Many of us know the major gods of the Akarti but the lesser ones escape us.  It is through one of these lesser gods I would like to show you how the Akarti loves us all.  I would like to tell you the story of Kuon.

In the beginning, Kuon was an ordinary mortal like you or me.  We were all born and thus we are all children of the Akarti.  Through our births the Akarti showed their love for us through accepting us as their children.  Well, perhaps, not quite ordinary, for  Kuon is the Patron of Herbs and Flowers, which many consider odd for a former giantman.  In the days following the Ur-Daemon War, he shamelessly knelt beside Imaera, working to heal the green growing things of Elanthania. It is for this work that we also known him as The Green, as in nature.  I have always theorized it was because he was a ranger but I can not prove this.

Yet, Kuon never forgot or gave a first thought to himself beyond others.  He always put others ahead of himself.  When working so close with the Akarti it is very easy to lose one’s place.  He didn’t and we should admire him for that.  For it was at his suggestion that Imaera gave certain herbs healing properties and distributed them among the lands. Kuon felt that, while the help of the Akarti was well and good, the lesser beings should have a way to help themselves.  He recalled many thousands died due to the lack of a way  to heal themselves in the war.  Kuon’s kindness always showed through.
 
Perhaps you never realized that the gods were always with you.  Have you ever been low on blood on the field of battle and eaten an acantha leaf ?  Did you ever have a major wound and only a young empath was on duty so he gave you herbs to heal it down either in part or all the way?   I have always thought of Kuon as a semi-empath in this way due to his herbs.  Have you ever noticed how most empaths are giantmen and giantwomen?  I have theorized that this is due to a the hereditary influence of Kuon and a link between his herbs and their healing powers.  These are all the ways that the Akarti care for you.  We tend to think primarily of Lorminstra and her gift of salvation but Kuon is on example of the many other gods - good, bad, and neutral.

Imaera recognized the true spirit inside of Kuon.  She was impressed with this gentle giant, and at the end of his allotted span of life, she gave him the gift of immortality. It is said that as long as there is a single green leaf upon the planet, Kuon will be there, nurturing it back into health. Flowers grow spontaneously in his wake, and go uncrushed beneath his steps. Kuon, a mere mortal, gained immortality and yet never forgot what he was and continues to help us by providing herbs.   Kuon sought the Akarti to help all of us and in exchange he helped the Akarti continue their work be it as mortal or immortal.  Kuon is a link reminding us of ourselves and that we can work with the Akarti at the same time.  Not bad for the only mortal turned immortal I am aware of.
 
He continues to provide the herbs we need to survive, always thinking of us.  So if Kuon could be loved in such a way, why can’t we?  All we need to do is return the love as Kuon does for Imaera by taking care of the herbs and flowers.  Gods have one weakness.  They can only last as long as they have a following and faith in them.  But the reverse is true too-the more who believe in them the stronger they become.  In return for our love the gods give us their strength and gifts.  It is a mutual bonding.  This was done for Kuon.

Not many people realize the statue in Heathstone Manor’s garden is of him.  This was placed there by people who recognized his importance, but that is another story.  When you get to be a famous adventurer you can go there and worship to him.  Another little known fact is that in celebration of all Kuon does for us, the 1st of Ivastaen is known as the Day of Kuon's Blessing.  This is the first day we normally see the plants and flowers bloom.  They do grow at other times, but not as easily as the period starting upon this date.

So let us remember, that through love the mortal Kuon recommended the herbs for all, which Imaera provided and later Imaera gave Kuon immortality so he may keep up the work he started with Imaera-spreading herbs for us to use.  This is true love.

Credits

The Pantheon at www.gamemasters.net/pantheon/pantheon.html for the story of Kuon’s origin which I have expounded upon.