The Pantheon: Orthos
Orthos:
Alignment: Lawful Good
Portfolio: Sun, light, fire, justice, law, order, truth, purity, healing
Symbols: A golden disc with rays of light, a flaming sword, a balance scale, a laurel wreath
Holy days: Justiciar's Solstice, Gavel's Day
Relationship to Inara: Married to Inara, the Goddess of Healing and Compassion
Relationship with Hephalos: Allies in maintaining order, as Hephalos' creations often aid in enforcing the law.
Relationship with Retribia: Orthos often clashes with Retribia due to differing views on punishment and justice.
Relationship with Espraxis: Orthos tries to keep Espraxis' trickery in check, but often finds it difficult to outwit the goddess.
Invoked: Judges, lawyers, and paladins invoke Orthos for guidance in ensuring justice; offerings of incense and written prayers are presented.
Depiction: Orthos is a tall, regal figure with golden hair that seems to emit rays of light. His eyes are a piercing blue, representing the truth and purity he embodies. He wears a suit of radiant, golden armor that shimmers like the sun. In one hand, he holds a flaming sword, a symbol of his power and righteousness. Around his waist hangs a balance scale, signifying his dedication to justice and order. Upon his head, he wears a laurel wreath, a mark of his wisdom and authority. Rays of light emanate from him, casting a warm glow upon his surroundings.
I Walk Among You (Part I)
In the early days of the Age of Assembly, when the lands were being brought together and the tribes of Paen'ti'qaen were still struggling for survival, Orthos, then known as Ozytherion, descended from his celestial abode to walk among the mortals. It was a time of uncertainty, where order was not yet established, and chaos often reigned. Ozytherion, as the arbiter of justice, law, and order, felt a deep responsibility to guide the tribes towards a path of righteousness.
Ozytherion assumed a mortal form and chose to live among the people of Paen'ti'qaen as Orthos, an unassuming scribe. He wanted to better understand their struggles, their hopes, and their dreams. As Orthos, he worked with the elders of the tribes, writing their laws and helping to mediate disputes. He quickly earned a reputation for his wisdom, fairness, and unwavering commitment to justice.
However, it was not just the pursuit of justice that captivated Orthos, but the people themselves. He was moved by their resilience, their capacity for love, and their unwavering hope in the face of adversity. He was touched by the compassion of a mother caring for her children, the bravery of a young warrior defending his tribe, and the wisdom of the elderly, who shared their knowledge freely. He saw their flaws, their vices, their mistakes, and yet he also saw their virtues, their kindness, their desire for a better future.
There was a particular event that further deepened Orthos's love for the mortals. A great calamity had struck Paen'ti'qaen, a harsh winter that threatened to wipe out the crops and starve the people. Despite their hardship, the tribes of Paen'ti'qaen chose to share what little they had with each other, ensuring that no one went hungry. They worked together, putting aside their differences, to survive the winter. This act of selflessness, unity, and compassion deeply moved Orthos.
Orthos, witnessing their hardships and their triumphs, began to see not just subjects who needed guidance, but a people full of potential and goodness. He saw them not as lesser beings, but as children learning to walk, full of potential and the ability to shape their own future.
When the time came for Orthos to ascend to the white moon, Marath, he carried with him a newfound love and respect for the mortals. He vowed to guide them not as a stern judge, but as a loving guardian, illuminating their path with the light of truth, justice, and order. This love for the mortals has remained with Orthos even after his ascension, a love that continues to shape his actions as he watches over the people of Paen'ti'qaen from the white moon, Marath.
