Nykos

God of Victory and Glory

Domains: War, Light
Weapons: Gauntlet, Shotput; Physical, Radiant
Symbol: A fearsome winged "Corinthian" helmet, every feather of the wings being a blade; the constellation Chimera
Dominion: The Golden Moon, Battle, Glory, Competition, Sport, Strength, Wrestling, Zeal, Honor, Revels, Brother/Sisterhood, Heroic Sacrifice, Athletes, Warriors, Adventurers
Nykos is the mighty god of sport, battle, and victory. He stands astride the field of conflict with proud military bearing, tempered by the raucous laughter of one who enjoys life to the fullest. His voice is the thunder of the arena crowd, the march of soldiers' footsteps, the din of battle, the clash of bronze and wood. He watches over every warrior and competitor, calling them to train every day, to fight to their utmost, and to do so with honor.
Nykos puts his power behind the individual combatant and contestant. While his sister Stratia is the god linked to grand strategy, it is actually Nykos who is most associated to moment to moment tactics and adapting to changing circumstances on the battlefield, for Nykos holds that no grand plan survives contact with the enemy. He usually does not take sides in battle, for all who fight and compete are his children, but if one side fights with dishonor and he is aware of it, he will throw his favor behind the other. It is one thing to fight smart, but another to fight villainously. Cowards, deceivers, traitors, and oathbreakers are to be despised.
It is not only literal battle that Nykos oversees, however. The metaphorical concept of "the struggle" is also his purview, and so every mortal may turn to him in times of crisis in their life, seeking the courage and strength to do what is required to overcome their problems. Festivals and revels of all kinds also fall under his purview, even those dedicated to the other gods, since the purpose of battle is not to fight for its own sake but to win the benefits of peace and a life worth living and celebrating. He is also linked to the Golden Moon, Chryselinos, whose light helps bring purpose and hope, and which when full repels cursed creatures such as vampires and others of the Returned.

Nykos's Tenets

Nykos's primary concern is to embody the concepts of valor, honor, sport, glory and victory, leading by example in his valiant campaign against daemons and inspiring his followers to act as reflections of his shining example, thereby solidifying his story and his existence among the gods. War and even sport can be brutal, but both are proving grounds, physically and mentally alike; both show the measure of a person, and whether they will strive to the best of their ability or fall from that path and do anything to win. Nykos also exhorts his followers to be true to one another, to form bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood as strong as blood, to fear not death for glory awaits in the beyond, and to celebrate accomplishments and the milestones of one's life with the gusto of true victors in the sport of life.

Nykos's Relationships

One of the Three Faces of War, Nykos and the Golden Moon were "born" fully formed only a little over a century ago from the sundered spark of Polemares, former God of War and the Moon. His two most important links are with his twin sister Stratia, and their other "brother" or "father," Embrys - who murdered Polemares while the gods were suppressed by the Daemon Winter, and thus brought him and Stratia into being. Stratia he views as his most important rival, respecting him and his keen military mind, but is endlessly frustrated by his willingness to engage in what he sees as dishonorable and underhanded tactics to bring victory to his followers by virtue of strategy rather than strength or rightful cause. Embrys he hates as an embodiment of chaos, excessive destruction, and "the ends justify the means" consequentialism - but at the same time he is torn in knowing he owes his very existence to him, and respects his championing of perseverance, achievement, and fighting for what you want rather than out of obligation.
Thala was the paramour of Polemares and has since been like a mother to Nykos, showing a more personal side than Thala deigns to reveal to most other gods. The Golden Moon produces unpredictable but uniformly strong tides in Thala's seas, and likewise Nykos does not always see eye to eye with Thala, whose secretive nature is more like that of Stratia whereas Nykos wears what he is and what he thinks on his sleeve; but they are similarly zealous, and naval battles at sea are not so easily bent to Stratia's tactics and instead more embody Nykos's forthright combat.
Heliana resonates with Nykos, for both believe in the power of might and light. While Nykos believes in honoring oaths and duty to one's fellows, Heliana embodies these concepts, which is highly admirable to Nykos. Where Heliana strongly believes in hierarchy and authority, however, Nykos is only concerned with these things within a military or other organizational structure rather than in society, in that one should generally respect a superior officer for their experience and wisdom - but also believes this has to be earned, and that an ineffectual commander should be ignored so that the actual Doers in the field can achieve victory rather than let it slip away for the sake of a bad plan.
Varva inspires mixed feelings in Nykos. One the one hand, she is the natural world's equivalent to the Three Faces of War - the marshal of the beasts, ultimate warrior of the wildlands, and the power of nature to destroy and tear down civilization and return it to the land. On the other, she has what Nykos sees as an unfortunate predilection for trickery, snares and sniping over honorable combat in the open, much like the predator prefers not to needlessly stand ground and fight openly unless its back is to the wall or it is defending its family. Varva, for her part, resents the destruction that war brings to the world and considers Nykos naive for believing there is any honor or glory to it, but does have some respect for him in his other capacity as patron of sport and competition.

Worshipping Nykos

As god of victory, Nykos receives the worship of those who fight for a living, the prayers of those pressed into service in the draft who want to acquit themselves with honor so they can return home, and the reverence of athletes and other competitors striving to be the very best. As god of glory and revels, he is given sacrifice and prayers by those who want to outshine their rivals, those desperate to be remembered, and those who arrange feasts and festivals of every stripe but especially in honor of the gods. The formation of new pacts of brotherhood or sisterhood, such as the chartering of new adventure and mercenary companies, are also dedicated in his name, as are great sacrifices on behalf of others so that their futures might be saved or made brighter.

Hykore

In Nubir, Nykos is known as Hykore. It is said that when Hykore and Sekhit (Stratia) first formed from the sundered Horamezset (Polemares), Apephos (Embrys) immediately fell upon them, trying to destroy them in the moment of their birth to seize their sparks and reclaim the rest of Horamezset's power within himself. The twins, however, were born fully formed, adult in body and mind; they repelled him by Hykore's strength long enough to escape from him by Sekhit's cunning. Finding the world in chaos and only barely held together by the sacrifices of mortal champions, they performed great deeds to quell the fiends rampant across the land and help bring an end to the Daemon Winter, thus further establishing and strengthening their personal Stories and armoring them against further assault by Apephos. In quelling the rampaging daemons, and repelling absorption by their "brother" who murdered the king of the gods but could not claim them, they earned their place as Eternals and were granted ascension to the Yahre-Nesyt.

Nykos's Champions

Suggested Classes: Barbarian, Cleric, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Sorcerer
Suggested Backgrounds: Athlete, Folk Hero, Gambler, Gladiator, Outlander, Soldier
Champions of Nykos are characteristically valiant and head-strong. They wade into life's challenges with gusto and determination, not only on the battlefield but in every other aspect of their existence. At least, this is the expectation, and the ideal to which they aspire. Those aspirants that do live up to this standard, accruing glory for their deeds and their strength of purpose, are considered some of the most admired warriors of the age, be their battles fought with bronze afar or with words in the agora and senate.

Nykos's Favor

What brought Nykos's path together with yours? You may roll or choose on the table below for ideas, or develop an idea of your own with the GM.
d6 / Circumstance

1. You were born on the eve of or in the aftermath of a major battle.
2. Your sibling is a champion of Stratia, or your parents or mentor were slain by a champion of Embrys.
3. You showed great courage and honor in a losing battle; Nykos noticed, and arranged for your survival.
4. You proved yourself in a contest of strength and skill at the great games of the Agonestrios.
5. You have led the organization of festivals, revels and other celebrations in your community for years.
6. Despite being knocked down repeatedly in life, you show grit and determination in all you do.

Earning and Losing Piety

You increase your piety score with Nykos when you expand or shore up his influence in a concrete way, including but not limited to:

• Achieving a great victory against more powerful opposition
• Overcoming long odds honorably
• Defeating a skilled opponent in single combat, especially a champion of Embrys or Stratia
• Winning a great test of strength or skill

Your piety score to Nykos decreases if you diminish his influence in the world, contradict his ideals, or make him look ridiculous or ineffectual through acts such as these:

• Showing cowardice in battle
• Besting an honorable foe through deceit
• Harming innocents or non-combatants
• Ruining a great party or celebration

As a champion of unusual standing in the world, you receive benefits as your piety score rises. If you are a cleric or paladin of Nykos, you start with a piety to Nykos of 3.

Initiate (Piety 3+)

You gain Inspiration when you perform a notably valorous act or you are significant in turning a losing encounter or challenge into a success, or you perform an act that gains you piety. You also have advantage on rolls to know about Nykos, his servants, and his works, and you know (the DM warns you) before you commit to an act that would displease Nykos.

Devotee (Piety 10+)

As a devotee of Nykos's mysteries, you wield power both in the field of battle and the field of competition. You learn either the shillelagh cantrip or the sword burst cantrip (choose one), and learn either the compelled duel spell or the jump spell (choose one). Choose Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma to be your casting modifier for these spells. You can use the cantrip at will, and the spell a number of times per day equal to your casting modifier. If you are a spellcaster, treat the cantrip and spell as bonus spells known of your class that are always prepared.

Votary (Piety 20+)

Nykos's blessing allows you to ride the tide of battle so it doesn't turn against you. Whenever a creature would attack you with advantage, make an offensive or opposed skill check against you with advantage, or force you to make a saving throw with disadvantage, and you aren't incapacitated, as a reaction you may cancel the opponent's advantage or your own disadvantage. You must invoke this power after the roll with advantage is declared or before you roll with disadvantage, not after the roll has already been made. You may use this ability a number of times equal to the greater of your Strength or Constitution modifier, and regain all uses after a long rest.

Disciple (Piety 40+)

Nykos bestows upon you the secret of Nykos's Glory. Your critical hit range increases by 1, eg, from a natural 20 to a natural 19-20.

Champion (Piety 60+)

Nykos's surpassing favor parts the tide of battle for you. Your votary ability doesn't require your reaction to use, and you regain all uses after a short or long rest. 
Additionally, increase your Strength or Constitution score by 2, and also increase your maximum for that score by 2.