Votaries of the Sight
This cult is dedicated to the minor god known only as the Seer. His followers are some of the few who are fully aware of the deity's legend and how he came to be as he is now. They are devoted to the Seer almost to a fault and will go about sowing what he has guided them to sow, in the interest of upholding the balance of the world. While his followers are typically peaceful people, they are sometimes driven to great lengths in order to properly balance the world, as even evil acts can be necessary in the grander scope of things. For them, balance trumps morality. The Seer's following has existed for roughly two centuries now, but it has yet to grow as large as the religions of the major gods, and is likely to remain as such. Nonetheless, the Votaries have spread across the world, setting up their small usually wooden, or tent-based, settlements in caves or near particularly clear bodies of water.
While there are rumors of them here and there, the world's general populace knows little about the Votaries and their patron deity, the Seer. As such, the Seer's followers are typically regarded either with caution or disdain as they do not follow under the stars of any major god, and instead differ to one that most consider of no consequence.
A Votary's Tenants
--Whenever possible, keep the Seer's peace--
This tenant calls for the Seer's followers to not incite conflict or argument unless it is necessary or unavoidable. He does not fault them when conflict is incited beyond their control, though he does reward them for trying to stop such when it is not his intention.
--Usher forth only balance--
A rather vague tenant, this one has to do with, well, seeing to the balancing of the world's scales. It requires much forethought and a deep consideration of the consequences of one's own actions. An understanding of the ripple, or butterfly effect, is often employed.
--Seek not to abuse knowledge or squander power--
Rather straightforward in its nature, this tenant proclaims that the Seer's votaries are not to use knowledge to commit acts that are purely for malicious ends. If these actions are however, dictated by the Seer than such is a different story. In regards to power, his followers are to only use it when necessary, if ever. It is not to be used for personal gain, as that is considered unimportant.
Ascendency and the Seer's Legend
In life, the Seer was, but a humble and devout follower of the Twins. He respected his peers and fellow man, often bringing peace and tranquility where he went. He was, all in all, a virtuous, peaceful man. However, there was always something about him which stirred those who met him. Perhaps it was the far away look in his kind eyes, or the abnormally graceful gait he set, his feet almost seeming to never touch the ground.
He kept his faith all his life and served the twins well, tending towards the Mediator more than his brother, but nonetheless acknowledging the Trickster's path as well. At times he would play subtle tricks on those who happened upon his path, and inadvertently the dominoes fell and events would transpire.
Still, none seemed able to ordain how he did it, he was merely a humble vagabond, right?
Wrong, for this vagabond had been born with a unique gift. He had been born with an ability to understand the existence which he'd been created in. It was a practiced talent, one he had grown over his many years and while a mixture of awe and fear were exercised subtly by those who had heard of him, he never abused his sway over people. He of course made mistakes and sometimes his intentions were skewed, or his actions would lead not where he had wished, but instead in much darker directions.
Still, he did not withdrawing, seeking to serve the Twins as best he could –and so he trudged on. Adversity surrounded him, but still there were those who admired him and his devotion to the gods. Religious men could not help, but look upon him with respect...but nobles were different.
They could not explain his abilities and so men were sent for him. When they returned they were unharmed, but appeared in a daze. They told their lords that they had encountered a pack of bloodthirsty wargs, and been saved by the very man who they had been sent to capture. Yet, knowing what they intended, he had healed them of their wounds and even supplied them with what little food he had on his person.
In their gratitude they had not noticed when he slipped away on their way back to the fort.
The lords were of course not at all pleased by this and so they proclaimed the man a criminal. For months posters were put up, and the authorities riled to search the hills for the man. Nonetheless, he was never apprehended.
Instead, on the sixth month after the proclamation had been made, he entered the court of the king and with a smile turned himself in. For many years the lord kept him in his service, attempting to use the alleged prophet's talents for his own ends. All was well, but in the heavens the Twin's laughed at the lord's antics.
On the sixth year of his service all the ventures which the prophet had assisted the lord in, fell to shambles. His lands crumbled around him, and eventually he was ousted from the throne as a tyrant –for the people had not known that the prophet assisted him.
When he was discovered by the citizenship, he was freed from the dungeons of the wicked lord's fortress, and led out into the world again. Throughout he had held the same knowing smile upon his slender lips, and dancing in his joyful silver eyes.
Unfortunately, he was not to live much longer and so, after only seven more years, the prophet died, and he was mourned well, both by those who respected and those who feared him. He had been a great man, and so his departure from the world was duly noted.
In truth though, his journey never ended, for as he stepped beyond death's door, he was beckoned into the realm beyond. The Twins offered the mortal a chance to continue serving them, saying that his life had greatly amused them, and furthermore that he had been quite useful. Pleased, overjoyed, and overwhelmed, the prophet acquiesced and so became the Seer. Strangely, it is said that the prophet did not request he become what the Twin's made him, but rather simply agreed as it was their wish.
He was faithful to them and their intentions even when his body had been laid to rest, such was his devotion. A man such as him is rare, they say.
However, while this story ends here, the Seer's legacy lives on in his followers. Who knows, maybe the prophet's hand shall yet make its mark on history.
The Seer: A minor god who has forsaken his name, the Seer can be considered lawful neutral in that he always seeks to maintain the balance of the mortal world and its inhabitants. Nonetheless, the seer advocates free will and choice very heavily, tending to guide its followers only subtly or when necessary. The Seer's realm of influence is that of understanding and knowledge of the greater picture, in this way he could be considered the God of Observation, Knowledge, and/or Understanding. The gifts this god can bestow are reserved for only the most devout of his followers, as any other is beyond his influence entirely. While the major gods can bestow a variety of gifts within a certain aspect, the Seer is only capable of bestowing three, one per individual, each being different from the last.
The gifts are referred to as follows: The Touch of Ether, Spirit's Light, and The Sight.
Gifts of the Seer
The Touch of Ether:
This gift is, more often than not, awarded to two devout followers who are wed, or have a child after they have proven their faith to the Seer. The Touch of Ether sacrifices the child's physical sight to instead allow them a more subtle vision. This vision allows them, instead of seeing the material world as other's do, the blessed one sees the magical energies and forces, which are typically beyond the scope of mortals. However, true to its name, the Touch of Ether has one other aspect to it; the gifted's sense of touch is linked to their sight and their magical acuity is greatly heightened.
This gives the bestowed a stronger connection to the flow of magical energy in the world, and an almost innate understanding of its nature. Still, while the bestowed is now able to perceive the flow of magic in the world, they are unable to accurately define the physical in any normal capacity and furthermore they can be taken by the thrall of magic if they are not careful. However, if properly managed, it can become quite a boon, often for the bestowed and Seer both.
Spirit's Light:
With the bestowed typically going mute because of this gift, it can sometimes be difficult to understand its nature. However, what Spirit's Light bestows on the chosen is rather intriguing for, simply put, it allows the individual to sense the realm of those who have passed on. The bestowed can communicate with the dead, and can also see the light of the living, a light which, in a rough sense, defines how much longer they may live. However, in return for thee sacrifice of their ability to communicate, the holder of the light has a unique alteration to their spirit, if you will. Much like a cleric, or healer, the light holder can heal others using what could be equated to divine energy. However, rather than it be truly divine, this essence comes from the holder's own spirit, much like a mage, but has been altered so that it closely resembles a divine light. To those who can sense magic, a holder will feel or look incredible overwhelming, no matter their build or talent.
However, in return, holders cannot wield any magic which is not defensive or healing in nature, with no exceptions. Furthermore, the holder is not allowed to take a life, and should they do so their gift will leave them, though their voice will never return. This punishment is given to stop the holder from abusing their abilities, as the light from their soul makes them impervious to most magic, and can easily make others favor them. It takes a very humble soul to earn the Spirit's Light, and a responsible one to properly wield it.
The Sight:
Remaining true to the Seer's aspect, the final gift he may bestow is very similar to the one that the ascended human possessed in life prior to his deification. The Sight, quite plainly, allows the bestowed to view the flow of time and the events transposed throughout it. This gift has a variety of possible manifestations though as with some they can only see very short distances into the future, whereas others can see very far into it, allowing for them to prophecize. Nonetheless, no view of the future is permanent as the variables involved are ever changing and in flux. So while they can see the future's possibilities, they have no innate way of knowing whether or not what they see will ever come to pass –though they can become more skilled at ordaining such, just as the Seer did in his time. The sacrifice for the Sight is the ability to access the flow of magic. Some who possess the full breadth of the gift cannot even engage in widespread social interaction, or conflict of any sort. However, many believe it is worth what they give up, for it furthers the Seer's purpose, and thus gives them fulfillment and peace in their own lives, and what more can a person wish for?
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