Sol
the God of Radiance:
One deity shines brighter than the rest. Sol, the God of Radiance, emerged from the first sunrise, a celestial being forged from the very essence of light. With each radiant beam, Sol infused life into the cosmos, breathing vitality into every corner of existence. He is the eternal guardian of illumination and warmth, and his benevolence knows no bounds.
Eternal Protector:
Sol is revered as the eternal protector of the realms of mortal kind. His unwavering quest is to banish the shadows and safeguard the realms of life from encroaching darkness. Tales of his courage and valor against malevolent entities that seek to extinguish the sun are told around every campfire and sung in every temple. Among his divine peers, Sol's self-imposed responsibility is a source of both admiration and annoyance. They joke about his inability to "take a break," to which Sol replies with a blinding glare and a quip about their laziness.
Legends of Sol's Battles:
One of the most celebrated legends tells of Sol's epic battle against the Night Eater, a monstrous entity of infinite hunger that sought to devour the sun and plunge the world into eternal night. The clash was more than just light versus darkness—it was a moment of doubt for Sol. The Night Eater's insatiable hunger challenged not just his strength but his resolve. The battle rent the heavens, with Sol’s radiance flickering under the weight of the Night Eater’s assault. The gods watched from afar, wagering among themselves about Sol’s chances. Despite their playful banter, even they knew what was at stake. In a final, desperate surge of power, Sol unleashed a radiant flare so brilliant it scarred the Night Eater and sent it retreating to the Abyss. For days afterward, Sol's light was dim, and the other gods found themselves unusually respectful, aware of just how close they had come to eternal night.
Sol's Divine Domain:
Sol’s domain encompasses light, healing, and protection, but also truth and judgment. His light does not merely illuminate; it reveals. Lies and illusions dissolve under his gaze, and those who hide in the shadows of deceit find no refuge. Clerics and paladins who serve Sol are known for their unwavering honesty and tireless dedication to protecting the innocent. However, their zeal can sometimes lead to conflicts with other faiths, particularly those aligned with the goddess Lilith, who thrives in secrets and shadows. To mortals, Sol is a distant yet dependable figure, like the sun itself—essential, ever-present, yet too far away to truly know. He watches over them with a mix of pride and detachment, regarding their struggles as both admirable and fleeting.
Sacred Places and Relics:
Temples dedicated to Sol are constructed with awe-inspiring architecture that catches the first rays of dawn. They are resplendent with golden motifs, stained glass windows that refract the sunlight, and grand altars where the faithful gather to offer prayers and seek the blessings of the radiant god. Each temple has a sacred relic known as a Sunstone, believed to hold a fragment of Sol’s light. These relics are used to heal the gravely wounded or dispel the most insidious curses, though their power is said to dwindle with overuse.
Festivals and Holidays:
The Festival of Dawn is the most sacred celebration in Sol’s honor, held on the summer solstice when the sun is at its zenith. Lanterns are lit, prayers are offered, and communities come together to reaffirm their commitment to hope and unity. The festival is a time of reflection, where mortals strive to emulate Sol’s light by dispelling the “shadows” in their own lives—be it through forgiveness, charity, or truth.
His lights influence
Sol's radiance is the lifeblood of Terra, a force without which life would cease to exist. Mortals may revere him, but the other gods know Sol is not infallible. He can be stubborn, overly self-assured, and occasionally blind to the nuance of mortal struggles. Yet, for all his flaws, Sol remains the cornerstone of the world’s existence, his light a constant reminder that even in the darkest times, there is hope. Sol's influence extends beyond mortals. For his daughter Elanaria, Sol's radiance is both a blessing and a challenge. The warmth of Sol's light nurtures the verdant landscapes and fuels the cycle of life that Elanaria cherishes. However, there is a delicate balance to maintain, as too much sunlight can scorch the earth and disrupt the natural order. Thus, Elanaria and Sol share a symbiotic relationship, each respecting the other's domain and working together to ensure harmony in the natural world. As for Lilith, the goddess of night and secrets, Sol's brilliance is often seen as a stark contrast to her domain. While Lilith thrives in the shadows and revels in hidden knowledge, Sol's radiance can reveal many secrets. This dynamic creates a tension between the two deities, with Lilith sometimes viewing Sol's light as intrusive or overly revealing. Yet, there are moments when their realms intersect, such as the twilight hours when day transitions into night.
This was really cool! You had mentioned paladins, and that got me wondering if your gods grant different powers to their paladins (Or blackguard) based on their divine domain? Not only that, but the dynamics between the different paladin oaths to different gods. I think this would be very interesting if that's a thing you wanted to do.