| Domi
God of Courage
Realms of Responsibility
This god is the patron of Courage in all it's forms. He is the Champion
of the Gods of Wold. He believes in protecting and defending what he
has built with his own sweat and labor. He believes in respecting and
honoring those around him and having the courage to stand up to those
who wish to hurt, destroy and dominate. He believes in finding a way
to settle all diffrences peacefuly wishing to be a blacksmith before
a warrior, however should it come to violence he will lead the way hammer
swinging. He believes in having the courage to use diplomacy when needed
and violence when diplomacy fails. He teaches his followers to know
when each option is called for. Domi hates insecurity and people who
display a lack of faith in themselves. He believes that life is a challenge
to be met head on. He patrons courage in all situations where it is
needed such as facing a dragon, battle, weddings, meeting the inlaws,
and other scarry situations.
Appearance
Mortal Form -- In his mortal form, he appears as a monk. His
face is wide and earnest. His brow is wrinkled with concentration and
his head is covered with close cropped black hair.
Avatar Form -- When in battle, he appears as a wrestler with
no shirt and a huge grin. His face is wide and earnest with close cropped
black hair. His skin is oiled and ready for battle. His hands are massive,
with fists the size of his head.
Divine Form -- When appearing to his faithful, he holds the
form of glowing bright light that burns away the darkness and warms
the heart and soul.
Holy Symbol
Domi's official symbol is a Hammer and Anvil; however, clerics of Domi
tend to enjoy wearing various other symbols that have distinct symbolic
meaning to the clerics. Some of these are:
- Hammer -- Strength
- Anvil -- Resistance
- Shield -- Protection
- Crossed Swords -- Restraint in Battle
- Others use a combination of symbols -- a shield with crossed swords,
etc.
The symbol for Domi seen above is the ancient High
Woldian root of the more common modern symbols. The lower, inverted
triangle signifying Resistance has become an Anvil, the upper triangle
signifying Strength has become a Hammer. Indeed, it is perfectly possible
that these objects were the original inspiration for the two glyphs.
Priests' Appearance
Clerics of Domi dress in plain robes, with no trim or decoration. Most
wear their hair short. Most are physically strong and all are confidant
in themselves and their companions. All are physically fit and proud
of the work put into their bodies.
Powerful Clerics of Domi exude extraordinary mental and physical strength.
Clerics in Society
Known as the Domi's Bravest, these priests work among the Noble Races
of The Wold inspiring people to action. Also called Brothers and Sisters,
they work to teach people to resolve their conflicts with respect for
each other and to have the courage to stand up to those that would control
or oppress them.
Brothers and Sisters of Domi do this by example -- they do not oppress
others or try to control them with lies or criticism -- instead they
try to find something to honestly praise in all.
In order to combat oppression, Brothers and Sisters of Domi are always
ready to take up arms to protect themselves and people who cannot defend
themselves. Many delight in the arts of combat, and they keep their
swords sharp and armor polished. Others prefer to wrestle, like Domi,
or to fight with fist and foot.
The Bravest also encourage others to resist oppression by being fit
and strong in mind and body. They encourage contests and athletic games
as a way to keep strong. They also use contests to resolve disputes
-- They see an arm-wrestling match or a riddle contest as a fair way
to resolve an argument, if all sides agree.
They are not afraid to get their hands dirty, and they prize self-sufficiency,
seldom depending on the charity of others. Therefore, many of the Bravest
have a job outside the priesthood, ensuring that they will never become
a drain on society. Most develop a skill or trade that is always in
demand and that allows them to keep fit and strong: Constable, Blacksmith,
Farmer, Guard, Stone Mason.
There is also a tradition of service among the Bravest. Just as Domi
served Alemi, the Brothers and Sisters will sometimes vow service to
noble houses.
Worship
The worship of the Faithful is usually very untraditional. They worship
in work and in battle. They worship by resolving conflict and by inspiring
others to do the same.
Services are rarely formally held. When they are they are usually spontaneous
and impromptu. The worship of the Faithful is very positive.
On the rare occasions when formal worship is conducted, the worshippers
sing songs and recite poetry to encourage each other to greater and
greater accomplishments. Services are held weekly and in time of great
need.
The most unusual part of Domi worship is that there are very few temples
built in his honor. As a tribute to his humility and because he wishes
it, his followers continue to worship him in their hearts and their
lives as they did after his death, rather than in huge temples and cathedrals.
Holy Days
Days of Local Battles and Treaties. Festivals. Days when contests are
held.
Consist of Sacrifices
Time spent working. Gold earned through hard labor and work given to
the church.
Ethos
Get to Know me Domi!
-- battle cry of Jandar the Brave.
Spell Domains
Protection, Strength, War. Note: Clerics of Domi who take the War domain
can choose one of the following as a favored weapon: any martial sword,
any martial hammer, or unarmed attack. If you take a sword or a hammer,
you gain the feats Weapon Proficiency and Weapon Focus with the weapon
chosen. If you choose unarmed attack you gain the feats Improved Unarmed
Attack and Weapon Focus (Unarmed Attack).
Prestige Classes
Protector, Hand
of Domi
Pure Cleric Special Abilities
Clerics who remain pure and do not join a sect by taking a Prestige
Class, receive special abilities. These abilities, detailed below, are
lost if the Cleric ever joins a sect by selecting a Prestige Class.
Generic Priests who select more than one god to serve are not considered
Pure Clerics.
At 4th level, all pure clerics gain the ability to choose one spell
from one of their selected Spell Domains to spontaneously cast. This
operates exactly as the Cleric ability to Spontaneously Cast healing
spells.
At 6th level, all pure clerics gain a bonus of 'cleric level minus
5' to charisma-based skill checks vs. members of their faith. They also
get half this bonus rounded down vs. worshippers in the same pantheon.
Example: A 10th level brother of Domi has +5 vs Domi worshippers, and
+2 vs others who worship in the same pantheon (Wold gods, not Cult gods).
At 8th level, Pure Clerics gain Leadership as a Bonus Feat.
At 10th level, all pure clerics gain a price discount of 20% to buy
or construct houses, shrines, temples, seminaries, etc. -- IF the construction
is in an area with sufficient followers of the Cleric's God to warrant
such a building.
At 12th level, all pure clerics, if they have been faithful, are eligible
to enter the hierarchy of their respective priesthoods. Priests which
have chosen to join a sect by selecting a Prestige Class cannot join
the hierarchy of their respective priesthood. They instead, may join
the hierarchy of their sect.
At 15th level, all pure clerics gain the ability to perform spontaneous
casting of all the spells from one of their selected Spell Domains.
This operates exactly as the Cleric ability to Spontaneously Cast healing
spells.
Godly Powers
Domi has the ability to inspire Faith and Courage wherever it is needed.
He can enlighten those that are oppressed and give strength to those
who ask for courage so that they can have the faith and courage to rise
up and take down their oppressors. He can remove fear and bring faith
to the hopeless.
History and Relationships
Domi was born as a slave in the household of Alemi's father. As a boy,
his task was to play with Alemi and keep him out of trouble. The two
boys were inseparable and grew to be best friends.
When both lads grew to adulthood and Alemi left home to train as a
wizard and a warrior, Alemi was given Domi to take with him. Alemi refused
saying that the debt that Domi's family had owed Alemi's family was
paid in full. Domi went with him anyway as a friend and comrade.
Domi had no inclinations to be a mage, but he was exceedingly interested
in combat skills. He turned out to be very good at hand to hand combat
and simply adored wrestling. While Alemi would work on his spellcraft,
Domi would practice hand to hand combat.
He began to enter wrestling tournaments across the land and soon was
winning tournaments on a regular basis. He began to leave Alemi's side
for longer and longer periods of time to study with different masters
learning quickly everything they had to offer him.
Soon he was teaching hand to hand combat and original techniques developed
by himself. He soon became the Wold's first monk.
When Alemi opened his School of Adventuring, Domi taught all the classes
concerning combat. However, before he let his students begin physical
training, he gave them the mental training necessary to have courage
in difficult situations. Soon, trained fighters and monks were flourishing
across The Wold driving back the evils that beset the Noble Races in
the First Age.
Eventually Domi's name was mentioned alongside Alemi's throughout the
Wold. His humility was the only thing greater than his fame, however.
In fact, his humility tended to foster the spread of his fame.
When Alemi begin his quest to question the Gods, for the first time
Domi did not support him. He thought it arrogant and unnecessary. Slowly,
however, Alemi's efforts began to prove the validity of his claims,
Domi was brought around to Alemi's point of view.
When Alemi attempted to contact the Jericho by activating the Soul
Forge, by which the Wold was created, he failed -- and when Domi found
him, Alemi had been turned into his greatest desire -- to become a golden
dragon -- and he was out of his mind. Domi took the Rings of Ascension
from him and approached the Soul Forge.
There he battled with his desires as the Rings tried again and again
to bring out remnants of pride, ambition, and falsehoods within him.
However, as each temptation beset him, he turned the temptation back
upon his focus, to help his friend succeed. After many hours, The Rings,
one by one, submitted to his ownership and the Soul Forge was activated.
The creator blessed his request and gave Alemi and Domi the means to
oppose the gods and bring about change. The Gods of Yore, however, were
not willing to change and did not heed the requests nor the warnings
that followed. Eventually, Alemi and Domi fought the Gods of Yore and
defeated them.
The battle was long and hard. Domi died in the battle protecting Alemi's
back. A strange thing then happened. Domi's spirit did not go off to
the Afterlife, but remained because the God of the Dead had already
perished. Domi found though that he was not concerned about such matters
any longer so he watched waiting to go to his rest.
He remained there on the battlefield with the rest of the mortal dead
for some time. Then Alemi, with the appearance of a God approached and
asked his friend to stand by his side in Godhood for eternity as he
had as a mortal. Domi, rejoicing, readily accepted.
In the early centuries of godhood, all was well and good. The Gods
of Wold looked out for the wellbeing of the Noble Races. With time,
however, all things change. He began to see Some of the Gods of Wold
become decadent and impassioned for things Mortal. He watched as Caeroldra
took mortal man after mortal man to her chambers. He also watched as
Alemi, Caeroldra's mate, continued to be oblivious to her passions.
Then came the challenge of Marteaus. Alemi called a conclave of The
Gods of Wold to discuss how to handle the situation. During the meeting,
Marteaus called Domi out. Domi went, glad to have an honorable way to
put an end to this menace. However, things did not go as planned. As
the battle progressed, Marteaus began drawing more and more upon the
lifeforce of the audience in the Arena of Plateau City. The elderly
and young were dying. He eventually let Marteaus defeat him to save
their lives. His dying act was to heal the audience giving them his
remaining energy.
When Domi died, the Wold went dark for 48 hours as people's emotions
concerning courage ran rampant. Some found that they lacked courage
and could not battle their inner demons any longer. Others, without
courage, because berserk fighting and attacking others for no reason.
This act was the first step in a chain of events that led to the God
Wars. It also began what is known by the Noble Races as the Year of
Ascension.
The victory cemented the loose alliance Marteaus had put together known
as the Cult Gods.
The most amazing thing about the event, though, was that many of his
followers refused to accept his death, and began questing to bring him
back to life. The deeds done by Noble and Ignoble races are now told
in every place and tongue.
When The Jericho created the New Wold, Domi remained at Alemi's side
in the Gods of Wold Pantheon and was placed in direct opposition to
Ga'al the Dominator. The conflict between these two gods is perhaps
the most active and heated in The New Wold.
|