Deities

Introduction

A unique feature of the Temple of Divinity, this environment allows for mortals to sometimes interact, indirectly, and more rarely, in person, with the Gods of Ancient Egypt. These are feature characters interpreted from the various myths and versions of the Gods as understood by their players, and adapted for the purposes of playing on the MUCK. The Gods can be capricious, difficult to please, and even dangerous to interact with, but those who are able to earn the respect of the Gods can receive rich rewards, both personal and physical.

The Deities dwell in the Ethereal Tower, and while there, they can view and interact with any of the shrines off of the Sacred Lake area, as well as the Ceremonial Chambers. If you are in those rooms, be aware that you may be being watched by the Gods, even if there doesn't seem to be any on WA.

The Gods take offerings, prayers, and listen to the desires and woes of mortals (in that order). If you do not receive any message from the deity you are praying to, send them a page #mail so the player is aware you did so. While the Gods are all-seeing, the players behind them are, sadly, still mortals. Do not expect every prayer session to receive any kind of obvious response. Gods often work behind the scenes, answer prayers indirectly, or just keep notes on things they receive prayers on for later appraisal. Direct responses are rare.

Playing a Deity

To say there's a danger of "god modding" when the character is literally a God is pretty obvious, and while Tapestries gives you the right to play any character you like, the Role of Deity and access to the Ethereal Tower are restricted to players who have a long history of successful and enjoyable roleplaying, as well as a generally good reputation in the community. Only Zone Owner Ciewa can fully approve new Deities, although anyone can apply or nominate someone to the Role.

Active vs. Inactive Deities

It seems, at least when it comes to this temple, that the Gods come and go as far as personal encounters are concerned. Gods come in two flavours: Active and Silent. Of course, the Gods watch over us, accept offerings, and answer our prayers no matter whether considered Active or Silent, but as far as Silent Gods are concerned, the chances of a personal encounter are nil.

If a player seemingly abandons their Deity for a year or more, another player may be assigned to the Role of that deity where possible.

Active Deities

Amen-Ra

Alternate names: Ra, Re, Amon-Ra, Amun-Ra

Species: Hawk

Amen-Ra is the Egyptian God of the Sun, Creator of the World and its Creatures, and Ruler of the Sky, the Earth, and the Underworld. In his eponymous hymn, Amen-Ra is described as "Lord of truth, father of the gods, maker of men, creator of all animals, Lord of things that are, creator of the staff of life."

"Ra" is the most commonly accepted shortening of Amen-Ra and is quite acceptable to use. Lord Ra is fond of walking the world and interacting with his mortal children in his own mortal disguise, and very rarely will be encountered in a divine form. Look at his description to make certain. "Hawk Deity" will be his species if he appears as himself; but nearly always it will be simply "Hawk" in his guise as an elderly hawk gentleman. You should never assume you recognize him for who he truly is.

Setesh

Alternate names: Set, Seth, Sutekh, Setekh

Species: Snake, Sha (Typhonic Beast), Crocodile

Sekmet

Alternate Names:

• Kessi (Mortal Guise Name)
• Sekhmet
• Sakhmet

Species: Lioness

Description:
Divine Form:
Before you stands Sekmet, Lady of the Sacred Flame, The Terrible One , and the Queen of Memphis. This lioness is no delicate flower. Standing at six feet and one inch, the golden furred feline before you fills out more like an Amazon Queen. Her tawny frame sleek and well muscled, giving definition to her form. From head to toe the Lady of Radiance has surely earned her name well. Atop her regal head, maned with flowing delicate gold and orange hair, sits the Solar Orb, a great gleaming gold disk, attached to the golden Asp circlet crowning her head. Smouldering garnet iris sit temptingly in the black of the sclera of her eyes, gazing from the just below the crease of her dusky brow. There, as well, just at the crest of her forehead is what seems to be war-paint, black and white, of a right eye Her muzzle, held straight and steady always, as if gazing into the horizon to see what comes next, is adorned with a constant stern and thin lipped scowl. The smallest line of her black lips running to meet the cleft of her muzzle below her nose. Around her neck is a large fan-like gold collar, inlaid with finely polished ruby, turquoise, lapis, and jade. She wears a linen dress, the color creeping from black that goes from shoulder to mid-waist, to red down by her ankles and elbows, with a black shawl around her shoulders. At her hip a crimson sash is tied tightly around her midsection, holding several papyrus talismans, and a gleaming Khopesh. At each of her wrists a large bronze bracer wraps her forearms nearly to the elbow, each inlaid as well with ruby and lapis. Behind her lashes the sweeping, black tufted, tail, as if possessed of a mind of its own. The appendage slinking side to side as she walks, keeping time with her footsteps as she goes. Where the scarlet edges of her dress stop, the bare pads of her footpaws meet with the sands and stones, this Queen of the Desert preferring not to wear footwear. She carries herself with an aloof, if not slightly vexsome pride. The svelte creature seeming to be in a perpetual teetering point of becoming incensed, or delivering a matronly lecture. Even with the tallest of creatures, somehow she always seems able to look down...

Mortal Guise: Kessi
Before you stands a regal, if not rather sizable Lioness. This lady is no demure kitten by the looks of her, standing at six feet and one inch, the golden furred feline before you fills out more like an Amazonian warrior. Her tawny frame sleek and well muscled, giving definition to her form.

Captivating honey golden eyes seem to lure observers into their depths, the reddish orange flecks seem to appear like hot embers of a fire, gazing from the just below the crease of her dusky brow. Her muzzle, held straight and steady always, as if gazing into the horizon to see what comes next, is adorned with a constant stern and thin lipped scowl. The smallest line of her black lips running to meet the cleft of her muzzle below her nose. Around her neck is a large fan-like gold collar, inlaid with finely polished ruby, turquoise, lapis, and jade, and in each ear she wears Ankh shaped earrings that dangle down elegantly.

She wears a linen dress, simple crisp and white. The subtle swell of her chest presses out at the taught lilly white fabric, leading down to the flat washboard of her belly. At her hip a crimson sash is tied tightly around her midsection, holding several papyrus talismans, and a gleaming Khopesh. At each of her wrists a large bronze bracer wraps her forearms nearly to the elbow, each inlaid with ruby and lapis much like the necklace she wears.. Behind her, lashes her sweeping, black tufted, tail, as if possessed of a mind of its own. The appendage slinking side to side as she walks, keeping time with her footsteps as she goes. Where the edges of her dress stop, the bare pads of her footpaws meet with the sand and stones, this lady of the desert preferring not to wear footwear.

She carries herself with an aloof, if not slightly vexsome pride. The svelte creature seeming to be in a perpetual teetering point of becoming incensed, or delivering a matronly lecture. Even with the tallest of creatures, somehow she always seems able to look down.

( Sekmet is NOT recognizable as her divine self in this form; just as a seemingly ordinary lioness. Magical senses or other supernatural methods of perception will likewise reveal nothing out of the ordinary.)