(Bringer of Wealth)
Intermediate Power of the Outlands, N/Eternal of Thought, N
| Portfolio | Trade, merchants, thieves, travelers, the moon |
| Aliases | Belnos (Robrenn), Ashtiru (Ylaruam), Asuradha (Sind), Munes (Nithia), Asterios (Traldar, Milenia) |
| Domain | Outlands/the Marketplace Eternal |
| Date of Ascension | 3500 BC |
| Sponsor | Korotiku |
| Allies | Korotiku, Ixion, Sharpcrest |
| Foes | Thanatos, Iliric, Talitha |
| Symbol | The moon |
| WAL | Any |
Asterius was a thief and later a merchant in ancient Blackmoor. He quested for Immortality under the sponsorship of Korotiku and has remained a patron of both thieves and merchants.
| Clergy | Priests, druids (Robrenn) |
| CAL | Any (any non-lawful if worship the thievery aspect) |
| Weapons | Standard, plus dagger |
| Armor | Up to chain mail, no shields |
| Major Spheres | All, Astral, Charm, Guardian, Protection, Sun, Travelers |
| Minor Spheres | Creation, Divination, Healing, Thought |
| Granted Powers | Move Silently and Hide in Shadows as thief of equal level |
| Bonus Profs | Appraising, Bargaining |
Dogma: Asterius encourages his followers to
seek wealth and profits. However, he dislikes excessive greed and
discourages bringing utter ruination to others by seeking wealth
(that is more in the domain of Talitha and Iliric). Instead, if
by gaining wealth, his followers happen to bring profit to others
as well, Asterius likes that most of all.
Day-to-Day Activities: The priests of Asterius
are called Silverobes, because of their ceremonial garments.
Priests who worship him as patron of merchants often engage in
trade themselves; the priests of Asterius in Darokin are
especially successful merchants. Those who honor him as patron of
thieves are often members of thieves' guilds, administering to
the religious needs of other members and helping them plan their
activities. In Robrenn, druids of Belnos handle exports of goods
from the country (most of these goods are nature's products).
Important Ceremonies/Holy Days: Klarmont 14th is
the Mercantilia, a day celebrating wealth and its availability to
everyone. It is said that on this day, worshippers of Asterius
receive special boons from their patron: thieves find their
skills enhanced, merchants make especially profitable deals, and
other followers come upon good fortune.
Major Centers of Worship: Asterius is worshipped
in many places, since trade and thieves are part of many
cultures. He has large followings in Darokin and Karameikos (he
is one of the patrons of these countries' respective churches),
Thyatis, and Sind (where he is known as Asuradha). Before the
coming of Al-Kalim he was honored in Ylaruam as Ashtiru, and he
is still known by that name among the Ylari citizens of Tel Akbir
and Biazzan. In Robrenn, he is followed by the druids as Belnos,
patron of trade and healers. He is part of the Nithian pantheon
as Munes. And the Traldar and Milenians know him as Asterios.
Affiliated Orders: Asterius has no special
orders, since he does not elevate some of his followers above the
others.
Priestly Vestments: Clergy of Asterius don
garments with silver ornaments when performing special rituals.
Adventuring Garb: Adventuring clergy wear a
silver moon medallion on their neck.
Transform Wealth (Alteration)
Level: 2
Sphere: Creation
Range: 30'
Components: V,S
Duration: Permanent
Casting Time: 1r
Area of Effect: All material wealth in a 1' cube
Saving Throw: Neg.
This spell transforms one type of material wealth (coins, gems,
jewelry) into another. Thus for example coins can be transformed
into less unwieldy gems. Objects that are not purely material
riches (such as art objects or an expensive house) are not
affected. Five percent of the transformed items' value is lost as
a sacrifice to Asterius. This spell can be cast on unwilling
targets (e.g. to encumber them by transforming their gems into
coins), but they gain a saving throw. The spell must be cast on
specific, visible items, not randomly in hopes of 'catching' some
possible items into the area of effect.