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March 20th, 2008
March 19th, 2008
Introduction
Character Name: Bes
Pantheon: Egyptian
Parentage: Unknown
Patronage: Music, Dance, Protector of Households, Children, and Childbirth, as well as a protector against Evil Spirits
Residence: Bes has a small, modest temple in the Egyptian Quarter, a bungalow on his private island in the Pacific, and a small apartment in the New Orleans' French Quarter.
Personality: Bes has quite the diverse personality. He has a large, kind heart, suitable for his role as the protector of homes and families, particularly children. He is often at the bedside of a birthing mother, assisting his wife, Tawaret, in her duties as midwife and protector of childbirth. He has a playful nature, as would be expected of a god of revelry, and is well known for entertaining babies in their cribs with his rattles and sistrums. When a baby suddenly laughs for no reason, it can reasonably be assumed that Bes has been around, dancing and creating quite a ruckus. Shortest of the Egyptian deities, his dwarf-like stature helps endear him to older children; it is much more comforting to be approached by someone of similar size, at least in height, and his portly physique lends to his jolly nature.
He may not look like much, but that is not the sort of thing that holds back a god of revelry. It's all about attitude and having fun. In sharp contrast to his comforting role in the home, he enjoys both attending and throwing wild parties with lots of music, dancing, singing, and various other activities that go hand in hand with too much alcohol and too much spirit. He is quite jealous of the Greeks and their nymphs, often wishing he had his own collection of young pretty things who constantly follow him around, catering to his every whim. But his wife is only willing to allow him so much leeway in his pursuits of pleasure.
Despite his loving nature, his mannerisms are far from subtle. He is bold and brash, with a total disregard for etiquette. He is the class clown; the obnoxious friend that you love, but are embarrassed to be seen with in public. He is as likely to crash a party as throw one, with all the flair of a the infamous bull in the china shop. It is a mystery how someone so crass can also be so popular. He is far more comfortable at a college frat party than a Hollywood red carpet soirée, putting on airs is simply not his style.
Bes does have a dark side, conducive to his role as protector against evil spirits. The banishment or vanquishing of demons is as much an entertaining pastime as it is a necessity. While these entities may have a place in the world, when they infringe on the safety and well-being of young mortals it is time to step in. No child should ever be afraid to go to sleep at night, no mother should have to worry about any more than the usual everyday concerns of her children. Terrorizing the young is something he simply can't abide. But it is not a pretty job. In fact, it can be quite messy, and yet Bes finds a macabre sense of enjoyment and pride in such endeavors. The physical form he takes when approaching one of these dark spirits is enough alone to often terrify them into submission, but he only uses it in the most extreme of circumstances. It takes away the fun if he can't play with them a little.
History: Bes' beginnings have been lost in obscurity, but that hasn't held back his popularity with the Egyptians. In ancient times, such deities as Sekhmet and Horus were most worshiped in the temples, palaces, and the homes of the nobility. Bes was a peasant's god, one of the most popular in the average home. His amulets were among the most common worn for protection, and his face graced the walls of their houses, especially where children slept. He has always been considered a welcome addition to the family.
Bes is the only Egyptian deity in artwork to always be portrayed in full frontal view, as opposed to the usual profile position of the rest of the pantheon. The emphasis has always been placed on his grotesque features as a means of frightening away unwanted spirits. He is always portrayed naked, with either a lion's mane and tail, or a full bushy beard and a lion skin thrown over his shoulders, a form he chooses to take only when fulfilling that charge. In addition to charming babies, his rattles were used to make a loud, terrifying sound, while he always carried knives and swords in his other hand. He takes his work very seriously.
Bes has never abandoned his duties. He began to travel, inspired by the rest of Africa and their knowledge of demonic protection, adding to his own wealth of wisdom. Eventually, he followed them to the New World, where they were transported as slaves, mixing their ideas with those of the natives, creating even broader knowledge of the trade of mystic powers and remedies. His interest in Hoodoo and its affects, the rich personalities of the populace, and the party atmosphere of the town brought about the decision to take up permanent residence in New Orleans. He has learned much from the Hoodoo women, adding to his own arsenal of anti-demonic weaponry. Not to mention there is no party anywhere in the world quite like Mardi Gras.
Fortunately, the call for demon hunting has quieted over the years, and he is able to spend more and more time on pleasure. His appearance has never hindered him from attracting the ladies, and a good party is always waiting for him somewhere. If not, he will be more than happy to start one.
Miscellaneous: Bes is able to change his appearance at will when the need for a more frightening approach is needed.
Pantheon: Egyptian
Parentage: Unknown
Patronage: Music, Dance, Protector of Households, Children, and Childbirth, as well as a protector against Evil Spirits
Residence: Bes has a small, modest temple in the Egyptian Quarter, a bungalow on his private island in the Pacific, and a small apartment in the New Orleans' French Quarter.
Personality: Bes has quite the diverse personality. He has a large, kind heart, suitable for his role as the protector of homes and families, particularly children. He is often at the bedside of a birthing mother, assisting his wife, Tawaret, in her duties as midwife and protector of childbirth. He has a playful nature, as would be expected of a god of revelry, and is well known for entertaining babies in their cribs with his rattles and sistrums. When a baby suddenly laughs for no reason, it can reasonably be assumed that Bes has been around, dancing and creating quite a ruckus. Shortest of the Egyptian deities, his dwarf-like stature helps endear him to older children; it is much more comforting to be approached by someone of similar size, at least in height, and his portly physique lends to his jolly nature.
He may not look like much, but that is not the sort of thing that holds back a god of revelry. It's all about attitude and having fun. In sharp contrast to his comforting role in the home, he enjoys both attending and throwing wild parties with lots of music, dancing, singing, and various other activities that go hand in hand with too much alcohol and too much spirit. He is quite jealous of the Greeks and their nymphs, often wishing he had his own collection of young pretty things who constantly follow him around, catering to his every whim. But his wife is only willing to allow him so much leeway in his pursuits of pleasure.
Despite his loving nature, his mannerisms are far from subtle. He is bold and brash, with a total disregard for etiquette. He is the class clown; the obnoxious friend that you love, but are embarrassed to be seen with in public. He is as likely to crash a party as throw one, with all the flair of a the infamous bull in the china shop. It is a mystery how someone so crass can also be so popular. He is far more comfortable at a college frat party than a Hollywood red carpet soirée, putting on airs is simply not his style.
Bes does have a dark side, conducive to his role as protector against evil spirits. The banishment or vanquishing of demons is as much an entertaining pastime as it is a necessity. While these entities may have a place in the world, when they infringe on the safety and well-being of young mortals it is time to step in. No child should ever be afraid to go to sleep at night, no mother should have to worry about any more than the usual everyday concerns of her children. Terrorizing the young is something he simply can't abide. But it is not a pretty job. In fact, it can be quite messy, and yet Bes finds a macabre sense of enjoyment and pride in such endeavors. The physical form he takes when approaching one of these dark spirits is enough alone to often terrify them into submission, but he only uses it in the most extreme of circumstances. It takes away the fun if he can't play with them a little.
History: Bes' beginnings have been lost in obscurity, but that hasn't held back his popularity with the Egyptians. In ancient times, such deities as Sekhmet and Horus were most worshiped in the temples, palaces, and the homes of the nobility. Bes was a peasant's god, one of the most popular in the average home. His amulets were among the most common worn for protection, and his face graced the walls of their houses, especially where children slept. He has always been considered a welcome addition to the family.
Bes is the only Egyptian deity in artwork to always be portrayed in full frontal view, as opposed to the usual profile position of the rest of the pantheon. The emphasis has always been placed on his grotesque features as a means of frightening away unwanted spirits. He is always portrayed naked, with either a lion's mane and tail, or a full bushy beard and a lion skin thrown over his shoulders, a form he chooses to take only when fulfilling that charge. In addition to charming babies, his rattles were used to make a loud, terrifying sound, while he always carried knives and swords in his other hand. He takes his work very seriously.
Bes has never abandoned his duties. He began to travel, inspired by the rest of Africa and their knowledge of demonic protection, adding to his own wealth of wisdom. Eventually, he followed them to the New World, where they were transported as slaves, mixing their ideas with those of the natives, creating even broader knowledge of the trade of mystic powers and remedies. His interest in Hoodoo and its affects, the rich personalities of the populace, and the party atmosphere of the town brought about the decision to take up permanent residence in New Orleans. He has learned much from the Hoodoo women, adding to his own arsenal of anti-demonic weaponry. Not to mention there is no party anywhere in the world quite like Mardi Gras.
Fortunately, the call for demon hunting has quieted over the years, and he is able to spend more and more time on pleasure. His appearance has never hindered him from attracting the ladies, and a good party is always waiting for him somewhere. If not, he will be more than happy to start one.
Miscellaneous: Bes is able to change his appearance at will when the need for a more frightening approach is needed.