History Characters / CodexEquusChurchOfTheStars

* FantasticRacism: Defied and averted. A core belief maintained by this pantheon is that racism and pride would perpetuate a ViciousCycle of great civilizations rising and falling, so they try to break the Cycle by preaching friendship and unity. As such, many members are either diplomatic deities, and/or embody positive concepts such as Nobility, Potential, and Leadership. Some members like Golden Scepter and Kúzelník engaged in this in the past (with the former reaching AbsoluteXenophobe levels) until they [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone realized the error of their ways]] and [[TheAtoner changed]]. Queen Dazzleglow made the Church's stance on racism quite clear when Kúzelník confessed his fears of being found by his family, the [[JerkassGods Elternteil Deer Pantheon]].

* GentleGiant: The older deities of the Church are huge due to how deities in general get StrongerWithAge -- the biggest of them is [[DragonsAreDivine Prince Arcaniss]], Moon Ray/Tunglið post-EldritchTransformation, and Emperor Golden Scepter. All of the aforementioned individuals are benevolent authority figures and gods who seek to bring out the best in sapientkind so everyone can break the 'Cycle'.

** The first secret is Queen Dazzleglow's plan to break '[[ViciousCycle The Cycle]]'. While that is common knowledge, the real secret is Dazzleglow's reasons for it: [[spoiler:Living through the 'Void Aeon' event, where the [[MadGod Void Sovereign]] suddenly arrived and attempted to destroy Equus/Tellus utterly. While Dazzleglow, her allies, and many other powerful heroes/deities managed to defeat and [[SealedEvilInACan imprison the Void Sovereign in the Cosmic Void]], it is not without heavy casualties and the Second Age was effectively ended. Dazzleglow wants everyone to become stronger so sapientkind can confront the Void Sovereign on the day he breaks out, so no one would have to pay such a heavy price]].
** The second secret is [[spoiler:Princess Amicitia Sparkle becoming the official reincarnation of Mana Equus, the Thirteenth Empyrean and the last of her group to be 'made' by [[TheMaker King Equus]]. This secrecy would later extend to the twins Blue Suede Heartstrings and Bossa Nova Heartstrings, Shining Armor, Winter Opera, and others after they Ascended or re-Ascended as reincarnations of Mana Equus]]. According to [=BrutalityInc=], the Church is keeping Mana Equus' {{Reincarnation}}s (and her existence in general) a secret so they'll be protected from those who might [[TheResenter resent]] them for being 'born' special or having some kind of pre-existing divine favor]].

* SupernaturalFloatingHair: The Alicorn members of the Church have perpetually rippling hair as the result of their age and huge magic reserves.
* TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow: One of the Church decrees advises people never to go looking in the "Cosmic Void", as... ''[[EldritchAbomination something]]'' lurks within, [[spoiler:given how a pony ended up in there and came out as the Void Traveler in the Second Age. It's eventually revealed to be the prison of the Void Sovereign, a MadGod that nearly consumed the planet Equus in the past, who Void Traveler was the herald of]]. It's mentioned in both Codexverse entries and supplementary drabbles/quotes that anyone who enters the Church as a member has to swear an oath of secrecy to keep the knowledge from getting out and causing global panic.

* VertebrateWithExtraLimbs: The more ancient members of the Church, such as Luminiferous, Dazzleglow, and Golden Scepter, have multiple wings and/or are in the process of [[GrowingWings growing extra pairs]] -- Luminiferous and Dazzleglow are growing out a second pair of wings [[spoiler:which Luminiferous eventually finishes]], while Golden Scepter has ''six'' wings with a fourth pair on the way [[spoiler:and has already started by the time he visited Queen Mzazi in her kingdom]]. Upon becoming an eldritch deity, Moon Ray/Canticum Lunae ends up with a whopping ''ten'' wings, which is notable since the only Alicorns to have that many wings are the ''[[TheOldGods Thirteen Empyreans]]''.

* BewareTheNiceOnes: While a bit spoiled, he's a very tolerant, nice, friendly, and diplomatic individual who would rather solve conflicts peacefully than use force to do it. He is also a Martial wouldn't hesitate to defend himself and/or his allies should the need arises.
* BigBrotherInstinct: While Sparkling Wing was absent for much of Rising Sun's life, he tried to support her as much as he could despite the circumstances involved and blamed himself for his sister's SanitySlippage and death. When he learned the Papilion Pantheon frequently sabotaged Rising Sun's diplomacy efforts, Sparkling Wing participated in the "Twilight of the Papilion Pantheon" event and killed off the corrupt pantheon members, including his abusive divine relatives, avenging his sister in the process.

* FreudianExcuse: He was BrilliantButLazy because when he was younger, his (short) time as Queen Silver Clock's heir and Crown-Prince actually stressed him out because the thought of disappointing Silver Clock ''terrified'' him. And while he doesn't blame his mother or his sister for superseding his claim to the throne, he was rather heartbroken to learn that regardless if he wanted to rule or not, his subjects were quick to reject him as both a royal and a person because of his sex. It's deconstructed as his fear of failure and responsibility made him eschew hard work in favor of making his own life easier, which both frustrated and disappointed his mentors and friends. Fortunately, both Luminiferous and the Church of the Stars would help him grow out of this behavior.

* NeverAcceptedInHisHometown: Many of Sparkling Wing's subjects came to hate him for daring to break the status quo by being born a male royal, since Papilion was always ruled by mares. Even his divine relatives abused him and believed he should "know [his] place". As a result, whenever he came back home, Sparkling Wing had to disguise himself to avoid attracting unwanted attention. This stops when Papilion was finally [[SoiledCityOnAHill destroyed for its corruption]].
* NotSoDifferentRemark: Dazzleglow notes that his BrilliantButLazy personality was something Princess Stitching Time once had -- Sparkling Wing would use his magic to goof off despite his intelligence because deep down, he was terrified of taking on responsibility that he thinks he's not ready for, and fears failing people's expectations of him, no matter how ridiculous they might be. Presumably, Stitching Time did the same thing for the same reasons until she was forced to grow out of it through proper teaching.

Luminiferous (his entry [[https://www.deviantart.com/brutalityinc/art/Codex-Equestria-Deities-and-Divines-Part-7-767856792 here]]) is the Alicorn god of Perfection, Potential, and Self-Determination, and a member of the Church of the Stars.\\\

[[folder:Princess Amicitia Sparkle Equestria, the Spark of Friendship[=/=]Princess Twilight Sparkle, the Bearer of Magic]]

* DeityOfHumanOrigin: Sparkling Wing was originally a mortal Flutter Pony/Pegasus hybrid and the oldest son of a Queen. Despite his abusive, sexist divine relatives' attempts to suppress his potential, he still Ascended to godhood anyway thanks to the support and tutelage of those who had faith in him, like Luminiferous and Golden Scepter. What made his accomplishment even more notable is that male Papilion royals were traditionally barred from Ascension -- Sparkling Wing became the first male in his family to do so.

* FollowInMyFootsteps: Sparkling Wing's mother, Queen Silver Clock, wanted him to succeed her as a BenevolentMageRuler like herself because she saw that he had potential for it. Unfortunately, because Papilion was matriarchal, Silver Clock ended up having a daughter instead because her divine relatives threatened to harm Sparkling Wing if she continued bucking tradition. Sparkling Wing was then subjected to emotional abuse by said relatives for being an upstart male who dared to break the status quo. Fortunately, with Luminiferous' support, Sparkling Wing does succeed in Ascending and becoming the King of his own kingdom, fulfilling his mother's hopes anyway.

* {{Foil}}:
** He is one to Golden Scepter, a fellow Alicorn.
*** Golden Scepter is an ancient and powerful Alicorn Emperor who lived before Known History, with lots of experience on his hooves, while Sparkling Wing is a young Prince from the Third Age, whose status as heir to the throne and potential as a leader were dashed because [[WantedASonInstead his subjects didn't want to accept a stallion on the throne and pressured his mother to have a daughter instead]].
*** Golden Scepter is serious, stoic, imperial, and willing to use harsh and even extreme methods to get a desired result ([[TookALevelInKindness though he got better regarding this]]), while Sparkling Wing is a MartialPacifist who is sickened by the idea of killing, so he mostly sticks to defense and support.
*** Finally, in terms of CharacterDevelopment, Golden Scepter was a ShellShockedVeteran whose traumas influenced him to become a WellIntentionedExtremist until certain individuals, as well as a three-Ages-long journey across Equus, taught him to be more benevolent and kinder. Sparkling Wing is a very compassionate and pacifistic yet spoiled pony who initially felt very insecure, and goofed off [[FreudianExcuse because he feared failing people's expectations of him]]. Sparkling Wing's potential would also make Golden Scepter take great interest in him, having foreseen the former as a benevolent Alicorn King, and has started giving him lessons on leadership.
** He's also one to a deceased Malrègnarian god known only as "The Slothful Messenger". Both are/were young gods who were BrilliantButLazy, except "The Slothful Messenger" represents what could've happened if Sparkling Wing constantly refused to listen to those around him and make amends for his mistakes, instead abusing his powers to goof off and benefit himself until it is far too late for him to change.
* FollowInMyFootsteps: Sparkling Wing's mother, Queen Silver Clock, wanted him to succeed her as a BenevolentMageRuler like herself because she saw that he had potential for it. She made him her heir, and with her encouragement, Sparkling Wing showed great promise as a [[WeatherManipulation Weather mage]]. Unfortunately, because Papilion was a matriarchy, Silver Clock's subjects and divine relatives pressured her to have a daughter, with the latter group threatenining to harm Sparkling Wing if Silver Clock didn't obey their demands. Out of fear for her son, she caves in and gives birth to Rising Sun, while Sparkling Wing is spared but subjected to emotional abuse for being a male upstart. Then a series of unexpected events occur that lead to Sparkling Wing Ascending to godhood, defying the toxic status quo, and becoming the King of his own kingdom, fulfilling his mother's hopes anyway.