Xor'Athalos

Xor'Athalos is, after all, a being comprised of the lifeblood of the universe. Magic permeates nearly everything, though goes by many different names. Ki, Chi, Mana, Essence, and so on. Practitioners of the mystic arts typically separate the mental from the physical, and believe that a certain amount of enlightenment or intelligence is required for spellcraft.

The knowledge that one's lifeforce and one's capacity to touch magic are one and the same, that magical capacity comes from one's soul, is one of the things that gives Xorath an edge in the field. Small wonder that he would lead studies in destruction magics. Knowing the wolf, he's using his position at Aedynsfell Academy for absolutely no good. There doesn't exist a venture that doesn't benefit him.

Though in a physical body, Xorath is a powerful spirit and thus is subject to the rules of the spirit world. There exists a court of elemental beings that preside over the existence of elemental spirits. Ancient, primordial things that watched the birth of the universe they helped shape.

Xorath does not much care for their rules and restrictions.

Countless years of experience and amassing wealth have left one Marcus Falworth with enough capital to own his own island, and have various business in all corners of the world. Though by no means the most powerful man on the planet, whichever planet this is, he's certainly influential, and has much to offer.

Of course, every empire must have an heir. Much to the dismay of several suitors and mothers of bastard children, a woman named Astrid seems to have taken the place of Lady of the Manor. With her, he has sired two twin daughters, Ashaiya and Minerva. Ashaiya, the firstborn, tends to stay close to the manor, and does her best to learn what she can to help her mother in her duties. Minerva has chosen to devote herself to her god of choice and, with her parent's blessing, has joined a temple in order to rise to the rank of priestess, helping those in need. Through this connection, House Falworth has obtained a buyer for their special brand of mulled wine, in fact!

Lord Marcus and Lady Astrid have recently sired their first son together, Marcus Falworth II. On his little shoulders rests the dynasty that is House Falworth. Until he matures, however, 'Marcus' and his wife have much to attend to. Deals to strike, bargains to make, goods to produce and move. Guests to entertain, governors to sway, guard captains to woo. In some of these matters, especially when it comes to other men of power, his wife seems to have the delicate touch required.

Perhaps your character is one such man, and would like to request Astrid's presence to discuss those building plans or caravan routes through your city? If of the more feminine sort, perhaps a chat with Lord Falworth himself would suit one's fancy a little more. Private chats when warranted, in more intimate locales. Bit of a personal touch. Even if those two are busy, certainly someone befitting your needs can be sent, or awaiting you in a private suite within the manor situated on the rolling hills of the Falworth Estates.

The Temple of Xor'Athalos, and the Coven that runs it, is an amalgamation of concepts. In general, it can be interacted with on three fronts. You are either a patron or a victim, or a part of the covenant itself.

The Temple is founded on a few core principles, all appreciated by Xorath himself:

• Enjoyment of life and the experiences it has to offer.

• Freedom from restriction and judgement.

• Appreciation for beauty in all its forms (art, sex, violence).

• Passion and knowledge.

Services found at the temple include all manner of healing and relaxation. No matter what type of illness plagues a patron, the priestesses and handmaidens are there to help. Physical, mental, and spiritual ailments can all be treated, even if it's something as simple as stress.

The function of the temple is to increase Xorath's power via worship, fund his exploits, and provide a staging ground for his experiments in rituals, blood magics, soul magics, alchemy, enchantment, and methods to manipulate magical energies in ways he normally couldn't.

There are four deities that sit at his side within the Pantheon that exemplify aspects of the wolf, each in their own right worthy of the same admiration, and capable of establishing philosophies in which people can live their entire lives. These deities, alongside Xorath himself, are not simply a façade. They exist to provide their followers with what they seek, and may be capable of providing more specific boons to their worshippers via pacts and ritual magic.

Below the four deities under Xorath himself, Lesser Deities may spring up. Though lesser in power, they may also be more specialized and thus more suitable to an individual's needs.

If you want to take part in this plot/setting, your character may simply stop by and enjoy themselves, seek power beyond their current grasp, or even pursue immortality and obtain unthinkable powers. One way or another, the setting is designed to be just a piece of the puzzle that is a character. It can be as small or large of a part of them as you like, and in the end it's all about providing a place to have fun writing and creating.