God God Name: Kassius
Title: God of Light and Laughter, Sun-Bearer, Patron of Archers
Gender: Male
Alignment: Neutral Good
God Appearance:Unlike some other gods he could name, Kassius prefers to incarnate himself in a single form most of the time. He stands at 6"1 with a well-sculpted body with short blonde hair and blue eyes that seem to gleam with mirth as if he were a part to a joke you weren't in on. A golden light seems to shine around him at times as befitting the self-named "Sun-Bearer". He rarely dresses in full armor outside of battle, but when he does, it is a set of full plate armor shining like the evening sun.
Personality:Kassius is a generally light-hearted and easy-going individual. Unlike some of his other peers, he was never in great danger during the previous war partly due to his his power and partly due to the fact that few wished to seriously harm in battle without someone ready to take his position. After all, the Sun is the source of life on Pandeum and even the gods fear to upset that balance save for, perhaps, Palchard. Thus, while he intellectually knows of the perils of the world, he himself behaves in the manner of one who believes he is indestructible.
It is not within Kassius' nature to sit around idly. Whether it is, guiding the Sun personally through the heavens, sticking his nose in other deities' business, traveling the world incognito, or seeking the pleasures of female company, Kassius always finds himself involved in some activity that amuses him and gives him pleasure. At his worst, Kassius is naive and selfish, but at his best, Kassius is an individual of great passion and empathy. He truly cares for his mortal followers and considers his Avatar a son to him. He believes in celebrating life for all its flaws and confusion and greatly encourages his followers to find joy in this world and the world beyond. He does not hold any ill will towards the younger gods for the Rebellion and is one of the leading advocates for peace. Yet, for all that he inclines towards peace, Kassius is a fierce sight when angered and when he releases the full destructive might of the element of light, few can withstand him. Still, Kassius can be inattentive and oblivious of the problems that develop for his people, something which irks his Avatar to no end.
Opinion of mortals: "You are so easily discouraged, but remember, the light, your light, shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot put it out."
God’s Domain: Kassius' realm is forever bathed in light from when a golden sun showers the realm with sunlight at dawn to the silvery light of the stars and full moon at night. No one is left in the dark. There, the city of Heliopolis stands upon a the shores of a crystal blue sea, ever-expanding to accommodate those who gained Kassius favor in life. Night and day, there is revelry and laughter as the festivities never end. Food, drink, entertainment, and pleasure are in abundance and Kassius is often found amidst these souls when he is not in his Citadel for a rare moment of relaxation or when he is tasked with entertaining his fellow deities. Outside the city, evergreen fields bloom unceasingly with countless fruits, vegetables, and other edible plants and the more restless souls can explore vast forests, fields, and streams with renewed youthful curiosity.
Avatar Name: Cyrus, "Cy"
Avatar Appearance: Personality: Cyrus is much more responsible than his deity. Although he delights in laughter, light, and song as his god does, Cyrus is burdened with the knowledge that he is responsible for his people's survival and welfare. He is a veteran of a great many wars that have happened throughout his life and has a certain charisma about him that makes one want to obey him. Yet, he is calm polite and when when he slips off his dutiful mask, every bit as charming and humorous as his god.
Magic Abilities: Cyrus is a super-soldier. He is stronger, faster, and more durable than ordinary mortals, even the great heroes amongst them. He can fight non-stop for days and brave weather that would cow or destroy other men. In addition, he possesses the ability to create and manipulate light to form deadly attacks or barriers for defense. He is also able to heal himself by meditating in the sunlight.
Hero(es): Crassus OrsiniRank/Reason: Consul
Personality: A Nobilita Crassus is an individual seeking to maintain the status quo at all cost. He is suspicious of the Mercators and is a proven politician and was a military commander earlier in this life.
Hero(es): Captain Aristo GreyRank/Reason: Aristo is a skilled Sea Captain and entrepreneur. He knows how to inspire and rally his men and sail through even the most dangerous storms. A bastard of a rich Mercator and Libertii servant, Aristo forges his own fate.
Personality: A charming Sea Captain, Captain Aristo Grey is a smooth talker, ladies' man, and professional treasure hunter. Some say he is foolhardy, others a genius, and still others, mad and perhaps he is all those things and more. Regardless, Aristo Grey walks a dangerous line in his line of work, sailing where many would dare not. Half-pirate, half-merchant, Captain Aristo Grey is both dangerous and unpredictable. His attitude towards anything in life is that if you want it, you have to take it.
Hero(es): Helena PriamRank/Reason: Procurator of Gela
Personality: Beautiful, seductive, charming, learned, cunning. These are all words associated with the Procurator/Governess of Gela. Unlike other city-states, the proud city of Gela elects an executive authority independent of the local assembly and gives the office of Procurator enormous power. For the last decade, Helena Priam has held office and managed the people and assembly alike with clever ploys hidden beneath a sweet smile. Though she has captured the heart of hundreds of men, Helena remains unmarried and her own person. Proud and unyielding, she values the traditions of Gela and its notion of Solaran glory and power.
Hero(es): Lucius PulloRank/Reason: Centurion
Personality: Of lower birth, Lucius is a stern and uncompromising servant of the Republic. Due to his skill with the sword as well as his mind, he rose through the ranks to become Centurion of the Fifth Legion. Lucius believes in the Republic even if he is uncomfortable with the power plays of those higher up than he is on the totem pull. He prefers straightforward action and is unusually stoic for a Solaran.
Hero(es): Aeneas VorenusRank/Reason: Gladiator
Personality: A Libertii, Aeneas found that the farmwork of a Libertii or Khoriko unappealing. Though his family was well-to-do and the small plot of land granted to his great grandfather after they were freed was fertile, Aeneas allowed his younger brother to inherit it and instead find his fortune in the capital when the Gladiator games were opened for all who would participate. Aeneas delights in the pleasures of the city and the fame and glory of a gladiator. He believes Kassius favors him as he has survived for years with little injury.
Hero(es): Diana PallanaRank/Reason: Bard/Information Broker
Personality: A lover of the fine arts of the Republic, Diana is a bard, traveling from place to place in the hopes that her songs may be remembered with the great compositions of the Republic. She enjoys the thrill of politics and uses her invisibility as a performer to gather secrets and information and sell them to the highest bidder. A girl has to eat after all.
Terrain Preference: Typically lush, fertile fields and seacoasts
Name of Kingdom/Empire: The Republic of Solaras
Capital: Solaris
Major Cities: Nikea, Gela, Hierophant, Kairas,
Society: [People]
Although divided by class and lineage, all Solarans, as the citizens of the Republic of Solaris are bound together by culture and lifestyle. Given Kassius' own lighthearted nature and the republic's status as a great agrarian power, exporting surplus foodstuffs throughout the known world, the Republic is known for its holidays and high culture given its wealth and the opportunity for leisure during the times between planting and harvesting. Few cultures can match the utter hedonism of a Solaran festival or their strong sense of tradition. This is not to say that the Republic is a utopia, however.
There exists within the Republic deep friction between the different classes: the Nobilitas, the traditional nobility of Solaras, the Khorikos, the peasants and traditional backbone of the agricultural economy, the Mercators, the merchant class, and the Libertii, the descendants of slaves freed in the aftermath of the Solaran Civil War that divided the Republic over a hundred years before. Within the Senate, the Nobilitas and the Mercator merchant princes in particular jockey for power as the Libertii and Khorikos dispute with one another over the boundaries of plots of land. The Solarans themselves are mostly human with Mediterranean complexion and hair ranging from blacks and browns to blondes and the occasional red. Darker or lighter skin usually marks foreign ancestry and is usually found among the Mercators or the Libertii. Nonhuman features are also a sign of foreign ancestry.
Despite these differences, however, all Solarans hold a deep reverence for Kassius, their patron deity and their traditions. Xenia, the Solaran sense of opportunity, is taken very seriously. A guest may never harm his or her host and the host must protect his or her guest. Even enemies must abide by this rule and even exchange gifts. Civic duty is praised and there is still a widespread belief in the ideals of the Republic where all men are equal under the law, even if this is not always the case. Charity is expected and even the most cutthroat Nobilita or Mercator spends gold on the lower classes, if only to be seen doing it.
[Economy]
The Republic of Solaras is an agricultural power. Located in a lush, fertile land at a central trading location on the continent, Solaras' main exports consist of food such as grains, fruits, wine, cheese, salted meats, etc. Their wine is particularly famous for its strong alcoholic content and sweet taste. In general, the Mercators control most of the trade while the Nobilitas control the lion's share of the land while the Khorikos and Libertii either own small plots of family land or serve as tenant farmers to the nobility. Their cities produce finished goods, but are most known for pieces of art such as sculptures, paintings, and ceramic figurines. They also have a certain reputation where it is said any pleasure imaginable is available for a price within their lands.
[Politics]
Solarus is a Republic ruled by the Senate in the Capital of Solarus. First created after the deposition the Solarans' last king, it at first consisted only of the Nobilitas. Over the centuries, this expanded to include a fixed number of Khorikos and, after slavery was ended, Libertii. Over the years, the Mercators gained the right to run for office and have done quite well in securing office. The Senate is headed by two Consuls elected for three years. They have the power to negotiate treaties, call the Senate into session, veto bills, act as chief magistrates, and other executive actions. There are two Tribunes to represent the Khorikos and the Libertii with the power to veto bills as well. Lastly, the Avatar of Kassius is in charge of all religious matters and is head of the military as Commander in Chief. He has the power to declare martial law and install himself as Dictator temporarily in the event of a crisis. Each city in the Republic has a smaller assembly or Ekklesia, but these always defer to the central government.
Throughout the year, the Senate and local governments devote food and resources to "bread and circuses", i.e. gladiator fights, chariot racing, plays and spectacles, and, of course, free grain, to calm the populace and ease tension. There exists a significant inequality in wealth between the various classes achievable through the monopolies of the Nobilitas and Mercators on land and trade respectively, something which the Avatar has preached against as sinful and contrary to Kallias' will and the Republic's principles to little effect.
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