Yarikh
Yariḫ, Lamp of the Heavens. LG lesser power of the moon, the cycle of life (He/Him)
Pantheon: Ugaritic
Realm: Mount Celestia / Lunia / Moonshine (shared with Nikkal)
Yarikh is one of the more radiant guardians of Lunia, known for his connection to the moon’s soothing light and its symbolic cycle of renewal. Clad in robes that shimmer like moonlight, he exudes an aura of tranquility and majesty.
Yarikh is one of the two moon powers of the lesser-known Ugaritic pantheon, the other being his wife Nikkal. It’s an ancient pantheon indeed, predating even the Persian Pantheon, who owe much to their predecessors.
Alongside Nikkal, Yarikh rules the realm of Moonshine, a serene and harmonious domain, which reflects the cyclical nature of the moon’s phases. It boasts ethereal gardens and mirror-like pools of silver water that reflect the soft lunar radiance. Each area of the realm represents a different phase of the moon, symbolizing the stages of life, transformation, and rebirth.
Yarikh’s teachings emphasise the importance of embracing life’s cycles, finding renewal through reflection and growth, and honouring the transformative power of the moon. His worshipers are guided by a sense of inner harmony and an understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. They wear moonstone amulets that resonate with the moon’s energy and serve as symbols of their devotion.
Yarikh represents the crescent moon – and his presence can be felt virtually all the time in the everdark skies of Lunia. Sages don’t know whether the moon represents him, or whether he actually is the moon. Could be both, he’s a power after all.
As with many ancient powers, Yarikh has a diverse portfolio. He is called ‘the most pleasant of the gods’, which is an attestation to his physical beauty. Yarikh is also linked with fertility and the natural cycles of growth. He has control over the tides, the ebb and flow of life, and has power over snakes. In his prime, he truly was a force to be reckoned with. He is said to be able to visit the Underworld during the day, although since it’s always night on Lunia, a cutter has to wonder what the story is here. Dark whispers say the yugoloths are responsible for the perpetual night on Lunia as a means of trapping Yarikh and Nikkal there, as they used their influence over the moon to meddle in fiendish affairs in the ancient past. But whispers say a lot about yugoloths and little of it is true.
Source: Jon Winter-Holt, mimir.net & Planescape fansite A Tiefling’s Exultation by Alex Roberts (link to archive). Yarikh is drawn from real world mythology but some details are homebrewed.