Ashtar
Ashtar is the god of the Day, Light, The Sun, Renewal, Dawn, Joy, Fire, and Stars. He is also know by many other names, such as the Dawnfather, the Keeper of the Eternal Sun, the Golden God, the Shining One, Starmaker, the Everbright, and the Burning Hand. He is widely worshipped throughout Ora and is the lover of Ishtar goddess of the night. His devotion to her is boundless and he is with her whenever his duties allow.
Ashtar is known to be a hotheaded but formidable warrior and is held in particular esteem by clerics and warmages. He is known to be an enemy to the undead, particularly vampires.
Description
Ashtar typically appears as a tall and strong human man with glowing white points of light for eyes, long hair, and a beard. In this form he is usually seen wearing golden, yellow, or white robes with a large golden belt. He has also appeared as a massive disembodied set of elaborate golden armor with a blazing star for a head.
Despite being an ageless Greater Deity, Ashtar retains the cheery hopefulness of youth. His is an eternal optimism, a constant willingness to focus on hopes for the future rather than wallow in the failures of the present. He is a doggedly determined god who encourages proactive altruism and constant reevaluation of the old ways. Exuberant and friendly, his interests lay in vibrant life (regarding both birth and nature), and conversely urges the destruction of the corrupted mockeries of life that he sees the undead as.
Though liked for his many positive qualities, Ashtar also has a reputation for displaying the flaws common to the young, such as zealotry, vanity, and excess. Though enthusiastically altruistic and only slightly vain, it is said by his critics that his aggressive do-gooder mentality often prevents him from taking more sensible courses of action. His headstrong conceit could blind him to the consequences of his actions.
Activities
Ashtar's most prominent achievement is the creation of The Starfield, an illusory field of stars he created as a gift to his lover Ishtar in the Reshaping Year of Stars. Before this, the night skies of Ora were completely empty save the moons.
Ashtar played a significant role in The Betrayal War, he is the deity responsible for the deal made with Fiernus to bring the Primordial Elementals over to the side of the gods, swaying the balance of power. He also took part in the final battle with Tharizdun and it was his spear that pinned him to the ground so that Ishtar could smite him with The Moonfall.
He also assisted Primus with the reordering of the celestial bodies in the Selestean Star System during the Reshaping Year of Order.
Powers and Abilities
Ashtar's sight allows him to discern whether someone is being truthful with a glance, he can see through any deception, including shapechanging abilities, as well as invisible creatures and objects. He can also use his eyes to shoot flame strike or sunray.
The Keeper of the Eternal Sun holds sway over the sun. This gives him a plethora of protective abilities. He is completely immune to radiant, fire, and heat-based attacks while also enjoying complete immunity to illusions, phantasms, cold-based, shadow-based, and darkness-based spells and any fear or other emotion-controlling magic.
The Golden God is capable of dispersing magical darkness either with a touch or a thought. Another effect his touch creates is the instant destruction of undead who are affected by sunlight, like vampires. He can fill an area of 10 miles (16 kilometers) diameter with pure sunlight.
Ashtar can grant his Chosens the ability to shed searing light from their eyes and allow them to access their inner resources to invigorate themselves.
Possessions
When fighting, Ashtar uses his spear, the Ray of Eternal Sunlight, in physical combat. He wears intricate golden armor, and summons a shield made of pure fire when needed. He created the artifact known as The Plate of the Dawnmartyr, also known as the “Beacon of Protection” to the chosen of Ashtar. The plate was originally worn by the High Priest of Ashtar, Duana, as she fell in the Battle of Tethiss. It is a set of brass armor, and when worn its beautiful silver inlays and cut rubies glow.
Divine Domains
The Day, Light, The Sun, Renewal, Dawn, Joy, Fire, Stars
Artifacts
Divine Symbols & Sigils
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