Cydot
God of Law, Order, and Civilization
Intermediate God

Epithets:	Lawgiver, Patron of Civilization, Oathkeeper, Lord of Three Rings
Alignment:	Lawful neutral
Symbol:	Three interlocked rings of white, black, and gray
Colors:	White, black, and gray
Primary followers:	Rulers of all races, lawyers, law enforcers and magistrates, and those wishing to promote civilization and all its institutions

     The true form of Cydot (sy-doh) is that of a gray granite statue of a distinguished, elderly human male somehow brought to life. Cydot’s mere presence speaks volumes about the grandeur of civilization, the dignity of the law, and the grace that is borne from sublime self-discipline. The voice of the True God is deep and grave, his gestures deliberate and calm, and his stride stately and measured.

     Though the style of Cydot’s attire matches that of his senior priests, his garments are "woven" from mithril, adamantite, and platinum threads (the latter "burnished" to a deep, glittering gray). Completing the Oathkeeper’s ensemble is the glassteel staff known to mortals as Bei'rahj, from the Istari word for "judge". This device is anathema to Chaos, no matter what form it might take.

     Many mortals look upon the Patron of Civilization as a cool, detached, and ultimately amoral deity. This impression is based upon the fact that his clergy will serve "evil" governments with the same dedication as "good" ones. In one respect, the charge is justified; the Order of the Three Rings helps just about any government run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

     Cydot is not overly concerned with the moral underpinnings of the state, but rather with its stability, cohesion, and longevity. Towards that end, the Order will resist lay authority whenever "law" becomes a synonym for personal caprice, or when selfish quests for power blind the rulership to its responsibilities towards the ruled.

     Chaos, in and of itself, is not the implacable enemy of Cydot that many mortals make it out to be. The Lawgiver knows full well that Chaos is indispensable in giving Creation its ethical balance, as is the free will of the individual, a cornerstone of the Covenant. Resistance is warranted only when Chaos threatens to tear apart civilized institutions with without putting other forms in their place, or when laws hold no meaning whatsoever for the individual or the community.

     Oaths and contracts are of great interest to Cydot, whether between family members, business interests, or sovereign states. The Oathkeeper takes a very dim view of those who have no intention of keeping their word, and employs methods both subtle and overt to make his displeasure known. Oaths sworn to or before Cydot himself are treated as sacred contracts by the Order, and forswearing them is more than enough cause for divine (or at least worldly) retribution.

Avatars: Unlike most of the Minarran pantheon, Cydot has not sent a personal Avatar unto Minarra since the Age of Mists—as far as lay scholars are aware. Instead, the True God employs the Tomes of the Navikaht (Istari for "herald") to make his wishes known to mortal kind. If the True God has sent a physical Avatar unto the world, no one knows of it save the Order.

     There is a Tome on each of Minarra’s Four Continents, housed in an ornate vault of mithril and adamantite. On the eve of the year, the Harmonies of the Three Rings open these vaults with sacred keys that only they may touch. The Tomes then accompany the Harmonies on a spiritual retreat that can last up to two weeks. Upon their return, the highest of the Order will issue orders based upon the True God’s directives, and the Tomes are returned to their vaults for another year. This stately cycle is occasionally broken, but only in times of dire crisis.

Mortal Servants: Virtually no city or major town on the face of Minarra is without a temple or chapel devoted to the Patron of Civilization. Those few cities that have forsaken the blessings of the Order are decrepit hellholes for the most part: pirate coves, thieves’ outposts, and other such dens of chaotic iniquity.

     The uniforms of the Order are simple in design yet striking in their impact. Clerical dress begins with simple gray robes, tied at the waist by a wide band of braided strips of white and black cloth. Graces of the Order also wear a black knee-length cloak with a white inner lining, while the Harmonies are also marked by a pair of gray suede leather gloves and a small, ornate gavel that hangs about the neck. The wooden handle of the gavel is of rare "charcoal ash", the head is of adamantite, and the flat surfaces of the head are of mithril.

     In many Minarran cultures, priests of the Order serve as judges and Knights as law officers. It is common for the Order to have full legal enforcement powers in communities without peace officers and courts of their own. The Order keeps an open mind and ear towards the teachings of other lawful faiths, for it knows deep down that the "letter of the law" is not all.

     In the most organized and powerful of nations (especially on the continent of Arquia), the Order runs special academies dedicated to the legal profession and the arts of government. Their students receive a thorough schooling in administration, law, public finance, and diplomacy, and their graduates eventually become the key figures in their respective organizations. To the consternation of the ruling elite, any and all are welcome to take the entrance exams, and tuition is not allowed to become an issue.

     The Order of the Three Rings is one of only three that have monks among its ranks. The monks of Cydot are wanderers, famous for their exploits in bringing "law and order" to the hinterland. In those remote places where lay authority is nonexistent, Cydot’s monks are expected to use all their wisdom and training to fulfill their duties.

Philosophy/Tenets of Faith: It is the duty of every member of the Order to uphold the law, educate the laity in the civilized arts, and serve in the public interest. In so doing, there are three potential traps that must be avoided at all costs.

     First and foremost is the belief that "Chaos is the Enemy". The chaos of war, for example, might need to be endured to restore a deposed ruler to his rightful office. The vicious infighting between traditionalists and innovators might just lead to a more efficient and responsive political entity. After all, hidden flaws rarely appear until adequate force is applied.

     Secondly, there is the temptation to sacrifice free will upon the altar of the state. Not only is this blasphemy of the highest order, it is an open invitation to social upheaval, rebellion, or the rise of a police state that the Overlord of the Pits would love to "own".

     Lastly, there is the stagnation that comes from too many generations of complacency, decadence, and inertia. It is the Order's mandate to see that worldly societies either evolve for their own health and vitality, or be dismantled to make way for a more vibrant, energetic culture.

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