| 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
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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
Merrgsh the Wolf-Rider: https://bit.ly/3W2gwSO
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
Sarula Iliene the Nixie Queen: https://bit.ly/4cfZ58j
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 the Philosoflayer: https://bit.ly/4dsptuH
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: https://bit.ly/4if6uar
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
The Faceless God of the Yak-Men: https://bit.ly/42GlZ63
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) |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 01 Apr 2025 : 05:56:36
Sarula Iliene the Nixie Queen: https://bit.ly/4cfZ58j
The final deity for the project as it stands right now is the Nixie Queen, Sarula Iliene, a minor elven and faerie deity of fresh water. She is worshipped by both nixies and those elves who live in or near lakes and rivers and other fresh water sources.
As this is the final deity for now, I thought this would be a good time to talk about what my future plans are. I have no intention on stopping writing, but I do want to go through the deities complete and give them some editing passes. I do plan to compile them as well, with some additional material similar to what’s found in the Faiths & Avatars trilogy of books, and at a minimum they will be made available on my Patreon. I also have some deity and non-deity material that I will be submitting to the Wildspace Fanzine as well. In terms of what deities I plan to work on next, I’d like to start creating and expanding pantheons for races who should have full and vibrant pantheons of their own (such as loxoth, hurwaeti, grommams, dohwar, etc.) and work on some human pantheons (Greek, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, etc.). I’m not sure yet what I will focus on though. Anyway, stay tuned as I think about what’s coming next!
Jeff |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 02 Feb 2025 : 16:51:40
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Love the story involving the Great Khan of the Dao, even though its probably allegory. In essence, it works that the yikaria only have dominion over the dao for a "short" span .... a span that should encompass all the years that PC's live.
I'll admit as well, my personal thoughts were that these beings were essentially worshipping the Elder Elemental God and/or Tharizdun and that the submittance of the dao was possibly a "clan" of them that also held fealty to this being and subjected themselves to service because they knew the yikaria were empowering this being with their sacrifices.
Still, this very much works, and I'd never considered it being Baphomet since he's much more aggressive. I have wondered though if there isn't a "pantheon" serving as racial gods to the minotaurs and similar beings (even playing with the idea of Audumbla the great primordial cow and/or Hathor of the Egyptians as more benevolent gods of the minotaurs).
The article that had a lot of information about the yak-men (Roof of the World, Dragon #241, by Wolfgang Baur) had a section for using the yak-men on other worlds, and basically said that if you use them on Oerth, then the Faceless God is really Tharizdun. I drew on that slightly, just to indicate that they may have established a hidden empire there, but I like the Faceless God as his own power, though. :)
Jeff
I may have unconsciously pulled that into my thoughts as well, because I loved that article, and I know I've gone back and reread from it at least twice.
I actually have it as something to play with that over in Katashaka there is a "mysterious" empire (Yithakar, land of the Earth Emperor),that rules over minotaurs, gnolls, ibixians, and a prime-born version of bariaur. Its mysterious because outside cultures never see its rulers, and it doesn't allow others to cross its borders with impunity (many of these become sacrifices). What few have had audiences with their rulers always do so with a servitor acting as the voice of their leadership. Obviously, I'm hinting towards there being a leadership of yak-men who are trying to keep secret exactly who they are. If I develop this more as well, I'd probably have it be that they worship multiple demonic lords and such that this culture resemble a beastly version of narfell (so possibly including baphomet for the minotaurs, orcus for the ibixians and prime bariaurs, Yeenoghu for the gnolls, the faceless one for the yak men but also amongst all the others, but also Ogremoch, and Fraz'urb-luu). |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 02 Feb 2025 : 06:05:50
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Love the story involving the Great Khan of the Dao, even though its probably allegory. In essence, it works that the yikaria only have dominion over the dao for a "short" span .... a span that should encompass all the years that PC's live.
I'll admit as well, my personal thoughts were that these beings were essentially worshipping the Elder Elemental God and/or Tharizdun and that the submittance of the dao was possibly a "clan" of them that also held fealty to this being and subjected themselves to service because they knew the yikaria were empowering this being with their sacrifices.
Still, this very much works, and I'd never considered it being Baphomet since he's much more aggressive. I have wondered though if there isn't a "pantheon" serving as racial gods to the minotaurs and similar beings (even playing with the idea of Audumbla the great primordial cow and/or Hathor of the Egyptians as more benevolent gods of the minotaurs).
The article that had a lot of information about the yak-men (Roof of the World, Dragon #241, by Wolfgang Baur) had a section for using the yak-men on other worlds, and basically said that if you use them on Oerth, then the Faceless God is really Tharizdun. I drew on that slightly, just to indicate that they may have established a hidden empire there, but I like the Faceless God as his own power, though. :)
Jeff |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 01 Feb 2025 : 14:35:01
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
The Faceless God of the Yak-Men: https://bit.ly/42GlZ63
The enigmatic yak-men of the Al-Qadim campaign are one of the more interesting “hidden threat” foes in AD&D. They can take over the bodies of humanoids and infiltrate their society in order to undermine and eventually dominate them. Their god is even stranger, for it has no known name but is the source of the ability of the yak-men to summon and control the genies of elemental earth, dao.
Jeff
Love the story involving the Great Khan of the Dao, even though its probably allegory. In essence, it works that the yikaria only have dominion over the dao for a "short" span .... a span that should encompass all the years that PC's live.
I'll admit as well, my personal thoughts were that these beings were essentially worshipping the Elder Elemental God and/or Tharizdun and that the submittance of the dao was possibly a "clan" of them that also held fealty to this being and subjected themselves to service because they knew the yikaria were empowering this being with their sacrifices.
Still, this very much works, and I'd never considered it being Baphomet since he's much more aggressive. I have wondered though if there isn't a "pantheon" serving as racial gods to the minotaurs and similar beings (even playing with the idea of Audumbla the great primordial cow and/or Hathor of the Egyptians as more benevolent gods of the minotaurs). |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 01 Feb 2025 : 07:06:07
The Faceless God of the Yak-Men: https://bit.ly/42GlZ63
The enigmatic yak-men of the Al-Qadim campaign are one of the more interesting “hidden threat” foes in AD&D. They can take over the bodies of humanoids and infiltrate their society in order to undermine and eventually dominate them. Their god is even stranger, for it has no known name but is the source of the ability of the yak-men to summon and control the genies of elemental earth, dao.
Jeff |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 01 Jan 2025 : 19:58:50
Merrgsh the Wolf-Rider: https://bit.ly/3W2gwSO
Merrgsh and Armmegh were brought to my attention not too long ago here by none other than Eric Boyd himself. Published in Polyhedron #58 (March 1991) as part of a contest to identify a picture drawn by Jim Holloway, Merrgsh and his wolf Armmegh were written (by Wes Nicholson) to be vaguely independent, but I thought, “What if they can be integrated with the orcish pantheon as a whole? How would that look?” And so here we are!
Jeff |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 04 Dec 2024 : 13:17:00
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
In terms of *secretly* worshipping a second god, I would either use some ideas from Bastion of Faith (where some spells are secretly granted by Hextor that corrupt the caster, but otherwise they get their other spells from their main deity), or just have a character be a priest of deity A while claiming to be following deity B. To actually worship two deities openly, I would say a priest would have to be a generic priest class (Cleric, Mystic, Monk, Crusader, or Druid).
Jeff
First off, thanks for writing this one up, because honestly... until I started reading it, I hadn't really thought about how this guy or similar guys worship should "look" .... and so now I'm thinking about how it could get used. I can see this "model" being used for several similar deities, such as Tharizdun, the Queen of Air and Darkness, and maybe even some lesser deities whose focus seem to be so limited as to be hard to develop a cult around or deities who are believed dead.
Agreed on the idea that under 2nd edition rules they should not be a specialty priest and instead be a generic divine class. That actually brings up an idea that in 3.5e perhaps the best way of opening this idea up would be to create a prestige class for someone to learn the worship of the elder elemental god (or similar beings).... and actually in 3.5, that could somewhat mirror what they did with Tenebrous Apostate prestige class, as well as the various thrall of/disciple of prestige classes in the Book of Vile Darkness that oftentimes worked with multiple classes. In 5e, not sure HOW to mechanically deploy, but guessing feat would be the best way.
Mechanically, what you describe of giving access to specific spells.... yeah, that's probably better than giving a whole sphere or extra domain like what I was thinking. Maybe they gain access to some specific subset of spells specific to the elder elemental evil, and maybe they gain these as an extra spell per day. That would in theory work across editions, though the mechanics of the spell itself (level, duration, effect, etc..) might need to change. I like too the idea that the use of these spells might have a corruptive cost.
Another thing that might be a good way to represent this would be a metamagic effect that can be applied to existing spells.... I guess similar to the 3.5 stuff where you could have hellfire, etc... It could simply enhance the elemental effect (i.e. add extra fire damage to fire spells, or "unholy" damage to fire spells) OR it might CHANGE the elemental effect so that normal resistance become ineffective (i.e. you have to have both fire resistance and unholy resistance). This might be an ability that they can activate a certain number of times a day.... or maybe its limited by "harming" the caster somehow whenever they DO activate it.
Perhaps a good mechanic for all of this might be that using this ability works for a while, but after so many uses, they must return to their shrine and sacrifice in some way that's sincere (i.e. giving up experience could be one, offering a living sacrifice, destroying a magic item, finding special materials to enhance an idol to the god, etc..,).
Also from a mechanics perspective, this idea in 3.5 along with the prestige class piece would open up giving certain feats for free, such as "heretic of the faith" from Powers of Faerun and "Servant of the Fallen" from Lost Empires of Faerun. So, rather than making a requirement that someone worship these deities to enter the prestige class, you could instead give say "heretic of the faith (elder elemental god)" as a free feat at the first level of a prestige class. |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 03 Dec 2024 : 21:20:21
In terms of *secretly* worshipping a second god, I would either use some ideas from Bastion of Faith (where some spells are secretly granted by Hextor that corrupt the caster, but otherwise they get their other spells from their main deity), or just have a character be a priest of deity A while claiming to be following deity B. To actually worship two deities openly, I would say a priest would have to be a generic priest class (Cleric, Mystic, Monk, Crusader, or Druid).
Jeff |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 03 Dec 2024 : 20:15:52
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
The Elder Elemental God: https://bit.ly/4if6uar
The final elemental power is the enigmatic Elder Elemental God. Imprisoned in times long past, it can still manifest to a degree on the Prime, which encourages its followers to try and feed it power and weaken its bonds still further in hopes of releasing it.
Jeff
You know.... the first time I saw the idea proposed of a priest serving multiple gods, I was initially against it. However, THIS god would seem to be a perfect god for someone to have as a "secondary" god that they pray to rather than be solely devoted to them. Rulewise, how this affects things might vary depending on game edition (in 2nd edition, they might get some additional major/minor spheres... in 3rd edition maybe access to extra domains)
To give an example....
A human cleric of Talos who has a small shrine hidden in his temple to the elder elemental god
is allied with
a fire giant crusader of Surtr who has a small shrine hidden in his temple to the elder elemental god
is allied with
Firenewt cleric of Imix, Prince of elemental evil fire, who has a small shrine hidden to the elder elemental god
Then each of these disparate individuals may clandestinely share what little they know about the elder elemental evil. They may even join together to perform certain rites together even though they serve different gods in their primary worship. They might/likely have to hide this additional worship, as their own deities might be upset at any attempt to provide power to the elder elemental god... but the disparate worshippers serve their OWN interests in seeking power from the imprisoned being.
In 3.5e, I'd even go so far as to have the elder elemental power serving not as a divine source ONLY, but also as a vestige, such that you could have cleric/binders who might only call on his power as a vestige when it serves their interests. Warlocks too would fit.
In short, I'd make full blown cults to this god rare enough to be near or possibly non-existent, and his worship/support only seen with individuals who gain some method to "tap" him for power. |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 02 Dec 2024 : 04:00:17
The Elder Elemental God: https://bit.ly/4if6uar
The final elemental power is the enigmatic Elder Elemental God. Imprisoned in times long past, it can still manifest to a degree on the Prime, which encourages its followers to try and feed it power and weaken its bonds still further in hopes of releasing it.
Jeff |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 04 Nov 2024 : 18:15:56
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Yep, you're already thinking along lines that I was with linking their gods to the seelie court. That being said, I'd also link them to the norse pantheon.
You know, one thing that occurs to me, regarding the tree goddess, what if she were RUMORED to be an almagam goddess... by that I mean a tripartite goddess who is created by other goddesses combining power. You could take Seelie goddess Verenestra-the goddess of dryads, Idun of the Norse Pantheon, and maybe Sheela Peryroyl of the halfling pantheon. Maybe it was some one time thing, and so now there's some aspect of themselves that still exists of all 3 combined, and it was this aspect that was responsible for awakening the squirrels that became the first kercpa.
My issue with that basically boils down to my desire to keep the various racial gods for their own races. I'd want Kercpa to have their own deities, rather than be an "also-worshipped-by" kinda thing. Maybe if another deity had a strong squirrel connection, I could see it, I guess. But I would want the squirrel tree-goddess to represent home and food and none of those goddesses represent that.
Jeff
good point. I was looking for making "allies", but that can be done other ways. It might make better stories if the squirrel god has periodically aided "nature goddesses" of these pantheons, and thus the people's that worship them have "good relations" with kercpa. For instance, someone was trying to steal apples from Idun grove of golden apples and Rititisk showed up to run them off. Maybe Sheela Peryroyl found herself in trouble (being chased by Daragor the werewolf god) and Rititisk enticed him to chase him by hurling abuse in his direction so that she could escape. Maybe Rititisk was responsible for rescuing the seeds of Verenestra and planting them across the planes, allowing the daughters of the dryad goddess to escape some evil god that sought to turn them into his wives.
|
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 03 Nov 2024 : 18:20:31
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Yep, you're already thinking along lines that I was with linking their gods to the seelie court. That being said, I'd also link them to the norse pantheon.
You know, one thing that occurs to me, regarding the tree goddess, what if she were RUMORED to be an almagam goddess... by that I mean a tripartite goddess who is created by other goddesses combining power. You could take Seelie goddess Verenestra-the goddess of dryads, Idun of the Norse Pantheon, and maybe Sheela Peryroyl of the halfling pantheon. Maybe it was some one time thing, and so now there's some aspect of themselves that still exists of all 3 combined, and it was this aspect that was responsible for awakening the squirrels that became the first kercpa.
My issue with that basically boils down to my desire to keep the various racial gods for their own races. I'd want Kercpa to have their own deities, rather than be an "also-worshipped-by" kinda thing. Maybe if another deity had a strong squirrel connection, I could see it, I guess. But I would want the squirrel tree-goddess to represent home and food and none of those goddesses represent that.
Jeff |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 03 Nov 2024 : 18:05:53
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I like this A LOT!
In my never-to-complete quest for nurturing Realmslore about music… I’ve tinkered with several unique ways to give Melira more play in the setting. It’s been fun working with what has been published for her in the past and inventing new stuff that gives her a more Realms-centric focus.
Thank you! She was a lot of fun to write up and I really like where I ended up with her as being seen by some half-elves as a half-elven deity. :)
Jeff |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 02 Nov 2024 : 00:53:41
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
By the way, just if you want some input... if you do Kercpa gods, recommend worshipping not just a tree goddess, but a hero god who is a kercpa.
Yeah, I definitely had considered making Rititisk into a demigod. Give them a little more flexibility. I'd also make their worship part of the Outer Circle of the Seelie Court, so that the Seelie Court powers would be there to fill out their full religious tapesty.
I may have to look into that 3e evil squirrelfolk race; having them be a corruption by the Queen of Air and Darkness could be interesting. This is the first I've heard of them, so I dunno how well this initial idea would work, though.
Jeff
Yep, you're already thinking along lines that I was with linking their gods to the seelie court. That being said, I'd also link them to the norse pantheon.
You know, one thing that occurs to me, regarding the tree goddess, what if she were RUMORED to be an almagam goddess... by that I mean a tripartite goddess who is created by other goddesses combining power. You could take Seelie goddess Verenestra-the goddess of dryads, Idun of the Norse Pantheon, and maybe Sheela Peryroyl of the halfling pantheon. Maybe it was some one time thing, and so now there's some aspect of themselves that still exists of all 3 combined, and it was this aspect that was responsible for awakening the squirrels that became the first kercpa. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 01 Nov 2024 : 23:46:05
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
Melira Taralen the Songstress: https://bit.ly/48uPh8I
The last of the elven deities published in Dragon #155 and updated in Dragon #236 is Melira Taralen, goddess of musical creation and musicians. Dragon #236 also described Melira as patron to elven minstrels (the kit from PHBR07 Complete Bard’s Handbook) and half-elven bards, which gave me an opportunity to create a sect of her belief that holds her as a true half-elven deity.
Jeff
I like this A LOT!
In my never-to-complete quest for nurturing Realmslore about music… I’ve tinkered with several unique ways to give Melira more play in the setting. It’s been fun working with what has been published for her in the past and inventing new stuff that gives her a more Realms-centric focus. |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 01 Nov 2024 : 18:00:58
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
By the way, just if you want some input... if you do Kercpa gods, recommend worshipping not just a tree goddess, but a hero god who is a kercpa.
Yeah, I definitely had considered making Rititisk into a demigod. Give them a little more flexibility. I'd also make their worship part of the Outer Circle of the Seelie Court, so that the Seelie Court powers would be there to fill out their full religious tapesty.
I may have to look into that 3e evil squirrelfolk race; having them be a corruption by the Queen of Air and Darkness could be interesting. This is the first I've heard of them, so I dunno how well this initial idea would work, though.
Jeff |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 01 Nov 2024 : 17:56:51
Melira Taralen the Songstress: https://bit.ly/48uPh8I
The last of the elven deities published in Dragon #155 and updated in Dragon #236 is Melira Taralen, goddess of musical creation and musicians. Dragon #236 also described Melira as patron to elven minstrels (the kit from PHBR07 Complete Bard’s Handbook) and half-elven bards, which gave me an opportunity to create a sect of her belief that holds her as a true half-elven deity.
Jeff |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 17 Oct 2024 : 01:12:33
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
You had me at Kercpa.
:D
By the way, just if you want some input... if you do Kercpa gods, recommend worshipping not just a tree goddess, but a hero god who is a kercpa.
There's also an "evil" race of squirrel folk in 3.5e, and it would be interesting to have them be a corruption of kercpa. They were called the skiurid, and they were associated with shadow and cold. Could easily see it that the Queen of Air and Darkness may have corrupted them, but it could also be that Nidhogg the "serpent" in Niflheim (the land of the dead) may also have been involved. There were in Monster manual 4 in 3e era.
From the original article, for a kercpa god .... and of course, the norse pantheon has "Ratatosk" the squirrel who transports messages between nidhogg gnawing on the roots of yggdrasil and the eagle at its top. Picturing that Ratatosk and Rititisk are likely similar beings, though it could be something like Rititisk is a child of Ratatosk.
Faced with ethical dilemma, kercpas seek precedent in the fables of Rititisk the Clever — the mythical patriarch of the race — and try to emulate his example. Besides being entertaining stories of adventure in their own right — tales of Rititisk thwarting monstrous evil spiders, outwitting oafish giants (humans), questing to the ends of the earth for enchanted ever-striking arrows and the like — the fables contain lessons to guide the kercpas through all as of life. They are essential to every young kercpa’s education.
|
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 12 Oct 2024 : 02:47:41
I, too, am a fan of kercpa. Something about those little guys really appeals to me.
|
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 09 Oct 2024 : 21:36:10
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
You had me at Kercpa.
:D |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 09 Oct 2024 : 21:34:37
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
quote:
Originally posted by Iahn Qoyllor
Hi Jeff - what's next once you complete this mammoth project considering you're almost done? Any chance you can be tempted to do some of the ancient human pantheons - Sumerian, Babylonian, Aztec etc please?
I'm not sure at this point. I do want to address the human pantheons, but I also want to create some pantheons for races that sorely lack them (much like what I did with the Grav). Hurwaeti, Loxo, Grommams, Dracons, etc., as well as races that definitely have deities but no real details, such as Grippli, Grung, and Kercpa. We'll see! :D
Jeff
You had me at Kercpa. |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 09 Oct 2024 : 18:15:04
quote:
Originally posted by Iahn Qoyllor
Hi Jeff - what's next once you complete this mammoth project considering you're almost done? Any chance you can be tempted to do some of the ancient human pantheons - Sumerian, Babylonian, Aztec etc please?
I'm not sure at this point. I do want to address the human pantheons, but I also want to create some pantheons for races that sorely lack them (much like what I did with the Grav). Hurwaeti, Loxo, Grommams, Dracons, etc., as well as races that definitely have deities but no real details, such as Grippli, Grung, and Kercpa. We'll see! :D
Jeff |
| Iahn Qoyllor |
Posted - 09 Oct 2024 : 08:42:11
Hi Jeff - what's next once you complete this mammoth project considering you're almost done? Any chance you can be tempted to do some of the ancient human pantheons - Sumerian, Babylonian, Aztec etc please? |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 02 Oct 2024 : 18:57:58
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Jeff, just curious, the part where you talk about HOW he ascended (i.e. finding Ilsensine, asking him a question, etc..)... is that canon anywhere? If not, I just really want to tell you... I like that idea. Good work.
Thanks! It was basically inspired by the Diirinka and Diinkarazan origin, and it seemed to fit as a potential origin for a philosophical/exploration god. :D
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Oh, and just to put some spin on an idea... since he was supposedly "killed" by Tenebrous with some magic word (forget the term used), and since both Tenebrous and Orcus both exist now (Orcus is free and Tenebrous is a vestige)... what if there's something similar going on with Maanzecorian. By that I mean, what if his church now also includes binders that bind an "aspect" of Maanzecorian that's still entrapped in the place where Vestiges go. Maybe the returned Maanzecorian is missing SOME of his knowledge and its held by his own vestige. Maybe there are "cleric/binders" who multiclass. Finally, maybe the vestige of Maanzecorian refuses to bind with anyone who binds with Tenebrous. I know it would be a bit confusing as hell, but its got the basis of a good story I think.
Going with this idea, whenever a binder "binds" the VESTIGE of Maanzecorian (note, should come up with another name.... maybe IT is called the Philosoflayer), it should appear within the circle, rise up appearing as a great illithid, surround the head of the binder with its own tentacles... and then disappear, like its entered their brain.
I don't really know much about vestiges and the like, it's not something that was in 2e so I haven't given it any real consideration. I'd much rather Maanzecorian be alive as he was than there be any other sort of situation. I wanted to leave it open for individual DMs to do what they wanted (including having another deity masquerade as him), but for my campaign, it's "Somehow, Maanzecorian returned." ;)
I see Tenebrous as just Orcus's name while his name was erased, and he is now an actual undead god, which basically doesn't mean anything within the rules.
Jeff
So, I get that you may want to keep it simple, and that's cool. That being said, presenting an idea that can build on what you are talking about for those that may use newer rulesets. For that matter, "binders" in 5e don't so much exist, but warlocks are very similar to binders... and having Maanzecorian as a "vestige" that works like a warlock patron would also work. I actually have written up a version of warlock that functions somewhat like a binder in the early days of 5e as well.
Thinking more on this idea though from a story standpoint.. the "returned" version of Maanzecorian as a god may have ZERO knowledge of anything that happened "while he was dead". In essence, he's like a rebooted clone of Maanzecorian before he died. The vestige meanwhile may only have knowledge that it gleaned "from the place where vestiges go", and so IT knows how it managed to get itself "freed".... even if it had to leave a portion of its own psyche behind entrapped.
I'm going to think more on this, as it could be a really interesting play on a character, as he may see his purpose as being "the bridge between the two aspects of one being". |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 02 Oct 2024 : 18:31:10
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Jeff, just curious, the part where you talk about HOW he ascended (i.e. finding Ilsensine, asking him a question, etc..)... is that canon anywhere? If not, I just really want to tell you... I like that idea. Good work.
Thanks! It was basically inspired by the Diirinka and Diinkarazan origin, and it seemed to fit as a potential origin for a philosophical/exploration god. :D
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Oh, and just to put some spin on an idea... since he was supposedly "killed" by Tenebrous with some magic word (forget the term used), and since both Tenebrous and Orcus both exist now (Orcus is free and Tenebrous is a vestige)... what if there's something similar going on with Maanzecorian. By that I mean, what if his church now also includes binders that bind an "aspect" of Maanzecorian that's still entrapped in the place where Vestiges go. Maybe the returned Maanzecorian is missing SOME of his knowledge and its held by his own vestige. Maybe there are "cleric/binders" who multiclass. Finally, maybe the vestige of Maanzecorian refuses to bind with anyone who binds with Tenebrous. I know it would be a bit confusing as hell, but its got the basis of a good story I think.
Going with this idea, whenever a binder "binds" the VESTIGE of Maanzecorian (note, should come up with another name.... maybe IT is called the Philosoflayer), it should appear within the circle, rise up appearing as a great illithid, surround the head of the binder with its own tentacles... and then disappear, like its entered their brain.
I don't really know much about vestiges and the like, it's not something that was in 2e so I haven't given it any real consideration. I'd much rather Maanzecorian be alive as he was than there be any other sort of situation. I wanted to leave it open for individual DMs to do what they wanted (including having another deity masquerade as him), but for my campaign, it's "Somehow, Maanzecorian returned." ;)
I see Tenebrous as just Orcus's name while his name was erased, and he is now an actual undead god, which basically doesn't mean anything within the rules.
Jeff |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 02 Oct 2024 : 17:59:13
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
Maanzecorian the Philosoflayer: https://bit.ly/4dsptuH
Maanzecorian always fascinated me, as a knowledge- and philosphy-loving deity of a very evil race. He always felt like the perfect patron of Estriss, the illithid in the Cloakmaster Spelljammer novel series. I was disappointed when he was unceremoniously slain in the Dead Gods adventure, so I took this opportunity to create the potential of a revival (or, for those who wish it, another deity to masquerade as him).
Jeff
Jeff, just curious, the part where you talk about HOW he ascended (i.e. finding Ilsensine, asking him a question, etc..)... is that canon anywhere? If not, I just really want to tell you... I like that idea. Good work.
Oh, and just to put some spin on an idea... since he was supposedly "killed" by Tenebrous with some magic word (forget the term used), and since both Tenebrous and Orcus both exist now (Orcus is free and Tenebrous is a vestige)... what if there's something similar going on with Maanzecorian. By that I mean, what if his church now also includes binders that bind an "aspect" of Maanzecorian that's still entrapped in the place where Vestiges go. Maybe the returned Maanzecorian is missing SOME of his knowledge and its held by his own vestige. Maybe there are "clerics of Maanzecorian/binders" who multiclass, and they report that when they bind they can "hear" the whispers of the "two halves of Maanzecorian trying to talk to one another through them". Maybe the vestige of Maanzecorian refuses to bind with anyone who binds with Tenebrous. When someone binds the vestige, maybe they as well hear the whisperings of it in their brain talking to any other bound vestiges... but the binder themselves can't make out what's being said. Maybe you can even negotiate between the vestiges to allow Maanzecorian to give more abilities in return for another vestige not supplying as much (just a mechanics idea here... either extra powers or the powers be enhanced that Maanzecorian does give). I know it would be a bit confusing as hell, but its got the basis of a good story I think.
Going with this idea, whenever a binder "binds" the VESTIGE of Maanzecorian (note, should come up with another name.... maybe IT is called the Philosoflayer), it should appear within the circle, rise up appearing as a great illithid, surround the head of the binder with its own tentacles... and then disappear, like its entered their brain.
granted none of that fits in the 2e ruleset, but just figured I'd post the idea. |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 02 Oct 2024 : 16:32:44
quote:
Originally posted by Iahn Qoyllor
As always Jeff, absolutely superb work! Really enjoyed your write up.
Thank you, I appreciate it! :D
Jeff |
| Iahn Qoyllor |
Posted - 02 Oct 2024 : 12:33:05
As always Jeff, absolutely superb work! Really enjoyed your write up. |
| AuldDragon |
Posted - 02 Oct 2024 : 01:23:10
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Maanzecorian has always needed more lore love. This is really a great work up!
Thank you!
Jeff |
| The Sage |
Posted - 02 Oct 2024 : 00:49:30
Maanzecorian has always needed more lore love. This is really a great work up! |
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