Thallos
Thallos, god of strength, encourages his followers to be strong in body and mind, willing to accept and overcome any challenge. At the core of his belief structure is that the strong should rule, regardless of heritage or title, which leads his followers towards a meritocracy at best; at worst, they tend towards something akin to a violently authoritarian kratocracy. His clergy tend to be small but influential in most lands, but are extremely prominent in Halgard, where Thallos is the national patron. Worshippers vary from laborers who seek to improve their lot in life to military commanders willing to accept the challenges of war. Though Phemos, God of Sport, is an ally, the friendly competitions between the two are legendary. Thallos’ gravest enemy is Ruminus, God of Disease, and to die of disease in one’s own bed is considered the worst of deaths to Thallean worshippers.
Thallos’ mother, Pelactere, Goddess of Rage, tricked Virtus, God of Courage, into lying with her intending to give birth to a god who would serve her, but Thallos rebelled against his mother, which has put their respective followers at odds.
Depictions
Statues and art of Thallos, unsurprisingly, depict him as muscular and fit and often naked, though in the former Imperial lands of Aurea he'll often have a light green breechcloth or perizoma for modesty. He has a full head of curly brown hair, a clean-shaven face and bronzed skin. As Balukor the Brave, Thallos is typically depicted wearing the heaviest armor appropriate to the local culture, though his face and arms remain bare.
Symbols
The holy symbol of Thallos is a closed fist, usually made of gold or steel chased in gold, often terminating in a long handle, forming the shape of a mace. The fist is downturned in times of peaceful competition and upturned in times of war. The arrowwood tree and the edelweiss flower are sacred to Thallos and often used not only in ceremonies, but are often planted in gardens at temples and sacred places to Thallos (though the edelweiss flower tends to flourish only in cool mountainous climes). The apple is also significant to Thallos, particularly green apples, for promoting overall health and strength. Yellow (or gold) and light green are Thallo's sacred colors.
Dwelling Place
The Acropolis of Triumph at the peak of the Stepped Mountain of Ushna
Doctrine
The foundation of Thallean worship is the Decodigies, the Ten Teachings, with each book describing the life of one of the ten Prime Ascendants and each providing lessons in the Ten Virtues of Thallos.
Virtues
Commitment, Confidence, Courage, Determination, Excellence, Fairness, Loyalty, Preparedness, Self-discipline, Tenaciousness
Vices
Arrogance, Complacency, Fear, Indecisiveness, Injustice, Mediocrity, Sloth, Surrender, Treachery, Uncertainty
