The Artist

Description

The Artist, White Raven, Inspired or Twins is the god of creativity in all its forms, healing and prophecy throughout Apias. He is also the god closest associated with the sun's arc and The Golden Rift itself.
They have several responsibilities, including those relating to Light, Knowledge and Life, and is frequently the patron of renowned bards and diviners.
His symbol, the white raven, is the familiar carried by one or even both of the twins. Many believe this raven represents the underlying inherent truth that comes from all creativity.
The Artist is seen as one of the Creator gods, alongside The Artisan and The Merchant, and beneath the authority of The Mother.

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Dual Aspects

Traditional depictions of the artist portray two identical individuals, unified in purpose, their bodies mirrors or complementary reflections of each other. One might be playing the lute while the other joins him with a lyre. The one thing that never varies, however, is the white raven, or ravens whose eyes, often made of cut gemstones, observe the viewer and know all they need to.
Both of the twins are male, with beautiful, elegant physiques which they effortlessly show, along with long hair flowing over their shoulders, regardless of the race.
As with some of the other gods, scholarly theologians believe that the true power of the Artist does not lie in the two humanoid individuals but instead in the raven, whose knowing eyes and unchanging presence are a sign that they are the true god.

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Significant Worshippers

The priests of the Artist, Artores, are traditionally bards, philosopers and diviners. Clad in garish garments they often travel from village to village telling fortunes and entertaining crowds. While there are temples to the Artist where some of these Artores have settled down, they are few and far between, his preachers preferring to travel, entertain and learn the truth of the world.
These Artores often specialise in a certain type of artistry, be it poetry, painting, art or anything else. Those who follow them often either seek to learn the craft, or just enjoy the company of artists. It is not uncommon for followers of The Host or The Untamed to follow Artores from city to city, relishing their company and bringing with them their own flavour of art. After all, debauchery is art in itself, some of them would argue. Sometimes entire caravans form around the following of one single Artore - most commonly this is seen around Kardus where the worship of the Artist is most widely accepted.
Given that the Artist does not lend himself well to temples and fixed venues, he is not as well worshipped in the Eastern parts of Apias as some other gods. In addition, his focus on art over science and logic does not lend himself to worship in countries like Veritas. His greatest proportions of worshippers live in the West, particularly in Kardus and in The Gleaming Wing Trading Company.

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Divine Representatives

The Artist's divine representatives are fairly few. Some claim anyone can be a representative of the Artist, they merely have to show their artistry, their ability to perform great works and entertain a crowd, others, however, claim that it is fruitless trying to truly represent the Artist as nobody can truly understand the artistic temprament of a god.
If one were to seek to become one such representative, one path would be through the priesthood. Doing so would require the skill in a craft, a famous bard might choose to take up the colours of art and teach artistry to those around them in their later years. Many such Artores exist.
More commonly, however, becoming a representative of the Artist, gaining the blessing of the Raven, would require a certain amount of sacrifice in the name of art. Whatever that means remains a mystery, much like Art as a whole.

Titles

• Artist
• White Raven
• Inspired
• Twins

Alignment

• Chaotic Good

Symbol

• White Raven

Domains

• Light
• Knowledge
• Life

Divine Classification

Dual God (Creator)

Religions

• The Dual Pantheon