The Shrine of Hamaskis.

The Animal Gods

The Animal Court is one of the lower chambers of the Celestial Court, made up of the creators of all the animals placed on Titan during the Claytime. This page is not yet complete. See the Recent Developments room for details of completed areas of the shrine.

This lower chamber of the Celestial Court is made up of the gods of all the various animals that populate Titan. On the whole, their alignment is True Neutral (referring to the fact that each deity's interest is the survival of his or her species) and the relations between the members are ones of influence and respect, rather than indications of parentage.

The Court came into existence because it soon became apparent that the survival of one species has a knock on effect on the survival of another. Essentially it is the acceptance of the idea of ecosystem. For example, if certain grazing animals died out then certain carnivores would have nothing to live on and so they too would die out. The system is more complex than that, of course, but it is a simple example that stretches across the spectrum of beasts. Thus the Animal Court has a vested interest in meeting with each other to ensure the smooth running of the system to facilitate their species survival.

For this reason a number of Gods who are perceived as being on the side of Evil actually attend the court as a necessity. The attitude of these Gods, True Neutral, has been exploited in the past by the side of Evil. For instance wolves and bats fought on the side of the Dark Lords in the First Battle because they were persuaded that it was in the best interests of their creatures to do so.

This essay describes the prominent members of the Animal Court. It would be impossible to show a chart of every single deity given that each animal has a creator. Suffice it to say that every other animal deity in some way will pay homage to one of the Gods here mentioned. Note that the lines really refer to the lines of hierarchy as opposed to family relationships. However, many of the Animal Gods are related to one another. These family relationships are made more apparent in the descriptions of each God.

Before the First Battle and during the enormous expanse preceding the Godtime, many animals have come and gone. For although creatures did not age before Time was released on Titan, they were able to die of starvation or be killed by other animals. Each of these animals has had a God. At various points different Animal Gods have therefore been in the ascendancy in the Animal Court. Some Gods remodelled their creations to continue to exist; others merely withdrew from contact with Titan altogether. The existence of the Animal Court now stabilises the make up of the creatures on Titan.

Kilanirax

Originally the servant of Glantanka. As co-creator of the Dragons with her, he became the Dragon King. Such was his importance during the First Battle that he was elevated to sit in the Upper Chamber of the Gods as one of the Greater Gods.

The constellation bearing his name can be seen in the Northern Skies of Titan. He is so depicted because of his courage during the First Battle. He is the only member of the Animal Court to do so. He is also seen as the nominal leader of the Animal Court because of his status.

Kilanirax realised the power of his creations early on. He also knew that were they to fight one another the results would be catastrophic for the world. Thus he invented the now ancient law that no dragon could attack his original creations, directly or indirectly. His original creations are called the Ancient Dragons among whom were those Dragons subverted by the forces of Evil such as the Night Dragon. The writing of this law was such that it has carried through the ages. However, it does not prohibit subsequent generations of dragons attacking one another.

Kilanirax's most faithful servants on Titan are the Gold Dragons although all Dragons defer to his will.

Deities of Land Mammals

Often regarded as the senior branch of the Animal Court, mammals occupy an enviable position, with many of the most powerful members in this group. The rodents are the most numerous and least influential sub-branch of the mammals.

Deities of the Invertibrates

Although there are many different families of invertebrates (indeed, most of the animals inhabiting Titan are of this type), four deities have achieved dominance over their subordinates. These are known as the High Lords of the Invertebrates.

Insects

Hmurresh: Although a member of the Animal Court she has been included within the region of Evil in the Pantheon chart because she is almost never portrayed as neutral but on the side of Death and his minions although she is in fact True Neutral. It is just that the cause of Evil has often been perceived as aiding her creations. Her creations are particularly associated with Decay & Disease. She dwells on the elemental plane of air.
She is closely associated with, and is possibly the sister of, Arhallogen, Rikat and Siluva.
There are many, many insect species on Titan each with its own minor deity all of whom, in one way or another, are subordinate to Hmurresh.
Insect Deities: There is a minor deity responsible for every family of insects on Titan. They are far to many to list here. However, it should be noted that they all pay homage to Hmurresh, the Queen of Flies. All are members of the Animal Court.

Scorpions and Shelled Creatures

Rikat: The God of Scorpions. He is the brother of Arhallogen. He is often associated with Evil but any connections with the Dark Lords in the past have been due purely to his deeming that the circumstances were right for the survival of his species.

Many Legged Creatures

Arhallogen: The Spider King. Although a member of the Animal Court, and therefore presumably True Neutral, he actually has closer associations with the Dark Lords. This is because he is almost never portrayed as neutral but on the side of Death and his minions. He was with Death in the First Battle and is perceived to have stayed with that side throughout Titan's history. His part in that battle is remembered in the constellation bearing his name in the Southern Skies of Titan.
Scratta Many Legged: A Giant Centipede deity worshipped by the Troglodytes.

Worms and Soft-Bodied Creatures

Siluva: A High Lord of the Deities responsible for Invertebrates, presiding over those other than scorpions, spiders and insects. He is associated sometimes with Decay, but is True Neutral in alignment. He is often simply referred to as God of The Worm. Many desert dwelling races worship him to appease possible attacks from Giant Sand Worms over whom he has ultimate power.
He is closely associated with and is possibly the brother of Hmurresh, Rikat and Arhallogen.
Sluurm: A deity worshipped by Marsh Goblins, depicted as a giant slug. He is the God of Slugs and is closely related to Siluva within the Animal Court.

Gods of Amphibians and Reptiles

The creations of Furlakk, Vermistra and Suthis Cha preceeded those of Lord Whale, Hawk Lord and Rogaar. Thus, like the High Lords of the Invertebrates, they do not accept a place below them in the hierarchy.

Amphibians

Furlakk: Lord of all deities of the amphibians. He pays homage to no one within the Animal Court except Kilanirax.

Lizards

Suthis Cha: The creator of lizards and of the Lizard Men (from living lizards, not directly from the Original Clay). Later Myurr subverted the lizardmen. This was easily done in the absence of Suthis Cha who had since transmogrified due to being torn apart by the God Kareep.
He remains a God of the Animal Court however, after gradually regaining his ability to materialise his spirit essence. He is still worshipped today to an extent by the Lizardmen and other lizard like humanoid races such as the Calacorm and the Chameleonites.
Within the hierarchy of the deities of the reptilian creatures of Titan (and not including the Dragons) he is second only to his sister Vermistra. He is also brother to Furlakk, Lord of the Amphibians.

Serpents

Vermistra: The Queen of Snakes and highest deity of the reptilian races. She dwells in the deepest jungles of Titan. Although she is sometimes seen as Evil, especially given Sith's adoption of a snake like form, she is actually True Neutral, like the majority of the Animal Court. She is sister to Suthis Cha and also to Furlakk, Lord of Amphibians.
Sussussurr: Immortal son of Vermistra (one of many) and companion pet to Sith. He is a giant python.

Bird Deities

There are numerous bird deities, each different species of bird having been created by a different God.

Hawk Lord: He is Lord of all of the deities responsible for the creation of birds and answers only to Kilanirax in the Animal Court. There are numerous bird deities below him, many of whom are thought to be his children.
The Hawk Lord is revered in many lands and has been beseeched by many sorcerers to imbue the gift of flight on them.
The constellation bearing his name can be seen in the Northern Skies of Titan. He is so depicted because of his courage during the First Battle.

Sea Deities

There is a minor deity responsible for every family of sea animals on Titan. They are far too many to list here and the relationships are not well understood amongst land-based scholars. However, it seems that all are subordinate to either Lord Whale or Ichthys.

Lord Whale: Creator of Whales. Answers only to Kilanirax in the Animal Court. His children are responsible for all lesser mammals of the sea. He pays some homage to Hydana in his capacity as Lord of the Ocean.; The constellation bearing his name can be seen in the Northern Skies of Titan. He is so depicted because of his courage during the First Battle.
Ichthys: There are a number of 'fellows' associated with this God who had helped to create the animals of the sea. They may be his children. As head of the many deities responsible for the sea creatures (excepting Lord Whale) he is thought to rank highly in the Animal Court. Certainly he pays homage to no one in the Animal Court himself. He does pay some homage to Hydana in his capacity as Lord of the Ocean. Often they are depicted as companions.

Vuurk: Lord of the Marsh Wraiths. Often associated with the Dark Lords. He is revered by the Marsh Goblins also. Are Marsh Wraiths animals?

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The Shrine of Hamaskis.

The Animal Gods

Kilanirax

Deities of Land Mammals

Canine Deities

Feline Deities

Bear Deities

Ruminant Deities

Swine Deities

Deities of Other Large Mammals

Rodent Deities