Heliod, God of the Sun

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 honor. The sun’s nightly descent into darkness symbolizes bravery and self-sacrifice—the willingness to endure the horrors of the dark for the sake of others. Those who protect innocents in his name receive Heliod’s favor. As sunlight casts out darkness, Heliod’s justice casts out chaos and lawlessness. He is the god of the laws that govern society and the laws that punish the wicked. He is interested not only in punitive justice, but also in the establishment of fair and equitable relationships among people and gods, in service to the common good. He also takes an interest in the bonds of family—the relationships that tie people most closely to each other.

Heliod’s Goals

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.

Divine Relationships

Heliod’s repeated attempts to establish himself as the ruler of the pantheon anger Erebos and Purphoros, who both have a degree of the arrogance he demonstrates. Thassa and Nylea, by contrast, aren’t bothered by his efforts because they see themselves as being safely outside his reach. He could declare himself the ruler of the pantheon, they reason, but his dictates can’t alter the rhythms of the sea and the cycles of nature. Thassa and Nylea will continue as they are, as they always have been, whatever squabbles their brothers might have. Ephara, Karametra, and Iroas are closely aligned with Heliod in attitude and philosophy. In some ways, these three gods represent the principles and the abstract nature of Heliod made tangible and concrete through the lives of mortals. Heliod represents a divine, natural, moral law; Ephara gives those laws a concrete manifestation by establishing mortal society in the poleis. Heliod controls the radiant sun that makes the natural world flourish; Karametra brings the interplay of light and nature to life for mortals in the practice of agriculture. And while Heliod stands for justice, Iroas actually fights for it, taking up arms against brutality and injustice in defense of what is good and right. Heliod hates and fears Erebos, his dark twin and his shadow. He views the god of the dead as a pathetic liar and coward who wallows in self-pity in his exile. Heliod is also plagued by a nagging suspicion that the true ruler of the pantheon is Kruphix, a mysterious being who is capable of sealing the borders between the mortal world and the divine realm of Nyx. Kruphix is perhaps the only being who can impose limits on the other gods’ actions, which makes Heliod resent and fear the god of horizons.

Worshiping Heliod

The brilliance of Heliod’s sun is impossible to ignore. Thus, virtually everyone on Theros pays at least grudging respect to the sun god in forms of worship that range from simple gestures to days-long celebrations. Some families, particularly in the polis of Meletis, follow a practice of bowing in the direction of dawn’s first light—or winking, in a gesture of respect for the sun god’s luminous “eye.” More dedicated worshipers offer short litanies at dawn, noon, and dusk, acknowledging the sun’s passage across the sky.

Heliod’s Champions

Alignment: Usually lawful, often good Suggested Classes: Cleric, fighter, monk, paladin Suggested Cleric Domains: Light Suggested Backgrounds: Acolyte, athlete, noble, soldier Champions of Heliod are typically either exemplars of light, law, and truth or conflicted heroes motivated by revenge and sworn vows. Most can’t imagine serving those they consider lesser gods.

Heliod’s Favor

Heliod seeks out champions in the mortal world because he believes that a great champion reflects well on him. The ruler of the gods, as he imagines himself, should have champions who represent the best of mortals. That said, the reason for his initial interest in a champion isn’t always obvious. What made the sun god turn his attention to you? What sets you apart from the masses of people who offer him prayers and sacrifice? What made him think you would be a good champion? The Heliod’s Favor table offers a handful of suggestions. Heliod can be a fickle god, but once you have devoted yourself to him as a champion, he will not desert you—as long as you remain faithful and your actions continue to reflect well on him. Heliod’s Favor

1 You were born at noon on the summer solstice—perhaps even in the midst of Heliod’s great feast.

2 One of your parents is also a champion of Heliod.

3 You once rescued a pegasus that was trapped in a net, demonstrating your courage and your respect for this sacred creature.

4 You proved your mettle in a dramatic contest of strength, charisma, or a similar quality.

5 Calling on Heliod to witness you, you swore an oath to end some great evil.

6 You have no idea why Heliod showed interest in you, and you might sometimes wish he hadn’t.

Devotion to Heliod

Following Heliod means devoting yourself to the cause of law and justice. In fact, champions of Heliod are sometimes more constant in their pursuit of those ideals than the god himself, who can be emotional and short-tempered. As a follower of Heliod, consider the ideals on the Heliod’s Ideals table as alternatives to those suggested for your background. Heliod’s Ideals

1 Devotion. My devotion to my god is more important to me than what he stands for. (Any)

2 Honor. I behave nobly and always keep my promises. (Lawful)

3 Protection. I face the horrors of the darkness so the common people don’t have to. (Good)

4 Enforcement. Those who violate the laws that hold civilization together must be punished. (Lawful)

5 Justice. The purpose of law is to establish fair and equitable relationships among people and gods. (Lawful and good)

6 Kinship. It’s essential to preserve the bonds of family—my own family first, and others after. (Lawful)

Earning and Losing Piety

You increase your piety score to Heliod when you expand the god’s influence in the world in a concrete way through acts such as these:

Carrying out punishment on a fugitive from justice
Exacting vengeance for a significant wrong done to you
Defending a polis from attacking monsters
Building or restoring a temple to Heliod

Your piety score to Heliod decreases if you diminish his influence in the world, contradict his ideals, or make him look ridiculous or ineffectual through acts such as these:

Breaking an explicit promise or oath
Violating any just law
Putting others at risk through your own cowardice

Heliod’s Devotee Piety 3+ Heliod trait As a devotee of Heliod, you have proven yourself a worthy champion of the sun god. You can call on Heliod’s favor and cast bless with this trait, requiring no material components. Heliod’s blessing manifests as a nimbus around the affected creatures, causing them to shed dim light in a 5-foot radius until the spell ends. You can cast the spell in this way a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this spell. Heliod’s Votary Piety 10+ Heliod trait You can cast daylight with this trait. Once you cast the spell in this way, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this spell. Heliod’s Disciple Piety 25+ Heliod trait You grow accustomed to the blazing radiance of the sun; you have advantage on saving throws against being blinded, and you have resistance to fire damage. Champion of the Sun Piety 50+ Heliod trait You can increase your Strength or Wisdom score by 2 and also increase your maximum for that score by 2.