![[The_Ascendant.png]] > [!success] The Ascendant > ![[Symbol-Ascendant.png]] > > [!question] Domains > War, Chaos, Strength, Revelry > > --- > > > [!question] Aliases > The Warrior Prince, The Fray, The Sword-Dancer, Galen Thorne Galen Thorne, The Ascendant, is an important deity in the [[Shattered Realms]]. Associated with war, chaos, strength, and revelry, he embodies the dual nature of both conflict and celebration. Galen Thorne and [[The Unchained|Aginar]] are the only two mortals known to have achieved godhood. # Origins Originally a mortal warrior of extraordinary skill, Galen Thorne's journey to godhood is a testament to the power of martial excellence. His ascension serves as an inspiration to warriors across the realms, embodying the potential for mortals to transcend their limits through martial mastery. ## In Life Galen Thorne was the Prince of [[Strathmere]] one of four children of King Aluric Thorne and Queen Lysandra Thorne (née Caelis). His parents' influence and expectations, as well as the noble lifestyle within Strathmere, were formative elements of Galen's development before his rise to infamy. His fighting style was described as a deadly dance, fluid and graceful yet devastatingly effective. Galen was known for his larger-than-life personality. A lover of festivities, leading raucous celebrations after his battles, win or lose. His charisma drew people to him, and he was said to be as skilled in practical jokes as he was in warfare. Further knowledge of Galen Thorne prior to his ascension is limited, most of which has simply been lost to time. ## Ascension The exact details of Thorne's ascension are shrouded in legend and debate, but most accounts agree that his movements and inhuman reflexes seemed to defy mortal capabilities even prior to his ascension. ### Rumors and Controversy Some whisper that Thorne made a secret bargain with one of [[Prime Deities|The Shapers]], trading something precious for his godhood. Despite being unable to prove this alleged bargain ever took place, the rumor remains a topic of fierce speculation among scholars. Another popular legend suggests that Thorne became so powerful as a mortal that he threatened The Shapers themselves, forcing them to grant his ascension. Many note that most proponents of this theory tend to lean toward the god's Chaos and Revelry domains more than the tenets of War and Strength. ## Cultural Significance The Ascendant's influence can be found all over Kald in the form of prayers before battle, raucous celebrations in the god's honor, and even in more philosophical contexts, such as the concept of "joyful struggle." His mortal origins make him particularly relatable to warriors and those who seek to push themselves beyond limitation. ## Controversies The dual nature of The Ascendant often leads to conflicting interpretations among followers and scholars. Some view the deity as a force of necessary chaos and renewal, while others see it as a dangerous influence that promotes senseless violence and disorder. His ascension from mortal to god is also a topic of debate, with some questioning the validity of stories that tell of a mortal's rise' to divinity. [^1]: Deity names and titles often vary across different cultures and regions within the Shattered Realms, and the names provided here may not be exhaustive; your character may encounter or prefer alternative names for these entities in their own experiences and/or traditions. #### Tags #deity