Deva

Devas are a type of angel who serve as mobile scouts for good aligned deities. They are eyes and ears, always searching for signs of aggression or weakness from the other celestial powers.

Gathasic Deva


A proud race descended from angels living on adnas, the gathasic devas (often referred to simply as "devas") possess a strong warrior tradition. Known for their calculating minds and military strategies, these devas commonly dedicate themselves to religious tradition and usually prove to be quite devote.

Devas have a strong sense of pride and are quick to prove themselves. They seek perfection in many skills, almost always including skills at arms.

The Mapal-Sheh

Once the most powerful of the devas, the Gathasics were cast from servitude to Ädnas in an event known as the Mapal-Sheh or Fall-within-Fire. The historical facts behind the incident have become shrouded in myth. The legendary figure Origen was the Gevrah of a powerful celestial force. When he refused to step down from command, a civil war broke out which ended with Origen and the gathasics cast from the higher planes. A set of passages from the Kitapin Hürriyet or Book of Freedom gives some insight;

Origen and his devas were ordered to return to the meeting of the gods in the Sky and the Ferocious Foundation so that he may relinquish his command of the celestial army. There the members of the meeting, including myself, the omnipotent energy caused by their presence, and you, in turn, requested of Origen to fear the power of the gods and reunite his army with the whole of the celestial might. Yet Origen was not ready to give up his power, he had not yet acquired his Victory.

The cost of the war had taken its toll on the planes. It was then the remainder of the Might of Heaven came from the clouds. The seraphim and the angels had fought their way northward to the meeting. And that Fiend and its devas refused peace and held to their word as warriors, he was mighty and in the skies he never gave ground as waves of angels poured from the winds. And the great Fiend made a gambit to win the battle, that old traitor, but the gods saw past his stratagem. They saw fit with great strength to punish him needfully and sent him below with his army.

Common thought attributes Origen's fall with his growing need to fulfill his own desires over his duty to the celestials.

Current Gathasic Culture

Gathasics live in small communities throughout Nora. Their traditions have survived out of their close-knit communities. Although there is a high degree of communication and traffic between the gathasic and other communities, many of these deva populations are cut off to some degree from the surrounding cultures by discrimination and other circumstances.

There is a significant Deva population east of lake-animius, called Zaevkarka by the Devas there. Lyre's Harbor and Neverport both have large Deva communities. Also, the eastern Mönchlund Hills of Sachrunin have above-average Deva population including Dammburg, who's Deva population is in the majority.

Society is heavily influenced by religion and worship of the Twelve Gods. Central authority is not vested in any single person or body, but in sacred texts, religious law, and learned moreh who interpret those texts and laws.

Prayers are recited three times per day at sunrise, noon and sunset. Devas recite prayers and benedictions throughout the day when performing various acts. Most of the prayers can be recited in solitary prayer, although communal prayer is preferred. Communal prayer requires a quorum of ten Devas, called a meespar. Both males and females are able to be apart of the meespar.

Devas see themselves as forming a distinct national group; as that of an ethnic group whose identity does not depend on region.

Gathasic culture is often strongly influenced by moral beliefs deriving from scripture and what is perceived as angelic tradition. Traditions such as socialism and gender equality play largely in deva thinking. Gathisic society also places high importance on logical thinking and memory, giving devas a tendency towards skill with academics, medicine, finance and law.

Devas also find enjoyment in riddles, puns, and other word-based humor.

Etsemah

Devas do not consider themselves "mortal" and indeed the natural lifespan of a deva has yet to be discovered. The Kitapin Hürriyet states that mortal races are born from dust and dream, or Avahk-Tsab while the devas were sent down from the heavens where Ornus spoke and made their bodies from his words, or seesma. Because of this, devas do not have a separation of their body from their soul. This state of being is called Etsemah.

Etsemah interferes with magic that normally targets the soul such as radiant and necrotic energies.

When a deva has reached a certain age, he grows tired of his shell and commits duk'teshee, a form of ritual suicide.

Ceremonial Clothing

A Kovah is a metal skullcap usually made from either steel or silver. It is traditionally worn at all times by devas, save bathing and sleeping. It is meant as a way to show reverence to the gods. Military groups also use the kovah as a rank device using colors and decorations.

When devas go into battle, they wear ohtet under their armor. Small capsules worn around the arm, hand or on the forehead via black bands, they carry sacred scripture written by the warrior before battle.

The Sacred Times

Unlike other cultures where holidays are celebrated, gathasic holidays are solemnly observed. The Sacred Times revolve around judgment and forgiveness. The most important being Yom-Mapal where devas do nothing but pray and wait for forgiveness from the gods. During this day it is forbidden to eat, speak, work, fight, use fire, use money or engage in romantic affairs.

The Khookeem

The strong deva warrior tradition is as structured and codified as its religious tradition. The Code of War, or khookeem states the following;

  • Defense of the citizens over the defeat of the enemy.
  • The loss of a single battle is unacceptable.
  • Loyalty is paramount.
  • Strategy over strength.
  • Protect the dignity of friend and foe.
  • Win battles quickly to avoid undue harm.
  • Persevere in missions resolutely and thoughtfully even to the point of endangerment.
  • Strive for peace.
  • Carry out duties at all times with initiative, involvement and diligence with common sense and within the framework of authority, while prepared to bear responsibility for actions done.
  • Strike mercilessly.
  • Be objective, complete and precise, in planning, performing and reporting.
  • Never let a fellow warrior fall.
  • A small force with surprise will defeat a large force.
  • Keep mobile.
  • Coordinate with other units.
  • Transfer the battle to the enemy's territory quickly.
  • Attain objectives quickly.

The importance of speed and strategy has lead devas to a method called Sikul Memukad or political assassination; Preemptive killings aimed to prevent future mass violence. Also, the concept of Escalation of Reprisal features into deva war tactics. A murder of one deva deserves the death of ten enemies, or, if possible, the death of the murderer's family. This is another effective prevention tactic.

Other Devas


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