Overview
Apollo is the god of light, prophecy, music, shepherds, and medicine. He helps ripen crops, destroys pests, cures illnesses, and protects shepherds and their flocks. The master of the lyre and song, Apollo is especially vain about his musical prowess and serves as the leader of the Muses. As a god of prophecy, Apollo has established many oracular shrines, the greatest being at Delphi, which he took over from Gaea.
Apollo is a tolerant, if not forgiving, god. He disdains the pursuit of vengeance, especially killing in the name of vengeance. On the other hand, he is not an entirely beneficent god, and encourages strict laws with harsh penalties in order to keep unscrupulous criminals in check. He carries a bow which fires terrible arrows that inflict plague and disease upon those he deems have fallen into evil and lawless ways.
Description
Apollo appears as a well-muscled, clean shaven, scantily clad handsome young man, carrying a golden lyre and a silver bow.
Holy symbol
Apollo's symbol is a lyre (small harp), or more rarely a laurel wreath or a sun chariot.
Favored weapon
Apollo wields a silver composite longbow in battle which fires adamantite arrows which inflict a magical disease, known as Apollo's plague, on his opponents.
Possessions
Apollo possesses a golden lyre with which he can boost an ally's strength to that of a storm giant, as long as he continues to play. He can also use the lyre to bestow curse as well as cast disintegrate upon his opponents.
Realm
Great Wheel cosmology
In the Great Wheel cosmology, Apollo resides within the planar realm of Olympus, which is located on Arvandor (also known as Olympus), the first layer of the Olympian Glades of Arborea. Apollo resides within a temple that is fashioned from beaten gold that shines eternally with the mellow glow of the sun. Incorporated into the temple is an amphitheater where the finest playwrights and poets perform their greatest works in honour of Apollo.
Olympian cosmology
In the Olympian cosmology, Apollo resides within the outer planar realm of Olympus, a great mountain which stands at the center of the world. This mighty peak rises so high above the world, that its heights form a distinct planar realm. It serves as home to the majority of the Olympian deities, not including Hades, and each deity maintains their own personal domain within this realm.
Worship
Priests of Apollo generally serve as oracles and healers, but also serve as advisors, teachers, and diplomats. They generally prefer a more peaceful role within the community, mediating disputes and healing the sick. They are also expected to promote the lawful administration of their communities, and to serve as teachers of music and song.
Omens from Apollo are generally delivered through his oracles.
In Spelljammer
The inhabitants of Greatspace revere the gods and goddesses of the Greek pantheon, especially Zeus, meaning that Apollo can be considered a native deity.