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Arke, Swift Messenger Goddess

Arke
My Images (midjourney.com)
  • Pantheon: Greek Mythology
  • Deity Title: Swift Messenger Goddess
  • Deity Symbol: A pair of golden wings (or mechanical wings)
  • Home Plane: Olympus (before her fall), Tartarus (after her fall)
  • Deity Level: Lesser Deity
  • Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
  • Aliases: None
  • Superior: None
  • Traditional Allies: Titans, particularly those who rebelled against the Olympian gods
  • Traditional Foes: Olympian gods, especially Zeus
  • Divine Artifact: The Wings of Arke (her wings were replaced with mechanical ones)
  • Servants: Fallen angels or other celestial beings who sympathize with her cause
  • Servitor Creatures: None specified
  • Sacred Animal: None specified
  • Manifestations: Appearance as a celestial being with or without wings, manifestation of divine wrath or favor through natural phenomena such as storms or rainbows
  • Signs of Favor: Good fortune, successful communication or travel, protection from danger during journeys
  • Worshipers: Those who value freedom, messengers, travelers, rebels against oppressive authority
  • Cleric Alignments: Chaotic Good, Chaotic Neutral, Chaotic Evil
  • Specialty Priests: None specified
  • Holy Days: None specified
  • Portfolio: Messenger of the Titans, defiance against oppressive authority, adaptation and resilience
  • Domains: Chaos, Travel, Liberation, Air (or Technology if her wings were mechanical)
  • Favored Weapon: Shortbow or Spear
  • Favored Class: Rogue or Bard
  • Favored Race: None specified
  • Duties of the Priesthood: Spreading messages of rebellion and defiance, protecting travelers and messengers, advocating for freedom and independence
  • Major Cult/Temple Sites: Hidden shrines or temples in remote or inaccessible locations
  • Benefits: Protection during travel, enhanced communication abilities, access to hidden knowledge or secrets
  • Significant Others: Iris (sister)

Arke, the swift and ethereal messenger goddess, exudes an aura of both grace and defiance. Standing tall amidst the celestial backdrop, her slender form is draped in robes that flow like wisps of cloud, their hues shifting and dancing with the vibrant colors of the rainbow.

Her features are striking, adorned with eyes that gleam with an otherworldly intensity, reflecting both the wisdom of ages past and the fiery determination of one who has faced the wrath of the divine. A cascade of golden locks frames her face, their luster akin to the shimmering light of distant stars.

Arke’s presence is both commanding and enigmatic, her movements fluid and purposeful as she navigates the celestial realms with a grace that belies her tumultuous history. Though her wings, once mighty and majestic, have been cruelly severed by the hand of Zeus, the scars of her exile serve as a poignant reminder of her defiance against the gods.

As a messenger goddess, Arke once served the Titans with unwavering loyalty, her swiftness unmatched as she carried their will across the heavens. Yet, her allegiance to the Titan cause ultimately led to her downfall, as the Olympian gods emerged victorious in the tumultuous struggle for supremacy.

Cast into the depths of Tartarus by the wrath of Zeus, Arke’s wings were stripped from her, leaving her to wander the shadowed realm of the underworld for eternity. Despite her imprisonment, her spirit remains unbroken, fueled by an unyielding desire to defy the will of the gods and reclaim her rightful place among the celestial pantheon.

Arke’s actions are driven by a desire for freedom and redemption, as she seeks to transcend the confines of her divine fate and forge her own path amidst the stars. Though her journey may be fraught with peril, her resolve remains unwavering, a beacon of hope for all who dare to challenge the whims of the divine.

Arke, Swift Messenger Goddess
My Images (midjourney.com)

Medium Celestial, Chaotic Neutral


Armor Class: 25 (natural armor)

Hit Points: 600 (40d10 + 320)

Speed: 60 ft., fly 120 ft. (hover)


STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
18 (+4)24 (+7)22 (+6)20 (+5)24 (+7)26 (+8)

Saving Throws: Dex +15, Con +14, Wis +15, Cha +16

Skills: Perception +15, Insight +15, Acrobatics +15

Damage Resistances: radiant; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Immunities: lightning, thunder

Condition Immunities: charmed, frightened

Senses: truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 25

Languages: Celestial, Common, Primordial

Challenge: 28 (120,000 XP)


Innate Spellcasting. Arke’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 24). She can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

  • At will: misty step, shield, message
  • 3/day each: teleport, plane shift, lightning bolt
  • 1/day: meteor swarm

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Arke fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Resistance. Arke has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Divine Wrath. Arke can unleash a bolt of divine lightning as a legendary action. Each creature within 120 feet of her must make a DC 24 Dexterity saving throw, taking 8d10 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Wings of Lightning. Arke’s wings crackle with divine lightning, shedding bright light in a 30-foot radius and dim light for an additional 30 feet. While flying, she can use a bonus action to create a storm cloud that follows her, providing concealment.


Actions

Multiattack: Arke makes three attacks: one with her Divine Spear and two with her Radiant Bow.

Divine Spear: Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d8 + 7) piercing damage plus 18 (4d8) radiant damage.

Radiant Bow: Ranged Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (4d8 + 3) radiant damage.

Divine Presence (Recharge 5-6). Arke can use her divine presence to strike fear into her enemies. Each creature of her choice within 120 feet of her must make a DC 24 Wisdom saving throw, becoming frightened for 1 minute on a failed save. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.


Legendary Actions

Arke can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Arke regains spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.

  • Attack: Arke makes one Divine Spear or Radiant Bow attack.
  • Teleport: Arke magically teleports up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space she can see.
  • Celestial Messenger (Costs 3 Actions). Arke summons a celestial messenger to deliver a message or perform a task. The messenger follows her verbal commands and disappears after completing the task or after 1 hour.

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Arke takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects:

  • Arke creates a zone of chaotic winds, causing all ranged weapon attacks made against her to have disadvantage for 1 minute
  • Arke summons a swirling vortex of wind and lightning in a 30-foot radius around her. Each creature in the area must make a DC 25 Strength saving throw, taking 44 (8d10) bludgeoning damage and 22 (4d10) lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
  • Arke sends a message to a creature she knows within 100 miles, communicating telepathically with them for a brief moment.

Regional Effects

The region containing Arke’s lair is warped by her presence, which creates one or more of the following effects:

  • Storm clouds constantly gather overhead, crackling with divine lightning and shedding dim light in a 60-foot radius.
  • Mortal creatures in the region feel a sense of foreboding, as if the heavens themselves are watching their every move.
  • Teleportation magic within 1 mile of Arke’s lair is enhanced, allowing creatures to teleport up to twice the normal range.


Mechanical Wings of Arke (Post-Severance)

Wondrous Item (Artifact)

These mechanical wings, created by Arke herself after her original wings were severed by Zeus, embody her determination and resilience. Crafted from a combination of celestial remnants and mortal ingenuity, they serve as a symbol of defiance against divine tyranny.

Description: The Mechanical Wings of Arke bear the scars of their creation, with patches of celestial feathers intertwined with intricate clockwork mechanisms. Despite their battered appearance, they retain an otherworldly beauty, radiating a faint celestial glow. Each wing spans approximately 15 feet in length when fully extended, and they are adorned with ancient symbols of freedom and rebellion.

Properties:

  • Flight: While wearing the Mechanical Wings of Arke, the wearer gains a flying speed of 120 feet. They can hover in place and fly vertically without needing to make a check.
  • Agility: The wearer gains advantage on Dexterity saving throws and checks while flying.
  • Messenger’s Resolve: Once per day, the wearer can cast dimension door without expending a spell slot.
  • Divine Resilience: The Mechanical Wings of Arke grant resistance to lightning damage while active.

Activation: To activate the Mechanical Wings of Arke, the wearer must channel their inner resolve and speak the command word “Libertas” while focusing on their desire for freedom.

Attunement: Attunement to the Mechanical Wings of Arke requires a creature to undergo a trial of determination and perseverance, proving their commitment to challenging the status quo and resisting divine oppression.

History: Forged in the crucible of defiance, the Mechanical Wings of Arke serve as a testament to the indomitable spirit of their creator. After Zeus severed her original wings and cast her into Tartarus, Arke refused to yield to despair. Drawing upon her ingenuity and resourcefulness, she crafted these mechanical wings as a means of reclaiming her freedom and continuing her mission as a messenger of defiance.

Currently in the World

In the celestial expanse, Arke, the swift messenger goddess, once soared amidst the stars, her ethereal presence a beacon of hope for both mortals and immortals alike. With her wings unfurled, she traversed the heavens with unparalleled grace, her movements a testament to her boundless determination and unwavering loyalty to the Titan cause.

But as the Titanomachy raged across the cosmos, Arke found herself torn between loyalty to her kin and the allure of the Olympian gods. With each passing moment, the celestial balance teetered on a knife’s edge, and Arke’s allegiance hung in the balance. In the end, it was her love for her family that swayed her decision, leading her to stand alongside the Titans in their bid for supremacy.

Yet, as the thunderous clash of titans echoed through the heavens, the tides of fate shifted, and the Olympians emerged victorious. With a heavy heart, Arke witnessed the downfall of her kin, their once-mighty empire crumbling beneath the relentless onslaught of Zeus and his allies.

Cast into the depths of Tartarus, Arke’s wings were cruelly severed by the hand of Zeus, leaving her to wander the shadowed realms of the underworld for eternity. But even in the darkest depths of despair, her spirit remained unbroken, fueled by an unyielding desire for redemption and revenge.

As the centuries passed and the mortal world evolved, Arke watched from the shadows, her gaze piercing the veil between worlds as she sought to influence the course of destiny. From the rise of ancient civilizations to the dawn of the Renaissance, her presence lingered like a whisper on the wind, guiding the hands of fate with a subtle yet undeniable force.

Driven by a thirst for freedom and a longing for vengeance, Arke’s motivations remained unchanged, her resolve as steadfast as the stars themselves. Though the passage of time may have dimmed her once-blazing spirit, her determination burned brighter than ever, a beacon of hope for all who dared to challenge the whims of the divine.

Her goals are lofty, her desires boundless as she seeks to chart a course through the ever-shifting currents of destiny. With each step she takes, Arke draws closer to her ultimate objective, a future where the boundaries between gods and mortals are blurred, and the echoes of her wings resound once more across the cosmos.

But as she ventures forth into the unknown, Arke knows that the path ahead will be fraught with peril and uncertainty. Yet she embraces the challenge with open arms, for she knows that true freedom can only be found in the pursuit of one’s own destiny. And so, with unwavering resolve, she spreads mechanical wings, ready to soar to new heights and carve her own place in the annals of history.

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