Hero-God

Hero-gods are mortals blessed with mythical powers that elevate them above other mortals. They appear in multiple cultures in Elaris but are particularly associated with Estaklyos. Their mortality is often all that separates them from divinity. Despite not being truly divine in their own right but rather quasi-deities, hero-gods can grant magical power to mortal followers as though they were demigods, having up to 10 priests granted spells, and granting up to 3rd-level divine spells to them. However, unlike typical quasi-deities, they are mortal and can be slain much more easily than true deities, though they can survive without any worship. As such, to kill a hero-god is often the most direct way to get rid of their influence.

History

With their incredible power, hero-gods have shaped history in the regions in which they are active.

In Estaklyos

Inhabitants of the nation of Estaklyos primarily worship their hero-gods, though they also worship other divine entities. Estaklaian hero-gods are spoken into existence by cyclopean myth-speakers.

Other Regions

Hero-gods have appeared all throughout Elaris over the years and they have, without exception, caused mass changes in their lifetimes.

• Arden the Swordswoman, one of the greatest of Cavellan heroes was a hero-god for a time before ascending to demigodhood among the Cavellan pantheon. She has recently been making a comeback as an interloper deity in the Cetandari Pantheon.