Characters: Bastheth the Leopard Goddess

 

Bastheth is an ancient magical being dwelling in an equally magical cave (somewhat similar to other magic caves Wigmar has visited, but also unique) outside Al-Adiz. Some would call her a goddess, others name her daemon. The locals call her djinn and consider her benevolent but dangerous (and since none may enter her cave, even if they have the courage, contact is limited). The shairs - the holy men/close students of the law - consider her a part of the natural world order that El has ordained. There is also another similar group of beings, the efreet, who are the enemies of the djinn and God. It's hard to quantify, but it sounds like they may be leaning more heavily into the Realm of Chaos, so they're kind of corrupted djinn.

In the Old Times, before the rise of the Tomb Kings and the Great Betrayal, before the rise of Ankh even, many such beings dwelled in the southern lands. Most were slain by none other than Ankh, according to Bastheth that is (but Wigmar considers it likely to be true), and the source of their power seized by the sun god's priest-kings. Only a few remain, typically those found far from Nehekharan lands, such as this one outside Al-Adiz. Others can be found in the deep desert, the Southlands, or the western mountains.

Bastheth is now joined in marriage to Wigmar and has sworn to serve the Sun. It remains to be seen how pleased Ankh will be with this arrangement. Bastheth has the energy and stamina to keep up with Wigmar. And she's been alone in her cave for quite a while. Unfortunately, she can't really leave. She could go into the desert or visit Al-Adiz, but that's about the limit for her, or she will become greatly weakened. Bastheth can take the form of a leopard, a human, or a combination of the two. She has power over leopards. 

Her Voice into the World is Nadia, a former slave girl turned princess. Her roots are in Kislev, hence her name.

Ankh-akh, the Man and the God

 

Ankh-akh is an obscure god of the sun. So obscure that Ankh-akh (the man) is the only source of information about this deity. He's also the only worshiper Wigmar has heard about. The way Ankh-akh speaks, Wigmar gets the impression that might be the last priest of the sun god. He also gets the impression Ankh-akh didn't originate in the Empire, but someplace far away and long ago.

Ankh-akh (the god) is, according to his priest, an all-powerful all-seeing god - but only during the daytime (and especially when the rays of the sun touch the ground). In his ankh aspect, he's both a life-giver and a merciless destroyer, distant and uncaring, but also prone to interfering with the lives of men. During the night his akh aspect is ascendant and he transforms from sun god to protector of the souls of the deceased.

There are a lot of rules and taboos associated with the worship of Ankh-akh, many seemingly in conflict with each other or just incomprehensible. For example, followers of Ankh-akh can only sleep with their wives during the daytime - but are allowed to fornicate with others during the night. Both men and women are also free to take multiple wives/husbands.

Ankh-akh (the man) is equally enigmatic. He's easily the biggest man Wigmar has ever laid eyes on, a head taller than Ulfberth (who isn't exactly small) and built like a bull. But he's neither a half-ogre nor a mutant. His skin is a shade darker than Anna's and his hair is jet black. Eyes a pale blue, always bloodshot. 

Of late he's taken to shaving his face and head - claiming his god likes bald people and abhors beards (so not a god for dwarves then). He also talks more freely - and coherently - about his god and beliefs. Where before he seemed a very simple man it's clear that he's nothing of the sort.

Oh, and his divine blessings have actual power. He can call forth daylight during darkest night and the words of Ankh-akh hold power enough to harm the daemons of Chaos. Or is the man a sorcerer of some kind?