[VonDoom]

"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

Name: Shirvan (Sheer-VAHN)
Titles: The Golden Flame, Shirvan Silver-Hair, Shirvan Bright-Fire
Domain: Pride 2
Abilities: Divine Charm, Melee Expertise (Sword), Elemental Mastery (Fire), Elemental Purity (Fire)
Themes: Questing Hero Who Would Be King, Insatiable Ambition and Will, Fated Fall
Acts:

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Turn 0 Artifact

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The Obsidian Blades
Two thin blades made from volcano glass, extremely sharp and unbreakable by mundane means. They stem from the very same volcano from which the god of pride, Shirvan, reconstituted himself as a divine being and are infused with a measure of his own essence.

Their surface is very hot and will burn through almost anything except their wielder, Shirvan, and those he deems worthy to be spared its fiery touch. The more interesting property, however, is that their heat grows more intense according to the prominence of Pride in the immediate vicinity. Thus, even powerful foes might find the bite of the Obsidian Blades surprisingly harsh as their own pride and hubris is turned upon them. The downside is that Shirvan is, of course, its strongest source of power. Should he lose his own confidence and pride, the Obsidian Blades are little more than ordinary short-swords..

Turn 1

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Major Acts (3->0):
Gain Ability: Fire Mastery
Up Domain: Pride ->2
Alter an existing race (local human tribes - physical and mental enhancement, longer average lifespan, increased fertility and resistance to volcanic hazards)

Minor Acts (3->0):
Create philosophy/religion (The Path of Excellence)
Create city
Change landscape (lay rivers)

Turn 2

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Major Acts (3->1):
Gain Ability: Elemental Purity (Fire)
Create Exarch - Bahiya, The Shield of Ates (Ability: Blade Dominion)

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New Ability:
(Type of Object/Material) Dominion
You possess the ability to control a certain type of object or material telekinetically and may even employ it effectively in combat. Generally, this ability is restricted to one's close surroundings (~60 ft.) and allows of control of no more than a dozen separate objects (or an approximately equal amount of a certain material, around 60 lbs., split into a maximum of a dozen separate units).

Minor Acts (3->1):
Create a small number of servants of moderate power - The Four Braves
Create one servant with greater power - The Valiant General

Description:

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Shirvan, fair and radiant, leaves little doubt as to his divine nature when looked upon. He stands tall and graceful, his form chiseled athletic perfection. His eyes the color of molten gold, his hair the silver of the moon shining at night, to mirror his twin sister in creation, the goddess of radiance and light: Dasque.

Indeed, to look upon this god is to feel admiration -- and Shirvan knows it all too well, for he makes no effort to hide his appearance, nor any to enhance it. He moves with the ease and flexibility of a panther, his expression one of fearless confidence and ardor. As he is the God of Pride, he takes rightful pride in the skills, strength and cunning he possesses, but to be a mere paragon of vanity is not what his Domain is about. Indeed, such egotism would only serve to drive others away when pride, carefully measured, can be a very positive influence.

No doubt, Shirvan's spirit burns with a brightness that makes it obvious why he is twin brother to the goddess of radiance, and has been known to consume those who step too close in his passion, something that many a mortal can attest. But he also acknowledges the strength of others, their passions and skills -- praising, assisting, or simply lending an ear when it is needed. In his presence, most find it strangely easier to take pride in what they do, to overcome those nagging little doubts and let their heart beat with joy over their accomplishments. Such it is with his fellow brothers and sisters in godhood -- for a mortal, even a brief flicker of his attention becomes a moment of joy and pride for the duration of their life, that they were worthy of Shirvan's attention.

While lesser beings may swell with pride to compensate for their shortcomings, the God of Pride is at ease with himself, his confidence as much part of his nature as the ability to breathe. He has little taste for belittling others to aggrandize himself, but neither does he curb his tongue in order to please. He seems much a natural leader, and seeks to foster a healthy measure of the pride that is his domain in others, whether on purpose or merely because it is in his nature to do so.

Shirvan thinks that he has a grand destiny before him, sounding as enthused as a child describing their favorite game when talking of it: riches, power, and followers that thrive under his banner.

Yet his father knows that pride, for all the good that it can do, has its downsides. Not without reason is it considered a mortal sin in other worlds; the fall is inevitable. Soon, Shirvan will find that there is little that satisfies his passion. Former playthings discarded all too quickly (and sometimes cruelly), an eternal ambition that burns at his very core. The silent prophecy Baz'Auran never put words to holds Shirvan's destiny in a taut grip, for at some point, whether through too much success or too many failures, pride will become arrogance; magnanimity, pettiness. The bright flame, a white-hot pyre that consumes more and more.

He claims conquering heroes as his, as well as those who excel and take pride in what they do. His favorites are polymaths, those who master and excel at many different subjects.

Followers

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Bahiya, the Shield of Ates (Major Act - Create Exarch)

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The Four Braves (Minor Act - Servants of Moderate Power)

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Rashid, the Dashing Swordsman

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Rashid, the dashing swordsman who dances around his foes with his thin, curved blade.

Faris the Giant

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Faris the Giant, who towered two heads even over the tall men of Ates and swung a hammer as thick as a tree trunk.

Mahir, the Silent Archer

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Mahir, the silent archer, who wasted neither movement nor word.

Yaman

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And Yaman, who fought without a weapon and knew both a hundred ways to kill and the art of strategy.

Anwar, The Valiant General (Minor Act - Single Servant of Greater Power)

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Taught the arts of philosophy and war, of weapons and horses. Of strategies and tactics as well as the ways of men and gods.

Where Bahiya leads the Four Braves into adventure, Anwar was trained to lead men into war. Victories followed in his wake and his spear became known and feared for its strength.

Territories

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Coming up.

Pre-Godhood:

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Before his ascendancy to Godhood, Shirvan was ... in many ways, a lesser version of what he became after. The process of becoming a god in his own right sharpened him, as if previously he had been a blurry image that suddenly was given proper focus.

With a quick tongue and a healthy mind to accompany the physically perfect body granted to him at his creation, Shirvan was an apt pupil to the many teachings of their mentors. While he never demonstrated the pure intellect and wisdom of some of his kin, he proved himself a great all-rounder. Popular among most and confident to a fault with an easy smile, Shirvan was never really the best at anything he did. He was always good at it, though, and had a tendency to make it look easy -- however, rather than boast he actually went out of his way to aid those who weren't as successful, provided he suffered no rebukes for his presumptions.

But we get ahead of ourselves.

Both Shirvan and his twin-sister Dasque were created in a bright flash of light that briefly filled the White City. Some claim that a remnant of that light is still there, giving both the twin's hair its unique silver shine. Shirvan proved eager to find out more about the first things he saw: his twin, and his creator. And then, the world that Baz'Auran was creating for them and their other siblings.

As inquisitive as Shirvan was from a very early 'age', he was ironically also one of those who questioned Baz'Auran the most when the opportunity presented itself. Shirvan simply wanted to know how things worked -- how the world was created, why it was created and why they were placed above those mortals on the world. Such questions weighed on his mind and, at some point, he was invited to a private dialogue with Baz'Auran. Whatever the creator-god told him didn't seem to satisfy Shirvan, however. Perhaps he thought their Allfather wasn't telling him the whole truth, whatever it was; or perhaps the knowledge he had gained simply weighed heavily on his brow.

From that point Shirvan began to focus more on strengthening himself -- to learn of the sword, of war, and of heroics. His motivation remained unclear, yet it was apparent that the proto-god planned to be the best he could possible be and in that quest pulled quite a few others along with him. He even requested a favor from one of his kin, the smith Haramhold: a pair of swords as black as night, for his perusal.

Shortly afterwards, he caused a small scandal when it became apparent that he had had relations with one of the spirits who were supposed to teach the young godlings: a nymph. In itself not such a problem, had it only been the one. Apparently Shirvan's curiosity did not end with mere philosophy and knowledge. Some involved parties involved responded with outrage, something that Shirvan met with complete obliviousness, as he had never thought of that his behaviour might cause offense. Not quite convinced that he had done any wrong, he nevertheless took it upon himself to perform various tasks for them -- he went about fetching a trinket from that spirit, asking a favor from this spirit to defeating an overbearing sword teaching spirit in single combat to appease them.

And then he learned that it had all been setup for him as a lesson. Shirvan took it remarkably well, all things considered: with a grin and a shrug, but for some reason he stopped his usual approach of asking Baz'Auran questions whenever he could soon after, preferring the company of his own kind.

Relationships:

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Faden: "A keen mind for magic, even if he shirks physical confrontation. I'll gladly listen to his counsel, and even follow it when it suits me."

Khalen-Het: "If only he had had the courage to go out and seek after Elanna. I would have gone with him, then, without a moment's hesitation. But Khalen-Het did not and let himself be defined by his loss. Hm? Oh, law is needed in the world, of that I have no doubt. And he is quite skilled at making it. But I will not be judged by anyone other than Father."

Carolinus: "He is the finest guard amongst us. And I'm sure I could trust my back to him, but I don't really know him that well."

Roselia: "A shifty one. Be careful around her, my friend. She likes to play all sorts of mind-games."

Jongo: "I daresay our creator was just testing the waters when he created the first one. Jongo is unfinished, and can't seem to decide what he is. Always a new face, for every day, perhaps for everyone who views him. Or her. I wonder when and how often he will betray us, and whether there is any use in being upset at him the following day."

Soreal: "She doesn't seem to like me much. Perhaps I'm wrong, but can one wearing such a grandiose mask really be shy?"

Lossethir: "A fine one, were he not so lazy under most circumstances. A shame, I'd enjoy going to war with him at my side."

The Weaver: "What is even a god without dreams? He may well be one of the most powerful among us."

Kalandor: "Ha! Perhaps I'll join his wanderings for awhile. Adventure seems to follow where he goes."

Rumel: "How can you not like someone so passionate about his work? And the inventions he creates are quite useful -- it's his scathing wit that truly makes him stand out to me, though. He is exceedingly funny, in his own way."

Aramar: "If I did not find his pets better company than Aramar himself, I might have more to say about him. He is a decent sort, but a bit slow."

Brandis: "Fine company, but little else."

Frellon: "There are few I'd rather have at my side. And he's honest to a fault. Quite refreshing, though I can't help but feel amused whenever he gets lead around by Rose."

Haramhold: "My swords are his work, and finely done. His skill is something to be proud of. But if you want a pair of your own from him, you better be willing to plug the moon from the sky."

Avyra: "A gentle one, but a bit sullen of late."

Dasque: "Ah, sister, you vex me so. I'll make you a gift worthy of your radiance someday."

Contragh: "It must be galling to him, that many of the greatest warlords and conquerors are mine. Someday we will clash, that much is certain. He'll learn why I hold no fear of him then."

Aerin: "Don't ask me about Aerin. He tries so hard at pleasing others that I hold nothing but pity for him."

Nieve: "I see much I like. Such passion ... why, fire and blood often go well together, don't they?"

Fayruz: "I tried teaching Fayruz to defend herself once, with disastrous results, and I fear all hope is lost for her in that regard. Her kindness gives her a dignity that she didn't even lose while flailing around with a rapier in hand, though. She's probably better off with that harp of hers; it's not like she'll be hurting for people willing to protect her. And she does play it beautifully."

Sonata: "Sonata; so similar, yet different, to myself. Our people share some traits we nourish in them both, though I fear hers are more easily broken. A fragile beauty."

Soundtrack:

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Pride
Battle Theme
Epic Battle

Shirvan speaks with a more gold-like colour code than the regular Gold, #CC9966.