Erastil

**Erastil** (pronounced eh-RAS-til) is one of the oldest human gods still worshiped in the lands of Lympus, Alfheim, Sidheim, and Lysium. His religion dates back to before the Age of Darkness,
 when small farming communities and hunter-gatherers prayed to him for
bountiful harvests and successful hunts. He leads his followers by
example and good deeds rather than flowery rhetoric.

## Dogma

Erastil condemns suicide, and the souls of his worshipers who take their own lives are condemned to Avernus, the first circle of Hell.

## Appearance

Depictions of Erastil are commonplace in the homes of his followers. Such images usually portray the Ulfen
 deity as either an aged human with the bow and gear of a trapper, or as
 an elk-headed humanoid. They often show Old Deadeye holding fast
against various beasts and animals of the wilds. In times of need,
Erastil has also been known to appear to lost hunters in the form of a
stag.

## Providence

Those who please Erastil are often rewarded by increased yields, both
from agriculture and hunting, while earning his disfavor can lead to
damaged or ruined crops and poor hunting.

## Servants

Animals held in high esteem by Old Deadeye include elk, deer, and other hoofed creatures. His divine servitor race are the stag archons, deer- or elk-headed humanoids who protect Erastil's followers.

### Worshipers

The faithful of Erastil can be found in nearly every wilderness
community. They usually choose to live simple lives and practice his
teachings away from the complications of more advanced societies. The
faithful often hang depictions of the god over their fireplace.

Halflings
 associate Erastil with the family and community: his priests within
halfling communities tend to be elders and leaders. Rather than the
longbow, halflings consider the sling as Erastil's weapon. Most
halflings that become druids worship Erastil. There are very few halfling paladins of Erastil.

Knights
 who revere Erastil tend to live simply, appearing more like a commoner
than a noblemen. They are highly practical in supporting their
communities.[21] Paladins of Old Deadeye are among the most commonly found throughout the Inner Sea region.

### Clergy

The members of Old Deadeye's clergy are active in their respective
communities, leading by example and serving in various capacities as
needed by those that live around them. This can include helping in
childbirth, building structures, overseeing fair trade, and blessing
crops. The clergy's formal dress is kept simple to reflect their deity's
 tastes: a simple cloak of fur or leather, usually accompanied by
Erastil's holy symbol burned into the hide or worn as part of a wooden
clasp.

### Temples and shrines

Sites dedicated to Erastil are simple affairs, even in more civilized
locations; shrines are usually nothing more than a wooden building or
house serving communities of his faithful. Just as Old Deadeye
emphasizes the simple things in life, his shrines focus on providing for
 his follower's more practical needs. Ceremony and formality are often
abandoned in such locations, which instead act simply as a place to
pray, or to sleep.

### Holy texts

Parables of Erastil
This book acts as a guide and almanac for the followers of Erastil;
 it includes information on strengthening one's family, farming, and
wilderness skills.

### Favored animals

Gods are often associated with certain animals,
 either because they possess a quality that the god favors, or because
the god's faithful feel a special kinship to it. Erastil's favored
animals include elk and deer, hoofed animals, and farm animals.