Deity History: Xemen, God of Trade & Merchants

XEMEN
Xemen (Zem-In) is the god of Trade and Merchants. Often depicted as a boisterous man always trying to arrange a sale or trade, Xemen finds followers in all lands of the world. Nascent communities often worship Xemen in hopes of prospering, while established cities maintain lavish citadels to the god of trade in hopes that their good fortune will continue. In such communities it is often the priests of Xemen who preside over rituals involving divine healing; as Xemen is one of three gods who has been granted specialization in healing.

History

Following the end of the war against the Protoviles, the great heroes of the conflict ascended into the realm of Godhood. Often considered the last of the mortals to ascend, Xemen had been a trader during the Protovile Wars. History records that Xemen brokered the first trade arrangements between Elves and Dwarves, and later arranged the required naval assets for the final days of the War when the surviving Protoviles were hunted down as they fled to lost continents. Though his actions are now revered by most people for achieving victory in the war, many servants of other gods do not forgive Xemen for his one great failing; he traded with both sides in the war.

When the slave woman (now goddess) Nevis, lead her uprising against the Protoviles and secured a free land for those who followed her, the Protoviles sued for peace. Realizing that Nevis’ rebellion could upset their rule, the Protoviles sent an envoy to discuss terms for a peaceful solution before their enslaved followers rose against them. A young Xemen presided over the discussions, which Nevis used only as a stall tactic to gather her forces. When the discussions were revealed to be a farce, Xemen was disgraced; a failure to the Protoviles who thought he was a master negotiator, and a traitor to the uprising forces.

Seeking to leave his former life behind, Xemen traveled across the seas to uncharted lands where he arranged new trade deals, and secured new allies. When the war crossed the seas, both the Protoviles and the forces of Nevis were once again forced into negotiations with Xemen. Though loathed to admit it, Nevis required the social network that Xemen had created in these new lands, and thus she entered into the terse trade discussions with him. Xemen was more than willing to supply Nevis with the supplies her forces needed, and when confronted about what he wanted in return, Xemen simply stated; “We can discuss that at another time.” When the forces of the Protoviles came ashore, Xemen made similar arrangements with their ambassadors, also citing his desire to be paid back at a later date.

As the war grew in intensity, Xemen continued brokering deals and ensuring his coffers were kept full. Many regarded him as a savior, while others thought of him as a war profiteer, but in Xemen’s eyes it was ‘just business’. When Vadis the Protovile was sealed deep beneath the earth, Xemen could see which way the war was swinging. Placing more and more emphasis on assisting the anti-Protovile forces, Xemen soon became a hero to all as he assisted in arranging many victories against the Protoviles.

Soon the only bastion of Protovile forces remained in the cold north on the continent of Celemus, led by the final Protovile; Fhazu. As forces massed for their final assault on the northern stronghold, a meeting of great military leaders was convened. During this meeting, Berethos; the general who had been fighting Fhazu since the beginning of the war demanded an immediate strike against the cowering Protovile. When Xemen suggested the possibility of negotiation, the general went mad with rage and slashed at Xemen with his bastard sword; putting a deep wound in Xemen’s left arm.

Eventually Fhazu was defeated, and following the final defeat of their enemies, several prominent figures of the war were ascended to godhood. As the first convocation of gods occurred, the newly deified beings bade their followers come to speak with them before they departed the mortal plane. Midway through the great meeting, Xemen appeared before the gathered gods dressed in the finest apparel and with his trademark smile beaming before them. Nevis, who had always despised Xemen for his near treacherous trading with the Protoviles attempted to dismiss the merchant immediately. Xemen retorted to this by calling in his old debts to the goddess, stating that she now owed him a debt that even she could not repay. Before the goddess could speak, the hall was bathed in a wash of light, and by whatever power had made the others deities; Xemen was admitted into the divine host.