The Athar are a faction who do not believe that the gods in the planes are real gods. Powerful? Of course. But not worthy of worship. Factol Terrance instead worships a force he calls the Greater Unknown, and actually receives priestly spells from this mysterious source.
History[]
Previous factols:
Philosophy[]
The gods are frauds; the unknowable truth lies beyond the veil.
Role[]
Operating out of the Shattered Temple, formerly a temple to Aoskar, the Athar stay out of government. They run a spy network, observing the city's faiths and temples. If any of them seem to be gaining any undue influence, the Athar leak information to the relevant authorities.
Membership[]
Benefits: Namers gain immunity to abjure, augury, bestow curse, curse, divination, enthrall, exaction, holy word, and quest.
Factotums among the Athar are called "athaeons." A namer can become an athaeon via a ritual at the Shattered Temple, where they bring three objects, symbols, or books imbued with divine power, and destroy them.
Low-level aetheons are used as guards, messengers, and technical experts. Mid-level athaeons are special envoys, independent operators, or supervisors. Higher-level athaeons are nearing the end of their service as they become considered for promotion to factor.
Benefits: Athaeons gain a +2 saving throw bonus against any priest spells used against them.
Known Athaeons:
Those willing to become factors must demonstrate a significant victory over a power or its proponents.
Benefits: Factors gain an obscurement that protects them from observation by powers or their servants. Subjects must make a saving throw vs spell or their attempts fail automatically.
Background Information[]
- The "Athar" name comes from "atheist," from Greek a- (not) and theos (god), someone who does not believe in a God or gods.
- The Greater Unknown is sometimes inconsistently called the Great Unknown.
References[]
- 2nd Edition
- Planescape: Planescape Campaign Setting, p. 16, A Player's Guide to the Planes
- Dragon: Dragon Magazine 213, p. 11-12
- Planescape: The Factol's Manifesto, p. 6-15
- Planescape: The Planewalker's Handbook, p. 66
- Planescape: Planescape Campaign Setting, p. 16, A Player's Guide to the Planes
- 3rd Edition
- 5th Edition
- Planescape: Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse, p. 22, Sigil and the Outlands
- ↑ Planescape: A Player's Primer to the Outlands, p. 12
- ↑ Planescape: The Factol's Manifesto, p. 12
- ↑ Planescape: The Factol's Manifesto, p. 13
| Planescape Factions | |
|---|---|
| AD&D 2nd Edition | |
| Pre-Faction War: | Athar · Believers of the Source · Bleak Cabal · Doomguard · Dustmen Fated · Fraternity of Order · Free League · Harmonium · Mercykillers |
| Post-Faction War: | Believers of the Source + Sign of One → Mind's Eye |
| D&D 5th Edition | |
| Ascendant Factions: | Athar · Bleak Cabal · Doomguard · Fated Fraternity of Order · Hands of Havoc · Harmonium · Heralds of Dust |
| Minor Factions: | Free League · Incanterium · Ring Givers |
| Nowhere: | Coterie of Cakes · Revolutionary League · Undivided |