Ephaesus

Name: Ephaesus
Titles: Grand Archivist, Forefather of Knowledge, the Omniscient Eye, the Watcher
Nature: Ephaesus is a scholarly deity, who spends much of his time deep in thought as he seeks to uncover the next cosmic mystery which only He truly understands. In His quest to understand everything, He encourages His mortal followers to do the same. He also seeks to improve all things in creation, to make them better than before.
Gender: Male
Time of Power: Day (especially noon)
Portfolio: Thoughts, Dreams, Abstractions, Discovery, Research, Progress
Favored Alignments: N/A
Restricted Alignments: N/A
Allows Druids?: No
Allows Spirit Shamans?: No
Allows Paladins?: No
Favored Weapon: Quarterstaff
Symbol: A Single Open Eye contained within a circle
Domains: Magic, Knowledge, Craft/Artifice, Dream, Travel

The force of growth is often associated with good, although it is impartial, improving all things good and evil alike as it flows through the universe. Growth is a powerful force of change in which all things benefit from, molding the life given to them at birth into something better each moment they are alive. Ephaesus is heavily associated with the force of progress in the world, and the slow march of improving the understanding and lives of all mortals. Progress marches forward without heed to neither the abolishment of old systems nor the formation of new ones.

Ephaesus is often depicted as an older man, with a beard of varying sizes and types, and sometimes a balding head. He is nearly always depicted wearing robes, although the materials and designs vary. It was not uncommon in years long past to see him depicted with plants growing up from under his feet, though such designs are no longer seen. In his hands, often appear two items - a leather-bound book titled "Grimoire Scientias", said to be the gathered knowledge of all living beings, and his staff, Dreamweaver. Dreamweaver is smooth across its length, yet appears as if cut marble or pearl; on its top rest three simple white spheres. While Ephaesus very rarely finds himself in conflict, Dreamweaver is said to be intelligent and the two often discuss matters of cosmic importance of philosophical intrigue, challenging each others' wit. When combat is unavoidable however, Dreamweaver is able to shape the world, its functions, and the opponent's thoughts as Ephaesus sees fit, bringing forth a growth of inanimate objects to bar paths, elements to harm, or the opponent's worse nightmares. Dreamweaver is impossible to be found by mortals unless it or Ephaesus desire so.

Holy Symbols of Ephaesus are typically made of silver or gold inlaid with a single large gemstone of various qualities or worth, typically towards the green or blue hues, and preferably transparent. Around the stone an eye shape is carved. The most devout clerics bearing the symbol are almost never plagued by nightmares, and quite often see prophetic or inspiring dreams.

The church of Ephaesus is heavily involved in educating the world, although there is some controversy within the church on which classes and types of people should be educated. Most temples of Ephaesus are also schools, which commonly teach language, mathematics, geography, the physical sciences and art. The temple is also heavily involved in exploring and mapping of new places. A few decades ago, and only within Atalan, the church of Growth became intensely interested in studying the newly discovered force of the Arcane.

The Lord of Growth is commonly followed by lorekeepers, scientists, inventors, explorers, and more recently Arcane spell casters of all kinds.