Memnos

Name: Memnos
Titles: The Warden, Our Protector, the Lord of the Harvest, The Wise One, The Eternal Sentinel
Nature: Memnos is best known among mortals for his role in giving them their yearly harvest, just as the world begins to slow into the lull of winter. Memnos is a stern deity who seeks to prepare the people of the world for the lull of winter, and does not tolerate laziness nor inaction.
Gender: Male
Times of Power: Dusk
Portfolio: Earth, Fire, Strength, Memory, Dependability, Patience, Sadness, Harvest
Favored Alignments: Lawful (any)
Restricted Alignments: Chaotic (any)
Allows Druids?: Yes
Allows Spirit Shamans?: No
Allows Paladins?: Yes
Favored Weapon: Flail
Symbol: A Single Leaf
Domains: Protection, Strength, Knowledge, Earth, Law

As the hot winds of Summer begin to lessen and die down, the world begins to prepare itself for the coming Winter. Plants begin to shed their leaves in preparation for their Winter slumber, and the hands of mortals turn towards gathering the harvest of the year and making their preparations. Autumn is a time of transitions, and plodding efforts that must be done, like it or not. Autumn is a test of strength and hardiness - one that, if failed, will spell grave consequences for the coming winter. Many mortal minds begin to shift towards the past, and the pleasant times of before as their hands are turned to the seemingly endless work of Autumn. A lack of hard work is often met with swift punishment, as the failure of a single mortal can spell disaster for many more in the coming Winter. Autumn is also a time of competition, when animals and mortal alike seek a limited a supply of food. Those whom are desperate not to starve often lash out at their more successful neighbors.

Memnos is depicted by mortal artists as a stocky, strong man usually wearing platemail or other metal armor. His features are usually broad, with a square jaw and tightly cropped hair. He is commonly posed with his arms crossed aloofly, or wielding his armaments combative pose, though in recent years more mournful and contemplative expressions have been portrayed. The Lord of Autumn is said to wield the Earthreaver, a heavy flail that is believed to have been forged with an alloy of adamantine and granite in the heart of the eldest, fiercest volcano, with its spikes shaped to resemble the thorns of autumn roses. In his other hand is Primal Aegis, a large shield of ancient oak bark, covered in a layer of red leaves and framed in deer horns. Tales go that a single swing from Earthreaver can crush a mountain into pieces, and pounding it to the ground causes the earth to writhe in agony, provoking earthquakes that devastate the land for miles. Anything made of stone or metal bows out of the way of its swing, leaving anything else to face the power of an avalanche. Tales also mention that anything made from natural materials -processed or not- refuses to touch the majesty of Primal Aegis. Mortals would easier lift a mountain than Earthreaver, and protect themselves with dry leaves, without Memnos' permission.

Holy Symbols of Memnos are often made of a thin layer of granite or marble, or dried elder wood (more commonly oak or ash), formed into a leaf. If worn, its stalk faces upwards. They are generally painted in pale yellow, faded red or light browns, or any combination thereof. The symbol of a devout cleric is sometimes made even harder than any metal by the blessing of Memnos, despite the fragility of its material.

The church of Memnos is a common sponsor of the armies of the world, striving to keep the world's protectors as strong and able as possible. The church also works extensively with farmers to raise stronger crops and livestock, seeking to safeguard the food sources of the world. Many monks were taught by the church of Memnos, as the schools of monks connected to Memnos are focused on instilling supernatural toughness into their students. The church also sponsors a sect of paladins, who seek to protect civilization from the many evils it faces, as well as finding and destroying evil within civilization. Paladins of Memnos are often also guardsmen/women and detectives. Alternatively, several of the world's long past tyrants were also worshipers of Memnos, their harsh lash backed by the opinion that it is they alone who knew what was best for the world, and by extension, Memnos himself.

The Lord of Autumn is often revered by guards, warriors, farmers, rulers of all kinds and nobles.