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Trace_Coburn
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
137 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Apr 2006 : 14:27:12
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I understand that there used to be a comprehensive scale which delineated how many worshippers a 'divine' entity would need to earn a certain rank as a deity. Would a single city of less than forty thousand quasi-lay worshippers (with less than two thousand active clergy, counting acolytes/adepts) be enough to elevate a being posing as a god (in this case, a horned devil) into the lowest bracket of divinity at "Divine Rank 1-5" (as found/defined in the apparently less-detailed listing in the front of Faiths and Pantheons)? Or would such 'worship' simply push him up the ladder of HD advancement?
(The career track of Gargauth, exiled tanar'ri-lord turned patron diety of slimy politicians everywhere, suggests that the transition to and from demon/devil to deity is possible....)
In a similar vein, are there any limits on what divine powers such a demi-god might be able to grant? F&P says that even dinky little demi-gods can grant all his worshippers all levels of spells if they rate that sort of attention, but for some strange reason, I can't see a cornugon-god being too keen on worshippers turning undead/outsiders or rebuking/commanding them.  And I'm mostly certain that unless and until said cornugon actually broke through into some form of legit divine status, all his 'worshippers' would get for their troubles was an ass-whooping with a spiked chain if they didn't do what he told them....
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D&D collection: Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, Monster Manual I, Complete Arcane, Arms & Equipment Guide.
FR sourcebook collection: Dragons of Faerûn, Faiths & Pantheons, FRCS, Lords of Darkness, Monsters of Faerûn, Player's Guide to Faerûn, Power of Faerûn, Races of Faerûn, Silver Marches.
I just got back into this, okay? Give me time (or better yet money) - I'll catch up soon enough. |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4689 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2006 : 14:41:45
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Divine rank is not just based on numbers of worshipers. There are other unidentified factors that effect Divine rank (For example AO has few (if any worshippers) and Divine rank is 20+ , there again deities might worship AO *wink*
"Rank 0
Creatures of this rank are sometimes called quasi-deities or hero deities. Creatures that have a mortal and a deity as parents also fall into this category. These entities cannot grant spells, but are immortal and usually have one or more ability scores that are far above the norm for their species. They may have some worshipers. Ordinary mortals do not have a divine rank of 0. They lack a divine rank altogether. "
"Rank 1-5
These entities, called demigods, are the weakest of the deities. A demigod can grant spells and perform a few deeds that are beyond mortal limits. A demigod has anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand devoted mortal worshipers and may receive veneration or respect from many more."
Your devil could be elevated, if just based on numbers to higher then rank 5, but he needs to aquire at least one portfolio (either one not claimed right now, aquire one from another deity, or perhaps share one).
"Lesser deities have anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of worshipers"
"Every deity of rank 1 or higher has at least limited knowledge and control over some aspect of mortal existence. A deity’s connection to its portfolio gives it a number of powers. "
Thus it is up to the DM as to if the Devil has Divine rank of 0 or higher.
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"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Trace_Coburn
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
137 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2006 : 14:01:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
"Rank 1-5
These entities, called demigods, are the weakest of the deities. A demigod can grant spells and perform a few deeds that are beyond mortal limits. A demigod has anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand devoted mortal worshipers and may receive veneration or respect from many more."
Your devil could be elevated, if just based on numbers to higher then rank 5, but he needs to aquire at least one portfolio (either one not claimed right now, aquire one from another deity, or perhaps share one).
Hmmm. Any suggestions on which portfolios these devils (there's actually two of them, the cornugon for the male aspects and an erinyes for the female) might suborn or share, and from which deities? I mean, I'm not sure if being "patron of Underdark gnolls" would be considered a worthwhile portfolio if there's only the one city's worth. (Yeenoghu hasn't been formally elevated to divinity, and he's got the whole 'regular' gnollish race chanting his name.)
Bane might just do for the cornugon/male aspect: he'd probably really get off on having gnolls worship him through this new demi-god, though his absence during the ToT might strain their relationship, depending on how the whole Bane/Cyric/Iyachtu Xvim mess was handled. Sharing the 'tyranny' sector with this horned devil wouldn't hurt him too much, right?  Especially since Mister Cornugon has managed to scatter most of his marbles and is stuck in "Crush! Kill! Destroy!" Mode.
What's doing my head in is the female aspect represented by the erinyes (who happens to be the brains and organisational nouse of the operation, and thus a touch more important). I was thinking of tapping Shar as her sponsor, in her capacity as goddess of caverns, secrets and the Underdark - until I remembered that she only picked up those spheres of responsibility by murdering Ibrandul during The Troubles, and this city was founded not long after the fall of Myth Drannor.  Does anyone have any better ideas?
(Can anyone tell me anything about Ibrandul before Shar gave him the good news? Would he make a suitable sponsor for an erinyes lording it over a city of LE gnolls? ) |
D&D collection: Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, Monster Manual I, Complete Arcane, Arms & Equipment Guide.
FR sourcebook collection: Dragons of Faerûn, Faiths & Pantheons, FRCS, Lords of Darkness, Monsters of Faerûn, Player's Guide to Faerûn, Power of Faerûn, Races of Faerûn, Silver Marches.
I just got back into this, okay? Give me time (or better yet money) - I'll catch up soon enough. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2006 : 14:08:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Trace_Coburn
Can anyone tell me anything about Ibrandul before Shar gave him the good news?
Take a look through Faiths & Avatars -- specifically Ibrandul's entry.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Trace_Coburn
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
137 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2006 : 14:58:52
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Trace_Coburn
Can anyone tell me anything about Ibrandul before Shar gave him the good news?
Take a look through Faiths & Avatars -- specifically Ibrandul's entry.
Love to. Know where I can find a copy that won't cost me an arm, a leg and my immortal soul? |
D&D collection: Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, Monster Manual I, Complete Arcane, Arms & Equipment Guide.
FR sourcebook collection: Dragons of Faerûn, Faiths & Pantheons, FRCS, Lords of Darkness, Monsters of Faerûn, Player's Guide to Faerûn, Power of Faerûn, Races of Faerûn, Silver Marches.
I just got back into this, okay? Give me time (or better yet money) - I'll catch up soon enough. |
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martynq
Seeker
United Kingdom
90 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2006 : 16:57:44
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quote:
Love to. Know where I can find a copy that won't cost me an arm, a leg and my immortal soul? [/font=Comic Sans MS]
Try a PDF version from (for example) paizo.com ?
Martyn |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2006 : 17:29:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Trace_Coburn
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Trace_Coburn
Can anyone tell me anything about Ibrandul before Shar gave him the good news?
Take a look through Faiths & Avatars -- specifically Ibrandul's entry.
Love to. Know where I can find a copy that won't cost me an arm, a leg and my immortal soul?
I see it pop up on eBay from time to time... There may be one on there now. I've heard good things about NobleKnight.com, as well.
I also have the pdf, which I bought from Paizo.com, for $4. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2006 : 17:32:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Trace_Coburn
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Trace_Coburn
Can anyone tell me anything about Ibrandul before Shar gave him the good news?
Take a look through Faiths & Avatars -- specifically Ibrandul's entry.
Love to. Know where I can find a copy that won't cost me an arm, a leg and my immortal soul?
I see it pop up on eBay from time to time... There may be one on there now. I've heard good things about NobleKnight.com, as well.
I also have the pdf, which I bought from Paizo.com, for $4.
Indeed. Both dragontrove.com and nobleknight.com are offering hard copies of F&A as I recall for varied prices.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2006 : 17:37:31
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quote:
Originally posted by martynq
quote:
Love to. Know where I can find a copy that won't cost me an arm, a leg and my immortal soul? [/font=Comic Sans MS]
Try a PDF version from (for example) paizo.com ?
Martyn
Or hardcopies from nobleknight.com or dragonstrove. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2006 : 21:53:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Trace_Coburn
I understand that there used to be a comprehensive scale which delineated how many worshippers a 'divine' entity would need to earn a certain rank as a deity.
(snip)
Where was that information, and for what edition of the game?
I have found Fantasy Flight's Legends & Lairs books Spells & Spellcraft: Compendium of Mystic Lore and Monster's Handbook: A Sourcebook for Creating and Customizing d20 System Monsters to be useful for calculating probable numbers of worshippers in cults. The first book considers "small gods" to be very powerful spirits, the second considers the issue of divine ascension from the perspective of an ambitious Outsider who wants to pursue godhood as a prestige class. ("I'm not making this up, you know!")
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I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
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Trace_Coburn
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
137 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2006 : 13:03:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
quote:
Originally posted by martynq
quote:
Love to. Know where I can find a copy that won't cost me an arm, a leg and my immortal soul?
Try a PDF version from (for example) paizo.com ?
Martyn
Or hardcopies from nobleknight.com or dragonstrove.
Thanks for the pointers, you jokers, but unless and until I win Lotto and/or personally have this town wired for broadband, I don't think on-line buying's going to happen for me. My .sig lays out why. Nonetheless, I greatly appreciate the pointers and will keep them in mind. 
Back on topic: any suggestions for a 'sponsor' deity (or deities plural) for these two enterprising baatezu? If it helps any, they're planning to use their new Reavers to take over gnoll tribes and conquer the entire middle section of Faerun, and are appropriately stoking the Reavers full of 'Manifest Destiny' thinking. (But you also need to remember that the Time of Troubles won't happen until more than six centuries after the city was founded....)
@ Jamallo: I took that info-bit from information I gleaned here and elsewhere - I think it might have been in one of the AD&D 2e 'FR Deity' collection. I could well be wrong - it certainly wouldn;t be the first time.  |
D&D collection: Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, Monster Manual I, Complete Arcane, Arms & Equipment Guide.
FR sourcebook collection: Dragons of Faerûn, Faiths & Pantheons, FRCS, Lords of Darkness, Monsters of Faerûn, Player's Guide to Faerûn, Power of Faerûn, Races of Faerûn, Silver Marches.
I just got back into this, okay? Give me time (or better yet money) - I'll catch up soon enough. |
Edited by - Trace_Coburn on 26 Apr 2006 13:08:09 |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4689 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2006 : 13:35:14
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You do not need high speed internet to download a pfd, I downloaded _The North_ in one file which I suspect larger then pfd offered for sale, with either 28,800 or 33,600 (you do need time and an ISP that stays connected).
You might be able to get a debit card that acts the same as a credit card.
I can not help with exchange rate. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4689 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2006 : 13:58:54
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Hmm I found this http://www.planewalker.com/downloads/godslist/files/gods_list.pdf?PHPSESSID=7e0c31de602ea1ab562952384d3a92f4 which apparently lists every D&D deity since first Edition and their portfolios (if any). This is 200 pages long, might take you 10 minutes to open.
I suspect that you might be able to find another setting deity with a portfolio nut currently in use by any FR deity. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2006 : 15:06:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Trace_Coburn
Thanks for the pointers, you jokers, but unless and until I win Lotto and/or personally have this town wired for broadband, I don't think on-line buying's going to happen for me. My .sig lays out why. Nonetheless, I greatly appreciate the pointers and will keep them in mind.
Hmmm... shipping between AUS and NZ doesn't cost too much. Have you tried any AUS RPG online stores for copies of F&A? And the exchange rates are easier on the ol' coin purse as well...
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 26 Apr 2006 15:07:36 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2006 : 15:33:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Trace_Coburn
Thanks for the pointers, you jokers, but unless and until I win Lotto and/or personally have this town wired for broadband, I don't think on-line buying's going to happen for me. My .sig lays out why. Nonetheless, I greatly appreciate the pointers and will keep them in mind.
PayPal can be linked directly to a bank account, with no credit card necessary.
As for large downloads and dial-up, there's a couple of options. There's download managers that you can use to pause and resume downloads. You can also download during off-time -- while you're watching TV, or overnight. I've done both.
As for eBay, not everyone realizes this, but a lot of users accept off-line payments. I know I've sent more than a few checks, MOs, and IPMOs out for payment. I don't know if the other mentioned sites do this, but it certainly doesn't hurt to look. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 26 Apr 2006 15:34:09 |
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Trace_Coburn
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
137 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2006 : 13:13:36
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Kentinal: thank you. After a couple of days to mull through that list, these two baatezu should get their portfolios after all. 
To deal with the folks still discussing the tangent, though.... 
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Hmmm... shipping between AUS and NZ doesn't cost too much. Have you tried any AUS RPG online stores for copies of F&A? And the exchange rates are easier on the ol' coin purse as well...
Sage: I've done business with MilSims a time or two, by international cheque. Better turnaround times than I'm likely to get from a US supplier, but still hideously expensive. (I think you're forgeting that the Aussie prices quoted on those pages are already converted from the American - the bite's still there, just hidden a little by a slightly brighter smile. ) They'd probably be my first stop when/if I scraped together the coin again, but since I can afford to buy four, maybe six tomes in a calendar year, in all honesty I'm keener to get copies of the FRCS and PGtF; F&A is an entry on my 'nice to have' list, but far from a high priority. 
Wooly: Thanks for the tip, and I'll give the 'pay-by-mail' routine a try if I get a chance.
But given how little I make (case in point: I made my bimonthly forty-minute drive to my FLGS today and had to pass up a copy of Power of Faerun so I could buy petrol)... [sigh] well, leave us say that I really, really need to win the lottery. |
D&D collection: Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, Monster Manual I, Complete Arcane, Arms & Equipment Guide.
FR sourcebook collection: Dragons of Faerûn, Faiths & Pantheons, FRCS, Lords of Darkness, Monsters of Faerûn, Player's Guide to Faerûn, Power of Faerûn, Races of Faerûn, Silver Marches.
I just got back into this, okay? Give me time (or better yet money) - I'll catch up soon enough. |
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martynq
Seeker
United Kingdom
90 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2006 : 15:02:50
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quote:
But given how little I make (case in point: I made my bimonthly forty-minute drive to my FLGS today and had to pass up a copy of Power of Faerun so I could buy petrol)... [sigh] well, leave us say that I really, really need to win the lottery.
Let's be honest... your chances of winning any helpful amount on the lottery are minimal. What you really need is a better job. If necessary I'd recommend getting appropriate qualifications also.
This is not meant at all as a personal attack. I'm just being realistic. If your finances only permit you to buy four games books a year, then as you rightly say you have to choose carefully what you buy. I'd still say that $4(US) for a PDF version of F&A is good value no matter what the conversion rates, but it sounds like you have more pressing needs for your money.
Good luck!
Martyn |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4689 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2006 : 18:14:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Trace_Coburn
Kentinal: thank you. After a couple of days to mull through that list, these two baatezu should get their portfolios after all.
Glad I could find something useful for you, perhaps you will let us know what you decide in a followup.
Remember there really are two options, being only deity having a portfolio or a portfolio that is shared in some why. Evil appears to be one portfolio that a few dieties seem to share, they clearly have Evil Domain (which is not quite the same as a portfolio). Perhaps a portfolio of a specfic type of Evil for your demons?
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"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 27 Apr 2006 : 20:39:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
Hmm I found this http://www.planewalker.com/downloads/godslist/files/gods_list.pdf?PHPSESSID=7e0c31de602ea1ab562952384d3a92f4 which apparently lists every D&D deity since first Edition and their portfolios (if any). This is 200 pages long, might take you 10 minutes to open.
I suspect that you might be able to find another setting deity with a portfolio nut currently in use by any FR deity.
Thanks, Kentinal. I was looking at my old copy last week. The version for which you have provided the link was update this month, with "Age of Worms" and other recent material from Dungeon and Dragon. Here is the link for the page which specifies what updates have been made, which I post here for the benefit of other folks who have older copies of the God List: http://www.planewalker.com/downloads/godslist/godList.php.
Has anyone ever compiled a list of the various gods who have appeared in Spelljammer settings, but nowhere else? I'd like to examine such. (Apropos of this thread, I think that if a Herdspace "megafauna" ever appeared on any other planet it would be worshipped right quick, however few its "supernatural" powers might be!)
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I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
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Fletcher
Learned Scribe
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 28 Apr 2006 : 00:08:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Trace_Coburn
>>snip!!<<
Back on topic: any suggestions for a 'sponsor' deity (or deities plural) for these two enterprising baatezu? If it helps any, they're planning to use their new Reavers to take over gnoll tribes and conquer the entire middle section of Faerun, and are appropriately stoking the Reavers full of 'Manifest Destiny' thinking. (But you also need to remember that the Time of Troubles won't happen until more than six centuries after the city was founded....)
Malar is evil and crazy enough that he might sponsor these guys to get them to wreak some amount of havoc in the middle of the realms, and upset the current status of things. Sooo many opportunities when chaos abounds, plus it tweaks the noses of the goody goody gods.
Or perhaps Gruumsh who would like to see a little of that anger and war taken out on the elves, humans and dwarves that keep messing up his plans.
Garyx the dragon god of chaos, destruction, fire and evil (If I forgot anythign I apologize I'm away from my reference material) Garyx might do this just because he saw the opportunity to throw a spanner into the gears.
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Run faster! The Kobolds are catching up! |
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Trace_Coburn
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
137 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2006 : 15:06:21
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Well, my search was made rather harder by the fact that I'd chosen to use baatezu for my top meanies for the sake of bucking the trend - I also figured that deities hearing fiendish petitions to 'sub-contract' their portfolios would only hear out those who met the 'one-step rule', which narrowed the list of candidate sponsors rather more sharply than I'd anticipated.
In any case, here are the rough draughts - let me know if they need any work. (No proper stats for the avatars/gods themselves, at the moment - I figure why bother, when they'll never be challenged short of an Epic game anyway? )
Background history is that Jyalkaath (the cornugon) was trapped in an Underdark cavern for some eight decades by the final contingencies of the drow wizard who summoned him: when Jyalkaath broke free, the collar of material entrapment (see: Arms & Equipment Guide) which Jyalkaath had been forced to wear was magically bonded to the cavern's faerzress, keeping him from leaving by any means or summoning more devils. The erinyes could hear him screaming and could come and go as they pleased (needing no summoning to appear on the Material Plane)... but they only visited him because they felt like it. Valyethra actually liked him on some level, and decided to help him out by joining him in creating the Reavers - starting with the survivors of a band of gnolls which fled into the Underdark after the fall of Myth Drannor and the self-dissolution of the Army of Darkness. Jyalkaath still can't break past the wards that confine him to the cavern, but inside them, he can make a real bastard of himself.
Jyalkaath
The Great Father, the Claw of Tyranny, the Enslaver
Demi-God
Symbol: Green rays squeezed forth from a cornugon’s black clawed hand
Home Plane: The Barrens of Doom and Despair (Baator)
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Portfolio: Strife, hatred, tyranny, fear (*athletic prowess, battle, cities, strength)
Worshippers: Conquerors, evil fighters and monks, tyranny, wizards
Cleric alignments: LN, LE, NE
Domains: [*City,] [*Competition,] Destruction, Evil, Fear, Hatred, Law, *Strength, Tyranny, *War
Favoured Weapon: The Enslaver’s Chains (spiked chain)
* Portfolios held in his own right after Gilgeam’s felling; others are accessible to him, but controlled by Bane.
[Portfolios in square brackets] are accessible only if the Complete series of books are in play.
Jyalkaath received his ‘divinity’ in a bargain with Bane: all Reavers who served the cornugon faithfully – and according to the dictates of Bane’s faith – would grant both of them power, with the Black Lord having ‘right of first claim’ over their souls once they passed; any he did not choose would be consigned to the devil’s home plane of Baator, furthering the fiend’s own agenda and power. After sealing this bargain, Jyalkaath encountered the Untheric dictator-deity Gilgeam in a dream, and the self-proclaimed god-king agreed to the same arrangement mainly as a jest, for he knew that none of his subjects would ever fall under the horned devil’s sway and he did not want the souls of Reaver worshippers, as they would ‘pollute’ his demesnes. However, when both Bane and Gilgeam were slain during the Time of Troubles, it was Jyalkaath who laughed, for Gilgeam’s portfolios fell to him (even if only in a limited fashion). This was vital to the cornugon’s survival as a demi-god during the dogfight over Bane’s legacy, for Cyric refused to honour Bane’s arrangement with the fiend and severed his access to those aspects; Iyachtu Xvim likewise felt disinclined to share his ‘toys’, and it was only when Bane himself was reborn in 1372DR that the cornugon demi-god was allowed to reassert his power over those spheres (subject to the old arrangement with the Black Lord). He now shares Bane’s spheres of influence and follows/preaches the Black Lord’s dogma while possessing Gilgeam’s former portfolios in their own right (though they are applied to the Reavers, rather than Unther; he has no influence in that surface nation, and few on the surface know his name).
Owing to the limits enforced upon him by the collar of material entrapment he has never been able to remove, Jyalkaath is always in his avatar form: that of a Huge cornugon (horned devil). He cannot teleport or summon more devils, but is otherwise treated as a 23HD cornugon/Fighter 6/Barbarian 6.
Valyethra
The Great Mother, Mother of Reason, Mistress of Obligation
Demi-God
Symbol: A flaming sword crossed over a lightning bolt
Home Plane: Baator (*Plane of Shadow)
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Portfolio: duty, order, storms, thunder, vigilance, war, (*caverns, secrets, the Underdark)
Worshippers: Soldiers, peace officers, servants and slaves, forward planners of all types
Cleric alignments: LN, LE, NE
Domains: (*Cavern, *Darkness,) Evil, (*Knowledge,) Law, [Planning,] Protection, Storm, War
Favoured Weapon: Burden of Duty (longsword)
(* Portfolios and domains accessible to Valyethra and her initiated followers, but controlled by Shar.)
[Portfolios in square brackets] are accessible only if the Complete series of books are in play.
Valyethra’s divine imprimatur from Ramman, an Untheric deity of storms and obligations, was arranged through Jyalkaath and Gilgeam soon after those two struck their initial bargain. Ramman was not as sanguine about such dealings as his god-king, but hoped that he could influence the erinyes away from her former path of corruption and redeem her in some fashion, perhaps counterbalancing her companion’s evil influences over the Reavers. He was to be sorely disappointed by a marked lack of progress towards that goal and harvested few of the souls available to him through the pact (as few Reaver worshippers possessed the kindlier impulses (LN alignment) that would have made them acceptable to him), but could not contemplate breaching the bargain and his own sworn oath. During the Time of Troubles, all of this abruptly ceased to matter to Ramman when he was slain and passed most of his power to his Mulhorandi counterpart Anhur; unfortunately for both, a fragment of his power (and access to his spheres of influence) passed to Valyethra when Ramman fell, and with Bane and Jyalkaath protecting the erinyes/demi-god, Anhur cannot justifiably risk a confrontation over the pittance of Ramman’s former power he might gain by slaying Valyethra.
(During a surface venture soon after the city’s foundation, Valyethra was approached by an avatar of Shar, who offered her access to her own spheres of darkness and secrets in return for certain concessions functionally similar to the bargain between Jyalkaath and Bane – and also permitting the Lady of Loss to establish a small ‘doctrinal variance’ within the Great Mother’s clergy which allowed them both to channel certain nihilistic impulses within the Reavers into more useful avenues. (Members of the Great Mother’s clergy may freely choose from any of the listed domains, but only the initiated members of the innermost circles of the clergy know who truly grants them.) After the Time of Troubles, while Jyalkaath was still sorting out what had happened to his sponsors, Shar surreptitiously allowed Valyethra access to the ‘caverns and Underdark’ portfolios she had recently acquired by slaying Ibrandul.)
Dogma: Be attentive, diligent and thorough in the performance of your duties; those who fail in a duty, especially if they gave it anything less than their utmost, will suffer mightily for their indolence. All duties are valuable and should be mastered; when assigned to a task, devote yourself to learning its every aspect. No task should be undertaken without a thorough understanding of the intended goal, what its achievement entails, and what difficulties might await you during its execution: preparation and forethought are the differences between success and failure. Those above you are your masters and may do with you as they see fit; that is their right, and you must give them nothing but your unconditional obedience and loyalty. Your masters give you what is your due for your service and aptitude, no more, no less; do not harbour ambition, for while obedience and proficiency may allow you to improve your lot, ambition, insubordination and insurrection will see you punished.
(Valyethra is also permanently invested in an avatar, being that she cannot claim dominion over Baator. She is treated as a 16HD erinyes/Rogue 9.) |
D&D collection: Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, Monster Manual I, Complete Arcane, Arms & Equipment Guide.
FR sourcebook collection: Dragons of Faerûn, Faiths & Pantheons, FRCS, Lords of Darkness, Monsters of Faerûn, Player's Guide to Faerûn, Power of Faerûn, Races of Faerûn, Silver Marches.
I just got back into this, okay? Give me time (or better yet money) - I'll catch up soon enough. |
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Divine rankings and devil-worshippers
