V: The Creation of the Sun and Moon and the Birth of the Elder Gods

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© Daniel S. Wall, September 19, 2026.

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This is Chapter 5 of the most authoritative account of creation contained in the Stone Philosophic. A full table of contents can be found here.

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Text

And Taiyo made his first appearance in this world, bringing with him the sun itself.

“Come, my love,” Mirona called out to the great dragon, “for I have born you a son.” Hetht returned, and all enjoyed the bright sunlight of the first day. Taiyo grew to the full stature of a man. Hetht slept and ate as he always did, and for a time Mirona seemed still and content. But the day was long, and all of them grew tired, as did the trees, the birds, the grasses, and the very ground itself.

“Mother, do not forget me!” Cried a voice from Mirona’s womb.

“Who is that?” She answered.

“Tis I” spoke Kotoya. And thus, Mirona gave birth to her second son.

Seeking to play, Kotoya bothered his tired mother. Smiling and dancing about, Kotoya irritated his father, and then his brother. Finally, Taiyo chased his brother away. But when he left, Kotoya took the sun with him.

And finally, the others slept.

When Taiyo awoke, he searched everywhere for the sun. Finding it hidden beneath the eastern corner of the world, Taiyo took the glowing orb from his sleeping brother and set it high in the sky, but Kotoya took it from him later that evening and carried it once more beneath the earth far to the west. Thus has it ever been between the two brothers, each claiming the sun for a time only to lose it to the other in the course of the day.[1]

In time, Mirona once again grew sour and angry, and the world withered and froze under the weight of her misery. Then she gave birth to a daughter, Iñacha, whose cries could be heard in the far corners of the world.

“My sister, what is wrong?” asked Taiyo.

“I am hungry,” she answered. “My mother is angry and she will not feed me.”

The Shark King brought her fish, but Iñacha could only cry. “I cannot eat this.” In despair the great shark swam away.

Ayomichi brought her fruits and vegetables, but Iñacha spurned him. Unable to bear the sadness of his half sister, Ayomichi too crawled back into the sea.

Hetht inquired, “Will you not feed our daughter?”

But Mirona answered him with silence.

Finally, Kotoya brought his sister a bowl of milk.[2] And he took her to the west whereupon the two fashioned a home for themselves and called it the moon.

“For them and theirs,” said Hetht, “but that must never happen again.” To this Mirona heartily agreed, but Taiyo grew angry. It was enough that his brother took the sun from him every evening. Now this!

Still, the great dragon had spoken. His word was law.

The following Winter Mirona gave birth to another girl, Lady Spider. Seeing her mother in a foul mood, Lady Spider crawled to her father for sustenance, and Hetht bade her to drink blood from his palm, sheltering her from the cold wind that Mirona called up.

It was that spring that Mirona conceived Osun, and it was in the winter that Osun was born, All who looked upon her knew at once the meaning of love. All but Mirona, lost as she was in a winter mood.

Upon her birth Osun too found only her mother’s cold shoulder.[3] The young goddess cried in the snow until Lady Spider spun her a blanket for shelter and Kotoya brought her a pitcher of milk for sustenance. Osun too survived to see her mother become kind once again. From her mother and her sister, Lady Spider, Osun soon learned the medicinal powers of plants, and she became a great healer.

The following winter, the world trembled at the coming birth of Bivishta. Mountains fell and forests burned as this child danced out of the womb and into the world, but soon fresh peaks grew and wondrous new gardens flourished in the wake of her passing. All grew to fear this new child even as they marveled at her creations.

Finally Mirona gave birth to Eleenian who suffered her mother’s winter without complaint. She loved each of her brothers and sisters. She quickly learned all that they had to teach her, making herself a blessing to all who encountered her.

***

[1] Scholars differ as to the nature of the exchange. Some describe the passage of the sun from Taiyo to Kotoya as a peaceful and cooperative hand-off. Others suggest that this always a kind of theft, albeit one aided by the exhaustion of each deity at the end of efforts to carry the sun. By most accounts, a solar eclipse occurs when Taiyo and Kotoya actually fight over it. Few would suppose that this could be a fight to the death, but brother’s being brothers, it should surprise nobody to see them scuffle over an item clearly of interest to both.

[2] The question arises; where did Kotoya get the milk? In truth, nobody knows. The question  itself gave rise to at least one civil war, after which the Torturer’s Guild was given the task of putting the matter to rest. Nobody now speaks openly on the matter, at least not in the Sunset Isles. Being largely found in the Turtle Islands, Kotoya’s followers are of course free to discuss the matter, but most seem to regard it as a pointless inquiry.

[3] It is sometimes suggested that Osun chose to make the Cradle Islands her home as a direct result of her birth in the winter of her mother’s moods. For their own part, the cult of Osun has always maintained that she was born to the Cradle Islands at the outset. Some have argued that the entire archipelago was once subject to colder seasons than one finds there now. Some have suggested that Osun was born on the highest mountain in those isles, a location that does know the meaning of winter even today. Wherever she was born, few could doubt that Osun belongs to these Isles, and visa versa.

Natu Vispuer

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© Daniel S. Wall, September 19, 2026.

***

“In a world long since forgotten there is a kingdom. Much of the kingdom lies in disrepair. So fearful are its people of a power long since forgotten that they live out their entire lives in subservience to this long since forgotten power.

“Every harvest is taxed heavily, and the grains rot in towering silos, which quickly fill beyond capacity. So labor is conscripted, and more silos are built. One can see the silos stretching out in rows by the thousands over the great plains. In time, the silos themselves crumble and collapse. But the people build more, carving into the forest to make wood and space for more silos, all to hold grains that nobody will eat.

“And with the disappearance of the trees, the water runs off still more of the soil. So, the people must work harder to grow the same quantities of food. But work alone is insufficient, and every year they sacrifice a portion of their youth to the long forgotten power, offered by priests long since denied word of their mysterious Lord. The priests, and all about them, pray that the youth will be sufficient and that the harvest will be enough to fill the silos and perhaps a portion of their bellies when it is all said and done.

“Tis a land that knows neither rest nor cheer, a land in which all joy has long since given way to the onerous task of serving a long forgotten power. What that power was, and what it wanted with these people, nobody knows, not even the power itself. It has long since forgotten this people and the burdens with which it left for them

“Nor does it care about the many other worlds it has left in similar disarray.”

– Chronicles of Natu Vispuer.

***

Natu Vispuer appears as a large muscular Person. His skin is jet black in color. His face lacks the eyes and ears of a normal human. He does possess a mouth and just the smallest nose rising from an otherwise flat face. Natu never wears any clothing, nor does he carry anything but a dark wooden stave.

Natu Vispuer lives to conquer others or to see his followers do the same. Rulership itself is of little interest to Natu Vispuer. Whether or not his followers care about such things is also of no consequence to him; they may care for the kingdoms they conquer or not as they wish. But Natu himself appears far more interested in the act of conquest itself. He is always plotting against other gods, or against entire worlds, …anything large enough to prove a challenge, really.

Natu is a great proponent of careful planning and preparation. He does not strike any target without first learning as much as he can about its defenses. He often knows more about a kingdom than its own defenders when he comes to attack, an advantage which he uses to great effect. Once engaged, Natu uses fear as his greatest weapon, scaring away those unworthy of his efforts and killing those strong enough to stand their ground.

As his presence often precedes violent conquest, even the appearance of this God is a thing to be greatly feared. Rumor has it that Natu Vispuer once conquered a great kingdom simply by walking inside its gates after its people fled in terror.

Religion: The Cult of Natu Vispuer is dedicated to the principle that might makes right. Its leadership is, with few exceptions, renowned for acts of great cruelty and seemingly pointless destruction. While few civilizations would tolerate the presence of this cult in its heartland, their temples may often be found in the outreaches of great kingdoms, left alone lest any real challenge produce a devastating response.

Domains: Conquest, Destruction.

Symbol: The Holy Symbol of Natu Vispuer is a Black Cyclone.

Favored Offerings: Surrender (or the sacrifice of surrendering prisoners).

Mognir

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© Daniel S. Wall, April 28, 2026.

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“Shunning the company of others, Mognir followed a deep cavern into the mountains. Finding different colored ores in the walls about him, Mognir built a great forge and began to smelt the ore into all types of metal. Stoking the flames to great heights, Mognir discovered the secrets of bronze, of steel, and even gold. As he worked, drops of Mognir’s sweat fell to the floor and took life in the form of Vorim, the Great. Beholding the first blade forged, a drop of blood fell from Mognir’s soot-covered fingers. Landing upon the floor, it became Dvergrim the black.

“Standing unnoticed in the great shop, Vorim and Dvergrim each occupied himself in his own fashion. Vorim took up the tools about him and began to put them to good use making all manner of weapons and tools out of the materials in Mognir’s workshop. Dvergrim found charcoal markings upon the walls of the cave and set himself to learn their meaning.

“Having satisfied himself with the art of metalwork and the crafting of weapons, Mognir taught himself to render the most beautiful of metals and stones into great art. He took little notice that newer and better tools could be found in his shop, nor did he care that runes could now be found about the walls of his workshop. But Mognir did notice when one day an elf wandered into his home from the forests above. Taking refuge from some threat above, the weak and frail creature cowered in the shadows and begged Mognir’s to grant her asylum. Asking the little creature to find him some food, Mognir handed Aelfgemmel a pile of his finest creations. The first dark elf studied the odd assortment of gold chains along with a silver bracelet then she set to work. Seeing as the sun now hurt her eyes, she ascended to the surface at night to place her trap outside the entrance. Quickly she returned to the workshop lest she be seen out on the surface.

“Forty days and nights passed in the outside world before a hair fell into Alfgemmel’s trap. Forgetting the elf and his request to her, Mognir set about fashioning armor of different sorts and sizes. Unbidden by any army, chain, scale, and even plate armor began to take shape in Mognir’s shop. Mognir took no heed when food entered his home. On seeing meat for the first time, Vorim and Dvergrim learned of their own hunger, grown insatiable since birth. Neither could wait for the other and both began to fight with Aelfgemmel over the small morsel meant to feed the lot of them.

“Hearing a commotion in his shop, Mognir beheld for the first time all of his helpers. Seeing them in conflict, he carved deeper into the mountains. Mognir settled Dvergrim in the furthest reaches of his caverns, whereupon Dvergrim placed all of his books and raised his children to be masters of runecraft. Carving still deeper into his caverns, Mognir settled Aelfgemmel in a maze of hidden rooms where she raised her children far from the sight of forest elves and their allies. Leaving his shop and all of its tools to Vorim, Mognir carved a side passage and proceeded still deeper into the mountain, disappearing altogether and leaving behind only his crafts and his progeny.

“And thus were the great kingdoms of the underworld born, the kindred of Dwarf, Dvergar, and Dark Elf, …each in turn dependent on the others. …and each jealous of the other’s fortune. Bound to one another in trade and in conflict, these three kindreds rule the underworld. Each honors Mognir in its own fashion, and each emulates some feature of his skills to the best of its abilities.

– The Darkening Saga.

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Whether Mognir can best be described as a Dwarf or a Dvergar is a subject of great debate, but only the most foolish of dark elves would claim anything but a relation of adoption. He is worshipped by each of these three kindreds.

Mognir takes little notice of the conflict occurring between his legions of followers, noticing only those with some mastery in some skill or craft. Among the Dvergar, it is magical runecraft which serves as the most common route to his approval. Among the dwarves, it is conventional crafts of metal work and stone cutting or architecture. The Dark Elves claim their fortune in the use of traps and the construction of elaborate mazes.

If there is anything approaching civilization in the cavernous regions of the world, it is generally due to the kindred of Mognir and their contributions to the shape and care of a dungeon. When each is not trading with the others, they are likely to be raiding one another. And yet, some strange bond remains between each (most likely the legacy of Mognir himself), and so wars between Dvergar, Dwarves, and Dark Elves always stop well short of outright slaughter. Each kindred seeks to hold the others under its control, and using the fruits of one another’s labor to their own advantage. Each kindred also seeks to show itself worthy of Mognir’s legacy.

Religion: Priests of Mognir are almost exclusively found in underground lairs. Some few may be found on the surface of major cities, often surrounded by smithies and related craftsmen. They are commonly devoted to some craft or another. Dark Elven Priests normally devote themselves to the most obscure lore available, often guarding great secrets of value to those on the surface world. Dwarven Priests will advance the arts and crafts of metalwork, and Dvergar show great mastery in the use of runes and creation of Magical artifacts. All Priests of Mognir can be relied upon to support the pursuit of excellence in some form of craftsmanship or secret lore.

Domains: Caverns, Crafts, Dwarves

Symbol: An Anvil.

Favored Offerings: Mognir is most pleased with luxury goods made by master craftsman.

K’Dest Nistrutt

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© Daniel S. Wall, September 19, 2026.

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“His sword held high, K’Dest stood before the walls and all enemies broke before him. When the battle was over, neither sword, nor arrow had struck him. The city itself was untouched.”

– Professor Piebald Hackmaster, Esquire, Master Tactician.

***

K’Dest Nistrutt appears as a handsome and powerful man. He wears fine armor and wields a Great Sword of the most superb workmanship. He conveys the utmost of confidence at all times.

K’Dest is a knight of superb quality, dedicated to the defense of those in need. His sense of honor is impeccable. K’Dest has never failed to make good upon a promise or to answer a slight upon his own reputation.

It is sometimes said that K’Dest lacks compassion. In all the legends of this great warrior, none tell of him taking a prisoner. There are, however, a few stories which relate the clearing of a great valley in preparation for its defense. Orcs and Goblins had lived peaceably in that valley beforehand; all of them put to the sword to the last child, so it is said. But these tales are told of course by K’Dest’s enemies; none dare tell them in the company of his minions. It should also be said that there are no tales of deliberate cruelty on the part of  K’Dest. He appears to do exactly what he deems necessary for the protection of those he seeks to safegaurd from harm.

Religion: Followers of K’Dest organize themselves into a great and powerful religious order. They typically place temples in every major city which welcomes them. As the Priests of K’Dest are known to support a city’s defenses and provide great counsel on matters of war, few would deny a home to such temples.

Domains: Protection.

Symbol: The Holy Symbol of K’Dest is a shield against the background of a stone wall.

Favored Offerings: K’Dest is most pleased with offerings of gold, gems or fancy, jewelry.

Ialla

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© Daniel S. Wall, September 19, 2026.

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“Do not fooled by the beauty of her flesh or the shine of her hair. The beauty and grace of Ialla are unmatched in all the world, as is her appetite. The Goddess has a warm smile and a generous heart, but she is quick to consume all that gets in her way. Ialla is living fire clad in flesh.”

– Hiwalani, Dancer

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Although apparently human, most would say that her well-tanned skin and long black hair reflects the sunlight a bit more than one would expect, seeming almost to glow of their own accord. She is by all accounts a creature of amazing beauty and social grace. She is also known to consume great quantities of food when appearing at social occasions.

Ialla makes her home deep within a volcano on a remote island somewhere far from civilization. She often travels about the world, making appearances in locations with active volcanoes. The Goddess of Fire enjoys hospitality in all its forms. If she is pleased with her treatment, Ialla will quiet the local volcanoes. If she is insulted, or if hospitality is lacking, she may well bring fire and destruction down upon the inhabitants.

Religion: Although she is particularly associated with tropical islands, the Goddess of Fire is known throughout the world. She is naturally worshipped wherever volcanoes are active. Her temples invariably appear outdoors within sight of volcanoes (even if they are long since dormant). Her priests wear simple but elegant dress, and her alters are generally made of volcanic stone. Rituals performed in devotion to the Goddess of Fire are always beautiful affairs, involving some form of dance followed by a great feast. The largest and most choice helping of food always belongs to Ialla (being thrown to a fire).

Domains: Dance, Fire, Volcanoes.

Symbol: Fire.

Favored Offerings: Any offering, so long as it is consumed in fire (though she is especially fond of gifts thrown to the heart of a volcano).

Osun

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© Daniel S. Wall, September 19, 2026.

***

“One does not look upon Osun without love, and the love with which one looks upon her is everything it should be. Of course she rouses desire, but that is hardly the end of it. One does not merely want her, he wants to protect her, to provide for her, to live his life in her presence, to please her, and to make her happy. He lives for her blessings, her teachings, and all that she could share with him.

The Goddess herself cannot but smile at the efforts of mortal men. She loves them as she loves every living creature. She needs nothing from them. She asks only that men should endeavor to treat their own wives and lovers with some trace of the good will shown to her.”

– Tonuk M’tono, Village Elder

***

Osun appears to be a voluptuous women in her mid-thirties. Her features are exquisite, and her demeanor is dignified beyond all imagining. She is the perfect lover, the perfect wife, and the perfect mother. Osun embodies the spirit of a loving home, and holds herself up as a symbol for those who would hope for such a home themselves.

Religion: Osun is revered in many circles, but she has few temples dedicated to her honor. Here and there, one may find a small and dedicated priesthood honoring the Goddess, but her greatest followers are healers and witch doctors, and even match-makers. But Osun does not lack for respect. She is honored most by young lovers everywhere, and especially those seeking to form a family. Expectant mothers are especially keen to win her blessings.

Domains: Childbirth, Healing, Love.

Symbol: A Buxom Female Figure (in simple outline).

Favored Offerings: Rare Herbs, Floral Arrangements.

Bivishta

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© Daniel S. Wall, September 19, 2026.

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“People tremble at the approach of Bivishta. They rejoice in her departure.”

– A common saying.

***

Bivishta’s approach is always a terrible thing. In her coming, the goddess appears to be terrible hag with six arms, spinning to the left, a weapon leading her every movement. Her dance is intricate, and deadly. She lashes out at all around her. Items are destroyed. Living creatures are harmed or killed.

As Bivishta leaves, her visage appears to change, becoming that of a beautiful maiden, still possessing six arms. Her weapons flash about in an intricate and harmless dance. She heals the sick or injured (at least those she did not harm herself), and she always leaves something new and wondrous in her wake.

In all of her actions, Bivishta maintains an appearance of perfect calm and serenity. There is little reason to suspect that she causes destruction out of malice, or that the blessings she leaves reflect any great benevolence. Each effect seems to be an end in itself to Bivishta, its value being set by considerations quite apart from their effect on those helped or harmed in her passing.

Religion: The cult of Bivishta is powerful and influential. It is also home to a great variety of different interests. All who worship Bivishta embrace the duality of her nature. To value both creation and destruction is an ideal in the cult of this goddess. Yet, her mortal worshippers often celebrate certain aspects of her nature more than others. Consequently, her church has its share of reformers and assassins, warmongers, and healers alike. All are welcome within the cult of Bivishta.

Domains: Dance, Death, Birth.

Symbol: Bivishta herself forms the basis of her symbol. Often the image of the 6-armed deity is placed against a background of a circle, half of which is white and half of which is black).

Favored Offerings: Performance. Any item may be pleasing to Bivishta, if its offering is made in the course of an elaborate dance.

Mezizra

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© Daniel S. Wall,  September 17, 2026.

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“Show no mercy to the fly buzzing about your head and pulling you away from your thoughts. In truth, it answers to an evil far greater than any you might imagine.”

– Ilis Girdun, High Priest of Volsh

***

Mezizra appears to be a great swarm of insects and random vermin swirling slowly from east to north. Most of these are flying creatures, but some appear to crawl or ooze along the ground. When Mezizra moves too fast for some of the vermin making up his body they are simply left behind to fend for themselves. Those vermin confined to the ground are likewise abandoned whenever he takes flight. It is said that this is how all vermin have come into the world.

Religion: The powers of the surface world always look with disfavor upon the worship of Mezizra. For this reason, his worshippers are always secretive. The cult of Mezizra offers its followers the power to harm others, thus filling its ranks with the most sadistic of men as well as many seeking vengeance of some sort. Priests of Mezizra always seek to spread discord and suffering wherever they may be found.

The most powerful of Mezizra’s followers are coddled and protected by his well-organized priesthood, but the common worshippers are looked upon as expendable resources. Mezizra and his priests are happy to see such individuals destroy themselves even as they achieve their own malicious ends.

Domains: Bugs, Disease, Fire, Hell.

Symbol: A Whirlwind turning from the east to the north.

Favored Offerings: Mezizra is always happy to receive any token of value or human sacrifice, but he is particularly pleased when individuals undertake a binding oath to harm someone else.