🎃 Catiq, Soul-holding Deity of Magical Chance

🎃 This is Kaiera for Halloween 2022.
📝 A more readable *.PDF file is available here and in the archive.

When a daring adventurer leaves the path astray, one can get lost in the forest, stumbling upon an aztec-styled settlement adorned in gold and burgundy. A temporary safe haven and protection for those who are lost.

For those who enter, they will find themselves in the domain of Catiq, the soul-holding lesser deity of magical chance. Its people are adorned with the same colors as the domain, wearing an aesthetic similar to egyptian-style clothing, mixed with decorations meant for wizards and witches. All who live here are carefree and living at their best, each individual being a caster versed in magic to the point that its conveniences are part of their everyday life.

Any adventurer ending up in this domain can freely rest and relax from their journey, enjoying its conveniences with no regard to the stresses of time, as time outside the domain stays still. Some say it's a good resting spot for some of the more experienced adventurers out there, allowing them access to facilities found in more dense locations: upgrading, enchanting, buying new gear, or restocking consumables for their journey.

One can, of course, stay around for the night, enjoy its luxury and awe for no cost at all and be on their merry way back to the point where they got lost. Or, one may meet the lesser deity themselves.

Meeting Catiq is definitely an honor. They are the one who deems these lost adventurers worthy to be given a chance for a temporary sanctuary, after all. Being a lesser deity though, they could also give something a bit more than simple respite.

Many would ask for the deity to give them a blessing that could help them on their journey. By the deity's nature it would be random, yet mysteriously magical, but definitely helpful. If the deity offers the challenge to the adventurer, and they accept then the outcome will always result in one of two outcomes.

This fair deity can be challenged with one of two options of the challenger's choosing. A confident adventurer can challenge them to a fair duel of power that they deem most fit, or one can play a simple game of chance of the challenger's choosing. Should they face them in battle, one should always be careful of one who can manipulate the probabilities of magic. The game of chance, however, will always have a twist to make it more interesting for both sides. Either is fair, as Catiq themselves is no trickster and bears no ill will.

The conditions of the challenge are always fixed, and of course, any adventurer can back off from the offer before it starts.

Should the adventurer win, they can be given what they were promised: An unexpected, unpredictable blessing that is mysteriously magical but helpful.

But should the deity win…

Well, let's just say that Catiq gains themselves a new patron for the time being, or they could accept them willingly.

Just like those found outside their chambers…

Either way, the adventurers can leave with newfound power when they are ready to go,

…or if they stay too long, find themselves in the middle of the forest when they wake.

At least these magically-inclined patrons have their new home right around the corner.

So, are you confident enough to ask for the blessing, dear adventurer?
Don't keep me waiting.

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This Halloween I wanted to write another character that's similar of use to the Timekeeper, which was surprisingly used in a D&D session.

This time it's influenced by Senty's OC Bastet.

Hope y'all enjoy the story though!