Pholtus
Pholtus, cheif deity of the Light Pantheon, a central deity in the Divine Triad, is revered as the God of Light, Order, and the Cycles of Life. His intense commitment to order, truth, and the sanctity of life’s natural flow makes him a figure both of inspiration and awe, as his beliefs drive him and his followers to pursue a path of strict, sometimes uncompromising, devotion. Pholtus’ role within the Divine Triad emphasizes balance in both the light of life and the inevitability of death, both necessary in the grand cycle of existence.
Pholtus’ dedication to order sometimes placed him at odds with those who valued freedom or sought to disrupt life’s natural flow. His zealous nature emerged early in his history, as he became known for an intense, sometimes inflexible, dedication to his principles. His role within the Divine Triad is as both guide and enforcer, championing cycles and ensuring that nothing, not even the gods, interferes with the natural balance of the universe. Mortals who die, especially those loyal to Pholtus, believe they will return to him and receive guidance through the next stages of their journey.
Pursue Truth Relentlessly: Truth is the essence of light, and Pholtus considers deception and lies to be shadows that weaken the clarity of existence. His followers are often passionate seekers of truth, exposing corruption and shining light into the dark corners of society.
Revere the Cycles of Life and Death: Pholtus teaches that life and death are sacred steps in a greater journey. His followers despise anything that disrupts these cycles, especially acts of undeath, necromancy, or the pursuit of unnatural immortality, which they consider abhorrent violations of life’s sacred order.
Illuminate the Path of Enlightenment: Followers of Pholtus are called to be guiding lights, leading others toward clarity, order, and truth. This often comes with a zealous passion, as many of his followers believe that any deviation from these values is a step into darkness.
Judges and Lawmakers: Followers of Pholtus who serve as judges, magistrates, or lawmakers see their roles as divine callings, often implementing Pholtus’ teachings in their interpretations of law. They are known for their strict adherence to justice and often use Pholtus’ teachings to shape fair, albeit rigid, laws.
Paladins of Light: Pholtus’ paladins see themselves as protectors of order and beacons against chaos. Known for their zealous adherence to truth and discipline, they are staunch defenders of the innocent and opponents of anything they deem impure or disruptive to the cycles of life.
The Overzealous: Some of Pholtus’ followers take his teachings to extremes, becoming zealots and fanatics who enforce his law without compassion. These devotees are feared by those who value freedom, but they are admired within their own circles for their unwavering dedication.
Pholtus’ followers are unified by a shared sense of purpose and a drive to uphold the principles he champions. Their devotion can sometimes make them rigid, but they believe Pholtus’ light reveals the only true path, guiding all souls toward a life of order, truth, and reverence for the cycles that define existence. Pholtus remains a powerful figure within the Divine Duo, a god who holds unwaveringly to his principles, inspiring his followers to be beacons of light in an unpredictable world.
Physical Description
Pholtus is often depicted as a tall, slender man dressed in a flowing white robe that radiates purity and reflects his dedication to light and truth. His fair skin and pale hair add to his ethereal appearance, while his eyes burn with an intense fire of devotion, embodying his zealous and passionate nature. Pholtus is never seen without the Staff of the Silvery Sun, an elegant staff crafted from ivory with silver accents and crowned by a radiant electrum sun-disk. His holy symbol, a full moon partially eclipsed by a smaller crescent moon, represents his dominion over life’s cycles, the inevitable movement from life to death, and the interplay between light and darkness.History
In the early formation of Erathan’s universe, Pholtus took on the role of maintaining balance, ensuring that life’s natural cycles were preserved and that both mortals and deities alike understood the importance of structure and progression. As the god of light and cycles, Pholtus wove a clear path for each mortal life, seeing birth, growth, and death as essential parts of a divinely-ordained journey. Pholtus championed the establishment of laws and cosmic order, teaching that through rules, structure, and the pursuit of truth, mortals could transcend chaos and achieve enlightenment.Pholtus’ dedication to order sometimes placed him at odds with those who valued freedom or sought to disrupt life’s natural flow. His zealous nature emerged early in his history, as he became known for an intense, sometimes inflexible, dedication to his principles. His role within the Divine Triad is as both guide and enforcer, championing cycles and ensuring that nothing, not even the gods, interferes with the natural balance of the universe. Mortals who die, especially those loyal to Pholtus, believe they will return to him and receive guidance through the next stages of their journey.
Beliefs
Pholtus’ teachings are rooted in a profound belief in light, order, and respect for life’s cyclical nature. He embodies an unwavering pursuit of truth and law, seeing them as the highest form of divine guidance. His followers are taught to illuminate the world around them, expose deception, and bring clarity to chaos.Core Tenets of Pholtus’ Faith:
Honor Order and Law: Pholtus demands respect for natural and divine laws. He teaches that without order, chaos would ensue, breaking the structure upon which all life relies. His followers are expected to uphold and enforce these principles, even at great personal cost.Pursue Truth Relentlessly: Truth is the essence of light, and Pholtus considers deception and lies to be shadows that weaken the clarity of existence. His followers are often passionate seekers of truth, exposing corruption and shining light into the dark corners of society.
Revere the Cycles of Life and Death: Pholtus teaches that life and death are sacred steps in a greater journey. His followers despise anything that disrupts these cycles, especially acts of undeath, necromancy, or the pursuit of unnatural immortality, which they consider abhorrent violations of life’s sacred order.
Illuminate the Path of Enlightenment: Followers of Pholtus are called to be guiding lights, leading others toward clarity, order, and truth. This often comes with a zealous passion, as many of his followers believe that any deviation from these values is a step into darkness.
Followers
Pholtus attracts followers who value order, truth, and the predictability of structured existence. His zealous beliefs resonate with those who believe in a strict, almost dogmatic approach to enlightenment. Though Pholtus’ followers can seem unyielding, they are often admired for their loyalty and commitment to the betterment of society.Types of Followers:
Clerics of the Cycle: These clerics take Pholtus’ teachings deeply to heart, viewing themselves as shepherds who lead others to enlightenment. They are fierce opponents of necromancy and undeath, upholding the natural progression from life to death and beyond.Judges and Lawmakers: Followers of Pholtus who serve as judges, magistrates, or lawmakers see their roles as divine callings, often implementing Pholtus’ teachings in their interpretations of law. They are known for their strict adherence to justice and often use Pholtus’ teachings to shape fair, albeit rigid, laws.
Paladins of Light: Pholtus’ paladins see themselves as protectors of order and beacons against chaos. Known for their zealous adherence to truth and discipline, they are staunch defenders of the innocent and opponents of anything they deem impure or disruptive to the cycles of life.
The Overzealous: Some of Pholtus’ followers take his teachings to extremes, becoming zealots and fanatics who enforce his law without compassion. These devotees are feared by those who value freedom, but they are admired within their own circles for their unwavering dedication.
Pholtus’ followers are unified by a shared sense of purpose and a drive to uphold the principles he champions. Their devotion can sometimes make them rigid, but they believe Pholtus’ light reveals the only true path, guiding all souls toward a life of order, truth, and reverence for the cycles that define existence. Pholtus remains a powerful figure within the Divine Duo, a god who holds unwaveringly to his principles, inspiring his followers to be beacons of light in an unpredictable world.
Type
Greater DeityTitle(s)
The Blinding LightFather of Zeal
Alignment
Lawful GoodSymbol
A silver sun with a single, radiant eye at the centerEdicts
uphold and enforce natural cycles and laws, striving for order in all things, illuminate paths for others, sharing knowledge of life’s cycles, seek clarity, dispel confusion, and uphold honor.Anathema
disrupt the natural cycle of life and death (e.g., acts of undeath or life extension through unnatural means), act chaotically, deceive others without cause, or break laws for selfish gain, spread darkness or falsehood where light or truth could shineAreas of Concern
order, sun, cycles of life and deathD&D Domains
Light, OrderP2 Devotee Benefits
Divine Ability
Strength or CharismaDivine Font
heal or harmDivine Sanctification
can choose holyDivine Skill
ReligionFavored Weapon
maceDomains
order, protection, repose, sun, zealAlternate Domains
fire, truthCleric Spells
1st: burning hands, 3rd: fireball, 4th: fire shieldDivine Intercession
Pholtus rewards those who uphold life’s cycles and law while ensuring light and order remain, but he punishes those who break these natural cycles or act in chaos.Minor Boon: Sunlit Clarity
Once per day, you gain the effects of true strike as an innate divine spell. Pholtus grants you precise clarity in moments of need, allowing you to strike with accuracy.Moderate Boon: Pholtus’ Radiance
You emit a soft glow in a 10-foot radius as bright as a torch, which you can activate or suppress at will. This glow reveals hidden creatures, allowing you to roll twice and take the better result for Perception checks to notice concealed or hidden entities within the radius.Major Boon: Cycle’s Embrace
Pholtus grants you a connection to the cycle of life and death. Once per day as a reaction, you can cast breath of life to intercept death, reviving a fallen ally with the life force of the sun itself. Additionally, you gain immunity to blindness, and you are unaffected by effects that disrupt your perception of light and shadow.Minor Curse: Blinding Doubt
If you disrupt life’s natural cycle or embrace chaos, your vision is clouded with doubt. You suffer a -2 penalty to Perception checks and are considered dazzled until you atone with an act of lawful service or by bringing clarity to a chaotic situation.Moderate Curse: Dimming Light
If you act against order or foster chaos, Pholtus dims your inner light. You lose access to all spells related to light, sun, and fire, and any attempt to dispel darkness-based spells within 10 feet of you fails automatically. Only by committing to the cycles of life and order can you lift this curse.Major Curse: Shadow of Confusion
Pholtus withdraws his light entirely, leaving you vulnerable and susceptible to lies and illusions. You gain a -4 penalty to Perception and Will saves to recognize deceptions and are considered blinded in darkness until you atone by a month of dedicated service to a lawful cause or a significant act to restore order and uphold natural cycles.
Children
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