Changing the names of Gods? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Changing the names of Gods? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Rumple_Cragstan
08-02-07, 11:49 PM Hey guys.

I'm doing alot of work to develop my homebrew world lately (it'll be posted later) and one of the things I came into issues with was the fact that I really enjoy some of the 'standard' gods from the PHB. My first response to this was "Ah, screw it, I'll just keep 'em".

But after talking with one of my players, who is helping me with the world, suggested changing the names but not much else, in order to give more flavor to the world.

What do you all think? Is Nerull by any other name just as morbid? Or is he just a facade, because everyone knows who that god *really* is?
Talisman
08-02-07, 11:58 PM Changing the names is a good idea if you can come up with good alternate names. If you do this, be aware that you will inevitably find yourself changing petty details as the campaign progresses, until instead of being Pelor behind a mask, "Xolur the Sun Father" is something else entirely.

On the whole, I say :thumbsup: to the idea.
Artifact
08-03-07, 12:06 AM In my work, I've used the names St. Cuthbert and Vecna (from the Greyhawk setting), since they are instantly recognizable as iconic D&D, although they are not gods in my setting. I'm even working on backround stories to tie the iconic heroes (as seen the PH) into my setting.

You could do both however; that is, change the name of some gods while keeping others. For example: Moradin is the god of the dwarves, while Rom (a.k.a. Heironeus) is the god of valor. Kinda mixes things up a little without overstirring the pot.

My best advice is: Feel free to change as much as you want (or need to). Don't be ashamed to rip ideas right out from other sources and settings, because once you buy 'em, they're yours free and clear, no strings attached. Personally, I've had a lot of fun over the years doing just this sorta thing in my games. I kinda consider it money well spent if I can get some actual use out of a product this way.
Moniker
08-03-07, 10:16 AM Hey guys.

I'm doing alot of work to develop my homebrew world lately (it'll be posted later) and one of the things I came into issues with was the fact that I really enjoy some of the 'standard' gods from the PHB. My first response to this was "Ah, screw it, I'll just keep 'em".

But after talking with one of my players, who is helping me with the world, suggested changing the names but not much else, in order to give more flavor to the world.

What do you all think? Is Nerull by any other name just as morbid? Or is he just a facade, because everyone knows who that god *really* is?

Change them.

In my game, the names of the gods are forbidden to speak. Instead, they speak of the gods as colloquialisms. For instance, Alatar the god of ritual and lawfulness is called, "The Steward". Filhaia, the goddess of mercy and perseverance is called "The Weaping Woman" and "The Martyr". Silistra, the goddess of the Well of Souls and death is called "The Custodian".

Feel free to take a look around here for ideas: http://deismaar.pbwiki.com/The+Four+Faiths+of+Deismaar
Johnny_Angel
08-03-07, 10:30 AM Oldimarra becomes Belushi, God of Pranks and Drunken Revelry

I think it's a good idea. It's a way to give your campaign flavor without changing all the mechanics. You could change what some of the gods look like if you wanted to too.
Golem011
08-05-07, 11:13 PM Changing the names is a good idea as far as I can see - although I would change a few details to fit with your campaign setting, such as, perhaps, favoured weapons, or failing that colours or symbols. Differentiating them slightly, but only slightly, so that they're unique but not too far from their original forms, is the key to changing gods. I should know, I've done it hundreds of times with my settings. Mixing them in with other, unique gods is also a good idea.
Return of the Flumph
08-05-07, 11:29 PM One way to do it is by using the names of actual gods from world mythology that are similar to their PHB counterparts.

For example:

Pelor = Shamash

Nerul = Arawn

Erythnul = Nergul

Heironeous = Mithra

Etc.
Golem011
08-05-07, 11:35 PM One way to do it is by using the names of actual gods from world mythology that are similar to their PHB counterparts.

For example:

Pelor = Shamash

Nerul = Arawn

Erythnul = Nergul

Heironeous = Mithra

Etc.

Ooh, that's a good idea.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rumple_Cragstan 08-02-07, 11:49 PM	Hey guys. I'm doing alot of work to develop my homebrew world lately (it'll be posted later) and one of the things I came into issues with was the fact that I really enjoy some of the 'standard' gods from the PHB. My first response to this was "Ah, screw it, I'll just keep 'em". But after talking with one of my players, who is helping me with the world, suggested changing the names but not much else, in order to give more flavor to the world. What do you all think? Is Nerull by any other name just as morbid? Or is he just a facade, because everyone knows who that god really is?
Talisman 08-02-07, 11:58 PM	Changing the names is a good idea if you can come up with good alternate names. If you do this, be aware that you will inevitably find yourself changing petty details as the campaign progresses, until instead of being Pelor behind a mask, "Xolur the Sun Father" is something else entirely. On the whole, I say :thumbsup: to the idea.
Artifact 08-03-07, 12:06 AM	In my work, I've used the names St. Cuthbert and Vecna (from the Greyhawk setting), since they are instantly recognizable as iconic D&D, although they are not gods in my setting. I'm even working on backround stories to tie the iconic heroes (as seen the PH) into my setting. You could do both however; that is, change the name of some gods while keeping others. For example: Moradin is the god of the dwarves, while Rom (a.k.a. Heironeus) is the god of valor. Kinda mixes things up a little without overstirring the pot. My best advice is: Feel free to change as much as you want (or need to). Don't be ashamed to rip ideas right out from other sources and settings, because once you buy 'em, they're yours free and clear, no strings attached. Personally, I've had a lot of fun over the years doing just this sorta thing in my games. I kinda consider it money well spent if I can get some actual use out of a product this way.
Moniker 08-03-07, 10:16 AM	Hey guys. I'm doing alot of work to develop my homebrew world lately (it'll be posted later) and one of the things I came into issues with was the fact that I really enjoy some of the 'standard' gods from the PHB. My first response to this was "Ah, screw it, I'll just keep 'em". But after talking with one of my players, who is helping me with the world, suggested changing the names but not much else, in order to give more flavor to the world. What do you all think? Is Nerull by any other name just as morbid? Or is he just a facade, because everyone knows who that god really is? Change them. In my game, the names of the gods are forbidden to speak. Instead, they speak of the gods as colloquialisms. For instance, Alatar the god of ritual and lawfulness is called, "The Steward". Filhaia, the goddess of mercy and perseverance is called "The Weaping Woman" and "The Martyr". Silistra, the goddess of the Well of Souls and death is called "The Custodian". Feel free to take a look around here for ideas: http://deismaar.pbwiki.com/The+Four+Faiths+of+Deismaar
Johnny_Angel 08-03-07, 10:30 AM	Oldimarra becomes Belushi, God of Pranks and Drunken Revelry I think it's a good idea. It's a way to give your campaign flavor without changing all the mechanics. You could change what some of the gods look like if you wanted to too.
Golem011 08-05-07, 11:13 PM	Changing the names is a good idea as far as I can see - although I would change a few details to fit with your campaign setting, such as, perhaps, favoured weapons, or failing that colours or symbols. Differentiating them slightly, but only slightly, so that they're unique but not too far from their original forms, is the key to changing gods. I should know, I've done it hundreds of times with my settings. Mixing them in with other, unique gods is also a good idea.
Return of the Flumph 08-05-07, 11:29 PM	One way to do it is by using the names of actual gods from world mythology that are similar to their PHB counterparts. For example: Pelor = Shamash Nerul = Arawn Erythnul = Nergul Heironeous = Mithra Etc.
Golem011 08-05-07, 11:35 PM	One way to do it is by using the names of actual gods from world mythology that are similar to their PHB counterparts. For example: Pelor = Shamash Nerul = Arawn Erythnul = Nergul Heironeous = Mithra Etc. Ooh, that's a good idea.