Theindal (VG)
The god of vanity.
Epithet: "The Prince".
Theindal is the god of art, beauty, and vanity. His symbol is that of a perfect blood red rose studded with thorns. Theindal is a fickle god, prone to fits of rage, jealousy, and dangerous boredom. It is said he was responsible for cursing the Ksaravi with the forms of rats due to a momentary need for amusement. Theindal rewards those who are beautiful, but curses those who dare to believe themselves on par with himself. To call upon Theindal is a careful matter, much like handling a rose.
See also: How did the Ksaravi come to be?
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Affinities
- Art
- Beauty
- Vanity
- Quality - As it relates to Beauty
- Purity
Also Known As
- The Beholder
- Prince of Beauty
- The Prince
Symbol
His symbol is that of a perfect blood red rose studded with thorns.
Methods of Worship
- Creation/sacrifice of jewelry/other beautiful objects
- Pilgrimage to a beautiful location, performing a ritual there
- Gathering of flowers to present to Theindal
Vision and Driving Beliefs - Dogma
Theindal teaches his followers that beauty allows one to become closer to perfection. The followers of this god have been taught that one may judge a person by what they find beautiful. The beauty that Theindal speaks of however is not simply superficial beauty; he speaks also of the inner beauty, a message that has been lost on many of his worshipers.
Theindal has also taught his worshipers that art allows one to create beauty, and that creating art may lead one to enlightenment. In a way, this deity asserts that perfect art and expression can create perfect people. Works of art can last forever and it is best to have many beautiful things in the world.
Personality Traits
Theindal is a fickle god, prone to fits of rage, jealousy, and dangerous boredom. It is said he was responsible for cursing the Ksaravi with the forms of rats due to a momentary need for amusement. Theindal rewards those who are beautiful, but curses those who dare to believe themselves on par with himself. To call upon Theindal is a careful matter, much like handling a rose.
To most other beings Theindal comes across as a vain and superficial god. This portrait of Theindal is not exactly true as he can find non-physical beauty in almost anything. It is his ability to find imperfections in anything that has led to this characterization. Theindal cares little for matters that do not relate to art and beauty and most often simply dismisses conversations that are not related to those subjects.
Physical Appearance
Theindal most often appears as a humanoid male with extravagant or foppish clothing. His body is not too muscular nor too scrawny and he carries himself with a roguish confidence.
Races that Often Worship this Divine Being
- High Elf
- Qaliathari Human
- Raki
- Wood Elf
Professions that Often Worship this Divine Being
- Artificer
- Cleric
- Psionicist
- Bard
Relationship with Other Divine Beings
Theindal enjoys the company of other deities that enjoy art and finds little use for those who do not appreciate, or destroy, such things.
Quotes
Grace Ealil (high elf), Leth Nurae: "Theindal is the prince of beauty. The high elves are favored in his eyes."
Elegant Aria (high elf), Leth Nurae: "You can see where Theindal has touched this world, for great beauty remains."
Sa'id Modabi (Qaliathari), Khal: "Theindal should have cursed them to be something even more lowly. Yes, the Ksaravi are only fit to be worms, crawling around on the ground..."
Acolyte Horace (Thestran), Tursh: "Do not become an eyesore to Theindal; for if his gaze were to fall upon you, you would be smitten into dust."
Sample Parley
You say, "What tales have you to share, friend?"
Acolyte Kramon greets you with a smile. "Well met stranger, how fare your adventures?"
You reply, "Just another day, as always. How are your adventures finding you?"
Acolyte Kramon laughs gently. "Ha, I can't say my life is anything to call adventurous. Just yesterday I fought an epic battle with a fly and injured my thumb."
You encourage Acolyte Kramon, saying, "Come now, I'm sure you have at least one tale that would make an adventurer's ears prick."
Acolyte Kramon thinks for a moment. "There is one, come to think of it. Have you ever heard the tale of the Platinum Griznot?"
You shake your head.
Acolyte Kramon lights up. "Then let me begin by telling you about Theindal, god of beauty. Many state that Theindal cares for nothing but beauty. His disciples will often tell you, 'His eye for blemish serves to inspire the beauty that hides behind.' Whatever that means."
You nod. "That is an interesting take on things, please go on."
Acolyte Kramon continues excitedly. "The god of beauty challenged himself to create something in which he could find no flaw, from something in which he could find no beauty. He toiled relentlessly for many years, it is said that some of the most hideous beasts who walk, slither and fly on Telon first drew breath on the floor of Theindal's salon."
You consider Acolyte Kramon. "It seems a bit selfish to create so many horrible things for one pretty object."
Acolyte Kramon shrugs. "Who can question the gods and their endeavors? After several years of toil, Theindal had done it, he created the Platinum Griznot! The Griznot was supposedly so beautiful that even the god of slaughter, Ghalnn, wept in its presence."
You blink. "That is quite impressive."
Acolyte Kramon leans in and speaks quietly. "The god of mischief, Finch, waited for Theindal to blink and stole it from directly under his nose. That was the last anyone ever saw of the Platinum Griznot again."
After a pause, you urge, "Well, what happened to Finch and the Griznot?"
Acolyte Kramon replies in a very matter of fact tone. "Oh, Finch threw it away. Once he stole it, the thrill was over, so he tossed it somewhere on Telon. Many adventurers have spent their entire lives searching for it. Supposedly the Platinum Griznot is such a spectacle to behold that those who witness it become rich and happy in its presence. Who knows though, it's probably just a story that farmers tell their children in hopes that they will become adventurous."
Sample Parley
"The Amber head of Theindal," says Arla Bast with a low, reverent voice.
"What is it exactly?" you ask.
"Well, it did once sit on the prow of the finest ship in the Tradewind Company's fleet," says Arla Bast. "Eternity Skimmer."
"You may or may not have heard of the Tradewind Company," says Arla Bast, "they went out of commission some ten years back, you see."
"But they were quite the band," says Arla Bast.
"And Theindal was their patron?" you ask.
"In a manner of speaking," says Arla Bast. "You see, the head of the Company was a woman named Kira Hamshed. She was a sculptor before she entered the Company, and she was the one who sculpted this."
"Theindal," says Arla Bast, "cannot ever be hoped to be represented accurately. And it generally angers him that mortals would dare to try. But she, well, she actually managed to please him. It didn't hurt that she herself was quite the beauty, nor that she had carved the sculpture from amber. So he blessed their dealings."
You say, "If you'll forgive me saying so, it seems like a 'Prince of Beauty' is not the best patron for a shipping fleet."
Arla Bast nods. "So the Tradewind Company found out eventually," says Arla Bast. "They did have a few glorious years. Their ships and crew were certainly the best in the sea to look upon, but they were not as hearty."
"Carefree swashbucklers they were," says Arla Bast, "they also played around a bit with smuggling and high seas adventures. That's what did them in."
"They angered the wrong set of cutthroats," says Arla Bast, "and one by one, their ships were sunk, until finally Eternity, and Kira with her, sunk beneath the sea."
"So too went the head of Theindal," says Arla Bast, "possibly the finest sculpture of the god that has ever been made."
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