Arcus

1. Core Identity

• Name: Arcus (Are' Kuss)

• Pantheon: The Core Pantheon

• Titles & Aliases: High God of Magic & Intellect, The Weave-Master, The Great Will-o-Wisp

• Gender / Form: Sexless (usually referred to as male). His natural form is a collection of energy, like a large will-o-wisp cluster. He recently assumed a humanoid form.

• Alignment: Neutral

• Status: High God (Reports to Grand God Senzyn)

• Divine Realm: Lex Magica (The Shifting Weave)

2. Domains & Influence

• Primary Domains: Magic, Arcane Knowledge, Foresight, Intellect

• Portfolio: He is the "Weave" of magic. He is the god of all magic (arcane, divine, natural), all knowledge of magic, and the "foresight" (prophecy) that comes from "reading" the "Weave."

• Cleric Domains (5e): Arcane, Knowledge, Light, Survival, Tempest, Trickery, Twilight, & Unity

3. Symbolism & Depiction

• Holy Symbol: The constellation "Arcus" (a specific, fictional constellation in the worlds night sky).

• Favored Weapon: Staff (seen as a "focus" for the "Weave")

• Favored Colors: "Magical" colors: deep purple, electric blue, and "weave" silver.

• Sacred Animals / Plants: None. (He is the god of the "un-natural" force of magic).

4. Dogma & Worship (The Core Beliefs)

• Core Dogma (The Philosophy): "Magic is the law of all things. It is not "good" or "evil," it simply is. It is the thread, the weave, and the pattern. To study magic is to study the "mind" of the multiverse. It must be kept stable, for if the Weave unravels, the world unravels. Do not be "sentimental" with magic, but be responsible. It is the blood of the world, and it must remain pure and stable."

• Tenets for Followers (The "Thou Shalt"s):

  • "Seek knowledge of the Weave. To "use" magic is simple; to "understand" it is divine."

  • "Maintain the balance. The Weave is a "neutral" force; do not "push" it too far to "good" or "evil.""

  • "Respect the "law" of magic. A "Wild Magic" surge is a "failure" of the system."

  • "Prophecy is just "reading" the "threads" of the Weave. It is not "fate"; it is "data.""

• Sins & Taboos (The "Thou Shalt Not"s):

  • "To destroy magic or "un-ravel" the Weave (e.g., creating a "dead-magic" zone). This is the ultimate sin."

  • "To be "reckless" with magic. A "Wild Magic" sorcerer is a "danger" to the "stability" of the Weave."

  • "To hoard "old" magic. Magic must be "used" and "circulated" to remain "stable.""

  • "To deny your "logical" mind in favor of "illogical" emotions." (This has become... complicated for him).

5. Relationships

• Superiors: Senzyn (Grand God). Arcus reports to Senzyn. Senzyn is the "Artificer" (the "hardware"), and Arcus is the "Weave" (the "software"). They are the "Intellect" bloc of the pantheon.

• Subordinates: As the "High God of Magic & Intellect," Arcus is the "manager" of the entire "Magic" department.

  • Major Gods: Vistoul (Honor/Dragons) & Eisana (Wizardry/Community).

  • Gods: Aedryn, Bahamut, Corellon Larethian, Feta, Kayleth, Reter, Saraheniel, Sucar, Zaketrin.

• Counterparts:

  • El (High God of Life): His "co-worker." She is the "body," he is the "mind."

  • Ezma (High God of Death): His "co-worker." He is the "Weave" of "life," Ezma is the "un-raveling" of "death."

• Mortals: Arcus was jaded and saw mortals as "amusing pets." He was a "hands-off" god. However, this has all changed...

• Demigod Offspring:

  • Edeven Spellweaver (Arcana): (An "accident" from his wisp-form).

  • Giv Quinllan (Arcana): (A second "accident" from his wisp-form).

  • Taika Tähtinen (Unity): (An "intentional" child with his new mortal lover).

6. The Church & Clergy

• Name of the Church: The Weavers of the Weave, The Arcane-Order, The Church of the Constellation.

• Worshipper Base: Wizards, Sorcerers (who seek "control"), Sages, Prophets, and "logical" rulers.

• Clergy Structure: A "Lawful," academic hierarchy. Acolytes are "Students," priests are "Weavers," and high priests are "Weave-Masters."

• Temple Description: Temples are "Arcane Colleges" or "Observatories." They are quiet, logical, and "magical" places, often with "open-roofs" to "observe" his "constellation" symbol.

• Rites & Rituals: "The Weaving" (a "communal" casting of a single, complex spell), "The Reading of the Weave" (a "prophecy" ritual), "The Stabilization" (a ritual to "calm" a "Wild Magic" zone).

• Holy Days:

  • "The Night of the Weave": The one night of the year when the "Constellation Arcus" is at its "brightest." All "new" spells are "presented" to the Weave on this night.

7. History & Lore

• The Mandate and the Mortal Heart: Anushirvan's mandate forced Arcus to create demigods. As a will-o-wisp cluster, he impregnated two women just by them standing near him (siring Edevan and Giv). Later, he found a third woman he was enamored with, took a humanoid form, and created the third demigod normally. He struggles to maintain his doctrine, which must remain stable for the Weave to survive, despite his new emotions.