Lark

The Desert's Muse

From strings of a lyre, a genasi woman draws forth enchanting melodies that echo throughout the main square in the Heart of the Desert. Her voice twirls from note-to-note like the dancers that fill the square before her. When the hint of gold and teal darts among the dancers to the tune of her own song, she cannot help but smile for she is the muse today. At the edge of the Dune Sea, a young painter disembarks from the sand seal sled that brought him here. He has learned too harshly that inspiration is a fickle thing. The Spirit of the Muse can be a cruel master, granting a vast array of colors, yet deny the creator the means to realize a vision with them. The painter turns his back on the Dune Sea. Most will claim that there is a trace of golden essence within every piece of artwork, delicate craft, or stunning performance. The little golden thread of inspiration connects back to Lark, god of creativity and inspiration. Throughout the years, the conceptualization of Lark has shifted, believed to reflect the actual change in Lark's own "interpretation" of himself. Lark has been depicted as a humanoid dressed in golden robes, a great tree bearing fruit and providing shade from the desert sun, a gleaming golden dragon, and, most recently, as a golden "spirit" barely confined to humanoid form. The most ardent worshippers of Lark are, to no surprise, often bards, painters, and writers who travel from city to city or from festival to festival to create great works in honor of the Muse. By the same token... some of Lark's most ardent opposers are also the most creative minds on the continent.

By Fate and by Fortune, it seems. Now, perhaps, further by Inspiration.

Antagonist: Akeldama, the Desert's Curator

The Spark of Inspiration

Like the other members of the pantheon, Lark does have a dedicated religious order, but Lark does not allow the traditional structure of religious worship to confine who they inspire. Many of Lark's most prominent Chosen – Lark's very own muses – have no direct association with his religious worship. There are many who do not even know that have caught the eye of the Spirit of Inspiration! Creativity and Inspiration, fickle as they may be, are not bound to the regional borders nor to any Temple walls. It is best when they flow freely among mortals like the sands across the Dune Sea.

Notable Chosen: Rani Al-Himma (of the Deep End and the Bhediya), Zephus Hevego (grandson).

The Laurels

Legends hold that Akeldama was the first mortal to serve as Lark's own muse. She inspired Lark so intensely, that he wooed and married her. Together, Lark and Akeldama had three daughters, golden-wreathed women who both delighted in creating art (like their father) and in collecting it (like their mother). They became known as the Laurels, spirits of inspiration and the arts. Until recently, they shared in their mother's curse and were confined to the inner chamber of the Temple of Lark. Now, however, they roam across the Dune Sea once more, seeking to inspire and to acquire art for their own collections.

Divine Domains

Light, Peace, Trickery, Forge, artisans, crafts, art, inspiration, creativity, color, music, writing

Artifacts

Spirit of the Desert Armor – Bestowed upon one called to battle, this armor is imbued with the resilience and strength of the Dune Sea. The embellishments reflect the unique attributes of the one who wears it. Most recently, the armor was worn by Rani Al-Himma.

Divine Symbols & Sigils

The blue topaz gemstone, a great tree, laurel wreath, lyre, scrolls, dragon scales, dragon fruit, a paintbrush, 7 droplets each with a color of the rainbow

Tenets of Faith

Destined to Create – The truest form of worship to Lark is to find, discover, and grow one's own unique brand of creativity. Every soul and every creature has a song to sing, steps to follow in a dance, threads to weave, or a story to tell. As such, this inner creativity should be fostered and brought forth, not oppressed or repressed. Every individual has the right to creative expression and the worshippers of Lark are called to serve as examples of that right and to be active in destroying obstacles that wish to repress this right.

The World is a Canvas; the World is a Stage – Every step, every choice, and every action is like a stroke of paint to a canvas or the next scene in a play. Mortals have the power to change the colors of the painting; to add something new or to cover something old. Mortals have the power to write the next scene; to fill the beginning, middle, or end with tragedy or light-hearted comedy. And like the Sea of Moving Art, the individual marks of each mortal will fade and wither like the sands of time... but although each individual artist may one day be forgotten, the creators of the future could not stand and create more without those who came before them.

Holidays

Festival of Colors

Divine Classification

Spirit of the Land

Alignment

Chaotic Good

Pronouns

He/Him/His or They/Them

Aligned Organization

The Dremoran Pantheon