Oronos

Oronos, the ancient and wise god of time, was born from the essence of Kronus, the Eldari of Continuance and Time, when Ael forged The Continuum Crystal during the Solis Singularity. His divine purpose is clear: to ensure that the timeline of the cosmos remains stable and that time flows unimpeded across the planes of existence. Oronos stands as the protector of the Continuum Crystal, the heart of time itself, and is responsible for maintaining the balance of past, present, and future.

Appearance

When he appears to mortals, Oronos typically takes on the form of a wise, elderly man, cloaked in a red cape, symbolizing the flowing nature of time. His most notable feature is the Hourglass of Time, a mystical object that allows him to see across all of reality. Within its sands, stars and nebulae flow as though the very cosmos itself is captured within, representing the passage of time on a cosmic scale.

Though Oronos seldom intervenes directly in mortal affairs, when the timeline is threatened or when great temporal disruptions arise, his Avatar on Mt. Numen emerges to set things right. His presence is a reminder that time is both fragile and powerful, and that even the smallest disturbance in the continuum can have catastrophic consequences.

Origins and Purpose

Oronos was created by Ael during the dawn of creation, imbued with the essence of Kronus to serve as the eternal overseer of time. His role is to guard the Continuum Crystal, a powerful artifact that holds the very fabric of the Continuum Crystal Cosmology together. This crystal is nestled in a hidden cave beneath the lands of Tolria, and while it remains veiled from mortal eyes, it is Oronos who ensures its protection.

The Continuum Crystal is the nexus of all time and reality, and without Oronos, the cosmos would fall into chaos. His divine responsibility is to ensure the timeline remains stable, preventing events that could fracture or corrupt the delicate threads of time. It is said that Oronos can see into the past, present, and future all at once, for he exists outside the limitations of linear time.

The Avatar on Mt. Numen

While Oronos’s true form resides in The Celestial Citadel on the Plane of Helion, he persists an Avatar atop Mt. Numen in Tolria. From this sacred mountain, Oronos keeps a vigilant eye on the Continuum Crystal, which is hidden deep beneath the lands. His presence on Mt. Numen is both symbolic and practical, for it allows him to intervene in the mortal world when necessary while continuing his sacred duty as the guardian of time.

Oronos’s Avatar is often described as an elderly man, draped in a long red cape, with a flowing grey beard that stretches to his chest. He carries with him a large hourglass, its sands shimmering with stars and nebulae. This hourglass, a manifestation of his power, allows Oronos to peer into the past, present, and future, giving him unparalleled insight into the timeline of the cosmos.

The Continuum Crisis

Oronos's dominion over time has not been without its trials. During the Continuum Crisis, the malicious warlock Kalekai Blackhand struck a devastating blow to the very fabric of time by stealing Oronos's sacred hourglass. This theft caused time to spiral out of control, leading to chaos across the planes as events twisted out of place, with past, present, and future blurring into one.

Oronos himself was gravely wounded by Kalekai, his power weakened as the continuum fractured. The warlock’s goal was to unravel time in pursuit of awakening Azhorra'tha, an eldritch being of unimaginable power that could destroy all creation. However, the timeline was eventually restored thanks to the heroic efforts of Thomm and Bar-Then the Kneebreaker, who returned the hourglass to Oronos after a perilous journey to reclaim it. With the hourglass returned, Oronos’s divine strength was revived, and the continuum was set back in order.

Worship and Influence

Oronos is worshipped by scholars, historians, and those who seek to understand the greater mysteries of time. He is seen as a patient and deliberate deity, guiding mortals towards wisdom through the passage of time. His followers often seek to preserve knowledge, understanding that history must be remembered so that the future can be properly shaped.

Temples and shrines to Oronos are often located in places of great historical significance or at the edges of natural borders between worlds. These sanctuaries serve as reminders of Oronos’s watchful eye over the flow of time. His most devout worshippers believe that by honoring Oronos, they can achieve a deeper understanding of fate and the cosmic cycles that govern all life.