Aphorisms for a Sarenrae Cleric


Lost Omens Campaign Setting General Discussion


So I am planning to play a Cleric of Sarenrae in an upcoming game. He is somewhat young and inexperienced, a bit naive and idealistic, and more book smart than street smart. I figured that I would role play him as being prone to spouting off aphorisms and catch phrases of his faith. So... I am asking you guys to help me come up with a nice long list of good aphorisms for a cleric of Sarenrae. Things like....

The light of the goddess upon you.

The light redeems.

The holy flame will burn cleanse your sins.

Darkness is nothing in itself, it is only the absence of Light.

Be healed by the touch of the Dawnflower.

Things like that perhaps? I would also be interested in any particularly insightful views of her faith that may help me to play my character better.


I recommend Faiths of Purity and AP#20(House of the Beast) for information on her. These have a lot of very nice material. The common book of the faithful is

The Birth of Light and Truth:
The one book common to all churches of Sarenrae is The Birth of Light and Truth. This text is unusual because it includes stories from times before Sarenrae was a true goddess, describing the creatures she faced and including a long list of names of fiends and horrors she destroyed long before mortals learned writing. The rest of the book is more practical than historical, explaining the beliefs of the church, offering advice on dealing with sin and temptation, and many parables of evil creatures seeing the light of the Dawnflower and turning to good, productive lives thereafter. The book also contains simple folk remedies for common illnesses and injuries, as well as helpful hints for dealing with common supernatural or monstrous evils, such as that vampires are vulnerable to garlic. Most copies contain extra pages for the owner to record uplifting stories he experiences or hears in order to repeat them to others, and any copy containing a firsthand anecdote from a great priest or paladin is especially prized as a family or church heirloom. It is customary for a hero of the church who performs some great deed for a person or temple to write a brief account in or at least sign a local’s copy of Light and Truth (as it is commonly known) as a memento and historical record.

Our only quote from it is, "Let the healing light of the sun burn out the darkness within you. Let your inner light be a guide for others, and a searing flame against unrepentant evil."

If you're looking for inspiration, Sarenrae's faith draws heavily from Islam, so look around for quotes or mannerisms that seem appropriate. Also, as Islam is heavily influenced by Arabic language and culture, Sarenrae's church is influenced by Kelish language and culture. Depending on his training or background, it might be common for him to use Kelish phrases, rather than translating them.

Some other potentially useful tidbits: Priests usually pray at dawn, midday and sunset. A quick prayer/utterance/saying is said when the sun breaks through cloud cover or exiting a door facing the sun.

The only two official aphorisms are The dawn brings new light. and For the Sun and the Fury! The second is a battlecry, no surprise. The second means each new day is an opprotunites. A fresh start. It can be used in both really grim situations, or as welcome to blessings.

Something that may be of interest, in some lands, I imagine this being particularly common in the Kelish Empire, various Empyreal Lords are worshipped as saints.

Radiant Oath

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber

And now venturing into subjective and personal ideas, one I've thought up:

"Dark is the hour, but day shall come again." - Don't lose hope, we'll pull through this.


Good stuff! Thank you guys!

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