Heliod, God of the Sun

Heliod is the radiant god of the sun. According to myth, he forsook his place in Asteria alongside the other gods so as to ensure that the sun rises every day to provide light and warmth to the world and its people. Even mortals who have chosen to serve as the temple of another member of the pantheon acknowledge his dominant presence, and nearly everyone amongst the commonfolk folk at least pay lip service to the idea of giving him worship and honour. Pride and self-assurance radiate from Heliod as light floods from the sun. He is cheerful and sociable, enjoying the company of others and forming bonds easily. His friendship can be as easily lost, though, turning him from ally to enemy as the consequence of a single misstep or perceived betrayal. Heliod prefers the appearance of a sun-bronzed male human in his forties, dressed in a flowing tunic of golden cloth. His profile is noble, highlighted by a strong chin and a short beard, and he boasts the broad chest of a perfectly fit athlete. His hair is glossy black, and his head is crowned with a golden wreath. He is also fond of appearing as a brilliant white pegasus or a radiant golden stag. In any guise, he looks lit by the sun, even when he travels across the night sky.

Divine Domains

Heliod personifies the light of day, and by extension, he is associated with many metaphorical aspects of the sun’s circuit. As the sun rises without fail every morning, so Heliod values faithfulness in oaths and bonds. Courtroom testimony and marriage vows are sworn on his name, for he can’t tolerate the breaking of a solemn promise. He is the arbiter of morality, virtue, and honour. The sun’s nightly descent into darkness symbolises bravery and self-sacrifice; the willingness to forsake his rightful place alongside the other gods in Asteria for the sake of others. Those who protect innocents in his name receive Heliod’s favour. As do any mortal who takes upon themselves a great burden for the sake of others around them. Unless sworn specifically to another deity, it is Heliod who holds paladins to their oaths and grants them powers so that they might better fulfil them.

Artifacts

Khrusor: The legendary spear wielded by Heliod. There is legend of a as yet unborn hero who will one day be deemed worthy to take on Heliod's burden of carrying the sun across the sky. Heliod searches from the sky one who is worthy enough for this honour and, when found, they will be passed his spear as he takes his rightful place in Asteria again. God Send: In his desire to establish himself as the leader of the pantheon, Heliod attempted to commission Purphoros to rebuild Asteria in Heliod’s image. Angered by Heliod’s claim to rulership, Purphoros forged the sword Godsend to fight Heliod. As their conflict raged, Purphoros’s sword cut the fabric of Asteria, opening the boundary between the realms of gods and mortals. As a result, the hydra Polukranos fell to the mortal world, but Heliod and Nylea joined forces to bind the hydra in what was later named Imistil Forest. Years later, the hydra broke free of its bonds, and Nylea chose a mortal, Imistil Tirel, to slay the hydra as his champion in a wager with the sun god. As part of the wager, Heliod bestowed upon her a spear called God Send, forged from Purphoros’s sword. The sword remained in the Tirel family for generations before being lost when it was stolen by an unknown thief. The Reliquary of Solsemon: After a life in Heliod’s service, the aged oracle Solsemon, departed on a final pilgrimage: setting forth to visit the sun. Day after day he journeyed east, seeking the lands from which the sun rose. He journeyed far and was mocked everywhere people learned of his quest. Worse, his sight grew ever weaker as he spent days staring at the sun. Yet still he traveled on. Even when blindness claimed Solsemon’s sight, the oracle continued undaunted. Finally, one day, Solsemon found a warm, calm place. There, a powerful voice he’d heard in his dreams welcomed him to his journey’s end. Praising Heliod, the oracle took his rest, and after several long, contented hours, peacefully died. Having landed in Blood Crescent , he had become the first known person to circumnavigate Sfaírya. Ever since, the tale of Solsemon has been argued as both a parable of determination and a warning not to pursue that which is divine. Worshippers of Heliod travelled to his final resting place and founded a temple built around his remains, committing themselves to bringing Heliod's light to even that accursed corner of the world.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

The Laurel Crown: Most commonly used in worship and service to Heliod is the Laurel Crown that he is often depicted as wearing atop his head. More than anything, this crown is thought to represent the burden of the sun that he so willingly bears for the benefit of all the people of Khorvaire. This imagery is often invoked by rulers across the land, a reminder to the commonfolk that leadership is not only luxury and wealth, but also comes with a lot of hardships and sacrifices. Khrusor: Heliod wields the spear Khrusor, which can strike any point in Sfaíyra, even in the depths of the Underworld. One tale describes how a wrathful Heliod used his spear to smite a human polis whose people angered him with their hubris: the strike was so true and full of his fury that it is said to have sent this city to the depths of the ocean whilst annihilating any memory of this city, its name or location from the minds' of mortals. The Sun: Unsurprisingly, the sun is commonly called upon in worship of Heliod. It is a symbol not only of his sacrifice but of his power and all encompassing nature.

Holidays

Whilst often in many peoples minds, it is Midsummers Day when Heliod is remembered most, when the sky spends the longest time in the sky. People take this chance to give thanks to him for the protection from the darkness that he gives them.

Divine Goals & Aspirations

In Heliod’s mind, he is the ruler of the gods, and he wants merely for his rightful place to be recognized. He imagines Nyx rebuilt as his personal palace, where all can witness him in his glory. He considers himself a kind and beneficent ruler—a benign autocrat, not a tyrant—and he doesn’t expect abject servility from anyone, god or mortal. He just wants everyone to defer to his will and carry out his orders. He believes that his decisions are always just and right, and that if his sovereignty were properly respected, there would be peace and order in Nyx and the mortal world alike.