The Distant Trinity
March 9, 1762 AG
Concerning the Gods pt. 3
The “Distant” Trinity.
Named such because of their association with celestial bodies and the fact that, to be quite frank, they do far less meddling than many of the other gods. In theory, at least. I personally find it far more likely they are just better at covering their tracks.
Unlike the Three, the Distant Trinity are not worshiped together, and they have relatively small official followings. The Veren especially hold them in high regard due to their astrological associations, but they enjoy a fair amount of casual worship from others as well (Kaldor aside, but I’ll touch on him later).
There’s a whole legend about eclipses and Kaldor chasing Vin and whatnot, but it’s not worth recounting here except to note its existence. It is not Vin whom Kaldor chases.
Mark of Vin
Vin
Also called the Lady of Light, the Bright Lady, and Lady Luck, Vin is appropriately associated with… well, light and luck. Along with light, the day falls under her purview, and games and gambling are closely aligned with luck. A deity of good and freedom who nonetheless reveres chaos. Interestingly, she is more commonly worshiped for her association with luck and games rather than her position as the goddess of all that is good and bright. Her astrological association is the sun, and this does seem to be her strongest domain, people’s love for luck notwithstanding.
There is the occasional temple to Vin but less formal shrines are far more common, especially near casinos. Altars to her must be continuously lit or they lose her blessing and must be re-purified. Offerings can be fruit, dice, coins, cards, basil, items made of gold, wreaths, cornucopias, and rabbits (or rabbit items, such as feet). Most people make offerings to her when they need a little extra luck (gamblers revere her to the highest degree), but it’s also common to ask her for good weather.
She is also often invoked as a means to ward off Kaldor, her opposite. In a time when monsters were more common, paladins of Vin went on quests to clear out nests or slay particularly problematic ones. This practice has faded for obvious reasons, but I would not be surprised if there were still paladins of Vin on the other continents, or wherever monsters still hold significant territory.
The continent of Vien is named for her, though I can’t find any sources explaining why. Perhaps there is some deeper connection with the Braar?
Apparently she is nicknamed “Sunny” by her priests? I have been unable to confirm this either. Her temples are all but absent from Romanii. Small wonder; Vampires hold little love for the sun.
Mark of Chatori
Chatori
The Trickster, the Gray Lord. The fulcrum between Vin and Kaldor. True neutrality. God of twilight and stars, sleep and dreams, chaos, luck, risk, and adventure. He alone I believe truly leaves people to their own devices; such is his nature… except when it’s not.
There are no grand temples to Chatori. There are only small shrines occasionally tended to by his wandering priests. Shrines to Chatori used to be exceedingly common at crossroads, but many have disappeared with the rise of motorized transportation. Very old bars and taverns may also have a small shrine to him, as he is popular with travelers – specifically, those traveling for the sake of adventure, or for the journey itself. Offerings include crystals and pretty stones, dice, baked goods in the shape of animals, glitter, wild flowers, foxes and fox-related items, and grains.
While both Vin and Chatori share the domain of luck, Vin leans more toward games and gambling, whereas Chatori is more risk and danger-flavored. Sometimes people do make offerings to both to cover all bases. It certainly can’t hurt, and it’s not like these two deities are opposed to each other.
The continent of Chatorin is named for him. Also called the Darklands, one might think the association should be with Kaldor, but it is a land of chaos and order, dark and light – it’s just that contact was lost with them for most peoples long, long ago. I only have a vague idea of it because two members of my order are there now. Most who find their way to that continent find it nearly impossible to return due to… ah… issues in the surrounding seas.
A problem that is thankfully not mine to deal with.
Mark of Kaldor
Kaldor
The Three each hold a dichotomy of good and evil within themselves, but the Distant Trinity are not the same; instead each represents a different moral code of sorts. Vin is good and noble; Chatori is neutral, the flip of a coin.
As such, Kaldor is evil.
He has many titles. Some are cliche (“the Dark Lord” must be the laziest of them, though then again our own Goddess is occasionally “the Dark Lady”, which… is an unfortunate coincidence), some more creative (“the Discordant Shadow” is one of my personal favorites), but few are spoken aloud in polite company. It is never wise to draw his attention. His domains are the dark, the night, and the moon; nightmares and the void; control, persistence, and discord. Though it was Nyx who created many of the monsters in our world, it is Kaldor who is blamed for their evil deeds. I am unsure whether or not he actually is to blame, but he doesn’t seem to mind taking it either way.
There are temples to Kaldor out there, but none in the open. They are hidden away in dark places, and who knows what foul things happen there. Those who worship him have been caught doing all manner of things – cannibalism, corruption of holy ground, evil magics, sacrifice of other people, etc. Offerings include large amounts of money or blood, sacrifice of animals or persons, spellcraft and complicated rituals, wine, and milk. I’ve been told to avoid priests of Kaldor at all costs – apparently they act weirdly around priests of Hades.
The continent of Kaldon is named for him. I am uncertain what the people of Zhong Guo think of this; perhaps I should ask Daiyu.
Rumor has it that Daemorn, the sorcerer responsible for the demonic Abomination a thousand years ago, was an adherent of Kaldor, but Ebryn Stormlight killed him without confirming. I personally find it unlikely; not even Kaldor approves of Abomination.
General Thoughts
Unlike the Three, who are dual by nature, each of the Distant Trinity is very singular in focus. While this seems like it should make them simpler to understand, something tells me to believe that is a mistake. Singular in focus does not equate to one-dimensional.
And it’s never a good idea to assume that you have complete understanding of any god.
-Ander 3/9/62
