God-King Othedias

Summary

God-King Othedias was the ruler of the Halcyon Domain during its age of prosperity, chosen by the Veiled Gods as the bridge between mortal and divine. His betrayal of the pantheon triggered The Apostasy—the divine retribution and abandonment that created the Age of Umbra.

Othedias is remembered as both the greatest ruler the Halcyon Domain ever knew and the architect of its destruction.

History

Rise to Power

Othedias was chosen by the Veiled Gods themselves to rule the Halcyon Domain as their mortal representative. Under his guidance, the realm entered an age of unprecedented prosperity. Grandiose cities rose, cathedrals to the gods were constructed, and the practice of Aetherweaving reached its zenith.

The Betrayal

Despite his divine mandate—or perhaps because of it—Othedias grew ambitious. He conspired with his Grand Ordinants and Aetherlords to enact clandestine machinations that could shift the balance of celestial power. The exact nature of his blasphemy is lost to history:

• Some say he attempted to steal divine essence
• Others claim he sought to break the barrier between mortal and celestial planes
• Still others whisper that he succeeded in killing a lesser god

Whatever the truth, the Veiled Gods discovered his treachery and were enraged beyond measure.

The Cataclysm

The gods' retribution was absolute. They rained destruction upon the land, toppling cities and shattering the Old World. What happened to Othedias himself is unknown—whether he was destroyed, transformed, or escaped into some hidden refuge.

Domains

As God-King, Othedias represented:

• Mortal authority blessed by divine right
• The bridge between humanity and the gods
• The prosperity and order of the Old World

Relationships

• The Veiled Gods: His divine patrons whom he betrayed
• Grand Ordinants: His co-conspirators in blasphemy
• Aetherlords: Powerful Aetherweavers who aided his schemes
• The Age of Umbra/03 Factions/The Enduring: Those who suffer for his sins

Legacy

Othedias's betrayal echoes through every aspect of life in the Age of Umbra:

• The Soul Blight that marks all mortals is punishment for his crimes
• Aetherweaving is mistrusted because it aided his blasphemy
• Zealot factions seek to repent for his sins and call the gods back
• Hermetic societies guard texts about his tragedy and prophecies of salvation

Worship

Othedias is not worshipped in the traditional sense, but his legacy is studied, debated, and mourned:

• Some seek to understand his crimes to find a path to redemption
• Others curse his name for the suffering he brought upon the world
• A few believe that his machinations might hold keys to ending the Age of Umbra
• Rumors persist that his spirit lingers somewhere in the realm

Mysteries

• What exactly did Othedias do to enrage the gods?
• What happened to him when the gods enacted their retribution?
• Could understanding his crimes provide a way to reverse the Apostasy?
• Do the prophecies of salvation involve his redemption—or final destruction?