Arthedis, The Gleaming Tower

Arthedis, The Gleaming Tower, is the goddess of civilization and culture, a monument to the achievements of the mortal ancestries when they work together to create societies and nations. She is the wife of Estus, The Purifying Light and the Queen of Hevastus, The Eternal City.
Her true origins are unknown, but she arrived on Aorna during the first great age of civilizations. A shimmering tower that stretched towards the sky appeared in each of these nations and eventually, as time passed, Arthedis would emerge from these towers to walk among the disparate cultures and learn their ways. Not just their art, music and poetry, but their systems of morality, their familial structures, their food and so much more.
She came to fall in love with the trappings of organized society, especially in its diversity of thought and belief, and grew convinced that through the process of civilization, the peoples' of Aorna could become safer, more comfortable and more dynamic. Arthedis understands that nature and civilization exist in a symbiotic relationship, and does not view nature as an enemy, but does Ausalai's domain as a destabilizing, unpredictable force. As such, they are often depicted as adversaries and rivals. Arthedis is quick to defend the overreaches of "progress" and is often ignorant to the needs of the natural environment.
As such, Arthedis is viewed as haughty and prideful by the other gods. This impression has occasionally convinced those less familiar with her that she stands only for the wealthy and the powerful. However, Arthedis is consistent in her preaching that a truly great society is one that is equitable for all. As such, she is often the most popular goddess amongst the poor and working class, sometimes referred to as the Queen of Good Works.
Arthedis and Estus have a deep connection, which led to the birth of their children: Crucera, The Tradewinds, Qomos, The Open Book, Qanar, The Occluded Face, and Phorarus, The Thought Engine. She also provided the shard of law that would create the first dragon, Seshare. Her family home, The Celestial Palace, is the central sphere of Hevastus, The Eternal City.

Divine Domains

Civilization and Culture

Holy Books & Codes

• From Within The Gleaming Tower: Chronicles the appearance of the Gleaming Tower, a massive silver spire that towered in every major city in Aorna during the Season of Love and Peace; as well as Arthedis' emergence from that tower and her exploration of each of the cultures that had begun to spring up in the wake of Tattarus' destruction. 
• The Hidden Nation: The story of the construction of Hevastus, an endless city used to hide mortals and their gods during the reign of Rach, The Conqueror. It includes a loosely drawn map of the city as it stood directly after the gods left Aorna. 
• The People: An archive of the city-states and nations that existed prior to the beginning of history. 

Divine Symbols & Sigils

• A Silver Spire Pointing Towards The Sun
• A Staircase
• A Watermill
• A Silver Crown
• A White Horse
• Four Squares (Gold, White, Black and Bronze) Interlocked By A Fifth Square In The Center (Silver)

Tenets of Faith

1. Civilization brings order and progress to the chaotic whims of nature. 
2. When we organize into societies, we push beyond the boundaries of what is possible for the individual or their house. 
3. Every culture is valuable in its own way, unless it is harmful to itself or others.
4. Every culture changes. Embrace change that improves the lives of its citizens. 
5. Together, we are more holy than as one. 

Holidays

• The Night of Lights (50 Ninsoalli): A festival to celebrate the mid-point of the hundred days of winter, the Night of Lights is a nocturnal festival where decorative candles, lanterns and magical sources of light are lit in every city, town and hamlet, covering buildings, walkways and towers. Fireworks illuminate the sky. Citizens stay up all night, engaging in revelry, but also in good works and charity. It is one of the most cherished holidays of any calendar year. 

Physical Description

Body Features

Arthedis is depicted differently across cultures and has no singular form. A culture dominated by the dragonborn (such as Girduar) might envision her as an elegant dragonborn maiden, while a culture dominated by elves will draw her with more traditionally elven features. It is believed that this portrait is not simply for artistic or spiritual value - as in the rare instances when Arthedis has been seen, she always takes the form that will be most acceptable to a specific culture.   
Regardless of the details, she is stunningly beautiful, and wears a long silver dress that shimmers in the sunlight - even at night - and moves like a river behind her as she walks. 
In status and reliefs, she is often depicted with a simple silver crown on her head, her left arm outstretched in greeting. Typically, a sleek, pointed spire will rise up behind her.

Divine Classification

Goddess

Religions

• Church of the Eternal Court

Church/Cult

Church of the Eternal Court