Iroas is interested not in pretty words, but in great deeds. The faithful of Iroas show their piety by comporting themselves well in contests of athleticism or skill. Swearing an oath to win a battle in Iroas's name and failing to do so is a great shame upon a warrior, thus such a promise is never uttered lightly.
The fifth month of the Meletian calendar is Thriambion, named for an annual commemoration of the Meletian conquest of Natumbria. This victory cemented Meletis's control over the entire peninsula. But in Akros, the month is called Iroagonion, for the Iroan Games. These games are the grandest display to honor Iroas. To even compete in the Iroan Games is considered noteworthy, as the poleis send only their finest athletes. The grand prize, besides a ceremonial wreath, is the opportunity to be visited by Iroas himself.
Champions of Heliod
Alignment. usually chaotic, often good
Suggested Classes. Barbarian, Cleric, Fighter, Paladin, Sorcerer
Suggested Cleric Domains. War Domain
Suggested Backgrounds. athlete, folk hero, soldier
Many champions of Iroas are warriors for honor and justice. They often seek to embody martial courage and are motivated by strong personal codes of honor.
Iroas's Favor
Iroas has a soft spot in his heart for underdogs, even if they lack the strength to win the fight. It is easier, he believes, to make a hero from a weakling who has a heroic heart than it is to turn a brute into a defender of justice. What's more, the victory of the strong gives them glory, but the victory of the weak gives glory to Iroas.
Why did Iroas seek you out as a champion? Perhaps you proved your courage even when victory eluded your grasp, or you demonstrated a willingness to use your strength for good. Occasionally, Iroas's choice of a champion has as much to do with his enmity toward Mogis as it does with the mortal he chooses; is there some connection between you and the god of slaughter? The Iroas's Favor table offers a few suggestions.
Iroas's Favor
| d6 | Circumstance |
| 1 | You were born on the eve of a major battle. |
| 2 | Your twin sibling is a champion of Mogis. |
| 3 | You showed great courage in a losing battle. |
| 4 | You proved yourself in a contest of strength and skill at the Iroan Games. |
| 5 | You called upon lroas to witness an oath of victory in battle, and he took notice. |
| 6 | Despite having been knocked down repeatedly in life, you show grit and determination in all you do. |
Devotion to Iroas
Following Iroas means making a commitment to combat in pursuit of righteous aims, not as a way of applying coercion or domination. It also means dedicating yourself to the pursuit of excellence, for the god of victory desires victorious champions. As a follower of Iroas, consider the ideals on the Iroas's Ideals table as alternatives to those suggested for your background.
Iroas's Ideals
| d6 | Ideal |
| 1 | Devotion. My devotion to my god is more important to me than what he stands for. (Any) |
| 2 | Courage. No fear or pain can turn me away. (Any) |
| 3 | Loyalty. War forms bonds that are more real and lasting than the ties of love or family. (Any) |
| 4 | Heroism. The powerful must protect the weak. (Good) |
| 5 | Liberty. The strong mustn't exploit the weak. (Chaotic) |
| 6 | Excellence. People should look to me as an example of the best that mortal folk can be (Any) |