D&D: Here Comes The Sun – Turns Out It’s Pelor
Sometimes the sun rises. Sometimes it comes thundering over the horizon riding a ki-rin. At least, it does if it’s Pelor, god of the sun.
There are many sun deities on many worlds in D&D’s multiverse. And among the many gods, Pelor is perhaps one of the most well-known gods of the sun. Pelor originated in Greyhawk and came to define clerics of light for a generation or two. And though the recent focus is on Faerun, it’s hard to mention D&D’s sun gods without mentioning Pelor.
Pelor ruled over Sun, Light, Strength, and Healing. Again, we see the pattern of sun gods being nurturing protectors. Pelor also sometimes claimed Good and Travel as his domains, especially since the sun famously travels across the sky each day.
But though Pelor is often depicted in a more gentle light, the Sun Father is not afraid to ride into battle atop a mighty ki-rin named Star Thought, summoning celestial eagles and smiting evil with bolts of radiance. Sometimes the sun is harsh.
Pelor & His Followers
Pelor directs his followers to nurture life, following in the wake of their deity. Just as the sun shines brightly for all to see, so are Pelorians instructed to bring about good works where they’ll do the most good. Pelor believes justice and freedom are best brought about through charity, modesty, perseverance, and self-sacrifice. And the occasional eagle summoning,
But under Pelor’s gentle grace, those who possess true strength don’t need to prove their power. Those who follow Pelor strive to perform enough good acts to outshine evil in every arena.
When evil rears its head, though, Pelor and his followers are wrathful indeed. Pelor especially abhors the undead, as do most gods associated with lights. He directs his followers to destroy them when they can. But Pelor also understands that compassion is the root of goodness in the world. Not the opposition of evil.
Thus, Pelor’s greatest commandment is to not ignore those in need in order to persecute those who do evil.
As a result, Pelor is truly popular among the common folk. In the Bright Lands of Greyhawk, he is particularly revered. Some call him Aurifar, others call him the Shining One. But from Ekbir to Geoff, Pelor’s church can be found.
And surprisingly, schisms and heresies are few and far between. Most of the head priests of Pelorian temples are in communication with one another, trying to lead and uplift all by example. When not administering the faith, they try to keep secular leaders on the path of goodness and kindness. On occasion they will use their connections to apply pressure to those oppressing the smallfolk beneath them.
And that’s Pelor, god of goodness and the sun.
