Apotheos

The god of justice, the patron of many knights and paladins, Apotheos takes the form of a legendary warrior -- the very picture of valor. He frequently finds himself at odds with Auleos, who is much quicker to pull his blade. "Would that all should pick up a shield" is a common saying amongst the worshippers of Apotheos. This is a shorthand of the phrase "Would that you - and all - should pick up a shield as soon and oft as you should pick up your sword, Auleos. What good we could bring." This is from the myth of the brothers' feud, where it is said that Darlos - the son of Aurelia and Apotheos - took the left arm of Uller - the son of Aurelia and Uller in a spar that went too far as tempers rose. For this transgression, Auleos demanded the left arm of Darlos as recompense for these transgressions against his son. While Apotheos tried to reason with Auleos, he would hear none of it - so the two fathers decided to settle the matter by combat. Apotheos is said to have won because of his deft use of his shield, which Auleos is famed for never using.

Apotheos has a history of being at war with his contemporaries Nelroth and Fangor. Before being cast from Celestia into the hellscape of Infandus, Apotheos was ever quick to protect the life of the heavenly planes from the wanton destruction and cruelty of the dark gods. Even now, Apotheos frequently sends his champions to protect Arnessia from the schemes and atrocities committed by the servants of Infandus.

Emblems and holy symbols of Apotheos take the shape of silver shields.

The Oath of the Exemplar

(To be spoken in call and response)

Cleric: Do you stand before Apotheos, the Exemplar, with a heart bared and a soul unshaken? Acolyte: I stand with heart bared and soul unshaken. Cleric: Do you vow to serve the common folk, not for glory, but for the good? Acolyte: I vow to serve the common folk, not for glory, but for the good. Cleric: Will you shield the innocent, guide the lost, and temper the hand of power with mercy? Acolyte: I will shield, guide, and temper, as justice demands. Cleric: Do you swear to uphold truth, even when lies wear a crown? Acolyte: I swear to uphold truth, even when lies wear a crown. Cleric: Will you wield no blade in vengeance, but strike only in the name of law and balance? Acolyte: I will strike only in the name of law and balance. Cleric: Do you bind your soul to the light of Apotheos, and walk the path of the Exemplar, even unto death? Acolyte: I bind my soul to the light of Apotheos, and walk the path, even unto death. Cleric: Then rise, O servant of justice. Let no shadow sway you, and no tyrant silence your vow. Acolyte: This I vow, from this moment until the shores of Celestia call.