More Info on Io [Archive] - Wizards Community

More Info on Io [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ikuraut
04-19-08, 01:04 AM Does anyone have more info on Io. I know he was the dragon god that created the dragons.
Ikuraut
04-20-08, 12:15 AM I guess there are more people lost on this subject then me. I only found a few references to him. If anyone has suggestions on were to find more info on him, it'd be much appreciated.
Kain_Darkwind
04-20-08, 03:32 AM Are you looking for official information on him, or other people's personal takes on the Ninefold Dragon?
Ryat
04-20-08, 11:23 AM The best source for info on Io is in the 2E blue soft cover book Monster Mythology. Of course I just went to look for that in my library and guess what? It's not there! I'll look again in a bit, cause I know I had it.....I hate when this happens....

ryat, I'm still here
castlemike
04-20-08, 01:51 PM In On Hallowed Ground Io was a Neutral/All alignment, Greater Power of Creation whose plane/layer/realm was unknown and worshippers were designated N/A instead of All, Any or Dragons or other breakdown by alignment or race.

Races of Dragons lists him as a Neutral, Intermediate Power, the Ninefold Dragon with a home plane in the Outlands, Clerics of all alignments, with the portfolio of Dragonkind, balance and peace with the domains of Dragon, Knowledge, Magic, Strength, Travel, Wealth and [Spell].
Ikuraut
04-20-08, 03:22 PM Cool thx for the info. And yes was just looking for official rulings. Also does he exist in the Eberron universe? Just asking cause I've seen no mention of him but then again there isn't much mention of him in the regular D&D pantheon so...
ripvanwormer
04-20-08, 04:40 PM Check out the Io article on the Greyhawk wiki (http://www.canonfire.com/wiki/index.php?title=Io). That's all official. The primary sources are Monster Mythology and Races of the Dragon, though other sources were used as well (all of them listed at the bottom of the article).

Io exists in Eberron as a constellation in the sky associated with magic and knowledge (see the Eberron Campaign Setting, page 130). Whether he's a god or not is as mysterious as anything regarding the gods of Eberron is. That is, nobody knows anything about whether the gods of Eberron are real. However, Io is worshipped as a god by the dragons of Argonnessan (page 129).
Ikuraut
04-21-08, 07:52 AM Thx that's really helpful.
sciborg3
04-24-08, 06:59 PM i wrote this awhile back, not sure if its up your alley:

Ionian Mysteries

How do dragons come to realize the ultimate nature of the dragon Io? Those who join move more and more towards neutrality. It is important to realize that in their majesty, the humility of submission does not come easily. Io does not begrudge his children for this, as he created them to have no need of priests. Still, as the multiverse begins to move to a new age, one which the place of dragons seems more and more uncertain, many dragons feel lost and isolated despite their incredible powers. The draconian gods who more actively work in the planes are all lesser powers, save for the faerie dragon lord who has grown apart from his brethren. In fact, while the goals of these dragon gods are far reaching, they do not speak to the draconian need for a superior power that reflects their own superiority over the biped races.

This void in dragon spirituality has led elder dragons and their younger proteges to look to their ancient heritage and the Void that Io brought the potential of existence to through the shedding of his own blood. Similarly, the leaders of the mystery teach, Io will fill the emptiness in their hearts. The faith is appealing because it places dragons as the highest creations of the multiverse, and suggests a greater destiny in which their kind will once again be given the chance to be its kings and queens. Most of those who seek to join are draconian elders who have begun to question their place in the multiversal tapestry.

As the mental, physical, and magical nature of these pseudo-reptiles can be quite different from the shorter lived biped races, their religious ideology varies as well. The Ionian Mysteries are based on rituals and reenactments, similar to other mystery religions, but the rituals and length of initiation can go on for a century or more. Good and Evil dragons take longer, as they must go against their indoctrinated alignment and move towards true neutrality.

The first part is being accepted into the cult. This requires that the dragon refrain from its natural tendencies, proving its discipline.This trial period is done under a low level acolyte. After a few years, any dragon that has shown reasonable effort is allowed to take the first initiation. The goal of this trial is not to completely change one's personality, but to prove that one is willing to do so.

At this point, the initiate is allowed to eat a meal that celebrates their passing of this first test, as well as prepare them for the next one. During the feast, in which other dragons take part, the highest ranking acolyte will relate the story of Io's creation of the universe, how he made the Void, which was bereft of potential, into the Shadow Void, a nothingness from which something could arise. After the meal has been completed, the dragon is taken to a cavern deep within a sacred mountain. (This mountain is considered the property of the cult, and trespassers are warned simply to turn back as they approach. Any who continue to move toward the mountain are attacked, though they are rarely killed as that would only draw more attention to the holy site.)

The cavern is deeper that the base of the mountain, actually within what some would call the Underdark. The dragon is forced into a small, cramped space, then sealed within with boulders and the combined magic of those gathered. The symbolic meaning of the cavern is a representation of the Void, the emptiness in which only Io existed. The cavern is warded against any attempt to escape, and only a dragon with the power of an archmage or two could have any hope of doing so. The length of time any dragon must stay within the cave varies, though by the time they are let out the dragons are definitely close to starvation and desperate for freedom.

The acolytes are not just testing the dragon, however, they are also waiting for a high priest to arrive. This can take several months, as the dragon in question may not even be on the same plane. Once this dragon does come to the mountain, he draws out some of his own blood, pouring it into a natural or carved out basin near the peak. The bottom of the basin always has the Nine-Fold Dragon's symbol scratched into it. In the following days, various spells of purification and consecration are cast on the liquid, as the dragons offer prayers to their elusive power. The ritual culminates with an atonement spell cast upon the blood. The reason for this is that having passed through the initiations, the high priest's blood is closest in nature to Io's, yet not truly holy.

At this point, the blood is taken in the mouth of the acolyte who watched over the initiate during his trial of entry, and cannot be swallowed or spilled. As all dragons are Io's masterpiece, there cannot be a more holy receptacle so nothing else is appropriate. In a tunnel directly above the initiate's prison, the blood is poured through a slight crack to the dragon below. At this moment, the blood that belonged to the High priest is thought to become the blood of Io, a memory of those first drops that created the Shadow Void from the True Void, and allowed the powers of other races to fashion the multiverse.

The prisoner, assuredly ravenous, drinks as much of the blood as possible on instinct, as it has been reduced to the animal state of its reptilian heritage. The moment the chamber is opened, acolytes wait to see if the dragon attacks or is too weakened to move. Regardless of its state, every dragon there including the high priest casts a spell of blindness designed to over come the natural spell resistance of their race. If necessary, the dragon is wounded to bring it into submission. At this point, the initiate is forced to crawl through the tunnels, even if it takes days, eventually arriving at the top of the mountain.

In the cool mountain air, the dragon's sight is restored gradually, coinciding the birth of the present multiverse from the Shadow Void with the dragon's rebirth as a disciple in the Ionian Mysteries. From this point forward, the dragon has entered into a new life.

Of course, the initiation does not end here, but further tests vary to an astounding degree depending on the dragon herself as well as the nature of her overseers, who themselves are undergoing the initiation process and still not purified of alignment and bias. More serious tests involve flying or swimming through a dangerous environment unprotected, stunning the dragon's wings in mid flight, or being subjected to the breath weapons of her fellows all at once. Many of the trials involve humliation, as the dragon must come to fully accept its submission to the will of her creator. Other trials prevent the dragon from using any magic or ability save the spells granted to her as a cleric of Io, meant for her to come to trust the Nine-fold dragon. As dragons have centuries in which to learn the path, there is less of a sense of urgency and instead the initiation is seen as a continuous process. While many biped initations seek to create a psychological break that produces understanding, the dragons combine such trials with more ongoing ones that serve to refine the initiate. This allows the dragon much room for growth and for failure, and many of the cults secret revelations come to her over time, until they seem to have been ever-apparent. It's said that by understanding that all dragons are linked by the essence of their great creator, higher initiates can use abilities and even breath weapons of other species. Those who realize that all the planes are merely a vehicle of Io's great majesty may even be able to fly across the multiverse at will. What one can state definitively is that known members grow disinterested in their hoards, and begin to spend more time wandering the true neutral Hinterlands to seek communion with their god. These dragons are suprisingly approachable, though most conversation focuses on the greatness of Io without any real revelations of the groups desires.

Such meetings are exceedingly rare unfortunately, as the cult is not a large one even by the standards of dragonkind's relatively low plane-wide population. The faith meets rarely, and much ongoing business is in fact conducted during a new wyrm's initiation. What little information that has been gathered suggests that members seek to promote cooperation among dragonkind, stressing that inclinations to Good and Evil, and even to Law and Chaos, prevent the mind from being impartial enough to direct creation to serve Io's will. What ultimate goal those enlightened in these mysteries wish to steer the multiverse toward, however, is unknown.
Ikuraut
04-25-08, 01:50 AM Thx like the enthusiasm. I was really just looking for official info on him. But hey anything is good.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ikuraut 04-19-08, 01:04 AM	Does anyone have more info on Io. I know he was the dragon god that created the dragons.
Ikuraut 04-20-08, 12:15 AM	I guess there are more people lost on this subject then me. I only found a few references to him. If anyone has suggestions on were to find more info on him, it'd be much appreciated.
Kain_Darkwind 04-20-08, 03:32 AM	Are you looking for official information on him, or other people's personal takes on the Ninefold Dragon?
Ryat 04-20-08, 11:23 AM	The best source for info on Io is in the 2E blue soft cover book Monster Mythology. Of course I just went to look for that in my library and guess what? It's not there! I'll look again in a bit, cause I know I had it.....I hate when this happens.... ryat, I'm still here
castlemike 04-20-08, 01:51 PM	In On Hallowed Ground Io was a Neutral/All alignment, Greater Power of Creation whose plane/layer/realm was unknown and worshippers were designated N/A instead of All, Any or Dragons or other breakdown by alignment or race. Races of Dragons lists him as a Neutral, Intermediate Power, the Ninefold Dragon with a home plane in the Outlands, Clerics of all alignments, with the portfolio of Dragonkind, balance and peace with the domains of Dragon, Knowledge, Magic, Strength, Travel, Wealth and [Spell].
Ikuraut 04-20-08, 03:22 PM	Cool thx for the info. And yes was just looking for official rulings. Also does he exist in the Eberron universe? Just asking cause I've seen no mention of him but then again there isn't much mention of him in the regular D&D pantheon so...
ripvanwormer 04-20-08, 04:40 PM	Check out the Io article on the Greyhawk wiki (http://www.canonfire.com/wiki/index.php?title=Io). That's all official. The primary sources are Monster Mythology and Races of the Dragon, though other sources were used as well (all of them listed at the bottom of the article). Io exists in Eberron as a constellation in the sky associated with magic and knowledge (see the Eberron Campaign Setting, page 130). Whether he's a god or not is as mysterious as anything regarding the gods of Eberron is. That is, nobody knows anything about whether the gods of Eberron are real. However, Io is worshipped as a god by the dragons of Argonnessan (page 129).
Ikuraut 04-21-08, 07:52 AM	Thx that's really helpful.
sciborg3 04-24-08, 06:59 PM	i wrote this awhile back, not sure if its up your alley: Ionian Mysteries How do dragons come to realize the ultimate nature of the dragon Io? Those who join move more and more towards neutrality. It is important to realize that in their majesty, the humility of submission does not come easily. Io does not begrudge his children for this, as he created them to have no need of priests. Still, as the multiverse begins to move to a new age, one which the place of dragons seems more and more uncertain, many dragons feel lost and isolated despite their incredible powers. The draconian gods who more actively work in the planes are all lesser powers, save for the faerie dragon lord who has grown apart from his brethren. In fact, while the goals of these dragon gods are far reaching, they do not speak to the draconian need for a superior power that reflects their own superiority over the biped races. This void in dragon spirituality has led elder dragons and their younger proteges to look to their ancient heritage and the Void that Io brought the potential of existence to through the shedding of his own blood. Similarly, the leaders of the mystery teach, Io will fill the emptiness in their hearts. The faith is appealing because it places dragons as the highest creations of the multiverse, and suggests a greater destiny in which their kind will once again be given the chance to be its kings and queens. Most of those who seek to join are draconian elders who have begun to question their place in the multiversal tapestry. As the mental, physical, and magical nature of these pseudo-reptiles can be quite different from the shorter lived biped races, their religious ideology varies as well. The Ionian Mysteries are based on rituals and reenactments, similar to other mystery religions, but the rituals and length of initiation can go on for a century or more. Good and Evil dragons take longer, as they must go against their indoctrinated alignment and move towards true neutrality. The first part is being accepted into the cult. This requires that the dragon refrain from its natural tendencies, proving its discipline.This trial period is done under a low level acolyte. After a few years, any dragon that has shown reasonable effort is allowed to take the first initiation. The goal of this trial is not to completely change one's personality, but to prove that one is willing to do so. At this point, the initiate is allowed to eat a meal that celebrates their passing of this first test, as well as prepare them for the next one. During the feast, in which other dragons take part, the highest ranking acolyte will relate the story of Io's creation of the universe, how he made the Void, which was bereft of potential, into the Shadow Void, a nothingness from which something could arise. After the meal has been completed, the dragon is taken to a cavern deep within a sacred mountain. (This mountain is considered the property of the cult, and trespassers are warned simply to turn back as they approach. Any who continue to move toward the mountain are attacked, though they are rarely killed as that would only draw more attention to the holy site.) The cavern is deeper that the base of the mountain, actually within what some would call the Underdark. The dragon is forced into a small, cramped space, then sealed within with boulders and the combined magic of those gathered. The symbolic meaning of the cavern is a representation of the Void, the emptiness in which only Io existed. The cavern is warded against any attempt to escape, and only a dragon with the power of an archmage or two could have any hope of doing so. The length of time any dragon must stay within the cave varies, though by the time they are let out the dragons are definitely close to starvation and desperate for freedom. The acolytes are not just testing the dragon, however, they are also waiting for a high priest to arrive. This can take several months, as the dragon in question may not even be on the same plane. Once this dragon does come to the mountain, he draws out some of his own blood, pouring it into a natural or carved out basin near the peak. The bottom of the basin always has the Nine-Fold Dragon's symbol scratched into it. In the following days, various spells of purification and consecration are cast on the liquid, as the dragons offer prayers to their elusive power. The ritual culminates with an atonement spell cast upon the blood. The reason for this is that having passed through the initiations, the high priest's blood is closest in nature to Io's, yet not truly holy. At this point, the blood is taken in the mouth of the acolyte who watched over the initiate during his trial of entry, and cannot be swallowed or spilled. As all dragons are Io's masterpiece, there cannot be a more holy receptacle so nothing else is appropriate. In a tunnel directly above the initiate's prison, the blood is poured through a slight crack to the dragon below. At this moment, the blood that belonged to the High priest is thought to become the blood of Io, a memory of those first drops that created the Shadow Void from the True Void, and allowed the powers of other races to fashion the multiverse. The prisoner, assuredly ravenous, drinks as much of the blood as possible on instinct, as it has been reduced to the animal state of its reptilian heritage. The moment the chamber is opened, acolytes wait to see if the dragon attacks or is too weakened to move. Regardless of its state, every dragon there including the high priest casts a spell of blindness designed to over come the natural spell resistance of their race. If necessary, the dragon is wounded to bring it into submission. At this point, the initiate is forced to crawl through the tunnels, even if it takes days, eventually arriving at the top of the mountain. In the cool mountain air, the dragon's sight is restored gradually, coinciding the birth of the present multiverse from the Shadow Void with the dragon's rebirth as a disciple in the Ionian Mysteries. From this point forward, the dragon has entered into a new life. Of course, the initiation does not end here, but further tests vary to an astounding degree depending on the dragon herself as well as the nature of her overseers, who themselves are undergoing the initiation process and still not purified of alignment and bias. More serious tests involve flying or swimming through a dangerous environment unprotected, stunning the dragon's wings in mid flight, or being subjected to the breath weapons of her fellows all at once. Many of the trials involve humliation, as the dragon must come to fully accept its submission to the will of her creator. Other trials prevent the dragon from using any magic or ability save the spells granted to her as a cleric of Io, meant for her to come to trust the Nine-fold dragon. As dragons have centuries in which to learn the path, there is less of a sense of urgency and instead the initiation is seen as a continuous process. While many biped initations seek to create a psychological break that produces understanding, the dragons combine such trials with more ongoing ones that serve to refine the initiate. This allows the dragon much room for growth and for failure, and many of the cults secret revelations come to her over time, until they seem to have been ever-apparent. It's said that by understanding that all dragons are linked by the essence of their great creator, higher initiates can use abilities and even breath weapons of other species. Those who realize that all the planes are merely a vehicle of Io's great majesty may even be able to fly across the multiverse at will. What one can state definitively is that known members grow disinterested in their hoards, and begin to spend more time wandering the true neutral Hinterlands to seek communion with their god. These dragons are suprisingly approachable, though most conversation focuses on the greatness of Io without any real revelations of the groups desires. Such meetings are exceedingly rare unfortunately, as the cult is not a large one even by the standards of dragonkind's relatively low plane-wide population. The faith meets rarely, and much ongoing business is in fact conducted during a new wyrm's initiation. What little information that has been gathered suggests that members seek to promote cooperation among dragonkind, stressing that inclinations to Good and Evil, and even to Law and Chaos, prevent the mind from being impartial enough to direct creation to serve Io's will. What ultimate goal those enlightened in these mysteries wish to steer the multiverse toward, however, is unknown.
Ikuraut 04-25-08, 01:50 AM	Thx like the enthusiasm. I was really just looking for official info on him. But hey anything is good.