Milil

Milil, also known as the One Who Watches While Music is Alive and the Guardian of Singers and Troubadours, was the good-aligned exarch of Oghma. Before the Era of Upheaval, he was venerated as the Faerûnian deity of song, poetry, eloquence, creativity and inspiration. He was predominantly worshiped by human, elf, and half-elf bards but attracted other musically-inclined individuals such as troubadours or poets.

As a whole, Milil's ideology represented the concept of a finished thought, as well as the process that took an idea from conception until its completion. His ethos taught to consider the world as a continued process, comparing it to a song that began at birth and finished upon their death.

Description
Milil was a consummate performer and possessed a confident, constantly-inspired personality. He possessed an impeccable memory as well as a broad knowledge of lore from across Toril that served to bolster the facile improvisations of which he was more-than-capable. However, Milil was also quite egotistical and adored being the center of attention, and was easily bored when this wasn't the case. He was also extremely flirtatious, with both mortals and other deities alike.

Appearance
Milil appeared as a young, charismatic male with shoulder-length hair, indistinguishable as either human or elf. His clean, handsome good looks were exceeded by hauntingly beautiful voice. He dressed in the bright, elegantly patterned clothes of a troubadour accented with gold jewelry and other eye-catching decorations.

Powers
Along with his vast knowledge of many magical spells, his favorite school of which was that of charm, Milil's singing voice could destroy any magical silencing effects and pacify any beings within his vicinity. He could masterfully play any instrument and had perfect memory of any song heard by him or any priest in his service. Milil was immune to any spells or effects of a vocal or musical manifestation and, by touch, could cause or confer deafness or the specific knowledge of a song, including exact tune and lyrics so that it may never be forgotten by the recipient.

Milil's favored weapon was Sharptongue, a magical rapier he would, on occasion, lend to mortals performing great quests in his honor. He could also conjure a harp of magical flames, a favored display to demonstrate his divinity.

Manifestations
To signify his approval of artistic work, whether it be a song, epic poem, theatrical performance or the like, Milil would conjure a golden-lined image of two dancing hollyphants. This appeared out of thin air or, if on parchment, as what seemed like glowing yellow ink.

Messengers of Milil's influence included songbirds, particularly nightingales, peregrine falcons, calico cats and white steeds including pegasi; conjured signs of inspiration included various flowers including peonies, lilies and red or yellow roses and perfectly formed gem stones. Other signs of his influence included the appearance of hollyphants, aasimar, light aasimons, movanic devas and solars.

Milil often appeared on Toril as haunting music, or a beautiful disembodied male voice, that resonated within woodland clearings. He enjoyed planting beneficial visions in the minds of performs and artists that pleased him, which included locations of treasure or the whereabouts of long-lost loved ones. Another favored manifestation of Milil was that of a shimmering radiance, emanating from a bard, poet or other performer who was in the throes of inspiration in the pinnacle of a performance. The sight of this brilliant aura could move audiences to tears, bring them to give generous donations and offerings or act in blindfold obedience of the performing artist.

Followers
The faith of Milil was organized group that attracted attractive, sensual and musically-inclined followers. In addition to their affinity with song and musical instruments, they tended to appreciate good food and wine, the beauty found in both nature and civilized society. The church was comprised of primarily clerics, but also included bards, mystics and spellsingers.

Orders

 * Harmonious order: This group of personable and swaggering paladins encouraged bards to accompany them to create ballads based on their exploits taken in Milil's name.

Relationships
While he was a deity, Milil, along with Deneir and Gond, served the greater power of Oghma. Despite this shared service, Milil had little in common with Gond, and their relationship was quite strained.

Milil was on excellent terms with a number of powerful gods, including Mystra and Sune, and often worked closely with Lliira. He was welcome in the elven pantheon as well, and considers Finder Wyvernspur to have some promise, although the feeling was not reciprocated.

He has earned the enmity of Cyric for his ridiculing ballad about the period of madness the Prince of Lies experienced.

Dogma
"Life is a song, beginning at birth and only silenced with the final chord. Strive always to make the whole song, not just the lyrics and music, more beautiful. Destroy no music or instrument, nor stop a singer before the tune is done. Listen to the world around as well as filling it with your own sound. One singer's music is another's noise, so still no bad music if its making be joyful. Spread the teaching of song and musicianship always. Sing to Milil every day. Music is the most precious thing folk can create—so encourage its training, use, and preservation at all times and in all possible ways. Awaken a love of song in all folk you can, and offer its performance freely around campfire or on the trail. Cease not in your own seeking for new tunes, new techniques, and new instruments to master."