Aphine, The Hopebringer

Aphine is the goddess of beauty, kindness, and commerce. She works to foster the growth of communities and build relationships between different people. She serves as patron to diplomats, merchants, artists, actors, and anyone else involved with travelling around to different places or creating things of beauty. She takes the form of a tall, graceful, woman with a large scar covering much of her face. This scar was obtained in a battle long ago, and although she could easily heal the scar she chooses to keep the scar as a demonstration that physical appearance is not the only factor that creates beauty.

Aphine is largely focused on fostering relationships between different people. Whether these take the form of romantic relationships, friendships, or even simple business transactions, Aphine believes that regular interaction is the key to increased understanding and the prevention of conflict. Wars are unlikely to break out between two nations that are trading partners, and fights are less likely to break out between friends. Aphine teaches that creating a world where people show kindness to each other would be the epitome of beauty, and instructs her followers to try their best to create this world. Aphine also teaches that the exchange of art and culture is important for building this world. Art is a way for people to communicate things that words are not always capable of explaining, and an appreciation for beauty is a useful tool for finding common ground between people who otherwise seem very different.

Aphine is worshipped by many merchants, but a significant portion of merchants are not dedicated followers, as an important part of Aphine's teachings is to give back to those in need. While she feels that merchants are in a good position to advance he goals, she also sees charity and donations as an important part of ensuring one isn't motivating purely by greed. Other than merchants Aphine is commonly prayed to by people hoping for protection while they travel, artisans hoping to make beautiful creations, and she is also quite popular among Elves. The church of Aphine frequently provides services protecting important diplomats and encouraging cultural exchange.

Divine Domains

Aphine wields the divine aspects of Confidence, Family, Passion, Repose and Travel.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

The most common symbol of Aphine is a gold coin with a slash across it. Most artists dedicated to Aphine also mark their artwork in a similar way, in reference to Aphine's scar.

Tenets of Faith

Aphine's followers are to treat others with kindness and help those in need. They are to avoid bloodshed when possible, and instead search for diplomatic methods of handling conflict. Followers should also work to make the world a little bit more beautiful whenever they can.

Divine Classification

Major God

Alignment

Neutral Good

Realm

The Righteous Kingdom

Church/Cult

The Righteous Path