Kharahk

Kharahk is the Lord of the Aldarine, Creator of Men, Forger of the Stars, and Master of Elements. The first of the Aldarine to be birthed in the Dissolution of the One True God, Kharahk bound the Primeval Chaos and set the limits of the World and the Sky. Kharahk has four brothers, birthed shortly after him Kethlim, Sorath, Ahluhmah, and the Black One. Kethlim, Sorath, and Ahluhmah were birthed by the positive flux of the Primeval Chaos, while the Black One partook of the Agony of the Great Void (although Ahluhmah sensed the pain of the Void and was moved by it). Seeing that he Must bring Order out of Chaos, Kharahk brought into existence the Elemental Kings and their Sister-wives, the Elemental Goddeses. The Four Kings were tainted by the Agony, however and came to bring great grief to the World. In time, Kharahk did battle with the Kings, defeating them and binding them away from man and god alike. Afterwards he took the Four Goddesses as his own wives and they have served him faithfully.

Kharahk is also said to have forged the stars and set them in the heavens that the gods might have some means of communicating with their followers upon the Earth. Kharahk gave dominion over the movements of the stars to his bother Kethlim.

Following: Worship of Kharahk is very strong in the cities, especially in the capitols. All new construction requires a special foundation stone blessed by the Temple of Kharahk. Those who dwell away from the cities will often have a hearth-stone or central flagstone similarly blessed. Kharahk is worshipped by artists, craftsmen, and kings alike. Within the Temple, all worshippers are considered equal in the eyes of Kharahk.

Manifestation: Kharahk generally manifests as a tall human male with flowing black hair, fair complexion, and piercing, gold-pupiled,blue eyes. Kharak is usually garbed in black, wears no armor, and bears a fine longsword at his hip. Kharahk wears intricatly carved bracers, encrusted with fantastic jewels which have power over the elements. Kharahk may give these jewels to those he especially favors.

No object constructed by men of any humanoid can harm Kharahk. Any such device or object used against him crumbles to dust upon contact.

Kharahk is siad to know the purpose, use, and history of any crafted object simply by gazing upon it.

Temples: Temples are always built upon a height in the open. Temples consists of 12 circles of 30 columns, open to the sky. The area, height, construction, and materials of the columns determine the importance and stature of the Temple. The columns are aligned to the points of the compass and to the rising and setting of the sun, the moons, and the thrones. No images of the deity are ever present in the Temple, although the symbol of 12 stars is not uncommon.

The central area of the Temple is open, the center normally a raised dias from which priests conduct ceremonies. Worshippers, both common and noble, mingle with the lesser priests in the central area during services.

It is said that in the height of the Solanran Empire, the Emperor commissioned a fantastic Temple, set upon a truncated mountain-top (modified for the purpose), and the that columns were of solid Platinum, encusted with sapphires, the flags, slabs of blue crystal, and the altar a single star sapphire larger than a man.

Priests of Kharahk dwell apart from the Temples within grand craft-halls and make a progression to the Temple beating small drums, tambors, and chimes to summon worshippers. Services are generally conducted at noon, although special ceremonies may be held at dawn, dusk, or midnight.

The highest Office of the priesthood of Kharahk is known has the Quincux. It consists of the most elevated of the male priests of Kharahk and a representative from each of the Temples of Ghorah, Sheevh, Karzhah, and Murahl. The five are bound in a sacred marriage in the image of Kharahk and the Four Elemental Goddesses.