Selk (sɛlk)
Archetype: The Trickster
Domains: Trickery, Knowledge, Death
Titles: The Survivor, Architect of Knots
Depiction: He appears as either a weathered old man in patchwork clothing with an ironic smile and six eyes, or as a large spider.
Holy Symbol: Blackened coin
Temples: Shrines in back rooms of shady establishments, a carving above a particularly dark passageway
Followers: Prisoners, criminals, survivors, thieves
Conflict: freedom/deception
Origins: Selk was once a mortal who was fated to die but too clever to let it happen. His antics displeased the Gods so much that each in turn attempted to kill him. He in turn tricked each one until finally tricking the secrets of Godhood from Aleadra.
Ally: Anmok
Friends: Radar-Riel, Kasya
Against: Aleadra, Einar
Enemy: Iov
Notes: Though he is the god of trickery and deception, he is invoked when making compacts, as Selk will know if there is any deception by either party and punish them. A ritual known as Selk’s Cut is used during the making of important deals. The ritual is as follows:
A chawan is placed upon the table, the inside of the bowl coated with Nerium. When the deal is made, both parties place two coins in the bowl – one for them, one for Selk. If either party is intent upon deceiving the other, the poison will kill them as they draw their coin from the bowl. Criminals will often use this ritual symbolically and only place coins in the bowl for Selk to gain his favor.
Cults & Temples
Dicana’s Path – temple district located in Inner Aideum