Scorpina
2012-08-30, 05:43 PM
Rald is the (working) name of the homebrew world I've been building lately. The central idea of it is that the technology level is slightly lower than the typical 'pesudo-medieval Europe' setting in D&D/Pathfdiner, and reflects more the 'Classical' period in history. As such, the central conflict in my world is less between Good and Evil as between two major city states, Castra and Mahoudium. I'll be posting some more information about those, and other, geographical locations later, but my starting point has been this pantheon.
So, any advice you guys could give on them would be appreciated.
The gods are rather aloof and almost elemental in nature, and so they typically lack any specific agenda in the world. It is not uncommon for priests of the same deity to find themselves on opposing sides of a battle.
ARANEA, the Goddess of Artisans and Craftsmen, is True Neutral. She takes the form a giant spider, and her titles include the Lady Who Spins. She is also the patron of arts and crafts more generally, and offers are made to her before most ambitious crafting projects are begun. The domains associated with her are Artifice, Knowledge, Rune and Trickery. Her favoured weapon is the Whip.
ASGAYA, the Goddess of Rain, is Lawful Good. She takes the form of a giant, coautl. She is also known as The Rainbow Serpent. She is prayed to by farmers, for obvious reasons, but she is also particularly revered in desert regions, where her mercy is courted and held in contrast to Orbis's perceived mercilessness. She is also cherished by good-aligned water creatures. The domains associated with her are Good, Law, Magic, Water and Weather. Her favoured weapon is the Shortbow.
BAHADUR, the God of Nobility and Courage, is Lawful Neutral. He takes the form of a golden lion, and is known as the Noble Heart. Since his worshippers include many monarchs and nobles, as well as many professional soldiers, he is an influential political force. In particular, the Lion's Roar Mercenary Company holds much power in the city of Mahoidum.Younger children of noble families are often sworn into his priesthood from a young age. Since he is associated with monarchy, and with Mahoudium, he is unpopular in Castra. The domains associated with him are Animal, Glory, Law, Nobility, Strength and War. His favoured weapon is the Longsword.
BOG, the God of Pestilence, is Neutral Evil. Like many evil deities, his is not so much worshiped as fended off. People pray to him that they will be spared form the ravages of its diseases. Most of his priesthood is made up of children claimed by his clergy after they have been cured of illness at a young age, or after their parents have died from illness. Somewhat paradoxically, his temples usually serve as hospitals – albeit rather disreputable ones. It is not uncommon for such temples to boast that no patient dies in their care – a feat the priests accomplish by refusing admittance to the seriously ill, and casting out those whose condition worsens, claiming that Bog frowns upon them. The domains associated with it are Destruction, Evil, Earth and Madness. It's favoured weapon is the Heavy Flail.
CORAX, the Goddess of Death & Travel is Lawful Neutral. She takes the form a raven, and her titles include the Inevitable and the Just Lady. Her worshippers claim that she, or her messengers, come for every soul at the time of death, and guide them to the Netherworld. Some critics of her claim, instead, that she devours the souls. Her clergy stresses the distinction between the body and the spirit. The domains associated with her are Animal, Law, Repose, and Travel. Her favoured weapon is the Short Sword.
EDABUS, the God of the Wilderness, is True Neutral. He takes the form of a giant treant. He is also known as the Shepherd of the Trees and the Great Oak. Tree-fellers, lumberjacks and carpenters pay their respects to him – for without him their trades are impossible, and to butcher his children for wood without making offerings to him is to incur his wrath. The domains associated with him are Earth, Healing, Plant and Protection. His favoured weapon is the Handaxe.
GREX, the God of Hunger, is Neutral Evil. It takes the form of a huge swarm of locusts, and it's titles include The Devourer and the All-Consuming. Like many evil deities, it is not so much worshiped as appeased. People of many walks of life, but especially farmers, hunters and other producers of food, give offerings to it regularly in the hopes that it will be satisfied, and not devour all their stores. In Castra and it's protectorate, it is granted dominion over the Winter. The domains associated with it are Air, Death, Destruction and Evil. It's favoured weapon is the Scythe.
HUSOOR, the God of Fertility, is Chaotic Neutral. He takes the form of a bull elephant. He is naturally prayed to by those, of either sex, wishing to procreate, but he is also venerated by animal breeders, some hereditary rulers and those – especially those in Mahoudium – who use elephants as beasts of war. Nominally, he is still the sole patron of Mahoudium, but – thanks to the Lion's Roar – Bahadur is at least equally as popular in that city. The domains associated with him are Animal, Chaos, Charm, Community, and Protection. His favoured weapon is the Guisarme.
IONA, the Goddess of Mercy, is Chaotic Good. She takes the form of a beautiful silver unicorn. She is also associated with horses, for obvious reasons. Many healers worship her, and she has shrines almost everywhere. Some claim that she was the first deity to teach healing magic to mortals – a claim that is vehemently opposed by orthodox Khazarians, and by some Bogites. The domains associated with her are Animal, Chaos, Charm, Good, Healing and Magic. Her favoured weapon is the Halberd.
KHAZAR, the God of Magic and Power, is True Neutral. He takes the form of a multi-hued dragon. He is believed to be the first, and perhaps the only, deity to teach magic to mortals. Almost all arcane spellcasters devote at least lip-service to the Great Dragon, as indeed to most dragons and dragon descendants. Magical artifacts are commonly sacrificed to Khazar, in the hopes of increasing one's own magical power. The domains associated with him are Artifice, Knowledge, Magic, Rune and Strength. His favoured weapon is the Scimitar.
LETHYS, the Goddess of Lost Things, is Chaotic Neutral. She takes the form of a white mouse. She has no major temples, and is the patron of no settlements. Her priesthood is made up largely of wanderers, and her shrines – though scattered across the world – are all hidden, either within cities or in the wilderness. The domains associated with her are Animal, Chaos, Darkness, Liberation and Luck. Her favoured weapon is the Sickle.
ORBIS, the Sun God, is Lawful Neutral, if it can truly be said to have an alignment. Unlike the other deities, it is not personified in any way. It's followers view it, rightly, as the source of all life on Earth and venerate it for that reason. In the Castrian Protectorate, it is given dominion over the summer – for obvious reasons. The domains associated with it are Fire, Glory, Law and Sun. It's favoured weapon is the Falchion.
PROTERO, the God of the Sea, is Neutral Evil. He is also known as the Ship Eater and The Deep One. Although few humanoids have any love for him, any sailor or naval power feels they must offer him prayer and sacrifices – or else. He takes the form of a fiendish kraken. Any state seeking to be a naval power will have several temples devoted to him, and it is due to a historical failure to appease him that the otherwise militarily powerful city of Mahoudium does not have a navy. The domains associated with him are Evil, Madness, Strength and Water. His favoured weapon is the Trident.
SAVINIA, the Goddess of Promises, is Lawful Neutral. She takes the form of a silver eagle. She is invoked in marriages, treaties and other legal contracts and ceremonies. She is often paired with Ultor in such matters, although the two deities are not considered allies. Along with Turio, she is one of the two main patrons of Castra. The domains associated with her are Law, Knowledge and Rune. Her favoured weapon is the ?.
SHEVITH, the Goddess of the Hunt, is Chaotic Neutral. She takes the form of a tigress. She is worshiped hyeavily among tribal cultures, especially the natives of Great Western Desert, and is also associated with wilderness combat and battle frenzy. She remains popular among the more civilized citizens of Almash, which rules much of the desert. Her followers believe that it was she who first taught humanoids how to make weapons. The domains associated with here are Animal, Artifice, Chaos, Destruction and War. Unlike other deities, she does not have a specific favoured weapon – her clerics automatically gain proficiency with one martial weapon of their choice.
TANTIBA the Goddess of Courtesans and Concubines is True Neutral. She takes the form of a graceful swan, and is therefore known as The Swan Queen. She is also associated with grace, beauty and financial prosperity. Because her priests and worshipers are often involved in intrigue, she too is associated with it. Most of her priests work as temple prostitutes, and her temples are typically luxurius brothels known as Houses of the Swan. When reaching an advanced age, the priests take on more administrative duties in the temple. The domains associated with her are Air, Animal, Charm, Trickery and Water. Her favoured weapon is the Rapier.
TURIO, the God of Walls and Moats, is Lawful Neutral. He takes the form of a large turtle or tortoise. He is known as The Greatest Builder and the Tactian. He is particularly favoured by the inhabitants of walled cities, as well by soldiers and guardsmen. Along with Savinia, he is one of the two main patrons of Castra. He is also revered by stonemasons and builders, although such people typically also offer prayers to Aranea. The domains associated with him are Animal, Artifice, Community, Earth, Law, Protection and Water. His favoured weapon is the Heavy Pick.
ULTOR, the God of Vengeance, is Lawful Evil. He takes the form of a hydra. He is known as The Manifold and the Warlord. Many blood oaths are sworn in his name. He is also invoked by executioners, and those ordering executions. Furthermore, he is associated with those undead - such as ghosts - who become undead to avenge some wrong done to them in life. The domains associated with him are Death, Destruction, Evil, Law, Strength and War. His favoured weapon is the Greatsword.
VARIUS, the God of Slaves and Slavery, is Lawful Neutral. He is takes the form of a black bull, or an ox. He is worshipped by both slaves and slavers, and is also associated with hard work and the work ethic. He and his priesthood are quick to punish any mistreatment of slaves, although different priests draw the line between what is 'mistreatment' and what is not in radically different places. He is the main patron of the Dastari barbarian tribes. The domains associated with him are Animal, Artifice, Law and Strength. His favoured weapon is the Light Pick.
WIJ, the Goddess of Nightmares, is Chaotic Evil. She takes the form of a collosal fiendish centipede. She is also associated with the night and fear in general. She holds influence over the moon, although scholars disagree on the amount – and the legitimacy – of her claims to dominion of it. Like other evil deities, she is mostly warded off rather than worshiped, with prayers being offered to her before sleep to fend off her cruel visions. Her more devoted followers tend to be quite mad. The domains associated with her are Chaos, Darkness, Evil, Madness and Knowledge. Her favoured weapon is the Spiked Chain.
XSARA, the Goddess of Renewal, is Neutral Good. She takes the form of a phoenix. She is considered the sister of Corax, and her clergy introduced the custom of cremeation – and the concept of physical reincarnation - to the world. In Castra, she is revered as the patron deity of the spring, as this is the season of renewal and new birth. Like her sister, she is a relentless enemy of the undead. The domains associated with her are Fire, Good, Healing and Maigc. Her favoured weapon is the Battleaxe.
ZULFIR, the God of the Wind, is Chaotic Neutral. He takes the form of a monkey, and is usually depicted holding a bag. He is said to have trapped TYPHON, the previous, primeval wind god, in such a bag, and thus stolen his divinity. As the youngest member of the pantheon, he has only a few settlements under his patronage – many of Typhon's old settlements having gone over to other deities, rather than come under the sway of the usurper.The domains associated with him are Animal, Air, Chaos, Travel, Trickery and Weather. His favoured weapon is the Longbow.
So, any advice you guys could give on them would be appreciated.
The gods are rather aloof and almost elemental in nature, and so they typically lack any specific agenda in the world. It is not uncommon for priests of the same deity to find themselves on opposing sides of a battle.
ARANEA, the Goddess of Artisans and Craftsmen, is True Neutral. She takes the form a giant spider, and her titles include the Lady Who Spins. She is also the patron of arts and crafts more generally, and offers are made to her before most ambitious crafting projects are begun. The domains associated with her are Artifice, Knowledge, Rune and Trickery. Her favoured weapon is the Whip.
ASGAYA, the Goddess of Rain, is Lawful Good. She takes the form of a giant, coautl. She is also known as The Rainbow Serpent. She is prayed to by farmers, for obvious reasons, but she is also particularly revered in desert regions, where her mercy is courted and held in contrast to Orbis's perceived mercilessness. She is also cherished by good-aligned water creatures. The domains associated with her are Good, Law, Magic, Water and Weather. Her favoured weapon is the Shortbow.
BAHADUR, the God of Nobility and Courage, is Lawful Neutral. He takes the form of a golden lion, and is known as the Noble Heart. Since his worshippers include many monarchs and nobles, as well as many professional soldiers, he is an influential political force. In particular, the Lion's Roar Mercenary Company holds much power in the city of Mahoidum.Younger children of noble families are often sworn into his priesthood from a young age. Since he is associated with monarchy, and with Mahoudium, he is unpopular in Castra. The domains associated with him are Animal, Glory, Law, Nobility, Strength and War. His favoured weapon is the Longsword.
BOG, the God of Pestilence, is Neutral Evil. Like many evil deities, his is not so much worshiped as fended off. People pray to him that they will be spared form the ravages of its diseases. Most of his priesthood is made up of children claimed by his clergy after they have been cured of illness at a young age, or after their parents have died from illness. Somewhat paradoxically, his temples usually serve as hospitals – albeit rather disreputable ones. It is not uncommon for such temples to boast that no patient dies in their care – a feat the priests accomplish by refusing admittance to the seriously ill, and casting out those whose condition worsens, claiming that Bog frowns upon them. The domains associated with it are Destruction, Evil, Earth and Madness. It's favoured weapon is the Heavy Flail.
CORAX, the Goddess of Death & Travel is Lawful Neutral. She takes the form a raven, and her titles include the Inevitable and the Just Lady. Her worshippers claim that she, or her messengers, come for every soul at the time of death, and guide them to the Netherworld. Some critics of her claim, instead, that she devours the souls. Her clergy stresses the distinction between the body and the spirit. The domains associated with her are Animal, Law, Repose, and Travel. Her favoured weapon is the Short Sword.
EDABUS, the God of the Wilderness, is True Neutral. He takes the form of a giant treant. He is also known as the Shepherd of the Trees and the Great Oak. Tree-fellers, lumberjacks and carpenters pay their respects to him – for without him their trades are impossible, and to butcher his children for wood without making offerings to him is to incur his wrath. The domains associated with him are Earth, Healing, Plant and Protection. His favoured weapon is the Handaxe.
GREX, the God of Hunger, is Neutral Evil. It takes the form of a huge swarm of locusts, and it's titles include The Devourer and the All-Consuming. Like many evil deities, it is not so much worshiped as appeased. People of many walks of life, but especially farmers, hunters and other producers of food, give offerings to it regularly in the hopes that it will be satisfied, and not devour all their stores. In Castra and it's protectorate, it is granted dominion over the Winter. The domains associated with it are Air, Death, Destruction and Evil. It's favoured weapon is the Scythe.
HUSOOR, the God of Fertility, is Chaotic Neutral. He takes the form of a bull elephant. He is naturally prayed to by those, of either sex, wishing to procreate, but he is also venerated by animal breeders, some hereditary rulers and those – especially those in Mahoudium – who use elephants as beasts of war. Nominally, he is still the sole patron of Mahoudium, but – thanks to the Lion's Roar – Bahadur is at least equally as popular in that city. The domains associated with him are Animal, Chaos, Charm, Community, and Protection. His favoured weapon is the Guisarme.
IONA, the Goddess of Mercy, is Chaotic Good. She takes the form of a beautiful silver unicorn. She is also associated with horses, for obvious reasons. Many healers worship her, and she has shrines almost everywhere. Some claim that she was the first deity to teach healing magic to mortals – a claim that is vehemently opposed by orthodox Khazarians, and by some Bogites. The domains associated with her are Animal, Chaos, Charm, Good, Healing and Magic. Her favoured weapon is the Halberd.
KHAZAR, the God of Magic and Power, is True Neutral. He takes the form of a multi-hued dragon. He is believed to be the first, and perhaps the only, deity to teach magic to mortals. Almost all arcane spellcasters devote at least lip-service to the Great Dragon, as indeed to most dragons and dragon descendants. Magical artifacts are commonly sacrificed to Khazar, in the hopes of increasing one's own magical power. The domains associated with him are Artifice, Knowledge, Magic, Rune and Strength. His favoured weapon is the Scimitar.
LETHYS, the Goddess of Lost Things, is Chaotic Neutral. She takes the form of a white mouse. She has no major temples, and is the patron of no settlements. Her priesthood is made up largely of wanderers, and her shrines – though scattered across the world – are all hidden, either within cities or in the wilderness. The domains associated with her are Animal, Chaos, Darkness, Liberation and Luck. Her favoured weapon is the Sickle.
ORBIS, the Sun God, is Lawful Neutral, if it can truly be said to have an alignment. Unlike the other deities, it is not personified in any way. It's followers view it, rightly, as the source of all life on Earth and venerate it for that reason. In the Castrian Protectorate, it is given dominion over the summer – for obvious reasons. The domains associated with it are Fire, Glory, Law and Sun. It's favoured weapon is the Falchion.
PROTERO, the God of the Sea, is Neutral Evil. He is also known as the Ship Eater and The Deep One. Although few humanoids have any love for him, any sailor or naval power feels they must offer him prayer and sacrifices – or else. He takes the form of a fiendish kraken. Any state seeking to be a naval power will have several temples devoted to him, and it is due to a historical failure to appease him that the otherwise militarily powerful city of Mahoudium does not have a navy. The domains associated with him are Evil, Madness, Strength and Water. His favoured weapon is the Trident.
SAVINIA, the Goddess of Promises, is Lawful Neutral. She takes the form of a silver eagle. She is invoked in marriages, treaties and other legal contracts and ceremonies. She is often paired with Ultor in such matters, although the two deities are not considered allies. Along with Turio, she is one of the two main patrons of Castra. The domains associated with her are Law, Knowledge and Rune. Her favoured weapon is the ?.
SHEVITH, the Goddess of the Hunt, is Chaotic Neutral. She takes the form of a tigress. She is worshiped hyeavily among tribal cultures, especially the natives of Great Western Desert, and is also associated with wilderness combat and battle frenzy. She remains popular among the more civilized citizens of Almash, which rules much of the desert. Her followers believe that it was she who first taught humanoids how to make weapons. The domains associated with here are Animal, Artifice, Chaos, Destruction and War. Unlike other deities, she does not have a specific favoured weapon – her clerics automatically gain proficiency with one martial weapon of their choice.
TANTIBA the Goddess of Courtesans and Concubines is True Neutral. She takes the form of a graceful swan, and is therefore known as The Swan Queen. She is also associated with grace, beauty and financial prosperity. Because her priests and worshipers are often involved in intrigue, she too is associated with it. Most of her priests work as temple prostitutes, and her temples are typically luxurius brothels known as Houses of the Swan. When reaching an advanced age, the priests take on more administrative duties in the temple. The domains associated with her are Air, Animal, Charm, Trickery and Water. Her favoured weapon is the Rapier.
TURIO, the God of Walls and Moats, is Lawful Neutral. He takes the form of a large turtle or tortoise. He is known as The Greatest Builder and the Tactian. He is particularly favoured by the inhabitants of walled cities, as well by soldiers and guardsmen. Along with Savinia, he is one of the two main patrons of Castra. He is also revered by stonemasons and builders, although such people typically also offer prayers to Aranea. The domains associated with him are Animal, Artifice, Community, Earth, Law, Protection and Water. His favoured weapon is the Heavy Pick.
ULTOR, the God of Vengeance, is Lawful Evil. He takes the form of a hydra. He is known as The Manifold and the Warlord. Many blood oaths are sworn in his name. He is also invoked by executioners, and those ordering executions. Furthermore, he is associated with those undead - such as ghosts - who become undead to avenge some wrong done to them in life. The domains associated with him are Death, Destruction, Evil, Law, Strength and War. His favoured weapon is the Greatsword.
VARIUS, the God of Slaves and Slavery, is Lawful Neutral. He is takes the form of a black bull, or an ox. He is worshipped by both slaves and slavers, and is also associated with hard work and the work ethic. He and his priesthood are quick to punish any mistreatment of slaves, although different priests draw the line between what is 'mistreatment' and what is not in radically different places. He is the main patron of the Dastari barbarian tribes. The domains associated with him are Animal, Artifice, Law and Strength. His favoured weapon is the Light Pick.
WIJ, the Goddess of Nightmares, is Chaotic Evil. She takes the form of a collosal fiendish centipede. She is also associated with the night and fear in general. She holds influence over the moon, although scholars disagree on the amount – and the legitimacy – of her claims to dominion of it. Like other evil deities, she is mostly warded off rather than worshiped, with prayers being offered to her before sleep to fend off her cruel visions. Her more devoted followers tend to be quite mad. The domains associated with her are Chaos, Darkness, Evil, Madness and Knowledge. Her favoured weapon is the Spiked Chain.
XSARA, the Goddess of Renewal, is Neutral Good. She takes the form of a phoenix. She is considered the sister of Corax, and her clergy introduced the custom of cremeation – and the concept of physical reincarnation - to the world. In Castra, she is revered as the patron deity of the spring, as this is the season of renewal and new birth. Like her sister, she is a relentless enemy of the undead. The domains associated with her are Fire, Good, Healing and Maigc. Her favoured weapon is the Battleaxe.
ZULFIR, the God of the Wind, is Chaotic Neutral. He takes the form of a monkey, and is usually depicted holding a bag. He is said to have trapped TYPHON, the previous, primeval wind god, in such a bag, and thus stolen his divinity. As the youngest member of the pantheon, he has only a few settlements under his patronage – many of Typhon's old settlements having gone over to other deities, rather than come under the sway of the usurper.The domains associated with him are Animal, Air, Chaos, Travel, Trickery and Weather. His favoured weapon is the Longbow.