| Category | Higher Powers | ||
| Power | Greater | ||
| World | Thuldanin (Acheron) | ||
| Race | Theegan | ||
| Gender | male | ||
| Title |
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| Alignment | lawful neutral | ||
| Symbol | battlefield | ||
| Domain | Competition, Nobility, Glory, Planning, War (bolstered) | ||
| Enemies | Gruumsh, Thyrm | ||
| Born | 1 War March 1419 DE | ||
| Godhood | 25 War March 152 GE |
Ares was a renowned Covenant hero and general during the arduous Creation War (1486 DE - 8777 DE). For a period, he served in an elite unit known as the Golden Seven. Over the course of several millennia, his relentless pursuit of warfare led him to adopt a more orderly and impartial perspective on the cosmos.
For almost a century during the Demon Spawn War (89 GE - 269 GE), Ares served as the Supreme Commander of the Quara'tun Covenant.
Ares ascended to the status of a Cult Power on 25 War March 152 GE. Having attained the exalted position of a Higher Power, he departed from the Mortal Systems. With Ares's absence, the mantle of Covenant command fell to his protégé, Asmodeus. As a Higher Power, Ares claimed dominion over the War Domain, a fitting tribute to his combative spirit and warlike tendencies.
On the world of Bal-Kriav, the first shrines dedicated to Ares were erected in the Throat of Gathargûl. In this valley, the Tungesti beseeched the god for triumph in combat. During the Great Exodus, the faith of Ares proliferated to the camps and settlements emerging along the coastlines. Home to refugees of a fallen land, a people battered by immense sorcery, suffering the waves of Poseidon, and now a wild frontier, they welcomed the zealous Tungesti, praying for safeguard and unity. By the ascent of the Council of Bile, reverence for Ares had permeated numerous realms.
One of the most expansive holy sites of Ares stretches from Khilag-Tarkin into the Marrow Fields. The Breached Pass Campaign was fought across these areas. Ares blessed the mortals in the battle, and the divine boon he bestowed remains potent to this day. It is known as the Parry of Ares, granting those within its influence enhanced combat prowess and vitality.
Ares, the patron deity, is revered by numerous barbarians within the realm. The Tungesti, one of the most populous barbarian groups, devoutly worship him. Ares' favored armament is the spear, granting his priests a complimentary Martial Weapon Proficiency and Weapon Focus with this implement. Consequently, his devoted adherents acquire a free Martial Weapon Proficiency and Weapon Focus feat of their choosing, as a result of his augmented war domain.
Ares is a War God, and more so than any other deity, he delights in it. He has been known to incite discord among the gods, going so far as to collaborate with the likes of demon lords and archdevils solely for the purpose of waging war. Ares's fervent desire for war has resulted in the clergy of his church being organized in a military manner. The highest position is that of the Citadel Dictum, an individual who serves as the supreme religious authority for an entire world.
The religion of Ares is a distinctly martial one. Church officials hold military ranks, and places of worship are named to evoke an army, with villages hosting "garrisons" and cities housing "army depots." The powerful Ares church resides within the Bal-Kriav Empire, centered at the Bal-Kriav Headquarters, a citadel church located in Drakhôr. This sacred site is home to the Citadel Dictum, the high priest-general overseeing all Bal-Kriav.
The zealous adherents of Ares are crusaders, templars, battle priests, and other martial-oriented individuals. Ares does not welcome pacifists, devoted healers, or cloistered clerics into his legions. The priests of Ares exist within a distinct hierarchy, separate from ordinary worshippers. Their ranks span from the lowly Boot Dictums to the exalted Citadel Dicutum, who presides over all the Churches of Ares across the world.
The sword prepares the way for the Word of Ares.
Sûza-Sin, Helmet Dictum - "Core Doctrine"
| Priest Rank | Notes |
|---|---|
| Boot Dictum | lowest level priest of the Church of Ares |
| Shield Dictum | |
| Sword Dictum | |
| Spear Dictum | |
| Plate Dictum | |
| Helmet Dictum | head priest of an individual Church of Ares |
| Tower Dictum | head priest of a city's Church of Ares |
| Wall Dictum | head priest of a nation's churches, rarely are there more than 1 |
| Castle Dictum | head priest of an entire region of churches |
| Citadel Dictum | head priest of all the Churches of Ares for a world (c.f. Drakhôr) |
| Core Worship | Proselytizers |
|---|---|
| Ag Envok | Ladies of Castration |
| Bazandaggûl | Apocalypse Corps |
| Council of Bile | Githlarâk |
| Dafrlami | Grisagwer |
| Fargimdal | Motherland Guard |
| Icyke | Wardens of Aspungad |
| Nemegral | Whiteblood Legions |
| Paradomea | |
| Tulukhan | |
| Vaesvild | |
| Witch Horde |
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Battle Titan | Ares becomes colossal in size, gaining +30 strength, +250 hit points, scoring critical hits on a 19+, gains one extra attack per round, and everyone within a mile is immune to fear and anyone fleeing battle for lack of courage or a break in morale must make a Fortitude DC40 save or lose 5 hit points per round until they rejoin the battle |