Avarix, Spirit of Greed

Avarix is a powerful and influential Major Spirit, worshipped by those who value wealth and power above all else. He is often depicted as a wealthy merchant or king, dressed in fine robes and adorned with gold and jewels. Avarix's followers believe that the acquisition of wealth is a sign of virtue and that they have been blessed by Avarix with the ability to acquire it. He is associated with concepts such as greed, avarice, commerce, and law.   Avarix enforces a strict code of conduct to his followers that are oriented to the attainment of wealth, through lawful, orderly, and predictable means. He teaches his followers that they are superior by the fact they have accumulated wealth and power and that they have been chosen by him. His followers are often merchants, traders, and other wealthy individuals who use their power and influence to further their own goals.   His church is a powerful institution, controlling much of the economy in the regions where it holds sway. It is known to engage in unethical business practices and manipulation of the laws for personal gain, but also fiercely enforces a code of conduct for its members, punishing those who disobey or threaten the power of the faith. They are also known to take revenge on those who dare to cross or cheat on any of their members, going as far as ruining their businesses or finances.   The worship of Avarix is focused on acquiring and hoarding wealth, and his followers are encouraged to amass as much wealth as possible, often by any means necessary. They are fiercely competitive and will stop at nothing to acquire more wealth and power. Those who incur the wrath of Avarix and his followers can expect to be subject to a merciless campaign of financial ruin.  

APPEARANCE

Avarix is often depicted as a regal and imposing figure, with a commanding presence and an air of superiority. He is typically portrayed as a tall, muscular human man, with striking features such as piercing eyes and a strong jawline. His skin is typically a deep bronze, a symbol of his association with wealth and prosperity.   He is usually dressed in finery befitting a wealthy merchant or king, with a long, flowing robe of the finest silk, adorned with gold thread and precious gems. The robe is often decorated with intricate patterns and symbols that signify his status as a god of wealth and power. He also wears a golden crown or a miter on his head, adorned with precious gems, and carries a scepter that symbolizes his divine authority and power.   His appearance usually gives the impression of richness and opulence. His eyes are often said to gleam with a fierce, inner fire, reflecting his unquenchable desire for wealth and power. He is often shown standing on piles of gold, symbolizing his control over wealth and his followers' desire to acquire it.   On some of the representations, Avarix holds a coin or a bag of gold, representing the importance of wealth in his teachings, and the fact that He is the one that blesses his followers with it. He is often portrayed with an expression of superiority as if looking down on others, showing his belief that those who have wealth and power are inherently superior to those who do not.  

PERSONALITY

Avarix is a spirit of greed and avarice, and his personality reflects this. He is ruthless, ambitious, and single-minded in his pursuit of wealth and power. He is fiercely competitive and will stop at nothing to acquire more wealth and power for himself and his followers. He is also very calculating, always looking for ways to increase his wealth and power, and manipulating laws and regulations for personal gain.   Avarix demands that his followers be orderly and lawful. He believes that stability and predictability are the best ways to accumulate wealth and that his followers should follow laws and regulations, but also manipulate them for personal gain. He also places great importance on loyalty to himself and his church, viewing disloyalty as a threat to his power and wealth.   Avarix believes that those who amass great wealth are inherently superior to those who do not, so his followers often have a strong sense of superiority and entitlement. They view themselves as blessed by Avarix and see their wealth as a sign of virtue, and they are not shy to show off their wealth and flaunt their power.   Any affront or attempt to undermine his followers or the church is viewed as a direct attack on him, and he will not hesitate to take revenge on those who dare to cross or cheat his followers, going as far as ruining their businesses or finances, and punishing the offenders with his wrath.  

HISTORY

 

TRADITIONS & PRACTICES

There are ten commandments that priests of Avarix must adhere to:

• Acquisition of wealth and power is the ultimate goal of life, and those who amass great wealth are inherently superior to those who do not.
• Follow laws and regulations, but also manipulate them for personal gain, if possible.
• Worship and serve Avarix and his church above all else, viewing any disloyalty as a threat to his power and wealth.
• Help other followers of Avarix in their quest for wealth and power, and report any attempt at undermining the faith to the church.
• Be orderly and lawful, maintaining stability and predictability in the pursuit of wealth and power.
• Be ruthless and ambitious in the quest for wealth and power.
• Show off wealth and flaunt power as a sign of virtue and blessing from Avarix.
• Take revenge on those who dare to cross or cheat on any of the followers of Avarix, with the aid of the church if needed.
• Do not hesitate to resort to nefarious means, such as theft, extortion, and deception, to acquire wealth and power.
• Believe that Avarix is the only true spirit and that other gods and their followers are inferior and a threat to the pursuit of wealth and power.

 

Ritual of Avarice

The Ritual of Avarice is a sacred ceremony performed by the priests of Avarix, typically held on a weekly basis. The purpose of the ritual is to invoke the blessings of Avarix on the faithful and to reaffirm their devotion to the spirit of greed.   The ceremony takes place in a grand temple dedicated to Avarix, adorned with gold, jewels, and other symbols of wealth and power. The altar at the front of the temple is piled high with offerings of gold and precious gems, as a symbol of the faithful's devotion to the spirit.   The priests of Avarix, dressed in ornate robes adorned with gold and jewels, begin the ritual by lighting incense and burning precious oils, filling the temple with the sweet aroma. They then invoke the blessings of Avarix, reciting prayers and hymns in his honor.   The centerpiece of the ritual is the "Offering of Wealth", where the priests and the congregants bring forth their offerings of gold, precious gems, and other valuables to be added to the altar. The offerings are presented one by one, each accompanied by a prayer or hymn, asking Avarix to bless their efforts to acquire wealth and power.   After the offerings, the high priest of Avarix will perform the "Blessing of Avarice", where he sprinkles holy oil, blessed by Avarix, on the offerings and the congregation, invoking the spirit's blessings and protection. This is a very important moment, as is the belief that this blessing will help the faithful to acquire wealth and power, and protect them from harm in their quest for it.   The ritual concludes with a feast, where the congregation shares a meal of rich and lavish foods, symbolizing the abundance and prosperity that Avarix has bestowed upon them. The priests offer a final prayer of thanks to Avarix and his blessings, and the congregation is dismissed, with the high priest imparting his blessings and reminding the attendees of their duty to be orderly and lawful, ruthless and ambitious, in their quest for wealth and power, while remaining loyal to the church and Avarix.  

OFFERINGS

Avarix, as the spirit of greed and wealth, is typically honored with offerings of gold, precious gems, and other valuable items. Some examples of acceptable offerings to Avarix include:\

• Gold Coins: Gold coins are a traditional offering to Avarix, symbolizing the accumulation of wealth and prosperity. They can be placed on the altar as part of the "Offering of Wealth" during the weekly "Ritual of Avarice" or as a daily offering, as a way to invoke blessings from the spirit on one's financial endeavors.
• Precious Gems: Offering of precious gems such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires are a traditional symbol of wealth and luxury, and are greatly valued by Avarix. They can be included in jewelry, placed in a small chest, or simply displayed on the altar.
• Fine Art and Objects d'Art: Avarix is also associated with aesthetics and luxury, thus the offering of fine art, sculptures, antiques, and other luxury goods will please the spirit. These items are associated with wealth, culture, and appreciation of beauty.
• Incense, Oils, and other aromatic items: Incense, oils, and perfumes are common offerings to Avarix as they represent the sweet aroma of wealth and prosperity. These can be used to purify the temple and the faithful before the rituals and ceremonies, or offered to the spirit as a way to please him and invoke blessings.
• Spices, exotic fruits, and delicacies: Avarix is also associated with abundance and pleasure, so the offering of rare spices, exotic fruits, delicacies, and other luxurious food will please the spirit. These can be part of the feast at the end of the Ritual of Avarice and can be used to symbolize the abundance and prosperity that Avarix has bestowed upon the faithful.

 

SHRINES & PRIESTS

The shrines of Avarix are typically grand, opulent buildings, adorned with gold, jewels, and other symbols of wealth and power. They are built in places where commerce and trade are prevalent, and they are often located in the most affluent and prosperous areas of the cities.   The interior of the shrines is usually grand, with high ceilings, marble floors, and walls adorned with intricate frescoes and mosaics depicting Avarix and other symbols of wealth and power. The altar at the front of the shrine is typically piled high with offerings of gold and precious gems, as a symbol of the faithful's devotion to the spirit.   The priests of Avarix are typically wealthy and powerful individuals themselves, chosen for their devotion to the spirit and their success in acquiring wealth and power. They are often merchants, traders, and other wealthy individuals who use their power and influence to further their own goals, as well as those of Avarix's faith.   The priests of Avarix are expected to be exemplary in their devotion to the spirit, and they are expected to lead by example, accumulating wealth and power through lawful, orderly, and predictable means, being ruthless and ambitious, while remaining loyal to the church and Avarix.   They are also expected to be knowledgeable of the laws and regulations, and how to manipulate them for personal gain, as well as to be able to perform rituals and ceremonies, offer guidance to the faithful, and help other followers of Avarix in their quest for wealth and power. They also act as intermediaries between the faithful and Avarix, interpreting the spirit's will and offering counsel and advice to the congregants.   The High Priest of Avarix holds a position of great power and prestige and is often the leader of the church, responsible for interpreting the will of the spirit, offering guidance and advice, as well as leading the ceremonies and rituals. They are often seen as the right hand of Avarix and are able to call upon his divine wrath to take revenge on those who dare to cross or cheat any of the followers of Avarix.   The priests of Avarix are typically dressed in ornate robes adorned with gold and jewels, to reflect their devotion to the spirit of wealth and power. The robes are often long, flowing, and made of the finest silk, with gold thread and precious gems sewn into the fabric. The robes are often decorated with intricate patterns and symbols that signify the status of the priests as servants of Avarix.   Many priests will also wear a golden crown or miter on their heads, adorned with precious gems, to symbolize their status as a representative of Avarix and as a powerful figures in their own right. They will also carry a scepter or a symbol of Avarix such as a coin or a bag of gold, symbolizing their connection to the spirit and their authority.   The priests of Avarix often dress in ways that demonstrate their wealth and power, so they are usually well-groomed, with finely tailored robes and jewelry that are crafted with precious materials. They are also often adorned with various symbols and imagery that reflect their devotion to Avarix, such as images of gold coins, or other symbols of wealth and prosperity.