Asus

# The God Asus

 Areas of Concern
 Domains
 Favored Weapon
 Holy Symbol
 Common Worshipers
 Sacred Animals
 Sacred Colors

## Overview/ Physical Description

Of all Teteus' divine family, none have a story more unusual than Asus, godson of the Sun. Asus began his long existence as a spawn of the Nine Hells, a diabolic creature of some inborn power. Like Mephistopheles, he was created from the very rock and flames of the hells themselves. Unlike his “cousin” Asus was a servant of Moloch, sworn to serve the lord of the Sixth. As is the nature of diabolic politics, Asus schemed and manipulated, plotted and stole with glee. He became a squad leader, an infernal knight, a minor lord and finally a duke of the hells. He had servants, he had power and authority yet still he craved more. The Blood War did not satisfy him, the battles with angelic powers were mere distractions. It was Moloch's throne he craved, it was the power of Asmodeus himself that flitted about his dreams.

   He was driven by lusts for control he couldn't understand and, after consulting the hells' scholars, lawyers and historians, he developed a plan. He'd studied how gods were made, how the demon lords achieved their power and how some had risen to the rank of gods themselves. The powers of the Upper Planes were no match for him, good was no match for evil. He would steal the throne of the Sun, he'd slay Teteus and absorb his divine power, rising to godhood. Grinding Moloch under his feet would be easy after that. Perhaps he'd steal the Ruby Rod of Asmodeus when he was finished

With all the diabolic power at his disposal, Asus slipped into the Seven Heavens of Mount Celestia, ascending to the uppermost plane where Teteus dwelt. He slipped past heavenly defenders and celestial beings without issue, attributing his success to his cunning, great manipulation and the power he wielded. As the sun grew brighter and he approached the throne he craved, Asus could see his future. Teteus was alone. In his arrogance, Asus attacked the father of the gods. He knew the sun god would fall before him. Yet in a moment Asus realized his error. Evil wasn't stronger. The god of the sun trounced him easily; it had all been a trap, a ruse. Asus hadn't slipped past the angelic guards through his cleverness, it had been allowed.

 As Asus lay bleeding and battered on the floor of the heavenly throne room, waiting for the deathblow any devil would lay upon him, Teteus looked down on the battered duke with curiosity mingled with pity. Teteus asked him simply, why?

Asus actually considered the question for some time. Finally, he came to the realization he shared with Teteus. His diabolic nature was set in stone, he knew no other way but to behave as devils do. So, in an act of divine power, Teteus stripped Asus of his alignment and asked him again, what he actually wanted to do. With the multitude of options before him, with the divine power of the sun leaning over him and the realization of how futile the diabolic way of living was, with tears in his eyes and grief outpouring over all the evil he'd done, Asus fell at Teteus' feet and embraced them. Weeping, Asus begged for forgiveness. To his surprise, Teteus granted it and agreed to teach the former duke of the Nine Hells how to live.

What followed was the “one thousand and one years of teaching.” Time flows differently in the Upper Planes, whether the years were literal or metaphorical no mortal can know (though whether the “millennium” was literal or metaphorical is hotly debated among Asus' faithful). But when it was finished, Asus had changed his alignment and identity. He became a god himself, The Penitent One. The reformed devil was embraced by Teteus as his own son, and brought into his Family.

 Asus became the patron of tieflings, seeing his own reflection in them. While evil is inborn in many beings, a cosmic reality, it can be overcome just as he did. His faith spread as his wandering priests carried the message to places where most wouldn't dare to tread. The faith of Asus was legalized, though not trusted, in most goodly nations. Still, like Asus does with his fellow gods, trust would slowly, but surely, be built.

Asus often walks on Apia's surface. When he does, he is dressed in a simple white habit, sandals and a hempen cord. His skin remains red and his features notably diabolic, with golden eyes, sharp black beard and curling black horns. His skin features shifting black patterns that move freely around his skin. A small halo hovers above his head and, despite his evil-looking features, there is no way one would mistake him for an evil being.

   As the champion of those who seek redemption, Asus has several notable differing cultural aspects including an orcish and gnollish persona. Unlike other deities, it's well recognized that these are mere interpretations but they are still beloved by their followers.

   Asus shows his favor in simple ways. A warm, sweet-swelling breeze, a color appearing brighter, or a small wound healing on its own. His disfavor is shown in foul smells, the dulling of colors or the festering of wounds.

## The Church

 The church of Asus is a slowly growing one, highly individualistic without a real centralized government. Due to the nature of those who primarily worship the Pentitent One, they are often from disorderly, highly chaotic societies. Typically a small group comes to the worship of Asus and builds a temple in a city that would have them. As Asus worship is legal, though not trusted, in Latrellus, Umgar, Delorga, Taskanda, Druz and Vitteodel, this is where the majority of the worshipers are found, with the largest temples being in Taskanda.

 Most of Asus' worshipers are tieflings or other “tainted” folk, with many being former raiders, bandits or cultists but plenty of lay people worship him. Anyone who seeks renewal or redemption can benefit from Asus' ways; it isn't unheard of to see humans undertake his worship. Asus turns away no one who is genuinely willing to try and better themselves, no matter what race they may be. (He is cunning however, and his wrath against those who try and “game” the system is fierce. See “A priest's role.) While most of Asus' priests are clerics, a decent number are rogues or even lay people, simply taking up the mace and traveling wherever the need is most dire.

 While there is no real centralized government within the church, there are a series of guidelines that all priests share when meeting another. First, it is customary to respect seniority in terms of time spent within the church. One who has served longer is usually wiser and their opinion carries more weight. A priest never asks what the other did that led him to Asus', all are entitled to let the past lie. (Many do share, willingly and openly as part of their redemption journey, not hiding from their pasts, but it is not required to divulge to another priest.)  They are required to assist one another when possibly for they are all children of redemption. Respecting local laws and customs is an important rule. One may argue against corruption and debate unjust laws in halls, one may peacefully protest but they are not to cause disharmony where they visit. His faithful are often involved in prison reform and general maintenance, trying to help those who've fallen pick themselves back up, or create cities where such people don't need to turn to addictions crime.

Services dedicated to Asus are simple affairs, often with few participants. There are songs of gratitude (often quite beautiful), followed by silent reflection. The priest will remind the audience that they are redeemed and encourage them to strive to better themselves and others. Typically a small offering is taken so it can used to help beggars, orphans and the less fortunate.

*The footsteps of he before me*

*Remind us that for everyone*

*What we're made isn't a guarantee*

*We can be children of the sun*

*- St Bartholomew's Seventh Hymn of Gratitude*

### Temples and Shrines

Temples dedicated to Asus are quite rare. Most countries that legally allow him will see no more than one or two. Those temples are open concept, spotless and white, with marble statues lovingly carved and maintained. Tapestries depicting the one thousand and one years are hung where they can be plainly seen and inspire all. Most include some kind of community service as well, such as an attached orphanage, community hall or soup kitchen.

Shrines are far more common due to the smaller congregations. Whether placed in a single room inside a town hall or tavern or alongside one of Apia's many roads, shrines share a similar design. They are simple wooden things with prayers of forgiveness and encouragement etched into them. Atop the pillar are a carving of folded hands in front of the sun, pointing towards a better future. Asus' faithful often leave food or money behind on these shrines for the less fortunate to take, no questions asked. It's believed that Asus will guide these gifts wherever they can be of the most use.

### A Priest's Role

Priests of Asus are divided into two general categories, called tenders and wanderers. Tenders are responsible for watching over a small community of faithful Asusites. They hear confessions, distribute charity, bless children born to the community and officiate weddings. Due to the nature of Asus' faithful, many of these priests preform the tasks typically divided among several clerics as they can often be the only holy person in that region. They are usually highly respected within the community, often advising whoever leads it in matters of faith and politics. They extend hospitality to wanderers and, in their most unusual role, tend to organize the militia in their local communities. (This is because many Asusite communities are within orc, gnoll or otherwise chaotic lands who might not take too kindly to the Penitent One's children.)

Wanderers travel the lands, quarterstaff in hand, providing service to those Asusites who don't  have their own community, while spreading the message of the Penitent One. They hear confessions, and deliver the last rites to the dying. Due to the splintered nature of the faith, without any real centralized government, wanderers are also important sources of news, delivering messages from one church to another, or providing temporary relief to those priests who administer alone. They can preform a wide variety of tasks for the visited church, typically whatever the tender requires. Sometimes wanderers become tenders if the founded church requires their leadership.

 One critical role shared by all priests of Asus is that of purification. Asus believes all can be redeemed but he is no fool. True repentance and redemption require action, and his priests carefully vet potential converts to ensure their repentance is genuine. On the rare cases someone manages to slip through the cracks and betrays that trust, the priests of Asus hunt them mercilessly. Those who claim repentance as a cover to murder, steal or take advantage of the naive soon find they have nowhere to hide as the normally gentle priests of Asus strike them with fury matched only by their typical compassion. This “self-policing” ensures that few try to game the system, and none do so twice. (It also has contributed to the legalization of Asus worship in many countries, when it became clear the faith wasn't an elaborate scam.)

### Holidays

Asus doesn't have many holidays, as his teachings hold every day as worthy of celebration. They thank Asus each morning, for each breath and every chance to make something better of themselves. Asusites try to be optimistic, driven people who do not allow sorrow to bring them down. But they do have two important holidays.

**The Day of Remembering:** Everyone sins. Everyone makes mistakes, even after they've been redeemed. On the final day of Baronshold, the last day of the year, all of Asus' faithful write on a piece of parchment a list of their most grievous sins. They then meditate on them, reflecting on what their actions caused and how they might do better in the future year. In the case of the illiterate, a priest does this trasncribing for the penitent.

**The Day of Forgetting:** The Day of Remembering is a somber time but the Day of Forgetting is a joyous response. On the 1st of Vutunia, the first day of the new year, the Asusites take those parchments from the day before and burn them in public celebration. Their sins have been taken away and the chance for a fresh year fills the faithful with joy. They eat meals with their close friends, sing and dance and preform charity on this holiest of days.

### Animals

 Asus has several sacred animals that reflect his characteristics, highlighting those truths he values. The dove is a symbol of peace and purity, a creature to aspire towards. Butterflies go through a metamorphosis and become something beautiful, much like the soul of a faithful worshiper of Asus. Finally, as the pelican feeds its own young by piercing its breast and dripping blood into their mouths, the followers of Asus know that part of turning one's life around is putting others before yourself and that true change can require sacrifice.

###  Adventurers

Asus' faithful are often adventurers. Many are beings that aren't typically accepted and so must adventurer to build up personal reputation. Monsters need to be slain, people need to be saved and redemption sought out. Even priests of Asus, being the wanderers many are, typically follow the adventuring life. Plenty recover treasure and bring them back to churches, orphanages and other worthy causes.

### Clothing

Followers of Asus dress simply in whites and yellows whenever possible. Even if those colors aren't available, they move towards simple colors without patterns or display. They dress for practicality. One thing they do prioritize is cleanliness. Clothes are washed regularly, bodies kept clean and hair trim, rare is the Asusite who travels without soap.

## Symbols

Asus' holy symbol are a pair of upraised hands before a simple sun disk. When Asusites meet, they typically hold their hands together upright in a bowl shape, mimicking the gesture of forgiveness given by Asus to his penitent. Some also hold their hands in circles, mimicking a simple sun, another, lesser, symbol of Asus.

### Holy Text

Asus' holy texts are two. *The 1001 Lessons* recounts each lesson of holiness taught to Asus by Teteus over the 1001 years. Commentaries on these lessons are quite common. Each lesson is a simple one-sentence mantra that expands into a much larger truth. The other is *The List of Forgotten Evils* a unique book that includes a list of Asus' crimes that are blacked out and thus can't be read. Most priests of Asus make their own, using their own sins instead. This tome serves as a powerful reminder that there is nothing that cannot be forgiven.

### Sayings

*“Better today.”*- This common saying reminds all faithful that seeking forgiveness is always better done sooner rather than later. The sooner something is let go, the quicker healing happens.

*“We all walk the same road after him.”*- A reminder to those struggling on the journey of redemption that Asus himself forged that path. If he, a duke of the Nine Nells, can find redemption, so can any of the penitent.

## Relationships

Asus, while counted as the godson of Teteus and a member of the Heavenly Family, is not well trusted by many gods. Asus doesn't hold it against them, he understands that trust takes time to build. Still he counts all good gods and most neutral ones as his friends and allies, either presently or in the future, and he is quick to offer aid whenever they need it. He is closest with Teteus, his father and mentor. This loyalty extends to Teteus' wives, Vutune and Ahpion, who are also dear to the Penitent One. Latrell, himself a “son” of Teteus, welcomes him with open arms. It is Bastia, goddess of flame and justice, daughter of Teteus and Ahpion, who most frequently runs to the aid of her adopted brother and her small church is always welcome among Asus faithful.

Another of the goodly deities who Asus is allied with is Eilistraee. The Dark Maiden, goddess of the good drow shares Asus' feelings that redemption is possible for all beings and that no god of evil can completely conquer the soul of a sentient race. She focuses on drow exclusively compared to Asus' broader focus but they, and their faithful, will always help the other if asked.

 As for neutral gods, Asus is friendly with Pan, Nesin and Thuhaldir and pleasant towards the rest. Nesin, knower of all, understands that Asus' conversion is genuine and thus works with him when convenient. Through the mad prophecy of Thuhaldir he foresaw the conversion and believes it to be true. Pan simply likes Asus as a being and while the two have very different philosophies, they are known to be quite friendly and enjoy small adventures together.

Asus is opposed to the evil gods, demons and arch devils in all their forms. Even as he wishes to save some, he knows many cannot, or will not, be reached. He particularly opposes the succubus queens Malcanthet and Lilith who make special business in tempting mortals towards evil. Yeenoghu in recent years has sworn a vendetta against Asus, hating him for the conversion so many gnolls have made, thanks to servants of the Redeemed One. Asus, for his part, dares Yeenoghu to attack and promising those gnolls safely within Asus' arms that they have nothing to fear from their vile creator.

Asmodeus is his greatest rival despite being his creator. Asmodeus, in his pride and arrogance, rejected the goodness of the heavens and created the Nine Hells in the first place. He is responsible for more death and evil than any other being and, unlike Asus, was born into goodness and chose evil.

## Realm

 Asus's realm within the Seven Heavens of Mount Celestia, Celestia Patmos, is a peaceful one of white marble, green grass and sparkling crystal blue waters. The air is sweet and rich, smelling of flowers and full of bird songs. Those who spend time there are lifted out of their weariness and find true peace and tranquility. Pelicans and butterflies are common, and beings of all kinds who rejected evil live in harmony. Asus walks barefoot among them, giving warm embraces and sage advice when needed. This is a realm of neutral goodness, where words are never harsh and hands never raised in anything but friendship.

## Planar Allies

 Asus has a specific herald and servitor race. He also has some special servants all of whom are detailed below.

**Rises-To-Grace:** Asus' herald is an ancient, repentant succubus. She is celibate, avoiding physical contact and instead using the power of words, song and magic to heal. Rumors suggest she may have once had a different name, but if so, she keeps it to herself.

**Saint Bartholomew:** One of the first tieflings to follow Asus, Bartholomew has been blessed with long life, allowing him to serve the church and wander where he pleases. A stoic, grim-faced defender, many a recent convert credits the arrival of Bartholomew, and the protection he offered, with saving their lives from angered relatives or monsters.

**The Blessed Pelicos:** Pelicans are sacred to Asus, birds honored for their purity and sacrifice. Of all pelicans, none are more beloved than Pelicos, the celestial bird. Wherever the deeply beloved are wounded, and Asus' healing is needed, Pelicos arrives and, after pricking her own breast, spreads her divine blood flow over the wounded, healing grievous injuries. Despite these many sacrifices, she is never without enough blood to heal all those who need it.

**The Children of Asus:** While not his children in the most literal sense of the word, Asus' race of faithful servitors is made up of those redeemed fiends from anywhere in the planes who have come to the light. They take on the appearance of dour angels with gray wings and curling horns, their own List of Forgotten Evils floating in the air before them.  The Children have a wide range of attitudes and personalities, though many are somber. They are powerful spellcasters and warriors, able to aid the flocks of their father whenever needed.

## Other Cultural Interpretations

 Asus does have other interpretations, notably an orcish and gnollish form where he has become widely worshiped among those peoples. While not even the orcs or gnolls suggest that Asus is actually one of them, his fiendish nature is too famous, they are following his teachings to “make his likeness their own,” to see that such a transformation is possible. He smiles upon the artwork that depicts himself as orc, gnoll or any other race that struggles towards goodness. He goes so far as to actually take those forms, or send avatars which do, when interacting with those communities.