Achaekek

Achaekek (pronounced Ack-aye-keck) is the god of assassins, and the patron god of the Red Mantis assassins who operate all across Trayst but are only have official presence within Duthgar. His symbol is a pair of mantis claws depicted as if in prayer.

The Mantis god has thwarted those seeking divinity numerous times throughout recorded history. The most famous instances include the slaying of Tulgan at the World Crown, and the destruction of Burdroud in the Tusk Mountains in 4212 SU

Relationships
Acheakek is said to defend the gods from those who wish to over throw the gods or who what to attempt to become a god themselves and for this purpose he is slightly more accepted than some of the other evil gods by the good and neutral ones. Sometimes people who appear to be gaining too much power are sometimes warned to watch themselves that they don't attract his attention, while those of the Seen and Unseen gods would openly pray for him to strike down gods of other religions, in order to cause offence.

It is believed that Acheakek has free reign to venture anywhere he wills within the The godly Plane in order to keep the gods from just raising up new demi gods at will. The Red Inspection considers nowhere beyond their jurisdiction and use this belief as the grounds for it along with their understanding that their need to destroy people who are messing with the balance of the gods, out weighs even the temples right to defend people seeking asilem.

Temple to Achaekek
Achaekek does not actively seek followers. He is mentioned rarely in religious texts normally only in reference to his interactions with other gods, but does appear in the ancient Book of Maan and A history of the Torments Rebellion as a slayer of gods. Clerics of Achaekek are themselves assassins, even if they lack skill, they do retain some level of healing skill if only to keep themselves or other assassins need to stay in the fight.

He is occasionally worshiped by some ruthless druids and rangers who wish to emulate his efficiency in killing. Druids of Achaekek focus on vermin, often have a giant mantis as their animal companion; they forsake all links to friends or family in order to draw themselves as close to Achaekek as possible. As outsiders, they often serve as investigators or even assassins of traitors to the faith.

The largest public temple to the Mantis God is the Pagoda of the Mantis in the Fire Ward of the city of Tarcheck although the centre of the faith is the heavily guarded and well hidden Crimson Citadel, the headquarters of the infamous Red Mantis assassins located deep within the Croshine Mountains. The Midnight Maze stands on the Holy street of Temple District in Old Vashton is another public temple to Achaekek where if a client wants an assassination victim can be captured alive then brought here dropped within the maze and told that if they can escape they will live but no one ever has, this is a service that the Red Mantis offer if you want the target to die in fear and desperation.

Pelor actively opposes the work of Achaekek disliking his nature to hide in the darkness and the fact that Pelor considers the murderer of people to be evil and Pelor fights to stop all evil. On the one hand Achaekek claims that Pelors attempts to stop him are little more than insignificant annoyances and that it is beneath him to work against Pelor but, in reality Achaekek does seek to disrupt the work of Pelor and fight to weaken his hold on the mortal plane.

Clergy
There are three branches to the faith of Achaekek the Red Mantises, the Red Inspection and the Red order.

Red Mantis Assassins
The Red Mantis assassins secretly venerate He Who Walks in Blood. They use the Mantis God's persona and tactics as a model for their behaviour and organization. The Red Mantis seek to emulate their patron's role by never targeting a rightful monarch, just as Achaekek doesn't kill the truly divine. They see the murder of monarchs as blasphemous and abhorrent, and consider them the anointed agents of the gods in the mortal world.

Leading the Red Mantis are the Vernai, also known as the "High Killers", from the Crimson Citadel. These 13 women are themselves led by the Blood Mistress, a figure considered to represent the Mantis God's will on the material plane.

Red Inspection Order
The Red Inspection hunt down and punish anyone who is trying to ascend do godhood, their number has dwindled in the last few centuries as there has been little attempt to ascend or become a lich which is the more common root of immortality, but necromancy is more closely monitored/ quelled.

Red Order
Unlike the Inspection or the Mantis the Order is less focused on trying to achieve a particular goal they try to maintain the faith and funnel request and possible initiates to the other two branches of the faith. The members of the order make every effort to keep themselves unassociated to any crimes but they outwardly work on buying and gathering weapons armour and herbs for potion/poison making.

Titles
Leader of the Faith Red Mantis = Vernai = No names

High Priest = Achearun ...

Head Priest = Thespidae ...

Priest = Empulis...

Acolyte = Brother ... (male and female)

Leader of the Faith Red Order = The Razi = Razi Member ...

High Priest = Achearun ...

Head Priest = Red Priest ...

Priest = Deacon ...

Acolyte = Brother ... (male and female)

Leader of the Faith Red Inquisition = Inquisitor General ...

High Priest = Achearun ...

Head Priest = Red Priest ...

Priest = Inquisitor...

Acolyte = Brother ... (male and female)

Realm
It is said that Achaekek has forgone the acquisition of land within The godly Plane, or his territory is as stealthy as he is and it is hidden even from the other gods.

Planar allies
Zyrruthys is a huge intelligent mantis that enjoys destroying villages of blasphemers and is Achaekek's herald. Often confused with Achaekek himself, Zyrruthys never asks for payment when summoned to perform this task.

Artifacts
The Mantis Blade is a unique minor artifact sacred to followers of Achaekek.