| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 12 Feb 2014 : 10:35:26
I've been a huge fan of the Faiths & Avatars format created by Julia Martin and Eric Boyd, and I always wanted a fourth book to be published, companion to Faiths & Avatars, Powers & Pantheons, and Demihuman Deities. Since there's no chance now of seeing an official one, I decided to create my own, updating the deities from DMGR4 Monster Mythology, as well as some others. I write these from the point of view of 2nd Edition, incorporating primarily only that canon, and focusing on the whole 2e multiverse, so where possible, I mention canon from all 2nd Edition settings. I post the main entries on my blog, and then will update this thread.
If you’ve been enjoying these entries, please consider supporting the project on Patreon or Ko-Fi:
https://www.patreon.com/MonsterMythology
https://ko-fi.com/aulddragon
Bugbear (and Other) Pantheon:
Grankhul the Hunter: http://bit.ly/1TTie59
Hruggek the Decapitator: http://bit.ly/1XX3cus
Meriadar the Patient One: http://bit.ly/1RTjyNC
Skiggaret the Deranged One: http://bit.ly/1X3bgdU
Stalker, the Hateful Shadow: http://bit.ly/1O7VbB3
Goblin Pantheon:
Bargrivyek the Peacekeeper: http://bit.ly/1U3efkG
Khugorbaeyag the Overseer: http://bit.ly/24ne4Cb
Maglubiyet the Mighty One: http://bit.ly/1TNW2UB
Nomog-Geaya the General: http://bit.ly/1ss21aV
Kobold and Urd Pantheon:
Dakarnok the Raider: http://bit.ly/1UBjZAN
Gaknulak the Trapmaker: http://bit.ly/1TTjqVU
Kuraulyek the Horned Thief: http://bit.ly/1PaE0de
Kurtulmak the Cunning: http://bit.ly/1PsgPAp
Orcish Pantheon:
Bahgtru the Leg-Breaker: http://bit.ly/1UmIK0I
Gruumsh One-Eye: http://bit.ly/1VCla5n
Ilneval the Horde Leader: http://bit.ly/24nfwV7
Luthic the Cave Mother: http://bit.ly/1UBjd6N
Shargaas the Night Lord: http://bit.ly/1sTJO5O
Yurtrus White-Hands: http://bit.ly/25FbI7s
The Ordning:
Annam the All-Father: http://bit.ly/1U0cJOR
Diancastra, the Wanton Wanderer: http://bit.ly/1PaEzUo
Grolantor the Steading Lord: http://bit.ly/1U3fGQ5
Grond Peaksmasher: http://bit.ly/24nggt6
Hiatea the Huntress: http://bit.ly/1XpIe9p
Iallanis the Tender One: http://bit.ly/1X3cvd4
Karontor the Deformed One: http://bit.ly/1O7VU5v
Memnor the Deceiver: http://bit.ly/1UBjLcS
Skoreaus Stonebones, the Living Rock: http://bit.ly/1UBjLcS
Stronmaus the Storm Lord: http://bit.ly/289ALyn
Surtr the Black: http://bit.ly/289ABqP
Thrym, the King of Ice: http://bit.ly/25Corob
Gnoll Pantheon:
Gorellik the Loner: http://bit.ly/1UBjXZy
Refnara the Moon-Biter: http://bit.ly/1PspJ11
Yeenoghu the Demon Prince of Gnolls: http://bit.ly/1UBk87a
Ogre Pantheon:
Mirklak the Orcslayer: http://bit.ly/1VCpPnK
Vaprak the Destroyer: http://bit.ly/1TTm1zk
Ysshara the Lorekeeper: http://bit.ly/1t7fJk7
Interlopers on the Giant Pantheon:
Baphomet, Demon Lord of Minotaurs: http://bit.ly/1U3lSrf
Kostchtchie, the Demon Prince of Wrath: http://bit.ly/1XpQeHa
Draconic Pantheon (Io's Children):
Aasterinian, the Messenger of Io: http://bit.ly/1XpQuWH
Arcanic the Learned: http://bit.ly/1WzDlK9
Astilabor the Hoardmistress: http://bit.ly/1PaJGDQ
Bahamut the Platinum Dragon: http://bit.ly/2gcEmW6
Chronepsis the Death Dragon: http://bit.ly/1O7Yx7l
Elemtia the Tempest: http://bit.ly/1U3m1uJ
Faluzure the Night Dragon: http://bit.ly/1ZcdvtA
Garyx the Firelord: http://bit.ly/1X3g6In
Hlal the Jester: http://bit.ly/2aI5MoG
Io the Ninefold Dragon: http://bit.ly/2iuNgmv
Kalzareinad, The Keeper of Dark Wonders: http://bit.ly/1VCqHc5
Kereska Wonderbringer: http://bit.ly/2fbhbMv
Lendys the Balancer: http://bit.ly/1U3nzos
Rais, The Cogitative One: http://bit.ly/20Y18Sg
Sardior the Ruby Dragon: http://bit.ly/2bMvFiS
Tamara the Merciful: http://bit.ly/2dMW2KH
Task the Wrester: http://bit.ly/29aUTaK
Tiamat the Chromatic Dragon: http://bit.ly/22DC4Bx
Zorquan the High One: http://bit.ly/1UjK9W9
Aerial Deities:
Jazirian the Eternal Serpent: http://bit.ly/1UmSlo6
Koriel the Vigilant: http://bit.ly/2kszfGg
Stillsong the Singing Sphere: http://bit.ly/2pAAh5J
Aquatic Deities:
Anguileusis the Abiding One: http://bit.ly/2lcZsdz
Blibdoolpoolp the Sea Mother: http://bit.ly/2tK3Pzc
Demogorgon, the Prince of Demons: http://bit.ly/2V7sVn3
Eadro the Deliverer: http://bit.ly/Eadro
Ilxendren the Demonray: http://bit.ly/2svK8MH
Panzuriel the Enslaver: http://bit.ly/2CJf7IQ
Persana, Guardian of the Deep: http://bit.ly/2OXzuFW
Sekolah the Great Shark: http://bit.ly/2iyzGR3
Surminare the Selkie Queen: http://bit.ly/2nsA7cU
Trishina the Waverider: http://bit.ly/1t7h0rg
Water Lion the Sharkslayer: http://bit.ly/2x7BNwt
Avian Deities:
Krocaa the Crimsonfeather: http://bit.ly/2BL3ddK
Quorlinn the Filcher: http://bit.ly/2iTi41K
Remnis, the Great Lord of the Eagles: http://bit.ly/2J4orfd
Syranita, Mistress of the Aarakocra: http://bit.ly/2qFphWC
Reptilian and Amphibian Deities:
Laogzed the Devourer: http://bit.ly/2vo4pox
Merrshaulk the Serpent Lord: http://bit.ly/Merrshaulk
Parrafaire the Naga Prince: http://bit.ly/2epLsHv
Ramenos the Great Frog: http://bit.ly/1sTUIsi
Semuanya the Survivor: http://bit.ly/2SzBYfM
Sess'innek the Emperor Lizard: http://bit.ly/2EuSHcW
Shekinester the Three-Faced Queen: http://bit.ly/Shekinester
Centaur Pantheon:
Brilros the Battle Stallion: http://bit.ly/2XmYvhK
Chitza-Atlan, the Guardian of the Gateway to the Underworld: http://bit.ly/2NCr5HT
Fanthros Storm-Hooves: http://bit.ly/2KKZH9m
Kheiron the Educator: http://bit.ly/35T1VNf
Linroth Fleet-Hoof: http://bit.ly/2PvXvUv
Naharra the Mother-Mare: http://bit.ly/32kSzIc
Skerrit the Hoofed Lord: http://bit.ly/1t7gQQH
Lycanthrope Pantheon:
Balador the Master of Mead: http://bit.ly/2MMJ7qp
Daragor the Wolflord: http://bit.ly/2GIbUL7
Eshebala the Vixen Queen: http://bit.ly/2LoZOLw
Ferrix the Prowler: http://bit.ly/2N5fGSg
Squerrik the Ratlord: http://bit.ly/24nmVDV
Seelie Court:
Caoimhin the Kindly: http://bit.ly/2obZk0g
Damh the Horned Beast: http://bit.ly/2xy2LQx
Eachthighern the Unicorn Lord: https://bit.ly/33ja8M2
Emmantiensien the Treant-King: https://bit.ly/2wKVVKH
Fionnghuala the Mistress of Swans: http://bit.ly/20Y1bNS
Nathair Sgiathach the Prankster: http://bit.ly/2ZOPwYY
Oberon the Faerie King: https://bit.ly/3wiU1L7
Squelaiche the Court Jester: https://bit.ly/3gkuybw
Tapann the Undying: https://bit.ly/3zmugeL
Titania the Faerie Queen: https://bit.ly/3jzLU8W
Verenestra the Oak Princess: http://bit.ly/2L8jTGz
Unseelie Court
The Queen of Air and Darkness: https://bit.ly/3onJXPp
Beholder Pantheon:
Great Mother, the Hive Spawner: http://bit.ly/2UgrWn2
Gzemnid the Gas Giant: http://bit.ly/2MjGnS1
Deities “missing” from Demihuman Deities:
Alathrien Druanna, the Rune Mistress: https://bit.ly/34BKFNK
Araleth Letheranil the Prince of Stars: https://bit.ly/3lxhFxY
Cador the Shadow Knife: https://bit.ly/3qhraUh
Darahl Firecloak the Even-Tempered: https://bit.ly/3R6tXOA
Diinkarazan, the Mad God: https://bit.ly/3pivLWG
Diirinka the Betrayer: http://bit.ly/387V7Mo
Kavor the Lord of Gravity: http://bit.ly/3IAVHGR
Keptolo the Eager Consort: https://bit.ly/3KDxMXE
Kirith Sotheril the Magess: https://bit.ly/3HxwKcP
Mythrien Sarath, the Watcher over Mythals: https://bit.ly/3NterII
Naralis Analor, the Watcher of Souls: http://bit.ly/3r5IAmR
Nebelun the Meddler: http://bit.ly/1TO1req
Rellavar Danuvien, the Frost Sprite King: https://bit.ly/3yxZo92
Tarsellis Meunniduin the Lord of the Mountains: https://bit.ly/3gWWkR0
Tethrin Veraldé the Shining One: http://bit.ly/2MjGnS1
Zinzerena the Hunted: https://bit.ly/49yWDYu
Myconid Pantheon:
Psilofyr the Spore Lord: https://bit.ly/2Dnsl0L
Illithid Pantheon:
Ilsensine, the Great Brain: https://bit.ly/3UprrVi
Maanzecorian
Undead Deities:
Kanchelsis the Lord of Vampires: https://bit.ly/3fs3n37
Mellifleur the Lich-Lord: https://bit.ly/34oq2I0
Orcus, the Demon Prince of Undeath: https://bit.ly/42n1tU5
Elemental Deities
Ben-hadar, the Prince of Good Water: https://bit.ly/48WXHVR
Chan, the Princess of Good Air: https://bit.ly/44NypqR
Cryonax the Prince of Evil Ice: https://bit.ly/3uKZdr9
The Elder Elemental God
Ogremoch, the Prince of Evil Earth: http://bit.ly/3vyfL6G
Olhydra the Princess of Evil Water: https://bit.ly/3cSv2ZN
Sunnis, the Princess of Good Earth: https://bit.ly/4coyfKn
Yan-C-Bin, the Prince of Evil Air: https://bit.ly/3WmIjfC
Zaaman Rul, the Prince of Good Fire: https://bit.ly/3sevPMD
Miscellaneous Dark Deities:
Anthraxus the Decayed: https://bit.ly/4fvA4an
Cegilune the Hag Goddess: https://bit.ly/457mi7y
The Dark God at the End of All Things: https://bit.ly/48EtOZB
Juiblex the Faceless Lord: https://bit.ly/3LALnP9
Piscaethces the Blood Queen: https://bit.ly/3Z0XY5U
Shami-Amourae, the Demon Princess of Eros: https://bit.ly/3DuJl14
Neogi Pantheon
Kil’lix the Ambitious: http://bit.ly/3td5z0Q
Kr’tx the Flaming Master: https://bit.ly/3jVvjsZ
P'kk the Dominator: https://bit.ly/3EO5R3t
Thrig’ki the Rapacious: https://bit.ly/2QCBolt
T’zen’kil the Lasher: https://bit.ly/3fAXYEn
Insectoid and Arthropod Deities
Klikral, the Master of the Mound: https://bit.ly/443SxVF |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 05 Aug 2024 : 22:08:10
As I already discussed, I agree with your idea that using ceremorphosis works best as a "shortcut" to making illithids (and I further it by stating that letting one grow "naturally" should be more likely to produce an "enhanced" version of illithid such as a ulitharid). If you don't mind though, it might be interesting to quickly discuss an idea surrounding neothelids.
I personally like the idea that neothelids are tadpoles that are found to be lacking mental capacity.... I guess similar to a human born with something like down syndrome... and maybe as a result of lacking mental faculties, their physical abilities are stronger. Thus, because they lack the mental capacity, they never get implanted, and they also don't form into illithids. The "official story" for them is that they would normally be eaten by the elder brain, so they have to come about as a result of the elder brain being gone, and then they have to consume a living brain to "awaken" their psionic abilities.
Where I think I'd change the neothelid story would be that the elder brain doesn't consume these "bestial" tadpoles, but rather keeps them kind of like guard dogs that it lets feed from portions of brains that are "less tasty" like the cerebellum that deals more with muscle control. These should lack the psionic abilities of the "classic" neothelid and be simple brutes. But then periodically an "awakened" neothelid comes about when one of these overgrown larvae eats the brain of a fallen illithid, and this awakens their psionic abilities and they turn against the elder brain. These awakened neothelids hate illithid society because they see that they were treated differently and are willing to attack an elder brain, which makes all illithids despise them, and the more illithid brains that they consume further enhances their abilities, if only temporarily.
With this scenario, the "guardian of the elder brain" versions could still have the acid breath weapon, tentacle attacks, and be able to swallow individuals.... they just would lack all the psionic abilities. They might also age/die much more quickly, but if they get awakened maybe they can live longer. They might also be colored differently, and this might be how illithids can tell when a neothelid "goes rogue". It would make them much more feasible for use as well since colonies might be much more willing to allow them to survive to adulthood.
As a further aside, one thing I've heard people say about children with neurological disorders is how loving they are towards the people that care for them. It occurs to me that illithids might look at the "guardian neothelids" who protect the elder brain in a similar way... they may see them as simple but "good natured" ... and they might get really pissy with people that hurt them (kind of like how someone might view a bully picking on their sibling that has a neurological disorder and might punch the bully in the face). |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 02 Aug 2024 : 22:54:13
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
I mean, their origins differ, and all that, but in the end both are extensions of a deity's will in whom a lot of divine power is invested directly (therefore, valuable assets in much the same way as power keys).
Not sure if the two can be distinguished by mortals at all, unless the deity allows it.
Avatars are extensions of the deity themselves, and can be seen essentially *as* that deity. Proxies are powerful servants, and are clearly so. They are independent creatures, whereas avatars are not. Mortals might mistake a proxy for a god themselves *in service to* another deity (as is the case with a pair of Corellon's Solar proxies), but if mortals started worshiping a proxy *instead* of their master, I can't imagine the deity would let that go. It would threaten their own power. But most proxies can absolutely be distinguished from their deity, even by mortals.
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
I meant the leach, yes. Well, the kindori is alive, and it enters the portal first. There's just a fairly small saddle on its body.
An elven ship isn't all living starfly plant, there are various rigging parts and weapons. But the rule does not say that every part which isn't living needs to be removed and brought inside before crossing the shell, does it? The bulk of it being a living starfly plant is enough.
The material specifies ships, and whatever a Leech is mounted on, isn't the *ship.* It's an arbitrary restriction, sure, but there's tons of similar restrictions across the D&D multiverse. That's the nature of the setting.
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
"Should a reigar die, go insane, sink into a depression, or otherwise lose its normal mental acuity, the esthetic reflects this change in mental state by physically altering its appearance (e.g., rotting, developing spiked flanges, blades, etc.) and quite often acquiring a stronger personality of its own."
Yeah, and? That's still not wild, and there are *VERY* few of them like that anyway. Most spheres don't even have one Reigar, let alone multiples.
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
Why can't enter? It cannot move while in the Flow on its own power, sure. But all it takes is a small tug with proper helm(s). And nothing says explicitly that a helm cannot be installed on them directly. While in wildspace, it would probably be not only redundant, but prevented from working by the innate propulsion, but since in the Flow innate propulsion does not work anyway, why not? The whole process would be insufficiently elegant for the Reigar, sure.
No, it says they cannot move *INTO* the flow. That means they can't enter it (at the very least, under their own power). Either way, it's immaterial because an esthetic would never let anyone other than its master use it. These aren't ships that other people can use, whether they're mounting a helm on it or harnessing it or whatever.
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
Why should it be a "classic" mind flayer?
It's kind of hard to advocate for a change in society if it would mean a fundamental change in the whole race's biology. As it stands, advocating for being good would mean the extinction of mind flayers as a whole, because they would all (those that survive at least) become neothelids. If instead they could still become normal mind flayers, then it wouldn't be the extinction of the species, just a slower growth for new members.
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
Well...
Estriss ("Thought Taker") from Spelljammer novels and one adventure AFAIK was not statted, but it obviously acts LN, consistently.
Sangalor of the Secrets (priest of Oghma from Skullport) is explicitly LN.
I don't see why this cannot be only moderately odd in the Creeds that are not intrinsically aggressive or domineering (like Creatives and Thorough Biters).
But why would they go on and proselytise anything?
In a varied and diverse society, there should be those advocating for a wide range of different lifestyles or goals, and I think it makes for a more interesting illithid culture, and also means there are more illithids that outside people can work with or negotiate with. Maybe they get killed or pushed out of an evil society, but that variety creates a more real society and tons of adventure hooks.
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
Why should not it be difficult, and why would it not be difficult anyway?
I'm not sure what you're saying exactly. Any illithid who wishes to be good essentially has the death of an innocent sentient creature on their conscience, and to propagate their species, they have to kill another innocent. How can they square that? That's why it is "difficult."
I'm not telling you to change your view, I'm just expressing what *my* view is. You're welcome to disagree with it, but I'm not particularly interested in arguing about it.
Jeff |
| TBeholder |
Posted - 02 Aug 2024 : 07:06:40
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
Depending on what? A proxy *is* completely different from an avatar.
I mean, their origins differ, and all that, but in the end both are extensions of a deity's will in whom a lot of divine power is invested directly (therefore, valuable assets in much the same way as power keys).
Not sure if the two can be distinguished by mortals at all, unless the deity allows it.
quote:
A howdah attached to a kindori isn't alive. The Kindori is, yes, but the *howdah* is the ship, so it would not be able to leave. See the Neogi leech for an example; the Leech itself is the ship, not what it is using to power it.
I meant the leach, yes. Well, the kindori is alive, and it enters the portal first. There's just a fairly small saddle on its body.
An elven ship isn't all living starfly plant, there are various rigging parts and weapons. But the rule does not say that every part which isn't living needs to be removed and brought inside before crossing the shell, does it? The bulk of it being a living starfly plant is enough.
quote:
There are no "wild esthetics"
"Should a reigar die, go insane, sink into a depression, or otherwise lose its normal mental acuity, the esthetic reflects this change in mental state by physically altering its appearance (e.g., rotting, developing spiked flanges, blades, etc.) and quite often acquiring a stronger personality of its own."
quote:
and even if there were, they can't enter the Flow.
Why can't enter? It cannot move while in the Flow on its own power, sure. But all it takes is a small tug with proper helm(s). And nothing says explicitly that a helm cannot be installed on them directly. While in wildspace, it would probably be not only redundant, but prevented from working by the innate propulsion, but since in the Flow innate propulsion does not work anyway, why not? The whole process would be insufficiently elegant for the Reigar, sure.
quote:
It means you don't *need* ceremorphosis to get a classic mind flayer. That's a pretty significant difference.
Why should it be a "classic" mind flayer?
quote:
Illithids are a really interesting race. They love knowledge and philosophy. I think there would be some who would advocate for a non-evil lifestyle,
Well...
Estriss ("Thought Taker") from Spelljammer novels and one adventure AFAIK was not statted, but it obviously acts LN, consistently.
Sangalor of the Secrets (priest of Oghma from Skullport) is explicitly LN.
I don't see why this cannot be only moderately odd in the Creeds that are not intrinsically aggressive or domineering (like Creatives and Thorough Biters).
But why would they go on and proselytise anything?
quote:
and that's difficult to do if your very birth is an evil act.
Why should not it be difficult, and why would it not be difficult anyway? |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 01 Aug 2024 : 22:12:24
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
A proxy may be little different from an avatar, depending.
Depending on what? A proxy *is* completely different from an avatar.
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
Illithids have other options, and if these all are not great, they would be able to e.g. maintain contact with that Astromundi sphere without risking Githyanki encounters, but not used regularly.
The most obvious is a giant howdah with long-range propulsion attached to a kindori or another large critter, even the neogi can do this. A better one is to capture several wild esthetics and breed them as needed, it will just need a small tug in the Flow. If backed with enough of telepathy (thrall "puppets" to do the talking, etc), nobody will know these belong to the illithids at all.
A howdah attached to a kindori isn't alive. The Kindori is, yes, but the *howdah* is the ship, so it would not be able to leave. See the Neogi leech for an example; the Leech itself is the ship, not what it is using to power it.
There are no "wild esthetics" and even if there were, they can't enter the Flow.
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
How does this even differ from canon except in phrasing? It never needed to be anything more than "one hungry illithid tadpole accidentally swam into a lone swimmer's ear, and now there are humanoid illithids". May even have started with various lizard folk (those ceremorphs are not great, but sapient, and then they could just go on a quest for better hosts).
Also, consider that qualities of the Neothelids may greatly depend on the available diet.
It means you don't *need* ceremorphosis to get a classic mind flayer. That's a pretty significant difference.
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
Why do you want an "illithid Drizzt" style madness to start? 
Illithids are a really interesting race. They love knowledge and philosophy. I think there would be some who would advocate for a non-evil lifestyle, and that's difficult to do if your very birth is an evil act.
Jeff |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 01 Aug 2024 : 21:38:13
Anthraxus the Decayed: https://bit.ly/4fvA4an
Another near-power, and one of the famous old-school lower planar entities, Anthraxus is one of the few Yugoloths with a cult. He was once the Oinoloth and strives to become so again, and uses his cult not to propel him to godhood but simply to advance his many agendas.
Jeff |
| TBeholder |
Posted - 01 Aug 2024 : 14:28:26
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
Hmm, maybe I need to rewrite that section, because they're actually trying to reinvigorate the avatar (this is connected to one of the two epic-style adventures in the boxed set). In the original material, it was Lugribossk, but the Illithiad changed Lugribossk into one of Ilsensine's proxies. Unfortunately, that makes very little sense in the context of the Astromundi Cluster; when the Illithiad mentioned Astromundi I was really excited, but then really let down that it basically was like "this is all wrong" and didn't do anything to integrate and merge the material. IMO, having Lugribossk as an alias of Ilsensine works best for having the material actually work without eliminating it altogether.
A proxy may be little different from an avatar, depending.
quote:
As for the Nautiloids, I think there's some new material that portrays the living ones as very ancient versions, essentially a lost technology. That said, I don't like the living ones. At all. Even though they look similar, it completely changes their usage; you can't ram another ship with them, which is the use of the original's tentacle-like forward element, which is also a really nice analogy to the way illithids eat without it being literally the same. Plus, having living nautiloids would allow illithids to freely leave the Astromundi Cluster, something only elves can do as a singular faction.
Illithids have other options, and if these all are not great, they would be able to e.g. maintain contact with that Astromundi sphere without risking Githyanki encounters, but not used regularly.
The most obvious is a giant howdah with long-range propulsion attached to a kindori or another large critter, even the neogi can do this. A better one is to capture several wild esthetics and breed them as needed, it will just need a small tug in the Flow. If backed with enough of telepathy (thrall "puppets" to do the talking, etc), nobody will know these belong to the illithids at all.
quote:
The main reason I dislike it is that it creates an inescapable "original sin" that any illithid who chooses the path of not being evil needs to contend with; it means advocating for good is *also* advocating for the extinction of their entire race.
Which is applicable to the other parasites as well. Also, as described the "illithids" as widely understood are not even the species, it's just the most common subtype of ceremorphs. The illithid species proper are eggs, tadpoles and the entire set of derived creatures, whether ceremorphs or neothenic. Elder brains are a construct and may not count, however (in the same way a flesh golem made entirely of human parts generally does not count as a human).
quote:
The easiest way IMO to reconcile the two would be to treat ceremorphosis as a "shortcut" to adulthood for an illithid, where normal tadpole growth would take far longer. That does mean that it would need to alter the origin of Neothelids; my solution here is to assume that Neothelids are neotenous illithid tadpoles, retaining juvenile aspects into adulthood the same way that axolotls do, but as an accident rather than an evolutionary change affecting the whole species.
How does this even differ from canon except in phrasing? It never needed to be anything more than "one hungry illithid tadpole accidentally swam into a lone swimmer's ear, and now there are humanoid illithids". May even have started with various lizard folk (those ceremorphs are not great, but sapient, and then they could just go on a quest for better hosts).
Also, consider that qualities of the Neothelids may greatly depend on the available diet.
quote:
I like illithids being, as a society, a thoroughly evil and malicious bunch (who can also work with others as is the case in Spelljammer), but still with the *possibility* of redemption that some members of the race might actually work towards (and of course then get exiled if not killed). It creates a more interesting civilization than one inextricably evil.
Why do you want an "illithid Drizzt" style madness to start? |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 31 Jul 2024 : 17:37:56
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Oh, I meant Princess ... though I don't believe you came up with that (I honestly don't know enough on this power), I do like that you bought into it and started throwing out dubious questions on her parentage and kin. As a "Princess" it gives implications that she's not necessarily the "grown up" in the room, but she may be pushing against her "earlier" nicknames with her "mother" nicknames.
Well, she's a she so she wouldn't be a Prince of Elemental Good. :)
Chan and Olhydra are also Princesses. :)
Jeff |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 31 Jul 2024 : 14:30:03
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
interesting nickname... it implies she's not the ruler but rather the child.... which fits well with your discusssion of unknown parentage and/or brothers/sisters
Hmm? I don't follow. You mean her "motherly" nicknames? I see it more as her position relative to her servants and followers rather than anything to do with her relations to the other archomentals/powers.
Jeff
Oh, I meant Princess ... though I don't believe you came up with that (I honestly don't know enough on this power), I do like that you bought into it and started throwing out dubious questions on her parentage and kin. As a "Princess" it gives implications that she's not necessarily the "grown up" in the room, but she may be pushing against her "earlier" nicknames with her "mother" nicknames. |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 31 Jul 2024 : 01:12:34
quote:
Originally posted by The Arcanamach
quote:
Not really. Most of the entries I have are purely divine (and monstrous in nature) and the majority are evil anyway. :)
Jeff
I meant 'archseraphs' (or something similar) akin to the various archdevils and demon lords/princes that exist. I don't think DnD explored those much so I'm not surprised if there aren't any. A tragic oversight, IMO.
Well, Solars fit that bill, as there are very few of them and they are incredibly powerful (and as the 2e material says, they're powerful enough to be gods but choose not to be). I think it's just one of the differences that evil sees worship as a path to power but good/neutrality doesn't. The leaders of the Eladrin and Primus are all powerful enough to grant spells, for example, but they choose not to (at least not to mortals).
Jeff |
| The Arcanamach |
Posted - 31 Jul 2024 : 00:50:25
quote:
Not really. Most of the entries I have are purely divine (and monstrous in nature) and the majority are evil anyway. :)
Jeff
I meant 'archseraphs' (or something similar) akin to the various archdevils and demon lords/princes that exist. I don't think DnD explored those much so I'm not surprised if there aren't any. A tragic oversight, IMO. |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 30 Jul 2024 : 21:54:28
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
interesting nickname... it implies she's not the ruler but rather the child.... which fits well with your discusssion of unknown parentage and/or brothers/sisters
Hmm? I don't follow. You mean her "motherly" nicknames? I see it more as her position relative to her servants and followers rather than anything to do with her relations to the other archomentals/powers.
Jeff |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 30 Jul 2024 : 21:50:09
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
Sunnis, the Princess of Good Earth: https://bit.ly/4coyfKn
The last of the good archomentals, Sunnis, is the closest thing to a leader the group has. She advocates for a united front against the evil archomentals, but has not yet had much success, especially with the obstinacy of Ben-hadar. To he followers, she is a motherly figure who embodies steadfastness, support, and protection.
Jeff
interesting nickname... it implies she's not the ruler but rather the child.... which fits well with your discusssion of unknown parentage and/or brothers/sisters |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 30 Jul 2024 : 03:31:55
quote:
Originally posted by The Arcanamach
Are there any 'angelic' beings in this project? If so, what are their names? I know of a few that were mentioned in 3e for the Book of Exalted Deeds, but have any been fleshed out here?
Not really. Most of the entries I have are purely divine (and monstrous in nature) and the majority are evil anyway. :)
Jeff |
| The Arcanamach |
Posted - 30 Jul 2024 : 02:52:30
Are there any 'angelic' beings in this project? If so, what are their names? I know of a few that were mentioned in 3e for the Book of Exalted Deeds, but have any been fleshed out here? |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 01 Jul 2024 : 22:33:10
Sunnis, the Princess of Good Earth: https://bit.ly/4coyfKn
The last of the good archomentals, Sunnis, is the closest thing to a leader the group has. She advocates for a united front against the evil archomentals, but has not yet had much success, especially with the obstinacy of Ben-hadar. To he followers, she is a motherly figure who embodies steadfastness, support, and protection.
Jeff |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 11 Jun 2024 : 16:09:07
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Snipping to this one section, as I'd like to add that you convinced me on this. I won't say that I don't want ceremorphosis. I will say that I like the idea that making it that they can more quickly create a lesser form of mind flayer via ceremorphosis of certain humanoid races. Making it that this "lesser" form is the kind most commonly found, and then adding that they can "advance" to the "more powerful form" by consuming brains or somesuch works for me. They might commonly make the "lesser" form via ceremorphosis to keep their ranks full. Maybe those that grow naturally have more of a likelihood to become ulitharids.
That could definitely work. Back in 2e there weren't very many variations from ceremorphosis (and I think they all showed up in the Illithiad), so I haven't had to think to much about those variants. :)
Jeff |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 10 Jun 2024 : 21:14:57
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Along similar veins, do you think Ilsensine's priesthood pushes for experimentation in creating ceremorphs of other races, or do they consider this kind of experimentation nothing more than we would of someone trying to create a new technology and not "divinely guided" in any way?
Definitely the latter, but more as a tendency than an absolute. Since the Creeds that develop in any given community can vary, as can alliances between the Creeds, there would definitely be some priests that would engage in those activities, and in some communities they might develop an ex post facto "divine" reasoning to support it if they're allied to the Creed that does such things.
I personally really dislike ceremorphosis, to be honest, and that's exactly one of those personal views that I don't want to inject into these writeups. That said, you'll note that I made no mention of it either way, so this material can be used with ceremorphosis or not. :D
The main reason I dislike it is that it creates an inescapable "original sin" that any illithid who chooses the path of not being evil needs to contend with; it means advocating for good is *also* advocating for the extinction of their entire race. The easiest way IMO to reconcile the two would be to treat ceremorphosis as a "shortcut" to adulthood for an illithid, where normal tadpole growth would take far longer. That does mean that it would need to alter the origin of Neothelids; my solution here is to assume that Neothelids are neotenous illithid tadpoles, retaining juvenile aspects into adulthood the same way that axolotls do, but as an accident rather than an evolutionary change affecting the whole species.
I like illithids being, as a society, a thoroughly evil and malicious bunch (who can also work with others as is the case in Spelljammer), but still with the *possibility* of redemption that some members of the race might actually work towards (and of course then get exiled if not killed). It creates a more interesting civilization than one inextricably evil.
Jeff
Snipping to this one section, as I'd like to add that you convinced me on this. I won't say that I don't want ceremorphosis. I will say that I like the idea that making it that they can more quickly create a lesser form of mind flayer via ceremorphosis of certain humanoid races. Making it that this "lesser" form is the kind most commonly found, and then adding that they can "advance" to the "more powerful form" by consuming brains or somesuch works for me. They might commonly make the "lesser" form via ceremorphosis to keep their ranks full. Maybe those that grow naturally have more of a likelihood to become ulitharids. |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 07 Jun 2024 : 01:28:23
Thank you! :D
Jeff |
| NyluenathaStareyes |
Posted - 07 Jun 2024 : 01:14:30
Ok hi just joining into this to say WOW, amazing work Auld Dragon. I just spent far too much time catching up on all of this thread and well..yeah. Amazing! |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 02 May 2024 : 19:00:54
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Nice research. I didn't know the stuff about Clusterspace holding an avatar of Ilsensine captive and trying to drain his powers.
Hmm, maybe I need to rewrite that section, because they're actually trying to reinvigorate the avatar (this is connected to one of the two epic-style adventures in the boxed set). In the original material, it was Lugribossk, but the Illithiad changed Lugribossk into one of Ilsensine's proxies. Unfortunately, that makes very little sense in the context of the Astromundi Cluster; when the Illithiad mentioned Astromundi I was really excited, but then really let down that it basically was like "this is all wrong" and didn't do anything to integrate and merge the material. IMO, having Lugribossk as an alias of Ilsensine works best for having the material actually work without eliminating it altogether.
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
I know that you try to be true to the source material without too much addition of your own thoughts, which is appreciated. But, it would be nice to hear your own thoughts on a few things. I wonder how much you think Ilsensine is involved with the spelljamming of the race? As a for instance, back in 2e the illithid ships were purely constructs (i.e. wood and other materials made into a ship). Newer editions beyond second edition seems to be hinting that nautiloids are less of a construct and more of a grown being.
I see Ilsensine as being very hands(tentacles)-off, letting illithids mostly work towards their total domination of creation in their own way and in their own time. Like, he sees it as an inevitability, so why sweat the small stuff kind of attitude.
As for the Nautiloids, I think there's some new material that portrays the living ones as very ancient versions, essentially a lost technology. That said, I don't like the living ones. At all. Even though they look similar, it completely changes their usage; you can't ram another ship with them, which is the use of the original's tentacle-like forward element, which is also a really nice analogy to the way illithids eat without it being literally the same. Plus, having living nautiloids would allow illithids to freely leave the Astromundi Cluster, something only elves can do as a singular faction. Finally, I feel like it adds too much of a modern scifi element to something I like to keep very fantastical and Age of Sail in feeling.
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Also, within spelljammer there were the different helm types, and both series helms and pool helms were noted as being created by illithids (with pool helms being less of a "device" and more of a "living magic creation" resembling an elder brain and its pool. Do you think Ilsensine and/or his priesthood might have been behind DEVELOPING these new "living technologies"?
So Pool Helms are definitely a development of the illithids, but the Series Helms are very likely not. They still need to get them from the Arcane, and Series Helms are race specific; any race that has innate powers can get tailored series helms from the Arcane, which are not useable by other races. For example, illithids can't use hurwaeti series helms and vice versa. There's a specific Creed in the Illithiad that deals with developing new devices, and they would be the ones who created the Pool Helms most likely (probably on Falx). In some communities, the Venerator Creed and that one could be merged, and in such places, they would be involved, but generally not. Illithid society seems to be very segmented from the way the Illithiad is written.
Now, that's not to say they would never be involved; illithid society is also VERY political, with the different Creeds working together or against each other for a whole host of very specific local reasons, so they could very well be involved in one community, and deeply opposed to such creations in another community.
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Along similar veins, do you think Ilsensine's priesthood pushes for experimentation in creating ceremorphs of other races, or do they consider this kind of experimentation nothing more than we would of someone trying to create a new technology and not "divinely guided" in any way?
Definitely the latter, but more as a tendency than an absolute. Since the Creeds that develop in any given community can vary, as can alliances between the Creeds, there would definitely be some priests that would engage in those activities, and in some communities they might develop an ex post facto "divine" reasoning to support it if they're allied to the Creed that does such things.
I personally really dislike ceremorphosis, to be honest, and that's exactly one of those personal views that I don't want to inject into these writeups. That said, you'll note that I made no mention of it either way, so this material can be used with ceremorphosis or not. :D
The main reason I dislike it is that it creates an inescapable "original sin" that any illithid who chooses the path of not being evil needs to contend with; it means advocating for good is *also* advocating for the extinction of their entire race. The easiest way IMO to reconcile the two would be to treat ceremorphosis as a "shortcut" to adulthood for an illithid, where normal tadpole growth would take far longer. That does mean that it would need to alter the origin of Neothelids; my solution here is to assume that Neothelids are neotenous illithid tadpoles, retaining juvenile aspects into adulthood the same way that axolotls do, but as an accident rather than an evolutionary change affecting the whole species.
I like illithids being, as a society, a thoroughly evil and malicious bunch (who can also work with others as is the case in Spelljammer), but still with the *possibility* of redemption that some members of the race might actually work towards (and of course then get exiled if not killed). It creates a more interesting civilization than one inextricably evil.
Jeff |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 02 May 2024 : 14:53:56
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
Ilsensine, the Great Brain: https://bit.ly/3UprrVi
The terrible and powerful patron of the illithids is Ilsensine, the Great Brain. A deity of pure mental energy, it exhorts its followers to take their rightful place of domination over all other races of the multiverse. There’s been a lot written about illithids over the years, so this one took a lot of research and I’m pretty sure I still missed a lot of potentially relevant material, but it was still a lot of fun to write!
Jeff
Nice research. I didn't know the stuff about Clusterspace holding an avatar of Ilsensine captive and trying to drain his powers.
I know that you try to be true to the source material without too much addition of your own thoughts, which is appreciated. But, it would be nice to hear your own thoughts on a few things. I wonder how much you think Ilsensine is involved with the spelljamming of the race? As a for instance, back in 2e the illithid ships were purely constructs (i.e. wood and other materials made into a ship). Newer editions beyond second edition seems to be hinting that nautiloids are less of a construct and more of a grown being. Also, within spelljammer there were the different helm types, and both series helms and pool helms were noted as being created by illithids (with pool helms being less of a "device" and more of a "living magic creation" resembling an elder brain and its pool. Do you think Ilsensine and/or his priesthood might have been behind DEVELOPING these new "living technologies"? Along similar veins, do you think Ilsensine's priesthood pushes for experimentation in creating ceremorphs of other races, or do they consider this kind of experimentation nothing more than we would of someone trying to create a new technology and not "divinely guided" in any way? |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 01 May 2024 : 23:25:20
Ilsensine, the Great Brain: https://bit.ly/3UprrVi
The terrible and powerful patron of the illithids is Ilsensine, the Great Brain. A deity of pure mental energy, it exhorts its followers to take their rightful place of domination over all other races of the multiverse. There’s been a lot written about illithids over the years, so this one took a lot of research and I’m pretty sure I still missed a lot of potentially relevant material, but it was still a lot of fun to write!
Jeff |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 02 Mar 2024 : 16:18:18
quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
I like this last one.
Thanks! She was a lot of fun to write. :D |
| Brimstone |
Posted - 02 Mar 2024 : 07:10:32
I like this last one. |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 01 Mar 2024 : 20:48:47
Zinzerena the Hunted: https://bit.ly/49yWDYu
A recent addition to the drow pantheon, Zinzerena is an outsider even among that chaotic and fractured group of powers. Once a figure in heroic legends, she managed to ascend through trickery, and has been avoiding other members of the pantheon and causing chaos among drow cities ever since. I emphasized her more neutral aspects, which I think would be coming to the fore with her recent loss of power to Lolth.
Jeff |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 01 Feb 2024 : 23:53:14
Ben-hadar, the Prince of Good Water: https://bit.ly/48WXHVR
The third of the good archomentals is Ben-hadar, an arrogant and provincial ruler who many believe pushes the boundaries of what is considered good. While he does care for the well-being of his followers, he has little interest in what happens beyond the borders of the Plane of Water.
Jeff |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 03 Jan 2024 : 15:01:37
I never have read through Night Below, but I've always heard good things. I have skimmed it though when there were references. It seems I need to look. I know a year or five back we were discussing here this idea of the black diamonds and Markustay's idea of the "regalia of winter", but there was also a lot of discussion of Tharizdun and the 4e idea of the formation of the Abyss by a "Shard of Pure Evil" used to corrupt the elemental chaos. There was also a "primordial" who was imprisoned and known as Timesus the Black Star also included in 4e lore as being made of black crystal that was imprisoned and broken into pieces, but killed during the dawn war. We also have this idea presented in a lot of the 5e adventures of "black/dark crystals" that are hinted to have some ability to enable time travel and a lot of other things... so I agree having these things as some form of "tool" that "the Dark God" / Tharizdun has been somehow
Along these same lines, we've noted a lot of similarities between Kiaransalee, the Raven Queen, the QoA&D, Auril, and Ereshkigal ... and perhaps rather than relating them as "the same being", because there are similarities but differences... it might perhaps be better to give them all some links back to these kind of corrupting artifacts. We might even find out that the "Tenebrous" that "brought Orcus back" was in fact something where Orcus used one of these black diamonds in some form of "contingency" should he be killed so that he could then resurrect his own godly nature. Basically, a lot of death / winter / darkness gods may have been touched by these "black diamonds" ... at which time the Dark God took advantage of this to use them to try and advance his goals... possibly acting to speak to them in a way similar to how Fistandantilus spoke to Raistlin or how binders get influenced subtly. Some of them embrace this... some break away eventually.
All of that to somewhat say that it could be interesting to link this crystal in a lot of other ways besides the divine as well. We could for instance find out that "the death moon orb" that had a corrupting influence that turned people steadily more evil.... was perhaps made of this "black diamond" material. Since Larloch supposedly made the "death moon orb", we might find out that he himself had some kind of involvement at some point with these materials as well and was possibly corrupted at some point.
SIDENOTE: sorry to hijack the thread just a little... its just this topic made some ideas come to mind and I wanted to jot down my thoughts.
If "The Dark God" / Tharizdun were linked to the black diamond references and they did corrupt a lot of other beings... it occurs to me that both the Raven Queen and Kiaransalee are noted as having worked against orcus in the past (and Kiaransalee specifically used magic to erase Orcus' references, which removed him, and later same was done to her). Both also would seem to fit the bill of having been influenced by such things. So, perhaps these instances were not the gods being destroyed, but rather imprisoned... using power of Tharizdun... and giving Tharizdun some temporary respite from his own prison. This might change the nature of these "black diamonds" and provide a good explanation/mechanic to explain how some storylines have happened, in that these times when the gods are forgotten they are being imprisoned near or in the place where Tharizdun is held temporarily. Perhaps some free themselves as Orcus did. Perhaps others can only be held until some planar conjunction happens and then they get released....... which could also be used as an explanation in FR for the disappearance of a lot of gods suddenly and their return ala spellplague/second sundering |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 02 Jan 2024 : 21:54:06
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Ancient temples that served as active centers of worship for centuries or that have a number of undead guardians are often imbued with much dark magic. Dark mists and biting cold fill the sanctified area, reducing all forms of light, and many magical traps and curses fill the halls and chambers. In particular, the often have caches of rare black diamonds that are cursed to transform those who would rob these treasures into undead servants of the Dark God.
I love this in that it almost seems like you are making a tie to the Queen of Air and Darkness and how she became an unseen being or area of shadowy blackness on a throne. One thing Markustay came up with that I loved and felt like it would be great to use was the idea that the QoA&D had this "regalia of winter" as some form of "cursed artifacts" that were being used to corrupt divine entities, such that some of them turned exceptionally dark and others "went dark but are now repenting".
That temple description was drawn from Night Below, which was fairly explicit in naming the Dark God as Tharizdun from Greyhawk. The potential connection with the Queen of Air and Darkness was specified by Sargent as well, and he included a large number of cursed black diamonds in the Night Below adventure, so I think the Dark God being responsible (intentionally or unintentionally) is pretty clear.
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
If we extended that a little differently and linked these things back to this god, and stated that he does THIS because he CAN'T act as a god and is corrupting the divine in order to use them somewhat like puppets or servants in hopes of eventually freeing himself. The instances where he temporarily manifests an avatar might be seen as extended if he's able to act through a god in the same way that the gods filled the bodies of mortals during the ToT.... or something like what happens with a 3rd edition binder who binds a vestige where an entity shares a body and can influence the being residing in it.
I would mostly handle the Dark God as having very little agency and no solid plans because his prison is so very tight. But what he can do is create "seeds" that he hopes have negative effects that further his goals. For example, the Black Diamond of the Queen of Air and Darkness was essentially just a generically corrupting artifact of great power, and it just happened to find its way into her hands by circumstance, sort of like how the One Ring just happened to find its way into Smeagol's, Bilbo's, and Frodo's hands rather than intentionally trying to get into their hands specifically. To spice things up, I created the idea that the Dark God's prison may periodically (over periods of hundreds of years, with planetary conjunctions or when ill-omened comets appear, etc.) weaken just enough for him to reach out a finger and touch the Prime briefly, and in this time his goal tends to be to just lay more seeds like the Black Diamond, but of various power levels, with the goal of increasing the rate of destruction of the multiverse. I think players would be operating against the plans of the followers of the Dark God rather than the Dark God's own plans. :)
Jeff |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 02 Jan 2024 : 20:30:31
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
The Dark God at the End of All Things: https://bit.ly/48EtOZB
The cold of winter brings the enigmatic and imprisoned god of eternal darkness and decay, known simply as the Dark God. Said to have been imprisoned long ago in order to preserve all of creation, mythology also presents it as a being that will preside over the destruction of all things when he is eventually released.
Jeff
Ancient temples that served as active centers of worship for centuries or that have a number of undead guardians are often imbued with much dark magic. Dark mists and biting cold fill the sanctified area, reducing all forms of light, and many magical traps and curses fill the halls and chambers. In particular, the often have caches of rare black diamonds that are cursed to transform those who would rob these treasures into undead servants of the Dark God.
I love this in that it almost seems like you are making a tie to the Queen of Air and Darkness and how she became an unseen being or area of shadowy blackness on a throne. One thing Markustay came up with that I loved and felt like it would be great to use was the idea that the QoA&D had this "regalia of winter" as some form of "cursed artifacts" that were being used to corrupt divine entities, such that some of them turned exceptionally dark and others "went dark but are now repenting".
If we extended that a little differently and linked these things back to this god, and stated that he does THIS because he CAN'T act as a god and is corrupting the divine in order to use them somewhat like puppets or servants in hopes of eventually freeing himself. The instances where he temporarily manifests an avatar might be seen as extended if he's able to act through a god in the same way that the gods filled the bodies of mortals during the ToT.... or something like what happens with a 3rd edition binder who binds a vestige where an entity shares a body and can influence the being residing in it. |
| Brimstone |
Posted - 01 Jan 2024 : 06:49:21
Perfect for a new year! |
|
|
