Castain, the Golden Lion

OverView

Castain is often depicted in in plate mail with golden trim and a blue tabbard. On his left shoulder guard a golden lion is usually shown, while the other side a lions mne is draped. He often carries a two handed sword referred to as Lions Charge. He always keeps a copy of Castain’s Common Sense on his hip.
Castain is characterized as a staunch opponent of evil, a zealous and driven deity who values discipline, honesty, zeal and pragmatism, all tempered by common sense. He is a rough sort of god, hot-tempered and staunch in his convictions. He is also... well... a bit of a dick. Firmly convinced of his own wisdom and authority, he can easily come off as self-righteous and arrogant - not helped by the fact he claims to know the only truth path for a person to behave, and seeks to aggressively convert others to his following. He also has something of an anti-intellectual streak, as he regards common sense to be far more important than book learning, which it's implied he believes can lead a mind astray from the correct path.
Still, for all his rough edges, Castain is a practical god who does care intensely for the people who follow him. As a god of common sense, he values judgment and individuality; the letter of the law should be strict, but people should be flexible in applying it, not just follow law blindly. Punish thievery, yes, but a man who stole a loaf of bread to feed his starving family should just get a flogging and a scolding for not asking for help first, you shouldn't just cut his hand off. The goal of laws, in Castain eyes, is to show people the key to a better way of life and to "encourage" them to stick to the righteous path by punishing them for disobedience, tempering severity with understanding. Tough love, but love all the same.
He's also rather non-interventionist for a god so actively seeking converts. He tends to take the view that it's more important to focus on enforcing law and order in your own community than to go out looking for trouble by battling evil. Although he is quick to point out that when evil picks a fight first, as it always does, it's common sense to put it down hard.

Divine Domains

Healing Law Protection Strength

Holy Books & Codes

The primary holy book of Castain is a short (usually no more than 30 pages long) instructional text called, simply, Castain’s Common Sense: sort of an easy-to-read bible. It explains the tenets of the faith - obey the law, be good, and use your common sense - albeit with some slight personal interpretation of the author, and does so with simple language and easy to read letters. It also instructs readers on how to handle problems of faith, such as failing to live up to the God’s virtues - namely, turn to your community for advice & support whilst also praying to the god for clarity from confusion. Copies of this book are often illustrated, but are done so in a plain fashion, and the book is usually not made too decorative; gilded illuminations and elaborate calligraphy are not in harmony with the teachings. The most iconic book of teachings, so popular it is practically a secondary bible to them, is Parables of the Wise Fool; a collection of fables in which an uneducated rural man faces common rural problems - agriculture, animal husbandry, crafts, fending off beasts, fighting, etc - and solves them with common sense, often showing up well-meaning but self-important "book smart" individuals in the process. These tales are hugely beloved amongst followers; "I may be a fool, but I am a wise fool" is a common Castian rejoinder to anyone commenting on their reputed lack of smarts. It's telling that the most hated heresy in the church is a book called Tales of the Vulgar Fool, which features a version of the Wise Fool who uses cunning and common sense to indulge in thievery and lechery; Non-Castaintines see these stories as humorous parodies of uptight Cuthbertine homilies, but the church considers it a deep and serious assault on their faith, and the church clergy spends a great deal of effort trying to root out copies of the book and quash heretics who seek to learn from it.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

A golden loin or golden cross.

Holidays

Castain Day

Celebrated on the 4th day of the 3rd month, Castain Day is the largest festival celebrated by the church. It involves locals and pilgrims gathering at a city's gate at dawn and parading and singing along a major road until they reach the local shrine or temple. Children swipe at everyone within reach with switches in a custom known as "the cleansing" - but the marchers are guarded by members of the Billets, who swiftly crack down on non-Castaintines who seek to take advantage of this to vent some anti-Castaintine sentiment. At their destination, a cleric brings out a replica of Loin's charge and there is a great feast from noon until dusk, and then a bonfire from sundown until midnight that the faithful believe can remove curses and misfortune.

Breadgiving Day

This is a new event that began only after the gaining thier freedom from the Sea Princes, originally as a charitable event for refugees. Subsequently, it has become a day dedicated to feeding the hungry in general. Castaintines take the opportunity to preach and gain converts, and provide security for the event. The faiths of ? and ? also participate, and try to keep the Castaintines from getting too sanctimonious or aggressively preachy.

Divine Classification

Deity - deceased GodsWar

Alignment

Lawful Good

Current Location

Cloud

Parents

Gaen, Goddess of Light