ARAWAI

”The Sovereign of Life and Love” Neutral Good

Most Vassals think of Arawai as the deity of fertility and crops, abundance and plant-life in general.  While accurate as far as it goes, this is a limited understanding of Arawai’s place in the pantheon.  More properly, she holds dominion over the natural world as viewed through the lens of civilization.  A follower of the host lost in the forest, or wandering unknown valleys, is most likely to call upon Arawai for aid.

Portfolio: Fertility, crops, abundance, plants, the wilderness, birth.  Domains: Creation, Good, Life, Plant, Weather.  Priest Training: Arawai’s priests are knowledgeable about farming or natural lore, as well as religious issues.  Most were farmers, woodcutters, or herbalist before becoming priests.  Quests: Arawai’s servants embark on quests to end famine, rescue those lost in the wilderness, or protect forests and farmland from ravagers.

Prayers and Rites:  Sacrifices to Arawai offer grains and other consumable plants and produce.  Vassals requests good harvest and live, healthy births from Arawai, as well as guidance in the wild.  Shrines: Shrines to Arawai are usually built of wood rather then stone, and roofed with leafy branches atop a latticed framework.  They are often adorned with stalks of grain or growing vines.  Favored Weapon: Morningstar Holy Symbol: A stalk of wheat, or the Octogram in Bronze and green, representing grains and plant life.

BALINOR

“The Sovereign of Horn and Hunt” Neutral

The lord of beasts is one of the most violent of the Sovereign Host.  He is neither cruel nor bloodthirsty, but simply represents the cycle of life, the eternal hunt of the predator and prey.  He begrudges none the right to kill for survival, but holds great malice toward those who hunt for sport or trophies.  He is a patron of rangers, hunters, and trappersand is constant companion to his sister Arawai.  The two of them together represent all aspects of the wild that can be tamed to an extent at least by civilization.  Portfolio: Animals, the hunt

Domain: Air, Animal, Celerity, Earth, Retribution. Priest Training: Like Arawai’s priests, servants of Balinor must have at least some knowledge of the wild, and many were hunters, or trappers before taking the cloth.  Quests: Quests in Balinor’s name involve great hunts, either to provide food for a community or to slay a creature terrorizing an area.

Prayers and Rites: Sacrifices to Balinor consist of animal flesh, which must come from a creature slain for food, fur or tools; killing an animal only for sacrifice is an insult to the sovereign of the hunt.  Tradition holds that the better the cut of meat, the more Balinor is inclined to hear a request.  Shrines:Balinors shrines are constructed of wood, often covered in furs or greenery to better blend into the background.  A temple is rarely found within a town, although it might be only a few minutes walk away.  Favored Weapon: Battleaxe Holy Symbol: A silhouetted pair of antlers, or the Octogram in brown and red, representing the flesh, blood, and fur of beasts.

DOL ARRAH

“The Sovereign of Sun and Sacrifice” Lawful Good

Dol Arrah is the light, not only of the sun, but of the best aspects of the mortal soul.  She is the god of honor, forthrightness, and self-sacrifice.  Many vassals see her as no less vital to civilization that Aureon and Boldrei, and they believe that when the mortal races accept this truth, the world will become much brighter.  Dol Arrah is the patron of paladins, diplomats, all who seek justice, and warriors, who fight with wisdom and honor as much as with weapons.  To a lesser extent, she is also the patron of explorers, who bring the light of knowledge to dark places, and to all who revere the sun.  She aids Arawai by lighting her way during the growing season.

Portfolio:  Honr, sacrifice, light the sun, diplomacy. Domains: Glory, Good, Law, Sun

Priest Training: Dol Arrah’s priests must have the highest integrity.  Many were warriors diplomats, or law officers before becoming priests.  In all cases, they are people of sterling reputation.  Quests: Dol Arrah’s priests quest to bring peace to warring factions, to expose deceptions, to aid soldiers fighting for justice, and to defend the helpless against invaders.  Prayers and Rites: Dol Arrah does not require specifics for sacrifice, so long as they have true meaning to the petitioner.  Shrines: Dol Arrah’s shrines have large east facing windows, to let in the light of the dawn.  They are normally strong and are easily defensible, though not as fortresslike as those of her brother Dol Dorn.  Favored Weapon: (The Lance)

Holy Symbol: A rising sun, or the Octogram in bright yellow-gold and white, representing light and purity.