Phoenix

Neutral Good god of fire and rebirth.

 

Titles: Hot Wings, Phenix, Phoinix, Rebirthing Flame, The Firebird, Warden of Fire
Home Plane: Ethereal
Power Level: Lesser
Alignment: Neutral Good
Allied Deities: Azeyma the Warden, Ifrit
Enemy Deities: N/A
Portfolio: Air, Animals, Birds, Fire, Rebirth, Sky, Sun.
Domains: Fire, Good, Healing, Sun.
Favored Weapon: Katana.
Artifact: True Phoenix Feather
Sacred Gem: Amber
Sacred Color: Vermillion
Sacred Month: November
Deific Order: Reborn

Lore

The origins of the deity known only as the Phoenix are shrouded in mystery. Some say that it was once a wind drake that sacrificed itself for its princess. Others say that it was once a mighty condor that gave its life in a blaze so that its hatchlings may live. Even more say that it was once a sage, who beseeched Bahamut to spare the righteous few after a great cataclysm. Hearing these words, Bahamut ascended the mage into the Phoenix, who used his newfound abilities to provide a realm reborn to those who survived the calamity.

Regardless of origin, as the guardian of rebirth, the Phoenix is credited as the one who instilled the knowledge of revival magic into all beings, giving them the ability to bring back those most dear. In times of great crisis, the Phoenix will also intervene to revive certain adventurers if their quest was just and the world needed them.

However, the humanoid races’ greed got the better of them, and due to the harvesting of Phoenix Downs and Pinions, the Phoenix no longer calls the Material Plane its home. However, before departing, the Phoenix imparted the knowledge of crafting Phoenix Downs and Phoenix Pinions to allow the humanoid races to avoid unnecessary death while also sparing his feathers.

The Phoenix’s most famous ability is known as the Flames of Rebirth or the Rebirth Flame. This technique of the Phoenix unleashes an intense burst of fire that burns all the unrighteous enemies of the Phoenix, though not as intensely as Ifrit’s Hellfire. However, to those the Phoenix deems allies, the Flames of Rebirth will instead revive and heal them. The Phoenix also teaches Raise spells, Fire spells, Cure spells, and Holy spells. He focuses on Constitution and Wisdom.

Relationships

As a fellow sun god, the Phoenix is also close to Azeyma the Warden, sharing duties with the Eorzean deity. As far as anyone knows, the Phoenix has no enemies.

The general association with fire has caused the Phoenix to ally with Ifrit. This is especially strong in Valisthea, where Ifrit and the Phoenix were said to have originally been one being.

Appearance

The Phoenix most commonly manifests itself as a bird with mostly reddish-orange feathers. Some depictions will also have the Phoenix have multi-colored tail feathers ranging from green, blue, or violet. A handful of tail feathers resembling those of a peacock can also be found on the Phoenix. When using Flames of Rebirth, it is said that the Phoenix’s form cannot be seen; instead, the Phoenix manifests as a living flame in the shape of a bird.

Within worlds and times when it is beneficial to do so, Phoenix forms together with Ifrit, to grant the god of fire wings that might even breach the atmosphere of the planet to combat forces that would eradicate the world. This form mostly resembles Ifrit, with the wings of the Warden of Fire.

Realm

The Phoenix most often resides in the Ethereal Plane, intertwined with the material plane and holding close control over rebirth.

Followers

Worshippers of the Phoenix are dedicated to the idea of rebirth in all capacities. This includes the redemption of criminals, the restoration of areas hit by a calamity, and staving off death. As such, most of the Phoenix’s devotees occupy themselves as service workers and healers. However, an important tenet for the cults of the Phoenix is that while unnatural death and undeath are to be fought, natural death is inevitable, and thus one must be ready to accept loss when the time comes.

Race: While the message of the Phoenix is generally accepted by all races, Humes and Elvaan profess more devotion than most. In the latter’s case, it’s widely believed that the sage who gave his life to emulate the Phoenix was of the Elvaan race. As a winged god, the Phoenix can also count Aegyl followers among his ranks.

Class: Paladins, white mages, and medics are the most common worshipers of the Phoenix because of their dedication to healing and staving off the undead. Chemists who specialize in crafting Phoenix Downs and other items bearing the Phoenix’s name are also devoted to the firebird. Summoners who make pacts with the Phoenix often do so to ensure that the Phoenix protects them and their allies from death and disaster. Some thieves, ninjas, monks, and samurai also worship the Phoenix. There are no necromancers in the Phoenix’s cults, as the god is opposed to profane resurrection.

Traits: Affinity for the Elements

Rites

The Phoenix’s sacred items are Phoenix Downs and Phoenix Pinions. When devotees place these within an altar, they come alight to commune with the Undying Flame. When the flames are extinguished, the communication is cut.

To contact the Phoenix, place an effigy or image of a lost loved one in a flame generated by four Phoenix Downs, each representing Denial, Anger, Bargaining, and Depression. The Phoenix will then appear as either his bird form or in the form of the lost loved one, surrounded by embers. Once the Phoenix Downs have been consumed by the flames, the Phoenix will leave in a gentle burst of flame, consuming the Phoenix Downs but leaving the effigy or image intact, representing Acceptance.