- Spheres: Art, Music, Poetry, Civilization, Literature
- Gender: Male
- Alignment: Neutral Good
- Power: Intermediate Deity
- Symbol: Paintbrush
- Favored Weapon: Rapier
- Influence: Patron of artists, bards, writers, and performers.
- Domains: Charm, Community, Creation, Dream, Elf, Travel, Herald, Joy
Description: Often idolized as a young adult male, with blonde hair and green, twinkling eyes in green and brown leather armor. Humans show him as a human with elven features, where elves depict him as an elf of considerable comeliness. The dwarves worship an aspect that is shown as a great herald of the dwarves. Halflings and gnomes, likewise, show him as a particularly learned and knowledgeable member of their races. Orcs do not worship Tethos; the rare exception worships the version idolized by one of the other races.
Lore and Knowledge: The Great Bard, or the Singer of Songs, Tethos is said to have sparked creativity in the civilized races. Some scholars even point to worship of Tethos as a demarcation on whether that culture or race has become ‘civilized’. Tethos is often associated with many lesser and minor deities known as muses, that typically personify a particular area of the arts and civilization, from frantic creativity to inspired self-sacrifice.
Followers: Worshippers of Tethos are those that appreciate the arts, and literature, and general creativity. Artists, poets, architects, writers, and many sages and scholars all pay homage to Tethos. Every bard pays some respect to their inspiration. Followers of Tethos cross all ethical alignments; some worship him to further civilization or the arts, while others seek his aid for their own greed. Tethos’ strongest base of support resides in large cities, and elven communities.
- Affiliated Organizations:
- Bardic College: The association of bards and troubadours, actors, and performers.
- Sanctuary of the Divine Beauty: The central organization devoted to the worship of Tethos.
- Sage’s Union: Organization of scholars and sages.
- Seekers of the Song: Secret organization devoted to discovering the Song of the Ages.
Class Information:
Clerics: Clerics of Tethos must be neutral or good; they cannot be evil. Once per year, they must create a work of art, or conduct a performance, and devote it to Tethos. Any proceeds from a live performance must be given to the church, to further the arts, while any physical work of art must be donated to the church.
There is a canon for Tethos, which describes the merits of all the known works of art, and lists all the great artists of the ages (having it grants a +2 circumstance bonus to Knowledge (History) skill checks when dealing with art or art history).
Clerics of Tethos cannot Turn Undead. Instead, they may Inspire one target: the target gains a divine bonus to their Attacks, Damage, Skill Checks, or Saving throws (choose one) equal to the cleric’s Charisma modifier for 1 round. Activating this ability is a Swift action. This ability meets any requirements for which Turn/Rebuke undead are required, and may be used 3 + Charisma Modifier times per day.
Class Skills: Appraise, Concentration, Diplomacy, Heal, Knowledge (Arcana, History, Nobility, The Planes, Local, Religion), Listen, Perform, Spellcraft
Favored Soul: Favored Souls of Tethos are typically great artists or performers. They lose proficiency with medium armor, but gain the ability to Inspire Courage as per a Bard of the same level. Perform is one of their class skills.
