Symbol of Sôlus, Face of the Sun

Sôlus the Dawnbringer

The Lord of Light

Sôlus is the god of Life, Light, and Order and is embodied by the sun itself. Ever present, the Lord of Light soars across the sky each day, bringing radiance upon the world. He is perhaps the most powerful high god. As the Lord of Light and Life, all good folk have a reason to pray to him, whether it is for the defeat of evil or for the health of their family. While many gods are worshipped by the common folk for specific reasons and at specific times, Sôlus is almost always in the heart of most people. People always wish for a healthy life, both for themselves and their loves ones, and life itself is provided by the Lifespring.

Morninglord, Celestial Father, and Eventide Lord

Sôlus can be personified in three main ways, as he encompasses many powerful domains.

Sôlus the Morninglord encompasses passionate and zealous good. He is a deity that demands action and adherence to his moral code. One should never stand idly by when faced with evil, and never allow darkness to enter one's heart. The Morninglord is the protector and bringer of life, a defender of the young, and a source of inspiration and new beginnings.

Sôlus the Celestial Father encompasses order in the light of good. All have their part to play in the good society, from high to low, each devoting themselves loyally to goals of their community. The Celestial Father at his zenith reminds us of the heights Good reaches. The Celestial Father is also prayed to for health and virility throughout life.

Sôlus the Eventide Lord encompasses the lasting light of the sun. Even as the dark approaches, light will shine until its last and, in its act, promise the rebirth of the Morninglord. The Eventide Lord is a source of comfort in dire circumstances and a promise that good will prevail if you allow your light to shine until the last. This aspect is also prayed to for good health in older age.

Bear the Light of Dawn. Shine bright and true with the light of good. In all things, strive to act in a good and positive way. Shine kindness unto others, aid and inspire those around you, and support all living things. It is a sacred duty to foster good, light, and life in others.

Burn Bright and True. Always act in accordance with the moral code. Do not allow the dark to enter your heart, even for fear of any consequence. Only by always striving to act and to act in a good manner can we keep the dark at bay. It is the goodness of the act that matters in the end.

Shine the Light of Dawn upon the Dark. Fight evil and its forces wherever you can. Darkness lurks in our world and is only driven back by the light of the Dawnbringer. Do what you can to combat evil in the name of the light.

Cherish the Dawn. Each morning you can, arise to behold the return of the Dawnlord. Let his light shine upon you as it drives away the dark.

Be Vigorous of Mind and Body. Your life and body is a gift of the Lifespring. Cultivate your mind, keep it sharp and strong, ready for the seed of inspiration. Tend to your body and health and remain virile throughout your days.

Sôlus is widely worshipped. Even people devoted to other deities are likely to pray to Sôlus on a semi-regular basis basis as the god of life, health, and light. Especially commoners, the regular people who simply wish to live their lives in health and peace, hold Sôlus as their main deity. Nobles who envision an ordered and good society and warriors who wish to combat evil are also often devoted to Sôlus, especially when young and optimistic. The devout of Sôlus are usually goodly, noble, and selfless individuals.

The churches of Sôlus are strict in their adherence to their cycles of worship. Following the travel of the sun across the sky, they conduct specific rituals and sacraments at specific times. Through the night, fires are lit in a western and eastern brazier in the temple, honour his descent and awaiting his return. His churches are often shared with Manirse, his wife, and have massive windows letting the the rays of the sun.

The chief celebration of Sôlus is during Sôlus’ Dawn, following the summer equinox celebrations.

The First Dawn

Before the world knew light, the cosmos was shrouded in eternal night, the only glimmer coming from the distant constellations that dotted the void. Solus looked upon the world in darkness and saw life struggling to emerge. Life, frail and blind, sought warmth and guidance but found none. Moved by this plight, Solus reached into his core, summoning a brilliant spark. The Lightbringer cast this spark into the heavens, and it grew, bursting into the sun, bringing the First Dawn.

The power of Solus’ light drove back the shadows, and life awakened in awe. Plants grew, creatures stirred, and the world began to flourish under the nourishing warmth. But this act did not come without a cost. It is said that Solus bound part of his divine essence to the sun, ensuring that its light would never fade. Forevermore, Solus would be tied to the cycle of day and night, forever watching over the world, a beacon of life and hope.

Manirse

Sôlus is the beloved consort of Manirse, the sun and the moon, light and hope, order and peace. When the cosmos was young, the two existed together as one, but now they are doomed to be apart so no part of the world will ever truly be without light, be it night or day.

Asmodeus

Sôlus is cosmologically opposed to Asmodeus. The two are bitter enemies, Sôlus being the greatest opponent of Law and Good while Asmodeus works to subvert this with temptation and Evil. Their armies fought bitterly in the War of the Gods but a delicate peace has now existed in the cosmos for eons.

Kelemvor

Sôlus is also opposed to Kelemvor, the god of death, but this is seen more as a necessary and natural balance. Their domains are two sides of the same coin, each force necessary and existing in a cycle.

In every generation, Sôlus picks a Chosen to represent him in the Mortal Realm, the Prince of Dawn. The early life of the chosen is always marked by zealous exploits against the forces of evil, while in adulthood they are expected to become a leader. When chosen, the Prince of Dawn is named the head of the Church of the Dawn. Some then give up their adventurous life to lead directly as a priest, while others choose an experienced priest to lead in their stead while they continue their works. Sôlus has many holy cities devoted to him, but each Chosen elects one as their Seat.

The current Chosen of Sôlus is Zarkon, who resides in the Seat of the Setting Sun.

Seat of the Setting Sun

One of Sôlus' holy city and the seat of his current Chosen.

Church of the Dawn.

The Church is the official and highest organisation that venerates Sôlus. They are far-reaching, spanning across the world.

The Guard of the Golden Dawn.

A martial holy order devoted to spreading the light of Sôlus They venerate the Morninglord and fight the darkness that always encroaches on the world, battling evil and monsters, and keeping the people safe.

The Hands of the Sun.

A holy order devoted to healing, also nicknamed the Healing Hand. Includes some clerics blessed with powerful healing magic but most famous for its mundane doctors and surgeons. These are known to only use instruments that are "kissed by the light of the sun", sterilised in radiant flame. Because of this, they are often far more successful than other surgeons.

The Shattered Sun.

A sect of extremists who worship the Dawnbringer and pursue the destruction of evil with ruthless zeal. The defeat of darkness is their highest calling and must be achieved by any means. The sect is decentralized into smaller cells within the official Church of the Dawn, which regards it as dangerous but ultimately suffers its existence.