Istus

Istus

Title(s)
The Lady of Our Fate, the Colorless and All-Colored
Symbol
A golden spindle with three strands.
Alignment
Neutral
Portfolio
Fate, Destiny, Lost Knowledge
Favored weapon
None

Istus (IS-tus) concerns herself with the fate of the universe and its history. She is depicted as a cold and unfeeling young maiden. She carries a golden spindle, with which she spins the future into the present, thus weaving the web of fate.

Current Clack

A newly arrived goddess to the world, she revealed her existence to certain people only recently. Her message of fate and how it could be changed in small ways has resonated with people and she gained quite a few worshipers in just the first few weeks.

Dogma

The multiverse is conceived of as an intricate mesh of interconnected threads, with everything connected to everything else. The threads of fate are sometimes slack enough that destiny can be altered in some small way. Because the future is for the most part foreordained, it can be permitted by those with the skills to perceive how the threads are linked. Acceptance of one's fate is the only honest approach; those who strive too hard against Fate will only meet their own foreordained ruins.

Clergy

Priests aspire to stoicism and some are cold, insensitive, accepting the whims of fate. They demand acceptance of the will of Istus, not sometimes without a certain cynicism. However, some of them are people who think that fate has been singularly generous with them and who wish above all to serve Istus in return.

Divinations play a major role in determining their actions, even if sometimes they prefer to rely on chance and trust in fate. People often ask them to make divinations, augurs or to pray Istus on their behalf for a favorable destiny. One of the fundamental principles of worship is the obligation to help and guide all those who ask for it. The Hands of Destiny do not actively seek to convert people who come, sometimes from far away, seeking guidance. However, their prophecies can be very enigmatic and difficult to decipher, and often leave the door open to various interpretations.

While some priests of Istus disdain going on adventures, others feel that their destiny is to travel the world, to see how fate plays out and witnesses the role of Istus in the realm of mortals. These adventurous priests may consider it their duty to use the powers that Istus grants them in order to lead their own initiatives and to chart their course in life as best as possible.

Vestments

Priests wear a long gray or black robe. The robes of higher priests have web-like patterns. The symbol of Istus, a spindle of gold, should be clearly visible.

Temples

The size of Istus' places of worship vary greatly. It can be a simple altar under the tent of a nomadic tribal chief, or a glorious temple with very elaborate architecture.

There are countless small sanctuaries dedicated to Istus across the countryside. These sanctuaries are generally in the form of a niche housing a statuette of the goddess.

Openings in temples are located high up, covered with ornate grids with extremely complex patterns and, more rarely, colored stained glass windows, which allow only a soft light to filter through. Sconces containing dim lights provide night lighting. The altar, located in the center of the temple, consists of a large, slightly raised, flat stone surface, in which is engraved a circle surrounded by canvas patterns.

Many temples also provide expert weaving services, selling anything from practical blankets to beautiful tapestries depicting past events.

Banak

A recent addition to the city, the Temple of Kismet was founded by dwarven triplet sisters on the ground floor of their jewelry business; Always in a Gem. The goddess quickly gained in popularity and the entire lower floor is now dedicated to her, stairs have been built outside the building to the new entrance of the store.

The sisters told everyone who would listen that the Lady of Fate had come to them and encouraged all to worship her and live by her tenets; accepting that which can't be changed but improving what can be.The message resonated and soon the Agate sisters (Grymna, Ramilda, and Varuna) had a real following. Now Istus worship is spreading through the entire country. Though the sisters claim all three of them are of equal rank in this new church, Ramilda Agate is seen by most as the leader of the congregation.

Korint

House of Fate, this former chandler shop on Keoa Street was converted to the very first temple of Istus.

A man called Vardan Brekker was one of the first to worship her and announce her presence to the world, starting services to her on Terta Square before founding a temple to her, and declaring himself Istus' high priest.