Selvas, The Life-Giver

Selvas is the God of Life, and one of the most worshipped of the Gods. Often, kings or queens may make mass offerings to Selvas prior to an attempt to make an heir, in the hopes they will be made to be healthy and strong. Selvas represents numerous things to the people of Azura, such as the harvest, the hunt, or other big cultural events. Selvas is usually depicted as a human adorned with numerous flowers and vines, carrying a woodsman’s axe. Also of note, he is usually depicted as an intense alcoholic and bringer of wine.
Selvas, the Lifegiver, is the god charged with dominion over all natural life in Azura, and is thought to be the creator of mortal life itself. As living beings vary wildly, so too do His depictions; the most popular being four humanoids, each in separate stages of life and health. Others include a giant bearded tortoise, a dragonfly, and a willow tree with golden leaves. A common symbol of Selvas is the Golden Lyre, a tribute to Selvas’ “Song of Creation,” the music which is said to have brought forth the first living things.
Selvas occupies many spheres and is attributed for many desirable things among mortals, such as music, love and beauty. One of the most influential of his spheres is that of Drunkenness, something worshippers of Selvas eagerly partake in, be it in worship or daily life. He does not watch sternly over duties or rigid law like some other gods, content to simply observe His domain and grant aid to those who deserve it.
Worshippers tend to stray from violence unless absolutely necessary, and only those who act with restraint and mercy will find His favour. Selvas shows particular sympathy to the weak and helpless, empowering his thaumaturges to heal the sick and defend the defenseless. In that regard, a surprising amount of Selvas’ domain pertains to insects, arachnids, and other unseemly forms of life which most worshippers ignore or forget. There are some darker selvians that remember.
In modern times, Selvas is taken as the patron god of Latteras and their Selvian Creed, who organize his worship.