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GODS OF GREYHAWK
My first campaign wasn't Wilderlands of High Fantasy but the World of Greyhawk the Folio Edition. This was written around 1982. This is written with only the Folio and DMG as a reference. Warning it is presented as is so the writing is a bit rough.
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When I started to use the World of Greyhawk , I never liked the way it seemed that the various Gods of Greyhawk seemed to just be thrown together without any order. So about a year ago I carefully looked at the listing of Gods that appears in the WOG sourcebook I discovered that the a DM can organize the Gods into different groups of pantheons. So I reorganized the Gods of Greyhawk into several pantheons each with their own conflicts and philosophies.
While making this up I tried to used as much of the information presented in Dragon and the Greyhawk hardback as I could. The major difference between what I present here and what has been published is that I reorganized the Suloise pantheon.
BAKLUNISH GODS
Istus B Fate Destiny N F
Zuoken BC Physical and Mental Mastery N M
Xan_Yae BC Twilight, Shadows, Stealth N F
Geshtai BC Lakes, Rivers, Wells N F
The Baklunish religion revolves around the worship of Istus, the lady of destiny and fate. This focus on Istus causes many Baklunish to be fatalistic about life. Many travelers will attest that most common phrase among Baklunish folk is, "It is the will of Istus". This fatalism often causes the Baklunish to take more risks and to be more militant than the other cultures in Flaness.
Istus became the dominant religion of the Baklunish after the Invoked Devastation. The destruction that was caused, and the struggle to rebuild against the magical chaos that persisted after the Invoked Devastation caused the Baklunish to embrace Istus.
Many of the Baklunish do not actively peruses worship or service with her. This is due to the fact the many Baklunish view her often as a cruel and uncaring goddess. This also causes an attitude which makes many Baklunish appear not religious to outsider as many Baklunish do not attend service or donate to the church of Istus.
However one of the other effects of Istus's influence on Baklunish society is the flourishing of scholarly arts. This due to the fact that many men wish to know their fates and the fates of their businesses. This also lead to the rise of magic study in Baklunish society.
Istus does have people that serve her as clerics and 80% of these are female. Society in Baklunish lands is male dominated due to the militant nature of society. Women are often regulated to a lower social class than their male counterparts and have less rights. Thus, to a women, one of the avenues of advancement available was in the worship of Istus. Men often despised Istus for her uncaring attitude and would not serve her, but on the other hand they all feared her for her power over their fates.
There are several other minor powers worshipped in Baklunish Society. Zuoken is a demi-power who is worshipped by those desiring control over their mind and body. Zuoken is served by the followers of the Way. The followers of the Way made their appearance about 200 years ago in Baklunish Society. They believed that the way to control their destiny was total domination of mind over body, they developed methods and techniques which lead to the development of karate and judo. Currently the Followers of the Way are achieving much success in Baklunish Society contributing to the rising popularity this church.
Xan Yae is a older minor power who has several of the same aims as Zuoken but concentrates on the development of the thiefly arts. The followers of Xan Ye believe that since all men are predestined by fate the way to deal with fate is to laugh at her face and take as much of life as one can. Xan Yae was around since before the Invoked Devastation and is the patron of thieves throughout Baklunish Society.
Geshtei is the only power to survive the coming of Istus. Geshtei was one of the myriad powers that the Baklunish worshipped in pre-history. These powers were associated with places and elemental forces. Geshtei is the patron of Lakes, Rivers, and Wells, and his clerics protect oasis wells, local lakes, and rivers from those who wish to possess or pollute them. Geshtei survived because much of the southern Baklunish lands are in areas where there is very little water. To this day Baklunish caravan masters give thanks to Geshtei when they reach an Oasis.
NOTE: Among the Tiger and Wolf Nomads this form of worship survived and is lead by the Shamans. The belief is that the local tribal (wolf or tiger) totem will protect them against the cruel ravages of Istus(fate) if served and protected properly.
THE NEW GODS
ULAA
Ulaa C Hills, Mountains, Gemstones LG F
Bleredd C Metal, Mines, Smiths NC M
The origins of Ulaa is shrouded in history, all that is known that shortly after the migrations ended, various communities, that were near mountains, received aid from Ulaa against the evil forces emerging from the underearth. To this day the aims of Ulaa and her clerics remains mysterious and unknown. All that is known is that if community is in peril from those who dwell beneath the earth, Ulaa will take an interest.
With the coming of Ulaa a popular mythology grew about her and her heroes and one of the most visible is the saga of her husband Bleredd, the patron of miners. Bleredd was a human miner of great renown who fell in love with Ulaa after a great quest to win her heart Ulaa married Bleredd. While Ulaa takes an interest in defeating the dwellers of the underearth, Bleredd takes an interest in protecting those who work the earth and it's treasures. Almost every mine and refinery throughout Flanness has a shrine to Bleredd and a tale of him saving the local miners.
BOCCOB
Boccob C Magic, Arcane Knowledge N M
Zagyg C Humor, Occult Studies, CN(G) M
Boccob appeared around 100 CY at the height of the Great Kingdom. The cosmopolitan society that existed at that time had many secret societies delving in all aspects of magic and knowledge, both dark and good. The earliest of these societies existed by 25 CY and many since 50 CY.
By 100 CY many of secret societies accumulated enough knowledge about each other that it became oblivious that a previously unknown power was aiding all of them. The various societies became frantic at the knowledge that someone or something was manipulating them all so in 108 CY many of the secret societies met in a convocation to discover who this power was. There Boccob revealed himself and what transpired there no one knows but at that convocation the formal organization of the various Wizard Guilds that exists today throughout Flaness was established.
Zagyg was the ruler of the City of Greyhawk in the middle of the 4th century and was one of the most successful Greyhawk rulers. He was also the foremost mages of his day as well as one of the most eccentric people ever seen in Flaness.
His accession to divinity came soon after his imprisonment of Iuz in 363. Since then his appeared several times as a agent of Boccob wherever great threats to mages arose. Despite his ascent Zagyg is still noted for his eccentric behavior.
CIRCLE OF JOY
Lirr C Prose, Poetry, Art CG F
Myhriss C Love, Beauty NG F
Olidammara C Music, Revelry, Roguery, Wine NC M
These three powers appeared during the 100's during the height of the Great Kingdom. They spread from city to city in the Great Kingdom to become the universal patron of their arts.
Lirr:
She is the lady of prose, poetry, and art. She is the patron of thespians throughout Flaness. Her favor guarantees a great play, poem, painting, or prose.
Myhriss:
She is the lady of love and beauty, she the patron of courtesans throughout Flaness.
NOTE: Courtesans are not your average lady in a brothel. They are considered as private entertainers are called on to perform in a variety of arts. Although I do not know much about Geishas, I think you can use Geishas as a model for courtesans but with a more "western" bent.
Olidammara:
He is the lord of Music, and Revelry, he is patron of Harpers throughout Flaness.
These three churches work together to help all members of the arts in building hostels providing training, food, etc.
EHLONNA-TRITHEREON
Ehlonna C Forests, Flowers, Meadows NG F
Trithereon C Individuality, Liberty, CG M
Trithereon and Ehlonna appeared in the 3trd Century during the withdrawal of the Great Kingdom from western Flaness. The lands around the Gnarly Forest, Verbobonac, Dyvers, and the Wild Coast, suffered greatly from the attack of humanoids of the Lortmil Mountains.
Trithereon appeared as the defender, striking out to free the people from oppression, and taking vengeance on their oppressors. In early days the followers of Trithereon struck against the remnants of the Great Kingdom in the Gnarly woods eventually shifting to the humanoids in the Lortmils.
Ehlonna appeared as the Forest Lady, sheltering all those who fled to her refuges, and working to build a home for those who lost theirs. She appeared sheltering people who were driven from their homes by the lords of the Great Kingdom, eventually shifting to sheltering people fleeing from the ravages of the humanoids of the Lortmils.
Together, with their clerics, they fought back at the humanoids for two hundred years until fifty years ago at the battle of Emidy Meadows they, with their allies, shattered forever the power of the humanoids of the Lortmil Mountains.
Today they and their clerics keep a watchful eye on the Pomarj to ensure the humanoids do not return.
ST CUTHBERT
St. Cuthbert C Wisdom, Dedication, Zeal LG(N) M
Cuthbert was a man, born in Ferrond (as Furyondy was known as under the Aerdi) about 232. He became a cleric of Pholtus when he was young man. When Furyondy revolted in 250, and finally declared it's independence in 254, west Flaness was engulfed in war. Cuthbert went west to recover some artifacts for the church of Pholtus, but instead got caught up in defending the young kingdom of Furyondy from turmoils of the time.
Cuthbert rose in the councils of the kingdom, he was a man who was respected throughout Furyondy. But in 280, Iuz killed the King and started to conquer Furyondy. Cuthbert rallied the kingdom and in 281 faced Iuz in single combat. With mighty blows of his cudgel Cuthbert wounded Iuz and caused Iuz and his army to flee, but the wounds Cuthbert took proved to be mortal and he died.
In the succeeding years Furyondy honored his memory and people found that his name could grant power. By 350 the church of St Cuthbert was established and had spread throughout central and western Flaness.
The land of Veluna today is the stronghold of St Cuthbert. Veluna was built from various grants from the Kings of Furyondy for the Church aid against Keoland in the Little War.
NOTE:
The focus of the early church of St Cuthbert was against Iuz, but after Zagyg imprisonment of Iuz in 363 the Church focused more on defending Furyondy against Keoland.
The rivalry between St Cuthbert and Pholtus stems mostly from the fact that the Church of Pholtus view the Church of St Cuthbert as daughter church. The church of St. Cuthbert broke away from Pholtus in about 400 because of the Church of Pholtus involvement in the politics of the Great Kingdom. Since then the Church of St. Cuthbert steadily won converts away from Pholtus until recently.
INCABULBUOS
Incabulbuos C Evil, Plagues, Nightmares NE M
When Iuz was imprisoned by Zagyg in 363 CY it appeared that the land he ruled would collapse in orgy of bloodshed. But after of thirty years of infighting finally a daemon, Incabulbuos, a Daemon from the Glooms of Hades, stood as ruler of Dorakaa and the lands of Iuz.
Throughout the next 200 years Incabulbuos maintained a slender grip on the land of Iuz. Whether by necessity or choice, Incabulbuos preferred to try to work his evil by lies, assassin blade, or other subtle means; rather than by Iuz's approach of conquest by the sword.
In 570 Iuz was freed from his long imprisonment and for two years Iuz and Incabulbuos fought for control of Iuz. Finally in 572 Incabulbuos was forced to flee and now plots to overthrow Iuz.
NOTE: Because of Incabulbuos mastery of the subtle weapons, Iuz is paranoid of spies, and assassins in his city of Dorakaa.
GODS OF THE FLANNAE
Pelor FC Sun, Strength, Light, Healing NG M
Beory FC Oerth Mother, Nature, Rain N F
Berei FC Home, Family, Agriculture NG F
Obad hai FC Nature, Wildlands, Freedom, N M
Rao FC Peace, Reason, Serenity LG M
Nerull FC Death, Darkness, Underworld NE M
Allitur FC Ethics, Propriety LG{N M
Zodal FC Mercy, Hope, Benevolence NG M
Iuz FC Oppression, Deceit, Pain CE M
The Flannae are the original inhabitants of Flanness. Their culture stressed harmony with nature and the values of the warrior. (Note the Flannae are much like Earth's Celtics.) The Original pantheon of Flannae deities, before the migrations, were; Pelor, his wife Beory, the goddess Berei, Rao, and Obad-hai. Rao at this time was the minor power of peace. Nerull was the dark lord of the Underworld who was trying to destroy Pelor and take Beory for his own wife. The Flannae religion consisted of a series of yearly festivals lead by the Druids. But the religion had it's dark side; on the last day of Needfest, on the shortest day of the year, thirteen first-born children were selected to sacrifice to Nerull to appease his hunger and to release the world from his cold grip.
When the migrations started many Flannae communities were hard hit by the Oeridians and the Sulose and were driven back to the areas they possess today. One of the changes caused by this was adoption of many Flannae powers and customs by the Oeridian invaders. The clerics of Rao became popular among the Oeridian kings and chiefs, who saw the worship of Rao as a chance to secure peace for their realms from the chaos of the migrations. Rao soon became a major power and beloved by many of the
Oeridians. Rao elevated two Oeridians, Allitur and Zodal, to serve as examples of what the chieftains and kings may achieve in peace. The adoption of Rao by Oeridians caused the decline of Zilchus the old god of their kings.
One of the effects that the migrations had was the ending of the Needfest sacrifice in many of the Flannae lands. This greatly angered Nerull who then raped a human female producing his son Iuz (contrary to legend who is not the son of Orcus). He then set up Iuz as a power with his own lands on Flanness to wage war against the Flannae and the Oeridians.
But by 350's much of western flanness was in chaos as Great Kingdom withdrew eastward. Taking advantage of the young Kingdom of Furyondy wars with Keoland Iuz released his armies. Soon his forces were on the shores of the Nyr Dyv and threaten to cross the Velverdyva. Zagyg of Greyhawk organized a force and marched to Dorakaa. In 363 Zagyg defeated Iuz in magical combat and then imprisoned Iuz in the catacombs beneath Castle Greyhawk. It was until 570 Iuz was freed from his imprisonment and returned to Iuz.
Apon his return Iuz had to contend with Incabulbuos, a daemon who controlled the land of Iuz. Iuz and Incabulbuos battled for control of Dorakaa and Iuz until 572 when Iuz finally scatterd Incabulbuos forces. Now Iuz has reorganized his land and his forces and is ready to strike (this circa 576).
GODS OF THE OERIDIANS
Procan OC Oceans, Seas, Salt NC M
Velnius O Sky, Weather N{G} M
Wenta OC Autumn,West Wind,Harvest CG F
Telchia OC Winter, North Wind, Cold CN F
Sotillion OC Summer,South Wind,Ease, CG{N F
Atroa OC Spring, East Wind NG F
Zilchus OC Power, Prestige, Influence, LN M
Erythnul OC Hate, Envy, Malice, Panic CE{N M
The Oeridians were the most successful of the invaders of Flanness establishing themselves throughout the land and with them came their religion.
Long ago before the rise of the Suloise, the Oeridians lived in a land by the Dramidj ocean where they were a simple fisherfolk. There they worshipped Procan lord of the seas and prayed to Velnius to grant them good weather and good crops. Zilchus was the god of their kings and the kings offered sacrifices to him to ensure the prosperity of their rule.
The Baklunish-Suloise Wars forced the Oeridians to migrate eastward into Flaness. They were driven from their seaside homes by the Wars and forced to take the land route to eastern Flanness and the Sheldomar Valley. As a result their worship of Procan declined in favor of Velnius, the Lord of Weather and his four wives.
Velnius, is the Lord of Weather and at the beginning of each season his takes a new bride; Atroa, the Lady of Spring, Sotillion, the Lady of Summer, Wenta, the Lady of Autumn, and Telchia, the Lady of Winter. At the end of each of the four great festivals of the year. The town, lead by the clerics, would enacted the marriage of Velnius to his bride of the season. Sacrifices and offerings were made to the bride to insure the village prosperity throughout the upcoming season.
Erythnul was the lord of Slaughter the enemy of Zilchus and the ravager of kingdoms. His comings were feared by Oeridian Kings for his comings caused the fall of their kingdoms. But when the kings turned away from Zilchus to Rao, Erythnul changed, he became the Lord of Hate; the destroyer of peace. Erythnul acting to bring about war to destroy the newly settled lands of the Oeridians.
Zilchus worship declined as the old ways failed in the trying times of the migrations. As the years passed the kings and chiefs of the Oeridians ceased their sacrifices to Zilchus choosing to make their offerings to Velnius or more commonly Rao of the Flannae. Rao grew popular as his clerics preached peace among Oeridian and Flan; a peace that the kings and chiefs needed to build their new lands.
NEW GODS OF COMMERCE
Rudd OC Chance,Good Luck, Skills CN{G F
Celestian OC Stars, Space, Wanderers N{G} M
Fharlanghn OC Horizons, Distance, Travel N{G} M
Kurell O Jealousy,Revenge,Thievery CN M
As the migrations slowed down, trade and commerce arose between the Oeridian tribes and between the Oeridian and Flannae. With the coming of commerce arose the newly rich of the merchants. The merchants sought to emulate the manner of the ancient Oeridian nobility by offering sacrifices to Zilchus. As the years passed Zilchus became the god of money and commerce. When the Great Kingdom extended it's sway over Flaness the merchant followed and many became wealthy and powerful nobles in the Great Kingdom.
In the Great Kingdom one of the ways of telling the origins of a noble is whether is adherent of Zilchus or of one of the gods of the United Church. A Aerdi noble that worships Zilchus usually has his title and fortune from being a successful merchant and is usually has money invested in commerce. While a follower of the United Church is descended from the original warrior nobles of the Aerdi.
Many merchants also made offerings to Rudd, Lady Luck, to grant them good fortunes in their business ventures. Those merchants who organized the trade caravans, the mercantilist, also made their offerings to Fharlanghn, to protect them on their journey, and to his brother Celestian, to aid them in finding their destination. All merchants make offerings to Kurell to avert his attentions.
THE UNITED CHURCH
Delleb O Reason, Intellect LG M
Heironeous OC Chivalry,Honor, Justice,Valor LG M
Hextor OC War, Discord, Massacre LE M
Pholtus OC Light, Resolution, Law LG{N M
In 0 AC the King of the Aerdi was crowned the OverKing of the Great Kingdom along with that coronation came the formal unification of four gods into one church; Pholtus of the Blinding Light, Delleb the Sage, and the brothers Hextor the Warrior and Heironeous the Protector.
Pholtus was originally under Zilchus as patron of the king's law and justice. Delleb was patron of reason and intellect and he was worshipped by those in pursuit of higher knowledge. Hextor was Zilchus arm striking at the king's enemy and his brother Heironeous was the Protector defending the homelands from all foes.
Each of the four powers suffered decline when the chiefs and kings turned away from Zilchus. But as the migrations slowed each of these powers started to rise again when they found roles outside of old worship of Zilchus, but each of the churches remembered their common origins together.
The United Church had it's origins in the rise of the Kingdom of the Aerdi. As Aerdi grew more powerful it's kings started wars of conquest. The priests of Rao condemned this and started to censure Aerdi's Kings. Soon the kings of Aerdi turned to the worship of Hextor and Heironeous and made their offerings to the brother warriors. Aerdi grew in power and size, the kings of Aerdi found the skills of the church of Pholtus and the knowledge of the church of Delleb useful in governing their kingdom. Finally when the king of Aerdi was Crowned as the OverKing, unifying all his lands under one crown, the four churches formalized their relations between themselves and the new OverKing by joining as the United Church. They established common churches and a common hierarchy.
As the Great Kingdom became the most powerful nation in Flanness the United Church became the dominant church often vying with the OverKing as to who was the supreme power in the Great Kingdom. But as the Great Kingdom became decadent, and four branches of the United Church started
pursue their separate goals and dissension appeared between them.
In 213 the followers of Hextor were censured by the other three branches of the United Church after they and the OverKing launched a invasion of the northern reaches of Keoland. The other three branches believed that Great Kingdom needed to consolidate it's current lands. The followers of Hextor were the power behind the current dynasty and got the OverKing to suppress the ruling of the other three branches. This started a conflict between the OverKing, supported by the followers of Hextor, and the other three branches of the United Church that lasted for over two hundred years. This finally resulted in the United Church existing in name only. The followers of Heironeous and Hextor facing off in Nyrond and the Great Kingdom, the follower of Pholtus trying to regain influence in the lost western lands of Flaness against the followers of St Cuthbert, and the followers of Delleb withdrawing to their monasteries.
Under auspices of the mother church in Rauxes some of the followers of Hextor went west, in 513, to dominate the humanoids that were northeast of Furyondy to try to regain that kingdom for the OverKing. But after the fall of the Bone March to Humanoids in 563, the mother church tried to order the withdrawal of the forces cooperating with the humanoids northeast of Furyondy to return, but with urging of Incabulbuos they refused and established the Horned Society.
Currently only in the Theocracy of the Pale has the four gods of the United Church has remained in cooperation. The followers of Pholtus and Delleb are the most numerous in the Theocracy.
GODS OF THE SULIOSE
Lendor S Time, Tedium LN M
Wee_Jas S Magic, Death LN F
The Suliose were the holders of the greatest empire Oerth has ever seen until the Baklunish Mages brought down the Invoked Devastation. During the time of the empire the Suloise primarily worshipped two powers; Lendor and Wee Jas.
Lendor is known to us as the Lord of Time and Tedium, but to the Suloise he was their supreme power who ordained their empire. As he ordered the heavens to clockwork precision the Suloise ordered their empire to the ideals of hard-work, perseverance, law, and order.
Wee Jas was Lendor's wife and those who studied all areas of higher knowledge and magic held her as their patron. She was also the judge of whether a Suliose dedication to the empire was sufficient enough to merit entrance to heaven or reincarnation to serve the empire again.
When the Invoked Devastation occurred and the Suloise Empire was reduced to the Sea of Dust, the remaining Suloise left their land in a great migration and settled throughout Flanness. In many lands they were absorbed into the Oeridian population, but in the Lendor Isles, Scarlet Brotherhood, and the Thillonrian Peninsula the Suloise survived and prospered.
The orginal worship of Lendor and Wee Jas survived in two places; the Lendor Isles and the Scarlet Brotherhood. The Scarlet Brotherhood are the last surviving remnant of the orginal Suloise empire. Their goal is the restoration of the Suloise empire. For hundreds of years they labored in secrecy on the plateau south of Kro Trelep. In 573, with the Great Kingdom appearing to be in it's final decline, the Scarlet Brotherhood took over the plateau and the surrounding lands and proclaimed the restoration of the Suloise Empire.
The Lendor Isles on the other hand was settled primarily of Suloise commoners. When they finally established their lands in the Lendor Isles they continued the practices their ancestors followed of worshipping Lendor and Wee Jas. This worship has evolved over the centuries to change dedication to the empire to dedication to one's community.
THE JMARVA
Kord S Athletics, Sports, Brawling CG M
Bralm SC Insects, Industrious N{L} F
Fortubo S Stone, Metals, Mountains LG{N M
Llerg S Beasts, Strength CN M
Lydia SC Music, Knowledge, Daylight NG F
Norebo S Luck, Gambling, Risk CN M
Phaulkon S Air, Winds, Clouds CG M
Phyton S Beauty, Nature CG M
Xerbo S Sea, Water Travel, Money, N M
Beltar S Malice, Pits, Deep Caves CE{N F
Pyremius S Fire, Poison, Murder NE M
Syrul S Deceit, False Promises, Lies NE F
The Suloise of the Thillonrian peninsula went a radical religious conversion from the lawful worship of Lendor to the chaotic worship of Kord. The Thillonrian Suloise had the most difficult migration of all the
Suloise and found land only in the cold, wind swept mountains and fjords of the Thillonrian peninsula.
Many of these Suloise turned away from the worship of Wee Jas and Lendor to the worship of the darker powers of the Oeridians and Flannae, but most often they only trusted themselves and their swords.
For the next hundred years Suloise fought among each other for land and power in Rhizia (the name the Suloise gave for the Thillonrian peninsula ) and soon many them started to organize into clans for mutual
protection. About 300 BC many of skalds started spreading tales of Kord and the Jmarva and how Kord welcomed all warriors died in battle to his hall in Gladsheim. So many of the Rhizians flocked to worship of Kord and the Jmarva; Bralm, Fortubo, Llerg, Lydia, Norebo, Phaulkon, and Xerbo and by 200 BC practically all the Rhizians worshipped an aspect of the Jmarva.
The mountain backbone of Rhizia was the Corusk mountains and underneath the Corusks was an extensive underearth. The ruler of the underearth, according to Rhizian tales, was the dark lady of the underearth, Beltar. Beltar and her minions Syrul and Pyremius warred against the Jmarva and the surface for domination. Many Rhizian tales are woven from the exploits of Rhizian heroes against Beltar.
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