Lux Tenebris: Deities of Lore - Part 4

Lukryum is the God of Life and one of the major deities of Lore. He is the progenitor of many of the gods and, according to some myths, all life on Lore. Every culture on Lore honors Lukrym to some degree. His temples and shrines are found everywhere. He has countless worshippers and a large, well-organized priesthood. He is associated with fertility, authority, material and spiritual power. His symbol is a green tree against a golden field. Lukrym is worshipped everywhere, but most fervently by the dragonborn. When he manifests to them, it is as a powerful, golden-scaled dragonborn male.

Meleh is the God of Battle, also known as the Golden Warrior. He is closely allied with Sumet, God of War, and the two are seldom apart. As the God of Battle, Meleh is called upon by fighters of all stripes and creeds to guide their blows and strengthen their arms. He has many temples and his clergy is comprised largely of veteran fighters. His symbol consists of two golden swords with a golden star above them on a blood-red field. When Meleh manifests it is as a warrior-youth armed with twin blades. He is best loved by the elves.

 

Mot is the God of Murder and Betrayal. He is often referred to as the Divine Traitor for allying with the All-Fiend, Sedomo, against Lukrym. Mot has no public temples or shrines and is worshipped in secret. Worship of Mot is illegal in most civilized countries, nevertheless his cult persists. He attracts dark souls to his worship and his name is often invoked by assassins and their employers. Mot has no symbol and when he manifests it is as a handsome male elf with sable hair and golden eyes. All his manifestations bear Sedomo’s brand, marking Mot as his ally.

Neka is the Goddess of Trade and Agreements. She is the daughter of Elleru, Goddess of Earth and the Underworld, and Sumet, God of War. Her name is invoked in courts and marketplaces, by merchants and moneylenders. Her temples are usually found near marketplaces and her priests often act as bankers and witnesses to trade agreements. To a lesser extent, Neka is also involved in diplomacy since trade flourishes during peacetime. Her symbol is two gold coins on a black field. Best-loved by the elves, Neka often manifests as a plain-looking she-elf with long dark hair and a calculating demeanor.

Ralam is the God of Agriculture, sometimes called the Lord of Harvest and Fieldsman. He is the father of Enab, God of Freedom. Ralam is a popular, albeit modest, deity who is the patron of all those who work the earth. His temples are found in rural areas, but his shrines can be found everywhere. His worshippers are farmers, vintners, ploughmen and anyone who works the soil. Ralam’s priests are usually plain-spoken folk with some connection to farming. Ralam’s symbol is a silver scythe on a black field. He is best-loved by the halflings, but has no set physical manifestation.

Rasha is the Goddess of Light, also known as the Sunmother and Moonkeeper. Her daughters are Enla, Goddess of the Sun, and Ratava, Goddess of Pleasure. Rasha is a prominent diety with many temples and a large priesthood. Her temples are always brightly lit and gaily painted. Festivals held in her honor often culminate in the release of floating lanterns into the night sky. Her symbol is a golden winged blade ascending to heaven against a dark blue sky. The Goddess of Light is honored across the globe, in every culture, but she is worshipped most fervently by the elves.

Ratava is the Goddess of Pleasure, also known as the Queen of Sighs and the Mistress of Desire. She is the daughter of Rasha, Goddess of Light, and Redethal, God of Destruction. Ratava is considered the most beautiful of the gods and has many lovers, both mortal and immortal. She has several temples.  Her priests are all exceptionally beautiful. Celebrations held in her name often become wild bachanals of sensual delight. Worship of Ratava is not for the meek and modest. Most cultures acknowledge Ratava in some way, but only the elves truly embrace her, losing themselves in her worship.

Lux Tenebris: Deities of Lore - Part 3

Enla is the Goddess of the Sun. She is the daughter of Amhog, God of Knowledge, and Rasha, Goddess of Light.  She is the mother of Halab, God of Mercies. A prominent goddess, Enla is sometimes known as the Timekeeper. Her temples are found across the world, and they ring bells to mark the passage of the daylight hours.  Enla’s symbols are a golden sun and a sundial. Worshipped by all, Enla is best-loved by humans.  When she manifests it is usually as a beautiful human woman with bronze skin and a mane of wild black hair around her head. 

Halab is the God of Mercies. He is the son of Enla, Goddess of the Sun, and Enab, God of Freedom.  His wife is Anola, the Goddess of Healing. A gentle deity, Halab is the only god to routinely interact with Arymat, Goddess of Misfortune. As such, it is said that his priests and devotees are especially lucky. His temples are small and serve as hospitals, hospices and asylums. His priests wear white and blue and many of them are trained healers.  His symbol is a pair of white hands cupping a blue star. Halab is best-loved by the halflings.

Ikkili is the Goddess of the Hunt, also known as the Red Spear and the Wild Huntress. Although a patron of hunters, Ikkili is also a patron of those they hunt. Returning from a hunt empty-handed is a sure sign that the goddess is not pleased with the hunter. She has no temples, but many shrines and her priests are usually not found among so-called ‘civilized’ peoples. Curiously, the dragonborn hold Ikkili in high regard for her skill and emotional detachment. Ikkili will sometimes manifest as a slim dragonborn female. Her symbol is a bloody spear against a black field.

Kasam is the God of Charity and Wealth. He is sometimes referred to as the Lord of Sapphires, and that gem is sacred to him. He is the child of Arilil, Goddess of Sadness, and Reined, God of Lies. Kasam’s name is invoked by those seeking wealth and those seeking alms. He rewards generosity and punishes greed. His temples are small and often serve as almshouses to those in need. Kasam’s symbol is a blue chalice held in a white hand.  He is best loved by the elves, and often manifests as a handsome elf-man wearing a bejeweled silver circlet.

Lilim is the God of Laments and Dirges. He is the son of Artys, Goddess of Illusion, and Retamli, God of Sacrifice. Associated primarily with death and funeral rites, Lilim is also connected to omens of death. Soldiers claim that if you hear a flute being played before a battle its a warning from Lilim not to fight. As such, the god is sometimes called the Soldier’s Friend. Lilim has no temples, few shrines and fewer priests. Gnomes revere him for his omens and Lilim sometimes appears as an small, armored figure playing a woeful tune on a silver flute.

Lira is the Goddess of Summer. She is the mother of Arymat, Goddess of Misfortune, and sometimes lover of Rovelek, the God of the Dead. Although a popular goddess, Lira has only a few temples and her shrines tend to be seasonal. Her priesthood is small, but dedicated, and comprised largely of young, single women. The color red is sacred to Lira and her symbol is the amaranthus flower. The Goddess of Summer is worshipped most ardently by humans, and she is known to manifest as a beautiful human woman with flowing red hair, usually wearing red garments and jewels.

Lux Tenebris: Deities of Lore - Part 2

Arymat is the Goddess of Misfortune. She is also called the Lady of Woes. The daughter of Lira, the Goddess of Summer, and Rovelek, the God of the Dead, Arymat was born with a ‘sour eye.’ Anything that Arymat looked upon with that eye was cursed with bad luck and so she became the Goddess of Misfortune. Even the other gods are not immune to Arymat’s influence, so they shun her. There are no temples to Arymat and she has no priests, but thousands invoke her name daily, praying that the Lady of Woes will spare them her ill-fortuned gaze.

Atenauch is the Goddess of Famine and Want. She is the sister of Anola, the Goddess of Healing. Atenauch is not a deity who is worshipped, so much as placated. Dwarves, in particular, make regular offerings to Atenauch, in hopes that she will stay far away.  She has few priests and only one or two temples, but many shrines. Most farming communities hold the Feast of Famine at the end of theirs harvests to placate her.  Autenauch’s symbol is an empty plate and when she manifests it is as a gaunt, skeletal woman with wild black hair wearing ragged clothes.

Golden-haired Cyric is the God of Truth. He is the son of Denog, God of Crafts, and Elleru, Goddess of Earth and the Underworld. Cyric never lies and hates liars. As such, his name is invoked when truth must be told. Woe betide anyone who bears false witness in Cyric’s name. In his temples, only truth can be spoken.  His priests never lie, not even to be polite or kind. As such, they are trusted, but seldom liked. Cyric’s symbol is a golden crown, and he usually manifests as a handsome, fair-haired young man. He is best-loved by the halflings.

Denog is the God of Crafts, also known as the Wondermaker. He is the father of Cyric, God of Truth, and one of the goddess Elleru’s lovers. Denog created the Seven Wonders of the World, and is worshipped by artisans and craftsmen of all types.  He has many temples and even more shrines. His priests are all accomplished artisans. His symbols include the hammer and the spider. Although Denog is worshipped across Lore he is held in especially high regard among the clever gnomes. In fact, the God of Crafts will often manifests as a brighty-eyed, finely-dressed older gnome gentleman.

Elleru is one of the major deities of Lore, the Goddess of Earth and the Underworld. She is a fecund deity and has many lovers, mortal and immortal, and countless children. Her temples can be found everywhere, and most homes have a shrine to her, carefully tended by the household. Her priests come from all backgrounds, as do her worshippers. She has dominion over the living and the dead, and is sometimes referred to as the Queen of the Dead. Her symbols are the egg, the butterfly and the toad. She manifests as a regal woman dressed all in green.

Enab is the God of Freedom, also known as the Chainbreaker.  He is the son of Abasha, Goddess of Justice, and Ralam, God of Agriculture. Enab is a chaotic god associated with freedom and revolution. He is the enemy of tyrants and patron of the oppressed. His priests are few, but fiercely devoted, and he has only a few scattered temples and shrines. When shrines to him appear local governments take notice as it means trouble is not far behind. Enab’s symbol is a broken chain in three colors. With their love of freedom, humans are Enab’s most devoted worshippers.

Lux Tenebris: Deities of Lore - Part 1

Abasha is the Goddess of Justice. She is also known as the Golden Lady and the Swift Sword.  Her symbol is a descending golden sword. Although invoked in courts across the world, Abasha does not care for legalities. She is a deity of swift, decisive, moral action and she expects her adherants to follow her example. As a result, authorities view Abasha and her temples with a wary eye, as they tend to take the law into their own hands. Her followers are often perceived as vigilantes, zealots and, in some cases, traitors. She is best loved by the elves.

Amhog is the God of Knowledge and his symbol is the apple. He is sometimes referred to as the Guardian of the Tree of Knowledge. In most myths, this tree is an apple tree. Amhog is venerated by all those who seek knowledge and all knowledge is his to award as he sees fit. Shrines to Amhog can be found in schools and libraries. He is the special patron of the Adamantine Archive. Temples to Amhog vary in size, but all of his priests have expertise in at least one field of knowledge. Amhog is best loved by the gnomes.

Anola is the Goddess of Healing. She is sometimes referred to as the White Lady and is one of the most popular deities on Lore. Her husband is Halab, the God of Mercies and her sister is Atenauch, the Goddess of Want. Anola’s followers are legion. Her temples serve as hospitals and her priests are physicians. They turn no one away and treat everyone the same, whether they are a common laborer or a powerful king. Anola’s symbol is a potion bottle, but she is most often represented as a beautiful gnome woman with milk-white skin and pale blonde hair.

Ariel is the Goddess of Wisdom. Where Amhog rewards effort with knowledge, Ariel awards experience with wisdom. People say that Amhog is the kinder of the two.  The Goddess of Wisdom is invoked in all manner of judgements and decision-making. One of the oldest deities, her counsel is even sought by the other gods. Ariel’s symbol is the hourglass. She has few temples, but many shrines. Her priests are usually older people with good judgement and long memories. The Goddess of Wisdom is best loved by humans and usually manifests as an exotic, dark-skinned human female, wearing flowing blue robes. 

Arilil is the Goddess of Sadness and Despair. She is sometimes referred to as the Weeping One and the Queen of Tears.  Her symbol is a weeping eye producing three blue teardrops. Arilil is most often invoked at sad occasions such as funerals, but people often call upon her to avoid situations that could lead to grief.  Although she is not a popular goddess, Arilil still has temples and priests devoted to her service. Her clergy often assist with funerals and act as professional mourners. Dragonborn venerate Arilil, hoping to placate the goddess with offerings and keep her far away.

Artys is the Goddess of Illusion. Her symbol is a purple serpent upon a dark blue field. Temples to Artys are few and far apart.  All of them are concealed. Finding one of her temples is no mean feat.  Artys’s priests claim that the entire world is an illusion, and that their goddess is less concerned with perpetuating the illusion than helping people to look past it. Her priests try to present her as a benevolent deity, but since Artys is the Goddess of Illusion few people believe these claims.  Artys is best loved by the elves, especially the drow.

Lux Tenebris: Omeron Nightveil

OMERON NIGHTVEIL, L9 Male Half-Elf Investigator & Sorcerer

STR     10 (+0)

DEX    10 (+0)

CON   16 (+3)

INT     10 (+0)

WIS     10 (+0)

CHA   19 (+4)

HP       60

AC      13 (Mage Armor)

Traits:

Darkvision

Fey Ancestry

Languages: Common, Dwarvish, Elvish, Orcish, Undercommon

Proficiencies: +4

Armor: None

Weapons: Daggers, Darts, Slings, Quarterstaffs, Light x-bows

Tools:

Saves: Constitution +7, Charisma +8

Skills: Arcana +4, Deception +8, Insight +4, Investigation +4, Perception +4, Persuasion +8

Feats:

Sorcerous Origin: Draconic Bloodline

- Draconic Ancestor: Blue

- Draconic Resilience: Lightening

- Elemental Affinity: Lightening

Font of Magic

- Sorcery Points (9)

Metamagic

- Empowered Spell

- Quickened Spell

Spellcasting:

Spells Known: 10

Spell DC: 16

Atk Mod: +8

At-Will(5): Chill touch, Friends, Mending, Poison spray, Shocking grasp

L1(4): Detect magic, Mage armor, Ray of Sickness

L2(3): Invisibility, Spider climb

L3(3): Dispel magic, Lightening bolt

L4(3): Blight, Greater invisibility

L5(1): Cone of Cold

Equipment:

Light x-bow. Ranged, 80/320; +4 to hit; deals 1d8 piercing.

Daggers(2). Melee; +4 to hit; deals 1d4 piercing; Ranged, 20/60; Finesse, Light.

A dungeoneer’s pack, an arcane focus, a pair of eversteel manacles, a suit of common clothes, 10gp.

Omeron Nightveil is one of Ordotown’s oldest residents.  He lives near the entrance to the town, and most nights can be found sitting, cross-legged, upon the roof of his squat.  Wrapped in his black cloak, sitting as still as a stone, Omeron studies the faces of the people who slink into Ordotown.  In his left hand, he grips a set of eversteel manacles.  It is obvious that Omeron is waiting for someone, but no one knows who that person is or what the half-elf wants with them. It’s probably nothing good.

Omeron knows Ordotown better than anyone else. He’s been there almost since the beginning. They say the half-elf knows secret paths through Ordotown that no one else knows. They say when Silmera Venteth died, Omeron burned her body atop the Lookout and scattered her ashes to the four winds. Some say he loved her.

Rin Kurdek has made overtures to Omeron to join his faction, but he has been rebuffed. The same has occurred with Madame Nightcoin.

Some nights, Tar Stilltongue can be spotted, sitting quietly besides the half-elf. The two do not talk, but there seems to be some sort of bond between the kenku cleric and the half-elf sorceror.