Artifice

Master of Innovation and Improvement, Artifice promotes research and change more than any other god. To him, the act of creating something new is a holy experience, one which all should be allowed to pursue, so long as doing so doesn't impede the endeavors of others. This would naturally make inventors and engineers some of his most devout worshippers, though there are many craftsmen that still follow his teachings so they may constantly find inspiration.

He also values music and performers, as entertainment is just another area rife with changes and improvement. Many of the greatest bards were either followers or students of Artifice, and to say a musician is "Blessed by the Creator" is a great compliment.

Divine Domains

Innovation, Entertainment, Light, Knowledge

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Blazing Torch/Lantern, Ornate Instrument, Smiling Gnome

Tenets of Faith

Make a better world, for yourself and others.
Spread positivity through your actions and exploits, so it may extend even further from yourself.
Treating failure as a stepping stone, not as a tombstone, is the secret to success.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Artifice is usually portrayed as a dark-skinned humanoid, with blazing light instead of eyes or hair. Some cultures may show him in the garb of a crafter or scholar, though these depend greatly upon the individual creature. In many cases, artists portray him as either a dwarf or gnome, though this is not a constant event either.

Body Features

Artifice's body has been portrayed in a variety of sizes and shapes. However, his eyes and head in general are almost always depicted as glowing like radiant torches, illuminating all around him with more than just light.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Many tales of Artifice exist, often involving him crafting some new creation or out-witting some opponent within the Baatan. Most of these stories involve the actions of his allies (frequently Arsator or Verandra), or his outwitting of enemies (frequently Pestyl or Avaritum). Tales set after the Great Withdrawal usually involve him contacting his saints and passing on some new information or congratulating them upon developing something new. Beyond this, his clergy are far more focused on the future than the past.

Gender Identity

In most stories, Artifice is given a male appearance. There are only a few tales where he is portrayed as female, but those are sometimes attributed to Verandra.

Intellectual Characteristics

With a wheelhouse containing learning and innovations, Artifice is considered a very intelligent god, potentially one of the most intelligent. In addition, he is possessed with masterful intuition and wit to improvise and apply his great knowledge. Beyond just being knowledgeable, many tales talk of his quick wit and charming demeanor as well.

Morality & Philosophy

Believing in the freedom of thought and the necessity of spontaneity, Artifice promotes ideals of change, though only if tempered by knowledge and forethought. His relationship and frequent association with the goddess of change, Verandra, often pushes him towards trail-blazing with abandon, with mixed results coming out of it.

Social

Contacts & Relations

As a Caelan god, most of Artifice's relationships are with his fellow deities and his anointed saints.
Saint Desminnet: One of the gnomish saints and master of innovation, Desminnet is a legendary artisan and inventor. He is considered the most intelligent of Artifice's saints, as he masterfully takes existing objects or materials and using them to create newer ones. Those who follow his teachings frequently seek new ways to manufacture or craft, even going into harms reach to do so. It should be mentioned that, as their nature is highly built and mechanical, arcanomatons are loosely considered to be under his influence.
Saint Faral: Catfolk wanderer and trader, Saint Faral is the matron of merchants and businessfolk. She was a cunning merchant in her own right, and is said to have run a great trade caravan in the guise a normal mortal during the Age of Giants, one that possibly runs to this very day. In such modern times, her shrines are frequently found near markets or trade-routes, and those who frequent such places know the benefits of making multiple donations.

Saint Guinevere: Renowned performer and vocalist, it is said that the tones of Guinevere remain unmatched to this day. She is a legendary bard whom could sing in any style, pitch, or cadence. She is also one of the kenku saints, and was unaffected when her kind were subjected to their race-wide curse. Many believe that she went missing attempting to find a method of restoring her kind to their original splendor, or that she is still out there to this day, plying her skills behind the scenes.

Divine Classification

Greater Diety

Alignment

Neutral Good

Realm

Celestia

Church/Cult

Prime Pantheon

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Master of Invention, the Creator, The Inspired

Aligned Organization

Caelan Gods

Ruled Locations

• Dymigum