Heliod

Heliod is the radiant god of the sun. According to myth, he ensures that the sun rises every day to provide light and warmth to the world. Every inhabitant of Theros acknowledges his dominant presence, and nearly everyone at least pays lip service to the idea of giving him worship and honor.

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.

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 Jaws 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 has appeared to mortals in a variety of forms, but he 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.

Alignment. Lawful Good

Realm. Nyx, the Realm of the Gods

Allies. Ephara, Karametra, Iroas

Enemies. Erebos, Kruphix

Edicts. punish criminals and fugitives of justice, seek vengeance for significant wrongs done to you, defend the poleis from monstrous threats, take care of temples of Heliod that you come across or build a temple to him

Anathema. breaking explicit promises or oaths, violating any just laws, putting others at risk through your own cowardice

Areas of Concern. bravery, faithfulness, justice, promises and oaths, light, the sun, virtue

Worshipping Heliod and his Champions

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.

Champions of Heliod

Alignment. Usually lawful, often good

Suggested Classes. Cleric, Fighter, Monk, Paladin

Suggested Cleric Domains. Light, Order

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

d6	Circumstance
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

d6	Ideal
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)

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Piety with Heliod

You increase your piety score to Heliod when you expand the god's influence in the world in a concrete way through acts that enforce his edicts.

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 in his anathema.

Athreos's Devotee

Piety 3+ Athreos trait

Your life is intertwined with the fate of the dead. You can cast gentle repose with this trait, requiring no material components, 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.

Athreos's Votary

Piety 10+ Athreos trait

You can cast speak with dead with this trait, requiring no material components. 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.

Athreos's Disciple

Piety 25+ Athreos trait

You can cast false life with this trait, requiring no material components. When you do so, you gain an additional 25 temporary hit points. 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.

Champion of the Passage

Piety 50+ Athreos trait

You can increase your Intelligence or Wisdom score by 2 and also increase your maximum for that score by 2.

December 1st, 2023