The Father God

The giant bear charged ahead of the army, sweeping soldiers aside with its great paws. Reaching the army’s rear flank, the bear leaped above their spears and landed atop the enemy fortress. The stone walls shuddered and cracked beneath the its massive bulk. Stones shook free of the high towers and walls quaked and collapsed. High upon the creature’s back stood hundreds of people bathed in heavenly fire, staring down upon their Mortal followers. A cheer rose among the armies of Urzar and their enemies fled into the mountains.

Identity

• Title(s) – The Father God
• Influence – Fatherhood, Leadership, Rule
• Appearance – A bearded man with figures climbing through his hair and standing in the palms of his hands. He sometimes appears as a bear, with figures standing on his back.

Attributions

• Symbol – Hand holding a crumbling stone
• Focus – A bundle of small statuettes
• Color(s) – Black
• Element – Earth
• Animal – Bear

Cult

• Center of Worship – City of Urzar, Jadaktha
• Scriptures –
• Leader –
• Priesthood –
• Orders –
• Aspects –
• Touched –
• Holy Days –
• Friends –
• Enemies –
• Sayings –

Introduction

The history of the Urzar is filled with epic tales of Gardaz leading armies into battle, or appearing at crucial points to win the day. The inclusion of the god’s “exploits” into historical accounts has served to obscure many details from these early events. While historians may wish to know the names of commanders and generals who led the Urzar armies to victory after victory, they are left with only tales of Gardaz’s great triumphs. Dwürdèni accounts of one battle tell how Urzar slaves excavated a giant paw print upon a battlefield as a sign to those that would follow that Gardaz had walked among them.

History

The origin of Gardaz stems from the First Migration. The Urzàryr believed that the Father God carried them from a “hidden land” to the shores of southern Lyrast. Early versions of this tale suggested that the “hidden land” was another world. Later discoveries and explorations of Emer have suggested a different source. The Great Bear led his people along the coasts of the Ancient Land and showed them where to build their cities, drop their nets, sow their seeds, and mine for ore. It was told, that as the Yr civilization prospered, Gardaz watched and guided their progress from among them, disguised in the form of skilled teachers and wise men. All discoveries were attributed to his divine guidance, rather than the ingenuity of Mortal men.

By the time of the Second Migration, the duties of Gardaz had been distributed among dozens of demi-gods. Many of the demi-gods’ names and achievements have been lost to history. These figures rode on the back of the immense Great Bear, both figuratively and literally. Most of these demi-gods (i.e, Riders) are believed to have been Mortals through whom Gardaz had worked miracles. As the Yrūn spread, the Temple recognized the importance to enfranchise peripheral populations by promoting local heroes and holy men to Rider status. In this way, the pantheon grew as people migrated farther and farther afield. Over time, the pantheon of Gardaz became so large, that adherents on the western coast were worshiping a different cast of demi-gods than those to the east. Through all these changes, the Father God remained constant. In the east, the Cult survived until the arrival of Jul and the Cult of the Child. When the eastern Temple of Gardaz fell, the Cult fragmented across the breadth of Lyrast. Each unique pantheon transformed to fulfill the needs and beliefs of the local faithful, and the identity of Gardaz was recreated again and again, with a hundred different names.

Legend

The origin of Gardaz can only be guessed. Precious few stories have survived from this early time. In addition to a scarcity of Yrūni records, the Dwürden did not feel the need to record the changing mythologies of Mortals. What can be gathered from artifacts, murals, and mosaics is that Gardaz was a variably-sized man that could transform into a giant bear, presumably at will. Despite this defining ability, it is not widely held that Gardaz was a Werrid. The connection has been occasionally made by smaller Cults. The relationship between Gardaz and bears can be found in most extant depictions of the god.

A tablet discovered in the ruins of Urzar tells of an ancient battle between Gardaz and the Azgū Nagul. The story tells of a nameless city that was attacked by monsters, descended from the night sky on the ends of dark tendrils. The monsters landed throughout the city and appeared to all that witnessed their arrival, to be asleep. When word of the shadowy creatures spread through the city, the populace panicked and began to flee. Their screams awakened the Azgū Nagul (i.e., Nightfallen) who then began to attack and feed. Gardaz, answering the prayers of the temple priests, emerged from nearby hills, transforming into a giant bear and attacking the invaders. The Azgū Nagul turned from their chases to engage the god, swarming over his giant form and pulling him to the ground. When all seemed lost, the bear erupted with unearthly fire and a dozen burning figures emerged from his body to fight the monsters back. Cowering before the holy fire, the Hosts of Gardaz beat back the Azgū Nagul, chasing them from the city. When the city was clear, the Hosts returned to the crippled bear and climbed back into its giant form. Strengthened, Gardaz then retreated to the hills.

The Cult

The Cult of Gardaz revolved around a central temple in the City of Urzar. Lesser temples were located in most cities throughout the Urzàri Empire. Outside of these cities, the Cult was composed of monastic enclaves where devoted worshipers spent their lives in prayer, study, and service to their local communities. These monks were well-educated and served as regional judges, scientists, and mentors. The most accomplished and respected monks were given positions at city temples where they could administer the Cult’s financial affairs and oversee recruitment efforts. Acolytes were dispatched to regional monasteries, completing the cycle.

The Priesthood

Priests and monks of Gardaz must have been immediately apparent to the people of Urzar due to the practice of leaving their hair and beards uncut and unkempt. Females were not permitted within the Orders of the Cult.

Daily Activities

The Early Empire monks of Gardaz worked within their communities as artisans and teachers. Their duty was to support and uplift those around them. A monk might be the local blacksmith, miller, or doctor in towns that could support such a position. As the centuries passed, these roles changed. The priests were seen in a different light. They worked in stone temples away from the eyes of the common folk. Their duties were to learn and appease the will of the gods and the world’s great and mysterious powers. For these reasons the priests were both revered and feared, for the belief was that all that dealt with magic were corrupted by it. As the centuries moved forward, there became less differences between the priests and monks. Both became subject to excesses and oddly susceptible to mysterious mental instabilities. This corruption of the priesthood led to a shift in public opinion and paved the way for elevation of Jul.

Holy Days and Rituals

Toward the end of the Urzàri Empire, the calendar was filled with holidays, celebrations, and rituals. Today, some of these events are known by name only, as the identities and accomplishments of the demi-gods, heroes, and touched that they honored have been long lost. From descriptions of the Great Temple at Urzar, it can be surmised that the Cult of Gardaz performed animal sacrifices. There are a handful of stories retelling how enemies would be bound together after battle and offered to Gardaz upon huge pyres.

Places of Worship

There are many references to the Great Temple of Gardaz, though no illustrations or plans of the structure have survived the Ages. The temple is believed to have stood at the center of Urzar at the crux of four long plazas that divided the city into quarters. Each approach ended in a wide staircase that led to an elaborate colonnade that encircled the central temple. At each corner was set a wide brazier where animal sacrifices could be offered during holidays and ceremonies. Within the colonnade a massive stone dome rose above the city, the largest of the ancient Yrūni world. The dome was reportedly decorated with elaborate mosaics detailing scenes from the legends of Gardaz.

Nomenclature: Gardaz Dekàlic: Gardaz (god), Gardàzi (pertaining to), Gardàzyn (follower), Gardàzyr (followers), Pryn Gardaz (priest), Pryr Gardaz (priests)