Podalirius
Podalirius is easily one of the most worshiped deities in the known world and though his large body of clergymen can exert considerable political influence when needed, they rarely elect to do so. Even in lands where the worship of Dagonian gods are encouraged, the worship of Podalirius is rarely proscribed. Though he is usually neutral towards the treatment of his worshipers by others, even accepting serfdom as appropriate in some cultures, he entreats his worshipers to oppose Phlegethon, God of Tyranny, whenever possible, including rescuing slaves from his grasp. His most dire enemy, however, is Ruminus, God of Disease, who seeks to lay waste to the fertility that Podalirius encourages. Podalirius promotes the concept of spiritual enlightenment through creation, exploration and hard work. A life of service is the primary means of achieving the favor of Podalirius after death.
Podalirius is often depicted as an unattractive god with deep green, wrinkled skin and vines growing out of his body. When his sister Selene, Goddess of Beauty, had a dalliance with Kratos, God of War and offspring of Dagon, she was forced to wed Podalirius by Lord Ptharos as punishment for her misdeeds; Podalirius, who was the only god not infatuated with Selene, has since come to love his wife and sister despite her periodic infidelity.
| Podalirius |
| God of Vegetation |
| Descriptive Info |
| Gender: Male |
| Avatar: Glen Granger; Podal |
| Consort(s): Selene |
| Allies: Adrasteia, Goddess of Rivers and Streams (sister); Betshaba, Goddess of Water (Mother); Drames, Goddess of Fertility (daughter); Furinus, God of Wine; Orestea, Goddess of Rain; Selene, Goddess of Beauty (sister and wife); Taygete, Goddess of Childbirth; Thalia, Goddess of the Hearth; Vitulus, God of Cities; Zelos, God of the State. |
| Foes: Alcina, Goddess of Drought; Nelestrix, Goddess of Insects; Phlegethon, God of Tryanny; Podarge, God of Destruction and Drowning; Polydorus, God of Wild Beasts; Ruminus, God of Disease; and Thanatos, God of Darkness. |
| Spiritual Info |
| Rank: Major |
| Nature: Intermediate |
| Ethos: Benign |
| Major Influence: Vegetation |
| Minor Influence(s): Autumn, Community, Exploration, Farming |
Doctrine
No information available on the doctrine of Podalirius
Mission
No information available on the mission of Podalirius
Geography
No geographic information available on Podalirius
History of the Church
No historic information available on Podalirius
Organization
No information available on the Organization of the Church of Podalirius
Religious Practices
No information available on the religous practices of the Church of Podalirius
Calendar
The Harvesting
The Harvesting is a high holy day of Podalirius the Gnarled Man. This harvest festival is a day set aside to celebrate the year's harvest and to give thanks to Podalirius for his bounty. The day is marked with feasting and agricultural games, like plow races, baking competitions and hay-heaving. An evening mass is conducted at the local temple. Typically, any chevage due by the peasantry to their lord is paid or accounted for by this holiday.
The Planting
The Planting is a festival on the Spring Equinox observed by farmers and is holy to worshipers of Podalirius. The day is marked with traditional cleaning of the residence in the morning, followed by dancing, drinking and general revelry in the afternoon. Many regions incorporate celebrations to other deities, particularly for Drames, Selene and Taygete, something encouraged by the clergy of Podalirius.
| This is a thumbnail description and is scheduled for expansion at a later date. |
