MUGSHOT CHALLENGE: For Insurgent Crimes Against the Kelpeater Dominion
Inspired by RustyFidgetSpinner's Challenge.
The Insurgent Gods began as heroic rebels who dared oppose the brutal hegemony of the Colonial Lichlords in Waking Materia's tumultuous First Age, some eventually ascending to demigodhood. Below are the four founding members, with their rap sheets.
If the characters interest you, follow the links below to their WorldAnvil page. Any worldbuilders among my followers are encouraged to join me there!
Emeliat Reis was an ancient Ghent warrior, adventurer and practitioner of Khara'ad Dúm weapon mastery born on the plane of Lorgain, who would eventually become an ascendant demigod of strength, earth, protection and mentorship on the faraway plane of Waking Materia. Whether Reis is still "alive" in some sense within this solemn deity is a matter of theological debate.
In mortal life, Reis was a knight-commander and warlord of great stature, considered by her followers to be a wise, compassionate leader who never delegated the most dangerous duties to others. Likely the most powerful of the Four Founders in direct combat, Reis was known for throwing herself at the biggest threats or most troublesome obstacles in pursuit of insurgent victories.
Merlinkainen is the Material demigod of the "bright" arcane magicks on the plane of Waking Materia. He is a reluctant god that receives and disseminates divine power from his worshippers mainly because he does not wish the role to fall into more nefarious hands. He is also known as The Blue Fox, The Wandering Wizard and The Master.
Merlinkainen and his students (called The Magi) were an important force among the Insurgent Gods. He was also adept at sowing discord and disloyalty within the necrocratic First Empires, sometimes resulting in the defection of entire nations like the Iyō, the Noa-Aina-Koroa, Kintyria-Mors and more.
The Wandering Wizard enjoys traveling the plane in various guises, and seems to especially enjoy aiding the Wardens of his old friend, The Lady of the Mountain.
V'Shaat al-Avra is the full birth name of the Material demigod of fire, bravery, ingenuity and freedom, typically shortened to just V'Shaat. She is the founder and joint commander of the Sagasingers, alongside the dwarven demigod Galadnock mac-Kenzie.
Prior to ascension to demigodhood, V'Shaat was a spellsword, pyromancer and arcane trickster of considerable prowess. Mentored by mac-Kenzie in her later years, she would also become a Master Flamespeaker of Tong Deum, modifying its techniques into an art known as Senjutsu.
Lacking the charisma of Galadnock mac-Kenzie or the battlefield presence of Emeliat Reis, al-Avra was nonetheless a popular subject in First Age. She is featured in dozens of mythologies, folk tales and minstrels' songs, generally featuring her piecing together impossible victories with little to no resources. She is described as having the adrenalized clarity of a chased hare, but without the fear.
Galadnock mac-Kenzie is the dwarven Insurgent and later Material demigod of travel, stories, music, fire and surfacers on the plane of Waking Materia.
Prior to godhood, mac-Kenzie was a warrior-skald born on the plane of Pitravat. He would become a high-ranking member of the Flamespeakers of Tong Deum, a hero in the Wars of Rochbilidin and the penultimate leader of a group of multiplanar guides, mercenaries and eco-warriors known as the Sagasingers.
His full title is Galadnock mac-Kenzie "The Ungovernable, Shield-Anvil of Rochbilidin, Flamespeaker of Tong Deum, Whose Shouts Part Phalanxes".
If you guys enjoyed this, please let me know, as I'm happy to release more worldbuilding stuff on my civitai if there's interest. Until then, have a great week and I'll see you around!
Creator's Postscript: These images were edited in Photoshop after creation, in case you were wondering about the clarity of some of the text.