Pholtus is the god of light, resolution, law, order, inflexibility, sun, moons. His priests are about keeping order, doing good for the community, making converts, and rooting out heretics. Generally in that order, but not always. He’s very concerned with law, and his association with the sun and moons is because he keeps them in their appointed courses. His association with light highlights his directness and inflexibility, as a beam travels in a straight line.
Priests of Pholtus have a strict hierarchy, with a patriarch in Efros (There are other patriarchs for other nations and kingdoms). Pholtus worship is not common in Efros, but is gaining ground as the kingdom becomes more unstable.
Pholtus’ main holidays are solar, taking place on the Solstices and Equinoxes. They are The Birth of the Light (Winter solstice), The Judgement of Pholtus (Spring Equinox), The Light Ascendant (Summer Solstice), and Preparation for the Chaos (Fall Equinox).
There are also minor holidays, such as when both moons are full, or both are dark, etc.
The One True Way
Followers of Pholtus follow the one true way, which is summarized in the following ways:
- The One True Way is a strict path, but guarantees rightness.
- Show no tolerance for those who do not give all for the cause of Law,
- Fanaticism in the name of the Blinding Light is praiseworthy,
- Law’s champions shall be rewarded in the era when chaos has been vanquished.
The Book of the Blinding Light
The Book of the Blinding Light is a collection of six books of lore about Pholtus. It is generally found as one volume, but individual volumes have been found from time to time. Some of the volumes are ornate, decorated with scenes and images illustrating the stories in the books.
The books are:
- The Book of the Sun – Describes how Pholtus carves a path in the sky for the sun to follow and thus, how he rules the sun.
- The Book of the Moon – Describes how he carved paths in the sky for the moons, and why he rules the moons
- The Book of the Law – Describes the rigid path of righteousness, and explicates the One True Way.
- The Book of the Good – Describes good works that are to be done by Pholtus’ followers.
- The Book of the Knowledge – Establishes the Priesthood and describes the knowledge for the chosen ones to follow his Righteous Ways.
- The Book of the Deeds – Establishes rules for the clergy, as well as sermons, chants, songs, and details of preaching. Details vestments (white with silver or gold accents to indicate status and rank within the Church), lays out how missionaries should behave, etc.
Hymns
The Book of Deeds (by far the largest book) includes several hymns, including the most popular, O Blinding Light, handed down by St. Gygax himself.
Oh Pholtus,
O’ Blinding Light,
Bright is your Wisdom.
Aid us it will to conquer the Heretics.
O Blinding Light,
Give us the Light of the Day, as we praise you at Dawn.
Give us the Light of the Night, as we praise you at Dusk.
O Blinding Light.
I praise the Word of Pholtus,
O Blinding Light.
Defending His honor.
O Blinding Light.
I reveal your Light to the Converts.
O Blinding Light.
Protect us, your faithful servants.
O Blinding Light of Pholtus.
Light, The Divine Substance From The Creator.
Other hymns include
- “Pholtus, We Adore Thee!”
- “In Thy Light, O Lord”
- “The Light of a New Day” for dawn services,
- “Beyond the Sunset’s Glow” for evening services
- “All Things Bright And Beautiful”
- “Lead Kindly Light”, a funerary hymn.