Deliar

[hellspawn]

•Aliases: Lucky Wanderer, Merchant of Fate, Wind of Destiny
•Race: Halfling
•Worshippers: Halflings (usually male) and merchants or shopkeepers of every race.
•Governs: Family, Fate, Harmony, Luck, Money, Trade, Wealth
•Mantras: Materialistic, Nomadic, Public, Rural

"You know the road? It isn't just the place that goes from one point to another, oh no, don't let anyone mislead you like that. The road is a wonderful new world of discoveries and adventures, it's the place where legends begin, it's the place where destiny takes you by the heels and whisks you away into the unknown. The road indeed is not just a pass; it's a journey in itself! But don't take my words to heart, the road is not for me to explain, it is for you to experience. So grab your pack, pick a good stick, and take that first step. You won’t know it until you walk it. And if you find anything interesting along the way, make sure you pick it up to trade for other goodies!"

~ Words from Layson Pincher to his son


Deliar teaches that in order to lead a fulfilling life, one must constantly strive to discover new ways to trade with the world. His objectives and priorities deal with a harmonious existence in which everything is spread throughout all the communities that touch any goods or services that can be bartered with. The Lucky Wanderer promotes wealth, yes, but such wealth should not be enjoyed at the expense of others— particularly not at the expense of the community as a whole. Thus, he welcomes success in monetary gains as long as other needs have been satisfied.

Carrying their families with them if necessary, all followers of the Merchant of Fate are encouraged to explore the world; because the only way to truly appreciate existence as a whole, is by exploring all its possibilities and letting others know of the treasures from distant lands. These treasures aren't just in gold but in all the uniqueness a culture can offer. Particularly, in the things they create to identify themselves—that way, there is a bit of everyone all over Layonara.

To hone your skills as a tradesman, is to worship Deliar at what he does best, which is to understand the true value of an item and make everyone gain from it even though perhaps the person they are exchanging with may not at first see the bigger picture. In the end, as long as no one is harmed by the trade, their role has been fulfilled. The best kind of exchange is the kind where each side walks away feeling like they came out on top.

Finally, all those who follow the path of the Lucky Wanderer understand that little in life is predictable, that the roads in life have only the certainty of uncertainty within them, and that every turn may throw at them a good or bad experience. The concept of luck and fate, whether good or bad, is embraced by all Deliarites fully since they know the fruits of today may not be as bountiful as those of tomorrow, and life does particularly well in bringing surprise to everyone. Because of this, many worshipers of Deliar are extremely superstitious and have many quirky rituals and talismans that must be performed or carried before embarking on a particular journey or going on about their daily routines.

[hellspawn]

Deliar’s worshipers need to be resourceful individuals, otherwise they won’t be able to survive beyond the gates of the city walls. As such, they are often trained with basic battle skills so they won’t be caught off guard. Preferring the short sword, mainly because of its portability and variety of uses, they gain some practical knowledge of its potential applications but never truly delve into martial expertise. Those who have been blessed by success have been known to embellish their swords with precious metals and pommel gems to show their wealth and, consequently, Deliar’s favor. Many, however, are known to give these swords away to those in need in order for them to exchange it for goods.
Clerics of Deliar tend to wear chain shirts when traveling; light armor providing enough protection to be useful but not restraining movement in the long roads they embark in. If they have been lucky enough to find some, they often adorn their armors with unique metals like gold, silver, or even mithril. However, they don't make an effort to waste too much wealth on something that can serve other purposes, and more often than not, those decorations are memories or gifts from the places they travel through. When their feet aren’t on the road, they prefer comfortable clothing with many accessories and pouches to keep ledgers and coin within easy access. They favor earthy colors with small highlights in green or gold depending on the mood and what they may be selling.

[hellspawn]

The Church of Deliar is extremely mobile. So while those who follow the path of the Lucky Wanderer aren't necessarily disorganized (indeed some have been known for complicated filing systems that boggle the mind), establishing a hierarchy that can be maintained in a healthy manner has proven extremely difficult. Therefore, in their desire to maintain a sense of harmony within their own clergy, the church has opted for a light version of something that can be called an organization. Most of the Deliarite church is composed of halflings with gnomes being a far second and then humans.

Mints
The path of all faithful begins as the humble minting of a coin. When a follower of Deliar decides to take up the divine path, they are often taken as apprentice to a wandering Lucky Coin. Their teachings often revolve around the learning of economics, the markets of the regions they travel within, and eventually into world dynamics and appraisals. During this time, Mints, as these apprentices are called, help the Lucky Coin in all their dealings: transcribing contracts, organizing paperwork, setting up merchant stalls, and dealing with clients as they wander the world are common tasks they perform as they become one with the path of Deliar. Most halfling Mints become additional family members to the Lucky Coins they travel with and are often thought of as cousins. In other races, the relationship between a Mint and his or her Lucky Coin is often more of a professional one that remains simply respectful and businesslike.
Mints are eventually acknowledged as full-fledged Lucky Coins when they understand the true lessons of Deliar are not really just examining market flows and trading routes but in the more delicate weaving of destinies and the exploration of fate. Toward the end of the time that Mints stay with their master, they enter complicated dialogues involving the recounting of events and the many routes things could have gone if other actions were taken. They discuss the complex and often contradictory-seeming concepts of destiny and luck, and how most Deliarites do not see them as mutually exclusive, but instead attempt to link them together in complicated patterns that are often lost in endless nights of discussions. When a Lucky Coin deems his or her Mint ready to forge his or her own destiny, often when the one presents a question the master cannot answer, he lets the apprentice go to see where the wind will take him or her.

Lucky Coins
The majority of the clergy is within the ranks of Lucky Coins. By definition, a Lucky Coin wanders the roads of the world wherever fate and trading takes them. The first and most lasting investment a cleric of Deliar ever makes is the purchasing of their traveling wagon. They go to great lengths and preparation in either finding one to buy or acquiring all the materials needed to have someone construct one for them. Once they do this (and properly celebrate in the Day of Parting), they set their feet on the first road they find and flip a coin to set their direction. They follow the road until they meet another fork and generally let destiny glide them through life. However, a Lucky Coin does not live a whimsical life with no roots at all—far from it, for in these first wanderings they are familiarizing themselves with the world beyond their home towns, expanding their roots, and growing rather than cutting them altogether. In doing so, they expand their knowledge of the surrounding regions, discover new or potential trading routes, and become pioneers in lands untouched by civilization.

Lucky Coins need to be resourceful individuals, after all, they live on the road and can rarely rely on the security of cities and villages. As such, they often keep hidden stashes of necessary life-goods, which if not used after a while become the matter of their next sale in the closest settlement they arrive at. However, they will never sell anything that is about to spoil and plan accordingly. Eventually, every Lucky Coin establishes a path in which they travel along; wherever need or opportunity takes them while keeping the needs of those who have been met along the way in mind. Many communities depend on these wandering merchants to bring them the caravans full of feed or material to work their trades since an established Lucky Coin is one of the most reliable sources of economic influx in Layonara. One of these faithful of the Merchant of Fate often reach their life objective when a community comes to depend on a route they have established for their very existence—a dependence that is not frowned upon but embraced in care.

Destiny Merchants
It often happens that some Lucky Coins become so essential to a particular area that they can no longer afford to leave it. These individuals go through a process of transition in which most of their previous distant routes and responsibilities are passed on to another Lucky Coin or well-rounded merchant. They then slowly become features of the new place they call home. Destiny Merchants become providers of essential trade within the communities they surround and administer great deals of wealth; a matter which requires tremendous trust from those handing over the pay from a hard day’s work. Furthermore, they often bear the self-imposed responsibility of providing the means of survival to those not blessed by fortune. Many times, conflicting with local nobles who desire cheap work or authority that brands people in strata. Destiny Merchants act upon their calling in shifting fate for those under the pin of oppression whenever it is within their reach. Many who have ascended into this rank have large houses that can keep many with a roof above their heads. Almost always, with the help of the inseparable Clovers of Prunilla, they build shelter homes where people can get a new fresh start in life. Destiny Merchants, despite the fact they keep organized lives, are known to be rebellious and stubborn, never truly trusting the word of written law without a sense of those to whom it is being applied. In addition, they go out of their way to show that life is led not by a book but by the experiences destiny weaves.

Fortune Finders
A few faithful of the Lucky Wanderer reach a level of renown and influence that places them in a position of great responsibility with the world as a whole. Known as Fortune Finders, these wise Deliarites are at the forefront of global economics. Their responsibility has passed beyond the often very localized point of view and has shifted to watching the world spin in the right direction. Not only are these individuals very able mathematicians and students of the most complex branches of economics, but they have an unquenchable fire within their spirits to fight oppression and tyranny. Of the current four Fortune Finders, three of them have been proven as secret providers and leaders in underground rogue agencies that fight the grasping hands of despotism. While never truly ones to be in the battlefields, their wars have been fought with conniving individuals who seek to make a living at the expense of the many. Fortune Finders have a sight for change. Many speculate that these individuals can see the weaves of destiny unraveling before things even occur, and their ability to be at the right time with the right tools and the right people have marked them as figures of great cunning and insight. In reality, most of them are humble people who simply want the best for the world more than others and will do whatever is necessary to accomplish it; not letting law (whether good or ill intended) get in their way. However, they never succumb to murder or any immoral acts. In times of peace, Fortune Finders are often seen dealing with economical issues from one noble court to another and often act as speakers for the people to those who are perched in crowns too high to see the bottom of their shoes.

The current Fortune Finders are Owan Dango, Felicity Evesight, Ernest Charles Broggon, and Tuntin Glittergleam.

Owan Dango is a portly male halfling from the Circle Mountains in the Spirit Dunes of Mistone, who looks to be no other than a simply well-fed merchant with a taste for comfortable yet elegant clothes. However, Owan's more interesting side is webbed with hundreds of contracts whose sole purpose are to feed communities all over Mistone and Alindor that have been affected by the war. Owan has a tendency to mislead those nobles he negotiates with to appear as a simple-minded individual, but his instincts regarding economics is like that of the sharp snakes that live in his place of birth, and he uses this keen insight to benefit those whom life has dealt a bad hand.

Felicity Evesight is a somewhat young female halfling born in the city of Westgate during the time it was under the tyrannical claw of Xandrial’s minions. Throughout her early years, she had to learn how to survive in a place where all the odds were against her and no one would have blinked at her death. However, adversity brings the best or the worst out of people and after spending many years fighting for her life, eventually her high spirits and quick mind led her to a group of underground rebels who slowly spread their work on the continent of Xantril. Felicity found herself in the path of the Lucky Wanderer after proving her keen insight into the workings of a broken continent. It is because of her that many are able to have a semblance of a decent living in the far eastern world. Selling trinkets in her free time between one conflict or another, she is said to make a home now in the Fort of Last Hope.

Ernest Charles Broggon is a male human in his early 30’s born in a small community near the Forest of Fog. He lives the simple life of a woods people. Ernest had little concern over the workings of the greater world until a group of Branderback thieves raided his home town and established it as their center of operations. Ernest found himself homeless, hungry, and without the ability to make a decent living, which prompted him to seek the outside world for aid. It was then that he met a wandering Deliarite struggling through the tough times of the war and badly needing a helping hand. Together, they exchanged lessons and aid with Ernest eventually finding the divine path of the Merchant of Fate. After organizing a fund to restore all the displaced from his hometown many years later and removing the taint of the thieves within, many looked up to him for all the work he had performed. So he started wandering the continent to help where he could. He believes his gifts came for a reason, and he blesses others with the Lucky Wanderer's teachings.

Tuntin Glittergleam is a caring gnome born in Alindor under the care of the Sun Castle. From a young age, Tuntin did not show the normal attention most gnomes show for the workings of the earth or the devices built with it. Instead, he was focused on more insubstantial matters with concepts that were not immediately tangible. A magnificent mathematician, Tuntin slowly gained the ear of the castle's administrators, and in a chance encounter with a distant committee led by a Lucky Coin, he became enthralled by the idea of following a faith that explored the concepts he had spent all day long studying. As was his nature, Tuntin completely absorbed everything about Deliar. When the nearby township of Stone was destroyed, it was clear to Tuntin that the real strength of a community comes not from the amount of weapons they wield but how successful and efficient their living is. His theories then applied to action and have been put to good use in many places after the destruction of Bloodstone. After receiving a particular contract from an underground movement in the continent, Tuntin shifted his sight to the mountains where Milara dwells. Now, he fights with the tools he knows to liberate the world of the evil taint Sinthar's previous generals spread.

[hellspawn]

Griffon Traders
Originating from the city of Port Hempstead, a group of traders from the merchant guilds were constantly strained by the severe taxations the city presented and decided to start a trading group that would make an effort to donate their dividends in city charity and gain taxing grants. The idea of not taking all the gains into their own pockets, seemingly unheard of by most merchants, was so appreciated by the local Deliarite clergy that they decided to join their ranks and support their cause in any way. Since then, the Griffon Traders have grown to become a society of craftsmen and merchants who work together to fund infrastructures for the cities around southwestern Mistone and hopefully eventually extending to the rest of the continent and beyond. They deploy analysts and architects to examine the conditions of locales around the continent. When one of them discovers a place needing some economical help, they integrate it into their programs. The Griffon Traders have teachers, clergy, a network of supplies, and many so-called adventurers within their ranks to aid in the support of this cause.
Many do not agree with their methods, particularly those who were previously benefiting from the lesser comforts of those that are being helped and that this entity always comes attached with the teachings of the Lucky Wanderer makes many within the nobility and controlling forces very uncomfortable. Although the Griffon Traders do not truly wish to be the cause of conflict, as they are devout to Deliar, they will not stand before the hands of oppression.

The Undiscovered Path
This sect of the Deliarite followers—comprised mainly of clergy who focus on the exploration of new opportunities around the world, but with many trackers, rangers, and the occasional unbound rogue or bard within their ranks—specializes in the threading of new locations for trade and exchange to occur. The love of finding new treasures in the unknown is enough to make them consider going into the most inhospitable places and attempt to find feasible means of trade and perhaps a treasure or two. The Undiscovered Path promotes freedom before anything else and their ranks are somewhat colorful. A fact that speaks greatly of how unique they are when considering that the normal clergy of Deliar are mainly comprised of already colorful halflings. Many esoteric philosophers or self-acclaimed heroes make up their ranks and while many things may seem unexpected when dealing with a member of this sect, one thing that is never lacking is the guaranteed amusement or entertainment involved in their daily routines.

[hellspawn]

The real temple of Deliar lies on the road. While some of the faith gather at convenient locations near markets or town meeting places, Deliar's temples are always mobile. Whenever a halfling sets up a small shop, they make sure that proper blessings to the Lucky Wanderer are made and the stand effectively becomes a place of worship for them. In established locations, the local banks often act as a temple as well if the ones administering it are faithful to Deliar; however, this occurs far less often as a trend. The only true lavished and prosperous temple of Deliar sits within the city walls of the city of Port Hempstead.
Port Hempstead Temple
Situated before the memorial of the Crimson Eagles, this temple of Deliar once used to be a simple warehouse that was refitted into a bank and storage facility when the city faced a change in administration. The enterprising Pincher Family, funded by wealthy merchants needing security for their goods, decided to establish a center for the faith as well. Because many merchants opted to keep their goods with them, the place grew and grew until it became a grandiose feature of the city.

Eventually, the rather rustic warehouse looks were remodeled into an ivory white marble and brick building. Decorated with gold and fiery themes of griffons and maritime regalia, the symbols of the city, it became a building to represent a new era of great wealth and success in the city. The Pincher family has administered it ever since. With the front of the temple acting as sales point for many merchants and a bank, the second greater half of the building houses the temple proper where the faithful are given free lodging and a place to practice their trades.

The temple's final addition was a trading school funded by Triba Gues. This place of learning is where many crafters go to learn or teach the details of their trades with a greater focus on benefitting those who are in need—rather than just crafting for the sake of it.

[hellspawn]

Prayers
Prayers to Deliar are often lighthearted and sometimes comical, always revolving around some aspect of trade or the roads they travel along with all the interesting encounters they might see. They don't pray at any particular time of the day. Instead, they offer words of worship when the time calls for it—after all, you never truly know when destiny will throw you an unexpected curve, and it is best to simply be prepared for all of them. In the long nights on the road, many address Deliar's constellation in conversation about where other forks in life could have taken them.
Prayer said before combat:
"Lucky Wanderer, things are getting tricky, so let’s not be hasty on the proper dealing of fate until we've dealt with the angry ones, all right? Then, we can worry about who is going to be the fortunate one after the fact!"

Prayer said when trading:
"Oh great Merchant of Fate, give me the strength to not set the evil, conniving, gold-hoarding guild on fire; instead, offer better services for a cheaper price! This would be most appreciated! Deliar give me the skills to pry wealth from the tight-fisted and the foresight to know where best to use it—and a little to line my own pocket wouldn't hurt!"

Prayers said when traveling:
"Lucky Wanderer, bless this path we take now with as many surprises as you can imagine for us to embrace opportunity as it arrives and make the best out of it. Never think twice of a challenge, for our feet will land safely with your blessings and move along with your lessons.

Luck keep the wind at my back and the sun from my eyes and let each fork lead to a new discovery."



Holy Days

•Wedding Day
On the 27th of Jular, all Deliarites interrupt all their business transactions and negotiations to celebrate the most important occasion for the Lucky Wanderer. They gather before nearby lakes or beaches and in a celebration that lasts throughout the night and with lit bonfires and songs, they commemorate the wedding between Prunilla and Deliar. Many theatrical plays occur on this day and are centered on romantic stories, and new loves are often consolidated between those faithful to the couple. The celebration ends early in the morning when everyone is given a small gift from a loved one, something simple and thoughtful, like the ring that Deliar gave Prunilla for their engagement.


•Midsummer Festival
On 21st Junar, the Midsummer Festival begins with a week-long party that is celebrated in conjunction with all Prunillites and halflings in general. Gathering in the meeting places of their cultures, the only rule that is followed in this festivity is to have fun. While the Lucky Clovers of Prunilla worry about the food and drinks, those of Deliar instead make sure that all involved are supplied with any means of entertainment available. Hiring distant bards of great renown or the odd performer they've met in their travels, they make sure they are brought to offer their graces to add to the merriment. In Midsummer Festival very little is spared, and this celebration is often a well-earned reward after a long year of work. Many business deals are made during these festivals. Despite the fact that they are encouraged not to do any work, it is often hard to take the merchant out of the Deliarite. So with pie in hand and blueberry juice in another, the most lasting trade relationships are established. In the city of Port Hempstead, this festival takes on an even more important turn as new city officials are elected, and many Lucky Coins are seen milling about promoting their candidates or denouncing some hypocritical lord of the nobles whose sole interest is their pocket. Within the wealthier circles, long-term plans for the city and surrounding regions are reinforced or terminated. They always watch for dangers that may come from those less willing to offer care. The festival ends eventually with a great performance and a lot of paperwork catch up for the busy Lucky Coins.


•Parting Day
A bittersweet celebration in which Deliarites meditate on their roots and say their goodbyes to loved ones to begin their path into the unknown. In the Parting Day, those close to the one leaving gather around their wagon with food and drinks to retell stories over an evening fire. Many are gifted with things of both practical use and personal meaning and remain with the one leaving until the brink of dawn when the Lucky Coin sets out on the road. On this day, the one walking will commonly make a promise of something they will accomplish before they return, and many do not come back to their homes until this vow is accomplished— unless some major catastrophe strikes and they are needed urgently.

[hellspawn]

•Allied:

◦Beryl
◦Goran
◦Ilsare
◦Lucinda
◦Prunilla

•Friendly:

◦Aeridin
◦Az'atta
◦Folian S'pae
◦Grannoch
◦Kithairien
◦Shindaleria
◦Vorax

•Neutral:

◦Aragen
◦Dorand
◦Katia
◦Xeen

•Unfriendly:

◦Grand
◦Mist
◦Rofirein

•Enemy:

◦Baraeon Ca'Duz
◦Branderback
◦Corath
◦Pyrtechon
◦Shadon
◦Sulterio
◦Toran
◦Vierdri'ira

[hellspawn]

•Alignment:
◦Chaotic Good



•Cleric Alignments:
◦Chaotic Good
◦Neutral Good
◦Chaotic Neutral



•Domains:
◦Good
◦Protection
◦Travel
◦Air