Before I start, it's important to note that unlike in most D&D-derived settings, people don't worship a god. Like heathen pantheons everywhere, people worship all the gods, making particular mention of whomever is most important to what they're worried about or asking for. That doesn't mean that many of them don't have temples, shrines or cathedrals, watched over by reverent caretakers, or that some people don't identify with one or more as a particular patron. But some of them effectively have no worship, as they are seen as antagonistic figures or even immortal monsters rather than gods to be worshipped, petitioned or supplicated. That doesn't matter. A deities' power is not dependent on worshippers, and some of the deities in this pantheon are specifically monstrous and have only hostile intent towards mortals and the other gods alike.
That said, most of the gods listed in this pantheon do have dedicated mystery cults, and those who become fanatical worshippers of them in a way that, honestly, is not the appropriate way to worship, and such people are usually seen as dangerous zealots at best, and damned souls at worst. These are the clerics in the game; otherwise (using d20 rules) the clergy of the gods and those who administer their rites are usually members of the expert NPC class, with some few as members of the adept NPC class, or the noble PC class with some divine spells in their arsenal. And they are very rarely members of mystery cults that favor worship of one god over another, but rather simply religious elders who instruct and assist in proper worship of each god or goddess in his time and season. Clerics are the dangerous extremists and religious radicals, and their devotion to a single god makes them outsiders if not actual outcasts from normal society.
That said, over the next few posts of the NEW PANTHEON tag, I'll be listing my gods alphabetically with some description of them. In d20, Pathfinder or 5e, domains, favored weapons, alignment, etc. are important components of a gods' profile, but I don't really care about those things; if you are playing the d20 version of the rules and need that info, pick from those available in the rulebooks you're using as seems appropriate to you.
Ascaron, the Whispering King
God of Betrayal, Temptation, False Promises, and Hidden Ambition
Known as the Whispering King, Ascaron does not rule through armies or terror, but through secrets placed gently in the ear. His voice is said to sound like the words a person most wishes to hear, promising power to the powerless, love to the lonely, and freedom to those bound by duty. He began offering forbidden knowledge and hidden bargains, teaching kings to betray their allies, heroes to abandon their oaths, and lovers to place desire above loyalty. For this rebellion, his godly colleagues cast him into the shadowed realms, but they could not silence him, for every whispered temptation became a doorway through which he could return.
Ascaron rarely appears as a monstrous figure. He is usually depicted as a handsome, regal being, if dark and imhuman. His temples and shrines are built without doors, symbolizing that no one enters Ascaron's service by force. They are places of contracts, secrets, and whispered confessions. His worshippers are diplomats, spies, nobles, and deceivers who believe betrayal is not a sin but an art; the ability to recognize when loyalty has become a weakness.
The greatest warning of Ascaron’s faith is simple: never answer when the Whispering King calls your name, for he already knows what you will ask for.
Below are two different visual interpretations of Ascaron.
Ashtar of the Sacred Groves
Goddess of Temptation, Forbidden Desire, Fertility, Obsession, and the Dark Mysteries of Nature
Ashtar, the Lady of the Sacred Groves, is an ancient and seductive goddess whose beauty conceals a far more dangerous nature. She is the irresistible force that draws creatures together, drives kingdoms to war, and causes mortals to abandon reason for a single moment of passion. Her sacred groves are places of breathtaking beauty and terrible enchantment. Beneath her trees, flowers bloom with unnatural colors, sweet perfumes linger in the air, and those who enter often find their memories clouded by visions of impossible pleasure. Legends warn that Ashtar does not demand worship through fear or violence; she offers mortals exactly what they desire most and waits patiently for the price to be paid.
Ashtar is said to appear as a woman of incomparable beauty, crowned with flowers and jewels, her skin radiant like moonlit ivory and her eyes burning with ancient, knowing hunger. Some myths claim that beneath her alluring form lies something older and darker: a creature of sinister horns, fangs and pain, a reminder that nature’s beauty always hides the promise of decay.
Her sacred days are ones in which women become heirodules or bacchae; sacred attendants who linger within her hidden groves and act as both priestesses and emissaries of her will as well as temptresses to all passers-by. To her dark cultists, they are not merely servants but chosen vessels of Ashtar’s influence; figures of temptation, mystery, and devotion who lure the powerful, the proud, and the lonely into the goddess’s embrace. Many rulers and heroes have entered her groves and shrines seeking pleasure or prophecy, only to emerge as devoted servants who no longer recognize where their own desires end and Ashtar’s will begins. She teaches that civilization is merely a fragile mask worn over the instincts of beasts, and she delights in tearing that mask away.
Her cult whispers that morality is a cage, loyalty is a weakness, and self-control is simply fear disguised as virtue. Yet even those who condemn her name secretly fear her power, for Ashtar represents a truth few wish to admit.
Below are two interpretations of Ashtar.
Bastion, the Iron Sentinel
Lord of the Divine Gate, Guardianship, Boundaries, Oaths, and the Mortal Threshold
Bastion is the eternal guardian of the Immortal Gate, the mighty threshold that separates the mortal world from the forbidden realms of the gods. He is not a god of conquest, vengeance, or glory, but of unyielding duty, the divine warden who stands between mortal ambition and powers too vast for mortal hands to command.
When the first mortals looked beyond their appointed sphere and sought to ascend beyond their rightful place, Bastion was already there to deny them. His duty is simple: Stand. Watch. Deny passage.
Bastion is depicted as a towering warrior clad in immense armor of shining immortal steel, his form resembling a living fortress. His great helm hides a face said to be carved with the severity of a mountain cliff. Some legends claim that those who gaze upon his true visage do not see a face at all, but a reflection of their own ambitions, their broken promises, and the burdens they seek to abandon.
Though he bars mortals from approaching the realms of the gods, Bastion is not their enemy. He respects courage, perseverance, and the desire to seek greatness. Yet he understands that some mysteries are dangerous, and some powers are beyond mortal understanding. To him, the greatest act of protection is sometimes the act of saying no. The mystery cult of Bastion teaches that every boundary is sacred: the walls of a city, the vows of a knight, the borders between kingdoms, the line between life and death, and the veil separating mortals from the divine.
The oldest myths tell of kings, archmages, and heroes who sought to storm the Immortal Realms and claim the power of the gods. At the final gate, they found Bastion waiting in silence, his sword planted firmly before the path. He did not threaten them, nor did he strike them down. He simply asked them if they could not rule the desires of their own hearts, why should they be trusted with the power of the Immortal Realm? Those who answered with humility were permitted to return to the mortal world wiser than before. Those who answered with pride found the gate forever closed.
Even the gods themselves honor Bastion, for he is not merely their servant, he is also their reminder. He stands as the one being who can deny even divine passage, ensuring that the Immortal Realms remain separate from the earth and that the fragile realm of mortals is not consumed by the endless struggles of immortals.
The following is an interpretation of Bastion.
Brigantia, the Mistress of Victory
Goddess of Triumph, Battle Glory, Martial Pride, and Unfulfilled Ambition
Brigantia is the radiant goddess of victory, the patron of warriors who dream of glory and the divine embodiment of the battlefield’s promise. She carries herself as the greatest champion among the gods, a peerless commander whose name should inspire armies to rise and enemies to tremble. Yet among the elder gods, Brigantia is regarded with a mixture of amusement and indulgence, for while she believes herself to be the greatest warrior heaven has ever known, few others share her opinion.
Brigantia was born from the first battle cry ever shouted beneath an immortal banner before the coming of mortals even, emerging in a blaze of golden armor and crimson banners. She declared herself the chosen champion of the gods and immediately demanded a place among their greatest powers. The other deities, entertained by her confidence and flattered by her devotion, granted her a seat at their councils and honored her with grand titles. Yet behind closed doors, many see her as little more than a theatrical child playing at war.
Brigantia’s armor is magnificent, her weapons are legendary, and her speeches before battle are said to shake the heavens, but her victories are often exaggerated, borrowed, or achieved only because stronger gods quietly intervene. She claims to have defeated monsters that were already weakened, led armies she never truly commanded, and won duels where her opponent simply allowed her the satisfaction of triumph. To her worshipers, these are sacred legends. To the other gods, they are amusing stories told to encourage her. Despite this, Brigantia is not entirely without merit. She possesses extraordinary courage, relentless determination, and an almost unbreakable spirit. She genuinely loves warriors and believes that even the humblest soldier deserves honor. Her greatest flaw is not cowardice, but vanity: she cannot imagine that she might not be the hero of every story.
She is depicted as a beautiful warrior queen clad in shining bronze armor, with a shining halo and carrying a spear and shield. Her banners are always displayed, even when secrecy would be wiser, and her heralds announce her arrival long before she enters a battlefield. She demands grand ceremonies, heroic songs, and monuments carved in her likeness, often before the battle she intends to commemorate has even begun.
She is somewhat popular among young knights, soldiers, and those seeking glory. Her doctrines teach that defeat is merely an opportunity for a more dramatic comeback, and that a warrior’s reputation matters as much as their skill. Many generals pray to Brigantia before battle, not because they believe she will grant victory, but because they hope her enthusiasm will inspire their troops. The other gods tolerate Brigantia because she is entertaining, because her devotion is genuine, and because every pantheon needs someone willing to charge forward when others hesitate. But they rarely ask her counsel, rarely trust her plans, and rarely give her the responsibilities she craves. The greatest insult to Brigantia is also the one thing she cannot admit: She is not the greatest warrior among the gods. She is not even close. Yet she stands proudly upon the battlefield, sword raised, banners flying, declaring that victory belongs to those bold enough to claim it!
And though the other gods may laugh behind her back, even they must admit one truth; that Brigantia has never once doubted that she will win. And sometimes, impossibly, that is enough.
Ceres, Lady of the Harvest
Goddess of Agriculture, Fertility, Grain, Abundance, and the Cycles of the Growing Season
Ceres, the Lady of the Harvest, is the ancient goddess of the cultivated earth, the divine keeper of fields, orchards, and the sacred mysteries by which seeds become sustenance. She is the golden abundance of summer, the promise hidden within the soil, and the patient labor that transforms barren ground into a kingdom’s wealth. Ceres does not rule over hearths or households, nor does she concern herself with family bonds or domestic comforts. Her domain is broader and older: the earth’s bounty itself. She governs the turning of the seasons, the growth of crops, the fertility of fields, and the delicate balance between humanity’s labor and nature’s generosity. To farmers, she is the goddess who blesses the furrowed field and fills the granary; to kings, she is the power that determines whether their realms prosper or starve.
She is depicted as a noble woman crowned with grain, or sometimes flowers, dressed in earthy robes, and the colors of ripened grain. Though she is a goddess of plenty, Ceres is not a gentle or passive figure. The earth gives freely, but it can also become barren when neglected or abused. Myths tell of rulers who mocked her gifts or exploited the land without reverence, only to watch their fields fail and their wealth crumble into dust. Ceres does not punish out of cruelty; she simply withdraws her blessing and allows mortals to face the consequences of their arrogance. She is often propitiated in shrines which stand among fertile plains and ancient farmlands, where caretakers oversee planting ceremonies, harvest festivals, and rites of thanksgiving. Among the gods, Ceres is sometimes overlooked beside more dramatic deities of war, magic or leadership. Yet even the mightiest rulers understand her importance, for armies march on grain, cities survive on harvests, and civilizations rise and fall with the turning of the fields.
The legends say that when mortals grow arrogant and forget the soil beneath their feet, Ceres does not send armies or monsters against them. She simply lets the fields fall silent.
Below are two interpretations of Ceres.
Cernunnos, the Horned One
God of the Wilderness, Hunting, Beasts, the Untamed Lands, and the Ancient Ways
Cernunnos, the Horned One, is the stern and ancient lord of the wild places; the god who watches over the forests, mountains, and deep wilderness where mortal civilization gives way to the primal laws of nature. He is not a god of chaos or savagery, but of the old balance: the hunter and the hunted, the predator and the prey, the life taken and the life preserved. Unlike the beautiful and distant gods of the Immortal Realms who have little connection to mortal lands, Cernunnos is a god who belongs to the earth. Ancient myths describe him as one of the first divine beings to walk beneath the trees, long before fields were cultivated and kingdoms raised their walls. He taught early mortals the sacred mysteries of the hunt: how to track a beast, how to survive the harsh seasons, and how to take life with respect rather than greed.
Cernunnos is always depicted in his most recognizable form: a powerful, manlike figure with a stern, weathered face and a thick beard, crowned by an enormous pair of branching antlers. He is neither truly beast nor man, but something between: the embodiment of the ancient connection between humanity and the wild world. His antlers represent not only the strength of the stag, but the endless cycle of growth, shedding, death, and renewal. He carries a hunter’s spear, a great bow, or a staff carved from ancient wood, and he is often accompanied by wolves, stags, great hounds, and other creatures of the forest. Cernunnos is a stern god who values discipline and respect above all things. He has little patience for those who destroy the wilderness for vanity, slaughter animals for amusement, or believe that walls and weapons make them greater than nature. Yet he is not an enemy of civilization; he understands that mortals must farm, build, and hunt to survive. What he demands is humility and the knowledge that mankind is a part of nature, not its master.
When propitiated, usually by travelers or hunters, men perform rites beneath ancient trees, leave offerings for the spirits of great beasts, and preserve the old laws of the wilderness. They teach that every hunt is a sacred agreement: the hunter takes a life, but in return must honor the life that was given. Among the gods, Cernunnos is respected for his strength and his ancient wisdom, but he rarely concerns himself with divine disputes. He does not seek temples of marble or songs of praise. He prefers the silence of the forest, the sound of wind through the trees, and the tracks of creatures moving through the wilderness.
Below are two interpretations of Cernunnos.
Chernavog, the Dark One
God of Forbidden Magic, Hidden Knowledge, Shadows, Secrets, and the Unspoken Mysteries
Chernavog, the Dark One, is the keeper of all knowledge that was never meant to be found. He is the shadow behind the candle flame, the whisper heard in abandoned places, and the forbidden truth that corrupts those who dare to uncover it. Where other gods represent wisdom, creation, and order, Chernavog rules over the things hidden away and the secrets buried beneath ancient ruins, the spells erased from mortal memory, and the mysteries that even the gods fear to name.
The oldest myths claim that Chernavog existed before the first spell was ever cast, born from the first question that mortals were forbidden to ask. Chernavog is depicted as a tall and ominous figure cloaked in living darkness. His features are sometimes hidden beneath a shadowed hood, and some texts talk about the Single Eye that burns in his otherwise featureless visage. Around him, candles burn without flame, written words vanish from pages, and shadows move as though they possess their own thoughts. He carries no traditional weapon, for his power lies in secrets, names, curses, and the knowledge of things that should never be spoken aloud.
Unlike gods of destruction who seek to ruin the world, Chernavog is far more subtle. He offers power to scholars, sorcerers, and desperate mortals willing to cross forbidden boundaries. To the ambitious mage, he promises lost spells. To the dying king, he offers hidden rites of immortality. To the curious, he reveals doors that should have remained locked. He is more likely than most to have mystery cultists and secret followers who pledge themselves explicitly to his doctrine; often exiles, occultists, necromancers, and seekers of forgotten truths. His temples are rarely found openly, hidden instead beneath ancient cities, within abandoned towers, or behind false walls in forgotten places. His cultists collect forbidden texts, preserve dangerous artifacts, and guard secrets that they believe grant them superiority over those who remain ignorant.
The other gods despise and fear Chernavog, for even divine beings have secrets they wish to keep hidden. Some legends claim that the gods themselves once imprisoned him beneath the roots of the world, only to discover that his whispers continued to reach mortal minds through dreams and shadows. Yet Chernavog claims he is not evil. He claims he is merely honest. “The gods hide their truths behind veils. I offer mortals the courage to tear them away.” But the oldest warnings about Chernavog carry a darker lesson: a secret is not always hidden because it is valuable. Sometimes it is hidden because it is dangerous.
Below are two interpretations of Chernavog, one in a more "friendly" human-like form, and one with the gleaming Single Eye.
No comments:
Post a Comment