Atum: Creator of the Universe

Atum and Re are nearly inseparable as gods of kingship, the sun, and creation, to the causual observer. Properly, Atum is the original creator, birthed from the chaotic sea at the beginning of time (or so the legend goes). He (not Re, despite the stories) gave birth to Shu, the Pharaonic God of Air, and Tefnut, Goddess of Moisture, from his own semen. When they wandered off, he created the sun, Re, to find them (their wandering, of course is not included in the stories that set Re as the creator).

Atum is usually human in form, and have sacred creatures of the bull, lion, and lizard, representing strength, ferocity, and life. The snake is also sacred to him, and because of this, only Atum (and Osiris, for a different reason) will survive the apocalypse that the snake Apomps will bring.

Atum is usually shown as a pharonic figure, wearing the double-crown of Red and White, representing both Lower and Upper Egypt. He also often carries a tall, staff-like cross, his holy weapon.

Re, much to Atum's chagrin has gotten cocky with his influence, and so has tried to push Atum out of the pantheon by taking over his portfolios so that all may woship Re. Atum is understandably peeved off at the sun god, and the two are rather harsh to each other; Re seeing Atum as a tired old hack, and Atum seeing Re as a dangerous force overstepping his sphere of influence. This also extends to their clerics, in nearly the same way.

To a certain extent, Re has succeeded. Atum is not a force of dominance in the Pharaonic pantheon anymore. Although his spawn respect him, he’s not the “in” god anymore, falling out of favor, and being accused of wicked deeds with respect to his association with the snake Apomps. Atum is rather more placid than your average god about all of this, knowing that his teaming up with snakes gives him an extra edge. One day, Re and all those who side with him will be reduced to so much snake-food.

He is, despite what the followers of Re would have you believe, a gentle guy, a god who seems to accept more than most gods do, and who takes things that are happening now without intervening directly in most cases, letting his clerics handle it. Some say this distant nature has only contributed to his downfall. However, he sees it that his concerns are grand, for the whole of his land and worshippers, and for the whole culture. He only pays attention to individuals who hold sway over large swaths -- like the Pharaohs. He need not make flashy appearances or invoke bright lights, as long as he is revered by those who rule the masses.

They often form small cults around political centers, and can often be found scheming to put an Atum-worshiping Pharaoh into power. Their organizations can easily reach conspiracy-levels, though they usually aren't dangerous to anyone not following Re.

Their credo is that the Pharaoh is the chosen one of Atum, and that any lord in power that doesn't venerate Atum is an imposter, and must be deposed. Atum has great hope that his clerics, authority figures all, shall be able to stem the gathering tide of Re-worship by kngs and rulers.