Wisdom Islands

Heaven

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© Daniel S. Wall, April 13, 2026.

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“This morning trees in the forest shook, as did the flowers in the meadows, With little grain on the stalks to show for the season, our fields offer little solace. Water has long since left the wells, and barbarians gather at the gates of our cities. Clearly the emperor has lost the favor of Heaven.”

– Yi Qin, Temple Master

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Heaven appears to be a tall formidable warrior. He wears no armor, and carries but two simple weapons, a Long Bow and a Weighted Chain.

Heaven is solely concerned with determining the rulership of men, always by means of dynastic succession. Toward that end, Heaven chooses the ruler of a single kingdom and works toward the benefit of that kingdom. He will aid that one kingdom so long as its rulers maintain conduct themselves in a worthy fashion. They must serve their people well and carry the Favor of Heaven with dignity and grace. They must also insist on the respect of others, for a ruler that allows others to disrespect his throne allows them to disrespect the favor of Heaven. Should a king lose the favor of Heaven, a dynasty may fall quite quickly. Seldom does a single generation pass in the wake of a fallen dynasty before Heaven chooses a new lineage to succeed the old one.

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Religion: The Cult of Heaven is always the official faith of any kingdom receiving his favor. This cult is strongest in the Wisdom Isles where Heaven has a well established influence over the affairs of certain kingdoms. While worship of Heaven is always led by the ruling classes, even the poor will pay their respects to Heaven as well, seeking to benefit from peace and prosperity under a stable (and hopefully wise) king. Rival kingdoms will sometimes court the favor of this great deity, but it is rare to see him change his mind about the suitability of a dynasty.

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Domains: Royalty, Storms, Wind.

Symbol: Clouds.

Favored Offerings: Coins, Gems and Jewelry.

Tlegachet

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© Daniel S. Wall, April 12, 2026.

***

“Upon greeting Tlegachet, The first king showed his admiration with a dozen strong horses, a chest of gold, and a wagonload of the finest silks. The second king bore no gifts at all. One his knees before the fair nomad, he said simply; ‘the gates of my kingdom are open; whatever is mine is now yours.’

“To the first king Tlegachet replied; ‘The riches of miserly men is a burden upon their soul. I shall repay your kindness today by relieving you of the bonds which now bind you. Your city shall feed itself without grains, greens, or meat; your armies shall fight without hands; your mentors shall teach without tongues, and your women shall raise their children without husbands.

“Tlegachet smiled upon the second king; ‘There is no shame in empty hands, but only in tight knuckles and sweaty palms. To you I shall bring the treasures which a generous king ought to have at his disposal. In a fortnight you shall receive all the wealth and slaves that you could ever dream. The children of your kingdom shall grow fat and wise. Your farmers shall reap beyond their own seeds, and your armies shall join mine bearing new weapons and riding new horses. When next I travel, you shall be at my side, and you shall share in the riches we discover.”

– Kulest Hulugur, Elder Bard.

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Tlegachet G’Surl is at once feared and loved throughout all the lands knowing her name. She appears as a beautiful nomad, always in the company of great horses. (She always rides a standard horse with at least 3d8+10 Experience Points) carries a great bow and a scimitar. On her right hand, she bears a ring of war.

Tlegachet is known both for her compassion and her cruelty. The one, she shows to all who submit to her rule, and the other she inflicts on all who resist her. Stories of her compassion towards those Tlegachet brings under her control are matched only by those of misery and suffering inflicted by those who thought to deny her ambitions.

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Religion: Priests of Tlegachet rarely settle into any kind of temple. They travel instead with great warriors, preferring especially to accompany those on the march in foreign lands. Many a soldier

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Domains: Conquest, Pastoralism

Symbol: The Symbol of Tlegachet is a scimitar over two horse hooves.

Favored Offerings: Tlegachet is most pleased with well cooked meals offered to her in prayer.

Taiyo

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© Daniel S. Wall, April 12, 2026.

***

“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.

The Monkey King

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© Daniel S. Wall, April 11, 2026.

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“Like Beating the Monkey.”

– Common Expression for losing a fight.

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This deity appears as a human with an unnaturally full beard and mustache, and of course a prehensile tail. The monkey king is every bit as agile and swift as one might expect on hearing the many legends of his exploits. He is inquisitive to a fault, and very fond of practical jokes. The Monkey King is accordingly prone to find himself in trouble of such magnitude as to make resolution a challenge, even for someone of his own considerable skills.

The Monkey King has often used his skills to protect objects and people of great importance.

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Religion: The Monkey King has little in the way of an organized church, but one does find the occasional Priest of the Monkey King attached to some temple or monastery in the Wisdom Islands. His greatest following can be found in the martial arts schools as well as those of acrobats and mask theatre performers, many of whom pay homage to the Monkey King for one reason or another.

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Domains: Marshal Arts, Simians.

Symbol: A Monkey with a staff.

Favored Offerings: Food or Small and Shiny Objects.