Malay Domain

Caretaker of The Dead Gods

This is the domain of Melayu, a deity that feeds off the flow of life from her perch in the far corners of the Astral Plane. The full immersion of one in any activity especially in creation in a creature's life generates life energy that nourishes Her. Her followers are, therefore, advocates of life, growth and discipline. The irony of Her wishing for more life while being a god from a realm where gods go to die is not lost on Her. Her powers grow with the constantly changing world and the evolution of its inhabitants. Although not opposed to destruction, death oftimes meant stagnation, and a waning of Her powers.

 

The Flow of Life

Her followers are taught to see beauty in the journey of life. Thus, conflict that leads to death is discouraged. To safeguard the fragile lives of her followers, Melayu anchors a portion of their life essence in the Astral Plane to reside with her while tethered to their life force in the Prime Material Plane. In doing so, they will serve her after their physical demise. This arrangement also allows them access to astral energies which they learn to manupulate to aid them in their missionary work. These astral energies heighten their senses and they physique.

 

In peace, diplomacy. In war, precision.

Her first followers were the Malays who are the aboriginal peoples inhabiting the Sunda Terra archipelago of Osse. Servants of Melayu walk the Way of the Malay towards enlightenment which involves possessing a disciplined body, mind and soul. It is an ardous way of living filled with meditation, combat training, religious learning and deadly trials. Her clerics are trained to survive battle so as to continue her teachings rather than to relish the lust for blood. Rather, Her clerics find pleasure in the efficiency of dispatching their enemies. Her clergy travel the world quietly spreading Her teachings through deeds rather than evangelistic activities, often taking on advisory roles to monarchies, councils, and agencies on matters of diplomacy.

 

Way of the Malay I : Truesight & Extra Attack

The jungle is a dominant theme in the Way of the Malay. The animals survive in it in many ways. One such lesson is to be explosively fast when attacking for opportunities are rare and the prey can quickly turn hunter.

Beginning at 1st level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.

After your first communion with Melayu, your eyes burn in incredible pain before subsiding. Upon looking into the communal bowl, you notice that your irises glow faintly in gold color.

You have gained Truesight.

Way of the Malay II : Uncanny Dodge & Blindsight

Time spent in the jungle provide some measure of preparation, however, annual Midnight Trials of the Leopard, a 50 mile obstacle course undertaken blindfolded, weeded out the strong from the strongest. It tested your endurance, threshold for pain, and Intuition for danger.

Starting at 2nd level, once per round, when an attacker that you can see hits you with an attack, your may take a reaction for your astral self to absorb the damage taken and reduce it by 1/2.

Also at 2nd level, you learn to enhance your senses combat and have developed blindsight.

Way of the Malay III : Divine Strike

365 days of prayer in complete silence has elevated your spirit towards Melayu and she has recognized your devotion by opening greater access to her blessings.

Starting at 6th level, you gain the ability to infuse your weapon strikes with divine energy. Once on each of your turns when you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 radiant damage. From 8th level, attack caused increases to 2d8 radiant damage. From 17th level, damage dealt is raised to 3d8. 

Way of the Malay IV : Astral Invisibility

'In the Trials of the Mantis, Darkbran watched many of his brothers and sisters-in-cloth die in battle with the swamp monsters because he struggled to share his powers with them. However, he overcame his limitations and the test ended successfully. Melayu smiled upon him as he was embraced by the elder clerics and welcomed as a Journeyman ready for missionary work."

From 8th level, once per long rest, as a bonus action, you can choose a target (including you) to astral shift and become invisible until the end of its turn or until it hits a creature with an attack. 

Way of the Malay V : Divine Champion

You are Melayu's champion. You have earned her love. You have steered the flow of life to Her for years and now she will do the same for you. When you need her most, Melayu will provide.

From 17th level, when you fall in battle, your god will ward your death at 1 HP and appoint a Deva to continue battling in your place as you are transported to your god's realm to recuperate at 2d8 per round. During this time, you have full control of the Deva and its capabilities to combat your enemy(ies). If the Deva reaches 0 HP, you will be returned to the battlefield at a location of your choosing.