Styx
Styx (Sticks), the Self, is the God of identity and illusion. They are amorphous and often take different shapes, disappearing into shadows and reappearing in others. They can alter the perceptions of others, creating visions that do not exist, making sounds that were not made, and mimicking touch that did not happen. Just as they can do this, they can omit things from sight, sound or touch from any given individual. For reasons unknown, they have an incredibly powerful connection to Oberon, the Crow God.
Depiction
They are depicted in a myriad of different ways, but from official works commissioned by the church, they are tall. They have no features in the way of colour or detailing, a void of shadow consuming and destroying light where ever it is they stand, emitting it only through two pinpricks where their eyes might be. They are also depicted in other ways, easily able to change their form thoughtlessly - sometimes into objects, people, animals, but also into equally shadowy forms of any of those things: a shadow in the shape of your childhood dog, sitting in the doorway with eyes that bore past your facades.
The Meaning and Testaments of Styx
It is hard to pinpoint what their tenants are, and what those who worship them hope to gain or find in them to be worthy of prayer; to put it as simply as possible, they are proof that not all is as it seems. Illusions are everywhere, not simply because of Styx’s presence, illusions of social hierarchy, illusions of choice, and illusions of arbitrary things being “right” or “wrong.” Styx represents knowing who you are within, what is intrinsic and what is extrinsic.
They represent acknowledging what you know of yourself, what you are willing to know of yourself, and what you care to know of yourself. Name it if you care to, enamour it with titles and commendations, as long as it is you and a part of you. Do not let the illusions of life and that which is without you tell you what is within. It may influence you, change you, but never let it tell you something is there that isn’t nor something isn’t there that is.
That is why Styx is the God of identity, and why so many pray to them.
Gallery
