Finch (VG)
The god of mischief.
Epithet: "The Prince of Thieves".
Finch is the god of thievery, mischief, and concealment. His symbol is a laughing mask which can range from looking jovial to sinister, depending on the worshiper's motives. Finch is prayed to by thieves of all origins, from pranksters and scouts to assassins and starving orphans. Worshippers of Finch know to watch their back, for there is always a chance that the god of mischief will turn the tables against them for his own amusement. Finch is opposed by Valus, the goddess of judgment, and the demi-god Fautri who is ever seeking to catch the prince of thieves red-handed.
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Affinities
- Laughter
- Thievery
- Trickery
- Mischief
- Concealment (especially hidden places)
Also Known As
- The Prince of Thieves
- The Quick
- The Prankster
- The Joker of Ages
Symbol
His symbol is a laughing mask which can range from looking jovial to sinister, depending on the worshiper's motives.
Methods of Worship
Stealing something valuable Playing a prank on someone Defeating a stronger/more skilled adversary through cunning Discovering something hidden
Vision and Driving Beliefs - Dogma
Finch is prayed to by thieves of all origins, from pranksters and scouts to assassins and starving orphans. Worshipers of Finch know to watch their back, for there is always a chance that the god of mischief will turn the tables against them for his own amusement.
Finch teaches his followers to be cunning before strong and secretive before overt. Trickery and thievery are highly valued skills among his worshippers. His followers make excellent treasure hunters due to their seemingly intuitive ability to locate hidden places and things.
Finch is also a fairly solitary deity. His followers generally shun formal society. Instead, they form small bands of like-minded individuals who often relish the opportunity to involve unsuspecting townsfolk in their mischief. They will also make use of large crowds to mask their movement while helping themselves to any valuables within reach.
Personality Traits
Finch is a trickster and rogue; some say he's the only divine being with a sense of humor. He has a fascination with hidden things and objects which others value. He quickly loses interest in objects which he possesses; only finding them fascinating while in the possession of others or unknown to all. For Finch, taking or discovering is the thrill and he will often hide objects throughout Telon for himself or others to find later.
Physical Appearance
Finch, ever the clown, is always represented jovially. Most commonly, he is depicted as diminutive in stature with a broad, almost maniacal smile and bright, red hair. Because of his hair, he is often depicted in a hood to indicate his disposition toward sneakiness.
Races that Often Worship this Divine Being
- Goblin
- Halfling
- Raki
Professions that Often Worship this Divine Being
- Bard
- Cleric
- Monk
- Rogue
Relationship with Other Divine Beings
Finch is opposed by Valus, the goddess of judgment, and the demi-god Fautri who is ever seeking to catch the prince of thieves red-handed. Much to the chagrin of the rest of the pantheon, Finch frequently involves other divine beings in his pranks and has, on occasion, earned their wrath. Most notably, Finch feuded with Vaelion for several ages when Finch stole Vaelion's rarest manuscript and hid it among 500,000 identically bound, blank manuscripts. Most of the pantheon tolerates Finch as a little brother.
Quote
Parley with Kan He (Kojani), Tanvu: "Or what of the legends of Misko Cha River, who they say walked and talked with Finch the Quick?"
Sample Parley
You say, "What tales have you to share, friend?"
Acolyte Kramon greets you with a smile. "Well met stranger, how fare your adventures?"
You reply, "Just another day, as always. How are your adventures finding you?"
Acolyte Kramon laughs gently. "Ha, I can't say my life is anything to call adventurous. Just yesterday I fought an epic battle with a fly and injured my thumb."
You encourage Acolyte Kramon, saying, "Come now, I'm sure you have at least one tale that would make an adventurer's ears prick."
Acolyte Kramon thinks for a moment. "There is one, come to think of it. Have you ever heard the tale of the Platinum Griznot?"
You shake your head.
Acolyte Kramon lights up. "Then let me begin by telling you about Theindal, god of beauty. Many state that Theindal cares for nothing but beauty. His disciples will often tell you, 'His eye for blemish serves to inspire the beauty that hides behind.' Whatever that means."
You nod. "That is an interesting take on things, please go on."
Acolyte Kramon continues excitedly. "The god of beauty challenged himself to create something in which he could find no flaw, from something in which he could find no beauty. He toiled relentlessly for many years, it is said that some of the most hideous beasts who walk, slither and fly on Telon first drew breath on the floor of Theindal's salon."
You consider Acolyte Kramon. "It seems a bit selfish to create so many horrible things for one pretty object."
Acolyte Kramon shrugs. "Who can question the gods and their endeavors? After several years of toil, Theindal had done it, he created the Platinum Griznot! The Griznot was supposedly so beautiful that even the god of slaughter, Ghalnn, wept in its presence."
You blink. "That is quite impressive."
Acolyte Kramon leans in and speaks quietly. "The god of mischief, Finch, waited for Theindal to blink and stole it from directly under his nose. That was the last anyone ever saw of the Platinum Griznot again."
After a pause, you urge, "Well, what happened to Finch and the Griznot?"
Acolyte Kramon replies in a very matter of fact tone. "Oh, Finch threw it away. Once he stole it, the thrill was over, so he tossed it somewhere on Telon. Many adventurers have spent their entire lives searching for it. Supposedly the Platinum Griznot is such a spectacle to behold that those who witness it become rich and happy in its presence. Who knows though, it's probably just a story that farmers tell their children in hopes that they will become adventurous."
Sample Parley
You say, "Do you have any words of wisdom, Acolyte Loram?"
"You know," says Acolyte Loram, "every day people come to me, and every day they ask me for words of wisdom..."
"But sometimes I would enjoy it if someone wanted to talk about something... not so serious," says Acolyte Loram.
You say, "Well then, do you want to talk about something not so serious?"
Acolyte Loram asks, "Well, I wouldn't have baited you if I didn't..."
"Have you heard the story about the accord between Sihari and Athuloria?" asks Acolyte Loram.
You say, "Accord between Sihari and Athuloria? That's hard to grasp..."
Acolyte Loram chuckles and says, "Yes, well, they struck up this deal because both of them had recently been duped by Finch, and they wanted a chance to get back at him."
Sihari went to Finch and told him that AThuloria had lost her gavel," Acolyte Loram explains, "and that she had found it. Showing Finch the gavel, Sihari offered to let him borrow it if he would put it to good use."
"Finch took the gavel excitedly and immediately went out trying to find a way to cause ruckus with it," continues Acolyte Loram.
"He came upon the trial of a famous thief and immediately leapt at the opportunity," says Acolyte Loram. "Standing before the crowd, he declared that the man was innocent."
"Striking down the gavel, he waited for the innocent verdict to come in," says Acolyte Loram, "and gleefully watched the face of the magistrates whose heads he was going over."
"Suddenly, Finch found himself in chains," says Acolyte Loram. "Crying out, he watched as all those he had tried to dupe laughed at him."
"Later, the man on the trial was brought and chained up beside him," says Acolyte Loram. "Finch called out to him, but when the thief turned to look at him, Finch recognized the face of Sihari."
"Sihari slipped out of the chains and came before him, saying, 'Justice can only deliver justice. As blind and ignorant as that may truly be, it's done you in.' She smirked."
"Returning the gavel to Athuloria, they both had a good laugh as Finch yelled from his imprisonment," says Acolyte Loram.
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