The traditional god of the Dragon's Claw Canyon is named Javen. He
is described below, following the format used in Faiths & Avatars.
Javen
Greater God, NG
| Portfolio: |
Creation, Salvation, Everything |
| Aliases: |
Eldanath the Gardener (elves), Mar-Kithon Stoneforger (dwarves),
Windwave Everstream (halflings), Eth Molen (gnomes) |
| Foes: |
Zovel |
| Symbol: |
Black unicorn, golden chalice |
| Wor. Align.: |
Any good |
Javen (JAY-ven) is the sole deity worshiped by the humans, elves, dwarves,
gnomes, and halflings of the Dragon's Claw Canyon. He is a benevolent
protector, said to be creator of the world and indeed, the whole universe.
Javen created the humanoid races to be his companions, and created the
world as their paradise. In his eternal conflict with the evil being
known as Lord Zovel (zoe-VELL), Javen has struggled to protect his mortal
companions from the manipulations of the evil one.
The Black Unicorn
The black unicorn is the only known avatar of Javen. This creature
was long thought to be simply a legend, but in the years since the coming
of Night it has been sighted on many occasions by individuals of pure
hearts and honest intentions. It is a beautiful and mysterious creature
of lustrous black, its horn a gleaming obsidian spiral and its hooves
like polished black marble. The only thing that might mar its beautiful
appearance is an angry red scar behind its left shoulder blade, as if
the creature had been deeply wounded by a spear.
The Church
Worship of Javen is strictly forbidden under the rule of Night, but
the church continues to operate undercover, with clerics ministering
to the faithful in secret and at the risk of their lives.
In the times before the coming of Night, Javen was worshiped openly
in cathedrals, churches, and country chapels throughout the Dragon's
Claw Canyon. These structures were usually made of stone with beautiful
adornment, and included extensive libraries, even in the smallest communities.
Now, Javen's faithful are most likely to meet in hidden caves, subterranean
crypts, or darkened homes to avoid discovery by the agents of Night.
Clerics are known as Stewards, reflecting the notion that they are caretakers
of the followers of Javen, ministering his care to them. They are addressed
as Brother or Sister.
Dogma: Life is a conflict between the forces of good (Javen
with the celestials and mortals that serve him) and the forces of evil
(Zovel and his fiends, along with mortals who have chosen to reject
Javen). The forces of evil do all in their power to win mortals to their
sidethrough seduction, influence, violence, and the spread of
warand, when that fails, to make mortal life miserable, through
illness, poisonous animals, and evil humanoids. The mortal races are
inextricably caught up in this cosmic battle between good and evilthey
are, in fact, its battleground.
Triumph in this battle will ultimately rest with Javenthis, at
least, is the teaching of Javen's church. But the victory is won through
paradoxical means: according to the church, life comes from dying. The
black unicorn bears a scar behind its shoulder because it was killed,
yet now it lives and Javen gives life through it. Followers of Javen,
too, are said to "die" to their old life, "die"
to all evil influence, and live a new life in the church.
Day-to-Day Activities: Stewards are often involved in organizing
resistance to Night, or at least in managing the day-to-day affairs
of the human communities of the Dragon's Claw Canyon, struggling to
stem the tide of betrayal, injustice, and evil that seems to spread
outward from Night's palace in Avamere. These clerics could virtually
all be considered adventuring priests, since their daily existence is
literally a struggle for survival and always carries the risk of discovery
and execution.
Holy Days/Important Ceremonies: The calendar of the church is
a strongly linked to the agricultural cycle of the year. Religious observances
are held on the new year and with every new moon, at harvest time, and
to celebrate the arrival of spring. There is also a day of purification,
when the sin of the community of believers is externalized and driven
out onto the tablelands. The elaborate rituals that used to mark all
of these important days are no longer practiced openly, of course, but
the days are still commemorated in smaller and more secret ceremonies.
Major Centers of Worship: Avamere used to be a holy city as
well as a politically important one. The fabulous Cathedral of the Golden
Chalice stood right beside the High King's palace in that city, but
it was destroyed and desecrated with the arrival of Night. Many holy
relics are believed to lie within the ruins of the Cathedral.
Affiliated Orders: The Knights of the Chalice, the High King's
elite military force, was organized as a religious order affiliated
with the church of Javen. Its members, though not all paladins of course,
lived under a religious rule, and were required to maintain the highest
standards of morality and courage. The Knights survive, but in very
few numbers, doubly banned (as political agitators and followers of
the old religion) under the régime of Night.
Priestly Vestments: In performing ritual functions, Stewards
wear elaborate vestments, including robes, stoles, and chasubles.
Adventuring Garb: Outside of ritual occasions, Stewards do their
best to appear as ordinary citizens, not distinguished by their clothing
or appearance in any way.
