Hikāru

The Ashen One, The Phoenix of Rebirth, The Undying

Hikāru is the God of the Plane of Ash, a force of unbridled wrath and destruction that paves the way for new growth and life to return stronger than before. Embodying the ever-repeating cycle of life and death, worshipers of Hikāru are often filled with bloodlust and a need to destroy, though there are also those who care for and nurture new life to ensure the cycle continues.

History

Hikāru is ancient, having ascended to their throne on the Plane of Ash when only Jerta remained from the gods of the inner planes at that time. The details of their mortal life are lost to history, though they have a peculiar connection with modern Orcs, despite their evolution over time. Their followers are primarily centered around the barrenlands of Erôth, but many secret sects exist throughout the lands.

The Ashen Throne is theirs still. Hikāru is said to cling to power, finding ways to stay ahead of the inevitable decline, always staying just out of reach of complete oblivion.

Dogma

Deliberate destruction paves the way for rebirth, as the ashes of the old provide fertile ground for the new. Embrace the cycle of life and death, understanding that through decay and desolation, strength and vitality are renewed. Never give up; there is no flight or fight. Hold on and don’t let go. Persistence in the face of adversity is the key to transformation and growth. Destruction is not an end but a beginning, a necessary act to clear the path for what is yet to come.

Tenets of Faith

• Destruction: Clear the land to rebuild.
• Procreation: Live on through those you leave behind.
• Selfishness: Do what’s best for you and you will always come out on top.
• Stubbornness: Stay true to yourself and never waver.

Rituals and Practices

• Cremation: Ritual cremation and scattering of ashes to symbolize rebirth and reincarnation.
• The Games: Gladiatorial games to spill blood and grow stronger through the death of others. Only the strong will return.
• Great Burning: Raze a town or settlement and set it to the torch as an offering to Hikāru for a better next life.

Consequences of Transgression

• Consumed: Transgressors are consumed, their essence taken in so they may never find rebirth.
• Left to Rot: Transgressors are symbolically left to rot and decay.

Worshipers

Worshipers of Hikāru include warriors, shamans, and those who deal with spirits. They seek Hikāru’s guidance to return to life and stave off eternal death, returning as something greater. These followers embrace the duality of destruction and rebirth, understanding that through their devotion, they can transcend their mortal limitations. Whether through acts of war, rituals of renewal, or communing with the spirit world, they aim to harness the god’s power to achieve strength and immortality. Kurruk followers of Hikāru only refer to them as The Ashen One.

Orders and Sects

Oraculli

The Oraculli are those who guide the chosen few, interpreting the will of The Ashen One through visions and prophecies. They are revered as the voices of the god, providing direction and purpose to the faithful in their pursuit of destruction and rebirth.

Rebirth Reapers

Groups of people who travel with armies and raiders, ensuring that once a place is destroyed, it is set up for rebirth. They cleanse the land of the remnants of the past, preparing it for new growth and ensuring the cycle of life and death continues.

The Unending

This sect manipulates spirits in hopes of using them to prolong their own lives, believing that by mastering the ethereal, they can evade the finality of death. They practice dark rituals and binding spells to harness spiritual energy, striving for immortality.