Rhoden, Lightbringer, The Radiant Lord

 

Symbol: Gold Sun

Home Plane: Elysium (Thalasia)

Portfolios: Sun, Light, Life, Day

Worshippers: Any who oppose the undead, Any who venerate light

Worshipper’s Alignment: Any good

Clerics : NG

Paladins: LG, CG, NG

Domains: Air, Fire, Good, Nobility, Sun

Favored Weapon(s): Mace

 

Description:

 

Rhoden is depicted as an elderly man dressed in white robes and cloaked in radiance.  A crown of flames licks around his head.

 

History/Relationships:

 

Rhoden embodies absolute goodness. He is thought to be one of the eldest of the gods, having existed since light first shined in Aldernon. He is on excellent terms with all the good and neutral deities who concern themselves with nature and growth. He finds himself in contest with Morniir over the portfolio of air, but this dispute is not serious enough to erupt into open aggression. Rhoden has two gods whose actions he aggressively opposes: Raistrick and Jarrek.  Raistrick and his darkness are the antithesis of his very being, and Jarrek embodies the undead.

 

Dogma:

 

Let there be light. Darkness is but the absence of light, a void to be filled. Let no place remain in darkess when your influence can shed light. Oppose evil deeds, for they bring darkness to the heart. Be generous and kind, spreading light along with your goodness. Comfort the dying and protect them from undeath. Destroy the hated undead at all costs; they are the embodiments of darkess.

 

Clergy and Temples:

 

Temples of Rhoden are elaborate structures wherever they are erected. Full of glass to let in light and with domes of gold and glass to catch the sun, they are clearly visible at a distance. Light beams from them day and night. Rhodenites dress in bright whites and golds, often enhanced with images of the sun. They pray at sunrise, noonday and sunset, thrice offering thanks to Rhoden for crossing the sky. Typically, Rhodenites receive their spells at first light, praying to the east; those who cannot pray beneath the open sky cannot regain spells. Priests and paladins of Rhoden are active in the community, aiding those in distress and comforting the dying. Churches of Rhoden take great care in interring the dead and protecting them from undeath. Orders of knights exist within most temples to protect their communities from creatures of darkness, especially the undead. Some paladins are known to devote their lives to traveling abroad to destroy undead. The Church of Rhoden is known for its giving of healing and restoration to those who have suffered at the hands of the undead. Good characters can expect free healing and restoration of lost abilities and levels. Neutral characters can also get such if the drains occurred while opposing (not fighting) the undead. If there is a question of intent, a quest is usually requested in exchange for services.

 

Special Abilities:

 

Rhodenite clergy gain special abilities as they progress in their dedication to the Lightbringer. Unless otherwise specified, these powers are supernatural abilities usable at will by the caster only. Clerics of Rhoden turn undead as a cleric two levels higher. Because Rhodenites spend their lives in light, they are immune to effects which blind, dazzle, or daze.

 

3rd level – the cleric gains the Extra Turning feat

5th level – the cleric gains use daylight (1/day)

7th level – the cleric gains use of lesser restoration (1/day)

9th level – the cleric gains use of sunbeam (1/day)

12th level -- the cleric gains use of restoration (1/day)

 

Rituals:

 

Rhoden makes no additional rituals available to his faithful. However, Rhodenites freely restore life energies lost to level draining for good characters and those who oppose the undead.