The Celestian Church worships the five Celestial Gods: Phaor the Star-God; Uralor the Sun-God; Rashira, the Sun's Handmaiden; Doshonor, god of the primary Moon; and Tovanira, goddess of the Morning-Star. These five deities of light and the heavens are concerned with learning, protection, moral government and noble causes. The symbols of the pantheon as a whole are light sources of all kinds.

Phaor is the father of all of the other Celestial Gods, and is the god of stars, travelers and time. He is depicted as an old man in a star-spangled robe, whose one eye is the Pole Star (Phaos). His symbol is a starburst or comet, and he is often shown carrying a bell or hourglass.

Uralor the Sun (Uralos), the oldest of Phaor's children, is depicted as either a phoenix or as a tall, powerful man enveloped in flames. He embodies light and fire in all their forms--the violence of the elements, the spark of civilization, the wisdom of illumination, the hunter and destroyer of evil. His symbols are the sun disc, spears, and any implement which allows man to transport fire (torch, lamp, brazier, etc.). [Uralor is also worshiped by the Elemental Faiths.]

Rashira is the beautiful white-clad daughter and handmaiden of Uralor, and goddess of the Sun's dwarf companion (Rashil). She is a goddess of truth (symbolized by her golden eye), prophecy (veil), purity (girdle) and peace (kiss). Her priests work to preserve peace, and are always vigilant for trouble.

Doshonor is the god of the primary Moon (Doshonos), depicted as a handsome man whose skin and armor change between silver and black with the lunar cycle. (His four children, the gods of the lesser "Doshonid" moons, are worshiped by the Quadralunic religion.) He is the god of competition and guardianship, acting as watchman and judge in all things. Besides the crescent moon, his symbols are a warrior's gear: sword, shield, helmet.

Tovanira is the goddess of the morning and evening star (Tovanil). She is concerned with life, death and healing. Disease and the users of necromantic magic are her primary enemies. Her priests are dedicated to the reduction of suffering. Her symbol is the "dawn-bloom," a white flower which, like a morning-glory, opens at dawn and closes by mid-day. These flowers are found only in areas where this goddess's power is felt, such as her temples and healer-halls. Her priests also use gloves (the healing touch), cloth wrappings (bandages) and staffs (strength and health) as symbols.

Celestian worshipers are most common in Krith and Visala, but may be found in small numbers in most "civilized" kingdoms of Arcadayn. In Krith, the Celestian Church is so powerful that it is the state religion and participates in the imperial government. The Emperor is always a layman, but is directly advised by the Paragons--the supreme leaders of the six Celestian orders in Krith.

Clerics of this Church are divided into six orders. Every cleric begins in the Order of the Spheres, serving all five gods equally. Most Celestian priests remain within this order. In addition, each god has a separate "major" order of special devotees, which are known as the Orders of the Crescent Moon (Doshonor), Comet (Phaor), Golden Eye (Rashira), Dawn-bloom (Tovanira) and Sun Disc (Uralor). These priests gain greater access to magic beyond that given to all Celestians, but also have more unusual duties. Celestian clerics can be recognized by their blue robes or surcoats, which are decorated with a large white or silver ring on both front and back. Priests of the five major orders will have their order's namesake depicted within this ring. Clerics of higher rank will have one, two or three concentric rings added to the design.

This religion has four holy festivals, one at each solstice and equinox. These four days are equally holy to the Orders of the Spheres and Comet, but the other four orders claim one festival as a High Holy Day: winter solstice for Crescent Moon [weakness for Sun Disc], vernal equinox for Golden Eye, summer solstice for Sun Disc and autumnal equinox for Dawn-Bloom.

Celestian Cleric Characters | Celestian Knight Characters | Saints of the Celestian Church

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