Pelor Character in 100 Worlds | World Anvil

Pelor

He is depicted as an older man with wild golden hair and beard, dressed in robes of shining white.   Motivation and Philosophy   Followers of Pelor believe that the life-giving sun is the best cure for all of Primea. Justice and freedom are brought about through charity, modesty, perseverance, and self-sacrifice. Pelor's priests teach that the truly strong don't need to prove their power. Pelorians strive to perform so many good acts that evil has no room in which to exist, though they will fight if necessary. Pelor is wrathful against the forces of evil, and is especially opposed to the undead. However, Pelor urges his followers to remember that excessive attention to things of evil can blind one to the truly important things: compassion and goodness. These are what must be emphasized above all.   Pelorian dogma has it that the energy and power of life originates in the sun.   HOLY WRITINGS   The Light of Pelor is the most common Pelorian holy book, beginning with Pelor's creation of the sun and telling of how Pelor instructed the first mortals. The texts suggest that the first mortals did not fully understand what they were taught and instead worshiped the "false" Ancient Gods. Some versions portray Pelor as the sun itself, rather than its creator, and tell of Pelor's attempts to win back those who have strayed from his light - in fact many point the the "death" of the Ancient Gods" and the "birth of the New Gods" as the great sign from Pelor. The Light of Pelor only has minor variations in it, and all are considered canonical, despite these small discrepancies. The book is often enchanted to glow with a soft solar radiance when it's closed, and some versions are gilded.   Relationships   Among the other gods, Pelor is very closely allied with Rao .   Pelor's other allies include Heironeous , St. Cuthbert , Pholtus  and Trithereon . Pelor's priests have been known to help mediate disputes between St. Cuthbert  followers and Pholtus's. Pelor is friendly to good-aligned nonhuman deities such as Corellon Larethian (Hand of the Bow), Moradin, and Garl Glittergold, and is especially friendly to those with an agricultural or solar aspect, as Yondalla has.   Pelor opposes all evil deities and his followers avoid neutral deities with teachings counter to Pelor's. Pelor particularly loathes Tharizdun, having played a role in the Dark God's imprisonment, and Nerull .   Resources   The Fortress of the Sun, once known as Light's Blessing, is Pelor's realm in Elysium. Pelor's domainis a gold-plated citadel that forms a beacon atop the largest island of Elysium's layer of Thalasia. It's said the sun there warms the hearts of the good and illuminates the secret acts of the evil.   WORSHIPPERS   Pelor is a popular deity, greatly beloved by the commonfolk. Although Pelor's church has a few heresies and schisms, the head priests of his powerful temples are in contact with one another and with the religion’s overall leadership. If the secular leaders of one nation place an onerous tax on Pelor’s temples, word will spread through Pelor’s hierarchy. Other nations might be persuaded by their Pelorians to apply diplomatic pressure to get the tax repealed.   CLERICS   Pelor's clergy heal the sick, bless crops, help the needy, and destroy evil and the undead. They are caring and nurturing, with backbones of steel. The Pelorian priesthood attracts many naive youths to his service, but training is rigorous enough to send many of them back to their farms. Pelor's elite priests are called Radiant Servants. Pelor's favored weapon is the mace (heavy or light). Vestments are typically yellow or gold.   DRUIDS   Pelor is served by a small number of druids, who behave in ways similar to his clerics, but with a greater emphasis on the care of plants and animals. They usually associate themselves with settlements rather than living as hermits, aiding the community with their hands, spells, and animal companions wherever they can. They are considered to have priest status within the Pelorian church, though they have a separate hierarchy.   PALADINS   Pelorian paladins, known as Crusaders, are rare, having appeared in large numbers only during Orc wars. Pelor's paladins see themselves as the burning light of the sun which scours away darkness and evil and brings strength and comfort to the innocent. Though uncommon, they can be found in on nearly every planetoid, their dress varying according to the local culture.   Crusaders believe that laws are helpful, but that they are at best a secondary goal and must be tempered with mercy. Their slogan is Equity for the Meek with Perseverance and Strength.   When not in formal dress, Crusaders favor light-colored tunics, particularly sky blues, pale greens, or grays. Some dress in commoner's clothing, especially when serving as community healers or in disguise.   Additional Details   RITUALS   Pelor's services involve communal prayer, the singing of hymns, and the distribution of alms. Prayers to Pelor are often affirmations in the first person, for example, "I am merciful, just as the Sun of Mercy shines on me." Weddings and rites of passage often take place at the beginning of a new season. Farmers often request a ritual known as the Blessing of the Sun-Kissed Field.   TEMPLES   Pelor's temples are tall, with large windows; many are stained-glass cathedrals. They are arranged so that the sun shines into most of the rooms during the day, and many feature large courtyards. They tend to be airy and blindingly white. Temple trappings are typically yellow or gold. They are always kept clean. Many Pelorian temples have hospital wings.   RELICS   Famed relics of Pelor include the maces called Dawnstars and the holy symbols known as the Shards of the Sun.   There are three Dawnstars. They were gifts from Pelor to four solars who rescued a paladin from the bowels of Hell.
  1. The Shards of the Sun are described in Pelorian holy texts as "Pelor’s gift,which I carry into darkness—a sun that never sets."
  2. Ajira's Rod is a relic of a legendary paladin called Ajira. Some of his bones were placed in the hilt of his mace, becoming the relic. It glows, removes disease, and regenerates its wielder.
  3. 'Ronnam's Icon was named for a Pelorian cleric who had been apprenticed to a smith. He created his holy symbol itself; it was flawed, a crude thing of mere bronze, but he wore it as a rebuke to those who revered only beauty. The icon has special qualities against undead, and its solar rays can turn into gold to use to feed the needy.
Neutral Good
God of Sun, Light, Strength, and Healing
Children

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