A Variation of the core DnD Pantheon [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Variation of the core DnD Pantheon [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
skio
12-08-07, 09:40 AM After reading the Design & Development article on the 4E Pantheon (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/drdd/20071029), I was inspired to create a pantheon for a campaign setting of mine that is based on the core pantheon, but with a few variations. The main differences between the official pantheon and my version are:
The Gods are not especially active, and their existence is not assured (much like in Eberron). They have generic names that are more of titles than actual names.
Each main race has a patron deity in which attribute their creation, but there are no race-specific gods. That is, all deities can be worshipped by all races.
So, the deities in my setting are the following:

The Briliant Sun (Pelor): God of the sun, healing and compassion. Patron of humans.
The Platinum Dragon (Bahamut): God of paladins, honour and good. Portrayed as either a humanoid paladin or a shiny dragon. Patron of dragons. Absorbs Heironeous and St Cuthbert.
The Keeper of Knowledge (Boccob): God of knowledge and self-awareness. Could be the patron of 4E Eladrin.
The Blessed Mother (Yondalla): Goddess of agriculture and the downtrodden.
The Laughing God (Olidammara): God of bards, rogues, merchants and wealth. Patron of the halflings.
The Lord of Storms (Kord): God of strength and storms. Many barbaric tribes worship him. Could be patron of giants and ogres.
The Forge (Moradin): God of smithing, engineering and inventions. Patron of the Dwarves.
The Forestlord (Corellon Larethian): God of forests and feys. Patron of the elves. Absorbs Elhonna.
The Bone Guardian (Wee Jas): Goddess of Death and witchcraft. Has no church, only a few cults. Could be patron of undead.
The One Eyed God (Gruumsh): God of war, mayhem and tyranny. Patron of orcs, trolls and goblinoids. Absorbs Erythnul.
The Infernal Wyrm (Tiamat): Goddess of evil. Each head represents a different aspect of evil: Rage, Lust, Treachery, Entropy and Tyranny.
The Spider Mother (Lolth): Goddess of treachery and lust. Patron of the Drow.

As for the deities not included above:

Obad-Hai: I have omitted Obad-Hai because I prefer the worship of Nature (which is very widespread in my setting) is directed to Nature itself. The faith has no clerics, only druids.
Fharlangh: Never liked him, but could be used as a demigod of travelers, a kind of 'mysterious stranger' roaming the world.
Garl Glittergold: There are no gnomes in my setting (I always found them as a bit undefined) and the trickster/wealth portfolios are already covered by Olidammara.
Kurtulmak: Could be used as a patron of the serpentfolk (including Kobolds), but I find him rather unfitting. I'd prefer a more 'draconic' deity.
Nerull: I do not like the concept of the 'evil death god', preferring neutral death deities (Wee Jas).
Vecna: Too Greyhawk-specific, and rather unnecessary in my setting.

A few notes:

I really need a Sea Deity…
I removed the 'magic' portfolio from Boccob, because I find religion and wizardry incompatible (a god of the arcane having divine casters as priests!). Still, mages may worship him as a god of scholars.
A switched Yondalla with Olidammara as the patron of halflings since he is closer to their trickster/roguish nature. Yondalla seems more like a 'hobbit' deity.
A problem that rises is who will be the patron of serpentfolk, an important race in the setting. Bahamut is too 'civilized' (my serpentfolk resemble native Americans, both northern and southern), and Tiamat is specifically evil. Perhaps Kutrulmak could solve this problem.
All dragons acknowledge Bahamut as their creator, because all were created good. The 'fallen' dragons chose to worship Tiamat, but Bahamut is still the patron of the race as a whole.
In my setting, Corellon is almost forgotten. Elves revere Boccob as keepers of the ancient knowledge of the world, but ironically have been cut off from their own past. Only the wood elves revere an obscure deity called 'the Forestlord', but their relation with him is unknown.
In some point in my world's history, a church declares that is the only true faith and begins a holly war against the other faiths. In earlier versions, this church was Bahamut's, being more militant. After reading the 'Pelor, the Burning Hate (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=846926)' thread, I decided the church of the Sun ironically taking this role.

Any suggestions?
Space_Dragon
12-08-07, 01:46 PM Sounds pretty similar to the core 4E pantheon we've seen so far, albeit with a couple of gods being switched in and out. I am currently considering dropping the racial pantheons of my campaign world and instead going with something like this.

Now, for my suggestions.

The Forge (Moradin):

I'd suggest changing his title to "the Smith." A forge is an inanimate object, while a smith is the man who uses it.

I really need a Sea Deity…

Of which alignment? Say whether you want your sea god to be good, neutral, or evil, and I can offer some suggestions.

I removed the 'magic' portfolio from Boccob, because I find religion and wizardry incompatible (a god of the arcane having divine casters as priests!). Still, mages may worship him as a god of scholars.

The Mystic Theurge prestige class was almost certainly created with the clergy of Boccob in mind; I always saw his priests as being multiclass arcane/divine casters. I would recommend not taking away the Magic domain, but that's just me.

A switched Yondalla with Olidammara as the patron of halflings since he is closer to their trickster/roguish nature. Yondalla seems more like a 'hobbit' deity.

Depends, of course, on how you decide to portray halflings in your world. If they are more Kenderlike, go with Olidammara. If they are more Tolkeinesque, go with Yondalla.

If it helps, halflings in my setting have both aspects to their culture, having an agricultural homeland, but wandering, trade, and adventuring being frequent deviations from the farm life. They also have a pretty good military, as they always need to keep the nearby gnolls in check (neccessitating agriculture to support their army). If I go with a 4E-style pantheon, I will probably give the halflings a creation myth about being the children of Yondalla and Olidimmarra, explaining their dual nature.

A problem that rises is who will be the patron of serpentfolk, an important race in the setting. Bahamut is too 'civilized' (my serpentfolk resemble native Americans, both northern and southern), and Tiamat is specifically evil. Perhaps Kutrulmak could solve this problem.

Lawful =/= Civilized. Just because many advanced societies worship Bahamut does not mean ALL of the societies that worship him must be advanced. Barbaric and civilized races could each worship the Platinum Wyrm in their own way.

An alternative would be to make the serpentfolk dualistic; they pray to Bahamut for protection, good fortune, and healing, and to Tiamat to wish misfortune on their enemies and to appease the malignant elements of their homeland (ie, pacify Tiamat with sacrifices, and she won't send as many thunderstorms this year).

Or, if you want to base them more off North (as opposed to South) American natives, have them worship Nature. Most North American holy men would certainly be druids if statted in DnD.

All dragons acknowledge Bahamut as their creator, because all were created good. The 'fallen' dragons chose to worship Tiamat, but Bahamut is still the patron of the race as a whole.

Sounds good.

In my setting, Corellon is almost forgotten. Elves revere Boccob as keepers of the ancient knowledge of the world, but ironically have been cut off from their own past. Only the wood elves revere an obscure deity called 'the Forestlord', but their relation with him is unknown.

"Their relation with him is unknown." Please explain in greater detail what you mean by this.

In some point in my world's history, a church declares that is the only true faith and begins a holly war against the other faiths. In earlier versions, this church was Bahamut's, being more militant. After reading the 'Pelor, the Burning Hate (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=846926)' thread, I decided the church of the Sun ironically taking this role.

And Pelor keeps granting them spells? If you do this, I suggest having it be that an evil god has usurped control of that branch of the Pelorite church. Of the gods you've already included, Lolth sounds like the most likely to try something like this. Pelorites being infiltrated by Lolth worshippers...actually, that's pretty cool.
skio
12-09-07, 08:24 AM Sounds pretty similar to the core 4E pantheon we've seen so far, albeit with a couple of gods being switched in and out. I am currently considering dropping the racial pantheons of my campaign world and instead going with something like this.
I am based on the core pantheon for matters of simplicity.

Of which alignment? Say whether you want your sea god to be good, neutral, or evil, and I can offer some suggestions.
I would possibly go with a neutral deity, although having an evil aspect would also be great, to use as a patron of sahuagin.

Lawful =/= Civilized. Just because many advanced societies worship Bahamut does not mean ALL of the societies that worship him must be advanced. Barbaric and civilized races could each worship the Platinum Wyrm in their own way.
This is true, but noticed how I have made Bahamut the god of honour and paladins. It just seems a bit unfitting. But still, Bahamut is the best choice for serpentfolk.

An alternative would be to make the serpentfolk dualistic; they pray to Bahamut for protection, good fortune, and healing, and to Tiamat to wish misfortune on their enemies and to appease the malignant elements of their homeland (ie, pacify Tiamat with sacrifices, and she won't send as many thunderstorms this year).
This is actually a really great idea. I have to think it over seriously!

"Their relation with him is unknown." Please explain in greater detail what you mean by this.
Sorry for not clarifying. I mean that outsiders do not know the nature of the Forestlord, or whether the wood elves actually worship him. Many may think it is just a myth, others that it is some kind of deified king of the elves. Overall, the Forestlord is an obscure deity.

And Pelor keeps granting them spells? If you do this, I suggest having it be that an evil god has usurped control of that branch of the Pelorite church. Of the gods you've already included, Lolth sounds like the most likely to try something like this. Pelorites being infiltrated by Lolth worshippers...actually, that's pretty cool.
As I mentioned before, I go with a more Eberron-esque (despite using the core pantheon) approach to religion. It is faith that matters, not the actual existence of the deity. Where the clerics take their spells from is irrelevant.

Thanks for your suggestions!
meigin
12-12-07, 07:40 AM The One Eyed God (Gruumsh): God of war, mayhem and tyranny. Patron of orcs, trolls and goblinoids. Absorbs Erythnul.
The Infernal Wyrm (Tiamat): Goddess of evil. Each head represents a different aspect of evil: Rage, Lust, Treachery, Entropy and Tyranny.
The Spider Mother (Lolth): Goddess of treachery and lust. Patron of the Drow.?

You've repeated a couple portfolios there - Tyranny (Gruumsh & Tiamat) and also Treachery (Tiamat & Lolth). Although if intentional it makes for interesting back story in divine politics both on the material and outer planes.

[/QUOTE=skio;14530769]Garl Glittergold: There are no gnomes in my setting (I always found them as a bit undefined) and the trickster/wealth portfolios are already covered by Olidammara.[/QUOTE]

Have a think about re-inserting gnomes, no gods - no homelands - play them as godless wanderers, it might make for that undefined flavour thqt may be sometime missing.

[/QUOTE=skio;14530769]I really need a Sea Deity… [/QUOTE]

How about Triton, he's not so mainstream, and is probably representative of the races of the sea.

[/QUOTE=skio;14530769]A problem that rises is who will be the patron of serpentfolk, an important race in the setting. Bahamut is too 'civilized' (my serpentfolk resemble native Americans, both northern and southern), and Tiamat is specifically evil. Perhaps Kutrulmak could solve this problem.[/QUOTE]

Check out some of the Yaunti deities, see Unapproachable East (FR) maybe that will do it for you.

[/QUOTE=skio;14530769]In some point in my world's history, a church declares that is the only true faith and begins a holly war against the other faiths. In earlier versions, this church was Bahamut's, being more militant. After reading the 'Pelor, the Burning Hate (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=846926)' thread, I decided the church of the Sun ironically taking this role.[/QUOTE]

What is ironic is the real world similarity to this campaign direction, afterall christianity is apparently the largest religion and has done its best to persecute all others subversively or otherwise, and of course is a Sun cult.

Will you be having crusades for "Holy Lands" or relics, or perhaps religious police actions for the oppressed within other nations.

A couple thoughts, see how it goes?

clearly i'm not to good at the multi-quote function.
blood_red_sandman
12-12-07, 11:49 AM for a sea god use Eadro, the neutral god of the sea who created merfolk and sauhagin

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
skio 12-08-07, 09:40 AM	After reading the Design & Development article on the 4E Pantheon (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/drdd/20071029), I was inspired to create a pantheon for a campaign setting of mine that is based on the core pantheon, but with a few variations. The main differences between the official pantheon and my version are: The Gods are not especially active, and their existence is not assured (much like in Eberron). They have generic names that are more of titles than actual names. Each main race has a patron deity in which attribute their creation, but there are no race-specific gods. That is, all deities can be worshipped by all races. So, the deities in my setting are the following: The Briliant Sun (Pelor): God of the sun, healing and compassion. Patron of humans. The Platinum Dragon (Bahamut): God of paladins, honour and good. Portrayed as either a humanoid paladin or a shiny dragon. Patron of dragons. Absorbs Heironeous and St Cuthbert. The Keeper of Knowledge (Boccob): God of knowledge and self-awareness. Could be the patron of 4E Eladrin. The Blessed Mother (Yondalla): Goddess of agriculture and the downtrodden. The Laughing God (Olidammara): God of bards, rogues, merchants and wealth. Patron of the halflings. The Lord of Storms (Kord): God of strength and storms. Many barbaric tribes worship him. Could be patron of giants and ogres. The Forge (Moradin): God of smithing, engineering and inventions. Patron of the Dwarves. The Forestlord (Corellon Larethian): God of forests and feys. Patron of the elves. Absorbs Elhonna. The Bone Guardian (Wee Jas): Goddess of Death and witchcraft. Has no church, only a few cults. Could be patron of undead. The One Eyed God (Gruumsh): God of war, mayhem and tyranny. Patron of orcs, trolls and goblinoids. Absorbs Erythnul. The Infernal Wyrm (Tiamat): Goddess of evil. Each head represents a different aspect of evil: Rage, Lust, Treachery, Entropy and Tyranny. The Spider Mother (Lolth): Goddess of treachery and lust. Patron of the Drow. As for the deities not included above: Obad-Hai: I have omitted Obad-Hai because I prefer the worship of Nature (which is very widespread in my setting) is directed to Nature itself. The faith has no clerics, only druids. Fharlangh: Never liked him, but could be used as a demigod of travelers, a kind of 'mysterious stranger' roaming the world. Garl Glittergold: There are no gnomes in my setting (I always found them as a bit undefined) and the trickster/wealth portfolios are already covered by Olidammara. Kurtulmak: Could be used as a patron of the serpentfolk (including Kobolds), but I find him rather unfitting. I'd prefer a more 'draconic' deity. Nerull: I do not like the concept of the 'evil death god', preferring neutral death deities (Wee Jas). Vecna: Too Greyhawk-specific, and rather unnecessary in my setting. A few notes: I really need a Sea Deity… I removed the 'magic' portfolio from Boccob, because I find religion and wizardry incompatible (a god of the arcane having divine casters as priests!). Still, mages may worship him as a god of scholars. A switched Yondalla with Olidammara as the patron of halflings since he is closer to their trickster/roguish nature. Yondalla seems more like a 'hobbit' deity. A problem that rises is who will be the patron of serpentfolk, an important race in the setting. Bahamut is too 'civilized' (my serpentfolk resemble native Americans, both northern and southern), and Tiamat is specifically evil. Perhaps Kutrulmak could solve this problem. All dragons acknowledge Bahamut as their creator, because all were created good. The 'fallen' dragons chose to worship Tiamat, but Bahamut is still the patron of the race as a whole. In my setting, Corellon is almost forgotten. Elves revere Boccob as keepers of the ancient knowledge of the world, but ironically have been cut off from their own past. Only the wood elves revere an obscure deity called 'the Forestlord', but their relation with him is unknown. In some point in my world's history, a church declares that is the only true faith and begins a holly war against the other faiths. In earlier versions, this church was Bahamut's, being more militant. After reading the 'Pelor, the Burning Hate (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=846926)' thread, I decided the church of the Sun ironically taking this role. Any suggestions?
Space_Dragon 12-08-07, 01:46 PM	Sounds pretty similar to the core 4E pantheon we've seen so far, albeit with a couple of gods being switched in and out. I am currently considering dropping the racial pantheons of my campaign world and instead going with something like this. Now, for my suggestions. The Forge (Moradin): I'd suggest changing his title to "the Smith." A forge is an inanimate object, while a smith is the man who uses it. I really need a Sea Deity… Of which alignment? Say whether you want your sea god to be good, neutral, or evil, and I can offer some suggestions. I removed the 'magic' portfolio from Boccob, because I find religion and wizardry incompatible (a god of the arcane having divine casters as priests!). Still, mages may worship him as a god of scholars. The Mystic Theurge prestige class was almost certainly created with the clergy of Boccob in mind; I always saw his priests as being multiclass arcane/divine casters. I would recommend not taking away the Magic domain, but that's just me. A switched Yondalla with Olidammara as the patron of halflings since he is closer to their trickster/roguish nature. Yondalla seems more like a 'hobbit' deity. Depends, of course, on how you decide to portray halflings in your world. If they are more Kenderlike, go with Olidammara. If they are more Tolkeinesque, go with Yondalla. If it helps, halflings in my setting have both aspects to their culture, having an agricultural homeland, but wandering, trade, and adventuring being frequent deviations from the farm life. They also have a pretty good military, as they always need to keep the nearby gnolls in check (neccessitating agriculture to support their army). If I go with a 4E-style pantheon, I will probably give the halflings a creation myth about being the children of Yondalla and Olidimmarra, explaining their dual nature. A problem that rises is who will be the patron of serpentfolk, an important race in the setting. Bahamut is too 'civilized' (my serpentfolk resemble native Americans, both northern and southern), and Tiamat is specifically evil. Perhaps Kutrulmak could solve this problem. Lawful =/= Civilized. Just because many advanced societies worship Bahamut does not mean ALL of the societies that worship him must be advanced. Barbaric and civilized races could each worship the Platinum Wyrm in their own way. An alternative would be to make the serpentfolk dualistic; they pray to Bahamut for protection, good fortune, and healing, and to Tiamat to wish misfortune on their enemies and to appease the malignant elements of their homeland (ie, pacify Tiamat with sacrifices, and she won't send as many thunderstorms this year). Or, if you want to base them more off North (as opposed to South) American natives, have them worship Nature. Most North American holy men would certainly be druids if statted in DnD. All dragons acknowledge Bahamut as their creator, because all were created good. The 'fallen' dragons chose to worship Tiamat, but Bahamut is still the patron of the race as a whole. Sounds good. In my setting, Corellon is almost forgotten. Elves revere Boccob as keepers of the ancient knowledge of the world, but ironically have been cut off from their own past. Only the wood elves revere an obscure deity called 'the Forestlord', but their relation with him is unknown. "Their relation with him is unknown." Please explain in greater detail what you mean by this. In some point in my world's history, a church declares that is the only true faith and begins a holly war against the other faiths. In earlier versions, this church was Bahamut's, being more militant. After reading the 'Pelor, the Burning Hate (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=846926)' thread, I decided the church of the Sun ironically taking this role. And Pelor keeps granting them spells? If you do this, I suggest having it be that an evil god has usurped control of that branch of the Pelorite church. Of the gods you've already included, Lolth sounds like the most likely to try something like this. Pelorites being infiltrated by Lolth worshippers...actually, that's pretty cool.
skio 12-09-07, 08:24 AM	Sounds pretty similar to the core 4E pantheon we've seen so far, albeit with a couple of gods being switched in and out. I am currently considering dropping the racial pantheons of my campaign world and instead going with something like this. I am based on the core pantheon for matters of simplicity. Of which alignment? Say whether you want your sea god to be good, neutral, or evil, and I can offer some suggestions. I would possibly go with a neutral deity, although having an evil aspect would also be great, to use as a patron of sahuagin. Lawful =/= Civilized. Just because many advanced societies worship Bahamut does not mean ALL of the societies that worship him must be advanced. Barbaric and civilized races could each worship the Platinum Wyrm in their own way. This is true, but noticed how I have made Bahamut the god of honour and paladins. It just seems a bit unfitting. But still, Bahamut is the best choice for serpentfolk. An alternative would be to make the serpentfolk dualistic; they pray to Bahamut for protection, good fortune, and healing, and to Tiamat to wish misfortune on their enemies and to appease the malignant elements of their homeland (ie, pacify Tiamat with sacrifices, and she won't send as many thunderstorms this year). This is actually a really great idea. I have to think it over seriously! "Their relation with him is unknown." Please explain in greater detail what you mean by this. Sorry for not clarifying. I mean that outsiders do not know the nature of the Forestlord, or whether the wood elves actually worship him. Many may think it is just a myth, others that it is some kind of deified king of the elves. Overall, the Forestlord is an obscure deity. And Pelor keeps granting them spells? If you do this, I suggest having it be that an evil god has usurped control of that branch of the Pelorite church. Of the gods you've already included, Lolth sounds like the most likely to try something like this. Pelorites being infiltrated by Lolth worshippers...actually, that's pretty cool. As I mentioned before, I go with a more Eberron-esque (despite using the core pantheon) approach to religion. It is faith that matters, not the actual existence of the deity. Where the clerics take their spells from is irrelevant. Thanks for your suggestions!
meigin 12-12-07, 07:40 AM	The One Eyed God (Gruumsh): God of war, mayhem and tyranny. Patron of orcs, trolls and goblinoids. Absorbs Erythnul. The Infernal Wyrm (Tiamat): Goddess of evil. Each head represents a different aspect of evil: Rage, Lust, Treachery, Entropy and Tyranny. The Spider Mother (Lolth): Goddess of treachery and lust. Patron of the Drow.? You've repeated a couple portfolios there - Tyranny (Gruumsh & Tiamat) and also Treachery (Tiamat & Lolth). Although if intentional it makes for interesting back story in divine politics both on the material and outer planes. [/QUOTE=skio;14530769]Garl Glittergold: There are no gnomes in my setting (I always found them as a bit undefined) and the trickster/wealth portfolios are already covered by Olidammara.[/QUOTE] Have a think about re-inserting gnomes, no gods - no homelands - play them as godless wanderers, it might make for that undefined flavour thqt may be sometime missing. [/QUOTE=skio;14530769]I really need a Sea Deity… [/QUOTE] How about Triton, he's not so mainstream, and is probably representative of the races of the sea. [/QUOTE=skio;14530769]A problem that rises is who will be the patron of serpentfolk, an important race in the setting. Bahamut is too 'civilized' (my serpentfolk resemble native Americans, both northern and southern), and Tiamat is specifically evil. Perhaps Kutrulmak could solve this problem.[/QUOTE] Check out some of the Yaunti deities, see Unapproachable East (FR) maybe that will do it for you. [/QUOTE=skio;14530769]In some point in my world's history, a church declares that is the only true faith and begins a holly war against the other faiths. In earlier versions, this church was Bahamut's, being more militant. After reading the 'Pelor, the Burning Hate (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=846926)' thread, I decided the church of the Sun ironically taking this role.[/QUOTE] What is ironic is the real world similarity to this campaign direction, afterall christianity is apparently the largest religion and has done its best to persecute all others subversively or otherwise, and of course is a Sun cult. Will you be having crusades for "Holy Lands" or relics, or perhaps religious police actions for the oppressed within other nations. A couple thoughts, see how it goes? clearly i'm not to good at the multi-quote function.
blood_red_sandman 12-12-07, 11:49 AM	for a sea god use Eadro, the neutral god of the sea who created merfolk and sauhagin