Riatam

(Deity)

### Subdomains

Agathion, Archon, Blood, Defense, Inevitable, Leadership, Martyr, Purity, Tactics

### Sacred Colors

Red and White

Riatam is the god of Chivalry and Honor. He is warrior deity who is the patron of knights, chivalric conduct, honor, defense and Justice. He is not well known beyond Aureon, but is incredibly popular there.

## Dogma

You must defend your wards and honor your leige. Build strong walls so that the temptation for evil might be kept out. Keep your blade sharp so that it might cut cleanly and cause the least suffering. Only draw your blade if you are ready to die for the cause you have chosen. Be mindful of evil, for it is everywhere including your own heart.

## History

Riatam was once a mortal hero who lived shortly before the time of the Aurean Empire. He adventured across much of Aureon, an archetypical knight. His exact origins are shrouded in mystery. Some say he was a Tyrsennian, others an Andari or Brician. In those lands he is considered a native deity.

Its unclear what happened to Riatam, but he gained the favor of Sol. Sol raised Riatam into the ranks of the divine some time after his death. It is said that his righteous determination was so strong that not even Nirawn could bend his will in the afterlife.

When the deity Aureus perished, Riatam took on many of his responsibilities as a war god. Riatam is not quite as persistent in destroying evil everywhere, but to instead build up the defenses against it coming into your land and to beware succumbing to it yourself.

Legendarily, it is said that Riatam once journeyed over the horizon to bring the sun back to Aureon. This may be a figure of speech, but he is sometimes associated with the coming of the Aureans and may have had something to do with their Golden Crusade. They did not venerate him as a god, but the native Andari, Brician, and Tyrsennian humans of the Empire did.

## Home

Riatam dwells in the Halls of the Stalwart Vigil in Heaven. This realm is on the second of Heaven's tiers, a bastion against any attacks from the lower planes. The Halls were originally constructed by Aureus, but Riatam has since taken it upon himself to keep them maintained and protected. Many Archons call this place home, and the holy petitioners of Riatam (called the Worthy) steel themselves against the forces of evil.

## Appearance

Riatam is most often depicted as a somewhat archaic looking knight in a "Corinthian" style helmet, carrying a longsword. He is sometimes depicted on a horse, and other times he is depicted holding the sun over his head.

## Relationships

Aureus was a precursor to Riatam, the god of the Golden Crusade and the chief architect of the war against evil. When Aureus perished and the Aurean Empire collapsed, Riatam took up the mantle of righteous war-god, but tempered the remnants of the forces of good into a bastion of defense. Thus, the forces of evil see Riatam as a weaker version of their former nemesis. Some in Hell and the Abyss speak of Riatam as the "Golden-Shadow", an imitation of something greater. Riatam gives little credence to what they think.

Since Sol raised Riatam to divinity and gave him his sword, Riatam has sworn to defend Sol and to protect the realms of good. This has put him in high regard, even by chaotic good deities.

Riatam and Tagge are sometimes at odds, though they rarely interact. Riatam is a more active deity, with Tagge preferring to watch events unfold. Some might even say that Tagge finds Riatam entertaining.

Ironically, his worst relationship is with Brigga, the goddess of duty and honor. The two have close portfolios, and the two zealously guard their dominions from one another. The rivalry is amicable, though, if not outright flirtatious at times. Clerics of both deities are often close friends despite their minor philosophical differences.

## Providence

Riatam shows his favor by sending eagles or by sudden shifts in the wind. He shows his disfavor by allowing blades to crack or by causing a firm grip to suddenly weaken causing a warrior to drop their weapon.

## Servants

A vast number of Archons are at Riatam's call, including a small council of Star Archons. There are a few Angels at his beck and call as well as contractually obligated inevitables.

**Unique Servants**

Pteryshos is a massive, ascended half-gold dragon roc who once served Aureos. She sleeps atop a massive horde of gold in Heaven most of the time, but when she is sent to deal with Riatam's affairs she is accompanied by a host of celestial giant eagles.

Iustitiae is Riatam's intelligent sword. A hero-deity in her own right, Iustitiae accepts no followers. She is always counseling Riatam on the correct course of action to take. She was created by Sol as a gift for Riatam upon his ascension.

## Church

The Church of Riatam is run like an efficient military machine, with the orders of the Grand Master being of the utmost importance. Chapters can be found in every land of Aureon, and sometimes in lands beyond. The Church is loosely organized so that no one chapter is more important than another, with the masters of each order directly under the Grand Master in terms of ranks. The current Grand Master is Sir Bevadere of the March, who leads the entire church from an abbey in the south of Arthandor.

## Organizations

The Order of the Golden Eagle is an organization of knights who keep no home, but travel around the world to battle evil and defend the innocent.