Preservation

Lore & Background

While the god itself is long dead, its influence remains absolute in the world's magic system. The Vivennae and other Awakeners draw directly upon this Investiture to command objects, animate them with will, or even heal wounds by transferring Breath. The religion of Azish venerates Preservation as the sole creator, often viewing Honor as a destructive force, though the truth is far more complex involving the interplay between stasis and change.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled through the dry canyons of Azish, carrying dust that tasted of ancient stillness. Vasher stood atop the ridge, his cloak snapping in the gale, as he held a simple stone in his palm. He did not wish to move it; he wished to keep it exactly where it was, forever untouched by erosion or time. With a whisper of command and a drop of Breath flowing from his own soul into the rock, the stone hummed with a low, golden vibration. It became unbreakable, a monument to the dead god's desire for an eternal, frozen world.

Reader's Guide

In Azish, Preservation is revered as the singular creator deity who gave life to all things through the gift of Breath. Religious doctrine teaches that every living being holds a portion of this divine spark, and hoarding or wasting it is considered a grave sin against the natural order. Myths often describe the world before the Shattering as a place where Preservation and Honor worked in harmony, though historical texts hint at a deep ideological rift between the two powers. The death of Preservation is rarely discussed openly by common folk, who believe his essence simply lives on within every breath taken. The current state of magic relies entirely on this dead god's legacy. Without Preservation, there would be no Breath to fuel Awakening, and life itself might cease to function as it does now.

Did You Know?

• Preservation is the source of BioChromatic Breath, which powers the entire Awakenings magic system.
• The deity's intent to prevent change created a fundamental conflict with Honor, leading to their eventual separation.
• In the world of Nalthis, Preservation is often viewed as the sole creator by followers in Azish.
• Vasher is one of the few individuals capable of wielding massive amounts of Preservation's Investiture.