Ao, the Realmweaver

Greater Deity

Domains: Arcana, Order


Cultural Names: Ashariel in Nurathar, Wei’Shen in Shen-Su

Domain

Ao resides within the Eternal Archive, a vast and still realm deep in the Astral Plane, which she shares with her twin, Io. The Archive is a cosmic lattice of ordered existence, where threads of magic and space interweave in perfect harmony.

It is from here that Ao observes the alignment of planes, ensures the Weave remains unbroken, and maintains the foundational structure of reality. She does not move between realms — she is present wherever structure endures.

Creation and Divine Role

Ao emerged from the left eye of Elgalar, the Celestial Architect, alongside Io, the Timekeeper. While Io governed time and its inevitable progression, Ao took the responsibility of shaping space — the physical structure and boundaries that gave birth to existence. Her work was to craft the dimensions and planes of the cosmos, ensuring that each would remain stable and aligned within the great cycle of existence.

Together with Io, Ao is rumored to have created the Weave, the magic that permeates every part of the universe, from the smallest pebble to the grandest celestial body. While Io provided the rhythm and tempo, Ao set the boundaries and the frame within which the cosmos could function.

Ao does not interfere in the lives of mortals, but her influence is pervasive, ensuring that space remains stable and that the cosmic order holds. Her work is one of maintenance, not creation or destruction. It is the structure of the world that she watches over, and through her delicate balance, the cosmos continues to function.

Worship and Doctrine

Ao is not a god who seeks worship or adoration, yet she is revered by those who understand the importance of balance and structure. Her followers include scholars, planar navigators, and those who study the laws that govern the world. 

In Nurathar, Ao is honored as Ashariel, the Loom of Worlds, revered as the force that ensures the stability of the planes. In Shen-Su, Wei’Shen is viewed as the Loom of the Ten Thousand Realms, a figure who guides the celestial balance between the physical and spiritual planes. 

Clerics of Ao may choose from the Arcana and Order domains. They work to protect the balance of the world, ensuring that the forces of chaos do not disrupt the natural order.

Tenets:

• Space is as important as time; structure must be upheld.

• The boundaries between realms must be maintained.

• The cosmos does not bend to mortal whims; it must be respected.

• Order is not stagnation, but the harmony of all parts working together.

Echo of Creation — The Axis of Worlds

Ao’s Echo of Creation is the Axis of Worlds, a divine artifact that represents the foundational structure of existence. The Axis is said to embody the very essence of space and order, anchoring the planes of the multiverse to their proper places. The bearer of the Axis may gain the power to sense planar shifts, stabilize rifts, and restore balance to a fractured reality. Unlike artifacts of destruction or creation, the Axis is a tool of preservation, ensuring that existence remains intact and unbroken.

Divine Mark — The Unfolding Pattern

The Unfolding Pattern is Ao’s Divine Mark, appearing as a lattice of glowing sigils on the bearer’s skin. These sigils shift slightly, as though they are interconnected across dimensions, constantly in flux but always maintaining their integrity. The Mark represents Ao’s control over space and order, and it grants the bearer the ability to sense planar disturbances, feel the flow of magic, and may stabilize unstable rifts in the Weave.

Those who bear the Unfolding Pattern can stabilize magical rifts, detect planar shifts, and manipulate the boundaries between realities, but they must be cautious, as their power is not meant to change but to maintain.

Mythic Role in Eldareth

Ao’s role in Eldareth is largely that of maintaining cosmic order. She does not interfere with mortal affairs unless reality itself is threatened. She sealed the Triad’s influence on the world, creating prison planes for them and locking their influence from interfering in the mortal realm. 

During the Upheaval, Ao played a critical role in ensuring that the planes remained intact. While Io handled the temporal disruptions, Ao focused on preventing the collapse of dimensions and ensuring that the cosmic structure held firm. Her work is often unseen, but without it, the fabric of reality itself would unravel.