Poseidon was the ancient Greek god of the sea, rivers, floods and drought, earthquakes, and horses. The mighty Earthshaker, Poseidon ruled the waves that the ancient seafaring Greeks depended upon. Fisherman and sea captains swore fealty to him and avoided his wrath. Poseidon was also called Neptune in Rome.
Poseidon's clerics have the weighty duty of staving off the deity's volatile anger. They offer sacrifices, pray his blessing on boats and ships, and accompany sailors on their voyages. They are among the most well-traveled clerics of the pantheon, and are usually not affiliated with a specific temple for long.
Temples
Poseidon's temples are always located within sight of the sea, often on promontories, seaside cliffs, or islands. They are usually open to the sea air.
Like other chaotic neutral deities, Poseidon requires little from his followers beyond sacrifices. His clerics sacrifice a bull to their patron (by throwing it into the sea) at least once a month, and Poseidon remains relatively placid. Sailors and coastal dwellers must be sure not to anger this temperamental deity. Poseidon has been known to flatten coastal cities with tidal waves or earthquakes when they displeased him, The hero Odysseus was condemned to ten long years of wandering because he blinded one of Poseidon's children, the cyclops Polyphemos. Poseidon represents all the bounty and the danger of the sea, bringing forth life (he is said to have created both horses and cattle) and taking it away.
Poseidon appears as a distinguished, sturdy, bearded man with a dense curly hair and piercing eyes. Tritons, merfolk, and sea nymphs often accompany him. Oftentimes, he is depicted riding a four-horse chariot and wielding a trident over the waves. The trident is his most recognizable emblem.
Poseidon was the second son of Cronus and Rhea (after Hades, before Zeus). Hestia, Demeter, and Hera were his sisters.
Poseidon's wife was the Nereid Amphitrite although she had proved a little difficult during the courting process and once fled to the Atlas mountains. Fortunately, the sea god was helped by the dolphin Delphinus who persuaded Amphitrite to return and marry Poseidon.
