Chapter 3-95: A License to Make Money (and the Gods of PoT!) (2/2)
-Spends a lot of time hunting down mighty beasts, monsters and Evil Champions who might threaten Creation.
-His Church explicitly works with Harse’s to punish evildoers who cannot be touched by the Law.
-His Champions have a knack for turning up exactly where they are not wanted at the best time to be putting a hurt on dastardly plans.
-Patron of all CG Champions, and primary Patron of the Erhiar/Valkyrie.
-Favored weapons are the axe and spear/lance. Favored Mount is the King of Bears.
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The Sapphire Court (Lawful Neutral) – Nominally aligned, more rivals than partners
Tempus Primus (Greater God) – Law (Eminent), Time/Fate (Eminent), Order
-Tends to be fairly uncaring of mortal events, entirely concerned with the machinations of Chaos to undermine the order of reality.
-Guardian of the Time stream, and a huge foe of Mythos entities from Outside Creation.
-Served by Modrons.
Imprus, the God Emperor (Intermediate God) – Law, Rulership (Eminent), Community, Conquest, Civilization, Government, Kings, the Arts, Wealth, Protection
-His Church believes it is his destiny to rule all creation, and in a strong theocratic state.
-While not racist, believes in strict social order, and is always biased towards the more capable, i.e. Powered, over normal people. A favored deity of the wealthy and entitled families... if they have Powered.
-The barbaric Hordes of Hurn are his most constant divine foes.
-Served by Lyans (a variant of LN templars who become increasingly Axiomatic beings).
Zhi Hu the Master, the Enlightened (Lesser God): Law, Spiritual Arts (Eminent), Mastery, Discipline, the Arts, Wisdom
-The idealized monastic martial artist, concerned with innermost enlightenment and harmony before all else.
-Primary Patron of many monastic orders, and even monks of other gods respect him.
-A great foe of Chaotic champions and barbarians, and Valus irritates him to no end.
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The Neutral Courts (True/False Neutral): Loosely Split between the Wild Court and the Court of Lores
Eryl the Storm Queen (Greater Goddess): Storms/Air (Eminent), Women (Eminent), Hunting, War, Conquest
-First and most vocal patron of Amazons, and all women warriors. Her Amazons are generally considered to be hungry for power and all too happy to fight with men.
-Believes women should rule.
-Happy to engage in constant conflicts with all ruler and war gods.
-Thoroughly annoyed by Amana and Nuava, but can do nothing against them.
-Is very annoyed that her daughter Aethra takes after her father more than her, and believes she was manipulated by Mithar... except she is the one who went after him, of course!
Sylvan, the King of the Green (Greater God): Nature (Eminent), Plants (Eminent), Animals (Eminent), the Elements, Weather
-A foe of both civilization and chaos, spends a lot of time putting them up against one another. Otherwise generally uncaring of things that do not affect the balance of nature.
-Protector of world-spirits, and the primary force behind Druidism.
-Neutral relationship with Eryl, gets along well with Flora, and distant but amicable relations with the Courts of Heaven, which at least respects natural balance.
-Backs natural/evolved strength over technology
The Genie Suzerains (Lesser Gods) and Elemental Lords (Intermediate and Greater Gods): Element (Eminent)
-Basically the most powerful forces of their respective Elements. The Good, Evil, Lawful, and Chaotic Elemental Lords are Intermediate Gods, while the Neutral Elemental Lord is the ruler of their Element and a Greater God. The Genie Suzerains are subordinated to one of the Elemental Lords.
Uruth, the Overmagus (Greater God): Magic (Eminent), Law, Chaos, Fate, Chance, Knowledge, Artifice, Alchemy
-Based on Greyhawk/Oerth’s Boccob, but his view of magic is broader, encompassing both artifice and alchemy. As a result, his church is far more involved in mercantile endeavors than simple studying of spells.
-Annoyed that he is not Eminent in all magic and has to share influence with Sylune and Ruilvei. Equally annoyed that he is not Eminent in Knowledge.
-His Church is dominated by Wizards and Theurges, and constantly strives to be the foremost authority on magic and all related to it. They are also known to be rather uncaring of who they work for.
-Oddly enough, his Church works frequently with Trose, as the God of Merchants loves being able to buy magical stuff and magical services from them, without annoying morality getting in the way. Trose is also Uruth’s mouthpiece in many areas, and finds rare components and objects for him to study.
Mimir, the Wise (Intermediate God): Knowledge and Divination (Eminent), Prophecy/Omens (Eminent)
-The Wisest of the Gods, reduced to only a ghostly head. The most accurate of prophets, and among the most reserved. His servants are mainly librarians and diviners.
-Ongoing rivalry with Uruth, who desires his Eminence.
Trose, the Lord of Coins (Intermediate God): Wealth (Eminent), Luck, Fate, Travel, Charm, Civilization, Law, Chaos, Craft.
-Basically traded his way up to Intermediate God status, and has no plans on stopping.
-A wheeler and a dealer willing to make trades with anyone, as long as he profits... and he’s very, VERY good at making sure he profits, even with the darkest folk.
-Works with anyone who’ll work with him and profit him regularly. Uruth and Forj are the most common. He considers Njord almost a vassal, but is annoyed that Sylune shares dominance over Travel with him.
Njord, the Sea God (Lesser God): Water (Eminent), Storms, Seas, Fishermen, Sailors
-On good terms with all the Elemental Gods of Water, but his interests are more for mortals who interact with the sea.
-A Patron of many aquatic races.
-A god of both the Wild and Lore Courts, since shipping makes him a god of civilized people, too.
-A Poseidon expy who is more reliable to work with, and whose interests extend to pure waters.
Forj, the God of Makers (Lesser God): Crafting/Artifice (Eminent), Community
-Favors dwarves and gnomes, who return his fond attention. He and Harse vie for favor among them.
-Patron of technological advancement, and loves all the crafting trades. Tends to not really care to what use his creations are put to, however.
-Nominally a servant of Uruth, but has less care for magical things then pure expression of skill. Trose takes advantage of him.
-Often works with Muse in crafting beautiful and elegant, yet functional items, particularly buildings.
-While a Patron of Crafters, looks after the laborers who work for them as well, as focused labor is a skill of its own.
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Chaos has no Court: Each deity does their own thing with precious little care for others
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Hurn, The Mighty (Greater God): Chaos (Eminent), War (Eminent), Conquest, Animal, Strength, Glory
-More a force of existence than a coherent entity, constantly raging about and inciting battles between forces.
-Extremely opposed to rulership or dominion that lasts more than a generation. Equally happy to conquer others, or to rise up against conquerors.
-War is a neutral force that oppresses all equally, and drives evolution. Order is a neutral force that oppresses many for the benefit of the few, and stagnates evolution.
-Even Hurn respects Amana’s Eminence in Peace, for she does not use it to get rid of all war, and all warriors must rest and heal at times.
-On Excellent terms with the Autumn Court of the Fey.
Mhyst, the Hidden (Lesser Goddess): Chaos, Illusion (Eminent), Mystery (Eminent), Secrets, Deception, Trickery, Dreams
-One of the gods of magic, and nominally obedient to Uruth... when he can find her.
-Less concerned with gaining power than playing games of power. After all, if you win, you’re out in the open and your secrets are exposed!
-On extremely good terms with both the Summer and Winter Courts of the Fey, and often serves as a neutral party between them.
-Extremely good at finding out secrets, and dispensing them to create interesting events that muck up the plans of those too full of themselves.
Jynx, Lady Luck (Intermediate Goddess): Chaos, Luck (Eminent), Trickery (Eminent), Charm
-The Trickster Goddess, and the biggest thorn in the side of Imprus and Huul, and they don’t even know it.
-A rival and companion of Tiirith and Jestanna, always trying to get the better of them... and usually doing so, if not as much as she would like.
- Naturally the patron of gamblers and thrill-seekers who defy the odds, as well as con men and professional thieves.
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The Ruby Court of Hell: Lawful Evil
Huul, the Tyrant (Greater God): Law, Evil, Conquest (Eminent), Tyranny (Eminent), Doom (Eminent), Rulership, Fire, Charm, Darkness, War, Strategy
--Commander of the Ruby Court
--Served by countless devils of all levels of power. Dwells on the Ninth Floor of Hell.
--Continually engaged in war against the forces of the Abyss trying to take the Sin that empowers Hell, as well as other targets of opportunity. Always looking to expand and set up new territories and sources of Sin he can tap for power.
-Hell is the greatest sponsor of Warlock Pacts.
-Considers Mithar his greatest foe, and the rest of Creation just pawns moving between the two of them.
Rue, Lady Pain, the Frost Maiden (Intermediate Goddess): Law, Evil, Dark Magic, Pain (Eminent), Ice (Eminent), Witchcraft, Doom, Curses, Charm
-A goddess of magic and Patron of Magic, rival of Ruilvei
-Huul’s icy consort, his counterpart, and head of his ‘diplomatic’ efforts.
-Ruler of the frozen Eighth Hell, guarding Nessus’ doorstep.
Rath, the Dark Knight (Intermediate God): Law, Evil, Conquest, Death, Darkness, Doom, Destruction, Strength, Strategy
-The Champion and General of Hell, Patron of Illriggers, both knight and assassin.
-Loathes Valus to his core. Respects and is a bit afraid of the skill of Mithar.
-Faultlessly loyal to Huul, and an inspiring and charismatic leader to his troops. Rides with the favor of The Tyrant.
-Rides the King of Nightmares.
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The Darkest Court (Neutral Evil): They obey Skulos because if they don’t, he’ll wipe them.
Skulos, The Reaper (Greater God): Evil (Eminent), Death (Eminent), Darkness (Eminent), Decay, Destruction, Doom, Undeath (Eminent), Oblivion, Disease
--Strongest of the Greater Gods, can counter Aru, his greatest rival.
-Enjoys making mortals into the undead. Their spirits always come to him in the end.
-Patron of all forms of natural death and ways of dying.
-Served by Daemons exemplifying those ways of dying.
-The conflict between Hell and the Pits swirls around the Glooms. The daemons prey on both and harvest Sin from them in doing so, but on average work for Hell, as the forces of the Pits are simply too large to allow them to run rampant.
Ruilvei, The Witch Queen (Intermediate Goddess): Evil, Dark Magic (Eminent), Witchcraft (Eminent), Darkness, Death, Doom, Curses (Eminent), Hags, Secrets, Mysteries.
-The primary corruptor of the Hag Curse. Hates Sylune the most for countering all her power.
-Biggest sponsor of Witches, more than all other powers combined.
-Would dearly love to be Eminent in both Secrets and Mystery, but Jynx and Shoul won’t go along.
Shoul, the Dark Moon (Intermediate God): Evil, Shadows (Eminent), Secrets (Eminent), Murder, Trickery, Charm, Theft, Darkness, the Dark Moon, Nightmares, Wealth
-The god of assassins and thieves of all stripes, turning secrets and intrigue into power and wealth.
-Understands more of the game between Huul and Mithar than any other, and still dreads being caught up in Mithar’s schemes... or being afflicted by the fallout from Huul’s.
-Might or might not be the lover of Jynx. Secrets...
-Considers himself the most cunning of the gods, playing the Game against the two great strategists of the gods. Both Huul and Mithar are aware of this, and generally ignore or manipulate him as he tries his clever schemes, leaving him only wondering who was playing who.
-Love/Hate relationship with Sylune, but they really have different interests that don’t overlap... and they might even be related...
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The Pits of Demonium (Chaotic Evil)
Voyd, The Demon Queen (Greater Goddess): Chaos, Evil, Destruction (Eminent), Bad Luck (Eminent), Death, Doom, Darkness, War, Strength, Demonkind
--More a force of nature then a being. Destroys all about her, and births new demonic entities that help lay waste to Creation endlessly. Valus hunts down and kills a lot of them.
-Venerated and feared by all demons. Loathed by the Qlippoth. Believed to be the first of Demonkind.
-Like Skulos and Huul, an Endbringer who will destroy all in an apocalyptic battle in many realities. If Evil loses a world, the arrival of her Avatar is one way of setting the counter back to zero.
-If there is a tarrasque, she is its mother.
-The Succubi are understood to be her voices in Demonium, particularly the Lilithi priestesses.
Angar, the Deceiver (Lesser God): Chaos, Evil, Trickery, Charm, Lies, Deception (Eminent), Illusion, Secrets, Betrayal
-The Greatest liar of the divine, untrusted yet valued for his words until his inevitable betrayal. Loves political games. Playing headgames with jRaztl now.
Kachachak, the Winter King (Lesser God): Chaos, Evil, Winter (Eminent), Ice, Storms, Jotuns
-A sinister elemental being of cold, contesting with the Winter Court of the Fey constantly. Revered by frost Jotuns, Ice dragons, and creatures of cold and winter.
Klaw, the Butcher (Lesser God): Chaos, Evil, Massacre (Eminent), War, Mutation, Strength
-The only Warp God to advance in status, has thrown himself into the conflict with Hell to gain Sin and raise his Power. Followed eagerly by many demons.
-Preferred followers are berserkers who revel in carnage. Demons work fine, too.
-Enjoys creating new monsters by mutating them from others into more fearsome warbeasts.
The other Warp Gods (Lesser Godlings/Demon Princes): Chaos, Evil +
Riggibuhl: Disease, Death. Striving for influence over oozes with at least four other demon lords.
jRaztl: Trickery, Magic, Secrets. Engaged fully in the games of power for the fun of it, even dealing with the Qlippoth.
Amourae: Lust, Charm. Vying for control of the succubi, but finding it hard going, as gender conflict in the Abyss is alive and well, and a hermaphrodite is loathed from both sides... plus Voyd could squash him like a grape. Lust is also a VERY popular sphere of Sin for demon princes.
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There are other demigods, demon princes, ur-daemon despots, and archdevils around, too, basically infinite in number given the scope of the Pantheon’s duties, only a tiny fraction of which ever concern themselves with a specific mortal world at a time.
The Qlippoth are considered creatures of Mythos, and allies of those Outside Creation.
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The Aruan Heavens maintain cordial relationships with other Heavenly entities outside the Pantheon, seeing them not as rivals, but brothers and comrades in arms with a job to do, and so communication across Pantheons happens regularly, while respecting one another’s boundaries.
The Neutral and Evil aspects of the Pantheon are not nearly so respectful, and strive for more power and influence over mortal souls with other Pantheons at the drop of a hat. Boundaries between Pantheons are entirely metaphysical in boundary, and a world in one dimension may be in the territory of a different Pantheon in another.
There is no real way to stop such conflicts, so they are simply tolerated as another test of fitness to serve their respective Pantheons. Of course, divine conflicts can get very intense, indeed, and it is rare for an outsider to displace an existing member of the Pantheon without remarkable luck, or if that member receives no support.
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Also note that Creation is vast, and the Aruan Pantheon does not know all the others that are out there. It knows of the areas it controls, and some borderlands, but those farther afield are only known by speaking with other gods who pass on tales of who and what and where. It is surprisingly easy to get beyond the areas of their influence, as it is suddenly falling into such an area.