The Tale of the Feathered King
The Feathered
King is a celebrated deity among
The Gods of Lankhmar, embodying the freedom and majesty of the skies. His tale is one of grace, wisdom, and dominion over all avian creatures. Legends tell of a time when the skies were ruled by chaotic storms and monstrous birds. The Feathered
King, then a mortal of unparalleled virtue and intellect, ascended to the heavens, tamed the wild skies, and established harmony among the creatures of the air.
According to myth, the Feathered
King was once a noble who possessed the unique ability to communicate with birds. Using this gift, he formed alliances with the most powerful avian beings and orchestrated a great battle against the sky’s chaos. Victorious, he was granted divinity, crowned with a diadem of feathers, and given dominion over the skies.
Accompanied by 13 companions, he set foot in
Western Nehwon. Together, they established
Lankhmar, pouring immense effort into its creation and safeguarding. Chronicles of that age denote him as the chief of this band. With them, they introduced an advanced civilization, possibly infused with arcane arts or groundbreaking technology. Every reigning monarch of present-day Nehwon traces their roots back to this iconic figure. His reign was not ordinary; spanning millennia, it ceased only upon his demise – a tragic betrayal by his sibling, the notorious Basilisk.
Overview
The Feathered
King is worshipped as the god of the skies, birds, and freedom. He is often depicted as a regal figure adorned with a magnificent cloak of feathers, a crown made of delicate plumes, and eyes that shimmer with the blue of the open sky. His presence brings calm winds, clear skies, and the joyous song of birds.
- Domain: Skies, Birds, Freedom
- Symbols: Feathers, Birds, Blue Sky
- Attributes: Grace, Wisdom, Liberty
Historical Foundations
Documentations from the Feathered
King's era were meticulous. However, during the Basilisk's reign, many were eradicated or distorted, labeled as heresy. Only a handful of artifacts and scrolls endure.
Legacy and Folklore
Nehwon's populace universally recognizes the legend of the Feathered
King.
Adaptations Across Lands
Every region of Nehwon reveres tales of this pioneering monarch, even if the monikers of these early kings were either forgotten or intentionally obliterated by subsequent rulers.
Cultural Interpretations
To the Klesh, he embodied divinity and was one of their own. Northern tribes envisioned him as a towering figure adorned with white hair, interwoven with eagle feathers and beads.
Elves acknowledged his prophetic nature, drawing parallels to their kin. Quarmall revered his leadership but felt he lost his vigor over time. Eevanmarensee perceived him as a mere mortal, possibly one of their lineage. For those in the East, he epitomized an exemplary mentor, warrior, and
Sovereign.
Literary Echoes
While his legend perseveres, many of the original manuscripts, tablets, and scrolls have vanished.
Artistic Impressions
With the passage of time, the Feathered
King's portrayal transitioned, elevating him to a divine stature.

Zephyros by Chad Watson via Midjourney
The Feathered
King's
Deithar is known as Zephyros. This pendant contains light blue topaz and feathers that symbolize the swift and graceful nature of The Feathered
King, reflecting the power of the wind. The crown of the
Deithar is adorned with wind and cloud patterns, and the skull’s eyes glow with a bright sky-blue light. Zephyros grants the ability to cast "Wind Walk" at will and "Control Weather" once per day, reflecting The Feathered
King’s mastery over the air and its freedom.
The Transformation from mortal to god
Upon their deaths, the founders of
Lankhmar underwent a mystical transformation that was catalyzed by a combination of their extraordinary deeds, the collective reverence of the citizens, and ancient, powerful magic embedded in the city's foundations. Their bodies were mummified and housed in
The Black Temple, where their spirits continued to reside, maintaining a vigilant watch over the city they had dedicated their lives to.
The exact process of their transformation involved several key elements:
- Sacred Rituals: Ancient rituals performed by the city's early priests invoked powerful enchantments that bound the spirits of these great men to their mummified remains.
- Collective Belief: The unwavering belief and reverence of the citizens of Lankhmar played a crucial role in empowering and sustaining the transformation of these men into gods.
- Divine Intervention: It is believed that the gods themselves, recognizing the extraordinary nature of these men, granted them divine status to ensure the continued protection and prosperity of Lankhmar.
Why They Transformed
The transformation of these founders into gods served several essential purposes:
- Eternal Protection: As gods, they could continue to protect Lankhmar from both natural and man-made disasters, ensuring the city's survival and prosperity.
- Symbol of Unity and Strength: Their presence as gods served as a constant reminder of the city's resilience and the unity of its people, fostering a strong sense of community and purpose.
- Balance of Power: By becoming gods, they maintained a delicate balance of power within Lankhmar, preventing any one faction or temple from gaining undue influence over the city.
In life, these founders were known for their diverse alignments, ranging from noble and just to cunning and strategic. However, upon their transformation into
The Gods of Lankhmar, they collectively adopted a Lawful Neutral
Alignment with Lawful Evil tendencies. This shift was influenced by the following factors:
- Eternal Vigilance: As guardians of the city, their primary focus shifted to maintaining order and stability at all costs. This required a rigid adherence to law and order, often leading to ruthless decisions to protect Lankhmar.
- Absolute Power: The immense power and responsibility they wielded as gods necessitated a more pragmatic and, at times, harsh approach to governance, resulting in actions that could be perceived as Lawful Evil.
- Divine Judgment: The need to balance protection with retribution led to a more severe interpretation of justice, often punishing those who threatened the city with ruthless efficiency.
The Gods of Lankhmar are more than just mummified remains or sacred relics; they are the eternal guardians of the city. Their roles include:
- Protectors in Times of Crisis: Whenever Lankhmar faces a severe threat, the gods emerge from The Black Temple to defend the city. Their interventions range from creating protective domes during hurricanes to obliterating threats that challenge their supremacy, such as when they destroyed the Temple of Issek.
- Enforcers of Order: The gods also enforce order by ensuring no other temple is built westward of The Black Temple, maintaining the temple's status as the most important in the city.
- Collectors of Energy: After defending the city, the gods embark on a rampage to replenish their spent energy, a process that also serves to remind the citizens of their reliance on the gods and the need for better risk management.
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