Sun | The Stone Philosophic

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“The sun does not rise of its own accord. Rather it is carried into the sky by an able warrior, one who is charged with the responsibility to ensure the daylight returns each morning.”

– Rabbit Sage

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Taiyo appears as a strong samurai warrior, one who is always bathed in the brightest of sunlight. In the darkest of night, he reflects light as though the sun shone directly upon his body.

Taiyo is responsible for launching the sun into the sky every morning, a feat he carries out without fail. Taiyo loses responsibility for the sun at about midday when it passes into the charge of Kotoya. This is usually a peaceful transfer, but sometimes the two of them fight over their charge.

Taiyo is also patron to some of the great kingdoms of the eastern world. An accomplished warrior himself, Taiyo inspires great courage among his followers. He is thought to reward the greatest and most honorable with success in battle.

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Religion: Taiyo has a well-established Priesthood in the Wisdom Islands. Wherever possible his priests will forge bonds with the ruling class, serving as advisers and spokesmen for any kingdom willing to claim their god as its own.

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Domains: The East, Morning, The Sun.

Symbol: A sun with rays emanating outward.

Favored Offerings: Any plunder acquired through conquest.

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“Most times the sun passes peaceably from Taiyo to Kotoya. Sometimes Taiyo is reluctant to part with his charge. If Kotoya must fight with Taiyo for control of the sun, then the sun falters and its light fades. Thankfully, Kotoya has always prevailed, or perhaps Taiyo has always seen wisdom in the cycle of the day. To date, the sun has always regained its strength and finished its course. The wisest among us does not know what would happen if Kotoya should ever fail to take the sun down with him at the end of the day.”

– It is written in the ropes.

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Kotoya appears to be a handsome and strong man. He carries a Bola and Great Club. His is otherwise clad in the finest of cloth, spun from the fur of a vacuña. Kotoya often wears gold, and never silver.

As the Lord of the Sunset, Kotoya is charged with bringing about the end of the day, a duty that he performs with pride. He is otherwise keen to protect mortals from terrible monsters.

Kotoya looks after the welfare of a great mountain empire whose rulers are said to be his descendants. The Lord of the Sunset will not abide any threat to this kingdom or its rulers.

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Religion: Although people all over the world may pay their respects to the Lord of the Sunset, Kotoya enjoys full worship in only the kingdom claiming him as their ancestor and patron. In that kingdom, he is foremost among the gods, and his offerings are gathered from all over the land.

The official cult of Kotoya is very much concerned with support for imperial expansion, and with ensuring that such expansion is done to the honor of their great lord. Priests of Kotoya have been known to make great offerings of gold and jewelry. On occasion they will also demand young women from conquered territories, the majority of which are forced to serve as priestesses. On rare occasions, they will sacrifice one to the sun in a ritual marriage.

The greatest among Kotoya’s followers are always mummified and kept in royal tombs filled with treasure, all given in sacrifice to Kotoya.

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Domains: Royalty, The Sun, The West

Symbol: An Eye contained in the Sun.

Favored Offerings: Gold and jewelry.