Menales, the Exalted Light
No god in the Kaladean Empire is better known or more revered than Menales. Also addressed as the Exalted Light, the Bright Lord or the Sun Emperor, he is the mythical emperor of the Kaladeans, whose ascendancy to godhood marks the beginning of the Empire, over which he rules over as the chief deity of the Kaladean Pantheon, and whose will his enacted through the Empress. Menales is the God of the Sun, Nobility and Rulership. He is also the youngest of the Gods, a humble mortal man who took for himself the power of the Sun to protect his people and watch over them as he ushers in an eternal golden age. Gaining in power as the Kaladean Empire grew, he now sits upon the Radiant Throne as the King of the Gods and Emperor of Kaladea.
Sacred Attributes
The sturdy Ox, as fierce and powerful as the Kaladean Empire, is the Favoured Animal of Menales. Gold, colour of the Sun and universal symbol of nobility, is his Favoured Colour and the Radiant Sun (Ilios), commonly depicted with eight rays of light, is his Sacred Symbol. Echoing this sun who Menales is intrinsically linked to, his Sacred Weapon is the Morningstar whose shape mimics that of the bright star.Description
The most striking feature in any depiction of Menales is the veiling of his face either by leaving it dark and featureless, or on the contrary by letting it emit blinding light the makes it undiscernible. As the chief god of humanity, Menales true visage is not something that can be rightfully recreated by mortals and the simple action of trying is blasphemous. After all, it shouldn’t matter, for he is the god of all men and women and as such bear the visage of each and every one of those that live under his watchful eye. Instead, Menales representations focus on his vestments, golden and regal, and always full of Sun imagery. Such as been since the origin of his cult, and few modifications ever emerge. The reason for that is simple, it is that few have ever witnessed Menales incarnate on Einas. The only ones who are given this honour are his wives, the succeeding Empresses of the Kaladean Empire, and even then his visitations are said to be few and far between.Personality
In opposition to his physical features, Menales’ personality is extremely well documented through the many legends written about him. He is universally seen a benevolent lord, kind and just to those that respect his worship, and merciful even to those that have earned his rightful ire. Calm and collected in all instances, he values order and peace, and teach that those can only be obtained with a clear mind, devoid of negative emotions and devoted only to the betterment of all. As the ruler of gods and men, his authority is absolute. He is wise and tempered, devoid of the vices that often plague even his divine companions, as they were shed from him when he was born anew, basked in the light of the Sun.Worship
Menales’ worship is the most widely spread across the Kaladean continent, practiced by people from every walk of life, from the humblest of servants to the most powerful lady. And the reason for that is simple, he is the chief deity of its official religion, designated guardian of its land and mythical ruler of all of its people. No other clergy is more zealous the Menales’, nor as proselytizing as it is. This once threatened the local religions of the continent before they were assimilated into what is now known as the Kaladean Pantheon, and nowadays Menales’ worshippers are far less aggressive as they once were. There is no need to, As Menales is now at the top of the divine hierarchy, his representative on Einas the leader of the Kaladean Empire. His worship is ubiquitous, Menales having been popularized as the god of all the people of Kaladea, the protector of every citizen of its empire. And nowhere is Menales more revered than amongst the nobility. His name is after all synonymous with power and rulership, echoed by is station as eternal emperor of the Kaladean Empire, power he bestows upon his mortal wives as his representatives and by extension, to every noble that derive their power from the imperial throne. As such, adherence to Menaleic rites is considered part of the duty of noblemens, and an integral part of high society etiquette. Through cultural expansion and religious synchretism, the clergy of Menales has rooted itself in every corner of the Kaladean Empire, and serve as an extension of the Imperial Throne’s authority. Although the Kaladean Empire acknowledges and respects the others divinities of its pantheon, it is clear that Menales stand above all other as chief deity and protector of the realm. The Empire and the Menales church exist in a symbiotic relationship, both serving to protect and legitimate the other, to the point that they can appear nearly indistinguishable. Temples dedicated to Menales often also act as public, administrative institutions through which the Empire maintain local influence, with larger place of worship serving as larger administrative centres, culminating with the Golden House of Menales, siege of the Menales Church, as part of the White Palace complex in the capital. Priests and Priestesses of Menales also act as extensions of the Empire, often working as keepers of the law and mediators, seeking to maintain peace and resolving conflict wherever they are. They are trusted to administer the divine laws, in contrast with local noblemen acting as enforcers of mortal laws, and it is not rare for those who feels abused by nobles or ignored by the laws of men to turn to the church of Menales to seek justice. Running parallel and mostly independent to the regular administrative organ of the Imperial government, they act as a counter-power and regulating instance to it.Divine Domains
Holy Books & Codes
Divine Symbols & Sigils
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Favoured Animal: Ox
Favoured Colour: Gold
Sacred Weapon: Morningstar
Tenets of Faith
Holidays
16th of Meneos: The Day of the Radiant Sun (The longest day of the year, dedicated to the worship of the sun as well as the first Penteocles of the year.)
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