Nashall, The Welcoming Arms

Nashall, The Welcoming Arms, is the god of outcasts and strangers, a glimmer of hope for those on the outside of polite society: the unhoused, the immigrant, the unemployed, the oppressed, the prisoner, the thief, the prostitute, the alone. Though they are not often included in the legally worshipped gods of the Church of the Eternal Court, they are among the most celebrated deities in all of Aorna.
Some scholars believe that Nashall is the child of Qanar, The Occluded Face and Venali, The Truth, though others debate that this is simply one of Venali's lies. Regardless, even a hint at this connection made Nashall a pariah among the rest of the gods. They spent much of their early life travelling Aorna, hoping to find a home, but discovering only cruel and dismissive strangers. Finally, after ages of wandering, they found comfort by the hearth of Hailla, The Warm Fire - perhaps the only god to truly accept Nashall.
Unfortunately, even this was not enough, as Nashall longed to be accepted by the wider world - not just within Hailla's home. They continued their wandering for generations, until happening upon a burrow of goblins, who offered them refuge from the cold. The goblins, too, felt forgotten and ignored. Nashall developed an immediate kinship with them, eventually becoming their chief patron among the gods. 
The relationship between the goblins and Nashall continues to this day, though other outsider groups have also adopted the worship of the Welcoming Arms - including tieflings, drow, changelings and even some warforged. However, it is said that Nashall stands by "anyone who is a stranger in a strange land - or a stranger in their own land." 
Worshippers of Nashall will often use visual symbols to indicate that they are welcoming to strangers: a circle painted in white on their front door or an orange scarf wrapped around their neck. These are signs of friendly territory and indicate that food and housing are available - typically for no cost. It is said that if you are lost in a city, that you should find your way to the goblin neighborhood, because their hospitality is unmatched. Unfortunately, this had made the open celebration of Nashall extremely unpopular in the upper echelons of society, because it often invites elements that they find to be undesirable. 
This is exacerbated by the Welcoming Arm's frequent alliance with Meikana, The Stirring Heart. Nashall is especially appalled when politics results in oppression and violence towards the outcaste and is prepared to fight back when they are threatened. They also encourage the breaking of laws that would result in this type of oppression - which may be why goblins have a reputation as raiders and thieves. Nashall is defensive and skeptical of those in power. As such, they are often a challenge to the status quo, especially when partnered with the Stirring Heart. 
Regardless, temples to Nashall can be found in most major urban areas, even if they are difficult to find. Only the most isolated nations, such as Kul'Morava have been able to completely outlaw the practice. 
It is believed that Nashall does not take residence on any single plane, instead travelling the Astral Sea, looking for lost souls to aid and protect.

Divine Domains

God of Outcasts and Strangers

Holy Books & Codes

• On the Outside of the Divine: A chronicle of Nashall's awakening. It details the early millennia of their life, as they wandered across Aorna searching for a welcoming home, only to be shunned by both mortal and god alike. Only Hailla, The Warm Fire offered Nashall a place to stay and rest. But even there, Nashall felt restless and alone. The book ends when they meet with the Goblins and finally find a family.
• Welcoming the Lost: A handbook for those with open doors and hearts, offering guidance and instruction on how to care for strangers, how to defend the downtrodden, and how to mobilize for those who are forgotten by society. It is often mistaken for a political treatise and is illegal in some nations.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

• An empty cloak. 
• An "O" painted in white on a door. 
• A rat - in the city.
• A wolf - in the country. 
• An empty plane of desert. 
• A bottle of whiskey. 
• An orange scarf or ribbon. 

Tenets of Faith

• Those with open doors are blessed with luck and good fortune. 
• Give direction to the lost, haven to the outcast, and kindness to strangers. 
• When in lands beyond your own, break bread with those who bare my symbol on their door. 
• When a stranger in your own land, my hand is on your shoulder. 
• No law that would keep you othered is valid. Break them. 

Holidays

• The Feast of Welcoming (43 Selshandee): Though originally intended to be celebrated by followers of Nashall, the Feast of Welcoming is also popular in the church of Hailla, The Warm Fire and Monaia, The Calming Wind. Adherents of means offer a huge meal and a bed to a stranger in need in their community. The stranger eats first and the family only follows after they have had their fill. 

Physical Description

Body Features

Nashall, The Welcoming Arms, is often depicted as a goblin or hobgoblin wearing a dusty brown cloak with an orange scarf hanging beneath. They are known to take two forms: "The Stranger" and "The Host". 
The Stranger is often presented in a defensive stance, right hand pushing the cloak aside to grab the hilt of a dagger, a bow dangling from their back. This represents Nashall's skepticism, as well as their ability to defend against anyone who would use their status as an outcast against them. While this is the most common version of the Stranger, Nashall's stance can be adapted to the situation of the follower. An immigrant may choose to depict the Welcoming Arms more peacefully - using a shovel, reading a book, or carrying a torch. A thief may use the image of Nashall stooped down, grasping at a stolen purse. An exploited ancestral minority could choose to show the god in full battle stance, their bow drawn, ready to fight back against their oppressors. All of these options would be valid.  
The Host is presented with arms spread open, a kind smile, resting on a cask of whiskey. This represents Nashall's ideal, to welcome those who feel lost, abroad or in their own home, to be a friendly face in unfriendly territory. Many follower's of the Welcoming Arms have a small wood carving of the Host at the front of their home.

Divine Classification

God / Goddess

Religions

• Church of the Eternal Court

Church/Cult

Church of the Eternal Court