Yahal
From Mizahar Lore
 | |
| Race | God |
|---|---|
| Title | God of the Hebreans |
| Domain | Faithfulness and Purity |
| Divine rank | 3 |
Contents |
Appearance
While gods are spiritual creatures given to varied forms, Yahal is commonly seen as a man in the prime of his life with long light brown hair. He wears a tunic and cloak in persimmon, scarlet and gold with gold sandals laced up his calf. A gold belt signifying faithfulness is around his waist and he carries a glittering spear representing purity: faith holds fast and purity pierces deceit.
Most notable are his bright wings in shades of emerald gold and jade. While unnecessary for flight, they show that he is quick to save those faithful to him, and able to soar above all that is corrupted.
In depictions he is commonly slaying some sort of beast that represents confusion or fear.
Domain
Yahal grants purity and clarity of heart to his followers and gives them the fortitude and courage to be faithful to what is good. To follow him, a person must value truth and dedication. Relentless backbiting, cowardice and deceit will not be tolerated.
Yahal is worshipped largely by the Hebreans and Syliran Knights, and will sometimes appear among them or in dreams. Those who have heard him, describe his voice as still and quiet, like a wind in the desert.
His spiritual domain is occasionally seen or felt in pieces by his followers. They speak of a jasper fortress with white banners and hills covered in orchards and vineyards. It is said that one feels that they are both returning home and beginning a new quest when reaching its borders.
Attitude
Just as Yahal is faithful to his followers, he demands faithfulness from those who worship him. Those who serve him describe Yahal like a loving husband who grows jealous when his wife wanders. Yahal will allow misfortune to fall on those who abandon his ways so they will learn their folly. But because he is faithful, Yahal will have mercy on those who call out to him with a pure heart.
Yahal is benevolent to his followers, often appearing in dreams and giving divine encouragement through his priests. Portions of this encouragement has been gathered in various scrolls called "Penita". Stern in his demand for purity, Yahal will dole out a special punishment against those who write words that are not his. This punishment is a crippling of the right hand, called a withering. As such, those who think they have heard a divine word worthy of the Penita often spend a great deal of time in prayer before transcribing it.
Faithfulness to Yahal is demonstrated through three different ways: sacrifice, trust and prayer.
Sacrifice can be literal or figurative. Literal sacrifices are burnt on a marble altar in his temple in Yahalem and can be of incense, purely white doves and cattle. The cooked food that remains is to be given to the needy. Figurative sacrifices can be the temporary relinquishing of some activity and replacing it with prayer or reading a Penita scroll.
Trusting Yahal is a high form of praise. It is exhibited through the follower's peace of mind as he goes where Yahal leads. Sometimes Yahal's commands do not make earthly sense, so a follower must exercise trust in Yahal's goodness. Abiyram leaving his wealthy father's land for an empty desert is a common example of trust in Yahal.
Prayer is not always petitioning Yahal with needs. Often it is singing praise or thanks for what Yahal has doen in the follower's life. Prayer can be with or without words. It is the act of communing with Yahal and his principles.
Affiliates
Other Gods: Tyeth, Avalis and Priskil