Ptharos
Lord Ptharos is the Great Father, leader of the Triad and, in the Imperial Tradition, King of the Gods. He is the god of wisdom and rightful rulership, whatever form that takes. In the Aebasan Orthodoxy, Lord Ptharos once went mad with power and became a tyrant, until he was overthrown and replaced with the Celestial Council. In the Koramian Heresy, Ptharos realized that he had become corrupt and passed the scepter of rulership to Vortumnus. In both of the latter traditions, he is depicted as a wizened old man that has repented his corruption and acts as an adviser, not a ruler, to the gods.
Due to these disparate belief systems, worship of Lord Ptharos is paramount in the states of the former Great Empire, where his clergy are often king-makers and once even crowned the Emperor himself, though since the fall of the Great Empire, his influenced has waned greatly everywhere but Zeth. On Duria and Gallorea, worship of Lord Ptharos is rare except in Temples to the Triad, which also support Baelthor, his son, and Betshaba, his daughter.
The liturgy of Lord Ptharos claims that he has no enemies, as he has forgiven all of the trespasses of other deities, including that of his own brother, Dagon, for trying to destroy creation. Though the clergy of Lord Ptharos do not call Crusades of any sort, they are often called upon to stand up to the machinations of Dagon or his descendants.
| Ptharos |
| God of Air |
 |
| Descriptive Info |
| Gender: Male |
| Avatar: Lord Ptharos has a multitude of Avatars, though his most popular are Garethon the Aged and Ptharus Optimus Maximus |
| Consort(s): None (though, through Dagon's trickery, Ptharos begat Luna on Mania) |
| Allies: Betshaba and Baelthor, his first children, with whom he is head of the Triad are his staunchest, most unwavering allies. Of the other deities, Aridnus (god of Judgment), Cthos (god of the Underworld), Evander (god of Gates), Gyges (god of Thunder), Luna (goddess of the Moon and daughter), Melpomene (goddess of Clouds), Ophion (god of the Sun), Thalia (goddess of the Hearth) and Zelos (god of the State) are often associated with Lord Ptharos. |
| Foes: The liturgy of Lord Ptharos claims that none are beyond his forgiveness, even his brother. However, Dagon, the Inimicures and their descendants have long been enemies of Lord Ptharos. Chief among these of course is Dagon, Ptharos' own jealous brother. |
| Spiritual Info |
| Rank: Greatest |
| Nature: Ordered |
| Ethos: Benevolent |
| Major Influence: Air |
| Minor Influence(s): Rulership, authority, wisdom, truth, goodness |
| Spheres: Air, Communication and Empathy, Knowledge, Making and Breaking, Protection and Warning, Weather |
Depictions
Lord Ptharos is usually depicted wearing white robes with a wide, golden belt. His face is that of a bearded human in advanced old age, but he never appears weak or infirm. In the Temple of Ptharus Optimus Maximus , he is depicted wearing the purple sash and shoes of Imperial Office, as well. Regardless of how he is depicted, however, a golden light is always shown as surrounding him, representing the Armor of Truth. Rarely does Lord Ptharos carry a weapon of any sort. As Ptharus Optimus Maximus, he carries his Mace of Baltheron which is capable of many, innumerable feats, but rarely is it used for violence.
Symbols
The primary symbol of Lord Ptharos is a white or silver triangle, almost always depicted above the brown triangle of Baelthor and the blue triangle of Betshaba. The three-leafed clover is an extremely important symbol of the Triad, and is often used in religious ritual by the priests, or kept in a locket for luck. The four-leafed clover is considered extremely bad luck, and is to be destroyed where-ever it is encountered. Mica is the most important stone to Lord Ptharos, and divinations are often carried out staring into a specially-prepared sheet of the stone. Any priest of Lord Ptharos who attempts a Knowledge spell with such a sheet of Mica gains a +1 bonus for using the material in the spell.
The number seven is also significant to Ptharos and it is said that he graces groupings of this number.
Relics
The most significant relic of Lord Ptharos is the Orb of Grace, the legendary orb of rulership for the Emperors of Zeth. It is said that only a true Emperor can lift the Orb of Grace from its resting place in the Grand Temple of Ptharos Optimus Maximus in Zeth. It is notable that, since the end of the Fourth Age of Man, no one has been able to lift the Orb.
Dwelling Place
Lord Ptharos dwells in the Palace of Erystes, but he holds court in the Grand Pantheon, adjacent to his palace. Both of these structures lie on a cloud suspended above the mountains of Kar-gur in the High Realm, Anadimtu.
Servants
Mattatron is Lord Ptharos' greatest attendant, King of the Order of Archangels. Other archangels, including Michahel, serve Ptharos through him. Other attendants include Aridnus, god of Judgment, who sits at the left hand of Lord Ptharos; Zelos, god of the State, who sits at his right hand; Ophion, god of the sun, who carries the Truth of Ptharos across the sky; and Thalia, goddess of the Hearth, who keep the Hearthfire of the Gods burning for eternity.
Doctrine
The doctrine of Lord Ptharos is codified in the Creed of Truth, the central holy book of Ptharan worshipers.
Mission
No information available on the mission of Ptharos
Geography
No geographic information available on Ptharos
History of the Church
No historic information available on Ptharos
Organization
No information available on the Organization of the Church of Ptharos
Priesthood
Only those individuals who are capable of Partial Practice are permitted to hold high office within the Priesthood of Ptharos, and then only if they take a Vow of Priestcraft to become Full Practitioners. Clerics are rare in the Church of Ptharos, and often serve as captains-of-the-guard in larger churches, only going to war when a crusade has been called by the Pontifex Maximus. They are not required to take a Vow of Priestcraft, though many choose to do so. All, at least, take a Vow of Service to Lord Ptharos. Like with most other Imperial Churches, a monk must sequester himself in a monastery, and perform tasks to prove his worth to Lord Ptharos and gain insight into the mysteries of creation. Monks who have lived many years in isolation from the rest of the world are often the wisest of individuals, and are sought out by many for their wisdom and insight.
Garments
Priests of Lord Ptharos must wear green on their person, and the robes of those of higher station are lavish indeed, with gold trimming and tall, embroidered hats. Monks are permitted only a rough robe, dyed green, with Abbots being permitted a small emblem to adorn their robe to signify their station. Priests are encouraged to only cut the hair on the top of their heads, and permit the rest of their hair to grow uncut and unhindered (particularly during ceremonies…at other times, it is permissible to tie the hair into whatever fashion is popular). The holy symbol of a priest, a green triangle, must be worn around the neck, or else on a band over the forehead. It must be visible at all times.
Religious Practices
There are a plethora of lay positions within the church of Lord Ptharos, particularly within the larger diocese and archdiocese temples. They range from part-time workers who perform paperwork and clean the temple itself to overseers who manage church lands for the Sacerdos. Those individuals who do service for the church are considered blessed by Lord Ptharos, and are accorded higher respect during services, being able to enter and thus choose their seating before others.
Calendar
Regular worship of Lord Ptharos occurs on the seventh day of the week, as is typical for Imperial worship.
Arrival of the Father
Arrival of the Father (also known as Arrival of the King on Aurea) is the last of three holidays collectively called the Arrival of the Triad. One of the high holy days of Lord Ptharos, the day begins at dawn with a traditional mass, followed by a festival that features plays depicting various stories of the creation of world. In large cities with a strong following, these plays are often elaborate affairs, with stages and costuming built well in advance by individual trade guilds who vie with one another for the most impressive display. Banners and windsocks are flown where possible, often by children enjoying the festivities.
Dedication of the Triad
A holy day to Lord Ptharos, Betshaba the Seaqueen and Baelthor the Stonehands, the Dedication to the Triad is an important holy day even in regions where the Triad's importance has waned. On this day, an immense bonfire is built as evening approaches. Children put on masks and run through the streets of their village or town, screaming and playing as loud as possible, to chase off any evil spirits who may seek to disrupt the ceremony. Then, as midnight approaches, the worshipers gather at the bonfire carrying a bucket of earth or water. They begin to sing a hymn to the Triad which empowers a casting performed by the ranking priest. If Lord Ptharos is pleased with those present and the ceremony itself, a wind will suddenly build at midnight, signaling the worshipers to throw the contents of their buckets onto the fire, dousing it. They then return to their homes, forgiven of the sins of the past year for as long as they keep their ceremonial bucket prominently displayed in their house. The event symbolizes the defeat of Dagon by the Triad, and its successful operation is extremely significant to the worshipers who participate. An unsuccessful Dedication of the Triad ceremony has resulted in more than a few villages being deserted by its inhabitants, who fear the displeasure of Lord Ptharos. Recently, a tradition has begun where those who do not wish to be disturbed by the rampaging children give them confections or toys to keep them appeased. Many church fathers are disgruntled at this behavior, but the Pontifex has not yet issued an official decree on the matter.
Customs
The worshipers of Lord Ptharos follow the Creed of Truth, an ancient document which details the operations necessary to appease the High Lord. It commands that the children of Lord Ptharos, Betshaba and Baelthor, must be worshiped in the same temple, which has resulted in the unusual four-point design of a typical Temple of the Triad (an entrance hall with three temples protruding from its apex). The Creed of Truth also commands that his worshipers must speak the truth in all things, particularly to their superiors. Sex out of wedlock is considered a highly deceptive sin, as the couple is pretending that their union is recognized by Lord Ptharos. Failure to produce a child once married, however, is also a sin, as those married under the Church of Ptharos must promise that their union will prosper. Any marriage that does not produce an offspring in its first seven years is considered annulled, and the couple are not permitted to remarry each other. Divorce before this time is rare, but possible through extreme penance for both parties. The Creed of Truth also commands that children must obey their fathers, and that they must give precedence to the eldest brother of a family. It is often considered a darker sin to disrespect one's brother than it is to disobey one's father. Of course, worshipers are permitted a certain amount of leeway, to be forgiven by a priest in confession, but a priest who transgresses this code is stripped of his position and his Vow becomes void. Those who violently disregard the Creed of Truth are often excommunicated by an Archisacerdos or one of his superiors. An excommunication by the Pontifex himself is rare, but cannot be revoked by anything short of a pronouncement from Lord Ptharos himself. Those excommunicated by a priest of Lord Ptharos are not permitted to enter any temple, and often flee to the comfort of one of the Dagonian deities for spiritual guidance.
Most services to Lord Ptharos take place during the middle of the day, except for the Dedication of the Triad, which is described below.
Taboos
Priests of Lord Ptharos are required to obey the Creed of Truth, as described above. Worshipers must give at least ten percent (a tithe) of their income to the Church, though this tithe may be given in the form of land, to be granted to the Church upon the death of the worshiper. Worshipers are also forbidden to keep a fire lit during Dagon's Hour, from midnight to one in the morning, and any fire that they do keep during the other hours of the night must be minimal. It is said that Dagon can see into the world only through flame, and may manifest only in a flame burning during his hour. Though the exact definition of a "minimal" flame is a question of much debate, local social mores often dictate when a fire is too large. Nighttime bonfires are always considered extravagant, and bordering on the worship of Dagon himself.
The only colors restricted from usage by the priests of Lord Ptharos are orange and yellow, which are the colors of Dagon in religious practice.
