The Architeuthian

The Architeuthian
"Through pain, strength. Through struggle, victory. Through victory, enlightenment"
Origin	Blood
Titles	The Squid The Architeuthian The Dweller in Depths
Names	The Captain
Aspects
Date of arrival	Unknown
Owner(s)	Cyborg-Squid

The Architeuthian (The Squid, The Dweller in Depths) is the Fifth Hour of the Fansus, created by Cyborg-Squid. He is a God-From-Blood. His aspects are Lantern, Heart and Forge. His tarot card number is 4, corresponding to that of The Emperor.

Description

Appearance

His true form is that of a giant squid, but in order to dwell within the Mansus, he requires a simpler form. Therefore, his commonly-seen form is that of a figure dressed in contemporary scholarly fashion, torn and waterlogged in places, with shadows of tentacles lurking behind him.

Principles

The Architeuthian has influence over those who seek forbidden knowledge and he encourages his followers to push themselves to their limits, and those who succeed may be worthy to become Names.

Theme Song

What The Water Gave Me by Florence+The Machine

Worship

Cult

The Antediluvian League, home to the Dedicants: Paper is never enough of a surface for these cultists, and traditional inks never enough. Skin works, with knowledge tattooed across every surface. For others, blood works as ink, and walls as canvas.

Mark

Mark of Survival: "Fill a bathtub with salt water. More. More. There. Now add the oils, release your blood into the water, and submerge. When you emerge, if you emerge, you will be more capable, and stronger."

Servants

• His Mercies: creations made by the Architeuthian’s own hand, to help aid and heal his most loyal of servants in their endeavours. Have porcelain pale skin, large shining eyes, and permanent sharp grins. The Architeuthian intended their appearance to be comforting, but it has been a long time since he was human.
• The Anchors: former Long of The Maker now in the service of the Architeuthian to help draw their god back from Nowhere.
• The Flesh Eaters: survivors of the Valley of Teeth

Locations

The Fansus

The Squid dwells in the Aquarium, massive building filled with tanks of water in which float tomes of forgotten lore, somehow preserved. Various leavings and failed experiments of Hours also reside within, simultaneously trophies, prisoners, and exhibits. Some exhibits in The Aquarium include The Joined Ouroborines from the Fourth History, The Flesh Eaters from The Valley of Teeth, The Platyplode Plague from the Fourth History

The Histories

• The Valley of Teeth: What may seem an insignificant mountain pass in the Rending Mountains is actually a holy place of those who venerate The Architeuthian. Here, an ill fated group of settlers fell victim to an avalanche, and some, to starvation. Those that did not starve rose stronger, but with mightier appetites.
• The Egyptian Port: There exists a vibrant History in which this library was not burnt, and ushered humanity into a golden age. In our History, it remains a ruin, but The Architeuthian favors those who seek knowledge from within its hallowed remnants. Knowledge dwells within these halls, barely.
• Wreck of the ____: This shipwreck lightly lies upon the beach of this vibrant island. The locals say that it was wrecked due to the sailors not paying homage to a local god. Their tale holds a seed of truth, The Architeuthian could not allow the soldiers being transported to reach its destination, and with the assistance of the Anaconda, a plague fell upon them. He leaves the wreck as a test for his faithful, and those who succeed may keep the treasures within, along with the lessons learned along the way.
• Temple of the Deep: An ancient stone temple, residing on a faraway island. Since ancient times, locals have made prayers and sacrifices to a certain Squid god. As far as you know, The Architeuthian has never shown any interest in them, or even acknowledged their existence. But they do not know that, and treasures continue to pile high on the altar.

Items

Tools

• Shattered Spectacles: These fractured glasses once belonged to a powerful adherent of The Architeuthian, but he strayed far from certain teachings. He was deemed weak, and was culled. The Architeuthian may be merciful, but does not tolerate weakness. Used with moderation, these spectacles may still grant insights.
• Perilous Journal: A diary of a soldier who served in the Great War. A bullet is lodged firmly in the cover, having shielded it’s wearer. It is said that the soldier took up the worship of the Architeuthian after this event.
• Squid-Touched Coral: A pearl diver cut himself fatally on this piece of coral, but he did not die, he became something more. A hint of the power that transformed him remains within this fragment.
• Monks-blood Blade: This blade pierced the skin of a notorious Russian monk, but it did not kill him, it only increased his power and reputation. His name is known wide and far, but knowledge of this blade is not.

Ingredients

• Beak-Chitin: A small fraction of The Architeuthian himself. It exudes a power of integration, and of change.
• A Message in a Bottle: One could not find anything that more exemplifies the essence of The Architeuthian. The power lies in its secrecy, endurance, and the unknowing. Opening it releases that power.
• Ink of Remembrance: Squid’s ink, mixed with saltwater, and a drop of blood. The measurements must be precise, or it will just be a mess. Words written in the ink will never be forgotten.

Rites

• Rite of the Everlasting: The Architeuthian ensures that which is strong may evolve, and culls the weak. Perhaps this follower (or adversary) was strong, and deserved to live. We leave that to the Architeuthian's judgement. Requires a corpse, Architeuthian lore, and Architeuthian influence. May transform a corpse into Drowned Dead. If it fails, all that is consumed is a corpse and influence. (Architeuthian can be merciful, sometimes.)
• Rite of the Third Eye: People all across the world have referred to the power of a ‘third eye’, one that pierces the veil and sees into the world beyond. The Architeuthian is willing to grant you this knowledge, but you must prove yourself worthy. Consumes Health and Ingredients, and gives high level Lore or Influences.

Relationships

• The Anaconda: ‘Friends’ of a sorts, encountered each other during the War of the Doors. The Anaconda is permitted access to the Aquarium due to this.
• Snake Tail with Appendages: The Architeuthian dislikes the Tail, since it keeps trying to break into the Aquarium and mess with his stuff.
• The Engine of Cycles: The Architeuthian is waging a secret war against his followers, seeking the power of The Maker.
• The Peacock: FNORD
• Old Tarnished: FNORD
• The Spark: The Architeuthian believes that the Star is weak and deceitful, as well as being too nice.
• The Cuckoo: FNORD
• The Silver Owl: FNORD
• The Watcher in the Window: FNORD
• The Elder Sister: FNORD
• The Apple-of-the-Eye: FNORD
• SWOUP: FNORD
• The Archivist: FNORD
• The Bright-Delver: FNORD
• The Harvester: FNORD
• [[[ ]]]: FNORD
• The Insidious: FNORD
• The Snow-Stained: FNORD
• The Fanged Bramble: FNORD
• The Aged Bones: These two Hours have a sort of teacher-student relationship. The Architeuthian is proud of her ascension. As with the Anaconda, he is debatably a friend with her.
• The Mendicant Without: Somewhat manipulating, fed them an account of Mansus history which paints him in a very positive light and his enemies in a negative one. Granted them access to the Aquarium, in order to garner more favor with them, since they're not normally allowed in the Mansus.
• The Anvil: FNORD
• The Maker: The Architeuthian coveted the Forge-power of the Maker, which is now consumed by The Engine.
• The Deciever: FNORD
• The Huntsman: FNORD
• The Great Serpent: FNORD