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Some of you might remember what came of this Thread some years ago. Reading through Starfinder's deity section got me thinking about where she would be at 346 AG.
So here she is tweaked and reworked a bit for Starfinder.
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Cadmus-Nibiru
The Keeper in Darkness
CG Goddess of Darkness, Endurance, and Retribution
Centers of Worship: Absalom Station, The Azlanti Star Empire, The Diaspora, Triaxus,
Symbol: A white triangle pointed down on back spiked circle.
Associated Connections: Healer, Mindbreaker, Starshaman
Cadmus-Nibiriu is goddess of darkness, endurance, and retribution. An ascended mortal from lost Golarion, she watches over not the moral darkness of evil but the physical darkness. The darkness of night when rest is called for, the darkness that shelters and hides, and the expansive darkness between the stars. She teaches those who follow her to make such places safe, for evil lurks there for just this quality. She does not shun the light, but the dark places and times are a realm in just as much need of protection as others.
To endure is to persevere and grow strong. This applies both to the physical and emotional. As such she holds that such strength allows one to accomplish one's tasks. That needed stamina to stand just a little longer or being able to run that last few feet to make it to the end. And to shield that which is held dear, because when the rock endures the many stand on it.
Cadmus-Nibiru knows all people need, and some people, be it for punishment or teaching, need a just retribution. All must accept the consequences of their actions sooner or later and she dispenses to those who evade or feel they are above what is due to them. This is not to say she does not believe in mercy and if the desire to make up for one's actions are sincere and the urge to change true she will entertain such pleas. As Desna once said to her "Sometimes mercy is needed to teach one to endure."
Cadmus-Nibiru appears as gorgeous Azlanti woman with emerald eyes and raven hair, but like many she has another face. The second one is gray skinned with crimson eyes. Claws and tentacles are her chosen weapons when she bares this face. Both of these visages are her true form because she is both beautiful and terrible, often at once.
She appears to potential worshipers not in some grand display, but simply and quietly before them. She says "You have a task you wish accomplish. I can grant you the power you need." She then offers her hand. If they stand up straight and take the offered hand then they are brought into her priesthood. As such her clergy tend to be a very focused, dedicated, and often times solitary lot. Despite the grim stoicism of many of her followers she knows how to laugh and encourages her people to take moments to breath.
Her core holy book is called "The Edicts." The core of which states "Make the darkness safe. A place to hide and rest. Purge it clean and make it comforting.Endure and teach other to as well. Both physically and spiritually. By example if nothing else. That which is broken can be brought together again and that which is not broken may persevere. Retribution goes where the Law cannot. Dispense that which is morally right and deserved but never more than that lest it become petty vengeance. Vengeance indulges the one. Retribution serves all."
Cadmus-Nibiru has some interesting relationships amongst the other gods. It is said that as a mortal she followed Desna and that she was something of a patron during the early years of Cadmus' budding divinity. As such she frequently stood with Black Butterfly and along with their complimentary areas of concern became close allies. Her most unusual friendship is with the machine god Triune. Despite having vastly different areas of concern they are both beings of tripartite origin and it is said that Cadmus offered her insight shortly after the three became one forming Triune.
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The Sacred Darkness, I like :3
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The Sacred Darkness, I like :3
Thanks :)
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Huzzah! Glad to see this!
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"Just retribution" -- sounds more Lawful to me. (Not denying that she could have been a follower of Desna -- after all, Milani was a follower of Aroden.)
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"Just retribution" -- sounds more Lawful to me. (Not denying that she could have been a follower of Desna -- after all, Milani was a follower of Aroden.)
I imagine it depends on how that just retribution is applied ;)
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"Just retribution" -- sounds more Lawful to me. (Not denying that she could have been a follower of Desna -- after all, Milani was a follower of Aroden.)
I see "just" as "justifiable" - that is, in relative proportion.
This is compared and contrasted to Calistria who is (it must be noted) disproportionate in her responses to things, in general.
So, for example, verbally rebuking your son for, say, accidentally slapping you in the face with a broken plastic bead necklace, followed by a reconciliation hug would be a relatively just retribution (presupposing said son actually shows remorse about hurting you in the first place).
This functions because the retribution applied is just - it teaches all an important lesson while ensuring that similar issues don't happen in the future.
A more chaotic brand of the same, may be having your loved one killed while you were a child - some thieves had succeeded at a massive heist and managed to steal a ton of money from a local bank. Two officers were nearby on duty, and the closer one took a bribe, while the farther one - your loved one - didn't, and one of the robbers took him down, kidnapped him, and (in secret) tortured and murdered him. Later, that robber was tried but let free for testifying against other criminals the system deemed "worse" - and, as a "reformed" criminal managed to get into a government position of some importance that allows him to cover for his own misdeeds. That, of course, didn't stop the murderer from being horrible, or even a murderer (he was a worshiper of Norgorber - you know how it is, go to church, murder a dude, extort protection from your neighbors - all while protected by the law, 'cause reasons). He may well conceal his crimes. So, after growing up and getting training, you quietly assassinate the monster and disappear into the night. This is fabulously illegal, and potentially quite chaotic (are you doing this "for the greater good" or "for Tom and Louise down the street" or "for my loved one" or "for the sake of all" or "for me" or what?), but still represents just vengeance.
On the other hand, growing up for fifteen years, then hunting down and killing a murderer, every member of his old thieves' gang, and the police officer that took a bribe that one time that allowed them to escape their nighttime bank heist (which directly led to a confrontation with your loved one and the one dude killed him in cold blood - painfully) while said gang were all fleeing is disproportionate.
This is unjust - and disproportionate - because, while those other people may deserve to be punished for their crimes, most were not willing parties to any sort of a murder: it is just the murderer. The others may have not cared, or been too frightened, or been unaware of any murder, depending, but none of those others were the murderer, and the logic that includes such individuals could be stretched to include most anyone. Further, beyond the one dude, it doesn't serve any purpose except to make you feel better.