Lux Tenebris: Deities of Lore - Part 5

Redethal is the God of Destruction, the Chaos-Bringer and the Divine Fury. He is the father of Ratava, Goddess of Pleasure, and, in some stories, Ikkili, Goddess of the Hunt. Redethal’s name is not invoked lightly. Summoning him is akin to calling down a natural disaster. Even the other gods avoid summoning Redethal. He is not inherantly evil, but despises stagnation; he sweeps away the old to make way for the new. Redethal has no temples, but a small clergy who worship at temporary shrines. His symbol consists of eight black arrows in a radial pattern against a blood-red field.

Reined is the God of Lies, the Mischief-Maker, the King of Trumps. He is the father of Kasam, the God of Charity. In some quarters Reined is despised for his lies, but in others he is lauded for his cleverness. The God of Lies and the God of Truth do not get along and neither do their followers. Reined has one or two temples and few priests. In stories, he often accompanies other deities on adventures. The fox and mockingbird are his symbols. Reined is best-loved by the elves, especially the drow, and sometimes manifests as a handsome, smirking elf.

Retamli is the God of Sacrifice. He is the father of Lilim, the God of Laments. According to legend, Retamli offered his life to the All-Fiend to save humanity. The All-Fiend accepted. Retamli’s selfless act restored humanity’s faith in the gods and allowed them to overcome the All-Fiend. Retamli has several temples and a small clergy. His followers practice denial and self-sacrifice in emulation of Retamli’s example. The more extreme members of his congregation mortify their flesh to prove their devotion to the God of Sacrifice.  Retamli’s symbol is an eternal flame, burning red and gold against a black field. 

Rovelek is the God of Death and the Dead. Some call him the Winterlord and the Final Judge. He is the father of Arymat, Goddess of Misfortune. His lover is Lira, Goddess of Summer. As the God of Death, Rovelek is closely associated with Elleru, who presides over the Underworld.  Rovelek is not a popular god but he has many temples and many priests. He is invoked wherever people have died and his temples often serve as mortuaries. His clergy dress in gray and black. Rovelek has no symbol. All cultures respect Rovelek, but humans strive hardest to placate him.

Ryat is the God of Thieves. His name is invoked by criminals across the world and he has no public temples or shrines. Rather, the God of Thieves is worshipped in private, furtively. Most of his worshippers are criminals, but not all. Like Atenauch, the Goddess of Want, Ryat is a deity who is offered fervent worship by the dwarves. They do so to try and placate the God of Thieves, so that his followers will not rob them. Perhaps because of this, Ryat chooses to manifest as a bent and twisted dwarf with a wicked leer on his face.

Sarvas is the God of Divination, also known as the Blind God.  He only has few temples and his priesthood is very small..  Only those individuals with an innate talent for divination can become priests of Sarvas. Although primarily a god of seers and oracles, Sarvas is often appealed to by common folk, hoping for some glimpse of their future.  Those who receive such a glimpse often regret it.  Among the peoples of the world, humans tend to pray to Sarvas the most. When he manifests, it is as an older human man, bald and blind, dressed like a monk.