Neutral) How many dwarves does it take to light a candle? No, really, how many? I've been trying to figure this one out forever but they keep burning down before I can find out.
- The Church of Justin: (Hostile) This one time they were all like 'pruuuuuuuuuuuuune' and i was like ai'ight and pointed them at this dragon that was like 'raaaaaaaar' and it ate them, i thought I was gonna die laughing so hard. I mean for reals, next time try it, they fall for this every time!
- The Church of Mysilvia: (Hated) Elves, faeries, all that disgusting nature they surround themselves in triggers my gag reflex.
- The Church of the Quiet God: (Hostile) As dreary to be around as a bum in Raven's Call. And about as killable.
- The Church of Cyparthia: (Friendly) I once saw one of them paint a set of stairs that looped around on itself with people walking on them and I was like 'whoa'. That's deep, maaaan.
- The Church of the War Triad: (Friendly) No, really. Where else can you get a good 'A Paladin and Blackguard walk into a bar" joke?
- The Church of the Death God: (Neutral) The punchline to all our jokes end up at their doorstep. No idea how it happens, I just pop this guy's head off and look! They show right up!
- The Church of Tyrannos: (Allied) Their whole 'law and order and MY FIST' thing is pretty stale, but eh, at least they have the honesty to stab you in the front. Play by their rules and still screw them, and somehow they respect you more. I don't get that, but I'm not complaining.
- The Church of Asoth Thal: (Friendly) Peas in a pod, peas in a pod.
- The Church of Ravenos: (Hostile) Something stinks, and it's not our jokes
DEITY INFORMATION
Alignment: Ruhn Aleasi is Neutral Evil in nature
Appearance: Ruhn appears in one of three guises: a black cat with emerald squinted eyes as if enjoying a funny joke; a strong, able-bodied acrobatic jester in tattered multi-colored clownish clothes with soot-like dirt all over his arms and legs; or a short human boy who appears with black feathery hair and emerald eyes. He has a mischievous look and mismatched clothing. At times he has been seen shifting sometimes at random into another one of his favorite guises.
Messengers: None have yet been seen...
Known Powers and Practices: Ruhn’s is the path of teaching through treachery. No one truly knows what they treasure, believe in, or hate until something precious has been stolen from them. They do not know the limits of their arrogance and pride until they have been tricked to the point steam shoots from their ears. They are the tricksters. They are the pranksters. They are the thieves that will take your last bowl just to have it while pulling down your pants around your ankles.
Fellowships of Ruhn Aleasi:
None
Ruhn began his life as a petty thief in the city of Port Sunrise. Ruhn grew up in a tribal village deep within Byrne, between the Twilight Mountains. He lived as a devout follower and a rogue warrior of Tyrannos. He was not as strong as his brethren, not filled with the might of body to match the burning of titans in his heart. No matter how hard he worked, the feats he sought, he could never do as well as those minors below him; much less his peers or betters. However, despite his lack of strength, he always kept up, always found a way to gain stature. Many disdained him as a trickster. Ruhn took it all in stride. He knew it would all pay off one day.
Then the challenge came. Within his sixteenth season, he prepared and received his test from the visionaries. He was to test himself against the sacred flaming mountain that many believed held the Master known as Alcis. The people were aghast. Few were thought worthy to combat the terrors and rigors of such a place. Ruhn, a devout follower, saw this as a sign. Not as strong as his brethren, he willed himself to the teachings of the thunderous voice of tempests and molten anger. And now, he would place himself before the fiery might and judgment.
Days then weeks past as Ruhn travelled to and stayed upon the mountain. Rockslides, burning steam, stinking smoke, and molten rivers greeted the trickster as he wound his way through a maze of pain and certain death. Few had ever completed such a task. And those who had bore lifelong scars. Ruhn however was smarter. He studied the land before treading upon it. He took different routes, used well made clothing, and protected his sensitive nose and ears with wadding and herbs. Upon reaching the summit, fur singed and blackened, but eyes keen and shining, he stared down into the depths of Mount Sorrows. And upon reaching it, he received a treasured gift. He could see the demonic trials that took place, he felt the visions grab hold of him and empower his body with the truth. The one true vision that was given to him could solve the mystery, he held onto it as if his life depended upon it. He would forever keep the secret and never tell a soul.
Many months later, a rogue marked with black and bronze stripes across his fur arrived into town. His eyes blazed with the molten red light of the mountain. His body was strong and lithe with the testing it endured. and the mind was quick and attentive. But none could mistake the humorous prankster that hide within the twitching smile. Ruhn had returned. During the many years afterward, he grew faster and stronger of form and keener of mind. He carried the power of the Sorrow at his touch.
In the many years of his life, he led his tribe into many victorious wars, conquering and allying with their neighbors. But soon his unorthodox ways awoke the hidden tribes of war deep within the Twilight Mountains. He had infringed upon their lands and now would have to pay the price for such sacrilege. The leader of the tribe Haresh Nakoutin challenged Ruhn for supremacy. Ruhn accepted believing that he would easily take the tribe down. They faced each other just north on the coast near Mount Sorrows. That evening, the two met in greeting prior to bloodshed in the morning. Facing each other, Ruhn could not help but make a foolish bet. In ringing and beautiful tones, he declared that if he could hide the mighty coastline from sight by morning, his forces would get the first strike. Believing themselves supreme and the tribe weak in the mind, they agreed. That morning, a fog thicker than sandstorms filled the air, hiding everything from sight. Felled by their own arrogance, the warriors of Haresh Nakoutin attacked breaking the deal. A deafening crack and boom filled the air, felling all to their knees. All but Ruhn. He alone remained true to Tyrannos, and he answered his servitude of so many seasons by lifting him above all others. The tales and legends continue to follow his exploits as he became the God of Trickery.
Those that listen to the prattle of words are seeking wisdom, an insightful answer borne from a puzzle of images and ideas. They will sit and listen and spend their lives like so many coppers at the bar. It is only after they hear the tale and think on it that they realize their coppers are exactly what have been lightened from their burdens rather than the pesky problem they asked the question about in the first place.
