Vodan

"My door is always open."

-Vodan the Hospitable

Vodan is the Slavic God of Rivers, Lakes, The Sea, and Wisdom. One of the principle members of the Beznadi Pantheon, Vodan is well respected for his famously calm demeanor. His placid nature was, ironically enough, inflicted on him violently, as his eldest brother, Svarog beat him so savagely in their youth due to his belligerance that the damage it caused permanently altered his personality. Vodan often looks on that event as a hidden blessing, recognizing that had it not occurred, he would not be the god he is today.

Early Life
Vodan was the fourth created child of Tartarus, following his eldest brother Svarog and the twins, Belobog and Chernobog. Despite being the weakest of his brothers in terms of power, he was the most belligerent of the bunch, and could only be cowed by his father, Tartarus, the one being he feared.

Rebirth
When he and his siblings were around a Silver Age century in age, Vodan was expelled from his father's domains, with the command of claiming a domain for themselves. Though he did it with ill grace, Vodan followed his brother Svarog until they found a suitable realm for themselves, which they named Zemja Bogov. After subjugating the local mortals, Svarog each gave each of his siblings a task, while he departed to crush the surrounding realms and bring them into their domain. Vodan was to help his siblings transform the desert wasteland of Zemja Bogov into a landscape of beauty, using the powers that he had mastered. Vodan's sisters Kupala and Marzanna saw to the seasons. Lada raised mountains, and with Zhiva's help, made the earth fertile, while the latter also filled the land with all manner of beasts. Vodan did naught but make a lake for him to laze about in, whilst Chernobog and Belobog fought amongst themselves, and their destructive battles undid much of what was done. When Svarog returned, he was most angered with Vodan, who had done the least work out of them all, and did not have the excuse of a rival to quarrel with. When he ordered Vodan to complete his task, the slothful god angrily replied that he had no need to follow the orders of a blustering idiot like Svarog. In response, he received a beating that shook the very earth about them, and was so savage that Vodan's very personality was altered. Only with the intercession of their sister Kupala was the thrashing ended. Vodan spent the next few months recovering, tended to by Kupala, who noticed his drastically altered demeanor, which had become soft and gentle. This planted the seeds of love between them, for the stern Kupala had long wished for someone to give her comfort. When he had healed, Vodan peaceably fulfilled his brother's earlier command, crafting magnificent rivers, lakes, and seas for the realm.

Marriage and Fatherhood
After a few more centuries, with the newly fledged Beznadi Pantheon having their power solidified, Vodan asked his brother Svarog for permission to wed Kupala. Svarog agreed, but demanded that, as ruler, he be allowed to take the bride's First Night. Vodan was enraged for the first time in near half a millennium, and was only prevented from a fruitless attack on his more powerful brother by Kupala, who reluctantly consented to Svarog's demands. A few weeks passed, but Vodan and Kupala did consumate their marriage, returning to their idyllic personal realm, Krasivya. Nine months later, Kupala gave birth to a son, who they named Perun. Zhiva, through her mastery of the Dominion of Life, offered to determine the child's father, but Vodan refused, and determined to raise the boy as his son. A few years later, Perun was given a sister named Perpuna, who was without doubt Vodan's.

Familial Struggle
"'Leave me alone, Papa! You're not my father! I'm not even your real son!'""'Yes you are, Perun! You may not be my seed, but you are still my family. You are still my son, and I still love you more than all the heavens and the earth!'""-Vodan consoles Perun, his adopted son, after he learns of his true paternity."Unfortunately, some strife would come upon Vodan's family when Perun's power became known, for Svarog immediately claimed him as his own, which caused the entire family great emotional distress. Vodan too suffered greatly, for he could not bear to see those he loved in pain. Svarog's interest in Perun's upbringing was mainly his training as a warrior, and he largely left Perun's rearing to Vodan and Kupala. Perun for a long while refused to talk to his parents, so distraught was he about the truth of his father. Vodan, however, consoled the boy, stating that no matter whose seed he was, he was still his son, and affirming his love for him.

Prelude
In SA 294, Svarog was spurred to one of his greatest acts of hubris: an attempt at conquering the Olympian Pantheon. Against the advice of many of the other Beznadi, Perun chief among them, Svarog mustered their forces for the attack. Vodan himself was given command of an army that would conquer Poseidon's realm of Atlantis, despite Vodan's personal distaste for combat. Before his departure, Vodan advised his adopted son, who he new now rivaled Svarog's power, to take any opportunity to end the conflict, lest they be crushed and their home laid to waste.

The "Assault" on Atlantis
When Vodan arrived to Atlantis, he immediately saw that his forces were hopelessly outmatched. Arranging a parley with his fellow sea god, he offered Poseidon gifts, and informed him that he had no wish to throw the lives of his subjects away in his brother's foolish war. The two came to an agreement were Vodan surrendered, and Poseidon spread word of his capture, before hosting Vodan and his men as guests as they awaited for the other battles within the conflict to come to an end. News of his adopted sire's defeat was the impetus Perun needed to challenge Svarog for rule of the Beznadi, and after defeating him in single combat, Perun negotiated with the King of Olympus, Zeus, to sue for peace. Vodan and his armies were subsequently released, and the companionship he had begun with Poseidon eventually blossomed into a bond of friendship, which would serve to ease the Beznadi's client state status to Olympus. Vodan then returned home, and would serve as one of Perun's chief councilors for many thousands of years.

Physical Appearance
Vodan's preferred form is that of a middle aged, heavy set man with long hair and a flowing beard, both of which have mostly gone to white. His eyes are usually a bright blue, alight with a quiet mirth.

Personality
Once a belligerent and brutish being, who wanted nothing more than to laze about unimpeded, Vodan's original personality was obliterated in a beating by his elder brother, Svarog. Afterwards, Vodan was rendered placid and amiable, a gentle, kind being who loved serenity and peace. He came to find great pleasure in quiet contemplation, but his true calling was in making other people happy. The Vodan of today delights in laughing and making others laugh, and is always willing to lend his ear and wisdom to those in need. Among the godly realms, this has earned him the moniker "Vodan the Hospitable".

Tartarus
Vodan has always feared Tartarus. Presently, however, he pities him far more, for Tartarus is a being who knows little of love or compassion, qualities which Vodan values above all others. He wishes that his father were a better being, but sadly accepts that he is beyond redemption.

Svarog
The chief emotion Svarog evokes from Vodan is concern. Concern for what Svarog might do, and concern for Svarog himself. Despite his brother's brutal temper and many, many, many flaws, Vodan does have a deep respect for him. This respect was hidden in his younger years, for Vodan refused to show such weakness as "respect and love" in those dark centuries. It is hidden now as well, for Vodan fears how his brother might react if he were to tell him how much he admired the courage it took to take the brunt of Tartarus's wrath in order to protect Vodan and their other siblings in childhood.

Kupala
Kupala is Vodan's beloved wife. He admires her strength of character and unyielding will, and considers it one of his greatest delights to make her fierce demeanor break and make her laugh. Vodan is one of the few beings to know Kupala's softer side, and slights to her in turn are one of the few things that can stir him to anger.

Perun
Vodan's adopted son and nephew, the Slavic River God carries fierce pride for the leader of Beznadi Pantheon. He sees Perun as the perfect blend of his parents, with Svarog's strength, Kupala's, stern honesty, and his own sound judgement. He loves Perun greatly, and is immensely proud of the god he has grown to be.

Perpuna
Perpuna is Vodan's daughter, who he often states has his heart and her mother's looks. The two are very similar in personality, both being calm and gentle individuals, each with a love of life and making others happy. When in each other's presence, the natural good humor of each bolsters the other.

Poseidon
Poseidon is a close friend to Vodan. Both of them share a love of the water, and both are possessed of a great love of humor, though Poseidon has an admittedly more mischievous bent, and has a much larger propensity for womanizing. The two often meet to discuss matters of godly politics, give each other advice, as well as bet in all manner of sporting events.

Powers
Vodan is a potent god, though he is not among the most martially inclined of his pantheon. Still, like most gods, he has basic mastery over most of the Divine Dominions, and possesses above average skill in the Dominions of Life, Earth, Growth, and Sky. His greatest skill is in mastery of the Dominion of Water, however.

Skills
Artistry: Vodan is a skilled artist, preferring to wield his magical powers to craft all manner of natural wonders.

Cooking: Vodan is an immensely talented cook, having sampled many forms of cuisine from across the cosmos.

Traits
Strength: 6

Dexterity: 6

Endurance: 7

Intelligence: 11

Charisma: 9

Perception: 10

Trivia

 * Vodan's favorite food is pizza.