Stronmaus
Encyclopedia
In many campaign setting
s for the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
, Stronmaus (STRAWN-mawz) is the giant
deity of sun, sky, weather, and joy. His symbol is a forked lightning bolt descending from a cloud that partly obscures the sun.
(1992), including details about his priesthood. His role in the giant pantheon of the Forgotten Realms
setting is detailed in Giantcraft (1995). His role in the cosmology of the Planescape
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground
(1996).
Stronmaus appears in 3rd edition in Defenders of the Faith
(2000). His priesthood is detailed for this edition in Complete Divine
(2004).
. He is normally depicted smiling and reveling. He cannot help but smile, for the energy of life flows through him so strongly that it is hard not for him to express his continual exuberance. He revels in the storms he calls up and in the thunder that booms from his magical hammer.
Stronmaus has inherited some of his father's fickle lusts, and may send avatars simply to woo and seduce beautiful female giants.
s, the giantish pantheon of gods consists of the leader Annam
, as well as Grolantor
, Hiatea
, Iallanis
, Karontor
, Memnor
, Skoraeus Stonebones
, and Stronmaus. Other powers worshipped by giants or giant-type creatures include Baphomet
, Kostchtchie
, and Vaprak
.
Stronmaus is the eldest son of Annam and thus the default leader of the giantish pantheon since Annam's withdrawal, though he does not covet his father's power. He will happily defer to Annam the moment the creator god returns. Stronmaus' closest relationship is with his sister Hiatea
; the two are commonly seen as a pair, the oldest and most powerful of Annam's children. His other siblings and half-siblings include Diancastra
, Grolantor
, Iallanis
, Karontor
, Skoraeus Stonebones
, Surtr, and Thrym
. Memnor
and Vaprak
are also sometimes named as his relatives.
Stronmaus often flies the skies of the Beastlands with Aerdrie Faenya
and Remnis
as companions. He is well-disposed toward the gods of the asathalfinare, who include Syranita
, Surminare
, and Trishina
, and may send avatars to help them in times of need. He is also an ally of his fellow god of lightning Muamman Duathal
. Stronmaus despises Memnor above all others, and will send avatars to restrict the evil cloud giant god's activities.
in the midnight layer of Karasuthra, though it is believed by some to be attached to Gudheim, Annam's former realm in Ysgard
. Stronmaus travels the layers of the Beastlands freely, but keeps his fortress in Karasuthra because he appreciates the way the moon of the Beastlands, Noctos, reflects off his gold-adorned marble battlements.
Stronmaus, the sole greater deity known to inhabit the Beastlands, delights in soaring above the forests and savannas of the plane with his companions, the laughing, cloudlike mortai, booming his own laughter in time with theirs and creating powerful storms in celebration of life.
Stormhold itself is a mighty palace of marble adorned with gold, platinum, and gemstones rising from a truly storm cloud, guided by mortai who shoot quick lightning bolts at one another as a form of electric conversation. Within is a magical opal pool where Hiatea and Surminare often visit. This pool, potent with healing magics, appears only 100 feet long to those outside it, but infinite to those swimming in its waters. Communities of those souls who worshipped Stronmaus in life dwell throughout the cloud, forming camps and congregations and spending most of their existences in the open air.
His storm giant shaman-priests are shabbily-dressed and ascetic. They must sit atop a cold, deserted peak for 100 days without food before they are accepted into the priesthood, and they remain solitary, dealing with the creatures of the sky or sea. They are visionaries, mystics, and meditators who treat each other as equals.
Priests of Stronmaus, regardless of their breed, always stop to pray during or immediately after a rainstorm or thunderstorm. They are forbidden to build fires, though they may warm themselves by fires built by others. Stronmaus's favored weapon is the warhammer.
Storm giant worshippers of Stronmaus organize ceremonies designed to demonstrate their ability to overcome earthly obstacles, testing their limits and placing them in great mortal danger. They also atone for their sins through such punishing rites as flagellation.
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
s 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...
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...
, Stronmaus (STRAWN-mawz) is the giant
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 :...
deity of sun, sky, weather, and joy. His symbol is a forked lightning bolt descending from a cloud that partly obscures the sun.
Publication history
Stronmaus was first detailed in the book Monster MythologyMonster Mythology
Monster Mythology is a sourcebook for the second edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Released by TSR in 1992 and written by Carl Sargent, with interior illustrations by Terry Dykstra, John and Laura Lakey, and Keith Parkinson, Monster Mythology was released as a companion volume for...
(1992), including details about his priesthood. His role in the giant pantheon of the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
setting is detailed in Giantcraft (1995). His role in the cosmology of the Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground
On Hallowed Ground
On Hallowed Ground is an accessory book for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, for the Planescape campaign setting.-Contents:This book contains information about deities' planar domains from 20 separate pantheons...
(1996).
Stronmaus appears in 3rd edition in Defenders of the Faith
Defenders of the Faith (Dungeons & Dragons)
Defenders of the Faith: A Guidebook to Clerics and Paladins is an optional rulebook for the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons, and notable for its trade paperback format.-Contents:...
(2000). His priesthood is detailed for this edition in Complete Divine
Complete Divine
Complete Divine is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game published by Wizards of the Coast...
(2004).
Description
Stronmaus' avatar appears as an enormous (up to 80' tall) giant with blue eyes and flowing auburn-red, wavy hair, wearing a simple gold-edged white robe. He is far more youthful and carefree than his father AnnamAnnam (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Annam is the giant deity of Magic, Knowledge, Fertility, and Philosophy. Also known as the All-Father, is the creator god of the giant pantheon...
. He is normally depicted smiling and reveling. He cannot help but smile, for the energy of life flows through him so strongly that it is hard not for him to express his continual exuberance. He revels in the storms he calls up and in the thunder that booms from his magical hammer.
Stronmaus has inherited some of his father's fickle lusts, and may send avatars simply to woo and seduce beautiful female giants.
Relationships
In many campaign settingCampaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
s, the giantish pantheon of gods consists of the leader Annam
Annam (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Annam is the giant deity of Magic, Knowledge, Fertility, and Philosophy. Also known as the All-Father, is the creator god of the giant pantheon...
, as well as Grolantor
Grolantor
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Grolantor is the deity worshiped by the hill giant race, as well as ettins, and some frost giants and ogres. His sacred animal is the dire wolf. His holy symbol is a wooden club....
, Hiatea
Hiatea
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Hiatea is the giant deity of nature, agriculture, hunting, females, and children. Her symbol is a flaming spear.-Publication history:...
, Iallanis
Iallanis
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Iallanis is the goddess of love, forgiveness, mercy, and beauty in the giant pantheon. Her symbol is a garland of flowers.-Publication history:...
, Karontor
Karontor
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Karontor is the giant deity of deformity, hatred, and beasts. His symbol is the head of a winter wolf.-Publication history:...
, Memnor
Memnor
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Memnor is the giant deity of pride, honor, mental prowess and control. His symbol is a thin black obelisk.-Publication history:...
, Skoraeus Stonebones
Skoraeus Stonebones
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Skoraeus Stonebones is the deity worshiped by the stone giant race. He is also known as "King of the Rock" and "The Living Rock". His sacred animal is the cave bear...
, and Stronmaus. Other powers worshipped by giants or giant-type creatures include Baphomet
Baphomet (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Baphomet is a demon lord who rules a layer of the Abyss called the Endless Maze. He is the Prince of Beasts and the Demon Lord of Minotaurs.-Publication history:...
, Kostchtchie
Kostchtchie
Kostchtchie is a demon lord from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game.-Publication history:Kostchtchie made his first appearance in the first edition module The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth...
, and Vaprak
Vaprak
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Vaprak is the deity worshiped by ogres and trolls. Vaprak is also known as "The Destroyer." His symbol is a taloned hand.-Publication history:...
.
Stronmaus is the eldest son of Annam and thus the default leader of the giantish pantheon since Annam's withdrawal, though he does not covet his father's power. He will happily defer to Annam the moment the creator god returns. Stronmaus' closest relationship is with his sister Hiatea
Hiatea
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Hiatea is the giant deity of nature, agriculture, hunting, females, and children. Her symbol is a flaming spear.-Publication history:...
; the two are commonly seen as a pair, the oldest and most powerful of Annam's children. His other siblings and half-siblings include Diancastra
Diancastra
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Diancastra is the trickster-goddess of the giant pantheon. Her symbol is a sea-green streak, which is based on the mysterious mark she bears on her shoulder....
, Grolantor
Grolantor
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Grolantor is the deity worshiped by the hill giant race, as well as ettins, and some frost giants and ogres. His sacred animal is the dire wolf. His holy symbol is a wooden club....
, Iallanis
Iallanis
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Iallanis is the goddess of love, forgiveness, mercy, and beauty in the giant pantheon. Her symbol is a garland of flowers.-Publication history:...
, Karontor
Karontor
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Karontor is the giant deity of deformity, hatred, and beasts. His symbol is the head of a winter wolf.-Publication history:...
, Skoraeus Stonebones
Skoraeus Stonebones
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Skoraeus Stonebones is the deity worshiped by the stone giant race. He is also known as "King of the Rock" and "The Living Rock". His sacred animal is the cave bear...
, Surtr, and Thrym
Thrym (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Thrym is the lord of the frost giants. He is a god of cold and ice, as well as a deity of magic.-Description:...
. Memnor
Memnor
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Memnor is the giant deity of pride, honor, mental prowess and control. His symbol is a thin black obelisk.-Publication history:...
and Vaprak
Vaprak
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Vaprak is the deity worshiped by ogres and trolls. Vaprak is also known as "The Destroyer." His symbol is a taloned hand.-Publication history:...
are also sometimes named as his relatives.
Stronmaus often flies the skies of the Beastlands with Aerdrie Faenya
Aerdrie Faenya
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Aerdrie Faenya is the elven goddess of Air, Weather, Freedom, Impulse, Fertility, and Birds.Her symbol is a cloud with a bird silhouette.-Publication history:...
and Remnis
Remnis
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Remnis is the giant eagle deity of sky and service.-Publication history:...
as companions. He is well-disposed toward the gods of the asathalfinare, who include Syranita
Syranita
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Syranita is the aarakocra deity of protection and watchfulness, and is the patron deity of the aarakocra.-Publication history:...
, Surminare
Surminare
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Surminare is the selkie deity of beauty and peace.-Publication history:...
, and Trishina
Trishina
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Trishina is the dolphin deity of love, fidelity, the young, and play...
, and may send avatars to help them in times of need. He is also an ally of his fellow god of lightning Muamman Duathal
Muamman Duathal
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Muamman Duathal is the dwarf deity of wanderers and expatriates. He is also the dwarven god of lightning, which he uses as an omen...
. Stronmaus despises Memnor above all others, and will send avatars to restrict the evil cloud giant god's activities.
Realm
Stronmaus lives in the realm of Stormhold, which can be found in the BeastlandsBeastlands
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Beastlands is a neutral good-aligned plane of existence...
in the midnight layer of Karasuthra, though it is believed by some to be attached to Gudheim, Annam's former realm in 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...
. Stronmaus travels the layers of the Beastlands freely, but keeps his fortress in Karasuthra because he appreciates the way the moon of the Beastlands, Noctos, reflects off his gold-adorned marble battlements.
Stronmaus, the sole greater deity known to inhabit the Beastlands, delights in soaring above the forests and savannas of the plane with his companions, the laughing, cloudlike mortai, booming his own laughter in time with theirs and creating powerful storms in celebration of life.
Stormhold itself is a mighty palace of marble adorned with gold, platinum, and gemstones rising from a truly storm cloud, guided by mortai who shoot quick lightning bolts at one another as a form of electric conversation. Within is a magical opal pool where Hiatea and Surminare often visit. This pool, potent with healing magics, appears only 100 feet long to those outside it, but infinite to those swimming in its waters. Communities of those souls who worshipped Stronmaus in life dwell throughout the cloud, forming camps and congregations and spending most of their existences in the open air.
Dogma
Stronmaus's faith stresses the cleansing and redeeming effects of rain, and the joys of freedom. Cloud giants stress the epicurean merriment of the deity, while storm giants are a fatalistic, though passionate, folk who believe life is a test of will and that most actions are futile in the face of the great elemental forces.Worshippers
Stronmaus is the patron of storm giants and non-evil cloud giants, but he is worshipped as a sky and weather deity by giants of all races. To hill giants he is a mighty fisherman, to frost giants he is a bold sailor and explorer, and to the cloud giants he is a thundering god of storms.Clergy
Stronmaus's cloud giant clerics are skilled in the arts and music. They wear fine jewelry and keep large personal fortunes; the quality of jewelry and dress is a sign of rank. They are proud and organized, and believe in ridding the skies of evil creatures.His storm giant shaman-priests are shabbily-dressed and ascetic. They must sit atop a cold, deserted peak for 100 days without food before they are accepted into the priesthood, and they remain solitary, dealing with the creatures of the sky or sea. They are visionaries, mystics, and meditators who treat each other as equals.
Priests of Stronmaus, regardless of their breed, always stop to pray during or immediately after a rainstorm or thunderstorm. They are forbidden to build fires, though they may warm themselves by fires built by others. Stronmaus's favored weapon is the warhammer.
Rituals
Cloud giants who worship Stronmaus scatter handfuls of incense and spices to the winds every morning as soon as they wake. Twice every year or so, they declare a sacred sky hunt (omjag in the giant tongue) to battle evil sky creatures such as chimeras, wyverns, and chromatic dragons. The slain beast is then ritually offered to Stronmaus.Storm giant worshippers of Stronmaus organize ceremonies designed to demonstrate their ability to overcome earthly obstacles, testing their limits and placing them in great mortal danger. They also atone for their sins through such punishing rites as flagellation.
Additional reading
- Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:http://www.wizards.com/rpga/downloads/LG_Deities.zip
- McComb, Colin, Dale Donovan, and Monte CookMonte CookMonte Cook is a professional table-top role-playing game designer and writer. He is married to Sue Weinlein Cook.-Roleplaying:Cook has been a professional game designer since 1988, working primarily on role-playing games. Much of his early work was for Iron Crown Enterprises as an editor and writer...
. Planes of ConflictPlanes of ConflictPlanes of Conflict is an accessory for the 2nd edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1995....
. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995.