Phemos
Phemos is the god of sport and encourages his followers and those who propitiate him to deal fairly and honestly in competition with others. He is also the patron of nobles who desire to be kind and fair to their people and entreats them to avoid the plague of war whenever possible. Though his priesthood tends to lack any real political power, they are surprisingly numerous, most often acting as officials in local festivals and tournaments. He is particularly beloved in Aebasa and the former Empire of Zeth, where the Phemoan Games (once called the Zetian Games in Zeth) are played every Spring. During these Games, Zeth essentially ceased any ongoing conflicts and invited even their enemies to enjoy a peaceful week of competition. The Zetian Games were so popular in the Empire that athletes were often able to make a career out of participating, and every athlete hopes for the honor of an invitation from the Emperor to play in the Games in the City of Zeth itself. Some of the nations that once composed the Great Empire now conduct their own versions of these games.
| Phemos |
| God of Sport |
| Descriptive Info |
| Gender: Male |
| Avatar: Feras the Noble; Aragal |
| Consort(s): None |
| Allies: Alcyoneus, God of Youth (father); Faunaros, God of Hunting; Innus, God of Friendship; Ophion, God of the Sun; Orchus, God of Luck; Selene, Goddess of Beauty; Thallos, God of Strength; Thea, Goddess of Art (mother); Virtus, God of Courage; Vitulus, God of Cities; and Zelos, God of the State. |
| Foes: Megarea, Goddess of Jealousy; Pelactere, Goddess of Rage; Phlegethon, God of Tyranny; Podarge, God of Destruction and Drowning; and Tisiphone, Goddess of Vengeance. |
| Spiritual Info |
| Rank: Intermediate |
| Nature: Harmonious |
| Ethos: Benign |
| Major Influence: Sport |
| Minor Influence(s): Nobility and Peace |
Doctrine
No information available on the doctrine of Phemos
Mission
No information available on the mission of Phemos
Geography
No geographic information available on Phemos
History of the Church
No historic information available on Phemos
Organization
No information available on the Organization of the Church of Phemos
Religious Practices
No information available on the religous practices of the Church of Phemos
Calendar
Laurel Day
Laurel Day is the high holy day of Phemos, god of sport. On years where the Phemoan Games are held, it is on this day that winners are announced and rewarded for their victories. Even in years where the Games are not held (or in regions where it is not observed), Laurel Day is a day to recognize great heroes and athletes (though it would be sacrilege to recognize a gladiator on this day). Feasts and triumphal marches are held for those chosen to receive the Laurel Crown and songs about their deeds are sung. A foot race for young men or children is usually held on the day, if the day is not celebrating the conclusion of the Phemoan Games.
The Phemoan Games
The Phemoan Games is a series of sporting events conducted to honor Phemos, the god of sport. Particularly popular in Aebasa and in some of the nations formerly part of the Great Empire, organized competitions include wrestling, horse racing, boxing, foot races, discus throwing and javelin throwing, though regional variations often include sports specific to those regions. Unlike most holy weeks, the Phemoan Games take place only once every four years (a period of time sometimes referred to as a Phemiad). The games conclude with Laurel Day, where the winners of the events are awarded and lavished with gifts. Adherents to Phemos consider the Phemoan Games a sacred time for enemies to put aside their weapons and compete peacefully... conducting war during this time is considered a sin. The only worse sin to a worshiper of Phemos would be conducting a gladiatorial combat as part of the Games (there are legends of wicked tyrants daring to do so and invariably they are deposed, rather bloodily, with a Phemiad).
| This is a thumbnail description and is scheduled for expansion at a later date. |
