Kurgess (KUR-gess)

Kurgess is a demigod associated with healthy competition, sport, and physical development. His symbol is a flexing muscular arm holding a golden chain.

Church of Kurgess

Followers of Kurgess are called Kurgessans. Even though priests of the Strong Man are always welcome in the temples of Desna and Cayden Cailean, Kurgess's clergy are generally itinerants who travel between sporting events, fairs, and tournaments. They carry with them small, brightly-coloured portable shrines in the form of puppet theatres or wooden podiums, usually with a place for depositing donations. While at these competitions, priests treat sports injuries, and make sure that events are run as cleanly as possible. They also provide minor healing to adventurers for free, providing they regale them with stories of their brave and just accomplishments, or beat them in a test of strength. Most also learn a craft such as woodworking, creating small dolls and other toys to give to children at these events.

Because the church of the Strong Man has only been active for a few hundred years, it does not put much emphasis on structure and rigidly defined dogma. This makes it popular among those who wish to do good without the restrictions of elaborate ritual or hierarchy. Kurgess is also popular among archers, athletes, entertainers, jousters, mercenaries, scouts, and messengers.

Temples and shrines

While most temples of Kurgess are migratory and temporary, a chapel to him does exist in the city of Vigil, the capital of the bulwark nation of Lastwall.

Darechasers

Among his most fanatic worshipers are darechasers, elite athletes who are adept at channelling adrenaline to overcome physical trials and adversities. These Kurgessans often use their heady successes to dare themselves into performing ever-greater feats of prowess.

Divine Domains

Ambition, might, truth, zeal

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Tenets of Faith

Kurgess strongly believes that competition is healthy, as long as all the participants are playing by the same rules. He detests cheating, seeing it as a sign of moral defect. He encourages mortals to challenge themselves and push beyond their comfort zones, hoping to inspire greatness and the setting of even higher goals. The Strong Man also teaches how not to be a sore loser, as well as how to be a graceful winner.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Born a mortal Taldan peasant of unbeatable physical prowess, Kurgess was discovered as a young man by a traveling merchant. The merchant had driven his carriage into a ditch, when the young man appeared and lifted his vehicle out single-handedly. Impressed by the farmer's incredible stamina, strength, and speed, the merchant brought him to the city of Cassomir, where he began sponsoring the boy in various competitions and races. Kurgess was able to best all of them and shared his winnings with his patron. After this, the two began traveling the countryside, taking part in any sports competition they could find.

Kurgess' fame spread far and wide, sadly bringing jealousy and bitterness with it. During the third annual Raptor Run in the Taldan city of Oppara, Kurgess's enemies laid a deadly trap for him. The young man became aware of this and was killed while successfully saving the other racers from the raptor's talons.

In the decades that followed, the memory of Kurgess and what he had accomplished were not forgotten. Athletes and other competitors began calling on Kurgess for aid, and more than a few events were dedicated in his honour. Soon thereafter, the gods Cayden Cailean and Desna elevated Kurgess to godhood, either because they were so impressed by his accomplishments and actions, or because he was secretly their half-mortal son.

In the last 300 years there have been rumours that Kurgess has occasionally reappeared and taken part in sporting events, intent on protecting and encouraging those who take part in them. This has lead to a gradual expansion of his faith, especially throughout southern Avistan, and particularly in the Andoren town of Falcon's Hollow. The Strong Man is now also worshiped as far afield as Widowmaker Isle in the Shackles where a bloody gladiatorial competition known as the Carnival of Kurgess is held every other year.

Social

Contacts & Relations

As has already been mentioned, Kurgess and his followers are on very good terms with the faiths of Desna and Cayden Cailean. Less well known is that he finds common cause with the goddess Milani, who shares his rural origins and desire to protect those in need.

Alignment

Neutral good

Realm

Nirvana

Honorary & Occupational Titles

The Strong Man

Adjective 
Kurgessan
Areas of Concern 
Bravery
Competition
Sport
Worshipers 
Archers, athletes, entertainers, jousters, and sellswords
Favoured Weapon 
Javelin
Symbol 
Flexing arm with chain
Sacred Animal 
Horse
Sacred Colours 
Gold, white