#░░☾ war talisman; canon au 1 ☆

[wargod-archive]

CANON AU: WAR TALISMAN This is an alternate verse I created as a branch off of Arita’s original canon seen on this blog. It includes many of the same aspects of their original canon but gives Arita a more active role within their own world. (also gives them the chance to be happier than in the ending of their original canon)

There are several deities in the world, born in tandem, together and apart, throughout time. Some are extremely powerful, able to fell foes with a glance. Those great and powerful are compared to Gods. Other deities are simple and barely show any semblance of divinity. And then there are godlings in between, local deities and deities who rule over vast lands and kingdoms. These deities, while born to parents all around, share traits that bind them to being a deity.

1) They are born without limbs and bare a sun insignia on their navel 

2) their arms, or ‘branches’ will grow as they grow. It’s always been the average number of branches a deity will have is between two and eight.

3) these branches include red, blue, yellow, orange, purple, green, pink, white, and black. Each color represents an aspect of the deities powers and affinity towards certain abilities.

Deities possess other physical traits as well that often differ from humans. Be it extra features, tails, wings, fur, feathers, eyes, horns, skin texture and pattern, etc. Deities come in all shapes and sizes, personalities, strengths and weaknesses. But as is common knowledge among the deities, the more arms one has, the more powerful they are.

Deities are born at random, spawning when the Gods above will it. It’s general consensus that deities are sent to earth and birthed from humans to protect, lead, and rule over them. To bring harvest during famine, health during plague, and peace during war. This was how it was supposed to be. Most deities are put in place of power. A religious figure besides the human ruler. Other times lesser deities are tasked with keeping the peace within villages and towns. They help with agriculture and caring for the young.

The world in which the deities live, as a whole, is called The Motherland. It is made up of several kingdoms and states in various level of prosper and disrepair. Currently war wages on with several of the states while others sit and watch the conflict continue to cause chaos. Much of the time war subsides and peace falls, but approximately twenty - four years ago war has become increasingly violent and common.

Arita was a deity born very frail and weak. As a child they were sent off to a small monastery with several other deity children to learn of their origins and responsibilities as a deity. At the monastery Arita made several friends and formed a sibling like bond with all the deities there. As Arita grew up with their found family of deities, one by one was each deity deployed elsewhere. Across the motherland deities are taken to preserve humankind. Arita had not been developing nearly as fast as their siblings and was thought to be one of the weaker deities and was told to stay and help the monastery instead. Arita was now in the permanent care of the monks who would teach Arita of their local scriptures, prayers, and typical household chores such as laundering the robes correctly and cooking.

During this time Arita was often visited by their older brother figure, a more powerful deity named Miakako. He was a nature based deity who brings plentiful harvest, can control weather, and shape shifts into various animal forms. Miakako was a laid back, albeit mischievous young deity who took a liking to Arita and would often travel away from their prospective kingdom to keep them company. Arita also made friends with a local kid who would often come out and terrorize the younger deities at the monastery. The youth’s birth name was Addle, but he went through several names during his young years before deciding on a more permanent title. The boy came from a family of outcasts who renounced the Gods for what they described as unfair and unjust treatment. The family was unfortunate, often times plagued with illness and disease that would cause physical deformities as well as genetic medical issues. Due to being unhealthy they were cast far out of the village they once lived in and were forced into solitude. The nameless boy, who had a different name every day, would often come and cause trouble for the monastery, albeit trivial. The deities and monks themselves were the ones to bring the family food and water each day, but still they were bitter. The boy’s parents, as they grew sicker and sicker, slowly began to realize their hatred was ill placed. But now they were bedridden. The boy’s parents passed away when he was young and he was forced to bury them along with his several other relatives. He continued to live within the decrepit shack alone, only venturing out to receive aid from the deities and to reign havoc on them as well.

The boy one day met Arita who was then 14 years old and had only just barely grown two branches. The boy who’s name that day was Trumeur (pronounced ‘tru’ and ‘mure’ as in demure) loomed over Arita with a staggering height. They met in the opening of the woods that bloomed various wild flowers. Trumeur felt something within him on first sight. Not an emotion he ever felt so pure and passionately. Unsure of it’s origin or it’s name, he immediately associated it with hatred. Trumeur hated more than anything, and claimed it was the only thing keeping him alive. Trumeur attacked Arita on sight, although was shocked to find Arita did nothing to fight back or defend themself. After a short one sided scuffle the two of them sat in the grass, muddied and bloodied. Arita seemed entirely unfazed by this altercation which only seemed to make Trumeur increasingly angry. But the two of them shared their own personal stories of why they had ventured out so far from their home. In Trumeur’s case the shack he lived in began to smell of rot and plague so he decided to go to the place that smelled nice. And Arita was feeling awfully down about themself for being such a weak deity that they wanted to be alone in their thoughts. The two of them, holding complete opposite opinions of each other ( Arita finding Trumeur to be pleasant in his own disgruntled way and Trumeur announcing his hatred for Arita both in principle as a deity and in personality ) ended up meeting together an abundance of times during their childhood. Trumeur ended up keeping the name he gave himself that day. And Arita started sprouting more and more branches at a pace unseen.

By 15 years old Arita had five branches of various denominations and powers. This shocked the monks to the point of bringing in a powerful deity by the name of Zauna who was known as seer. She was an elusive travelling deity who’s great power she thought was too dangerous for the likes of mortals so she walked freely on the land unbound to anyone or anything. Zauna met with Arita already knowing of their fate and told the monks that this child is to be protected and cared for with the most esteem. And with that she left. Arita who was now justifiably worried about their own fate and existence as a whole sought out Trumeur for comfort. Trumeur was growing sicker, his body seemed to be decaying from the inside out but still he states he lives out of spite. Arita expressed to him that they were worried and scared, that the implication that someone or something would come and get them was terrifying. Trumeur listened to their fears then shooed them away out of his home.

A few days later Miakako arrived to see Arita after hearing news of their sudden development. Miakako was also incredibly shocked by what’s been happening with Arita and decided to stay with them for the time being to boost their defences against whatever it is that they needed to be protected from. Miakako was also contacted by Trumeur who asked them to teach him how to fight. Miakako did have a good amount of knowledge in martial arts and with various weapons at a rudimentary level but found it odd that this boy was so adamant on learning. But being as he was, Miakako agreed and began to proctor Trumeur for the next few years.

It was at the age of 17 did Arita bloom nine branches. Nine arms, the absolute max number of arms that were thought those were able to have was eight. Arita has gained a staggering amount of unbridled power in an extremely short amount of time causing the monks to panic as well as other deities to become worried, fearful and even jealous. Arita displayed this volatile energy in destructive ways, unintentionally, but still chaos began to brew within the small village which they were housed. Because of Arita’s powers coming into itself so quickly, Arita was locked away in a large stone shrine where they would be sealed up for the time being. Arita was given food and water through a slit in the stone, the only opening to the sunlight and outside world. Being just as frightened as those around them Arita did not complain. They thought this was best, the monks know what they’re doing, it’s to protect them and me. Simultaneously during Arita’s turmoil, war was brewing outside in the larger city states of the Motherland.

Arita stayed in the shrine for about 6 months before sneaking out with Miakako’s help. Trumeur, who seemed to be growing stronger and healthier the past months was suddenly brought down by an illness said to be an infection by Diem, the devil figure within The Motherland’s broad religion. The illness was killing Trumeur quickly, an illness that seems to only kill those with a weak heart and will. In Arita’s absence Trumeur had taken up fighting as a means to protect Arita from whatever it was that was going to take them but never did they admit that. Their weakness was shown in their inability to admit their faults, their feelings, and be truthful. Arita met with Trumeur as he lays dying, not believing that Trumeur could be affected by the devil’s infection like this. Arita, wanting to be able to save someone with their powers decided to counteract the devil’s influence with their own. Arita lends Trumeur their power dwelling within the ‘extra branch’ the black branch that’s misconception is that it’s an evil and sinful branch. Infusing Trumeur with that divine power as well as giving him a ‘will’. Trumeur had always said they live out of hatred and spite, that their anger fuels them, so Arita made a doctrine that bound Trumeur to continue living. “As long as I you hate me you will live, and as long as I live you will live”

It was within that spell Trumeur became a sort of pseudo deity, infused with divine power but being human born. Trumeur fell unconscious after the binding and that was when their location was stormed by soldiers.

Name of a war god has been tossed down to the world of conflict, causing chaos in ignorance. A city state currently at war with another were in dire straits. Their own deity who watched over them with blind eyes that could only see vague imprints of the God’s will saw the birth, death, and rebirth of a deity. This deity would be a world destroyer, soul devouring, monstrous entity. That is what this oracle saw and they instructed their army to retrieve this deity from the woodlands of a remote village monastery.

Arita was kidnapped, Miakako unable to fend off the vast number of soldiers who came to abduct their friend. Arita pleaded to Miakako within the panic to take Trumeur and escape with him, to keep him safe. Miakako begrudgingly did so, fleeing the scene as a large white wolf, holding the unconscious boy in their maw.

Arita was taken to their capital and interrogated endlessly and mercilessly. Undergoing physical and mental torture in order to get some intel, some sort of power surge out of the deity but to no avail. Arita did not fight back. Arita was in their captors grasp for 3 weeks before the next large scale battle was to be fought. This battle would be pivotal for the city state if they were to win but the opposing side had several powerful deities in their ranks, while they had an oracle and Arita. The oracle, who only spoke when seemingly possessed by visions and words of Gods or by Deim told their rulers that they should use Arita as a talisman. A good luck charm given power by prayer and brought with them into battle. And then they would win.

Arita, who had no qualms with doing so was brought into the battlefield, fitted with ceremonial garb and ridden into the warfare on the back of a horse with the general. While there were a great number of casualties and those pronounced missing in action, the oracle’s faction did win the battle and several consecutive battles there after. Arita was a living war talisman. The more prayers and offerings they received the higher chance of victory. News spread of Arita, a deity so powerful and yet so submissive to their subjugation and situation. A pacifist who watches war apathetically, tossed around, kidnapped, used as a trading piece in negotiations. Seen as both a deity and a thing, since Arita’s birth peace was never known fully again.

All the deities across the Motherland had their own opinions of Arita. Some loathed the deity for causing such turmoil, death, famine and plague. The chaos Arita caused with their mere existence could not be forgiven. Others pitied Arita for their tragic upbringing, felt sorry that they were fated to be such an awful tool. Deities felt no way towards Arita, deities who had met Arita and spoken with Arita often times liked Arita quite a bit, and those who had only heard stories could only form their opinions from that. But Arita, despite their war torn life remained fairly chipper in the company of those they were fond of. In each place Arita found those to connect with, whether it be their retainer or a maid or the children within the palace. Arita, most notably, loved with a full heart. Cruelties seemed to have no affect on them. No matter the abuse they could smile wide and genuine. But deep in their heart they were tired, they were straining to find happiness in the smallest of light before it flickered out.

Around the age of 22 now Arita is completely used to war strategies, negotiation meetings, going into battle and walking out with opposing side. They had learned healing magic in the meantime in order to restore mass wounded as well as heal disease along the way. Their life was violent but they were not.

During the five years after Arita’s initial kidnapping Miakako was travelling with Trumeur who was getting used to his power. Trumeur could now materialize several arms consisting of a black matter akin to an animated slime like material with the sheen of metal. Physically he has undergone some changes as well. He has the distinct scent of smoke about him, smoke and ashes. His hair is long and black but when faced with an intense emotion it becomes inflamed. His face has black tattoo like patterns across it, which he calls ‘war paint’ that changes pattern with his general mood. Ability wise he is able to conjure the undead masses, necromancy as well as summon his own ‘war dogs’ which are entities forged from the same material as his arms and are semi-sentient. Trumeur, as dictated by Arita, continued to live and is powered by hatred and hatred alone. But in order to continue living he must find Arita and protect them because “There is no point in hating something that is dead.”

Trumeur enlisted in the opposing military from Arita’s current homestead. During the first battle he rode into he immediately summoned the undead and overpowered the enemies in one wave. Attacking the calvary that was tasked to protect Arita during the battle he grabbed the deity and hoisted them up and made his escape with them. Returning to the monarch who held his current loyalties he announced that wherever Arita was to go he would follow. Trumeur was named a warlord and a threat to the Motherland. He was dangerous, volatile and held powers that did not belong to him. Word of this pseudo deity spread across the land and he was generally hated by all, mortal and deity. Because of his affiliation with Arita, the opinions of Arita shifted to a more negative light. Nobody knew exactly why or how Trumeur had any connection to Arita but Arita was more than happy to explain to anyone who asked.

Both Arita and Trumeur are now 24 years old, with possibly an eternity ahead of them. Miakako is also in the frey, drifting in and out of their life primarily checking on their health and happiness. Trumeur has mellowed out slightly since being reunited Arita but still retains a grumpy and pessimistic exterior. They are still ones of war, cause war, stop wars, and start wars again. With Trumeur’s presence and intimidating air those who are thirsty for power and desire Arita’s divinity have backed off more or less and the warring states have been on the downward spiral. Peace is slowly becoming more common but still there will be conflict as long as Arita is alive. Dimensions begin to collide, the deities as a whole are radiating so much divine power in one place that other planes of existence are starting to feel it.

Tl;dr: Basically, in this verse Arita is a sort of ‘living war talisman’ who brings about war as well as higher probability of winning a battle. They were kidnapped from their monastery in their teenage years after saving the life of a boy named Trumeur, granting him divine powers making him a pseudo deity. Arita has since then travelled the world with various countries and city states, on and off the battlefield, in political meetings and in strategy rooms. They still love with their whole heart but have become jaded from their life of constant turmoil, and knowing they are the one causing it. The only reason they stay alive is because Trumeur is out there still living for their sake, and living because they are alive. To take away their will would mean he would die as well. The two of them are reunited however and travel the land together as peace begins to fill their homeland once more. There is a high concentration of divine power radiating from their world that has travels past the bounds of their own dimension, seeping into others.

Trivia:

Trumeur is a trans man. He’s 7’2”, very muscular and covered from head to toe in scars from numerous battles. He chooses not to heal his scars although he is capable of doing so. He believes each scar he has is a sign of strength in some way shape or form. His motifs are insects, usually beetles and scorpions. Image.

Miakako is Arita’s older brother figure and Trumeur’s mentor. He’s around 30 years old currently and a free spirit who cares greatly about those two. He’s laid back, mischievous, and while he seems to have loose values he’s steadfast in his beliefs and doesn’t waver when it comes to his friends and family. He’s a nature deity, has the ability to shapeshift into various animals. When he does so the animal of choice is white with golden eyes.

There are several deities within this verse ranging from nearly god like to minor godlings. All the original deities share a bond similar to a familial relationship. They are all siblings. The exception being Trumeur who was born human and given deity powers by Arita to save his life.

The Motherland refers to the entire world in this context and the entire world shares the same basic religion but with varying denominations based on local beliefs and creation myths. Similar to Christianity and its various denominations.