The peoples of Ganedan differ from one another in many ways, but this difference is most obvious in their spiritual beliefs. Each race has doctrines that date back to the dawn of recorded history, all equally plausible in the eyes of the open-minded observer. Conflicts have been known to occur between believers, but we gnomes have our own ideas and are content to merely study and document what we observe. As such, I have compiled information on cyclops beliefs in what I plan to be the first of seven treatises on spirituality, one for each of the seven major races of Ganedan.
Cyclops female
The beliefs of the cyclops people are quite fascinating, based around a huge pantheon of god-heroes who are all believed to have once been mortal cyclopes who ascended to divinity during some long forgotten age. There are scores of recognized god-heroes throughout the north, but I will specifically discuss only a selection of the most prevalent.
The warrior king Krushok is considered by many to be the greatest of all cyclops god-heroes. He wields the massive staff "Wrauga-tor", or Pillar of Glory, and is depicted as the epitome of cyclops perfection. An incredible string of accomplishments have been attributed to his name, including great feats of combat as well as establishment of the current day capital city of Krushok Meir . According to legend, there is no battle Krushok cannot win nor is there a challenge he cannot conquer.
Krushok's twin sons, Ordeg and Jekard, are also widely renowned amongst cyclopes. When Krushok Meir became large enough, Krushok sent his sons out into the world to tame the wilds and expand his kingdom. Ordeg, who is the slightly older of the two, conquered the western territory. He is most often depicted as somewhat short for a cyclops, but very broad, and always with his oversized harpoon “Garradun”, the Sky Render, in hand. Jekard, who is often pictured as tall and lean by cyclops standards, expanded his father's territory into the east. His signature weapon is called “Kroth-Kallun”, the World-Breaker, which is an over-sized hammer that is said to have the power to shatter continents.
The first known female god-hero is Takana, a great general and legendary tactician. She wields "Ykaht", the Blade of Doom, a two-handed sword that is never completely clean of blood. She ripped “Ykaht” from the heart of the great God-slayer Girdahk as they battled on the edge of the underworld.
Another female god-hero of note is Korana the Huntress. She is credited with great knowledge of the world and its beasts and is said to have hunted every creature that has ever existed, or ever will exist. She even went so far as to capture a bolt of lightning mid-stroke and uses it as a javelin she named "Tathk", the Heartstriker.
Gorumaal, also known as the Reckoner, represents the ultimate ideal of honor amongst the cyclops people. He is incorruptible and unwavering in his decisions. In his right hand, he wields a forward-curving sword called "Arakg", or Judgment, in his left a heavy mace called "Zekrd", or Punishment. |
|
One of the few cyclops mages, Moruk is dark and mysterious, yet honorable in his actions. However, there is much suspicion on the origins of his power. He wields a runic staff named "Brudenklar", the Soul Wreath, which constantly generates globes of dark power. These globes float around Moruk and protect him from harm.
The healer Rethess ended the Crimson Plague by assembling a cure composed of ingredients from the four corners of the world and personally distributing it all across the north. Notoriously emotionless, she wields a staff called "Ilkiss", the Spiritwarden, made of ice from the heart of the deepest glacier.
Kothuul is a noble paladin warrior whose dedication to the good of his people knows no limit. He bears the longsword “Quotha”, splinter of the world's heart, given him by Krushok, and the healing shield “Gradikai”, which was forged from the skull plate of an ice titan and tempered with every drop of blood Kothuul has ever selflessly shed.
Considered to be the most beautiful of cyclops, Tharssa the barbarian goddess was raised to divinity to be with Kothuul after she faced him in battle and clove through his magical breastplate. In so doing, she absorbed its power into her axe. In her hands, "Clagmah" the Inevitable, shines like the sun and can cut through anything. While the two are considered inseparable, Tharssa remains fiercely independent.
Gremaug is depicted as a being of pure physical power. He fights with his bare fists and is said to have wrestled titans into submission. He wields no weapons, but wears a leather jerkin, “Lurdekah”, made from the hide of the First Behemoth. “Lurdekah” allows him to move as fast as the wind.
Like Moruk, the rogue Rathaal is somewhat atypical for a cyclops. His most famous deeds are always subtle, overly complicated endeavors involving great cunning, guile and dramatic flair. Rathaal is both bane and boon to his fellow god-heroes and is said to have assisted and conflicted with most of the pantheon. No matter what form he takes, he always carries "Tun-Kaladher", the Weeping Eye, his flaming short sword.
Cyclops male
While all god-heroes are venerated as divinities, they are considered to exist in a state that is not entirely removed from mortality. Through the achievement of great deeds, every cyclops aspires to someday prove worthy to join the pantheon and live on in legend and song after death. Thus, rather than being immeasurably beyond those who revere them, the god-heroes serve more as the personification of cyclops ideals.
- Kitterwen, Chief Historian of Ignilly University |
