Prayers of Tazi Asadi, the Unbeliever
As a soulforged, I feel uncomfortable discussing the apostate, #36,627. However, as your Instructor, I am duty bound to discuss whatever questions that you direct to me. I can confirm that the prayer to Avatar Xeno circulating in the Kirinal Concordance Zone is in fact legitimate. It has been sourced back to the soulforged self-designated, Tazi Asadi, the Unbeliever. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go lie down.
The Unbeliever has built up quite the following of book readers, flower children, and mushroom sniffers! He's been preaching about the dangers of divine power for years now and the recent "Return of the Gods" is obviously bugging him. I for one wish him well. The last thing we orcs need is old Az whispering in our ears again!
I do love when old Instructor of Recruits and the Sergeant talk about me! I do hope that old #20,607 gets over their case of the vapors! There's not a lot to actually discuss about my prayer. I just want my friend back and my other friends are willing to help!
The two soulforged known as Tazi Asadi and Xeno had a vigorous correspondence conversation with each other for many years. They debated the nature of divinity, the purpose of belief, and the power contained in mortal souls. The Unbeliever and the young Canon of Anam appeared to have opposing ideas on how and why the gods should be worshipped. They met a few times and had a begruding respect for each other that turned into an unexpected friendship.
Tazi became a useful, if difficult, contact in Xeno's career as an adventurer and Navigator of the Changeling Skyship Blackjack. They did favors for each other and Tazi would give the younger soulforged advice on finding his place in the world. But that all changed when Xeno became the unwilling Avatar of Malfador.
Xeno the Navigator,
It is with great interest that I read your controversial "Meditations of Xeno the Navigator." ... your brothers may believe you to be an apostate ... then the deity you serve may still have a use for you.
-From "Letters of Tazi and Xeno"
The Hollowing of Xeno
From the start of his adventuring career, Xeno and his friends had been investigating the mystery of the so-called "Hidden Fiend." The mysterious patron of House Silversång had Xeno's friend and captain Niamhi Silversång under its control. They were seeking a way to release her from her pact.
Ident-a-Hedron Outgoing Message:
Xeno the Navigator to Tazi the Unbeliever.
It's seems there is a conspiracy afoot regarding the Accords. Crime is common, but logic is rare. I ask for your aid, if you have any leads, in unraveling this mystery.
In the process they gathered the materials that they thought would help them discover and defeat the dark patron of her house. Instead they had been misdirected into gathering the components for the Ritual of Lunar Apotheosis. When they visited the Temple of Malfador they stumbled onto a dark ceremony where the last piece required was the body of a soulforged.
Avatar Xeno
The "Hidden Fiend" was revealed as Malfador, the God of Lies. The old god took the body of Xeno as his Avatar, seemingly breaking the rules of the Divine Gate.
Since then the new being, sometimes known as Mal-Xeno or Xen-alfador, has caused chaos and confusion in the world of Erathia. He has formed an alliance with Ar-Tamak and Tiamat, forming the so-called "Infernal Triumverate." Together they ratified the Hell Week Accords for a single day.
This allowed the creation of the Infernal Forces. These three armies of devils along with their followers has scattered to the far corners of the world. There they gather their strength. They claim to be no threat to the Kirinal Concordance Zone and Sovranty of Lozar. Those who believe the God of Lies do so at their peril.
From his base on the Hidden Moon the divine soulforged directs his forces in a campaign of war, innuendo, and industry.
The Prayers of an Unbeliever
For a time, Tazi mourned the loss of his friend quietly. Despite being surrounded by followers, the soulforged philosopher was lonely. He had not made a genuine connection with another sophont in quite some time and...
Enough of this narrator stuff. I'm right here and I can speak for myself!
This is really simple, you don't have to think about it that hard. I missed my friend. When your friend has become a god-puppet how do you talk to him? You pray!
Ahem... Where was I? Oh yes.
The Unbeliever began to start his meeings and his weekly hedron-cast with a prayer to his friend. Over time, his followers began to repeat the prayer along with him. Now, the voice of thousands of Unbelievers rings out over the hedron network. Calling out to the lost soul trapped in the Avatar.
I know you all think it's silly. The Unbeliever praying. But I tell you this. I've been talking to my friend Xeno for years. I know when he's listening.
Praise be to the Avatar Xeno up there on your Hidden Moon,
So my friend, you decided to up and become a god. Huh.
When we were discussing the nature of spirits and divinity, belief and power, I didn't think you'd take it THIS seriously.
So now when I want to talk to my friend, I guess I have to do it how mortals have always talked to gods, the old-fashioned way. I'll have to pray.
-From "Prayer of Tazi to Xeno"
Poor Instructor of Recruits. I enjoyed the back and forth with the narrator in this article, that was fun.
Thanks for reading through! Tazi does tend to take over a conversation! He's one of my favorites and I love that Instructor of Recruits can't stand him!
Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!