Tū

From ENWiki

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Domains: Chaos, Destruction, Strength, War
Favored Weapon: Longspear
Symbol: a black spear
Tū (pronounced “TOO”) is the fearsome, unpredictable god of warfare and battle. Before creation, when the Sons of Rangi and Papa were still held between the embrace of their parents, it was Tū who suggested they kill their parents to escape their plight. On the other hand, after his parents were forced apart, it was this same Tū who sought revenge against his brothers for causing his parents such great sadness. At his best, he is the god of honorable death and noble causes. At his worst, he is the thoughtless god of destruction and the bringer of war.

Tū’s actions provide a pattern for human activities in the Fire Islands. Because Tū defeated his brothers, the people can now (if they perform the appropriate rituals), kill and eat birds (the children of Tāne), fish (the children of Tangaroa), cultivate and harvest food plants (the children of Rongo and Haumia), and generally harness the resources of the natural world. Likewise, people kill and eat each other now because Tū provided the example to follow. When rituals are performed over warriors before battle, or when an infant is dedicated to a future role as a fighter, Tū is invoked as the source of their duty. The body of the first warrior to fall in battle is offered up to Tū in a ceremonial fire.

Tū’s mask is black, with brown lines on the cheeks that represent his many battle scars. His eyes and mouth are red, symbolic of the bloodshed that he brings. During worship rituals, his presence is represented with a large masterwork spear made from copper. Because of his war-like attitude and supreme strength, he is worshipped by creatures who seek power above all else.

Tū belongs to the Fire Islands Pantheon.