Io'Media, according to the scriptures, was formed by the joining of the Children, the weaving of the first Crown, and their collective desire to be lead by justice and fairness. The goddess, then, was formed of the same Aether of her Father, Ab'Dathar, and given dominion over those who would rule over the Children. Many paintings of the goddess focus on her forming from the first crown, fully armored and wielding a sword in one, and a shield in the other. These depictions capture both her role as a guardian of the Children and the first Hero, tasked with defending the children from tyranny, and rulers from evil. Her eyes are often described as piercing, silver and bright, ever watchful. She is also usually depicted with two pairs of silvery wings, folding over thrones and people of a city. She is known of as the Eternal Defender, who protects seats of power as well as ensures that those seats of power do not become unjust or cruel to the people they rule over. Some modern depictions of the goddess show her as a beautiful maiden, coming down to guide or bring forth heroes to her sacred realms.
Born from the joining together of the Children and their will manifested as means to empower those who lead them, the goddess Io'Media manifested. She was given the power to govern the Domains of Thrones and the Rulers who sit upon them, and he entire structure of leadership. She is the patron goddess of those who hold dominion over others: kings, queens, emperors, and all who wield the power to command. Her realm is a vast palace, an endless hall of golden thrones, where every ruler's seat is scrutinized by her divine gaze. Her blessings are sought by those who ascend to leadership with honor, wisdom, and compassion. To be chosen by Io'Media for such a blessing is to carry the weight of the world on one's shoulders and to rule with an iron will tempered by mercy. Those who are favored by her are granted insight into the hearts of their subjects, a sense of justice that transcends personal gain, and a deep understanding of the burdens of command. However, her blessings are not freely given. The goddess seeks a balance between strength and fairness. She tests those who seek her favor, ensuring that only the most righteous and capable leaders are elevated. Only those who swear an oath to uphold justice, to defend the weak, and to rule with wisdom are deemed worthy of her guidance.
Io'Media is ever watchful. From her celestial seat in the heavens, she sees every ruler and every throne across the realms, from the humblest village to the grandest empire. She keeps meticulous records of every decree, every decision, and every act of governance. Her eyes never blink, for in the divine realm of justice, time itself bends to her will. When a ruler falters and strays from the path of justice—when cruelty seeps into their heart, when greed eclipses wisdom, when oppression replaces fairness—Io'Media’s wrath is swift. She does not wait for rebellion to rise; she is the storm before the tempest, the warning before the flood. With a voice that echoes like thunder, she calls for the tyrant’s downfall, and none can escape her judgment. The punishments Io'Media delivers are not merely acts of vengeance—they are cosmic corrections, designed to restore balance and justice to the world. Her retribution comes in many forms, depending on the severity of the ruler's crimes:
A ruler who becomes unjust and corrupt may find their crown, once a symbol of glory, fractured and cracked, symbolizing the destruction of their legitimacy. Their power will wane, and their rule will be undermined, with rebellion and dissent springing from every corner of their domain. A ruler whose cruelty surpasses all limits may be cursed to forever see the suffering they have caused. They are condemned to an unceasing, eternal watch over the lands they once ruled, haunted by the faces of their victims, unable to find peace. In the most extreme cases, Io'Media will strip a tyrant of their power entirely, casting them into an endless void where they are forgotten by all. In this exile, they will be cut off from the world they once ruled, their names erased from history, their reign reduced to a cautionary tale. Leaders who seek to avoid the goddess’s ire must take the Sacred Oath of the Sovereign, an ancient vow binding them to the principles of fairness, compassion, and justice. The oath is not a simple declaration—it is a spiritual contract, forged in the heart of the ruler and witnessed by Io'Media herself. Those who break this sacred promise face immediate consequences. The Sacred Oath compels rulers to govern in the interests of their people, to avoid greed, and to protect the weak. It is a promise that no ruler, no matter their power, is above the law. Io'Media’s realm holds no room for arrogance, and those who believe they can escape her judgment will soon find themselves undone.
Temples dedicated to Io'Media are grand structures, often built near the seat of power in a kingdom or empire. These places are more than just places of worship; they are centers of judgment, where disputes are settled and laws are made in accordance with divine principles. High priests and priestesses of Io'Media are often appointed by the goddess herself, chosen for their unwavering commitment to fairness and their unshakable integrity. Leaders who seek her blessing or atonement often journey to these temples to make offerings of gold, jewels, and rare artifacts. In return, they seek her divine favor, wisdom, and the strength to rule with honor.
Io'Media's realm also encompasses the Domains of Honor, Sacrifice and Heroes. She is said to be a gentle yet stern guide, offering her blessings to those she deems worthy, but always expecting them to prove themselves worthy of the title of hero. It is she who bestows the Light of Legacy upon champions, an ethereal blessing that allows them to become the legends of their people, their stories retold in songs and whispers for generations to come. For Io'Media knows that true heroism comes not from selfish ambition, but from the willingness to give everything for the greater good. At the heart of Io'Media's teachings lies the delicate balance between honor and sacrifice. She believes that honor is not simply a title one wears, but a reflection of the choices they make in their most difficult moments. It is standing firm in the face of overwhelming odds, remaining true to one's word, and putting the needs of others above one's own desires. Honor is earned through deeds that elevate the soul, not through empty promises or idle boast.
Sacrifice, on the other hand, is the crucible through which the greatest heroes are forged. For Io'Media, the greatest hero is not the one who survives the longest, nor the one who gains the most power, but the one who sacrifices willingly, who chooses to give up something of great value for a cause greater than themselves. Sacrifice is what makes a warrior's name live on long after their body has turned to dust. Io'Media does not choose her champions lightly. She is the goddess who watches over every trial, every battle, and every decision that could lead a soul toward heroism. And when she deems a mortal worthy, she not only blesses them with the Light of Legacy but often sends one of her chosen to guide the hero along their path.
These Guardians are celestial beings, warriors of unimaginable skill and wisdom, each representing one of the virtues that Io'Media holds dear. They appear when the hero is at their lowest, offering counsel, encouragement, and, in times of dire need, combat prowess. However, these guardians are not infallible. They, too, are bound by the laws of sacrifice. Should a hero falter or fail, the guardian is left to take the consequence of that failure, often disappearing into the ether until another soul calls upon their aid. Every hero called by Io'Media must face a series of trials that challenge not just their strength, but their very soul.
These trials are called the Paths of Valor. They are designed to test the hero’s honor, sacrifice, and ability to rise above the limitations of their mortal form. Some trials take the form of great battles against monstrous foes, while others are quiet, internal struggles—moral dilemmas that force the hero to choose between their own desires and the greater good. The greatest of these trials is the Trial of Eternal Night, in which the hero must journey into the darkest corners of the world—places where no light exists, even the light of the stars. There, they face their deepest fears and darkest desires, having to sacrifice parts of themselves to overcome them. Only the truest heroes can pass this trial and emerge with their honor intact, becoming figures of legend and forever bound to Io'Media’s will.
I, in the name of the Io'Media and the eyes of both gods and men, swear this sacred vow:
To the realm I serve, I shall offer my strength, my mind, and my soul. I shall stand as its shield and guide, ever vigilant, ever resolute.
By the grace of my ancestors and the wisdom of my forebears, I will uphold justice, temperance, and honor. I shall rule not with the weight of power, but with the light of truth, for a Sovereign’s crown is not of gold, but of the trust bestowed by the people.
In times of peace, I will be the hand that nurtures, and in times of strife, I will be the sword that defends. To my allies, I shall be loyal; to my enemies, I shall be steadfast. But to my people, I pledge an undying love, that they may never know suffering that I do not seek to alleviate.
I will not falter in the face of hardship, nor will I turn from the truth, no matter how difficult it may be to bear. I will seek counsel, but never cower to fear. I will act, not for my own glory, but for the lasting good of those who entrust me with their lives.
And when the day comes that my reign shall end, may my actions speak louder than my name, and may the realm continue in prosperity, for I will have served my purpose.
Thus, I swear upon this oath, as the Sovereign, and as a servant to all who dwell within my lands. By my will, by my word, and by my hand, I shall carry this duty with unwavering dedication until the final breath of my reign.
