Zhyor (ZYORE) the Dragon is a force of chaos, destruction, and evil in the world. Within the Sianaen Pantheon, he is in constant struggle against his counterpart, Charad the Phoenix.

Zhyor is primarily associated with Chaos, Destruction, Evil, and Fire.

History

Originally aboriginal animal spirits, as the Sianaen civilization developed, so did their theology, allowing their spirit totems to ascend into the upper echelon of the Greater Pantheon. These deities are worshiped primarily by Sianaens, whether at home or abroad. Devotion to these deities failed to interest other lands and Sianae never developed what could be termed an empire.

Relationships

Like all of the deities of the Greater Pantheon, the Dragon has opposition in the cycle in the form of Charad, the Phoenix. Where Zhyor represents chaos and evil, the Phoenix is a force of law and of good.

Further, some sorcerers in Sianae pay homage to the Dragon as a patron, as their wild magic falls under his bailiwick.

Appearances and Emissaries

Like most other Sianaen deities, the Dragon takes on three different forms:

• A huge, red-scaled version of his namesake creature
• A muscular figure in red clothes with the body of a man and the head of a dragon
• A red-skinned, golden-eyed man in red and gold robes with long, red-gold hair.

Worship of Zhyor

Followers of Zhyor believe that people should do their greed, hatred, and lust for destruction drive them to do. He is vicious, arbitrarily violent, and unpredictable.

Zhyor represents the destruction not only of beauty and life, but also of the order on which beauty and life depend.

Worshipers and Clergy

Both men and women may serve Zhyor as priests.

Priests of Zhyor often mark themselves with elaborate dragon tattoos that run from the face and down the neck onto the torso. They also wear flowing red and gold robes. All clergy also wear the symbol of the dragon as a pendant.

Zhyor welcomes the worship of any who would cast off the shackles of society and morality.

Temples and Shrines

Worship of the Sianaen Pantheon has not traveled far outside of that country. However, worship is tied directly into the ascension cycle of the ruling houses. When the Dragon is in power, temples tend to reap the benefits in gold and followers. When it is in decline, the temples suffer accordingly.

Each temple to the Dragon tends to have elaborate murals depicting the god in all of his forms. There is an altar for leaving offerings for interventions on the part of priests—if they are inclined to offer them.

Holy Texts

There are no holy texts or writs associated with the worship of any of the Dragon. Traditions have been passed from priest to priest since the days of the The Scattering. The worship of the Dragon is based primarily upon whim and momentary needs, so there are not a great deal of traditions or ceremonies involved.

Holidays

Followers of Zhyor tend to have private prayers at each midnight.

Each 15 Longnight (winter solstice), is a long debauch in celebration of the longest night. The same is true of the first day of the year.

Obediences

Certain devoted followers of Zhyor indulge in obediences, daily rituals that result in special blessings for these followers. Before an open flame, place your palm as close to the flame as possible, without crying out (DC 15 vs Will), contemplating the chaos of the flame. Gain a +4 profane bonus vs Fire effects.

Sacrifice

Those that feel the need to sacrifice to Zhyor purge their offerings in flames, consuming them fully until nothing remains but ash.