Helion

Helion is the Ardorian god of the sun and justice. He is one of the foremost gods in the realm, and is worshipped by common folk and nobility alike. He is the patron deity of the Church of Helion and their chivalric arm, the Holy Order of the Dawn.

He is worshipped by Cedric Goodfellow, an initiate of the latter organisation.

Appearance and Symbols
Though the gods are depicted differently across Ardor, Helion is usually presented as a titanic being clad from pate-to-toe in golden, embossed armour. He wears a crowned greathelm with blinding starlight glaring through its open visor, and carries a flanged mace of solid gold. The crown and mace are often depicted together as Helion's main emblem in the material realm, symbolising both his primacy over mortals and the might he wields in pursuit of justice.

Personality
Helion is characterised as firm and compassionate in equal measure, but primarily concerned with fairness in all things. He is a punisher of criminals and those who violate the laws of nature, and no day-walking mortal escapes his watchful eye. At night, however, his power wanes, allowing creatures of darkness to roam freely until salvation comes in the form of the dawn.

Commandments

 * 1) Maintain the eternal vigil of the Dawnfather and bear arms against evil.
 * 2) Help relieve the suffering of the innocence where it exists.
 * 3) Deliver the light of Helion upon the darkness; meet dishonour with honour, cowardice with courage, cruelty with mercy.

Important Ceremonies
Helion's holy day is Highsun, the 21st day of the month of Concord. Festivities involving feasting and gift-giving are held throughout the week, beginning with a vigil at dawn on the 21st, and concluding at sunrise on the 27th. In Kallantium, the conclusion of the festival involves a long procession to the Solar Citadel at the top of Apollonia, where offerings are made to the Dawnfather, ending only when the sun has fully risen.

Most ceremonies of Helion are conducted at dawn, and actions and contracts agreed at sunrise are believed to be blessed by him. Funerals are described as the Twilight to symbolise both the end of a life and the beginning of a new one in the afterlife - these ceremonies are conducted at dusk, followed by a wake that lasts until the following sunrise.

Holy Sites

 * The Solar Citadel: an ancient temple to Helion on the hill of Apollonia in Kallantium. Once a mere shrine, it is now an awe-inspiring basilica with a surrounding complex of forums, offices and gardens.

History
Helion was one of the principal gods involved in the creation of Ardor.

Known Followers

 * Church of Helion - a large, hierarchical religious organisation built around worship of the Dawnfather. Their headquarters are in the Solar Citadel in the city-state of Kallantium.
 * Brother Anselm - a missionary sent to bring the faith to the town of Correnwald.
 * Cardinal Rassian - a high-ranking cleric who serves as one of the twenty-five cardinals.
 * Father Reed - a travelling bishop in Armathain.
 * Rycroft Goodfellow - a member of the Radiant Brotherhood, an order of ascetic monks devoted to Helion.
 * Holy Order of the Dawn - an order of knights and paladins devoted to the pursuit of chivalry, adventure and justice. They act as the military arm of the Church, who dictate and sponsor their quests.
 * Cedric Goodfellow