Evitrix

Introduction

"Ahhh yes you again, come to ask for my Aid..."

The Goddess of War, Tact, and Craft indeed, many among Atharen hail her for their own. While some may think of her as a simple warlord's Goddess she is that and so much more. Think of the fighting couple who can't come to an agreement, or the smith who is making his finest sword, or even the child who wants to stick up to the neighborhood bullies. All could pray to an effigy or place a fine token upon her statue in reverie for this Goddess. As a person, Evitrix is neutral and a perfectionist-- always striving for balance through her cunning means. As what is the point of War if not to tip the scales in your favor? What is Craft if not perfecting the most balanced and honed item? With Tact one would need to know their opponent and know when to strike, a balancing act of the finest degree. No, this one doesn't act with chaotic energy, she moves her pawns when the time is poignant.

History

It is said Evitrix was once Venadak's sword, the most perfect sword ever crafted. Semi-sentient she would give Venadak advice when he needed, reigning over Atharen by light at his side. At the time her light shown across Atharen as a beacon of hope. Before she became the Sword during the Age of Lost Time she was an unstoppable force sweeping the nation whispering in the ears of the people what she thought was best for the nation in the form of her ilegitamet children, the Oracles. Evitrix was prominent early on in meddling in the affairs of mortals. For a time she was bathed in fear as it seemed any place her feet would touch war would break out and blood would stain the soil. Those who won hailed her greatly while the losers and the subjugated cowered in fear at her visage. She took the Oath to Venadak who bested her in a sword match in which instead of dying she swore her life to him and was inducted into the Sword. Trapped there like lightning in a bottle and staying until the corruption broke her Free.

Due to the Bleeding she was released from her coil in the Sword, ripped free from the corruption which over took her Master. A being of pure light and faith to her Master she was not touched by the corruption. She had a choice upon her birth to allow herself to become corrupted and return to her Master's side or to flee immediately before the corruption effected her. Instead of following him to Bel she remained in Muid to hold order over the wars of the mortals. A solemn promise to him even now that she will uphold his vision for Atharen. War, you see, isn't something to be taken lightly and she has no love for mortals slain. For those warring sides who pray to her, she holds no penance over winners or losers and takes no bets or bribes for winning.

Evitrix being such a recent God none of the others in the pantheon truly know her well, but they recognize her domain and know her as the mighty sword which Venadak once wielded. She is treated something of a novelty among the other Gods and Goddesses, not dismissed but more like a curiosity. This has lent her to follow somewhat in their footsteps with how she approaches the mortals. She does play favorites but remains mostly unseen and heard among the mortals, her whims sometimes even alien to those of the other Gods. During the wars where Radenor split into Four, to the constantly warring Daravin-- it's not hard to see she works with some tact at the least when she works with anyone through her Oracles.

She was there watching the Dranoch overtake the withering Sil'norai and form the Court of Dusk. She was there when Mornoth was turned into a dilapidated shadow of its former self. Evitrix watched solemnly as the ashes of her Master's former world crumbled beneath vile corruption and pain. That was when she took her vow of neutrality, to not meddle and whisper whims to those who would seek "justice" or injustice ultimately. As well it brought her great pain to see the people of Lorien suffer so under the Kindered's rule, to hear their pleas for solidarity from the War Goddess, but there was nothing she would do. She returned to Muid, to the Bare Graves Walk, and has stayed there In the past she would only come out only unless a great ritual is preformed by the Oracles to summon her for guidance. Even then she speaks no true words, only riddles and veils, before shortly after disappearing back to her Realm. Sometimes she would copulate with the one asking for her advice and this lead in the past, early and throughout the Age of Industry, to many demigod being created.

Her influence over the world has waned over time, with such an age of certain peace internationally she is mostly unneeded. This is why anymore those who come to her come with usually petty squabbles or blessings towards their craft. As the Goddess of Craft she has quite the reputation among not only smiths and war-machines but also carpenters, writers, painters, and other visionaries. The most recent time she was said to be spotted was for the insane painter Buff, who was a graffiti artist, who painted propaganda against the Kindred and Hollows on certain areas in Lorien. His propaganda which garnered her attention was of a great lizard who had a large, grinning mouth, holding the head of a Hollow. Underneath this visage it said, "UnTil oUR dyiNg BreATH". He was quickly found and almost murdered until, as the story goes, Evitrix herself came down and stopped the Hollows, transporting the painter to who knows where. The Omen of course had much to say while covering up this story, calling it blatant lies and claiming they had truly killed him for his insolence. Still the myth persists to this day although Buff has never been seen again.

One thing left to be said is Evitrix's jealousy for Izonata. You see, the depictions of Izonata with Evitrix's Master, the amount of influence she reigns over, and the sheer fact that she is one with chaos and darkness all have brewed into a long time festering wound to Evitrix's pride. The capricious way Izonata had previously stirred up trouble, in Evitrix's eyes, was like a child holding a smoking gun. Even still she has a certain distain for the skulking ways of Izonata who so standoffish before now seems to be grieving. How could she just leave her siblings alone for so long after the Bleeding and return in a facade of care? Whether or not Izonata cares or not about this slight Evitrix feels remains to be seen.

Depiction

Evtrix is the beautiful Goddess who never reveals her eyes. Her blind depiction, usually by a cloth but also seen as a sword, quill or sometimes a scale, isn't only constant but it's sacrilegious to depict her with her eyes shown. The point being that conflict is a blind ordeal, the winner can never be said until the dust settles and those who pretend to know or take bets on a winner are liars. The other constant being her many arms, sometime four, sometimes six, holding different objects of craft and war. The most obvious thing about her is that she is shown bare or with little clothing, as if she has nothing to hide. Those who pray to her say this is because her skin is stronger than any blade or blow, she needs not a piece of armor or clothing to protect her from any who would attack her. The more philosophical aspect of this is that conflict leaves everyone involved laid bare. None can walk out unscathed or unchanged after great disparity.

As mentioned, in her arms she may be holding objects. The most common of these being a black smith's hammer, a great feathered quill from an owl, a ledger, scales, a sword, and a severed head. Evitrix is usually sculpted into a statue but those who paint her give her lightly colored golden skin and dark hair.

Domains

War, Craft, and Tact being her focus. The rules apply with honor and dignity.

War- Her whims can be a bit dodgy. It's hard to see a clear winner or loser when neither can really be construed as both sides can usually be seen as acting with honor. That being said bloodshed is of no fear to those who pray to this goddess. "The ends justify the means" as some take the adage on to say. Even the actions of a spurned lover are looked upon by Evitrix in favor.

Craft- To make a perfect tool or weapon is held to worshipers of Evitrix in the highest degree. Any blade forged in her name is said to strike with impunity, any cloak to turn any blade. Crafters hail her as the Blade Goddess and try to hone the edges of their swords as she as she.

Tact- To act with the knowledge that you are preforming not an act of kindness necessarily but an act of righteousness for your person is the truest form of tact in her tenants. Knowing to strike when you have the upper hand, to act when the time is right, and to choose your opponent wisely are among some of the tenants of followers of Evitrix.

Influence

Political figures still hail the Oracles for their duties most commonly in Mornoth and the coast of Vividim. Statues and depictions are seen in these places sometimes with a few coins snuck at the feet of the visage.

Dogma

"Good things come to those who wait."

Acting with the most tact and spirit is what's most important to followers of Evitrix. "Justice is blind" being the motto of many they and they act with prudency, knowing all too well that bloodshed is sometimes necessary. Though not a blood-thirsty religion, the most important thing for the War Goddess is acting within good reason. Why should one subjugate the other and not to mention, only the utmost focus can hone a noteworthy blade.

Notable Religious Factions

Oracles

Those who spew false information about the future. Because her influence has waned, Evitrix no longer actually speaks through her Oracles at all, period. Oracles are paid by certain dignitaries, merchants, and even wealthy commoners in Mornoth to predict outcomes, but their prowess anymore is nothing other than a simple fortune teller's words. They live even still a pious life following in Evitrix' footsteps and sometimes take to wandering as a pilgrimage to become concubines' to certain wealthy people who desire consistent advice. They drive a hefty fee.

Bare Graves Mile

Bare Graves Mile is a vast wasteland where the dust never settles. The air smells dank with copper and metal, while a long winding road stretches out seemingly infinitely in front of you. For as far as the eye can see on either side there are hills and sword grave markers. Said to be hand crafted by Evitrix herself each sword represents a fallen person who was fighting with honor. As you walk through the hills and the graves eventually a large castle fortress will appear. It's seen by the vast smoke billowing up from the smithies and the large moat around it. It's made from white marble whose pillars are high and circular with white and gold ribbons tied to the top. The fires inside are always stoked and there are several workshops within its halls. The building is so beautiful inside, hung in minimalist style are coats of arms, with knight's armor dotting the halls.

Demigods

Evitrix has few demigods but those who are of her have a certain flair for being persuasive. They pick up a craft or a weapon quicker than any other person in a group. They can be more than averagely attractive and charming individuals. Even with their beguiling sensibility they aren't always driven with honor as some don't even know who their mother truly is. She had in the past a penchant for sleeping with nobles, as well. Placing many of them in the upper echelons of society. While the numbers of her illegitimate children have nearly all dwindled there remain a few older demigods of Evitrix around the world.