Arshea

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Arshea

(Deity)

Titles

Spirit of Abandon
Host of Delectation

Adjective

Arshean

Realm

No permanent abode

Alignment

Neutral good

Areas of Concern

Freedom
Physical beauty
Sexuality

Worshipers

Courtesans, painters,
the repressed, sculptors, sexual partners

Edicts

Inspire passion, comfort and free the repressed, seek your true self and desires

Anathema

Judge another based on sexual desires or gender roles, act without consent in pursuit of passion

Follower Alignments (1E)

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Domains (1E)

Charm, Good, Liberation, Strength

Subdomains (1E)

Agathion, Freedom, Love, Lust

Follower Alignments (2E)

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Domains (2E)

Confidence, freedom, passion, perfection
Alternate: Change, repose

Favored Weapon

Flail

Symbol

Figure with colorful sashes

Sacred Animal

Swan

Sacred Colors

Purple, white

Images of Arshea

Source: Chronicle of the Righteous, pg(s). 7 (1E)
Singer, Stalker, Skinsaw Man, pg(s). 77–81 (2E)

Ⅰ

Ⅱ

Arshea

(Creature)

Type

Outsider
(angel, extraplanar, good)

CR

29

Environment

Any (Nirvana)

Alignment

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Adjective

Arshean

Images of Arshea

Source: Bestiary 6, pg(s). 110–111

Ⅰ

The angel empyreal Lord Arshea (pronounced AHR-shey) is a champion of the repressed and weary, providing mortals deliverance from their bonds. This liberation applies to many of Arshea's worshipers, who often choose to ignore conventional gender identities, eventually choosing one that fits them best.

Home

Arshea has no permanent home, and constantly travels through the Universe, Nirvana, Elysium and Heaven.

Appearance

Arshea is androgynous and has been depicted as both male and female, and is indeed of both genders and neither, unhindered by such differences. They always appear dressed in many-colored veils of gossamer and wings of gray and blue. Their form is seen as ideal by any species that look upon them, and some claim that those who directly behold Arshea can never be satisfied with mortal beauty again. In acknowledgement of the ephemeral nature of beauty, their form changes to suit the beholder.

Providence

Miserable individuals sometimes receive a sign of hope from Arshea in the form of a soft grey feather, jewelled bangle, or scrap of gossamer.

Avatar

Arshea's avatar is a humanoid form with wispy gray and silver feathered wings and wearing gossamer sashes, scarves, and veils. Their form fluidly shifts in appearance, gender, and form unless the spellcaster chooses a form, and always carries a flail.

Relationships

Arshea is a welcome guest at the empyreal lord Lymnieris' Palace of Delectation in Heaven and such visits are legendary concerning the intensity of the revels held.

Church

Arshea is worshipped by artisans, courtesans, some fey, and those seeking to escape repression. They eschew gender roles and often dress and behave as members of the opposite sex (or another gender role in societies with multiple gender roles) for a period of time ranging from months to decades, which they consider the best way to overcome repression and understand freedom, choosing the most fitting gender after this period of pilgrimage. Arshea teaches them to abandon constraining beliefs and practice free love and sexuality.

The Spirit of Abandon's temples are most likely found in artist's studios, burlesque parlors, and dance halls. Their temples are often built extremely open and with very high ceilings in order to evoke a sense of freedom. Arshea's most devout followers endeavor to achieve sexual release daily (either solo or with partners), praise the beauty of the partners and self, and pray to Arshea while naked.

Arshea's favored minions are empyrean enchanters, tabellias, and good-aligned nymphs.

Religious text

Arshea's religious text, Ecstasy and Euphoria, is rarely consistent between copies due to all being written and illustrated by hand, personalized to each owner, and traditionally bequeathed to other worshipers. Most include the transformative story of Seldine the sculptor.

On Golarion

The cult of Arshea has a long association with Magnimar. Following its secession from Cheliax, Ravounel has also become a centre of her faith, as people flock to its burgeoning art scene.

References

Paizo published a major article about Arshea in Singer, Stalker, Skinsaw Man.

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.