Alseta Dev`Saquirin, The Welcomer

"Greetings, cherished followers and seekers of the divine path. I am Alseta Dev`Saquirin, the Guardian of Thresholds and the Protector of Transitions. With the grace of the eternal doors, I welcome you to this sacred compendium, a reflection of my will and a guide through the sacred spaces that define your journey.

In these hallowed pages, you shall find the wisdom of the boundaries that frame our existence, the sanctity of transitions that lead to growth and renewal, and the harmony that lies within the respect for thresholds both seen and unseen. This sacred text is not merely a book of teachings, but a beacon for your soul, a lantern that illuminates the way through life's myriad changes. Each chapter unfolds the mysteries of our divine purpose, offering you insights into the art of navigating the liminal spaces that shape your fate.

As you turn these pages, remember that every doorway you encounter is an opportunity, a moment to honor the past, embrace the present, and step boldly into the future. Approach each transition with reverence, for they are the stages upon which your destiny is enacted. May this tome serve as your guide and companion. Walk with the wisdom of Alseta Dev`Saquirin, and let the doors of enlightenment open before you."

"from the Book of Alseta Dev`Saquirin"

In the beginning, when the fabric of reality was still being woven, there existed a great expanse of uncharted realms and boundless possibilities. It was during this primordial time that Alseta Dev`Saquirin emerged, a deity whose very essence was tied to the concepts of transition and boundaries.

Born from the celestial ether, Alseta's origins were as mysterious as the realms she would come to govern. From the moment she took form, she was bestowed with the sacred duty of overseeing doorways, thresholds, and the passage of time itself. Her role was to be the guardian of transitions, a role that spanned both the literal and metaphorical realms.

In the early epochs, Alseta took her place among the pantheon of gods, not as a ruler seeking dominion, but as a custodian of the delicate balance between the worlds. Her presence was integral to the smooth functioning of the divine order. She was the steward who ensured that the gods' realms remained harmonious, and that their gatherings were conducted with grace and respect. When conflicts arose among the deities, it was Alseta who acted as the mediator, her impartiality and wisdom earning her the trust of both allies and adversaries alike.

Alseta's influence was not confined to the celestial spheres; it extended deeply into the mortal world. Her dominion over doorways and thresholds made her a vital force in the lives of those who experienced significant transitions. Whether it was the celebration of a new year, the union of two souls in marriage, or the solemn farewell to a loved one, Alseta was invoked in moments of change. Her presence was a comforting reminder that each transition was a sacred passage, marked by her divine guidance.

In the elven realms, Alseta became particularly revered as the patroness of the aiudara, or elf gates. These mystical portals, which connected various planes of existence, were believed to be under her special protection. Elves honored her as the divine architect who facilitated their planar travels and safeguarded their sacred pathways.

Throughout her divine tenure, Alseta remained ever-courteous and composed. Her demeanor was marked by a serene authority, and she spoke with a grace that conveyed both wisdom and respect. Her mask, worn on the back of her head, symbolized her role as a guardian of transitions and the keeper of hidden truths.

Despite her impartial stance, Alseta formed close alliances with several deities. Her relationship with Pharasma, the Lady of Graves, was particularly notable. Their shared interest in the passage between life and death fostered a strong bond, leading to theories that Alseta might have once been a mortal or a psychopomp who ascended to godhood. This connection underscored the intertwined nature of their divine roles.

However, not all deities were allies. Alseta's dedication to maintaining order and harmony often put her at odds with more chaotic or destructive entities. Deities like Styphon and Agarik represented forces that sought to breach the boundaries of civilization, and their enmity with Alseta was well-known. Yet, even in the face of such opposition, Alseta's dedication to her role never wavered.

As the centuries passed, Alseta's influence only grew. Her guidance became a beacon for those navigating the complexities of life, and her temples were seen as places of peace and reflection. Her followers, both mortal and divine, cherished her wisdom and sought her favor in times of transition.

In the tapestry of divine history, Alseta Dev`Saquirin stands as a testament to the sanctity of change and the importance of maintaining the balance between realms. Her legacy endures in the sacred doors that mark the boundaries of existence and in the hearts of those who honor the passages of life.

Divine Portfolio:

• Domains: Community, Law, Magic, Protection
• Portfolio: Doorways, Thresholds, Transitions, Teleportation

Religious Dogma:

1. Doors symbolize transitions between states of being, both literal and metaphorical.
2. Respect for boundaries and transitions is crucial for maintaining harmony and order.
3. Invocation of Alseta is essential when undertaking significant life changes or transitions.

Appearance and Symbols:

• Holy Symbol: A woman's face in profile, facing left, wearing a smiling mask on the back of her head.
• Regalia:
  1. Appearance: Simple gray attire.
  2. Signature Item: Smiling mask.

Role in Ceremonies:

Acts as a mediator and guardian of transitions during religious rites and celebrations. Plays a significant role in ceremonies marking the start of new ventures, weddings, and births.

Treatment of Worshippers, Priests, and Organizations:

• Worshippers:
  • Favored Actions: Respectful behavior, especially in the face of transitions and boundaries.
  • Unfavored Actions: Disrespectful behavior towards boundaries or lack of courtesy.
• Priests:
  • Roles: Serve as mediators and protectors of sacred thresholds. Maintain the balance between order and chaos.
  • Training: Priests are trained to manage both literal and metaphorical transitions, using their skills to help followers navigate changes.
• Organizations:
  • Hierarchical Structure: Organized into various orders focused on different aspects of Alseta's domains.
  • Punishment and Discipline: Disciplinary actions for priests and worshippers who fail to uphold the virtues of courtesy and respect.

Temples and Influence:

• Temples: Found at major crossroads, city gates, and locations of significant transitions. Often designed with intricate doors and thresholds as symbolic elements.
• Influence:
  • Role in Society: Acts as a stabilizing force during transitions and changes, both mundane and divine.
  • Philosophical Influence: Promotes the value of respecting transitions and boundaries.
  • Cultural Impact: Seen in architectural designs and societal norms surrounding transitions.

Legacy:

1. Promoted the practice of respecting both physical and metaphorical boundaries.
2. Played a pivotal role in facilitating major religious and societal transitions.
3. Influenced architectural designs in cultures that revere her.
4. Encouraged the integration of respect and courtesy into daily life.
5. Fostered peaceful resolutions and mediated conflicts between gods and mortals.
6. The Influence on Elven Society: In Elven society, Alseta is revered as the patroness of elf gates and is integral to ceremonies involving major transitions and new beginnings.

Divine Attributes:

• Alignment: Beneficent
• Size: 13 feet (Imposing presence)
• Horror/Awe Factor: 16

Organizational Structure of Religion:

The Hierarchy of the Faith:

• High Priest/Priestess
• Priests
• Acolytes
• Templars
• Initiates

Religious Orders and their Organizational Structure:

• Fighting Orders

  1. Guardians of the Threshold: Protect sacred spaces and prevent unauthorized access.
  2. Keepers of the Gate: Specialize in safeguarding and maintaining the divine gateways.

• Clerical Orders

  1. Order of the Open Path: Focus on guiding individuals through major life transitions.
  2. Order of the Closed Gate: Dedicated to protecting and maintaining boundaries and sacred spaces.

Each of these orders plays a crucial role in the overarching structure of Alseta Dev`Saquirin's religious and mystical framework, ensuring the protection, preservation, and enforcement of divine principles across various aspects of her followers. All are pledged to support in the defense of her church.
See the Religious Orders section for more detail.

Holy Artifacts:

1. Keys of Alseta: Enchanted keys that can unlock or seal portals and gates.
2. Mask of the Welcomer: A divine artifact representing Alseta's smiling mask.

Religious Practices:

• Daily Devotions: Rituals at doorways, gateways, and thresholds.
• Special Practices: Prayers for new beginnings and transitions.

Celebrated Holidays:

• Turning Day: Celebrates the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. Involves forgiveness of debts, reaffirmation of bonds, and reconciliation.

Additional Information:

• Alignment: Beneficent

  Size

  13 feet (Imposing presence)

  Horror/Awe Factor

  16

  OCCs

  • Clerics: Devotees who uphold Alseta's principles of courtesy, duty, honesty, and humility, often seen managing ceremonies and guiding followers in their spiritual practices.
  • Oracles: Individuals who receive divine insight from Alseta, offering wisdom on transitions, decisions, and guidance in moments of change.
  • Protectors: Guardians who ensure that doors, thresholds, and boundaries are maintained, reflecting Alseta's role as the guardian of literal and metaphorical transitions.
  • Gatekeepers: Specialists who manage and secure magical or physical gates, ensuring that the pathways Alseta governs remain safeguarded and respected.

  Deific Powers of Alseta

  Alseta Dev`Saquirin has the full range of powers over her followers and can perform all prototypical deific powers at regular cost. Additionally, she possesses the following special powers:

  1. Transcendental Transition

  Range: 500 miles (800 kilometers)

  Duration: Instantaneous

  Cost: 1,000 P.P.E.

  Alseta can facilitate instantaneous transitions between realms and planes, allowing her followers to move seamlessly through physical and metaphysical barriers. This power also aids in teleportation and planar travel, ensuring safe and guided journeys.

  2. Gatekeeper's Ward

  Range: 100 feet (30 meters)

  Duration: 24 hours

  Cost: 500 P.P.E.

  Alseta strengthens and protects doors, gates, and other thresholds within the range. This power provides enhanced security against intrusions and ensures that sacred spaces remain inviolate, with an added ability to repel magical and physical attacks.

  3. Guidance of the Threshold

  Range: Self or target

  Duration: 1 hour

  Cost: 300 P.P.E.

  Alseta offers insight and wisdom to those facing important decisions or life transitions. This power allows her to provide visions or dreams that illuminate the path for individuals, helping them make informed choices during significant changes.

  4. Divine Barrier

  Range: 50 feet (15 meters)

  Duration: 1 hour

  Cost: 700 P.P.E.

  Alseta creates protective barriers around her temples, followers, and sacred sites. These barriers shield against magical and physical attacks, ensuring the safety and sanctity of her devoted and their places of worship.

  5. Imparting of Virtue

  Range: Self or target

  Duration: Permanent

  Cost: 400 P.P.E.

  Alseta imbues her followers with the virtues she embodies—courtesy, duty, honesty, and humility. This power aligns the actions and interactions of her followers with her divine principles, enhancing their moral compass and guiding their behavior in accordance with her teachings.

  • Priest/Healing Powers: Alseta provides her priests with the full range of Clerical and Healing Magic. This includes all standard spells and abilities for healing physical injuries, curing diseases, and providing spiritual guidance to her followers.
  • Magic Powers: Alseta possesses various magical abilities related to transitions and protection. These powers include creating protective wards, facilitating seamless travel between dimensions, and offering guidance during significant life changes.
  • Psionic Powers: Alseta is a Mindmage with 800 ISP. Her psionic abilities include telepathy, mental shielding, and mind control, which allow her to influence and communicate with her followers on a deep, psychological level.

  Favored Weapons

  Dagger

  Armor

  Alseta typically does not wear conventional armor but manifests a divine aura that provides protection similar to enchanted or divine armor. This aura is both a symbol of her divine nature and a means of defending herself and her followers.

  Alliances/Allies

  • Alseta is allied with other deities and divine entities who share her values of protection, transition, and guidance. She has strong relationships with gods and goddesses of nature, wisdom, and peace.
  • Her allies include prominent clerics, druids, and sages who serve as her emissaries and advocates on the mortal plane.

  Enemies

  • Alseta's enemies are those who oppose the principles of protection, guidance, and cultural unity. This includes malevolent entities that seek to disrupt the balance and peace she strives to maintain.
  • She also faces opposition from deities or beings that thrive on chaos and conflict, counteracting her efforts to provide stability and order.

  Vulnerabilities

  • Despite her formidable powers, Alseta is vulnerable to entities and forces that specifically target her divine attributes or seek to undermine her influence. This includes powerful curses or dark magic designed to counteract her protective and guiding abilities.
  • Her divine aura, while strong, can be weakened or disrupted by forces that have the capability to nullify or absorb divine energy.

  Minions

  • Alseta's minions include celestial beings, guardian spirits, and divine messengers who assist in carrying out her will and protecting her followers.
  • She also commands a cadre of devoted priests and clerics who act as her earthly representatives, ensuring her teachings and powers are effectively administered among mortals.