Anderi
The Sun King
The first of the deities, Anderi (Ahn-dare-ee), god of the sun, is depicted as a strong man of middle years with long, pale blonde hair. He wears long flowing white robes and is surrounded always by a soft golden nimbus of light. Anderi is the god of kings and the common man, and the patron god of the Empire of Eldoria as well as the Kingdoms of Drakkar and Warwick.
It is said that Anderi governs everything under the sun, from the mightiest warrior, to the smallest creature. Judging from the reach of his church, many believe this to be true. Anderi’s is by far the largest of the organized churches, with cathedrals spreading up and down the Eldorian coastline, and temples and churches throughout all of the human lands. Anderi’s is the oldest of the organized religions, and his followers see him as the oldest the eldest of the gods, and a father to many of them. The Empire of Eldoria itself was founded on the principals of the church of Anderi. Almost every race worships Anderi in some form or another. He receives prayers as the Orkish Day God, the Dharjan Sun Lord, and the Khadric Deity of Light in Dark Places. A wise man learns to recognize him in all his myriad of forms.
History/Relationships
Anderi is an old deity. He predates all the other gods of good, except for Arimathica. Anderi is allied with most of the other gods, especially Arimathica and Jendredi. Anderi’s traditional consort is Tiras, Goddess of Night. The Lord of Light, and the Mistress of Night are always at odds, yet at the same time constantly together. Their relationship is typified by the daily cycle of night and day.
Dogma
Anderi’s teachings speak in metaphors of the light of lanterns, the flames of candles, and of the heat of the sun. The sun warms Tarien and makes things grow. All things good, holy, and strong can be found beneath it’s rays. The sun’s light banishes darkness; it’s heat dispels the cold. The light of lanterns lead the way through the darkness, and reveals things that are hidden. In these attributes, say Anderi’s teachings, man can find the words to live by. “Be a light for my people. Light their way in times of darkness. Shelter them, keep them warm. Like the rays of the sun warm the earth, warm your hearts and dispel the evil within them. Let that life shine forth.”
Church/Priesthood
Anderi’s priesthood is commonly referred to as the Light of Anderi, and his worshipers are called ‘Sun Folk’. Anderi’s clerics pray for spells just before noon, when the sun is at it’s highest point in the sky. The tenets of Anderi’s church teach a healthy work ethic, respect for life, and intolerance for evil and those who word serve evil. In addition to many minor holidays, priests of Anderi honor three feasts of Anderi with lavish affairs involving day long services. Midsummer’s Eve is known as the Highsun Festival, in which all priests and commoners alike come together to chant praises to the day. When evening falls on Midsummer’s Eve, the temples of Anderi glow with daylight both inside and out, and in larger cities, the celebration lasts long into the night. At Yuletide, the church celebrates Sundown, a day of fasting and quiet prayer. On this, the shortest day of the year, followers of Anderi give thanks, pray for return of spring and blessings in the coming year. On the the last Kingsday of the Wolf Moon followers of Anderi (and most of the Eldorian Empire) celebrate Naming Day. On this day promotions are handed out within the church, acolytes are made into full-fledged priests, and, in many larger cities, boys officially become men and are taken on for apprenticeship. The Empire of Eldoria also traditionally bestows gifts upon the church on this day, as the High Cleric of Anderi blesses the Emperors family and knights.
The cathedrals of Anderi are large, sweeping edifices of bright stone and sparkling glass. In most Eldorian cities they are situated at the center of the urban center. All buildings dedicated to the Lord of Light are large, airy structures capable of holding the entire population nearby, if needed. During the daylight hours, the sun pours in through hundreds of windows, situated on every wall. During the evening hours, the temples of Anderi are lit by candles perched on every surface, and mirrors reflect the light into every corner of the building. In the empire’s capital city of Karradone, the Sun Temple is located within a stone’s throw of the emperor’s palace, and is but one of three temples to Anderi in the city. Anderi’s priesthood adheres to a rigid structure and hierarchy, with a large amount of lay-brothers, priests, and clerics reporting to a council made up of seven elected regional clerics. The council in turn reports to the high cleric, who resides in Karradone.
In recent years, with the growing influence of Anderi in the Azermathian kingdoms of Drakkar and Warwick, some of the leadership of the church as shifted southward. The construction of the Temple of the High Sun in Drakkar itself, with its "perfect light" has caused many to believe that the leadership should relocate completely. Still, the power of the Empire, keeps power in Karradone, despite the effort of more radical factions such as the Holy Legion of Light.
A cleric of Anderi’s ceremonial garb consists of long flowing robes, usually made of silk, with the symbol of Anderi (a burning candle) emblazoned on the front. The color of the robe denotes the priests rank from a dusky gray to a pure white (lay brothers wear brown hassocks). In the field, followers of Anderi wear mostly white clothing with a gold medallion of the god’s symbol over their heart.
"I swear to walk in the Light, bath in its warmth, and guide others long its path. I swear to bring the Light into the Darkness no matter the cost, freeing those unable to bring Light into their own lives and smiting the Darkness wherever i might find it."
Religions
Alignment
Neutral Good
Children
Sex
Male
Ruled Locations
Sunburst
Main Temple
Sun Temple, Karradone
Portfolio
Goodness, Honesty, Knowledge Light, Sun, Temperance, Warmth
Domain
Light
Head of Priesthood
Martin Standish, III
The Temple of the High Sun