Deities (Moertus Supplement)
Greater Gods
These 5 Deities have existed before the creation of the known universe. All beings that live on Moertus know of their existence, and most worship at least one or more of them. Even if they pay homage to another, more personal, diety. These Gods have a Divine Rank of 11-15, except for Astrild and Nicor who have a Divine Rank of 16-20.
* Astrild
The Goddess Astrild is the creator of life and to some extent is revered by nearly every living thing on Moertus. She brought light and fire into the universe, and it is she who placed the sun in the sky. Astrild is both worshiped as a Goddess of love and passion, and as a matronly figure who will fight to protect her children. She is always depicted as a scantily clad voluptuous young woman, who holds a silver longsword in her right hand.
* Kun
Kun is a mysterious God, he has been known to stand by and watch events unfold that could harm him or his followers without a single care. And at other times he will take a very active hand in aiding his cause. Kun created the Elves from the Winds, and graced mortals with the knowledge and power to work magic. Because of this both Elves and those that work arcane magic give him homage. As well his connection to the winds has often drawn veneration from sailors and traveling tradesmen. Kun is always depicted as a slender figure enshrouded in thick purple robes, that are trimmed in black. His face forever remains hidden in the darkness of his cowl. Kun holds a tall wooden staff whose surface is etched in glowing magical runes.
* Nicor
Nicor is the embodiment of all evil in the universe. Even those that seek power, and would worship him, fear his wrath. As a result almost all evil beings seeking his aid do so through a Patron God, hoping to gain favor by serving those powers to promote Nicor’s influence. Nicor is always depicted as a rotting human corpse with a crystal skull for a head. He normally clutches a black iron battleaxe in his withered hands.
* Ormet
The mischievous God Ormet is known as the creator of both the Human and Halfling races, both races seem to innately mimic his carefree almost self-destructive behavior. Ormet loves games and gambling, but he is known as a bad loser and his temper can quickly range from jovial to furious in a matter of moments. Ormet is worshiped by nearly all Halflings, and Humans of all kinds often call upon him for aid. But with Humans the majority of his devote followers are among sailors, Rogues, and gamblers. Ormet is depicted as a young dark haired man not much taller then a Halfling. His dress can vary significantly depending on the aspect being portrayed, but his clothing is always blue and green. He always has a dagger and a pouch said to contain gambling tools, on his belt.
* Rig
Rig is the God of the very earth and its plants. He is the creator of both the Dwarves and the Gnomes. Rig strives to see all creatures living according to their place in the world, and is bothered when things behave in what he sees as an unnatural way. He is rigorous and strict, but believes that all things should enjoy the world and its gifts whenever the opportunity arises. Aside from Dwarves and Gnomes many who make their living off the land and its treasures pay homage to Rig. Rig is depicted as a large male bearded warrior, who seems to be made of a mixture of earth and wood. He will often be shown holding a large mace is his right hand.
Patron Gods
The so-called “Patron Gods” of Moertus are derived from the standard pantheons of the D&D universe. This includes both the Humanoid and non-Humanoid deities described in the various entries for any given monster. The main notable deviation with these deities is that all were once mortal creatures long ago, but due to their pious service where granted godhood by either Astrild (if the deity is good) or Nicor (if the deity is evil). Aside from the various Gods of the non-PC races, the world of Moertus also must contend with the infernal (ie. Demons and Devils) and divine (ie. Divas and Archons) creatures that inhabit the upper and lower planes.
The various PC deities (as well as the Drow and Duergar deities) are given more detail due to their common use. Not all of the Gods from the Player’s Handbook exist in Moertus, but those that do are presented with their altered backgrounds. Aside from the changes in their histories they still have the same stats, physical descriptions, and abilities as normally presented.
The role of Patron Gods in Moertus can be likened to that of Saint Veneration in the Roman Catholic Church, except there are many instances of beings actually worshiping Patron Gods and serving as their Clerics. These Deities have a Divine Rank of 6-12.
* Corellon Larethian
When Kun first created the Elves he gave the knowledge of bows to his prize creation. Corellon took this knowledge and shared it with his brethren, making them masters of the forest. Corellon served Kun and lead the Elves into civilization, when he finally passed, Kun elevated him to godhood as his reward.
* Ehlonna
The beautiful young Ehlonna was one of many women who fell under the charismatic spell of Ormet. But Ehlonna was one of the few he actually loved back. She spent her life worshiping and loving Ormet, but her attempts to spread his influence met with resistance when she encountered a Cleric of Rig named Obad-hai. Over the years the two fought each other to extend their Gods power, and in the end it cost them both their lives. But unable to abandon Ehlonna, Ormet raised her to godhood and she now sits as one of his favored consorts.
* Garl Glittergold
It is said that as Moradin forged the first Dwarves he came across a vein of gold, and when he worked the gold it brought Garl Glittergold into existence. Known as the first Gnome, Garl is credited with having discovered the Gnomvale and with securing it from the Kobolds for his fellow Gnomes. Garl did so using his famous trickery, and just a little combat, and every Gnome since him has always followed suit when faced with a conflict. When his time finally came Rig raised Garl to godhood for his service to Rig’s creations.
* Heironeous
Ormet is not the only God to take a mortal lover. Heironeous was a devote warrior, who lived to champion Astrild and her cause. Over the years she came to love him back and in granting him powers she formed the first Paladins. Hextor, the half-brother of Heironeous, was jealous of Astrild’s attention to his sibling. Once he abandoned her faith he strived against her and Heironeous. In the end the two brothers slew each other in combat, but as Heironeous died Astrild raised him to godhood and the two became eternal lovers.
* Kord
Kord was the first Human mortal to taste divinity. When Humans were first forming permanent dwellings and starting to leave their primitive lives behind, Kord was alive. Although never a ruler himself Kord protected Human settlements from monstrous attacks, and by the force of arms he gathered competing tribes of Humans together to work as one instead of hacking each other apart for what they needed. Kord symbolized power through strength, and as Human settlements began to form in the south he headed north bringing his might to the aid of all good folk. It is said he eventually traveled far enough north that he wandered into the plains of Norlund never to be seen again. What is known is that Kord ascended into divinity and became an eternal figure of strength and power.
* Moradin
The Patron God of the Dwarves, is often called “The Soul Forger” by both Dwarves and Gnomes. The first being Rig ever created, Moradin was his most faithful. Rig set him to the task of forging the first Dwarven families from the stone and metals of the mountains. It is said that when Moradin discovered the first vein of gold he forged the first Gnome, Garl Glittergold. After spending a full 100 years forging the first members of the Dwarven race, Moradin became their King and ruled the Dwarves through a glorious age of growth and military conquests. After his death Rig rose Moradin to godhood.
* Obad-hai
In life Obad-hai was a Human zealot, who devoted his entire being to serving Rig and his forests. Obad-hai tended the trees and spent his life promoting conservation and an understanding of the world’s flora. Unfortunately he and Ehlonna, the beautiful Cleric of Ormet, had chosen the same region of Moertus in which to spread their theologies. The two Clerics spent as much time (if not more) working against each other as they did spreading the word of their chosen Gods, and in the end it brought them both death. For his unswerving devotion, Rig raised Obad-hai to godhood upon his death.
* Yondalla
As the first Halflings began to make their way in the world, one young Halfling woman caught the eye of Ormet. Yondalla loved Ormet, but she also loved her people, so when he offered to take her away with him she sadly declined. Instead Yondalla gave her unswerving devotion to Ormet and spent her life helping her people establish their communities and learn the ways of herding and farming. Yondalla also taught her people to defend themselves against the monsters of Moertus, and to stand up for themselves when the need arrived. She eventually lost her life while defending several Halfling children from a Humanoid attack. Ormet raised her to godhood upon her death, and like Ehlonna she has become one of his favored consorts.
Evil Patron Gods
As with good-aligned Patron Gods, Evil Patron Gods have a Divine Rank of 6-12.
* Laduguer
As the first King of the Duergar, Laduguer was a strict and unswerving taskmaster. He drove the Duergar to build the first cities, and to carve out a kingdom in the Underdark. Early on in his search for power Nicor directed Laduguer toward a powerful god-like being known as Ilsensine. Laduguer sent his most trusted lieutenants, Diirinka and Diinkarazan, to do combat with it and steal Ilsensine’s power for the Duergar. Although they failed to destroy Ilsensine, they did return bringing their new “power” to the Duergar. Both Diirinka and Diinkarazan had been transformed into what they called Derro, and they wished to see all other Duergar share this same fate. Diinkarazan was utterly insane and shortly after returning to the Duergar he raised a small warband and set off to destroy the Dwarves. Both the Derro and his Duergar warband were destroyed in a pointless battle, but they killed so many Dwarves before they fell that Duergar still speak of this fight with great reverence. Diirinka appeared to willingly serve Laduguer, training Duergar in the ways of magic while transforming them into Derro. By the time Laduguer noticed his treachery Diirinka had created a circle of 20 Derro and together they set about weaving a spell to transform all Duergar into beings like themselves. At the height of their casting Laduguer struck Diirinka from behind and killed him. Although Laduguer disrupted the spell the Derro deviation entered the Duergar race and still plagues them to this day. Also as renegade Derro form their own communities they have taken up the worship of Diirinka as their Patron God, and Nicor has granted godhood to both Diirinka and Diinkarazan for their overt acts of evil. Laduguer continued his rule of the Duergar, and his veneration of Nicor, for several centuries before his death. Upon his death Nicor granted him godhood as well, also for his service to evil.
* Lolth
Also commonly referred to as the Demon Queen of Spiders, Lolth started life as ruler of the Drow. She formed the first communities, and developed a natural love for the spiders that make their homes in the Athar Forest. This connection she formed soon spread to all Drow, and to this day few of Drow blood need fear spiders anywhere in the world. Lolth drove her subjects to seek out ancient Athar artifacts to use against their former cousins, and any other non-Drow that stood in their way. And before her death she waged 2 vicious wars against the Elves of the Feyois Forest, and enslaved hundreds of Humans. Nicor granted her godhood upon her death, gaining the worship of the Drow, and spiders from all over the world.
Cults
Aside from the deities of Moertus various cults dedicated to certain Demons, Devils, and some minor evil beings have cropped up across Moertus over the centuries. The 3 most prominent are covered here. These beings can have Divine Ranks ranging from 1-10.
* Hextor
The half-brother of Heironeous, remains jealous and hateful of him even after death. So strong was his hate Nicor granted him godhood, and the ability to work through mortals. The cult of Hextor is based out of the Riddari Union, but it has agents and followers in all Human nations. The cult works actively against the Valorous Order of the Invincible, and works to slowly gain political control of all Human nations.
* Tiamat
All the Dragons of Moertus worship Tiamat. They await her return to Moertus so she may lead them to final victory over all other life in the world. A few non-Dragon creatures may worship Tiamat (or even a Dragon), but these are very rare. Still people are wary of those who may have given their souls to the Dragons. Amongst the Barbarians of Norlund many will revere the spirit of the Dragon, and a few have carried it to the point of religion. Norlund is the source of most Humans who would worship Tiamat or one of her Dragons.
* Vecna
Groups of evil Wizards have begun to form cults around the worship of an evil undead God called Vecna. None know where this evil God of magic and secrets came from, but the powers it is willing to grant to it’s followers is more then enough to cause them not to care. Those that have speculated say he was once a Lich on another world who gained godhood there and has spread his influence across the multiverse. Still others claim he is an infernal being who transformed himself into the God he is today. Given Vecna’s nature it is unlikely his origins will ever be known.
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