Khaamthor, God of Ambitions and Vainglory

Why settle for second-best?

— Tenets of Khaamthor, popular version of the Third Verse

The god of blind ambition, foolish vainglory, skilled experts and entrepreneurs alike, Khaamthor is the patron of all who set their sights on the highest achievements. He has no time or patience for the moderate, the humble or the lazy - only with the will and drive. Heroes who wish to slay the greatest foes, athletes who strive to be the strongest ever, wizards who delve into the most difficult and esoteric parts of magical artistry, or the slave who yearns to be free. Big or small, the goal matters not; only the will and the drive to bring it to.
Like Grandfather Wolf, the God of Giant-Slaying, Khaamthor rarely give his blessing to those who seek it. While he has many clerics and adherents, their pleading and weeping does not move him to act on their behalf. Indeed; coming to him in the first time instead of going after their true desire without pause puts them already out of his favor.
Khaamthor takes great interest in the mortal plane, watching carefully for people of interest. To many, his favor might seem sudden and mercurial - the emperor is passed over, but a hunter working diligently in her art suddenly finds herself empowered by Khaamthor. Unlike many other gods, Khaamthor understands the mortal soul and often knows people better than they know themselves. He is able to size someone up at a glance and to look into his eyes is to reveal everything about yourself to the god. Those who have done so are never the same after, as every hidden truth or long forgotten dream is brought to full, resplendent view.
On the other hand, Khaamthor is also the god of vainglory. He watches those who believe they are much better than everyone else but lack all attributes to back it up. He observes the mistakes of the overconfident, the fumbles of a genius suddenly presented with an obstacle they can't pass, the arrogance of mistaken fools. These never gain favor or blessing, but they go to their infamy knowing they have been seen by a god, at least.

The Avatar of Ambition

Khaamthor is depicted as both man and woman, sometimes both at the same time. His skin is gold and his eyes are pools of black, filled with stars and wondrous daydreams. Most paintings or statues of the god have him with four arms, holding a hammer, a quill, a sword and a beaded string.

The Tenets of Ambition

The tenets and verses of Ambition are simple and straight-forward, but less so for most to follow. Khaamthor is at once callous and generous - he recognizes no obstacle to ambition, but nor does scale of the ambition. Only the intensity of a persons drive determines if they draw the eye of the god or not.

Verse One: Give It All

No matter what the project is, seek to do it to the best of your ability. If your ability is insufficient, strive to improve it. If you lack the tools, make them - steal them or buy them. If you lack knowledge, find it. Know that exhaustion is the reward for efforts well spent. If the result displeases you, try again. Try again, always try again.

Verse Two: Be All

Be more than your limitations. Once you have mastered the Second Verse, they will cease to be. If you are crippled, then you are stronger for it. If you are poor, be wiser with it. No matter what obstacles you face or troubles you have, let your drive for glory be your strength, your shield, your spear. Allow nothing to deter you.

Verse Three: Strive For Excellence

Always seek to be the best. Learn everything. Do everything. Those who tell you that your efforts are in vain are fools. Those who seek to draw you down are mediocre souls searching for company. A thousand feet have trod this path before and received the blessing of Khaamthor - be a student, become the teacher.