Merolius

Honor's Champion

Guardian of Chivalry

### Symbol

A blue weighing scale on a white background, one side of the scale holds a golden flame, and the other holds a golden kite shield.

### Cleric Domains

LightLife

Protection

Ambition

Order

Knowledge

Zeal

Forge

### Paladin Oaths

AncientsCrown

Devotion

Glory

Redemption

Watchers

Sentinel

Shield

### Core or Ascended

Core

*"No one ever has to be alone." -Merolius reascending from the time of troubles.*

## Overview

Merolius is possibly the most worshiped god in the entire pantheon. His care for the common folk and the well being of everyday life makes his blessing applicable in almost any situation. He teaches his followers patience and perseverance in all their actions. As a god of protection, his followers preach protection of the innocent and as a result, most of the common people of Relden invoke his blessings and pray for his protection and guidance.

Merolius, the divine embodiment of Hope, presides over a devout religion that embraces principles of compassion, hope, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of others. His followers look to him as a beacon of light in times of darkness, finding strength and inspiration in his teachings of resilience and honor.

The philosophy of Merolius' religion revolves around the belief that hope is the catalyst for positive change. His worshipers view life as a precious gift, and they strive to protect and nurture it in all its forms. They place great importance on patience, recognizing that true transformation takes time and perseverance. Merolius teaches that every individual has the capacity to bring about positive change and that even the smallest acts of kindness and honor can have a profound impact.

Behavior in accordance with Merolius' teachings is marked by unwavering integrity, compassion, and a strong sense of justice. His followers are expected to act as defenders of the weak, upholding the principles of fairness and protecting the innocent from harm. They are guided by a code of honor that values selflessness, courage, and the pursuit of truth. His Paladins, in particular, are seen as the epitome of Merolius' teachings and are entrusted with the sacred duty of championing justice and embodying the virtues of hope and honor.

Merolius and his followers see the world as a realm full of untapped potential and opportunities for growth. They view life as a journey of self-discovery and seek to bring light to even the darkest corners of existence. His followers find solace and inspiration in the interconnectedness of all living things and how they can help one another, recognizing that each being plays a vital role in the grand tapestry of life.

### Dawn's Grace

One notable holiday in the religion of Merolius is the "Festival of Dawn's Grace." This sacred celebration takes place at the break of dawn on the first day of spring, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and the renewal of hope. It is a time to honor Merolius' blessings of life, patience, honor, and hope.

During the Festival of Dawn's Grace, worshipers gather in a central courtyard adorned with golden and blue decorations, representing the colors associated with Merolius. A grand ceremonial fire, fueled by golden flames, serves as the focal point of the celebration, symbolizing the eternal light of hope that burns within each soul.

Rituals and ceremonies are conducted to commemorate the occasion. Devotees engage in heartfelt prayers, expressing gratitude for the gift of life and seeking the strength to face challenges with patience and honor. Paladins take part in solemn oath ceremonies, renewing their vows to uphold justice and protect the weak.

As dawn breaks, a symbolic beacon is ignited, signifying the emergence of new possibilities and the triumph of hope. A joyous procession ensues, with worshipers carrying torches or banners adorned with Merolius' symbol of the golden fire. The procession winds through the streets, spreading a message of hope and inspiring onlookers with its radiant display.

The Festival of Dawn's Grace culminates in a communal feast, where followers come together to share food, stories, and camaraderie. It is a time of reflection, renewal, and collective recommitment to embody the virtues and principles of Merolius.

Through their devotion to Hope, Life, Patience, Honor, and the noble path of the paladin, the followers of Merolius aim to bring about positive change, ignite hope in the hearts of the downtrodden, and foster a more bright and compassionate world. They see themselves as champions of light, guided by the principles of honor and the transformative power of hope, as they strive to make the world a better place for all.

Merolius is first and foremost a god of hope. He encourages his followers to live their lives to the fullest, showing mercy, patience and valor in all their activities. Festivals to Merolius are lively and bright to emulate the fiery passion of life itself. Merolius is a god of redemption, but many common folk mistake this domain as forgiveness. This is not actually one of his domains and his clergy will correct this misinterpretation. Merolius does not forgive wrongdoings, but expects his followers to redeem their misconducts by correcting them.

## Appearance:

Merolius has been depicted as many races over the years with every race portraying him as one of their own. This is because he usually takes on the appearance of whichever race he visits.

Legends say Merolius often sends avatars of his will to help those in need. Never with violence or force, for that would break the pact that ended the dawn war. The legends say when mortals with no anger or hatred in their heart are lost, alone or start to lose their way a man matching their race with medium length, brown hair and yellow eyes, wearing gold scale mail armor and a blue gambeson, will approach them and ask them to join him somewhere hospitable. Be it a homely hut, a campfire, or a small castle, the environment will be whatever puts the mortal at ease. The only commonality will be a warm golden fire the two will speak next to. He will offer them advice, encouragement, or just a shoulder to cry on if need be. Afterward he will offer them advice on a course of action that can solve their predicament, whatever it may be, and in some cases he may even offer an item to aid their struggle. Then he will disappear as quickly as he appeared, and leave no trace of his presence ever having been there.

## Time of Troubles

During the Time of Troubles, Merolius appeared as an aasimar male, with brown hair and golden eyes. Near the time of his ascencion he also had a halo of burning golden fire above his head.

He appeared near the nation of Pyria. Without the presence of the gods, a massive demonic rift leading to the abyss had opened near that nation's border. Merolius and Larithon joined the Pyrians in beating back the demonic forces, and eventually Merolius was chosen to lead their entire nation's military and he sealed the portal to the abyss, defeating the demon prince Vicaro in single combat.

After this, legends say Merolius was offered the opportunity to re-ascend to godhood, but he chose to stay for several months to reorganize Pyria's government and society and help its people heal from the war before he chose to re-ascend.

## Artifacts:

### Burial Rites:

Burial rites of Merolius are some of the most varied across the world of Relden. The only requirements Merolius asks are that the body be presented with golden fire and buried in peace. Many cultures have different interpretations of these edicts.

The Golden fire is most often achieved by adding salt to a torch's flame to give it a golden huge and then being put at the head of the deceased's casket during the funeral. Some cultures create golden glass that they reflect the light of fires through instead. Others interpret the sun as golden fire and bathe the body in sunlight.

Lastly the deceased should be laid to their final rest purposely in an area considered peaceful. Any holy ground, a quiet grove, an empty hillside, even adrift in the ocean. Any place that allows the spirit of the deceased to let go and fully move on allows Merolius to guard the body until it can fully decompose.