List of Greyhawk deities
Encyclopedia
This is a list of deities from the Greyhawk
campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
.
hero-deity of Light, Purity, Courage, and Strength. His symbol is an armed man standing atop a stone summit.
Azor'alq is a tall, handsome warrior with a dark complexion. He wears fine chain mail and his helm is topped with peacock feathers. His long curved sword, of elven
make, is known as Faruk.
Azor'alq is a member of the Baklunish pantheon. In the past, he has been a foe of the demon lords
Munkir
and Nekir
.
Azor'alq's sanctum can be entered through the highest peak in the Pinnacles of Azor'alq. There he dwells with his ancient paladins, the Thousand Immortals.
There are many metaphors in Azor'alq's dogma. Azor'alq compares courage to a light source that grows strength just as the sun grows plants. An unsheathed sword must remain so until victory is achieved; true leaders are those who rest last, only after their troops have done so. Truth is compared to flame, and good thoughts and deeds to kindling. Tyranny is compared to darkness. Light is associated with purity. The theme of "light" is advanced as both the sun and fire.
Many of Azor'alq's worshippers are warriors of various sorts, but Azor'alq is prayed to by anyone seeking courage. Azor'alq cares nothing for redeeming or converting the evil; he offers only destruction for those of evil.
Azor'alq's clergy is hereditary among the Paynim, who claim their line stretches unbroken back to the earliest days of the Baklunish Empire. Azor'alq's clerics are often war-leaders, and always fight at the forefront of any battle. Their favored weapon is the scimitar.
The few remaining paladins of Azor'alq seek to emulate the Thousand Immortals by destroying creatures of Darkness (fiends
and undead). Some make quests to the Pinnacles of Azor'alq, hoping to pass the tests and challenges prepared by their master.
Over 3,000 years ago, during the time of the Baklunish Hegira, Azor'alq defended the royal family from minions of Darkness as they made the treacherous journey across the Tyurzi Mountains to the Baklunish Basin.
goddess of passion and forgiveness. Formerly, she was the goddess of hatred and vendettas, but she got better. Her symbol is a red metal heart, preferably red gold.
Berna is depicted as a Touv woman wearing the skin of a jungle cat. A red-gold heart shines from her chest.
Berna is the third child of the serpent god Meyanok, transformed by the power of Xanag from a spirit of hate to one of passion. Her older siblings are Vara and Damaran. Her grandmother is Breeka and her great-grandmother is the sun goddess Nola, who was awakened by the creator god Uvot.
She is a member of the Touv pantheon, which also includes the gods Katay, Kundo, Meyanok, and Vogan.
The members of the Touv pantheon are spirits that dwell physically on the continent of Hepmonaland
, home of the Touv people, rather than in the Outer Planes, according to the Scarlet Brotherhood FAQ originally found on Wizards of the Coast
's website.
Berna is now the patron of all small emotions, both positive and negative. She also represents the forgiveness of wrongs.
Berna's clerics and shamans are in tune with the emotions of their people. They help lovers find acceptance, work with artists to help them reach their potential, and raise morale during times of disaster and war. They help counsel victims and preach acceptance of new friendships rather than nursing old wounds.
After the pain of birthing the god Katay, the goddess Breeka collapsed in exhaustion, quickly falling asleep. Yet the pain would not leave her, and from the darkness of night and the pain of childbirth was born Meyanok, the diseased serpent. Meyanok festered with hatred and rejection, because of all the first spirits, he was the only one not born under the light of Nola, the sun. Meyanok's frustrated lust mated with his simmering rage, and from this strange coupling three eggs were produced. The first egg hatched to reveal Vara, goddess of fear. From the second egg hatched Damaran, god of vermin, and from the third egg hatched Berna, the goddess of hatred and vengeance.
Meyanok sent his young forth to corrupt the elder gods. The misdeeds of Vara and Damaran will be discussed in their individual entries, but Berna was sent to torment Xanag, the goddess of metals and beauty. However, when confronted with the loveliness of her great-grandmother's second daughter, she paused with amazement. Berna realized that even she, the personification of all hatred, could not hate so beautiful a creature, and she threw herself at Xanag's feet, offering to kill herself to atone for her unworthy emotions. Xanag took pity on her strange grand-niece, and gave her a heart made from red gold. This heart transformed Berna from a spirit of dark passion to one that represented all powerful emotions, as well as the emotion of forgiveness. This enabled Berna to finally forgive herself.
Berna is named for a college friend of Sean K. Reynolds's named Bernadette.
goddess of Living Things. Her holy symbol is a headdress of wooden beads and animal teeth.
Breeka is the manifestation of all aspects of nature, both helpful and harmful (unlike her grandfather Uvot, who represents only nature's bounty). Breeka is, by turns, helpful, indifferent, and harmful. She is troubled by the nightmares given to her by Vara. She is depicted as a middle-aged Touv woman with dark green skin and worry lines on her face.
Breeka is the daughter of Nola, goddess of the sun, and Vogan, the god of weather and rain, and from this mixture of rain and sunlight was born all the world's plants and animals. She is the mother of Katay, who has no father. Her birthing pains mingled with the darkness to create Meyanok, the god of evil. While sleeping, she vomited forth the nightmares inspired in her by her granddaughter Vara to create the living things that bring fear and danger to the night.
According to Sean K. Reynolds
' "Scarlet Brotherhood FAQ", the Touv gods are spirits who dwell on Oerth
itself rather than on other planes of existence.
Breeka's clergy believe they owe duties both to their people and to the natural world, which they must keep in balance. If land must be cleared for farming or cattle, they warn animals away, transplant important vegetation, or direct the humans to a less vulnerable site.
Breeka's clerics and shamans are distant and brooding. Their favored weapon is the quarterstaff, but they may also wield the atl-atl, dagger, short sword, and spear. They may wear any nonmetal armor.
hero-goddess of Keen Senses and Narrow Escapes. She gained her nickname "the Lucky Ghost" from her ability to leave her body to scout ahead in spirit-form. In this form, she is believed to warn halfling adventurers of impending danger. Her holy symbol is a burning boot-print.
Charmalaine is a young halfling woman with alert eyes, black oiled leather armor, and boots coated in mud. She carries a mace called Fair Warning and is usually seen with Xaphan, her ferret familiar. She is energetic, spontaneous, and fearless.
Charmalaine's apotheosis was co-sponsored by Fharlanghn
and Brandobaris
.
Charmalaine preaches vigilance and attention to one's environment. Her followers are urged to hone their reflexes, to be quick on their feet, to enjoy exploration but also safety. They are taught that too many material things can be too much weight.
Charmalaine's holy text reads like an adventurer's journal, telling of an escape from a red dragon
, a newly freed demoness
, a sahuagin
army, and too many traps to count.
Charmalaine's clerics are nearly always adventurers, monster-hunters, military scouts, or members of other risky professions. Her adventuring priests are thrill-seekers. Their preferred weapon is the light mace.
. She is often associated with griffins
.
Daern is depicted as a black-haired Oeridian woman with a plain face and strong blue eyes.
Daern's apotheosis was sponsored by Delleb
. She is allied with Heironeous
.
Daern's priests often advise military leaders on proper placement and construction of fortifications, castles, and keeps. Her priests are valued among rulers who wish to establish stronger borders. The priesthood favors the shortspear.
In her mortal life, Daern was responsible for the construction of a number of famous fortifications, including Castle Blazebane in Almor and Tarthax (currently known as Goldbolt) near Rel Deven. Some sources in the Great Kingdom
imply that she was involved in the construction of the Imperial Palace at Rauxes, though this event occurred some time after her death (some time after the Battle of a Fortnight's Length in -110 CY), so few take this claim seriously. The Tower of Daern in Irongate was based on her plans.
Daern's Instant Fortress is a magic item
that appears as a small metal cube. When its command word is spoken, the cube grows into a 30 feet (9.1 m) tower instantly.
god of Portals, Doors, Enclosures, Locks, and Keys. His holy symbol is a locked door with a skeleton key beneath it.
Dalt wanders the Outlands, having no permanent realm of his own.
Dalt is depicted as either a white-haired old man with piercing eyes or as a young red-haired thief.
Dalt is the brother of Vatun, the Suel god of Winter and Cold. Due to his brother's imprisonment, Dalt is not on good terms with Telchur
. He is on good terms with Mordenkainen
, to whom Dalt sometimes lends his favored relic, The Silver Key of Portals.
Dalt is a lesser deity, almost forgotten on the world of Oerth
but slowly gaining more followers. He is primarily worshipped by the Suloise
people in the southeastern Flanaess
.
god of vermin and other creeping things, as well as the flight-instinct essential to survival. His symbol is ribbons of black metal.
Damaran is the vermin that scuttles. He is depicted as a strong Touv man with a skulking look about him, accompanied by rats and insects.
Damaran obeys his father, Meyanok, unquestioningly, and is easily bullied into service by his older sister Vara. He often flees when confronted by enemies of any strength.
The Touv gods inhabit the "spirit world" coincident with the realms of the Touv, a somewhat hypothetical realm.
The chief commandment of Damaran is to survive no matter what, to find food no matter how strange or disgusting the environment, to thrive where nothing should be expected to live, and to run away when necessary.
Damaran's clerics serve their communities in times of famine, and often lead reclusive tribes hidden in the deepest jungles. They can call hordes of vermin on those who anger them, or if ordered to do so by those they serve. Their favored weapon is the javelin; they can also be seen wielding the atl-atl, club, dagger, short bow, and staff. They wear ribbons of black metal on their arms, neck, and legs.
Damaran hatched from one of three eggs laid by Meyanok after that god's lust mated with his own anger. Damaran was sent forth by his father to infest the home of Kundo with crawling and biting things, but he fled when confronted.
Daoud is depicted as an old man with leathery skin and heavy, dark brows. His eyes are black and piercing. He wears the simple, worn clothing of a shepherd, a turban wrapped around his head and a staff in his hands.
Daoud was a priest of Istus
.
When Daoud was stripped of his wealth, he decided that the Four Feet of the Dragon which define Baklunish society - piety, honor, generosity, and devotion to family - were mere ostentation. In their place he proposed four superior virtues: honesty, humility, piety, and endurance. He called this new philosophy the Path of the Seeker.
Daoud's followers are urged to seek out both good fortune and bad in order to unravel the threads of destiny. They strive to be content with what Fate allows and demands of them, no more and no less. They cut lies with sharp words.
Clerics of Daoud, known as Daoudahs, live in voluntary poverty, abandoning rank and title. They are known for their brutal honesty and contempt for claims based on mere social position. Despite their humble lives, they manipulate the strings of Fate, bringing down the mighty and uplifting the humble, scattering whole tribes in their inscrutable ways.
Daoud was once the philosopher-pasha of Tusmit
, a wealthy and well-respected man in his youth. In middle age, however, he lost everything, reduced to begging on the streets far from his homeland. He became a mendicant priest of Istus and contemplated the harshness of Fate before arriving at his radical new philosophy.
Iggwilv
plundered the wealth of his legendary Vault (surely a relic of his more prosperous days) in Lopolla in the third century of the Common Year calendar, apparently making off with his Wondrous Lanthorn at that time.
Daoud is associated with Daoud's Wondrous Lanthorn, a creation of gold, gems, and crystals fueled by precious jewels. The Lanthorn curses its owner with possessiveness and paranoia.
Daoud appeared in the name of the Wondrous Lanthorn artifact in the adventure The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth by Gary Gygax
. The name is the Arabic cognate of "David."
spirit of earth, weather, and hidden treasures. It is the spirit of Mount Drachenkopf in the Pomarj
. Its symbol is a coiled dragon.
The Earth Dragon may manifest as a mottled serpent or a gargantuan dragon formed of variegated stone laced with precious ores. It may also manifest as an earthquake to indicate its displeasure.
The Cult of the Earth Dragon is opposed by the Silent Ones.
The Earth Dragon is said to live in a large underground lair beneath Mount Drachenkopf avoided by subterranean races. Especially faithful worshippers are brought to their deity's presence to bask in the Earth Dragon's glory.
The Earth Dragon is the great provider and the spirit of the earth. Those who worship it and obey it are promised protection. The Earth Dragon is said to know all the secrets of the land, favoring its chosen with power and knowledge. To please their god, the faithful must worship, sacrifice, and spread the faith to others.
Only 30% of the Earth Dragon's worshippers are human. The others are members of evil humanoid races such as orcs
, gnoll
s, goblins
, hobgoblins
, and ogres
. Each congregation is served by several shamans and a witch doctor.
Because any activity involving earth, stone, and the underground is pleasing to the Earth Dragon, the cult is equally popular among farmers, miners, and masons. Warriors focus on the god's destructive side.
The derro
know and respect the Earth Dragon, and do not enter its realm without performing ritual sacrifices.
Priests of the Earth Dragon wear brown robes embroidered with gold thread and gems. During ceremonies, they wear the bronzed and magically shrunken skulls of young dragons on their heads (Earth Dragon Helms). In battle they favor scalemail and shields bearing their god's coiled dragon symbol. Adventuring priests wear practical garb appropriate for forays into mines and mountains.
The greatest temple of the Earth Dragon is a complex beneath Mount Drachenkopf. It is built into the side of the mountain, most of it hidden underground. There, a shaft of unknown depth is used to drop sacrifices into the realm of their god. For years, this was the only temple to the god, but Turrosh Mak's forces have established many shrines and small temples to the Earth Dragon throughout the Pomarj and the Wild Coast
. New temples are always partly subterranean, their altars underground. Savage humanoid tribes in the Pomarj often have crude shrines to the Earth Dragon in caves. Larger temples have lately received egg-shaped rocks from the Earth Dragon, with instructions to "protect my young."
The holy day of the Earth Dragon is Earthday, when the faithful go to the temples of the god. Important sacrifices are made in the third week of each month. The Earth Dragon is also honored in Growfest
, when hundreds of humans are sacrificed at the Drachenkopf Temple.
This is a ceremonial suit of scalemail, the personal armor of the high priest of the Earth Dragon Cult. It is rumored to have been made from the scales of the Earth Dragon itself; these scales vary from black to brown to gold in color. The coiled symbol on the armor can be enchanted to become a symbol of persuasion, and can cast a mass suggestion spell once per day. If a nonbeliever touches the armor, the ground trembles. The first time someone dons the armor, the Earth Dragon sucks the wearer into the ground to judge the creature's worthiness. Those who fail are eaten.
A 9th level priest of the Earth Dragon must slay a young, good dragon and bring its skull to a temple dedicated to the Earth Dragon or to Mount Drachenkopf itself. The skulls are diminished, bronzed, and crafted into ceremonial items called Earth Dragon Helms. The larger the dragon slain, the more prestigious the priest's new position. Each helm has slightly different powers, usually including an immunity to magical fear and a breath weapon effect appropriate to the type of dragon used.
This oil was developed by the Earth Dragon Cult for some of its rituals, although it has since been found effective in combat as well. The recipe is a secret jealously guarded by the priesthood. It comes in small vials that shatter when thrown, producing a cloud of noxious gas. Those who fail to save fall asleep, suffering strange and vivid dreams. Priests of the Earth Dragon claim to commune with their god as they sleep, though others report terrible nightmares.
The Earth Dragon is an ancient deity dating back to an era in the Flanaess
when spirits of nature were worshipped as gods. In the early days, the Earth Dragon was but one of the many spirits worshiped by the primitive people of the Pomarj. In the Drachensgrab Hills, those tribes that propitiated the Earth Dragon prospered, while those who did not perished due to avalanches and earthquakes.
When newer gods of Oerth appeared to supplant primitive spirit-worship, a few spirits stubbornly remained in the new era. The Earth Dragon was one of these. Every new culture that colonized the Pomarj had to deal with it, adding it to their pantheons and propitiating it when they crossed its territory.
During the Great Migrations
a band of wicked Suloise
slaughtered a tribe of Flan in the Drachensgrab Hills. In retribution, their gods transformed the Suloise into stone, creating the Twisted Forest. Although it is not certain the Earth Dragon was responsible for this, it has been the most significant power in the Drachensgrabs since time immemorial, and it would be strange if the Flan tribe in question did not worship it.
In the mid-400s CY, a young baron called Erkin journeyed alone to Mount Drachenkopf to make a pact with the deity. In exchange for worship and sacrifices from the baron's people, the Earth Dragon aided Erkin's conquests. Within five years, Erkin had claimed all the Drachensgrab Hills and named himself king. His brother Bretwalda
and all of his descendants honored the pact. In 574 CY, King Rodric of Suderham was assassinated by Stalman Klim, the High Priest of the Earth Dragon, who claimed the city in the name of the Slave Lords
. When Turrosh Mak conquered the Pomarj, he spread the worship of the Earth Dragon as well.
The Earth Dragon was originally mentioned in the Scourge of the Slave Lords
series of modules.
hero-god of Independence, Outlawry, Feasting, and Hunting. His symbol is a leaf-shaped arrowhead.
Gadhelyn is a very old figure in elven myth, once a part of the Fey Mysteries but now largely forgotten except among the grugach. He is depicted as an elf with sharp features, long yellow hair, and vivid green eyes. He wears rough clothing of fur and hide, of colors to match the season
.
As an elven hero-god, Gadhelyn is technically a member of the Seldarine, though it is not clear if he maintains relationships with others in the pantheon, even Fenmarel Mestarine
, who is a patron of elven outlaws and grugach. One or two Knights of Luna are thought to be sympathetic to Gadhelyn and his cause, but otherwise few in the Grand Court of Celene
favor him.
Followers of Gadhelyn are urged to find pleasure throughout the year, rejoicing in Low Summer, making merry in Summer, feasting in Autumn, and finding time to dream in Winter. Gadhelyn sees no value in social caste or family lineage, as some other elves do, recognizing only individual merit. To him, titles such as knight or queen are meaningless, which does not please the Grand Court of Celene. Those who travel to the wild forest are expected to bring a gift for Gadhelyn, but if he is not pleased by this token he will simply take what he believes he is owed. Hunters are expected to kill in one shot; those who leave their prey wounded deserve to become the hunted themselves.
Gadhelyn is still a potent hero among the grugach. Sylvan elves and even a few half-elves and humans
revere him and participate in his rites. Followers of Gadhelyn prey on the wealthy who dare to cross their woodlands, but they are not truly dangerous unless attacked, or if their forests are despoiled.
The Lord of the Wildwood has many druids in his service, but few of them are part of the hierarchy of the Old Faith. The favored weapon of Gadhelyn's clerics is the longbow.
hero-god of Fatalism and Obsession. His symbol is a waraxe bearing the dwarven rune for destruction.
The Doomed Dwarf's appearance is said to be unremarkable except for his sandy blond hair and beard. His dwarven waraxe, Forgotten Hope, screams every time a community of dwarves is attacked. He is in many ways the picture of a dwarven stereotype: dour, taciturn, and focused on the destruction of evil humanoids above all else.
Gendwar achieved hero-deity status thanks to the patronage of Clanggedin Silverbeard
, god of war and battle.
Gendwar preaches nothing less than utter destruction of the enemies of the dwarven race. Honor, glory, wealth, and love are all meaningless in the face of this crusade. His followers expect fully to one day die in battle, but strive to take a thousand foes with them to the grave.
It is against the creed of the faith to retain more than 1,000 gp of wealth unless it is being saved to purchase better armaments.
Gendwar's clerics seek out and destroy evil humanoids and giants
, particularly (though not exclusively) if they threaten dwarven settlements. These clerics help train warriors in tactics, search for new enemies and their weaknesses, and help fortify the stronghold against attacks.
As a young dwarf, Gendwar Argrim was traveling to another clan to begin his apprenticeship as a silversmith when his birth clan was wiped out by an invasion of giants and orc
s. Because of the great distance he had traveled, he did not find out about the tragedy for a year. When the news finally came, he abandoned his apprenticeship and swore to keep no wealth and take no wife until every foe of dwarvenkind was slain. Although he fully expected to die long before his Quixotic quest was complete, instead he found immortality under the patronage of the god Clanggedin, after a quest in which he slew a divinely-descended fire giant and her minions.
Johydee can take any form, but usually appears as a young woman with grey eyes and honey-blonde hair. Though she comes off as mischievous and flighty, this is little more than a mask to hide her true intentions. Her allies are few, and she never sides with evil.
Johydee's patron deity is unknown. She is an ally of Heironeous
.
Followers of Johydee are urged to protect themselves with many layers of deception, keeping their true intentions hidden from the knowledge of their enemies, and to know more of their foes than their foes know of them. They are taught to judge well the time to strike and the time to flee. They are also expected to help those they are sworn to protect.
Johydee is worshiped mainly in Oeridian lands, especially in Sunndi
, Irongate, Onnwal, and other (former) nations of the Iron League
. The chameleon is her sacred animal, and her symbol is a mask of stylized onyx.
Johydee's priests often work as spies for powerful patrons. Skilled at deception, they enjoy opportunities in which they can pretend to be someone else. Many take on different identities in different cities. They thwart tyrants, seek information on renowned evil-doers, and humble the overly-prideful and ambitious. Johydee's priests tend to ignore a person's apparent status and treat everyone equally, due to their familiarity with deception and subterfuge. The priesthood's preferred weapon is the short sword.
An extremely rare few individuals of Aerdi descent are known by this appellation, which signifies magical gifts and a metaphorical "mask" that shields their emotions from public scrutiny, as well as providing literal protection from hostile magic. It does not mean they are literally descended from Johydee, however.
Johydee's Children tend to be extremely aloof, never letting their feelings show, or they exist "above" the cares and feelings of ordinary folk. They are loners with difficulty forming close personal relationships.
Known and rumored Children of Johydee include Queen Yalranda, the archmage Schandor, General Azharadian, Gwydiesin of the Cranes, Saint Benedor, and the Walker. Their influence over events tends to be subtle, though profound, although there are exceptions; Azharadian's many victories, for example, were anything but subtle.
This is a small chrysoberyl that makes it easier for a rogue to hide in shadows and grants an immunity to detect invisibility spells. It does not radiate magic when held, and cannot be discovered when the owner is searched. The gem was enchanted through contact with Johydee and given to one of her followers.
Johydee's Mask
is an artifact that makes the wearer totally immune to all forms of gaze attacks, and also allows the wearer to assume the guise of a humanoid being.
Long before the Oeridians migrated into the Flanaess
, when they still dwelt in western Oerik
, the greatest Oeridian nation was ruled by servants of evil deities. Eventually, Johydee, a wise priestess of great magical power, favored by the gods themselves, tricked the oppressors into creating a magical mask. Johydee used this mask to free the Oeridians from their dark overlords. Ultimately she became a queen in her own right, though the location of her realm is lost to time. Johydee was a member of the Aerdi house Cranden.
Johydee is credited with writing the following work:
Johydee is named after Heidi Gygax, one of Gary Gygax
's daughters.
god of decay, inevitability, order, and time. His symbol is a copper disk.
Katay is the inventor of the Touv Calendar, and records all events on a metallic wheel given to him by Xanag.
Katay is depicted as an elderly man with young eyes, wearing a decaying animal pelt and carrying a great copper disk inscribed with Touv runes.
Katay is the son of Breeka, born without a father.
The Touv deities are the spirits of the land itself, and so dwell on the Prime Material Plane (according to the Scarlet Brotherhood FAQ by Sean K. Reynolds
, originally published on the TSR website).
Katay represents the relentless cycle of birth, rot, and death in the realm of his mother, the goddess of living things, as well as the time that tugs on all.
Katay's priests are the record keepers of the Touv, recording births and deaths, weather, and other important events. They preside over funerals and births and uphold the laws. Their favored weapon is the dagger, and they can also be found wielding chakrams, short bows, spears, and staffs. They wear old animal pelts and carry copper disks.
Keptolo is intelligent, stylish, and exquisitely decadent; in all ways he is the ideal of the upper class male drow. His typical appearance is that of a young dark elvish noble, dressed in elegant silks of red, purple, jet black, and amber hues. He carries on his person a thin and elegant poniard and longsword, and in combat he wields them both simultaneously. Alternatively, he may be dressed as if for a hunt, wearing a velvet cloak and carrying an expensive crossbow.
Keptolo is the consort of Lolth
. He is polite and unctuous to Kiaransalee
and Vhaeraun
, but insincere in his flattery. He despises Zinzerena
, who tricked a portion of his power from him in order to empower her own ascension.
The Eager Consort dwells with his mistress in the Demonweb Pits
, a bewildering realm of spidery webs spun from damned souls.
Keptolo urges his followers to increase their status in drow society by feeding the vanity of the matriarchs who outrank them. They are advised to be wary of who they offend, and to keep a scapegoat on hand to take the blame for their failings. They are taught the importance of gossip as a weapon against their rivals.
Keptolo is revered mostly by male drow, who respect him as the patron of drinking and a model for sexual exploits they hope to achieve themselves.
Clerics of Keptolo may be found as advisors, critics of art and literature, philosophers, politicians, and other careers that do not require hard labor. Many are skilled with a blade, and work as assassins and spies. They seek to emulate their deity in all ways. They are deferential to the matrons, but manipulative and abusive to all others.
The greatest temple of Keptolo is in the city of Erelhei-Cinlu in the Vault of the Drow.
god of building, noise, music, and defense. His symbol is an ornate but functional shield or breastplate.
Kundo is the union of storm and metal, a loud and boisterous guardian god obsessed with building and construction. He is the sound of metal on metal, or the roar of the summer rains on the roofs of shelters, or the happy songs sung by those who build and protect. He is depicted as a laughing Touv man carrying a great shield and a cluster of saplings.
Kundo is the son of Xanag, goddess of metals, and Vogan, god of rain and storms. Xanag's beauty entranced Vonag.
Damaran infested Kundo's home with crawling things soon after the creeping demigod's creation, but fled when Kundo confronted him.
Like all the Touv powers, Kundo is a spirit that dwells on the Material Plane rather than in the Outer Planes.
Kundo's followers are expected to protect the weak and save those in danger.
Priests and shamans of Kundo build shelters for the poor, teach traditional songs, and strive to protect their people from all dangers. Their favored weapon is the short sword, and they may also wield the atl-atl, chakram, short bow, and staff. They are required to wear shields; these must be ornate but functional, and also serve as their holy symbols.
It is said that Kundo built two great disks, one to honor his mother Xanag and one to honor his grandmother Nola. These disks, the aquamarine disk Koxanag and the larger, silver disk Konola, were placed in the sky so that all could remember Nola's light and beauty while the sun goddess slept. Katay, god of time, remarked on how they spun, and recorded their patterns on a great wheel that Xanag had given him.
Kuroth appears as an Oeridian man with a fancy mustache and medium-length black hair. He is occasionally accompanied by a ferret
.
Kuroth was sponsored to godhood by Olidammara
.
Kuroth's priests prefer daggers and rapiers.
Most of Kuroth's priests work as thieves, and are forbidden from destroying any item of value. Thrill-seekers, they constantly search for the greatest challenge with the biggest payoff. Such inclinations keep the priesthood's numbers low and reputation high.
Said to have been the greatest thief
of his day, the Oeridian man known as Kuroth was quite wealthy even before attaining godhood, and only continued to pursue his thieving career in for the sake of keeping his skills honed and his reputation hale. After completing a particularly risky quest for Olidammara, Kuroth was sponsored to godhood by the Laughing Rogue.
Kuroth is known to have authored the following works:
Kuroth's Quill
is an artifact, a quill pen made from a white griffon
feather. The quill's user can magically read any writing in any language, or alter reality simply by using the quill to write whatever he wishes to happen on a piece of parchment.
Mayaheine is an unusually tall woman with auburn-gold hair with blue eyes. She carries a bastard sword and a longbow, and is garbed in silvery plate mail.
Mayaheine is a servant and paladin of Pelor
, and her faith serves as a more strongly martial complement to Pelor's church.
Her relationship with Heironeous
is more uncertain, but most of their respective clergy sees their roles as complementary, Mayaheine as protector and Heironeous as the one who marshals the hosts to battle.
Mayaheine dwells in Arvenna, the Chanting Grounds on Mount Celestia
, on the warlike layer of Mertion. This is a place for the training of archons, primarily, but she is not the only deity to make it her home.
Mayaheine's faith is still a young one, still organizing itself and still very much tied to the church of Pelor. Her worshipers see her as a savior come to rescue them from the darkness that threatens the world in these grim times.
Priests of Mayaheine are often guided by and always defer to priests of Pelor. Her clerics are often relatively young. They train for combat and help organize the defense of communities.
Paladins of Mayaheine are known as Valiants. Their motto is "Fortitude within and valor without." They are few, as their order has only existed since the 580s CY. Most of them have emerged from existing Pelorian knighthoods. As many as three in five of them are female. The Valiants dedicate themselves to the protection of the innocent, downtrodden, and good. They typically wear flowing tabards cinched with a golden cord or girdle at the waist, usually with the symbol of Mayaheine emblazoned on them. They favor light blues, greens, and tans.
A small temple to Mayaheine exists in Greyhawk's
Old City, cared for by the priest Veni Jarrison. She is also worshiped in Perrenland
, Hardby (which contains Mayaheine's largest temple and training house), and Zulern.
Mayaheine was originally a mortal paladin of Pelor, brought to Oerth from another world during the Greyhawk Wars
to help fight the rising tide of evil. Her first recorded sighting was in 583 CY
.
demigoddess of Agriculture, Farming, and the Home. Her holy symbol is a basket of grain and a long scroll.
Merikka is described as a quiet, gray-haired woman of faded beauty, carrying a basket of grain and holding a scroll, though her image in her temple in the village of Orlane is that of a beautiful young woman. Merikka is obsessed with dates and cycles.
Merikka is a cousin of Velnius
, Atroa
, Sotillion
, Wenta
, and Telchur
. She reports to Cyndor
, who helps her coordinate the proper times to plant and harvest with the gods of the seasons.
Merikka was imprisoned for some years in the Godtrap beneath Castle Greyhawk
by the archmage Zagyg
, but is now free. She resents chaotic gods and any who would disrupt her work.
Merikka teaches her faithful about orderly schedules, caring relationships, prudent savings, and honest labor. She teaches that children must respect their parents, husbands must respect their wives, wives must respect their husbands, and parents must love and teach their children, just as Merikka teaches her flock.
One holy text in Merikka's faith is called A Most Worshipful Guide to Benign Merikka. The one found in her Orlane temple was huge and richly illustrated with colorful paintings.
Merikka is revered mainly by farmers and mothers of Oeridian descent.
Merikka's clerics preside over weddings and coming-of-age ceremonies, care for pregnant women, and act as police when there are none other available, pursuing their quarry even into cities. They ensure the crops are planted and harvested on time, and they act as neutral advisors in household arguments.
One temple to Merikka exists in the village of Orlane north of the Rushmoors. It is the only stone building in town, and the majority of the villagers consider themselves devotees of Merikka. Among many other rooms, the temple contains a hall displaying golden statues representing the major plants Merikka is concerned with: wheat, potatoes, oats, corn, carrots, turnips, grapes, and beans. Those who disturb these statues suffer Merikka's lasting curse.
Merikka was created by Douglas Niles
for his adventure Against the Cult of the Reptile God. She was consistently referred to as chaotic good at the time; her alignment was changed in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Erik Mona explained why here: http://www.canonfire.com/cfhtml/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=77.
god of serpents, poison, discord, darkness, and famine. His symbol is a snake coiled around a skull.
Meyanok is always depicted as a serpent coiled around a skull.
Meyanok was born when the pain of Breeka's childbirth mingled with the darkness. He is the progenitor of Vara, Damaran, and Berna, who hatched from eggs spawned from the mating of Meyanok's anger and lust.
Meyanok, like the other Touv
gods, is a greater spirit who dwells within the mortal world.
Meyanok seeks to corrupt the rest of his family and control or destroy their servants. He prefers subterfuge to overt action, as he is outnumbered by the non-evil gods.
Meyanok's shamans and priests are reclusive, avoiding dealing with strangers openly. More commonly they work through agents, many of them ensnared with charm spells, to disrupt civilization and to harm the worshipers of other gods. They have been known to sacrifice humans to their deity. Their favored weaon is the dagger, and they may also wield the atl-atl, hand axe, javelin, short bow, and short sword. On ceremonial occasions they wear snakeskin headdresses or cloaks.
After the pain of birthing the god Katay, the goddess Breeka collapsed in exhaustion, quickly falling asleep. Yet the pain would not leave her, and from the darkness of night and the pain of childbirth was born Meyanok, the diseased serpent. Meyanok festered with hatred and rejection, because of all the first spirits, he was the only one not born under the light of Nola, the sun. Meyanok's frustrated lust mated with his simmering rage, and from this strange coupling three eggs were produced. The first egg hatched to reveal Vara, goddess of fear. From the second egg hatched Damaran, god of vermin, and from the third egg hatched Berna, the goddess of hatred and vengeance. Meyanok sent his young to corrupt the elder gods: Vara wracked her grandmother Breeka with nightmares while she slept; Damaran infested the home of Kundo, his uncle, with crawling and biting vermin; Berna was sent to Xanag, but ended up being redeemed by the beautiful goddess of metal.
name for an entity known as the Serpent
, an entity of godlike power believed to be the personification of arcane magic. The Serpent is said to be a member of a group of unfathomably old entities known as the Ancient Brethren, which though similar to gods, are not exactly gods, though some beings honor them as such. The Lady of Pain
, Asmodeus
, and Jazirian
are also sometimes said to belong, or to have once belonged to this group, and supposedly Vecna
is a descendant of the Ancient Brethren. There may also be a connection between the Ancient Brethren and the draeden
s and baernoloth
s born before the multiverse began.
The Serpent is believed to have personally instructed Vecna in the ways of magic. Vecna's mother, Mazzel, told her son that the Serpent gains its power by devouring the souls of those who honor it.
Other rumors include that the Serpent is a guise of Asmodeus, or that the Serpent doesn't exist at all. Perhaps it is only Vecna's own madness and insight whispering back at him from within the darkness of his own one-eyed skull.
god of Trade, Negotiation, Ventures, Appraisal, and Reciprocity. His symbol is a set of scales and weights.
Mouqol is a neutral deity; in the ancient war between Darkness and Light that resulted in the Baklunish Hegira
, he refused to take a side, trading with both antitheses. Mouqol is a skilled bargainer, able to haggle skillfully even with the notoriously tricky and sly genie races. Mouqol's greatest talents, however, are his ability to discern the true desires of his clients and procure rare items from exotic and seemingly impossible sources.
Mouqol takes the side of neither the gods of good nor the gods of evil. As he does with the rest of the Baklunish pantheon, Al'Akbar
remains subordinate to Mouqol in the divine hierarchy.
Mouqol teaches that no reward comes without risk, but too much risk is foolhardy. Moderation is the key. Followers of Mouqol are urged to know both the worth and cost of their goods and ventures, and warned against the perils of greed. All life is a matter of exchange in Mouqol's philosophy. The accumulation of too much wealth is manifestly not the point; rather, it is the act of haggling and negotiating that Mouqol presides over and sanctifies.
Mouqol is a common patron of the Baklunish, and certain junuun
and merfolk worship him as well.
Clerics of Mouqol work to identify and deter fraud and they appraise the true worth of goods. Most travel at some point in their careers, particularly with merchant caravans.
Mouqol's temples are built in marketplaces, where they double as moneychangers, lending institutions, and arbitrators in negotiations. All marketplaces are considered sacred, and the majority of Mouqol's places of worship are simple, tent-covered altars erected in bazaars. Rather than a tithe, a fee is levied against traders who use the marketplace, with excesses invested in charitable enterprises.
Prayers to Mouqol are said in the morning before the day's business is commenced.
is the Flan
goddess of Love, Romance, and Beauty. Her symbol is the lovebird and she is portrayed as a Flan woman just reaching adulthood, a garland of flowers in her hair. She has two aspects, a dark-haired, intimidating woman wielding a whip and a golden-haired, gentler woman wielding a shortbow. Myhriss appreciates Wee Jas
for her attractive features, though Wee Jas jealously dislikes Myhriss for her claim over love and beauty. Myhriss is friendly and affectionate toward all benign gods, but avoids those who are hideous, crude, or hateful.
Myhriss dwells within or on the shores of the River Amiel in Thalasia, the fourth layer of Elysium
. Clerics of Myhriss are starry-eyed and always looking for signs of love and beauty in the people and places around them. They bless young lovers, perform marriages ceremonies, create works of art, and travel to see beautiful people and fantastic sights. Some are diplomats, while some are crusaders against hate and ugliness. Favored weapons are the shortbow and whip.
Myhriss was first detailed for the Dungeons & Dragons game in the World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting
(1983), by Gary Gygax
. Myhriss was one of the deities described in the 1992 From the Ashes
set for the Greyhawk campaign. Myhriss is described as one of the good deities that celestials
can serve in the 1999 supplement Warriors of Heaven. Myhriss' role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
(2000).
hero-god of formal, ritualistic, and public combat. His symbol is a chain wrapped around a short sword. He appears as an older half-orc with a strongly orcish appearance. His hair is gray, on its way to becoming completely white. He carries his short sword, Crowdpleaser. Nazarn has no known relationships with the orcish pantheon
.
Nazarn was once a popular gladiator
slave owned by a member of the Scarlet Brotherhood, but he escaped to find a better place for himself elsewhere in the world. Nazarn's apotheosis was sponsored by the Suloise
deity Kord. During his travels, he impressed a half-giant descendant of the god Kord and eventually convinced Kord himself to elevate him to godhood after defeating all opponents (including a young green dragon
) in a Hepmonaland
arena run by yuan-ti
.
Nazarn's followers are expected to be honorable and brave in answering challenges, and to give every fight their all. While there are times when it is important to focus on showmanship and pleasing a crowd, in other times it is wiser to concentrate on one's foe. "Dirty fighting" is frowned upon unless the fight is purely for sport. Mercy is encouraged when possible, but honorless foes should be dispatched without pity. They seek to inspire others and to think about the legacy they will leave.
Priests of Nazarn are often professional duelists or gladiators, or they act as referees in such contests. They may adventure to seek out new arena clients, to test their mettle against new or unusual foes, or to collect mementos and scars that will add to their reputations.
goddess of the Sun. Her symbol is a gold or copper image of the sun.
Nola is depicted as a Touv woman of serene beauty, her head surrounded by a corona of flame.
Nola is the first being created by Uvot, who brought her to life by thanking the warm sun for blessing the land, that the land might create Uvot.
Nola admired Vogan, the god of rain and storms, the aspect of one complementing the other, both enriching their father Uvot. Vogan and Nola became the parents of Breeka, goddess of beasts and plants. Uvot blessed Nola, and she gave birth to Xanag, goddess of metals and beauty, born from Uvot's earth and shining with the fire of her mother.
All the gods were born under Nola's light except for Meyanok, who was born in darkness and pain and resented all the others for this. Meyanok gave birth to three dark spawn of his own.
As a greater spirit of nature, Nola is associated with the physical sun itself rather than any otherplanar realm. Her essence shines on the land of mortals, filling it with her life-giving light.
Nola represents the life-giving power of sunlight and its ability to reveal things that would otherwise be hidden by darkness. She is a nurturing force that abhors deadly cold and those who destroy things before they fully develop.
Nola's priests and shamans are concerned with the growth and development of living things, especially children. Her adventuring priests see themselves as parental figures watching over their companions and helping them mature. Their favored weapon is the javelin, and they may also wield the atl-atl, dagger, hand axe, short bow, and spear. On ceremonial occasions, they wear a headdress and collar of copper and gold.
Nola is named for a college friend of Sean K. Reynolds's.
order in the Flanaess
. Though strongly associated with the faiths of Beory
and Obad-Hai
, the Old Faith also encompasses other deities, principally those concerned with natural phenomema. A quartet of gods representing the seasons is common, though the identities of these deities vary from culture to culture.
The Old Faith is closely associated with the bards of the Old Lore, to whom they entrust many of their secrets.
The druids of the Old Faith are more loosely allied with the Rangers of the Gnarley. Their alignments differ, but their goals are compatible.
The Old Faith opposes the entities of the Far Realm
and the cult of Elemental Evil, which are entirely outside of and hostile to the nature they protect.
The Old Faith has divided the Flanaess into nine separate regions, each under the dominion of a Great Druid. These regions are known colloquially as the Baklunish West, the Bitter North ("Old Blackmoor
"), the Western Nyr Dyv
("Old Ferrond"), the Sheldomar Valley ("Old Keoland"), the Empire of Iuz ("Northern Reaches"), the Thillonrian Peninsula ("Barbarian North"), the Old Aerdy West ("Old Nyrond"), the Old Aerdy East (former Great Kingdom
), and the Isolated Realms.
All druids of the Old Faith within a specific region are organized into a Circle.
Adherents of the Old Faith hold trees, particularly oak and ash, and the sun and the moons as sacred. Druids of the Old Faith believe they must protect trees, plants, and crops from destruction; to a lesser extent, they protect their human followers and animals as well. They recognize that humans, humanoids, and animals need food and shelter, and don't begrudge them the right to hunt or practice agriculture if they do so responsibly. Druids of the Old Faith may not destroy woodlands or crops, though they may work to change the nature of these things if they feel it is worth the effort to do so. For example, an Old Faith druid could cleanse a corrupted wood of its evil taint, but the Old Faith is strongly neutral in alignment, believing that Good, Evil, Law, and Chaos should exist in balance.
The Old Faith holds itself aloof from worldly affairs, being primarily concerned with the cycles of nature: life, death, and rebirth. They view all things as part of a great cycle, with Good and Evil only temporary phases. Only when the cycle itself is threatened do they feel called to action.
Old Faith communities are found throughout the Flanaess. Most of the inhabitants of Hommlet belong to the Old Faith, for example.
Druids of associated deities make up the priests of the Old Faith. Common symbols are oak
leaves, holly
leaves, and mistletoe
. Druids of the Old Faith have their own secret language known as Druidic; it shares roots with the Flan tongue, but is much more specialized, dealing mostly with the natural world and the growth of plants. Many druids also learn the languages of centaurs, elves, gnomes
, green dragons, hill giants
, lizardfolk, manticores, treants, and fey.
Druids of the Old Faith prefer to live in sacred groves, in small, simple houses built of logs, stone, or sod. At higher levels, they generally dwell in building complexes in woodland areas.
The Old Faith's lowest-ranked clergy are known as Aspirants, who seek admission to the order. Next are the Ovates, who read auguries and perform minor administrative tasks. Next are the Initiates of the First Circle, followed by higher ranking Initiates of the Second through Ninth Circles. Above these ranks are those who have the right to the title of Druid. There are only nine Druids to each region. Above the nine Druids are three Archdruids, who answer to the Great Druid of their region. Admission to the ranks of Druid, Archdruid, and Great Druid is only granted via trial by combat. It is said that above the Great Druids stands a single Grand Druid, whose dominion includes the entire Oerth
. Former Grand Druids are said to make up an inner circle of ascended mystics known as the Heirophants of the Cabal, though their existence is not remarked on outside the Old Faith hierarchy.
Old Faith services take place at megalithic stone circles or woodland groves. Oak groves are particularly common, but ash is also held sacred, and deklo and usk
groves are also sometimes used. Each type of tree has a different meaning among the Old Faith, and so the different groves serve very different purposes.
The four festivals
of Needfest, Growfest, Richfest, and Brewfest are all observed by the Old Faith. The night of Great Moon's Glory (Readying
11th) is also held as sacred.
The Old Faith emerged from the ancient nature cults of the Flan
people. As the faith grew, it spread to Oeridians and Suloise
groups, who adopted its concepts to their own deities, though Beory remained the chief deity associated with the faith.
In ancient times, the Old Faith druids allied themselves with dark magic-users of the Ur-Flan such as Vecna
, electing not to challenge their depraved, evil rites and spells. The Old Faith still preserves some of their magical secrets. Vecna, however, betrayed them, and many died when the lich twisted their powers over nature into powers of undeath.
When the Aerdi, particularly the Celestial Houses Naelax and Torquann, conquered the lands watered by the Flanmi River, they encountered groups of Flan worshipping demon lords such as Demogorgon
. Horrified (by the chaos, at least, though many of them were Hextor
worshippers and not particularly phased by evil), they eagerly slaughtered all Flan priests that they found, driving the surviving druids into the wilds within the lands controlled by the Aerdi.
The druids prophesied that they would survive their Aerdi rivals. With the recent fall of the Great Kingdom
, this prophecy came true.
hero-goddess of cruelty, particularly cruel pranks. Her favored animal is a feral cat, and her symbol is a furled scroll dripping dark fluid.
Roykyn is commonly depicted as a dark-haired gnomish woman with a wicked gleam in her eye, but she can appear in almost any humanoid form.
Roykyn was formerly a priestess of the gnomish deity Urdlen
, but her apotheosis was sponsored by Erythnul
, who perhaps in selecting this particular servant was seeking to broaden his appeal beyond simple violence.
To a follower of Roykyn, the greatest joy is to be found in the suffering of others, though this suffering need not be physical in nature. Roykyn's theologians divide suffering into three main types: that of the mind, that of the body, and that of the spirit.
The malevolent pranks played by Roykyn's clerics upon their unsuspecting victims are limitless, including slanderous letters, embarrassing rumors, and betrayals of both friends and lovers. They bring the exalted low and force the lowly to fester in their misery. Bringing such suffering to the world is also their primary motivation in adventuring. Their favored weapon is a spiked gauntlet with poisoned barbs.
Though once a cleric of Urdlen, she decided she was insufficiently rewarded for her services to that deity and defected to Erythnul instead, turning her former temple over to a cabal of illithid
s as an insult and "prank" at her former god's expense.
It has been suggested (in Bastion of Faith, the Greyhawk Player's Guide
, and Warriors of Heaven) that Stern Alia is somehow an aspect of the Flan
god known as Allitur
. However, she is presented as entirely separate from Allitur in 3rd edition materials.
The Shield Mother is a maternal figure, fully armed and armored. Alia is lawful neutral, but her church in Thalos tends toward good, while her church in Medegia tends toward evil.
Alia is the mother of Heironeous
and Hextor
, although they have different fathers. Another son, Stratis, is mentioned in literature for the Chainmail miniatures game in Dragon
#285, but he is deceased.
In the Flanaess
, Stern Alia's church is mostly limited to Medegia, where it has been largely destroyed due to infighting and by priests of Hextor. In Thalos, her powerful church works hand in hand with the monarch of that country.
The clerics of Stern Alia organize local militias to fight back against threats, buying time for the professional armies.
At the moment, paladins of the Shield Mother are on a quest to recover the Shield of Stratis, one of the artifacts left scattered across the land when that son of the Mother of War was killed. The church would do anything to win this holy relic.
In the city of Pontylver, Alia was the patron of the Temple of the Correct and Unalterable Way. Many of the clergy there became increasingly arrogant and arbitrary over time, seeing themselves as the ultimate interpreters of the law. They embraced a heresy that said the Law was concentrated in the individual rather than the community, and for this their goddess forsook them, no longer granting them spells beyond 2nd level. The temple hierarchy managed to keep this a secret for a time; when their fellow cleric Myrrha attempted to speak out, they tried to silence her permanently. She barely escaped the city with her life.
It was the Shield Mother who gave Heironeous the gift of meersalm, coating him with it at birth, which made his skin immune to mortal weapons. She neglected to do so for his brother Hextor, which began the jealousy that eventually led Hextor to the Lords of Evil.
According to myth, Alia used to leave her arms and armor in the care of her sons Heironeous and Hextor while she met with her many lovers. Once, before recorded history, a servant of the half-brothers, a man called Savnok, convinced his masters to allow him to guard the armory of Stern Alia while they attended to other matters. Left alone with the relics, Savnok could not resist trying on the goddess's armor. Drunk with power, he knew he could never bring himself to take it off, so he fled to the mortal realm, where he began carving a kingdom out for himself.
As long as he wore the armor, Savnok could not be harmed by any mortal weapon or energy. Stricken with guilt, Heironeous and Hextor became determined to retrieve the suit before their mother returned. He was immune to Heironeous' lightning, however, so Hextor broke into the armory again and acquired his mother's bow and arrows. Though young, still two-armed Hextor could barely draw the bow, his arrows hit their mark, and Savnok slowly bled to death from small wounds.
Hextor advised his brother to help him replace the missing items and hide the body of Savnok beyond the edge of the cosmos, where their mother would never know about it. Heironeous agreed to the plan, feeling like he owed Hextor for solving the problem. He has felt guilty about this deception ever since.
nor evil like Hextor
. It may seem likely that he was lawful in alignment like his mother and brothers, but the fact that he grew to adulthood on the plane of Ysgard
makes a chaotic neutral alignment a possibility.
Stratis was an armed and armored warrior, looking like a strong, handsome human man with four arms.
Stratis is a son of Stern Alia, and therefore a brother or half-brother of Heironeous and Hextor.
The location of Stratis's divine realm is unknown, although he grew to adulthood on the plane of Ysgard.
Stratis was god of war in all of its forms, both just and unjust.
Stratis is unknown, or virtually so, in the Flanaess
, but was apparently very well known in Western Oerik.
The Panopoly of Stratis are the sacred arms and armor of the dead god Stratis. These items are sought by the warring factions in the Sundered Empire in Western Oerik. Being infused with the dead god's power, it is believed that whoever controls the items will ascend to become the new god of War in Stratis's stead.
The Panopoly of Stratis include:
During the Demon War a thousand years ago, Stratis intervened personally to battle the fiendish dragons sent by Tiamat
, but he found that killing dragons distracted him from other parts of the war. Needing to kill dragons faster, he descended to the city of Ashbringer in Ysgard's realm of Nidavellir. There he bargained with the dwarven
master smith Valin for a weapon capable of killing Tiamat herself. Valin agreed to do this if Stratis would provide the blood of five chromatic dragons
, one of each type, the older the better, as well as enough of each of their hides to make a suit of armor for five dwarven heroes, and then use the weapon to lead an assault on Svartalfheim, the land of Nidavellir's ancient foes. Stratis agreed to the terms on the condition that he would be able to name the time of the assault. Valin agreed, and a year later he had completed his masterwork, the Ebon Glaive. As it happened, however, while Stratis was leading the dwarves to victory, one of the most ferocious battles of the war was being fought without him at the site now called Scalebane. It is rumored that Valin sold the knowledge of when Stratis would be preoccupied in Ysgard to Tiamat, but this has never been proven.
Much later, it is said that Stratis was seen riding to battle with the Baklien horsemen who were invading the empire of Ravilla.
Stratis was killed five years ago (probably in 586 CY) by a party of mortal adventurers who foolishly thought that by killing him they could win peace for their peoples. Instead, Stratis's death embroiled all of Western Oerik in conflict. Stratis ascended into the sky in a pillar of fire and scattered his weapons and armor to the four winds. With his dying breath, he decreed that there would be nothing but war until a new god of war ascended to replace him. Now the various factions of the region battle for control over Stratis's panoply, for it is believed that whoever gets all of Stratis's armaments will become the new god of war.
Stratis' spear pierced the corpse of the warlord Ahmut, who had been in his grave for centuries, and reanimated him as a lord of undeath. The Ebon Glaive probably landed in the ancient battlefield of Scalebane. The Shield of Stratis is currently being sought by the paladins of Stern Alia. When Stratis's hot blood fell on the ground, it burned through the earth and opened passageways to caverns buried for millennia, thus exposing passageways to the drow settlement of Kalan-G'eld. There, deep in the Underdark
, the blood of Stratis became as mist, floating around in crimson clouds to this day. Clouds of Stratis's blood announce themselves with the sounds of screaming, the thud of arrows, and the pounding of hooves. Those who touch the clouds are gifted with a portion of Stratis's divine spark.
Tsolorandril is a tall, androgynous humanoid with very white skin, muted facial features, and silver-blue hair, carrying a length of metallic rope that moves as if it were liquid.
Tsolorandril is an ally of Elayne Mystica. It is thought to have been sponsored to its present status by Cyndor
.
Tsolorandril wanders the Ethereal Plane rather than maintaining a fixed realm.
Tsolorandril's faithful believe that every action contributes to the great pattern of existence, comparing the waves of change to ripples in the water. They believe that Chaos must be kept in check.
Tsolorandril is a young hero-deity with as yet few worshippers. The half-elf Malshar took Tsolorandril as his patron when he was blown off course by an Ether Cyclone on the Ethereal Plane. Tsolorandril has charged its new follower with liberating the people of Geoff
.
Tsolorandril's priests are seers and advisors, using their powers to predict or set in motion the patterns of things to come. They seek to be close to people in power so that they can manipulate the course of events or thwart the forces of Chaos. They study nearby planes of existence and keep their eyes on people who travel between them.
Tsolorandril is a native of another plane. No one knows what plane this was, or what its reasons or methods were for coming to Oerth
.
Tsolorandril was created by Niel Brandt, though it was originally little more than a name and portfolio associated with Elayne Mystica.
goddess of Nightmares and Fear. Her symbol is a necklace of mummified animal feet.
Vara prefers to be depicted as a Touv woman with red eyes and stars in her hair.
Vara is the first child of Meyanok, and considers herself to be superior to her younger brother Damaran and younger sister Berna. She uses her status as the eldest to compel them to do her bidding. Like her father, Vara loathes the other Touv gods, and revels in the act of twisting their minds.
Like the other Touv gods, Vara dwells on the Material Plane.
Vara's dogma involves inflicting misery, oppression, and terror on all others.
Priests and shamans of Vara enforce their control through fear and oppression, though those who enjoy making others miserable sometimes follow them willingly. Vara's clergy are tyrants and bullies; often they act to enforce the desires of a cruel leader. They have an affinity toward illusions and phantasms. Their favored weapon is the javelin and they may also wield the atl-atl, club, dagger, and short sword. They may wear any nonmetal armor.
When she was newly hatched, Vara visited her grandmother Breeka's troubled sleep, and wracked her with nightmares. Breeka, goddess of living things, vomited forth her terrifying dreams, which hid in the shadows and between the trees to make the land full of dangers at night from then on, those twisted creatures and plants that plague the world to these days as living nightmares.
. His symbol is a black spear.
Originally, Vathris appeared as a shirtless Flan
man with coppery skin, approximately nine feet tall, wearing beads of metal and clay in his long black hair.
Today he is much diminished from his previous form, with a grisly torso wound that still oozes black bile, wielding the onyx longspear that killed him. His eyes are empty sockets. Where he once stood for the future, now he only obsesses about the past. He can manifest only once or twice a year, and then he dies again, to reemerge a year later. Needless to say, he has no permanent realm.
The faithful of Vathris do not fear death or suffering, for they believe a Day of Vindication will come when all virtuous martyrs rise again to dwell with the righteous tribes to torment the wicked forever. They believe in keeping the laws of their people and judging carefully when to seek their vengeance.
Vathris is worshipped primarily among the Flan nomads in the Bright Desert
. The worshippers of Vathris are split into two factions, a less popular faction worshipping Vathris in his original form and a new, militant sect worshipping him as a god of vengeance who will punish enemies of their people, including monsters, the people of Urnst, and Rary
.
The priests of Vathris' Progress aspect attempt to elevate their people above their present primitive status. The warrior priests who serve his other aspect preach vengeance and war. Their favored weapon is the longspear.
Vathris is said to have been a mortal who raised himself to divinity through his own knowledge, wisdom, and deeds. Two thousand years ago, he was a demigod of progress and ingenuity worshiped in the city-state of Itar, which became civilized and sophisticated under the Maker's influence. Vathris died, along with his nation, in a war with the rival state of Sulm. The descendants of the Itari roamed the desert for over a thousand years, worshiping the dead god. He returned to life, sort of, in 562 CY, when thirty-six of his ranking priests enacted a ritual to revive him.
Vathris originally appeared as "Atarra" in Erik Mona's apocryphal article "Ancient History: Reflections in Silica." http://www.canonfire.com/cfhtml/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=224
barbarians of the Thillonrian Peninsula, Vatun was not worshipped by the Suloise Imperium and is not generally considered part of the Suel pantheon.
Vatun appears as a massive Suel barbarian dressed in the skins of polar bears. His beard is made of snow and ice, and his breath is a frozen fog. He wields a mighty battleaxe called Winter's Bite, made completely of ice.
Vatun's only allies are his brother, Dalt
, and the Suel god Llerg
. His enemies include Telchur
, Iuz
, and the archdevil Belial
.
Vatun's previous divine realm is the Hall of the Hunter in the Heroic Domains of Ysgard. However, he is currently trapped in the Plane of Cold in the Prison of Ice.
Vatun teaches that winter is an opportunity to cull the weak from the strong, and that cowards should be covered by snow and forgotten. The Great God of the North also speaks of a "Great Winter" which will cover the land, allowing the northern barbarians to inherit the Oerth.
Vatun is worhipped primarily in the Barbarian States of the Thillonrian Peninsula.
Vatun's priests are charged with aiding their tribe in battle, helping their people survive winter, and healing the injured members of their community. The most capable priests seek the legendary Five Blades of Corusk, which will free Vatun if the five are united. Their favored weapon is the battleaxe.
Vatun's priests preach that cowardice is to be despised, and that Telchur's faith is to always be opposed, preferably with violence. They are also foes of devils
and those who serve them.
Vatun's imprisonment has made it more difficult for his priests to use their magic. In order to prepare and cast spells, they need to be within ten feet of a burning flame, no smaller than a torch.
Legend says that some time after the Invoked Devastation and the Rain of Colorless Fire, when the fleeing Suel houses of the Fruztii, Cruski, and Schnai had settled the Thillonrian Peninsula, a great barbarian empire was created by the warriors of Vatun, hailed as "the Great God of the North." Vatun himself was said to have granted the title of "Fasstal of all the Suelii" to the king of the Cruski, a title which made the bearer preeminent among all the nobles of the Suel, and granted him the authority to pronounce judgement on any member of the Suel race. This great empire, if it did indeed exist, lasted only as long as the first fasstal's lifetime.
About the same time as the Battle of a Fortnight's Length (-110 CY), Vatun was imprisoned by priests
of Telchur, who were perhaps aided by Belial. Vatun's imprisonment is said by some to have caused the fall of the barbarian empire.
In 582 CY, Vatun was said to have finally returned to Oerth
, appearing on the Thillonrian Peninsula. Vatun successfully united the Frost
, Ice
, and Snow Barbarians, along with the natives of the Hold of Stonefist
, and led this great force to invade Tenh, an event which kick-started the Greyhawk Wars
. However, it wasn't long before this "Vatun" was revealed to be the demigod Iuz, and the alliance soon fell apart.
As of 591 CY, the real Vatun remains imprisoned.
Some legends claim that Vatun was betrayed by a companion deity. Others blame Telchur entirely. There is also a myth that says the barbarians proved unworthy of their patron, so he withdrew of his own accord.
It is said that when the Five Blades of Corusk are reunited, Vatun will return and recreate the barbarian empire of old.
Many fans of the World of Greyhawk setting note that Vatun shares many characteristics with Odin
, and point out that Robert J Kuntz's character, Lord Robilar
, was a follower of Odin in the early days of Gary Gygax's campaign, before the setting was published.
god of Rain, Storms, and Water. His symbol is a rain cloud.
Vogan appears as a Touv man with hair of cascading water and laughing eyes. He is said to be temperamental, and to have a wandering nature and roving eye.
Through the sun goddess Nola, Vogan is the father of Breeka, and thus the grandfather of Katay. He is also the father of Kundo, through Nola's daughter by Uvot, Xanag.
According to Sean K. Reynolds
' "Scarlet Brotherhood FAQ", the Touv gods are spirits who dwell on Oerth
itself rather than on other planes of existence. Vogan is the spirit of the rain and storms.
Vogan's followers pray to him for necessary rain, and to stave off severe storms.
Vogan's priests clean befouled ponds and streams, seek out sources of pure water, and arrange marriages between tribes, clans, and families. Priestly vestments include armbands and bracelets crafted of metal and green stones. They typically arm themselves with spears, atlatls, daggers, short swords, and shortbows.
goddess of Metals and Beauty. She represents the bounty of the earth transformed by fire (that is to say, metals) and the beauty of things made from it. Her holy symbol is a circle with seven lines radiating from it.
Xanag is depicted as a Touv woman seemingly made of gold, surrounded by a radiant light. She is indifferent to questions of morality and easily distracted by the superficial.
Xanag is the daughter of Nola and Uvot, combining her father Uvot's affinity with the land's bounty with the radiant light of her mother the sun. Xanag mated with stormy Vogan and birthed Kundo, god of noise, music, and the hardiness of building.
According to Sean K. Reynolds
' "Scarlet Brotherhood FAQ", the Touv gods are spirits who dwell on Oerth
itself rather than on other planes of existence.
Xanag is indifferent to good and evil, valuing beauty, art, romance, and the superficial.
Xanag's priests are workers of metal, or at least appreciate fine and beautiful craftsmanship. They teach metalsmithing and jewelry-making. Poets and lovers pray to Xanag, and priests of Xanag preside over marriage ceremonies. Their favored weapon is the short sword, and they may also wield the atl-atl, dagger, and spear. On ceremonial occasions they wear a gold helm that exposes the face but covers the cheekbones.
It is said that Kundo, god of building, created the aquamarine moon the Touv call Koxanag to honor his mother, as well as another moon, Konola, to honor his grandmother Nola. Katay remarked on how the two moons spun, and recorded their movements on a great wheel given to him by Xanag.
Meyanok sent his young forth to corrupt the elder gods. The misdeeds of Vara and Damaran will be discussed in their individual entries, but Berna, goddess of vendettas, was sent to torment Xanag, the goddess of metals and beauty. However, when confronted with the loveliness of her great-grandmother's second daughter, Berna paused with amazement. Berna realized that even she, the personification of all hatred, could not hate so beautiful a creature, and she threw herself at Xanag's feet, offering to kill herself to atone for her unworthy emotions. Xanag took pity on her strange grand-niece, and gave her a heart made from red gold. This heart transformed Berna from a spirit of dark passion to one that represented all powerful emotions, as well as the emotion of forgiveness. This enabled Berna to finally forgive herself.
demigod of Music and Magical Songs. He spends most of his time in the realm of Brightwater in Arborea
. His holy symbol is a recorder
.
Ye'Cind is shown as an attractive elf wearing blue and green clothing. Like his patron Corellon, he is male and female, both and neither.
Ye'Cind's allies include Olidammara
, Lydia
, and the good deities of the Seldarine. He opposes gods who represent evil magic.
Ye'Cind teaches that music is an inherent part of the patterns of the multiverse, and that magic and music together can create something superior to either one alone.
Ye'Cind's clerics are scholars of music, who know how to play many different musical instruments. Many clerics are also talented composers who can weave subtle magics into their songs and music.
During his mortal life, Ye'Cind - skilled wizard and master bard - traveled, compiling and creating songs and ballads to tell the history of his beloved land. In time he became a bard of great renown, his notes inspiring romance in lovers and bringing laughter to the lips of weeping children. During a visit to one small kingdom, he witnessed the brutal slaying of a king, but he could not identify the assailant. Ye'Cind vanished during the night, determined to create an object that would reveal important truths. Two decades later he returned to the same kingdom for the same festival, and played before the new king with his Recorder. The years seemed to melt away as all in the crowd beheld a vision of their monarch, bloody knife in his hand, standing over the fresh corpse of his own brother. Ye'Cind smiled as the murderer was dragged away by his guards.
In time, Ye'Cind became so renowned that he was called before the Seldarine, the fraternity of elven gods, to perform at the court of the great god Corellon Larethian
. That night he could do no wrong; his performance was absolutely flawless. Corellon was so moved that he transformed the minstrel, making him as androgynous and perfect as the gods themselves, a newly minted demigod.
Ye'Cind created the Recorder of Ye'Cind
.
Ye'Cind is named for Cindy, one of Gary Gygax
's daughters.
god of mercy, hope, and benevolence. His holy symbol is a man's hand partially wrapped in gray cloth.
Zodal is depicted as man dressed in simple gray robes with large, careworn hands. He encourages compassion in situations where vengeance and anger might be easier, and defuses the negative emotions of all around him.
Zodal is a servant of Rao
and Joramy
's estranged lover. He is allied with Heironeous
and Pelor
. He considers even the most hateful gods to be his friends, believing that with his encouragement they might change their ways.
Zodal's realm in Elysium
, Morninglory, is shared with the gods of several other pantheons (and sometimes Atroa
). Morninglory is tinted with the colors of dawn - rubies, crimsons, yellows, and pinks. Sleep and similar spells do not function within Zodal's domain, but creatures who rest here find themselves refreshed in half the normal time, and gain a temporary wisdom bonus. There are said to be one-way portals in this realm leading to realms of darkness and evil, through which the powers here hope to bring hope and goodness.
Kindness and mercy is the sole cure for evil, in Zodal's philosophy, and that these traits can turn even the most evil from their path. Zodal urges that one retain faith and hope despite adversity and trouble. Zodal will guide those who would be pulled into pain, anger, and despair. Zodal teaches that the individual is capable of mastering their feelings and acting only on their positive ones, setting an example for others.
Zodal is worshipped in Perrenland
, Tenh, and elsewhere.
Zodal's clerics live simply, using their abilities to help people in need and alleviate their pain. They often visit battlefields in order to minister to the wounded and attempt to convince the combatants to make things right and stop committing atrocities. They adventure to show what hope and mercy can do in the right hands, to rescue artifacts of good, and to destroy artifacts of evil.
Greyhawk
Greyhawk, also known as the World of Greyhawk, is a fictional world designed as a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
.
Azor'alq
Azor'alq is the BaklunishBaklunish
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the Baklunish are a race of humans inhabiting the Flanaess, as well as regions of Oerik further west....
hero-deity of Light, Purity, Courage, and Strength. His symbol is an armed man standing atop a stone summit.
Azor'alq is a tall, handsome warrior with a dark complexion. He wears fine chain mail and his helm is topped with peacock feathers. His long curved sword, of elven
Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
make, is known as Faruk.
Azor'alq is a member of the Baklunish pantheon. In the past, he has been a foe of the demon lords
Demon lord (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, demon lords are demons who have gained great power and established a position of preeminence among demonkind. Each demon lord has a unique appearance and set of abilities. Most control at least one layer of the Abyss...
Munkir
Munkir (Dungeons & Dragons)
Munkir the White Guardian is a demon lord, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Publication history:Munkir was one of many demon lords that was mentioned only by name in a list in the original Monster Manual II ....
and Nekir
Nekir (Dungeons & Dragons)
Nekir the Black Guardian is a demon lord, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Publication history:Nekir was one of many demon lords that was mentioned only by name in a list in the original Monster Manual II ....
.
Azor'alq's sanctum can be entered through the highest peak in the Pinnacles of Azor'alq. There he dwells with his ancient paladins, the Thousand Immortals.
There are many metaphors in Azor'alq's dogma. Azor'alq compares courage to a light source that grows strength just as the sun grows plants. An unsheathed sword must remain so until victory is achieved; true leaders are those who rest last, only after their troops have done so. Truth is compared to flame, and good thoughts and deeds to kindling. Tyranny is compared to darkness. Light is associated with purity. The theme of "light" is advanced as both the sun and fire.
Many of Azor'alq's worshippers are warriors of various sorts, but Azor'alq is prayed to by anyone seeking courage. Azor'alq cares nothing for redeeming or converting the evil; he offers only destruction for those of evil.
Azor'alq's clergy is hereditary among the Paynim, who claim their line stretches unbroken back to the earliest days of the Baklunish Empire. Azor'alq's clerics are often war-leaders, and always fight at the forefront of any battle. Their favored weapon is the scimitar.
The few remaining paladins of Azor'alq seek to emulate the Thousand Immortals by destroying creatures of Darkness (fiends
Fiend (Dungeons & Dragons)
Fiends is a term used in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game to refer to any malicious otherworldly creatures within the Dungeons & Dragons universe. These include various races of demons and devils that are of an evil alignment and hail from the Lower Planes...
and undead). Some make quests to the Pinnacles of Azor'alq, hoping to pass the tests and challenges prepared by their master.
Over 3,000 years ago, during the time of the Baklunish Hegira, Azor'alq defended the royal family from minions of Darkness as they made the treacherous journey across the Tyurzi Mountains to the Baklunish Basin.
Berna
Berna is the TouvTouv
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Touv are one of the races of humans inhabiting Oerth. Found chiefly on the continent of Hepmonaland, the Touv people are known for warring with the Olman people in the northern jungles over the Olman Empire's...
goddess of passion and forgiveness. Formerly, she was the goddess of hatred and vendettas, but she got better. Her symbol is a red metal heart, preferably red gold.
Berna is depicted as a Touv woman wearing the skin of a jungle cat. A red-gold heart shines from her chest.
Berna is the third child of the serpent god Meyanok, transformed by the power of Xanag from a spirit of hate to one of passion. Her older siblings are Vara and Damaran. Her grandmother is Breeka and her great-grandmother is the sun goddess Nola, who was awakened by the creator god Uvot.
She is a member of the Touv pantheon, which also includes the gods Katay, Kundo, Meyanok, and Vogan.
The members of the Touv pantheon are spirits that dwell physically on the continent of Hepmonaland
Hepmonaland
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the continent of Hepmonaland is Southeast of the Flanaess. Hepmonaland was created as a in-game region where the Aztec culture is dominant and dinosaurs are very common monsters.Hepmonaland is the Suel and...
, home of the Touv people, rather than in the Outer Planes, according to the Scarlet Brotherhood FAQ originally found on Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
's website.
Berna is now the patron of all small emotions, both positive and negative. She also represents the forgiveness of wrongs.
Berna's clerics and shamans are in tune with the emotions of their people. They help lovers find acceptance, work with artists to help them reach their potential, and raise morale during times of disaster and war. They help counsel victims and preach acceptance of new friendships rather than nursing old wounds.
After the pain of birthing the god Katay, the goddess Breeka collapsed in exhaustion, quickly falling asleep. Yet the pain would not leave her, and from the darkness of night and the pain of childbirth was born Meyanok, the diseased serpent. Meyanok festered with hatred and rejection, because of all the first spirits, he was the only one not born under the light of Nola, the sun. Meyanok's frustrated lust mated with his simmering rage, and from this strange coupling three eggs were produced. The first egg hatched to reveal Vara, goddess of fear. From the second egg hatched Damaran, god of vermin, and from the third egg hatched Berna, the goddess of hatred and vengeance.
Meyanok sent his young forth to corrupt the elder gods. The misdeeds of Vara and Damaran will be discussed in their individual entries, but Berna was sent to torment Xanag, the goddess of metals and beauty. However, when confronted with the loveliness of her great-grandmother's second daughter, she paused with amazement. Berna realized that even she, the personification of all hatred, could not hate so beautiful a creature, and she threw herself at Xanag's feet, offering to kill herself to atone for her unworthy emotions. Xanag took pity on her strange grand-niece, and gave her a heart made from red gold. This heart transformed Berna from a spirit of dark passion to one that represented all powerful emotions, as well as the emotion of forgiveness. This enabled Berna to finally forgive herself.
Berna is named for a college friend of Sean K. Reynolds's named Bernadette.
Breeka
Breeka is the TouvTouv
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Touv are one of the races of humans inhabiting Oerth. Found chiefly on the continent of Hepmonaland, the Touv people are known for warring with the Olman people in the northern jungles over the Olman Empire's...
goddess of Living Things. Her holy symbol is a headdress of wooden beads and animal teeth.
Breeka is the manifestation of all aspects of nature, both helpful and harmful (unlike her grandfather Uvot, who represents only nature's bounty). Breeka is, by turns, helpful, indifferent, and harmful. She is troubled by the nightmares given to her by Vara. She is depicted as a middle-aged Touv woman with dark green skin and worry lines on her face.
Breeka is the daughter of Nola, goddess of the sun, and Vogan, the god of weather and rain, and from this mixture of rain and sunlight was born all the world's plants and animals. She is the mother of Katay, who has no father. Her birthing pains mingled with the darkness to create Meyanok, the god of evil. While sleeping, she vomited forth the nightmares inspired in her by her granddaughter Vara to create the living things that bring fear and danger to the night.
According to Sean K. Reynolds
Sean K. Reynolds
Sean K Reynolds is a professional game designer who has worked on and co-written a number of D&D supplements for Wizards of the Coast, as well as material for other companies. He does not put a period after his middle initial.-Background:...
' "Scarlet Brotherhood FAQ", the Touv gods are spirits who dwell on Oerth
Oerth
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Oerth, pronounced as "Orth" or "oyth", is the name of the fictional planet on which one of the earliest campaign settings, the World of Greyhawk, is located...
itself rather than on other planes of existence.
Breeka's clergy believe they owe duties both to their people and to the natural world, which they must keep in balance. If land must be cleared for farming or cattle, they warn animals away, transplant important vegetation, or direct the humans to a less vulnerable site.
Breeka's clerics and shamans are distant and brooding. Their favored weapon is the quarterstaff, but they may also wield the atl-atl, dagger, short sword, and spear. They may wear any nonmetal armor.
Charmalaine
Charmalaine (TCHAR-mah-lain) is the halflingHalfling
Halfling is another name for J. R. R. Tolkien's Hobbit which can be a fictional race sometimes found in fantasy novels and games. In many settings, they are similar to humans except about half the size. Dungeons & Dragons began using the name halfling as an alternative to hobbit for legal reasons...
hero-goddess of Keen Senses and Narrow Escapes. She gained her nickname "the Lucky Ghost" from her ability to leave her body to scout ahead in spirit-form. In this form, she is believed to warn halfling adventurers of impending danger. Her holy symbol is a burning boot-print.
Charmalaine is a young halfling woman with alert eyes, black oiled leather armor, and boots coated in mud. She carries a mace called Fair Warning and is usually seen with Xaphan, her ferret familiar. She is energetic, spontaneous, and fearless.
Charmalaine's apotheosis was co-sponsored by Fharlanghn
Fharlanghn
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Fharlanghn, the Dweller on the Horizon, is the Oeridian god of Horizons, Distance, Travel, and Roads. He is a well-known deity on the world of Oerth...
and Brandobaris
Brandobaris
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Brandobaris is the halfling deity of Stealth, Thievery, Rogues, and Adventuring. His sacred animal is the mouse. His symbol is a halfling's footprint.-Publication history:Brandobaris was first detailed in Roger E...
.
Charmalaine preaches vigilance and attention to one's environment. Her followers are urged to hone their reflexes, to be quick on their feet, to enjoy exploration but also safety. They are taught that too many material things can be too much weight.
Charmalaine's holy text reads like an adventurer's journal, telling of an escape from a red dragon
Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game , dragons are an iconic type of monstrous creature used as adversaries or, less commonly, allies of player characters...
, a newly freed demoness
Demon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, demons are the most widespread race of fiends. The demons are chaotic evil by nature, and are native to the Abyss...
, a sahuagin
Sahuagin
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the sahuagin are a fish-like monstrous humanoid species that live in oceans, seas, underground lakes, and underwater caves. Sahuagin speak their native tongue . With higher intelligence scores, they can also speak two bonus languages, usually...
army, and too many traps to count.
Charmalaine's clerics are nearly always adventurers, monster-hunters, military scouts, or members of other risky professions. Her adventuring priests are thrill-seekers. Their preferred weapon is the light mace.
Daern
Daern is the Oeridian hero-deity of defenses and fortifications. Daern's holy symbol is a shield hanging from a parapetParapet
A parapet is a wall-like barrier at the edge of a roof, terrace, balcony or other structure. Where extending above a roof, it may simply be the portion of an exterior wall that continues above the line of the roof surface, or may be a continuation of a vertical feature beneath the roof such as a...
. She is often associated with griffins
Griffon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the griffon is a powerful, majestic and highly intelligent magical beast.-Publication history:The griffon was based upon the griffons of various mythologies.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
.
Daern is depicted as a black-haired Oeridian woman with a plain face and strong blue eyes.
Daern's apotheosis was sponsored by Delleb
Delleb
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Delleb is the Oeridian god of Reason, Intellect, and Study. His symbol is a phoenix-feather quill, or an open book.-Creative Origins:...
. She is allied with Heironeous
Heironeous
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Heironeous is the Oeridian god of Chivalry, Justice, Honor, War, Daring, and Valor. His holy symbol is a silver lightning bolt, often clutched in a...
.
Daern's priests often advise military leaders on proper placement and construction of fortifications, castles, and keeps. Her priests are valued among rulers who wish to establish stronger borders. The priesthood favors the shortspear.
In her mortal life, Daern was responsible for the construction of a number of famous fortifications, including Castle Blazebane in Almor and Tarthax (currently known as Goldbolt) near Rel Deven. Some sources in the Great Kingdom
Great Kingdom
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Great Kingdom, or the Great Kingdom of Aerdy, refers to an empire that varied in size at various points in its history.-History:...
imply that she was involved in the construction of the Imperial Palace at Rauxes, though this event occurred some time after her death (some time after the Battle of a Fortnight's Length in -110 CY), so few take this claim seriously. The Tower of Daern in Irongate was based on her plans.
Daern's Instant Fortress is a magic item
Magic item (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a magic item is any object that has magical powers inherent in it. These may act on their own or be the tools of the character in whose hands they fall into. Magic items have been prevalent in the game in every edition and setting, from the...
that appears as a small metal cube. When its command word is spoken, the cube grows into a 30 feet (9.1 m) tower instantly.
Dalt
Dalt is the SuelSuloise
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Suloise, also known as the "Suel," are one of the major races of humans inhabiting the Flanaess....
god of Portals, Doors, Enclosures, Locks, and Keys. His holy symbol is a locked door with a skeleton key beneath it.
Dalt wanders the Outlands, having no permanent realm of his own.
Dalt is depicted as either a white-haired old man with piercing eyes or as a young red-haired thief.
Dalt is the brother of Vatun, the Suel god of Winter and Cold. Due to his brother's imprisonment, Dalt is not on good terms with Telchur
Telchur
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Telchur is the Oeridian god of Winter, Cold, and the North Wind...
. He is on good terms with Mordenkainen
Mordenkainen
Mordenkainen is a fictional wizard from the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. He was created by Gary Gygax as a player character and is one of the oldest characters in roleplaying fiction...
, to whom Dalt sometimes lends his favored relic, The Silver Key of Portals.
Dalt is a lesser deity, almost forgotten on the world of Oerth
Oerth
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Oerth, pronounced as "Orth" or "oyth", is the name of the fictional planet on which one of the earliest campaign settings, the World of Greyhawk, is located...
but slowly gaining more followers. He is primarily worshipped by the Suloise
Suloise
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Suloise, also known as the "Suel," are one of the major races of humans inhabiting the Flanaess....
people in the southeastern Flanaess
Flanaess
The Flanaess is the eastern part of the continent of Oerik, one of the four continents of the fictional world of Oerth in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. The Flanaess has been the setting of dozens of adventures published between the 1970s...
.
Damaran
Damaran is the TouvTouv
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Touv are one of the races of humans inhabiting Oerth. Found chiefly on the continent of Hepmonaland, the Touv people are known for warring with the Olman people in the northern jungles over the Olman Empire's...
god of vermin and other creeping things, as well as the flight-instinct essential to survival. His symbol is ribbons of black metal.
Damaran is the vermin that scuttles. He is depicted as a strong Touv man with a skulking look about him, accompanied by rats and insects.
Damaran obeys his father, Meyanok, unquestioningly, and is easily bullied into service by his older sister Vara. He often flees when confronted by enemies of any strength.
The Touv gods inhabit the "spirit world" coincident with the realms of the Touv, a somewhat hypothetical realm.
The chief commandment of Damaran is to survive no matter what, to find food no matter how strange or disgusting the environment, to thrive where nothing should be expected to live, and to run away when necessary.
Damaran's clerics serve their communities in times of famine, and often lead reclusive tribes hidden in the deepest jungles. They can call hordes of vermin on those who anger them, or if ordered to do so by those they serve. Their favored weapon is the javelin; they can also be seen wielding the atl-atl, club, dagger, short bow, and staff. They wear ribbons of black metal on their arms, neck, and legs.
Damaran hatched from one of three eggs laid by Meyanok after that god's lust mated with his own anger. Damaran was sent forth by his father to infest the home of Kundo with crawling and biting things, but he fled when confronted.
Daoud
Daoud is the hero-deity of Humility, Clarity, and Immediacy. His symbol is a multi-colored patch of cloth or tangle of yarn, with seven threads, one of each color of the spectrum, extending from the bottom.Daoud is depicted as an old man with leathery skin and heavy, dark brows. His eyes are black and piercing. He wears the simple, worn clothing of a shepherd, a turban wrapped around his head and a staff in his hands.
Daoud was a priest of Istus
Istus
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Istus is the goddess of Fate, Destiny, Divination, the Future, and Honesty. She is known as the Lady of Our Fate and the Colorless and All-Colored...
.
When Daoud was stripped of his wealth, he decided that the Four Feet of the Dragon which define Baklunish society - piety, honor, generosity, and devotion to family - were mere ostentation. In their place he proposed four superior virtues: honesty, humility, piety, and endurance. He called this new philosophy the Path of the Seeker.
Daoud's followers are urged to seek out both good fortune and bad in order to unravel the threads of destiny. They strive to be content with what Fate allows and demands of them, no more and no less. They cut lies with sharp words.
Clerics of Daoud, known as Daoudahs, live in voluntary poverty, abandoning rank and title. They are known for their brutal honesty and contempt for claims based on mere social position. Despite their humble lives, they manipulate the strings of Fate, bringing down the mighty and uplifting the humble, scattering whole tribes in their inscrutable ways.
Daoud was once the philosopher-pasha of Tusmit
Tusmit
Tusmit is a political state in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. It is situated in the Baklunish Basin region of the Flanaess, between the Caliphate of Ekbir and Ket.-People:...
, a wealthy and well-respected man in his youth. In middle age, however, he lost everything, reduced to begging on the streets far from his homeland. He became a mendicant priest of Istus and contemplated the harshness of Fate before arriving at his radical new philosophy.
Iggwilv
Iggwilv
Iggwilv is a fictional wizard from the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. She was created by Gary Gygax and was named one of the greatest villains in D&D history in the final issue of Dragon....
plundered the wealth of his legendary Vault (surely a relic of his more prosperous days) in Lopolla in the third century of the Common Year calendar, apparently making off with his Wondrous Lanthorn at that time.
Daoud is associated with Daoud's Wondrous Lanthorn, a creation of gold, gems, and crystals fueled by precious jewels. The Lanthorn curses its owner with possessiveness and paranoia.
Daoud appeared in the name of the Wondrous Lanthorn artifact in the adventure The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth by Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
. The name is the Arabic cognate of "David."
Earth Dragon
The Earth Dragon is a FlanFlan (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Flan are a race of humans living in the Flanaess. The Flan peoples were the first humans known to have settled the eastern portion of the continent of Oerik, the Flanaess, which is named for them...
spirit of earth, weather, and hidden treasures. It is the spirit of Mount Drachenkopf in the Pomarj
Pomarj
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Pomarj can refer either to a large peninsula located in the central Flanaess, or to the Orcish Empire of the Pomarj, located in the same region....
. Its symbol is a coiled dragon.
The Earth Dragon may manifest as a mottled serpent or a gargantuan dragon formed of variegated stone laced with precious ores. It may also manifest as an earthquake to indicate its displeasure.
The Cult of the Earth Dragon is opposed by the Silent Ones.
The Earth Dragon is said to live in a large underground lair beneath Mount Drachenkopf avoided by subterranean races. Especially faithful worshippers are brought to their deity's presence to bask in the Earth Dragon's glory.
The Earth Dragon is the great provider and the spirit of the earth. Those who worship it and obey it are promised protection. The Earth Dragon is said to know all the secrets of the land, favoring its chosen with power and knowledge. To please their god, the faithful must worship, sacrifice, and spread the faith to others.
Only 30% of the Earth Dragon's worshippers are human. The others are members of evil humanoid races such as orcs
Orc (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, orcs are a primitive race of savage, bestial, barbaric humanoid.-Publication history:The orc was one of the earliest creatures introduced in the D&D game. The D&D orc is largely based upon the orcs appearing in the works of J.R.R...
, gnoll
Gnoll
A gnoll or gnole is a fictional humanoid creature - a cross between a gnome and a troll. They first appeared in Lord Dunsany's story in The Book of Wonder: How Nuth Would Have Practised His Art upon the Gnoles and subsequently reappeared in Margaret St. Clair's, The Man Who Sold Rope to the Gnoles...
s, goblins
Goblin (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, goblins are a very common and fairly weak race of evil humanoid monsters. Goblins and Kobolds are commonly non-human monsters that low-level player characters will face in combat. In D&D, goblins aren't smaller cousins of orcs, but are a part of...
, hobgoblins
Hobgoblin (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, hobgoblins are a larger, stronger, smarter and more menacing form of goblins. They are smaller and weaker than bugbears, but better organized. Hobgoblins are humanoids that stand nearly 6'6" tall on average, a little taller than orcs...
, and ogres
Ogre (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, ogres are a lesser race of giants, rather being simply large brutes with clubs. An aquatic subrace of ogres is known as "merrow." D&D ogres are also closely related to the race of ogre magi, a smarter race with blue skin and great magical abilities...
. Each congregation is served by several shamans and a witch doctor.
Because any activity involving earth, stone, and the underground is pleasing to the Earth Dragon, the cult is equally popular among farmers, miners, and masons. Warriors focus on the god's destructive side.
The derro
Derro (Dungeons & Dragons)
The derro are a fictional species of monstrous humanoids in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. They were first devised for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons First Edition adventure Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth...
know and respect the Earth Dragon, and do not enter its realm without performing ritual sacrifices.
Priests of the Earth Dragon wear brown robes embroidered with gold thread and gems. During ceremonies, they wear the bronzed and magically shrunken skulls of young dragons on their heads (Earth Dragon Helms). In battle they favor scalemail and shields bearing their god's coiled dragon symbol. Adventuring priests wear practical garb appropriate for forays into mines and mountains.
The greatest temple of the Earth Dragon is a complex beneath Mount Drachenkopf. It is built into the side of the mountain, most of it hidden underground. There, a shaft of unknown depth is used to drop sacrifices into the realm of their god. For years, this was the only temple to the god, but Turrosh Mak's forces have established many shrines and small temples to the Earth Dragon throughout the Pomarj and the Wild Coast
Wild Coast
The Wild Coast can refer to:*The Wild Coast, a coastal region in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa*The Wild Coast, a fictional region located in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.-See also:...
. New temples are always partly subterranean, their altars underground. Savage humanoid tribes in the Pomarj often have crude shrines to the Earth Dragon in caves. Larger temples have lately received egg-shaped rocks from the Earth Dragon, with instructions to "protect my young."
The holy day of the Earth Dragon is Earthday, when the faithful go to the temples of the god. Important sacrifices are made in the third week of each month. The Earth Dragon is also honored in Growfest
Greyhawk Calendar
The Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
, when hundreds of humans are sacrificed at the Drachenkopf Temple.
This is a ceremonial suit of scalemail, the personal armor of the high priest of the Earth Dragon Cult. It is rumored to have been made from the scales of the Earth Dragon itself; these scales vary from black to brown to gold in color. The coiled symbol on the armor can be enchanted to become a symbol of persuasion, and can cast a mass suggestion spell once per day. If a nonbeliever touches the armor, the ground trembles. The first time someone dons the armor, the Earth Dragon sucks the wearer into the ground to judge the creature's worthiness. Those who fail are eaten.
A 9th level priest of the Earth Dragon must slay a young, good dragon and bring its skull to a temple dedicated to the Earth Dragon or to Mount Drachenkopf itself. The skulls are diminished, bronzed, and crafted into ceremonial items called Earth Dragon Helms. The larger the dragon slain, the more prestigious the priest's new position. Each helm has slightly different powers, usually including an immunity to magical fear and a breath weapon effect appropriate to the type of dragon used.
This oil was developed by the Earth Dragon Cult for some of its rituals, although it has since been found effective in combat as well. The recipe is a secret jealously guarded by the priesthood. It comes in small vials that shatter when thrown, producing a cloud of noxious gas. Those who fail to save fall asleep, suffering strange and vivid dreams. Priests of the Earth Dragon claim to commune with their god as they sleep, though others report terrible nightmares.
The Earth Dragon is an ancient deity dating back to an era in the Flanaess
Flanaess
The Flanaess is the eastern part of the continent of Oerik, one of the four continents of the fictional world of Oerth in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. The Flanaess has been the setting of dozens of adventures published between the 1970s...
when spirits of nature were worshipped as gods. In the early days, the Earth Dragon was but one of the many spirits worshiped by the primitive people of the Pomarj. In the Drachensgrab Hills, those tribes that propitiated the Earth Dragon prospered, while those who did not perished due to avalanches and earthquakes.
When newer gods of Oerth appeared to supplant primitive spirit-worship, a few spirits stubbornly remained in the new era. The Earth Dragon was one of these. Every new culture that colonized the Pomarj had to deal with it, adding it to their pantheons and propitiating it when they crossed its territory.
During the Great Migrations
Great Migrations (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Great Migrations is a general term applying to the migration of great hordes of Oeridians and Suel humans into the Flanaess from western Oerik...
a band of wicked Suloise
Suloise
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Suloise, also known as the "Suel," are one of the major races of humans inhabiting the Flanaess....
slaughtered a tribe of Flan in the Drachensgrab Hills. In retribution, their gods transformed the Suloise into stone, creating the Twisted Forest. Although it is not certain the Earth Dragon was responsible for this, it has been the most significant power in the Drachensgrabs since time immemorial, and it would be strange if the Flan tribe in question did not worship it.
In the mid-400s CY, a young baron called Erkin journeyed alone to Mount Drachenkopf to make a pact with the deity. In exchange for worship and sacrifices from the baron's people, the Earth Dragon aided Erkin's conquests. Within five years, Erkin had claimed all the Drachensgrab Hills and named himself king. His brother Bretwalda
Bretwalda
Bretwalda is an Old English word, the first record of which comes from the late 9th century Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. It is given to some of the rulers of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms from the 5th century onwards who had achieved overlordship of some or all of the other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms...
and all of his descendants honored the pact. In 574 CY, King Rodric of Suderham was assassinated by Stalman Klim, the High Priest of the Earth Dragon, who claimed the city in the name of the Slave Lords
Slave Lords
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Slave Lords are an organization of slavers who have terrorized the lands surrounding the Sea of Gearnat for over two decades...
. When Turrosh Mak conquered the Pomarj, he spread the worship of the Earth Dragon as well.
The Earth Dragon was originally mentioned in the Scourge of the Slave Lords
Scourge of the Slave Lords
Scourge of the Slave Lords is an adventure module for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published by TSR, Inc. in 1986...
series of modules.
Gadhelyn
Gadhelyn the Archer (Gad-THEL-en) is the elvenElf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
hero-god of Independence, Outlawry, Feasting, and Hunting. His symbol is a leaf-shaped arrowhead.
Gadhelyn is a very old figure in elven myth, once a part of the Fey Mysteries but now largely forgotten except among the grugach. He is depicted as an elf with sharp features, long yellow hair, and vivid green eyes. He wears rough clothing of fur and hide, of colors to match the season
Greyhawk Calendar
The Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
.
As an elven hero-god, Gadhelyn is technically a member of the Seldarine, though it is not clear if he maintains relationships with others in the pantheon, even Fenmarel Mestarine
Fenmarel Mestarine
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Fenmarel Mestarine is the elven deity of feral elves , outcast elves, scapegoats and solitude...
, who is a patron of elven outlaws and grugach. One or two Knights of Luna are thought to be sympathetic to Gadhelyn and his cause, but otherwise few in the Grand Court of Celene
Celene (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Celene, properly known as the Faerie Kingdom of Celene, is a political state, and the most prominent elven nation in eastern Oerik.-History:...
favor him.
Followers of Gadhelyn are urged to find pleasure throughout the year, rejoicing in Low Summer, making merry in Summer, feasting in Autumn, and finding time to dream in Winter. Gadhelyn sees no value in social caste or family lineage, as some other elves do, recognizing only individual merit. To him, titles such as knight or queen are meaningless, which does not please the Grand Court of Celene. Those who travel to the wild forest are expected to bring a gift for Gadhelyn, but if he is not pleased by this token he will simply take what he believes he is owed. Hunters are expected to kill in one shot; those who leave their prey wounded deserve to become the hunted themselves.
Gadhelyn is still a potent hero among the grugach. Sylvan elves and even a few half-elves and humans
Human (Dungeons & Dragons)
Humans are a race available for player characters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. Although short-lived by comparison, humans are the most populous of all Dungeons & Dragons races. They are renowned for their diversity and ambition, and although they lack specializations like...
revere him and participate in his rites. Followers of Gadhelyn prey on the wealthy who dare to cross their woodlands, but they are not truly dangerous unless attacked, or if their forests are despoiled.
The Lord of the Wildwood has many druids in his service, but few of them are part of the hierarchy of the Old Faith. The favored weapon of Gadhelyn's clerics is the longbow.
Gendwar Argrim
Gendwar Argrim is the dwarvenDwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, dwarves are a humanoid race, one of the primary races available for play as player characters...
hero-god of Fatalism and Obsession. His symbol is a waraxe bearing the dwarven rune for destruction.
The Doomed Dwarf's appearance is said to be unremarkable except for his sandy blond hair and beard. His dwarven waraxe, Forgotten Hope, screams every time a community of dwarves is attacked. He is in many ways the picture of a dwarven stereotype: dour, taciturn, and focused on the destruction of evil humanoids above all else.
Gendwar achieved hero-deity status thanks to the patronage of Clanggedin Silverbeard
Clanggedin Silverbeard
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Clanggedin Silverbeard is the dwarf deity of battle. He is a member of the dwarven pantheon. He is called the Father of Battle, and his area of influence is war, especially as a way of life...
, god of war and battle.
Gendwar preaches nothing less than utter destruction of the enemies of the dwarven race. Honor, glory, wealth, and love are all meaningless in the face of this crusade. His followers expect fully to one day die in battle, but strive to take a thousand foes with them to the grave.
It is against the creed of the faith to retain more than 1,000 gp of wealth unless it is being saved to purchase better armaments.
Gendwar's clerics seek out and destroy evil humanoids and giants
Giant (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, giant is a type of creature, or "creature type." Giants are humanoid-shaped creatures of great strength and size.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
, particularly (though not exclusively) if they threaten dwarven settlements. These clerics help train warriors in tactics, search for new enemies and their weaknesses, and help fortify the stronghold against attacks.
As a young dwarf, Gendwar Argrim was traveling to another clan to begin his apprenticeship as a silversmith when his birth clan was wiped out by an invasion of giants and orc
Orc
An orc is one of a race of mythical human-like creatures, generally described as fierce and combative, with grotesque features and often black, grey or greenish skin. This mythology has its origins in the writings of J. R. R. Tolkien....
s. Because of the great distance he had traveled, he did not find out about the tragedy for a year. When the news finally came, he abandoned his apprenticeship and swore to keep no wealth and take no wife until every foe of dwarvenkind was slain. Although he fully expected to die long before his Quixotic quest was complete, instead he found immortality under the patronage of the god Clanggedin, after a quest in which he slew a divinely-descended fire giant and her minions.
Johydee
Johydee is the Oeridian goddess of Deception, Espionage, and Protection. Her sacred animal is the chameleon. Her symbol is a small stylized mask of onyx.Johydee can take any form, but usually appears as a young woman with grey eyes and honey-blonde hair. Though she comes off as mischievous and flighty, this is little more than a mask to hide her true intentions. Her allies are few, and she never sides with evil.
Johydee's patron deity is unknown. She is an ally of Heironeous
Heironeous
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Heironeous is the Oeridian god of Chivalry, Justice, Honor, War, Daring, and Valor. His holy symbol is a silver lightning bolt, often clutched in a...
.
Followers of Johydee are urged to protect themselves with many layers of deception, keeping their true intentions hidden from the knowledge of their enemies, and to know more of their foes than their foes know of them. They are taught to judge well the time to strike and the time to flee. They are also expected to help those they are sworn to protect.
Johydee is worshiped mainly in Oeridian lands, especially in Sunndi
Sunndi
In the fictional World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Sunndi is a political state situated in the region of the Flanaess. Sunndi was originally given a very brief description by Gary Gygax in 1980's World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting...
, Irongate, Onnwal, and other (former) nations of the Iron League
Iron League
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Iron League is an affiliation of states that opposed the Great Kingdom of Aerdy. It formed in late 447 CY as a reaction to Ivid V becoming Overking of Aerdy...
. The chameleon is her sacred animal, and her symbol is a mask of stylized onyx.
Johydee's priests often work as spies for powerful patrons. Skilled at deception, they enjoy opportunities in which they can pretend to be someone else. Many take on different identities in different cities. They thwart tyrants, seek information on renowned evil-doers, and humble the overly-prideful and ambitious. Johydee's priests tend to ignore a person's apparent status and treat everyone equally, due to their familiarity with deception and subterfuge. The priesthood's preferred weapon is the short sword.
An extremely rare few individuals of Aerdi descent are known by this appellation, which signifies magical gifts and a metaphorical "mask" that shields their emotions from public scrutiny, as well as providing literal protection from hostile magic. It does not mean they are literally descended from Johydee, however.
Johydee's Children tend to be extremely aloof, never letting their feelings show, or they exist "above" the cares and feelings of ordinary folk. They are loners with difficulty forming close personal relationships.
Known and rumored Children of Johydee include Queen Yalranda, the archmage Schandor, General Azharadian, Gwydiesin of the Cranes, Saint Benedor, and the Walker. Their influence over events tends to be subtle, though profound, although there are exceptions; Azharadian's many victories, for example, were anything but subtle.
This is a small chrysoberyl that makes it easier for a rogue to hide in shadows and grants an immunity to detect invisibility spells. It does not radiate magic when held, and cannot be discovered when the owner is searched. The gem was enchanted through contact with Johydee and given to one of her followers.
Johydee's Mask
Johydee's Mask
Johydee's Mask is a powerful artifact, in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition :Johydee's Mask was first described in the original 1979 Dungeon Master's Guide....
is an artifact that makes the wearer totally immune to all forms of gaze attacks, and also allows the wearer to assume the guise of a humanoid being.
Long before the Oeridians migrated into the Flanaess
Flanaess
The Flanaess is the eastern part of the continent of Oerik, one of the four continents of the fictional world of Oerth in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. The Flanaess has been the setting of dozens of adventures published between the 1970s...
, when they still dwelt in western Oerik
Oerik
In the Dungeons and Dragons World of Greyhawk Campaign setting, Oerik is the largest continent on the world of Oerth, where the Greyhawk campaign takes place.Oerik is named after the Oeridians, a human people who settled much of the continent...
, the greatest Oeridian nation was ruled by servants of evil deities. Eventually, Johydee, a wise priestess of great magical power, favored by the gods themselves, tricked the oppressors into creating a magical mask. Johydee used this mask to free the Oeridians from their dark overlords. Ultimately she became a queen in her own right, though the location of her realm is lost to time. Johydee was a member of the Aerdi house Cranden.
Johydee is credited with writing the following work:
- Mental Impressions of the Retina
Johydee is named after Heidi Gygax, one of Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
's daughters.
Katay
Katay is the TouvTouv
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Touv are one of the races of humans inhabiting Oerth. Found chiefly on the continent of Hepmonaland, the Touv people are known for warring with the Olman people in the northern jungles over the Olman Empire's...
god of decay, inevitability, order, and time. His symbol is a copper disk.
Katay is the inventor of the Touv Calendar, and records all events on a metallic wheel given to him by Xanag.
Katay is depicted as an elderly man with young eyes, wearing a decaying animal pelt and carrying a great copper disk inscribed with Touv runes.
Katay is the son of Breeka, born without a father.
The Touv deities are the spirits of the land itself, and so dwell on the Prime Material Plane (according to the Scarlet Brotherhood FAQ by Sean K. Reynolds
Sean K. Reynolds
Sean K Reynolds is a professional game designer who has worked on and co-written a number of D&D supplements for Wizards of the Coast, as well as material for other companies. He does not put a period after his middle initial.-Background:...
, originally published on the TSR website).
Katay represents the relentless cycle of birth, rot, and death in the realm of his mother, the goddess of living things, as well as the time that tugs on all.
Katay's priests are the record keepers of the Touv, recording births and deaths, weather, and other important events. They preside over funerals and births and uphold the laws. Their favored weapon is the dagger, and they can also be found wielding chakrams, short bows, spears, and staffs. They wear old animal pelts and carry copper disks.
Keptolo
Keptolo (kep-toe-low) is the drow deity of drow males, expressed in flattery, intoxication, rumor, and opportunism. His symbol is a stylized mushroom, which symbolizes intoxication and male fertility.Keptolo is intelligent, stylish, and exquisitely decadent; in all ways he is the ideal of the upper class male drow. His typical appearance is that of a young dark elvish noble, dressed in elegant silks of red, purple, jet black, and amber hues. He carries on his person a thin and elegant poniard and longsword, and in combat he wields them both simultaneously. Alternatively, he may be dressed as if for a hunt, wearing a velvet cloak and carrying an expensive crossbow.
Keptolo is the consort of Lolth
Lolth
Lolth is a fictional goddess in the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Lolth , the Demon Queen of Spiders, is the chief goddess of drow elves...
. He is polite and unctuous to Kiaransalee
Kiaransalee
Kiaransalee is the fictional drow deity of slavery, undead, and vengeance. She was created for the AD&D Second Edition, first appearing in Monster Mythology, and as such is a general deity not specific to any one game world.-Publication history:Kiaransalee was first detailed in the book Monster...
and Vhaeraun
Vhaeraun
Vhaeraun , also known as the Masked Lord and the Masked God of Night, is the drow god of thievery, drow males, and evil activity on the surface world in many Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings.-Publication history:...
, but insincere in his flattery. He despises Zinzerena
Zinzerena
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Zinzerena is the drow deity of chaos and assassins. Her symbol is a shortsword draped in a black cloak, symbolizing her hidden menace...
, who tricked a portion of his power from him in order to empower her own ascension.
The Eager Consort dwells with his mistress in the Demonweb Pits
Demonweb Pits
Demonweb Pits, in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, is the 66th layer of the chaotic evil-aligned plane of existence known as the Infinite Layers of the Abyss...
, a bewildering realm of spidery webs spun from damned souls.
Keptolo urges his followers to increase their status in drow society by feeding the vanity of the matriarchs who outrank them. They are advised to be wary of who they offend, and to keep a scapegoat on hand to take the blame for their failings. They are taught the importance of gossip as a weapon against their rivals.
Keptolo is revered mostly by male drow, who respect him as the patron of drinking and a model for sexual exploits they hope to achieve themselves.
Clerics of Keptolo may be found as advisors, critics of art and literature, philosophers, politicians, and other careers that do not require hard labor. Many are skilled with a blade, and work as assassins and spies. They seek to emulate their deity in all ways. They are deferential to the matrons, but manipulative and abusive to all others.
The greatest temple of Keptolo is in the city of Erelhei-Cinlu in the Vault of the Drow.
Kundo
Kundo is the TouvTouv
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Touv are one of the races of humans inhabiting Oerth. Found chiefly on the continent of Hepmonaland, the Touv people are known for warring with the Olman people in the northern jungles over the Olman Empire's...
god of building, noise, music, and defense. His symbol is an ornate but functional shield or breastplate.
Kundo is the union of storm and metal, a loud and boisterous guardian god obsessed with building and construction. He is the sound of metal on metal, or the roar of the summer rains on the roofs of shelters, or the happy songs sung by those who build and protect. He is depicted as a laughing Touv man carrying a great shield and a cluster of saplings.
Kundo is the son of Xanag, goddess of metals, and Vogan, god of rain and storms. Xanag's beauty entranced Vonag.
Damaran infested Kundo's home with crawling things soon after the creeping demigod's creation, but fled when Kundo confronted him.
Like all the Touv powers, Kundo is a spirit that dwells on the Material Plane rather than in the Outer Planes.
Kundo's followers are expected to protect the weak and save those in danger.
Priests and shamans of Kundo build shelters for the poor, teach traditional songs, and strive to protect their people from all dangers. Their favored weapon is the short sword, and they may also wield the atl-atl, chakram, short bow, and staff. They are required to wear shields; these must be ornate but functional, and also serve as their holy symbols.
It is said that Kundo built two great disks, one to honor his mother Xanag and one to honor his grandmother Nola. These disks, the aquamarine disk Koxanag and the larger, silver disk Konola, were placed in the sky so that all could remember Nola's light and beauty while the sun goddess slept. Katay, god of time, remarked on how they spun, and recorded their patterns on a great wheel that Xanag had given him.
Kuroth
Kuroth is the Oeridian god of Theft and Treasure-Finding. Kuroth's symbol is a gold coin bearing the image of a key or a quill.Kuroth appears as an Oeridian man with a fancy mustache and medium-length black hair. He is occasionally accompanied by a ferret
Ferret
The ferret is a domesticated mammal of the type Mustela putorius furo. Ferrets are sexually dimorphic predators with males being substantially larger than females. They typically have brown, black, white, or mixed fur...
.
Kuroth was sponsored to godhood by Olidammara
Olidammara
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Olidammara is the god of Music, Revels, Wine, Rogues, Humor, and Tricks. He is often called the Laughing Rogue.Olidammara is one of the more...
.
Kuroth's priests prefer daggers and rapiers.
Most of Kuroth's priests work as thieves, and are forbidden from destroying any item of value. Thrill-seekers, they constantly search for the greatest challenge with the biggest payoff. Such inclinations keep the priesthood's numbers low and reputation high.
Said to have been the greatest thief
Rogue (Dungeons & Dragons)
The rogue or thief is one of the standard playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A rogue is a versatile character, capable of sneaky combat and nimble tricks...
of his day, the Oeridian man known as Kuroth was quite wealthy even before attaining godhood, and only continued to pursue his thieving career in for the sake of keeping his skills honed and his reputation hale. After completing a particularly risky quest for Olidammara, Kuroth was sponsored to godhood by the Laughing Rogue.
Kuroth is known to have authored the following works:
- Theories on Perception
Kuroth's Quill
Kuroth's Quill
Kuroth's Quill is a powerful artifact, in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition :Kuroth's Quill was first described in the original 1979 Dungeon Master's Guide....
is an artifact, a quill pen made from a white griffon
Griffon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the griffon is a powerful, majestic and highly intelligent magical beast.-Publication history:The griffon was based upon the griffons of various mythologies.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
feather. The quill's user can magically read any writing in any language, or alter reality simply by using the quill to write whatever he wishes to happen on a piece of parchment.
Mayaheine
Mayaheine is the demigoddess of Protection, Justice, and Valor. Her symbol is a downward-pointing sword with a V on either side.Mayaheine is an unusually tall woman with auburn-gold hair with blue eyes. She carries a bastard sword and a longbow, and is garbed in silvery plate mail.
Mayaheine is a servant and paladin of Pelor
Pelor
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Pelor is the god of the Sun, Light, Strength, and Healing. Pelor is also a prominent member of the third edition of the game's default pantheon, and is a popular choice among player character clerics because he...
, and her faith serves as a more strongly martial complement to Pelor's church.
Her relationship with Heironeous
Heironeous
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Heironeous is the Oeridian god of Chivalry, Justice, Honor, War, Daring, and Valor. His holy symbol is a silver lightning bolt, often clutched in a...
is more uncertain, but most of their respective clergy sees their roles as complementary, Mayaheine as protector and Heironeous as the one who marshals the hosts to battle.
Mayaheine dwells in Arvenna, the Chanting Grounds on Mount Celestia
Mount Celestia
In Dungeons & Dragons, the fantasy role-playing game, Mount Celestia or more fully, the Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia, or even the Seven Heavens is a lawful good-aligned plane of existence...
, on the warlike layer of Mertion. This is a place for the training of archons, primarily, but she is not the only deity to make it her home.
Mayaheine's faith is still a young one, still organizing itself and still very much tied to the church of Pelor. Her worshipers see her as a savior come to rescue them from the darkness that threatens the world in these grim times.
Priests of Mayaheine are often guided by and always defer to priests of Pelor. Her clerics are often relatively young. They train for combat and help organize the defense of communities.
Paladins of Mayaheine are known as Valiants. Their motto is "Fortitude within and valor without." They are few, as their order has only existed since the 580s CY. Most of them have emerged from existing Pelorian knighthoods. As many as three in five of them are female. The Valiants dedicate themselves to the protection of the innocent, downtrodden, and good. They typically wear flowing tabards cinched with a golden cord or girdle at the waist, usually with the symbol of Mayaheine emblazoned on them. They favor light blues, greens, and tans.
A small temple to Mayaheine exists in Greyhawk's
Free City of Greyhawk
The Free City of Greyhawk, also known as Greyhawk City and the "Gem of the Flanaess," is a fictional city-state in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
Old City, cared for by the priest Veni Jarrison. She is also worshiped in Perrenland
Perrenland
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Perrenland, properly known as the Concatenated Cantons of Perrenland, is a political state of the Flanaess.-Geography:...
, Hardby (which contains Mayaheine's largest temple and training house), and Zulern.
Mayaheine was originally a mortal paladin of Pelor, brought to Oerth from another world during the Greyhawk Wars
Greyhawk Wars
In the Dungeons & Dragons World of Greyhawk campaign setting, the Greyhawk Wars raged across the whole of the Flanaess from 582-584 CY.-History:...
to help fight the rising tide of evil. Her first recorded sighting was in 583 CY
Greyhawk Calendar
The Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
.
Merikka
Merikka is the OeridianOeridians
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Oeridians are a race of humans living in the Flanaess...
demigoddess of Agriculture, Farming, and the Home. Her holy symbol is a basket of grain and a long scroll.
Merikka is described as a quiet, gray-haired woman of faded beauty, carrying a basket of grain and holding a scroll, though her image in her temple in the village of Orlane is that of a beautiful young woman. Merikka is obsessed with dates and cycles.
Merikka is a cousin of Velnius
Velnius
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Velnius is the Oeridian god of the Sky and Weather...
, Atroa
Atroa
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Atroa is the Oeridian goddess of Spring, East Wind, and Renewal...
, Sotillion
Sotillion
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Sotillion is the Oeridian goddess of Summer, the South Wind, Ease, and Comfort...
, Wenta
Wenta
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Wenta is the Oeridian goddess of Autumn, Brewing, Harvest, and the West Wind...
, and Telchur
Telchur
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Telchur is the Oeridian god of Winter, Cold, and the North Wind...
. She reports to Cyndor
Cyndor
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Cyndor is the Oeridian god of Time, Infinity, and Continuity...
, who helps her coordinate the proper times to plant and harvest with the gods of the seasons.
Merikka was imprisoned for some years in the Godtrap beneath Castle Greyhawk
Castle Greyhawk
Castle Greyhawk is one of the central dungeon settings in the fictional World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. The Castle was originally developed by Gary Gygax for his own campaign and later detailed for publication...
by the archmage Zagyg
Zagyg
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Zagyg is the god of Humor, Eccentricity, Occult Lore, and Unpredictability...
, but is now free. She resents chaotic gods and any who would disrupt her work.
Merikka teaches her faithful about orderly schedules, caring relationships, prudent savings, and honest labor. She teaches that children must respect their parents, husbands must respect their wives, wives must respect their husbands, and parents must love and teach their children, just as Merikka teaches her flock.
One holy text in Merikka's faith is called A Most Worshipful Guide to Benign Merikka. The one found in her Orlane temple was huge and richly illustrated with colorful paintings.
Merikka is revered mainly by farmers and mothers of Oeridian descent.
Merikka's clerics preside over weddings and coming-of-age ceremonies, care for pregnant women, and act as police when there are none other available, pursuing their quarry even into cities. They ensure the crops are planted and harvested on time, and they act as neutral advisors in household arguments.
One temple to Merikka exists in the village of Orlane north of the Rushmoors. It is the only stone building in town, and the majority of the villagers consider themselves devotees of Merikka. Among many other rooms, the temple contains a hall displaying golden statues representing the major plants Merikka is concerned with: wheat, potatoes, oats, corn, carrots, turnips, grapes, and beans. Those who disturb these statues suffer Merikka's lasting curse.
Merikka was created by Douglas Niles
Douglas Niles
Douglas Niles is a fantasy author and game designer. Niles was one of the creators of the Dragonlance world and the author of the first three Forgotten Realms novels, and the Top Secret S/I espionage role-playing game.-Early life:Niles was born in Brookfield, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, and...
for his adventure Against the Cult of the Reptile God. She was consistently referred to as chaotic good at the time; her alignment was changed in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Erik Mona explained why here: http://www.canonfire.com/cfhtml/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=77.
Meyanok
Meyanok is the TouvTouv
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Touv are one of the races of humans inhabiting Oerth. Found chiefly on the continent of Hepmonaland, the Touv people are known for warring with the Olman people in the northern jungles over the Olman Empire's...
god of serpents, poison, discord, darkness, and famine. His symbol is a snake coiled around a skull.
Meyanok is always depicted as a serpent coiled around a skull.
Meyanok was born when the pain of Breeka's childbirth mingled with the darkness. He is the progenitor of Vara, Damaran, and Berna, who hatched from eggs spawned from the mating of Meyanok's anger and lust.
Meyanok, like the other Touv
Touv
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Touv are one of the races of humans inhabiting Oerth. Found chiefly on the continent of Hepmonaland, the Touv people are known for warring with the Olman people in the northern jungles over the Olman Empire's...
gods, is a greater spirit who dwells within the mortal world.
Meyanok seeks to corrupt the rest of his family and control or destroy their servants. He prefers subterfuge to overt action, as he is outnumbered by the non-evil gods.
Meyanok's shamans and priests are reclusive, avoiding dealing with strangers openly. More commonly they work through agents, many of them ensnared with charm spells, to disrupt civilization and to harm the worshipers of other gods. They have been known to sacrifice humans to their deity. Their favored weaon is the dagger, and they may also wield the atl-atl, hand axe, javelin, short bow, and short sword. On ceremonial occasions they wear snakeskin headdresses or cloaks.
After the pain of birthing the god Katay, the goddess Breeka collapsed in exhaustion, quickly falling asleep. Yet the pain would not leave her, and from the darkness of night and the pain of childbirth was born Meyanok, the diseased serpent. Meyanok festered with hatred and rejection, because of all the first spirits, he was the only one not born under the light of Nola, the sun. Meyanok's frustrated lust mated with his simmering rage, and from this strange coupling three eggs were produced. The first egg hatched to reveal Vara, goddess of fear. From the second egg hatched Damaran, god of vermin, and from the third egg hatched Berna, the goddess of hatred and vengeance. Meyanok sent his young to corrupt the elder gods: Vara wracked her grandmother Breeka with nightmares while she slept; Damaran infested the home of Kundo, his uncle, with crawling and biting vermin; Berna was sent to Xanag, but ended up being redeemed by the beautiful goddess of metal.
Mok'slyk
Mok'slyk is an old FlanFlan (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Flan are a race of humans living in the Flanaess. The Flan peoples were the first humans known to have settled the eastern portion of the continent of Oerik, the Flanaess, which is named for them...
name for an entity known as the Serpent
Serpent (symbolism)
Serpent in Latin means: Rory Collins :&, in turn, from the Biblical Hebrew word of: "saraf" with root letters of: which refers to something burning-as, the pain of poisonous snake's bite was likened to internal burning.This word is commonly used in a specifically mythic or religious context,...
, an entity of godlike power believed to be the personification of arcane magic. The Serpent is said to be a member of a group of unfathomably old entities known as the Ancient Brethren, which though similar to gods, are not exactly gods, though some beings honor them as such. The Lady of Pain
Lady of Pain
The Lady of Pain is the fictional protector of the city of Sigil in the Planescape campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game...
, Asmodeus
Asmodeus (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Asmodeus is an Arch-Devil: a lord of the game's version of Hell . There he is the Overlord of the Dukes of Hell...
, and Jazirian
Jazirian
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Jazirian is the couatl deity of Community, Peace, Learning, and Parenthood. The couatls believe Jazirian to be the embodiment of supreme purpose and fate, the invisible force that moves the strings upon which all other gods move...
are also sometimes said to belong, or to have once belonged to this group, and supposedly Vecna
Vecna
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Vecna was a powerful wizard who became a lich. He was eventually destroyed, and his left hand and left eye were the only parts of his body to survive...
is a descendant of the Ancient Brethren. There may also be a connection between the Ancient Brethren and the draeden
Draeden
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, draedens are massive, ancient beings that predate the multiverse.-Publication history:The draeden first appeared in the Dungeons & Dragons Immortal Rules set...
s and baernoloth
Yugoloth
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, yugoloths are neutral evil natives of the lower planes of the Bleak Eternity of Gehenna and the Gray Waste of Hades...
s born before the multiverse began.
The Serpent is believed to have personally instructed Vecna in the ways of magic. Vecna's mother, Mazzel, told her son that the Serpent gains its power by devouring the souls of those who honor it.
Other rumors include that the Serpent is a guise of Asmodeus, or that the Serpent doesn't exist at all. Perhaps it is only Vecna's own madness and insight whispering back at him from within the darkness of his own one-eyed skull.
Mouqol
Mouqol is the BaklunishBaklunish
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the Baklunish are a race of humans inhabiting the Flanaess, as well as regions of Oerik further west....
god of Trade, Negotiation, Ventures, Appraisal, and Reciprocity. His symbol is a set of scales and weights.
Mouqol is a neutral deity; in the ancient war between Darkness and Light that resulted in the Baklunish Hegira
Emigration
Emigration is the act of leaving one's country or region to settle in another. It is the same as immigration but from the perspective of the country of origin. Human movement before the establishment of political boundaries or within one state is termed migration. There are many reasons why people...
, he refused to take a side, trading with both antitheses. Mouqol is a skilled bargainer, able to haggle skillfully even with the notoriously tricky and sly genie races. Mouqol's greatest talents, however, are his ability to discern the true desires of his clients and procure rare items from exotic and seemingly impossible sources.
Mouqol takes the side of neither the gods of good nor the gods of evil. As he does with the rest of the Baklunish pantheon, Al'Akbar
Al'Akbar
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Al'Akbar is the Baklunish demigod of dignity, duty, faithfulness, and guardianship...
remains subordinate to Mouqol in the divine hierarchy.
Mouqol teaches that no reward comes without risk, but too much risk is foolhardy. Moderation is the key. Followers of Mouqol are urged to know both the worth and cost of their goods and ventures, and warned against the perils of greed. All life is a matter of exchange in Mouqol's philosophy. The accumulation of too much wealth is manifestly not the point; rather, it is the act of haggling and negotiating that Mouqol presides over and sanctifies.
Mouqol is a common patron of the Baklunish, and certain junuun
Genie (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, genies are outsiders composed in part of the element of their native Elemental Planes.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
and merfolk worship him as well.
Clerics of Mouqol work to identify and deter fraud and they appraise the true worth of goods. Most travel at some point in their careers, particularly with merchant caravans.
Mouqol's temples are built in marketplaces, where they double as moneychangers, lending institutions, and arbitrators in negotiations. All marketplaces are considered sacred, and the majority of Mouqol's places of worship are simple, tent-covered altars erected in bazaars. Rather than a tithe, a fee is levied against traders who use the marketplace, with excesses invested in charitable enterprises.
Prayers to Mouqol are said in the morning before the day's business is commenced.
Myhriss
MyhrissMyhriss
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Myhriss is the Flan goddess of Love, Romance, and Beauty...
is the Flan
Flan (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Flan are a race of humans living in the Flanaess. The Flan peoples were the first humans known to have settled the eastern portion of the continent of Oerik, the Flanaess, which is named for them...
goddess of Love, Romance, and Beauty. Her symbol is the lovebird and she is portrayed as a Flan woman just reaching adulthood, a garland of flowers in her hair. She has two aspects, a dark-haired, intimidating woman wielding a whip and a golden-haired, gentler woman wielding a shortbow. Myhriss appreciates Wee Jas
Wee Jas
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Wee Jas is the Suel goddess of Magic, Death, Vanity, and Law...
for her attractive features, though Wee Jas jealously dislikes Myhriss for her claim over love and beauty. Myhriss is friendly and affectionate toward all benign gods, but avoids those who are hideous, crude, or hateful.
Myhriss dwells within or on the shores of the River Amiel in Thalasia, the fourth layer of Elysium
Elysium (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Elysium, or more fully, the Blessed Fields of Elysium, is a strongly good-aligned plane of existence...
. Clerics of Myhriss are starry-eyed and always looking for signs of love and beauty in the people and places around them. They bless young lovers, perform marriages ceremonies, create works of art, and travel to see beautiful people and fantastic sights. Some are diplomats, while some are crusaders against hate and ugliness. Favored weapons are the shortbow and whip.
Myhriss was first detailed for the Dungeons & Dragons game in the World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting
World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting
The World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting and the World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting are two closely related publications from TSR, Inc. that detail the fictional World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
(1983), by Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
. Myhriss was one of the deities described in the 1992 From the Ashes
From the Ashes (Dungeons & Dragons)
From the Ashes is a supplement for Dungeons & Dragonss World of Greyhawk campaign setting. It was published in 1992 by TSR as a boxed set of materials...
set for the Greyhawk campaign. Myhriss is described as one of the good deities that celestials
Celestial (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, celestials are a class of creatures and monsters known as outsiders who are of wholly good alignment....
can serve in the 1999 supplement Warriors of Heaven. Myhriss' role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
The Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is a sourcebook for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Despite the title, the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is not exclusive to the Living Greyhawk Campaign...
(2000).
Nazarn
Nazarn (NAZZ-arn) is a half-orcHalf-orc
The half-orc is a creature born to mixed orc and human parentage in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The half-orc is a playable race for D&D player characters. Half-orcs are typically born in wild frontiers where human and orc tribes come into contact. Half-orcs are between six and seven...
hero-god of formal, ritualistic, and public combat. His symbol is a chain wrapped around a short sword. He appears as an older half-orc with a strongly orcish appearance. His hair is gray, on its way to becoming completely white. He carries his short sword, Crowdpleaser. Nazarn has no known relationships with the orcish pantheon
Orc deities
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the orcish pantheon of gods consists of the leader, Gruumsh, as well as Bahgtru, Ilneval, Luthic, Shargaas, and Yurtrus.-Bahgtru:Bahgtru is the orc deity of Strength and Combat...
.
Nazarn was once a popular gladiator
Gladiator
A gladiator was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their legal and social standing and their lives by appearing in the...
slave owned by a member of the Scarlet Brotherhood, but he escaped to find a better place for himself elsewhere in the world. Nazarn's apotheosis was sponsored by the Suloise
Suloise
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Suloise, also known as the "Suel," are one of the major races of humans inhabiting the Flanaess....
deity Kord. During his travels, he impressed a half-giant descendant of the god Kord and eventually convinced Kord himself to elevate him to godhood after defeating all opponents (including a young green dragon
Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game , dragons are an iconic type of monstrous creature used as adversaries or, less commonly, allies of player characters...
) in a Hepmonaland
Hepmonaland
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the continent of Hepmonaland is Southeast of the Flanaess. Hepmonaland was created as a in-game region where the Aztec culture is dominant and dinosaurs are very common monsters.Hepmonaland is the Suel and...
arena run by yuan-ti
Yuan-ti
The yuan-ti are a fictional species of evil snakemen in the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. The species comprises a number of castes. In some campaign settings, the yuan-ti are descended from evil human cultists who mixed their bloodlines with those of serpents...
.
Nazarn's followers are expected to be honorable and brave in answering challenges, and to give every fight their all. While there are times when it is important to focus on showmanship and pleasing a crowd, in other times it is wiser to concentrate on one's foe. "Dirty fighting" is frowned upon unless the fight is purely for sport. Mercy is encouraged when possible, but honorless foes should be dispatched without pity. They seek to inspire others and to think about the legacy they will leave.
Priests of Nazarn are often professional duelists or gladiators, or they act as referees in such contests. They may adventure to seek out new arena clients, to test their mettle against new or unusual foes, or to collect mementos and scars that will add to their reputations.
Nola
Nola is the TouvTouv
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Touv are one of the races of humans inhabiting Oerth. Found chiefly on the continent of Hepmonaland, the Touv people are known for warring with the Olman people in the northern jungles over the Olman Empire's...
goddess of the Sun. Her symbol is a gold or copper image of the sun.
Nola is depicted as a Touv woman of serene beauty, her head surrounded by a corona of flame.
Nola is the first being created by Uvot, who brought her to life by thanking the warm sun for blessing the land, that the land might create Uvot.
Nola admired Vogan, the god of rain and storms, the aspect of one complementing the other, both enriching their father Uvot. Vogan and Nola became the parents of Breeka, goddess of beasts and plants. Uvot blessed Nola, and she gave birth to Xanag, goddess of metals and beauty, born from Uvot's earth and shining with the fire of her mother.
All the gods were born under Nola's light except for Meyanok, who was born in darkness and pain and resented all the others for this. Meyanok gave birth to three dark spawn of his own.
As a greater spirit of nature, Nola is associated with the physical sun itself rather than any otherplanar realm. Her essence shines on the land of mortals, filling it with her life-giving light.
Nola represents the life-giving power of sunlight and its ability to reveal things that would otherwise be hidden by darkness. She is a nurturing force that abhors deadly cold and those who destroy things before they fully develop.
Nola's priests and shamans are concerned with the growth and development of living things, especially children. Her adventuring priests see themselves as parental figures watching over their companions and helping them mature. Their favored weapon is the javelin, and they may also wield the atl-atl, dagger, hand axe, short bow, and spear. On ceremonial occasions, they wear a headdress and collar of copper and gold.
Nola is named for a college friend of Sean K. Reynolds's.
Old Faith
The Old Faith is the chief druidicDruid (Dungeons & Dragons)
The druid is a playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Druids wield nature-themed magic. Prior to 4th edition, they gain divine magic from being at one with nature, or from one of several patron gods of the wild, while in 4th edition, they gain primal magic...
order in the Flanaess
Flanaess
The Flanaess is the eastern part of the continent of Oerik, one of the four continents of the fictional world of Oerth in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. The Flanaess has been the setting of dozens of adventures published between the 1970s...
. Though strongly associated with the faiths of Beory
Beory
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Beory is the Flan goddess of the Oerth, Nature, and Rain. She is also known as the Oerth Mother...
and Obad-Hai
Obad-Hai
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Obad-Hai is the god of Nature, Woodlands, Hunting, and Beasts, one of the most ancient known. He is often called the Shalm....
, the Old Faith also encompasses other deities, principally those concerned with natural phenomema. A quartet of gods representing the seasons is common, though the identities of these deities vary from culture to culture.
The Old Faith is closely associated with the bards of the Old Lore, to whom they entrust many of their secrets.
The druids of the Old Faith are more loosely allied with the Rangers of the Gnarley. Their alignments differ, but their goals are compatible.
The Old Faith opposes the entities of the Far Realm
Far Realm
The Far Realm is a plane found in various settings in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Creative origins:The Far Realm is a mix of horror, madness, and Lovecraftian geometries....
and the cult of Elemental Evil, which are entirely outside of and hostile to the nature they protect.
The Old Faith has divided the Flanaess into nine separate regions, each under the dominion of a Great Druid. These regions are known colloquially as the Baklunish West, the Bitter North ("Old Blackmoor
Blackmoor
Blackmoor is a fantasy role-playing game campaign setting generally associated with the game Dungeons & Dragons. It originally evolved in the early 1970s as the personal setting of Dave Arneson, the co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, first as a setting for Arneson's miniature wargames, then as an...
"), the Western Nyr Dyv
Nyr Dyv
The Nyr Dyv, also known as the "Lake of Unknown Depths," is a fictional fresh water lake in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game...
("Old Ferrond"), the Sheldomar Valley ("Old Keoland"), the Empire of Iuz ("Northern Reaches"), the Thillonrian Peninsula ("Barbarian North"), the Old Aerdy West ("Old Nyrond"), the Old Aerdy East (former Great Kingdom
Great Kingdom
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Great Kingdom, or the Great Kingdom of Aerdy, refers to an empire that varied in size at various points in its history.-History:...
), and the Isolated Realms.
All druids of the Old Faith within a specific region are organized into a Circle.
Adherents of the Old Faith hold trees, particularly oak and ash, and the sun and the moons as sacred. Druids of the Old Faith believe they must protect trees, plants, and crops from destruction; to a lesser extent, they protect their human followers and animals as well. They recognize that humans, humanoids, and animals need food and shelter, and don't begrudge them the right to hunt or practice agriculture if they do so responsibly. Druids of the Old Faith may not destroy woodlands or crops, though they may work to change the nature of these things if they feel it is worth the effort to do so. For example, an Old Faith druid could cleanse a corrupted wood of its evil taint, but the Old Faith is strongly neutral in alignment, believing that Good, Evil, Law, and Chaos should exist in balance.
The Old Faith holds itself aloof from worldly affairs, being primarily concerned with the cycles of nature: life, death, and rebirth. They view all things as part of a great cycle, with Good and Evil only temporary phases. Only when the cycle itself is threatened do they feel called to action.
Old Faith communities are found throughout the Flanaess. Most of the inhabitants of Hommlet belong to the Old Faith, for example.
Druids of associated deities make up the priests of the Old Faith. Common symbols are oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
leaves, holly
Holly
Ilex) is a genus of 400 to 600 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. The species are evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones world wide....
leaves, and mistletoe
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemi-parasitic plants in several families in the order Santalales. The plants in question grow attached to and within the branches of a tree or shrub.-Mistletoe in the genus Viscum:...
. Druids of the Old Faith have their own secret language known as Druidic; it shares roots with the Flan tongue, but is much more specialized, dealing mostly with the natural world and the growth of plants. Many druids also learn the languages of centaurs, elves, gnomes
Gnome (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, gnomes are one of the core races available for play as player characters. Some speculate that they are closely related to dwarves; however, gnomes are more tolerant of other races and of magic, and are skilled with illusions...
, green dragons, hill giants
Giant (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, giant is a type of creature, or "creature type." Giants are humanoid-shaped creatures of great strength and size.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
, lizardfolk, manticores, treants, and fey.
Druids of the Old Faith prefer to live in sacred groves, in small, simple houses built of logs, stone, or sod. At higher levels, they generally dwell in building complexes in woodland areas.
The Old Faith's lowest-ranked clergy are known as Aspirants, who seek admission to the order. Next are the Ovates, who read auguries and perform minor administrative tasks. Next are the Initiates of the First Circle, followed by higher ranking Initiates of the Second through Ninth Circles. Above these ranks are those who have the right to the title of Druid. There are only nine Druids to each region. Above the nine Druids are three Archdruids, who answer to the Great Druid of their region. Admission to the ranks of Druid, Archdruid, and Great Druid is only granted via trial by combat. It is said that above the Great Druids stands a single Grand Druid, whose dominion includes the entire Oerth
Oerth
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Oerth, pronounced as "Orth" or "oyth", is the name of the fictional planet on which one of the earliest campaign settings, the World of Greyhawk, is located...
. Former Grand Druids are said to make up an inner circle of ascended mystics known as the Heirophants of the Cabal, though their existence is not remarked on outside the Old Faith hierarchy.
Old Faith services take place at megalithic stone circles or woodland groves. Oak groves are particularly common, but ash is also held sacred, and deklo and usk
Usk
Usk is a small town in Monmouthshire, Wales, situated 10 miles northeast of Newport.The River Usk flows through the town and is spanned by an ancient, arched stone bridge at the western entrance to the town. A castle above the town overlooks the ancient Anglo-Welsh border crossing - the river can...
groves are also sometimes used. Each type of tree has a different meaning among the Old Faith, and so the different groves serve very different purposes.
The four festivals
Greyhawk Calendar
The Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
of Needfest, Growfest, Richfest, and Brewfest are all observed by the Old Faith. The night of Great Moon's Glory (Readying
Greyhawk Calendar
The Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
11th) is also held as sacred.
The Old Faith emerged from the ancient nature cults of the Flan
Flan (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Flan are a race of humans living in the Flanaess. The Flan peoples were the first humans known to have settled the eastern portion of the continent of Oerik, the Flanaess, which is named for them...
people. As the faith grew, it spread to Oeridians and Suloise
Suloise
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Suloise, also known as the "Suel," are one of the major races of humans inhabiting the Flanaess....
groups, who adopted its concepts to their own deities, though Beory remained the chief deity associated with the faith.
In ancient times, the Old Faith druids allied themselves with dark magic-users of the Ur-Flan such as Vecna
Vecna
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Vecna was a powerful wizard who became a lich. He was eventually destroyed, and his left hand and left eye were the only parts of his body to survive...
, electing not to challenge their depraved, evil rites and spells. The Old Faith still preserves some of their magical secrets. Vecna, however, betrayed them, and many died when the lich twisted their powers over nature into powers of undeath.
When the Aerdi, particularly the Celestial Houses Naelax and Torquann, conquered the lands watered by the Flanmi River, they encountered groups of Flan worshipping demon lords such as Demogorgon
Demogorgon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Demogorgon is a powerful demon prince. He is known as the Prince of Demons, a self-proclaimed title he holds by virtue of his power and influence; which in turn, is a title acknowledged by both mortals and his fellow demons...
. Horrified (by the chaos, at least, though many of them were Hextor
Hextor
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Hextor is the Oeridian god of war, discord, massacres, conflict, fitness, and tyranny....
worshippers and not particularly phased by evil), they eagerly slaughtered all Flan priests that they found, driving the surviving druids into the wilds within the lands controlled by the Aerdi.
The druids prophesied that they would survive their Aerdi rivals. With the recent fall of the Great Kingdom
Great Kingdom
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Great Kingdom, or the Great Kingdom of Aerdy, refers to an empire that varied in size at various points in its history.-History:...
, this prophecy came true.
Roykyn
Roykyn (ROY-kihn) is the gnomishGnome (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, gnomes are one of the core races available for play as player characters. Some speculate that they are closely related to dwarves; however, gnomes are more tolerant of other races and of magic, and are skilled with illusions...
hero-goddess of cruelty, particularly cruel pranks. Her favored animal is a feral cat, and her symbol is a furled scroll dripping dark fluid.
Roykyn is commonly depicted as a dark-haired gnomish woman with a wicked gleam in her eye, but she can appear in almost any humanoid form.
Roykyn was formerly a priestess of the gnomish deity Urdlen
Urdlen
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Urdlen is the gnome deity of greed and blood.In many campaign settings, the gnome pantheon of gods consists of the leader Garl Glittergold, as well as Baervan Wildwanderer, Baravar Cloakshadow, Flandal Steelskin, Gaerdal Ironhand, Nebelun, Segojan...
, but her apotheosis was sponsored by Erythnul
Erythnul
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Erythnul is the Oeridian god of hate, envy, malice, panic, ugliness, and slaughter. He is known as the Many, and is worshipped by many gnoll,...
, who perhaps in selecting this particular servant was seeking to broaden his appeal beyond simple violence.
To a follower of Roykyn, the greatest joy is to be found in the suffering of others, though this suffering need not be physical in nature. Roykyn's theologians divide suffering into three main types: that of the mind, that of the body, and that of the spirit.
The malevolent pranks played by Roykyn's clerics upon their unsuspecting victims are limitless, including slanderous letters, embarrassing rumors, and betrayals of both friends and lovers. They bring the exalted low and force the lowly to fester in their misery. Bringing such suffering to the world is also their primary motivation in adventuring. Their favored weapon is a spiked gauntlet with poisoned barbs.
Though once a cleric of Urdlen, she decided she was insufficiently rewarded for her services to that deity and defected to Erythnul instead, turning her former temple over to a cabal of illithid
Illithid
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, illithids are monstrous humanoid aberrations with psionic powers. In a typical Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting, they live in the moist caverns and cities of the enormous Underdark...
s as an insult and "prank" at her former god's expense.
Stern Alia
Stern Alia is the demigoddess of Oeridian Culture, Law, and Motherhood. She is also the tutelary goddess of the island nation of Thalos in Western Oerik, which was settled by Aerdi explorers many centuries ago. Her holy symbol is an Oeridian woman's face.It has been suggested (in Bastion of Faith, the Greyhawk Player's Guide
Greyhawk Player's Guide
The Player's Guide, also known as the Greyhawk Player's Guide or the Player's Guide to Greyhawk, is a sourcebook for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting. Written by Anne Brown, the work was published by Wizards of the Coast under its TSR imprint in 1998.-Contents:The Player's Guide contains...
, and Warriors of Heaven) that Stern Alia is somehow an aspect of the Flan
Flan (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Flan are a race of humans living in the Flanaess. The Flan peoples were the first humans known to have settled the eastern portion of the continent of Oerik, the Flanaess, which is named for them...
god known as Allitur
Allitur
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Allitur is the Flan god of Ethics and Propriety...
. However, she is presented as entirely separate from Allitur in 3rd edition materials.
The Shield Mother is a maternal figure, fully armed and armored. Alia is lawful neutral, but her church in Thalos tends toward good, while her church in Medegia tends toward evil.
Alia is the mother of Heironeous
Heironeous
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Heironeous is the Oeridian god of Chivalry, Justice, Honor, War, Daring, and Valor. His holy symbol is a silver lightning bolt, often clutched in a...
and Hextor
Hextor
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Hextor is the Oeridian god of war, discord, massacres, conflict, fitness, and tyranny....
, although they have different fathers. Another son, Stratis, is mentioned in literature for the Chainmail miniatures game in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#285, but he is deceased.
In the Flanaess
Flanaess
The Flanaess is the eastern part of the continent of Oerik, one of the four continents of the fictional world of Oerth in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. The Flanaess has been the setting of dozens of adventures published between the 1970s...
, Stern Alia's church is mostly limited to Medegia, where it has been largely destroyed due to infighting and by priests of Hextor. In Thalos, her powerful church works hand in hand with the monarch of that country.
The clerics of Stern Alia organize local militias to fight back against threats, buying time for the professional armies.
At the moment, paladins of the Shield Mother are on a quest to recover the Shield of Stratis, one of the artifacts left scattered across the land when that son of the Mother of War was killed. The church would do anything to win this holy relic.
In the city of Pontylver, Alia was the patron of the Temple of the Correct and Unalterable Way. Many of the clergy there became increasingly arrogant and arbitrary over time, seeing themselves as the ultimate interpreters of the law. They embraced a heresy that said the Law was concentrated in the individual rather than the community, and for this their goddess forsook them, no longer granting them spells beyond 2nd level. The temple hierarchy managed to keep this a secret for a time; when their fellow cleric Myrrha attempted to speak out, they tried to silence her permanently. She barely escaped the city with her life.
It was the Shield Mother who gave Heironeous the gift of meersalm, coating him with it at birth, which made his skin immune to mortal weapons. She neglected to do so for his brother Hextor, which began the jealousy that eventually led Hextor to the Lords of Evil.
According to myth, Alia used to leave her arms and armor in the care of her sons Heironeous and Hextor while she met with her many lovers. Once, before recorded history, a servant of the half-brothers, a man called Savnok, convinced his masters to allow him to guard the armory of Stern Alia while they attended to other matters. Left alone with the relics, Savnok could not resist trying on the goddess's armor. Drunk with power, he knew he could never bring himself to take it off, so he fled to the mortal realm, where he began carving a kingdom out for himself.
As long as he wore the armor, Savnok could not be harmed by any mortal weapon or energy. Stricken with guilt, Heironeous and Hextor became determined to retrieve the suit before their mother returned. He was immune to Heironeous' lightning, however, so Hextor broke into the armory again and acquired his mother's bow and arrows. Though young, still two-armed Hextor could barely draw the bow, his arrows hit their mark, and Savnok slowly bled to death from small wounds.
Hextor advised his brother to help him replace the missing items and hide the body of Savnok beyond the edge of the cosmos, where their mother would never know about it. Heironeous agreed to the plan, feeling like he owed Hextor for solving the problem. He has felt guilty about this deception ever since.
Stratis
Stratis was an Oeridian god of War once worshipped in Western Oerik. He is now dead. He is morally neutral in alignment, neither good like HeironeousHeironeous
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Heironeous is the Oeridian god of Chivalry, Justice, Honor, War, Daring, and Valor. His holy symbol is a silver lightning bolt, often clutched in a...
nor evil like Hextor
Hextor
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Hextor is the Oeridian god of war, discord, massacres, conflict, fitness, and tyranny....
. It may seem likely that he was lawful in alignment like his mother and brothers, but the fact that he grew to adulthood on the plane of Ysgard
Ysgard
Ysgard is the Outer Plane of Chaotic Neutral / Chaotic Good alignment in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. It is also called Asgard, Gladsheim or The Heroic Domains...
makes a chaotic neutral alignment a possibility.
Stratis was an armed and armored warrior, looking like a strong, handsome human man with four arms.
Stratis is a son of Stern Alia, and therefore a brother or half-brother of Heironeous and Hextor.
The location of Stratis's divine realm is unknown, although he grew to adulthood on the plane of Ysgard.
Stratis was god of war in all of its forms, both just and unjust.
Stratis is unknown, or virtually so, in the Flanaess
Flanaess
The Flanaess is the eastern part of the continent of Oerik, one of the four continents of the fictional world of Oerth in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. The Flanaess has been the setting of dozens of adventures published between the 1970s...
, but was apparently very well known in Western Oerik.
The Panopoly of Stratis are the sacred arms and armor of the dead god Stratis. These items are sought by the warring factions in the Sundered Empire in Western Oerik. Being infused with the dead god's power, it is believed that whoever controls the items will ascend to become the new god of War in Stratis's stead.
The Panopoly of Stratis include:
- Bonebreak: The god's first weapon, a cudgel, is believed to lie somewhere on the Ghostwind Plateau.
- The Ebon Glaive
- The Shield of Stratis
- The Spear of Stratis
During the Demon War a thousand years ago, Stratis intervened personally to battle the fiendish dragons sent by Tiamat
Tiamat (Dungeons & Dragons)
Tiamat is the name of a powerful draconic goddess in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The name is taken from Tiamat, a goddess in ancient Mesopotamian mythology who is substantially different ....
, but he found that killing dragons distracted him from other parts of the war. Needing to kill dragons faster, he descended to the city of Ashbringer in Ysgard's realm of Nidavellir. There he bargained with the dwarven
Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, dwarves are a humanoid race, one of the primary races available for play as player characters...
master smith Valin for a weapon capable of killing Tiamat herself. Valin agreed to do this if Stratis would provide the blood of five chromatic dragons
Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game , dragons are an iconic type of monstrous creature used as adversaries or, less commonly, allies of player characters...
, one of each type, the older the better, as well as enough of each of their hides to make a suit of armor for five dwarven heroes, and then use the weapon to lead an assault on Svartalfheim, the land of Nidavellir's ancient foes. Stratis agreed to the terms on the condition that he would be able to name the time of the assault. Valin agreed, and a year later he had completed his masterwork, the Ebon Glaive. As it happened, however, while Stratis was leading the dwarves to victory, one of the most ferocious battles of the war was being fought without him at the site now called Scalebane. It is rumored that Valin sold the knowledge of when Stratis would be preoccupied in Ysgard to Tiamat, but this has never been proven.
Much later, it is said that Stratis was seen riding to battle with the Baklien horsemen who were invading the empire of Ravilla.
Stratis was killed five years ago (probably in 586 CY) by a party of mortal adventurers who foolishly thought that by killing him they could win peace for their peoples. Instead, Stratis's death embroiled all of Western Oerik in conflict. Stratis ascended into the sky in a pillar of fire and scattered his weapons and armor to the four winds. With his dying breath, he decreed that there would be nothing but war until a new god of war ascended to replace him. Now the various factions of the region battle for control over Stratis's panoply, for it is believed that whoever gets all of Stratis's armaments will become the new god of war.
Stratis' spear pierced the corpse of the warlord Ahmut, who had been in his grave for centuries, and reanimated him as a lord of undeath. The Ebon Glaive probably landed in the ancient battlefield of Scalebane. The Shield of Stratis is currently being sought by the paladins of Stern Alia. When Stratis's hot blood fell on the ground, it burned through the earth and opened passageways to caverns buried for millennia, thus exposing passageways to the drow settlement of Kalan-G'eld. There, deep in the Underdark
Underdark
The Underdark is a fictional setting which has appeared in Dungeons & Dragons role-playing campaigns and Dungeons & Dragons-based fiction books, including the Legend of Drizzt series by R. A. Salvatore...
, the blood of Stratis became as mist, floating around in crimson clouds to this day. Clouds of Stratis's blood announce themselves with the sounds of screaming, the thud of arrows, and the pounding of hooves. Those who touch the clouds are gifted with a portion of Stratis's divine spark.
Tsolorandril
Tsolorandril is the hero-deity of Wave Motions. It sees itself as a keeper of records, noting the natural cycles of things like politics, nature, and time, and predicts how these patterns will take shape in the future. Its symbol is a sphere with a simple wave-shape repeating around its circumference.Tsolorandril is a tall, androgynous humanoid with very white skin, muted facial features, and silver-blue hair, carrying a length of metallic rope that moves as if it were liquid.
Tsolorandril is an ally of Elayne Mystica. It is thought to have been sponsored to its present status by Cyndor
Cyndor
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Cyndor is the Oeridian god of Time, Infinity, and Continuity...
.
Tsolorandril wanders the Ethereal Plane rather than maintaining a fixed realm.
Tsolorandril's faithful believe that every action contributes to the great pattern of existence, comparing the waves of change to ripples in the water. They believe that Chaos must be kept in check.
Tsolorandril is a young hero-deity with as yet few worshippers. The half-elf Malshar took Tsolorandril as his patron when he was blown off course by an Ether Cyclone on the Ethereal Plane. Tsolorandril has charged its new follower with liberating the people of Geoff
Geoff (Greyhawk)
Geoff is a fictional land that is part of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. Geoff was first described in 1983 in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting, where Geoff is properly known as the Grand Duchy of Geoff, and is a ducal political state of the fictional continent called the...
.
Tsolorandril's priests are seers and advisors, using their powers to predict or set in motion the patterns of things to come. They seek to be close to people in power so that they can manipulate the course of events or thwart the forces of Chaos. They study nearby planes of existence and keep their eyes on people who travel between them.
Tsolorandril is a native of another plane. No one knows what plane this was, or what its reasons or methods were for coming to Oerth
Oerth
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Oerth, pronounced as "Orth" or "oyth", is the name of the fictional planet on which one of the earliest campaign settings, the World of Greyhawk, is located...
.
Tsolorandril was created by Niel Brandt, though it was originally little more than a name and portfolio associated with Elayne Mystica.
Vara
Vara is the TouvTouv
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Touv are one of the races of humans inhabiting Oerth. Found chiefly on the continent of Hepmonaland, the Touv people are known for warring with the Olman people in the northern jungles over the Olman Empire's...
goddess of Nightmares and Fear. Her symbol is a necklace of mummified animal feet.
Vara prefers to be depicted as a Touv woman with red eyes and stars in her hair.
Vara is the first child of Meyanok, and considers herself to be superior to her younger brother Damaran and younger sister Berna. She uses her status as the eldest to compel them to do her bidding. Like her father, Vara loathes the other Touv gods, and revels in the act of twisting their minds.
Like the other Touv gods, Vara dwells on the Material Plane.
Vara's dogma involves inflicting misery, oppression, and terror on all others.
Priests and shamans of Vara enforce their control through fear and oppression, though those who enjoy making others miserable sometimes follow them willingly. Vara's clergy are tyrants and bullies; often they act to enforce the desires of a cruel leader. They have an affinity toward illusions and phantasms. Their favored weapon is the javelin and they may also wield the atl-atl, club, dagger, and short sword. They may wear any nonmetal armor.
When she was newly hatched, Vara visited her grandmother Breeka's troubled sleep, and wracked her with nightmares. Breeka, goddess of living things, vomited forth her terrifying dreams, which hid in the shadows and between the trees to make the land full of dangers at night from then on, those twisted creatures and plants that plague the world to these days as living nightmares.
Vathris
Vathris is a hero-deity of anguish, lost causes, and revenge worshiped by some few in the Bright DesertBright Desert
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Bright Desert is a fictional desert located in the central Flanaess...
. His symbol is a black spear.
Originally, Vathris appeared as a shirtless Flan
Flan (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Flan are a race of humans living in the Flanaess. The Flan peoples were the first humans known to have settled the eastern portion of the continent of Oerik, the Flanaess, which is named for them...
man with coppery skin, approximately nine feet tall, wearing beads of metal and clay in his long black hair.
Today he is much diminished from his previous form, with a grisly torso wound that still oozes black bile, wielding the onyx longspear that killed him. His eyes are empty sockets. Where he once stood for the future, now he only obsesses about the past. He can manifest only once or twice a year, and then he dies again, to reemerge a year later. Needless to say, he has no permanent realm.
The faithful of Vathris do not fear death or suffering, for they believe a Day of Vindication will come when all virtuous martyrs rise again to dwell with the righteous tribes to torment the wicked forever. They believe in keeping the laws of their people and judging carefully when to seek their vengeance.
Vathris is worshipped primarily among the Flan nomads in the Bright Desert
Bright Desert
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Bright Desert is a fictional desert located in the central Flanaess...
. The worshippers of Vathris are split into two factions, a less popular faction worshipping Vathris in his original form and a new, militant sect worshipping him as a god of vengeance who will punish enemies of their people, including monsters, the people of Urnst, and Rary
Rary
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Rary of Ket is a powerful archmage and ruler of the Bright Lands, also known as Rary the Traitor....
.
The priests of Vathris' Progress aspect attempt to elevate their people above their present primitive status. The warrior priests who serve his other aspect preach vengeance and war. Their favored weapon is the longspear.
Vathris is said to have been a mortal who raised himself to divinity through his own knowledge, wisdom, and deeds. Two thousand years ago, he was a demigod of progress and ingenuity worshiped in the city-state of Itar, which became civilized and sophisticated under the Maker's influence. Vathris died, along with his nation, in a war with the rival state of Sulm. The descendants of the Itari roamed the desert for over a thousand years, worshiping the dead god. He returned to life, sort of, in 562 CY, when thirty-six of his ranking priests enacted a ritual to revive him.
Vathris originally appeared as "Atarra" in Erik Mona's apocryphal article "Ancient History: Reflections in Silica." http://www.canonfire.com/cfhtml/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=224
Vatun
Vatun is the god of Northern Barbarians, Cold, Winter, and Arctic Beasts. His symbol is the sun setting on a snowy landscape. Though rather popular among the SuelSuloise
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Suloise, also known as the "Suel," are one of the major races of humans inhabiting the Flanaess....
barbarians of the Thillonrian Peninsula, Vatun was not worshipped by the Suloise Imperium and is not generally considered part of the Suel pantheon.
Vatun appears as a massive Suel barbarian dressed in the skins of polar bears. His beard is made of snow and ice, and his breath is a frozen fog. He wields a mighty battleaxe called Winter's Bite, made completely of ice.
Vatun's only allies are his brother, Dalt
DALT
N,N-Diallyltryptamine is a psychedelic drug of the tryptamine class. Alexander Shulgin reports that DALT is active at 42 mg orally, producing a +1 on the Shulgin scale, and being back to baseline by 4 hours. It is said to have a similar potency to DMT, being active at doses of approximately 40-100...
, and the Suel god Llerg
Llerg
In the fictional world of the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Llerg is the god of Beasts and Strength...
. His enemies include Telchur
Telchur
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Telchur is the Oeridian god of Winter, Cold, and the North Wind...
, Iuz
Iuz
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Iuz is the chaotic evil demigod of Deceit, Evil, Oppression, Pain, and Wickedness. Iuz is variously called "The Old One" and "Old Wicked," among other titles. Unlike most Greyhawk deities, Iuz makes his home on...
, and the archdevil Belial
Belial (Dungeons & Dragons)
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Belial is an Arch-Devil of Hell , lord of the Fourth Hell, Phlegethos. He retained his rule after the Reckoning of Hell, though he now shares this responsibility with his daughter Fierna who serves as his mouthpiece...
.
Vatun's previous divine realm is the Hall of the Hunter in the Heroic Domains of Ysgard. However, he is currently trapped in the Plane of Cold in the Prison of Ice.
Vatun teaches that winter is an opportunity to cull the weak from the strong, and that cowards should be covered by snow and forgotten. The Great God of the North also speaks of a "Great Winter" which will cover the land, allowing the northern barbarians to inherit the Oerth.
Vatun is worhipped primarily in the Barbarian States of the Thillonrian Peninsula.
Vatun's priests are charged with aiding their tribe in battle, helping their people survive winter, and healing the injured members of their community. The most capable priests seek the legendary Five Blades of Corusk, which will free Vatun if the five are united. Their favored weapon is the battleaxe.
Vatun's priests preach that cowardice is to be despised, and that Telchur's faith is to always be opposed, preferably with violence. They are also foes of devils
Devil (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, devils are a powerful group of monsters used as a high-level challenge for players of the game. Devils are Lawful Evil in alignment and originate from the Nine Hells of Baator. True to their Lawful Evil alignment, devils are locked in a strict and brutal...
and those who serve them.
Vatun's imprisonment has made it more difficult for his priests to use their magic. In order to prepare and cast spells, they need to be within ten feet of a burning flame, no smaller than a torch.
Legend says that some time after the Invoked Devastation and the Rain of Colorless Fire, when the fleeing Suel houses of the Fruztii, Cruski, and Schnai had settled the Thillonrian Peninsula, a great barbarian empire was created by the warriors of Vatun, hailed as "the Great God of the North." Vatun himself was said to have granted the title of "Fasstal of all the Suelii" to the king of the Cruski, a title which made the bearer preeminent among all the nobles of the Suel, and granted him the authority to pronounce judgement on any member of the Suel race. This great empire, if it did indeed exist, lasted only as long as the first fasstal's lifetime.
About the same time as the Battle of a Fortnight's Length (-110 CY), Vatun was imprisoned by priests
Cleric (Dungeons & Dragons)
The cleric is one of the standard playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. In the game, clerics are versatile figures, both capable in combat and skilled in the use of divine magic. Clerics are powerful healers due to the large number of healing and curative...
of Telchur, who were perhaps aided by Belial. Vatun's imprisonment is said by some to have caused the fall of the barbarian empire.
In 582 CY, Vatun was said to have finally returned to Oerth
Oerth
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Oerth, pronounced as "Orth" or "oyth", is the name of the fictional planet on which one of the earliest campaign settings, the World of Greyhawk, is located...
, appearing on the Thillonrian Peninsula. Vatun successfully united the Frost
Frost Barbarians
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Frost Barbarians, properly known as the Kingdom of Fruztii, is a political state of the Flanaess...
, Ice
Ice Barbarians
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Ice Barbarians, properly known as the Kingdom of Cruski, is a political state of the Flanaess...
, and Snow Barbarians, along with the natives of the Hold of Stonefist
Stonehold
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Stonehold is a political state of the Flanaess. The nation was formerly known as the Hold of Stonefist.-Geography:...
, and led this great force to invade Tenh, an event which kick-started the Greyhawk Wars
Greyhawk Wars
In the Dungeons & Dragons World of Greyhawk campaign setting, the Greyhawk Wars raged across the whole of the Flanaess from 582-584 CY.-History:...
. However, it wasn't long before this "Vatun" was revealed to be the demigod Iuz, and the alliance soon fell apart.
As of 591 CY, the real Vatun remains imprisoned.
Some legends claim that Vatun was betrayed by a companion deity. Others blame Telchur entirely. There is also a myth that says the barbarians proved unworthy of their patron, so he withdrew of his own accord.
It is said that when the Five Blades of Corusk are reunited, Vatun will return and recreate the barbarian empire of old.
Many fans of the World of Greyhawk setting note that Vatun shares many characteristics with Odin
Odin
Odin is a major god in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard. Homologous with the Anglo-Saxon "Wōden" and the Old High German "Wotan", the name is descended from Proto-Germanic "*Wodanaz" or "*Wōđanaz"....
, and point out that Robert J Kuntz's character, Lord Robilar
Robilar
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Robilar is a powerful warrior who serves as commander of Rary's forces in the Empire of the Bright Lands...
, was a follower of Odin in the early days of Gary Gygax's campaign, before the setting was published.
Vogan
Vogan is the TouvTouv
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Touv are one of the races of humans inhabiting Oerth. Found chiefly on the continent of Hepmonaland, the Touv people are known for warring with the Olman people in the northern jungles over the Olman Empire's...
god of Rain, Storms, and Water. His symbol is a rain cloud.
Vogan appears as a Touv man with hair of cascading water and laughing eyes. He is said to be temperamental, and to have a wandering nature and roving eye.
Through the sun goddess Nola, Vogan is the father of Breeka, and thus the grandfather of Katay. He is also the father of Kundo, through Nola's daughter by Uvot, Xanag.
According to Sean K. Reynolds
Sean K. Reynolds
Sean K Reynolds is a professional game designer who has worked on and co-written a number of D&D supplements for Wizards of the Coast, as well as material for other companies. He does not put a period after his middle initial.-Background:...
' "Scarlet Brotherhood FAQ", the Touv gods are spirits who dwell on Oerth
Oerth
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Oerth, pronounced as "Orth" or "oyth", is the name of the fictional planet on which one of the earliest campaign settings, the World of Greyhawk, is located...
itself rather than on other planes of existence. Vogan is the spirit of the rain and storms.
Vogan's followers pray to him for necessary rain, and to stave off severe storms.
Vogan's priests clean befouled ponds and streams, seek out sources of pure water, and arrange marriages between tribes, clans, and families. Priestly vestments include armbands and bracelets crafted of metal and green stones. They typically arm themselves with spears, atlatls, daggers, short swords, and shortbows.
Xanag
Xanag is the TouvTouv
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Touv are one of the races of humans inhabiting Oerth. Found chiefly on the continent of Hepmonaland, the Touv people are known for warring with the Olman people in the northern jungles over the Olman Empire's...
goddess of Metals and Beauty. She represents the bounty of the earth transformed by fire (that is to say, metals) and the beauty of things made from it. Her holy symbol is a circle with seven lines radiating from it.
Xanag is depicted as a Touv woman seemingly made of gold, surrounded by a radiant light. She is indifferent to questions of morality and easily distracted by the superficial.
Xanag is the daughter of Nola and Uvot, combining her father Uvot's affinity with the land's bounty with the radiant light of her mother the sun. Xanag mated with stormy Vogan and birthed Kundo, god of noise, music, and the hardiness of building.
According to Sean K. Reynolds
Sean K. Reynolds
Sean K Reynolds is a professional game designer who has worked on and co-written a number of D&D supplements for Wizards of the Coast, as well as material for other companies. He does not put a period after his middle initial.-Background:...
' "Scarlet Brotherhood FAQ", the Touv gods are spirits who dwell on Oerth
Oerth
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Oerth, pronounced as "Orth" or "oyth", is the name of the fictional planet on which one of the earliest campaign settings, the World of Greyhawk, is located...
itself rather than on other planes of existence.
Xanag is indifferent to good and evil, valuing beauty, art, romance, and the superficial.
Xanag's priests are workers of metal, or at least appreciate fine and beautiful craftsmanship. They teach metalsmithing and jewelry-making. Poets and lovers pray to Xanag, and priests of Xanag preside over marriage ceremonies. Their favored weapon is the short sword, and they may also wield the atl-atl, dagger, and spear. On ceremonial occasions they wear a gold helm that exposes the face but covers the cheekbones.
It is said that Kundo, god of building, created the aquamarine moon the Touv call Koxanag to honor his mother, as well as another moon, Konola, to honor his grandmother Nola. Katay remarked on how the two moons spun, and recorded their movements on a great wheel given to him by Xanag.
Meyanok sent his young forth to corrupt the elder gods. The misdeeds of Vara and Damaran will be discussed in their individual entries, but Berna, goddess of vendettas, was sent to torment Xanag, the goddess of metals and beauty. However, when confronted with the loveliness of her great-grandmother's second daughter, Berna paused with amazement. Berna realized that even she, the personification of all hatred, could not hate so beautiful a creature, and she threw herself at Xanag's feet, offering to kill herself to atone for her unworthy emotions. Xanag took pity on her strange grand-niece, and gave her a heart made from red gold. This heart transformed Berna from a spirit of dark passion to one that represented all powerful emotions, as well as the emotion of forgiveness. This enabled Berna to finally forgive herself.
Ye'Cind
Ye'Cind is the elvenElf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
demigod of Music and Magical Songs. He spends most of his time in the realm of Brightwater in Arborea
Arborea (Dungeons & Dragons)
In Dungeons & Dragons, fantasy role-playing game, Arborea or more fully, the Olympian Glades of Arborea, is a chaotic good-aligned plane of existence...
. His holy symbol is a recorder
Recorder
The recorder is a woodwind musical instrument of the family known as fipple flutes or internal duct flutes—whistle-like instruments which include the tin whistle. The recorder is end-blown and the mouth of the instrument is constricted by a wooden plug, known as a block or fipple...
.
Ye'Cind is shown as an attractive elf wearing blue and green clothing. Like his patron Corellon, he is male and female, both and neither.
Ye'Cind's allies include Olidammara
Olidammara
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Olidammara is the god of Music, Revels, Wine, Rogues, Humor, and Tricks. He is often called the Laughing Rogue.Olidammara is one of the more...
, Lydia
Lydia (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Lydia is the Suel goddess of Music, Knowledge, and Daylight...
, and the good deities of the Seldarine. He opposes gods who represent evil magic.
Ye'Cind teaches that music is an inherent part of the patterns of the multiverse, and that magic and music together can create something superior to either one alone.
Ye'Cind's clerics are scholars of music, who know how to play many different musical instruments. Many clerics are also talented composers who can weave subtle magics into their songs and music.
During his mortal life, Ye'Cind - skilled wizard and master bard - traveled, compiling and creating songs and ballads to tell the history of his beloved land. In time he became a bard of great renown, his notes inspiring romance in lovers and bringing laughter to the lips of weeping children. During a visit to one small kingdom, he witnessed the brutal slaying of a king, but he could not identify the assailant. Ye'Cind vanished during the night, determined to create an object that would reveal important truths. Two decades later he returned to the same kingdom for the same festival, and played before the new king with his Recorder. The years seemed to melt away as all in the crowd beheld a vision of their monarch, bloody knife in his hand, standing over the fresh corpse of his own brother. Ye'Cind smiled as the murderer was dragged away by his guards.
In time, Ye'Cind became so renowned that he was called before the Seldarine, the fraternity of elven gods, to perform at the court of the great god Corellon Larethian
Corellon Larethian
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Corellon Larethian is the leader of the elven pantheon, and the god of Magic, Music, Arts, Crafts, Poetry, and Warfare. Corellon is also considered a member of the default D&D pantheon. He is the creator and preserver of the elven race, and governs those...
. That night he could do no wrong; his performance was absolutely flawless. Corellon was so moved that he transformed the minstrel, making him as androgynous and perfect as the gods themselves, a newly minted demigod.
Ye'Cind created the Recorder of Ye'Cind
Recorder of Ye'Cind
The Recorder of Ye'Cind is a musical artifact once owned by the demigod Ye'Cind, in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition :...
.
Ye'Cind is named for Cindy, one of Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
's daughters.
Zodal
Zodal is the FlanFlan (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Flan are a race of humans living in the Flanaess. The Flan peoples were the first humans known to have settled the eastern portion of the continent of Oerik, the Flanaess, which is named for them...
god of mercy, hope, and benevolence. His holy symbol is a man's hand partially wrapped in gray cloth.
Zodal is depicted as man dressed in simple gray robes with large, careworn hands. He encourages compassion in situations where vengeance and anger might be easier, and defuses the negative emotions of all around him.
Zodal is a servant of Rao
Rao (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Rao is the Flan god of Peace, Reason, and Serenity. His holy symbol is a heart-shaped mask with a calm expression, or a simple white heart crafted of metal or wood...
and Joramy
Joramy
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Joramy is the goddess of Fire, Volcanoes, Wrath, Anger, and Quarrels...
's estranged lover. He is allied with Heironeous
Heironeous
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Heironeous is the Oeridian god of Chivalry, Justice, Honor, War, Daring, and Valor. His holy symbol is a silver lightning bolt, often clutched in a...
and Pelor
Pelor
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Pelor is the god of the Sun, Light, Strength, and Healing. Pelor is also a prominent member of the third edition of the game's default pantheon, and is a popular choice among player character clerics because he...
. He considers even the most hateful gods to be his friends, believing that with his encouragement they might change their ways.
Zodal's realm in Elysium
Elysium (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Elysium, or more fully, the Blessed Fields of Elysium, is a strongly good-aligned plane of existence...
, Morninglory, is shared with the gods of several other pantheons (and sometimes Atroa
Atroa
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Atroa is the Oeridian goddess of Spring, East Wind, and Renewal...
). Morninglory is tinted with the colors of dawn - rubies, crimsons, yellows, and pinks. Sleep and similar spells do not function within Zodal's domain, but creatures who rest here find themselves refreshed in half the normal time, and gain a temporary wisdom bonus. There are said to be one-way portals in this realm leading to realms of darkness and evil, through which the powers here hope to bring hope and goodness.
Kindness and mercy is the sole cure for evil, in Zodal's philosophy, and that these traits can turn even the most evil from their path. Zodal urges that one retain faith and hope despite adversity and trouble. Zodal will guide those who would be pulled into pain, anger, and despair. Zodal teaches that the individual is capable of mastering their feelings and acting only on their positive ones, setting an example for others.
Zodal is worshipped in Perrenland
Perrenland
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Perrenland, properly known as the Concatenated Cantons of Perrenland, is a political state of the Flanaess.-Geography:...
, Tenh, and elsewhere.
Zodal's clerics live simply, using their abilities to help people in need and alleviate their pain. They often visit battlefields in order to minister to the wounded and attempt to convince the combatants to make things right and stop committing atrocities. They adventure to show what hope and mercy can do in the right hands, to rescue artifacts of good, and to destroy artifacts of evil.