Arvoreen
(a.k.a. The Defender, The Wary Sword)
Arvoreen, the Defender or The Wary Sword, is the closest the halflings had to a war god, but he is actually the halfling pantheon's deity of defense, guardians, and watchers
Arvoreen is strict and preaches aggressive watchfulness, but only to react to aggression. He doesn't support starting conflicts unless it is done to stop evil practices. Arvoreen never attacks first and doesn't hold thieving to be dishonorable as long as it was against a foe.
The clergy prayed before dawn, before going on patrol.
If time permits, Arvoreen's priests and lay followers come together prior to every battle (either in a temple or at a makeshift altar in the field) to ask for the blessings of the Defender. After a brief, inspirational sermon and a period of private prayer, the Battle Hymn of the Keepers is sung in unison and silvered weapons—at most one per worshiper—are sacrificed to the god by placing them on the altar.
Divine Domains
Zeal, War, Strength, Protection, and Order
Divine Symbols & Sigils
The most iconic symbol of Arvoreen is two crossed short swords.
Tenets of Faith
Keep the community's burrows secure, and always be prepared for threats and attacks. Prepare an active defense, drill continuously, and leave nothing to chance. Put down danger before it even rears its head. Seek out allies, no matter how unorthodox. Those who give aid against a mutual foe are friends to be rewarded and trusted. Stealing from other halflings and allies is never acceptable, but thieving is not necessarily dishonorable, as long as it is employed against enemies to better the odds in combat later.
Holidays
The Ceremony of Remembrance is celebrated annually on the Feast of the Moon during the last day of November. During this holy day, Arvoreen's followers gather in his temples and on battlefields where their comrades have fallen to remember the names of those who gave their lives in defense of the community. Close friends and relatives often report a brief, wordless encounter with the spirit of a fallen loved one during Ceremonies of Remembrance, but no evidence of such, aside from the statements of individuals who report such spiritual visitations, has ever been found.
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