#DnD gods

[kostopher]

made some gods for my upcoming dnd campaign

[coreene]

Gather around adults it's random lore time - today's topic Sharess' Caress!

Going to start with the goddess Sharess. She is probably one of my favourites of dnd gods.

Faerûnian goddess of festhalls, hedonism, and sensual fulfillment. Passionate and willful, The Dancing Lady had the independent and hedonistic temperament of a feline, and encouraged her followers to spread pleasure to all. source

She is basically the goddess of hedonism and pleasure and, it's nice. I like it. I like that there is a god for it and it's a female. Likely the makers of this goddess was men who thought yeah, sexy loose lady but I see it as "a woman who is not afraid to own her desires" I like it.

Looking at her alliances she hangs with the good guys. Selune, Sune etc. But there was a brief time where Shar corrupted her and she was serving her. Now she opposes both Loviatar and Shar. Loviatar is a bit of a shame but maybe some kinky stuff happened when she was hanging with Shar.

Now a word caught my eye there. Festhalls. We proceed to the related wiki page to find this:

A festhall was an establishment combining the services of brothels, casinos, and private clubs. Festhalls provided a variety of adult-themed leisure activities and entertainment, including sex work, gambling, day spas, dining, exotic dancing, companionship, role-play, and other specialized interests. source

So Festhalls basically combine any fun adult thing we can think of.

This brings us to the question - was Sharess' Caress a festhall? I would think yes. I don't remember seeing gambling but everything else was there!

[beetlethebug]

so we know that like, Kristen's whole deal is religion and such, right? I'm just kinda thinking about the other Bad Kids and the Gods. Maybe it's my own multi-deity pagan ass just wanting to consider what it would look like. (I'm using primarily Forgotten Realms Gods and my absolutely vague knowledge of them).

This got long so read under the cut ;u;

Gorgug is absolutely Garl Glittergold's favorite child. He loves the shenanigans. Do you think he starts connecting with Gruumsh when he starts connecting with his birth parents? Baby Gorgug leaving bits of metal and toys he accidentally broke on the altar the Thistlesprings' have in their workshop. Gorgug pre-artificer offering up the songs he makes as a tricky sort of "metal" working. Feeling a connection to Gruumsh in the heats of his rage, the nudge of a hand during his frenzy guiding him to the right target. Keeping bits of scrap from their enemies to melt down into his next artificing project. He also probably talks to Helm, sometimes, asking for guidance on how to best protect his friends. Gorgug has big protector energy.

Adaine who is, in a way, a deity in her own right, depending how revered the Oracle is. I don't know if Adaine would connect with Elvish gods, but she and Oghma vibe. I think that after the Bad Kids all talk and bond, Kristen makes a joke about her being a Gruumsh follower with her furious fist and so Adaine jokingly buys a pin to wear in offering. Jawbone also had a talk with her about sometimes it can help to talk to someone about your anxiety--whether that be a counselor or even the Gods, sometimes. Just Adaine praying to Gruumsh to have the strength to punch her anxiety in the face is very beautiful to me. Azuth is the god of wizards, so he and Adaine might vibe. Adaine feels like the type to vibe with the Gods mostly in jest; she talks to them sometimes, but they're silly little guys to her. Because of Tracker and Jawbone's lycanthropy, I think she either has a small shrine to Galicaea or has the biggest beef with her imaginable. Maybe a little bit of both.

Riz. God. I think once Riz meets his Father, he definitely like, sets up a little shrine to him. Ancestor work feels really important to Riz. He dedicates a lot of self-care things to his dad, I think. Mainly sleeping and drinking water. Does he do them? No. But it's the thought that counts. Riz is definitely the like, mundane acts of worship. Incorporating it into miniscule parts of his day that would go undetected unless you knew him and where to look. He also probably has some devotional jewelry to Yondalla; I think that Penny probably had a habit of repeating prayers while touching the beads of her bracelet (kind of like a Rosary) and that rubbed off on him, especially when she was babysitting him. The whole family also probably have at least some sort of worship to Tyr due to their connection to justice and law enforcement. I think Sklonda is more connected with some of the deities associated with Goblins, specifically Gruumsh (can you tell I love him?) and Maglubiyet. He prays to war gods to get through the absolute shitshow of Adventuring school. He and Adaine probably dedicate their research to Oghma.

Fig is really interesting because I feel like she is probably in the vein of demon work instead of divinity. Although I think that she unironically thinks Riz's dad is super cool so like, playfully worships him. Fig is the Bad Kid that I feel like collects all the different pieces of her friends and wears them proudly upon herself. She dedicates concerts to Kristen's new deity of the week. She sighs and asks Oghma for help on exams; she includes prayers to Gruumsh in her tracks. I feel like Fig also might have a tendency to like, worship the people in her life. She thinks they're so important and she cares about them so much. So she elevates them to the status of a God in her mind. They are invincible. They are young and powerful and the bonds they share are much, much magical then some God who pretends to be high and mighty. Her body is an altar--she wears jewelry and draws sigils and uses so much color magick. She is, in a way, a walking beacon to the gods, saying, "Look at us! We're just as good as you, and if you doubt it, then we'll kick your ass!"

Fabian Seacaster my beloved. This man follows his Father's footsteps for a long time. He worships Gods of the tempest, of the sea and sailing. Yondalla holds a special place in his heart. Riz nearly has a conniption when Fabian corrects him on a prayer to Yondalla, and the two of them bond about it. But once this man starts dancing, this man worships Corellon Larethian with his whole chest. He does a lot of his worship through dancing. Moving his body, getting in touch with his roots. Because of the fire elemental, he also does some like, elemental magic? But I think a lot of his forms of worship come through bodily experiences. Braving a storm, dancing in front of a crowd, making just the right maneuver to protect his friends in battle. Sometimes he and Fig and Gorgug will sit together and make devotional playlists!

[lillunar]

They say fate is written in the stars

[tragerfcks]

BALDUR'S GATE 3💭

> Temple of Jergal

[chronolatry-art]

kilofract <3

[arsonist-macaron]

Sometimes mishearing your DM gives you extremely good meme material

[ID: Image of the DnD god Evening Glory edited to look like she's holding a gun. She's a beautiful woman with a heart shaped hole in her hand that's she's holding over her eye, which you can see through hole.]

[alpaca-clouds]

I hate the design of the gods (and especially the goddesses) in DnD. Let me tell you why.

Okay, let me ramble a bit about DnD. And especially about this one thing that I really loathe about the visual design of the game: The designs of the gods, and especially the goddesses.

Now, let me say, that a part of the issue is, that many of the gods still use their designs from early on. So from 1e, 2e or 3e. Some got new artworks, yes, but they still have the same design as those early gods. Which is very much the root cause for the issue I have, but it does not change that this issue exists.

The issue?

I fucking hate that most of the Faerûnian gods are:

human

white

thin

abled

Yes, there are a few gods, who break out of this. Ilmater is disabled (but also, the fact that he is kinda the god of self-sacrificial suffering... does seem really ableistic), and of course there are the pantheons of the different other species. Though it should be noted that they are generally not part of the Faerûnian pantheon.

And... like, the gods really do not have any variety among them, and this is especially true for the goddesses. Which is obviously the typical character design problem.

(No idea, who drew that one, but it kinda is very fitting - especially for the DnD Gods.)

The male gods look actually quite different at least in terms of body build and stuff.

Like, if you look at the gods... I mean, looking through the different gods I have not found a single one, that was really overweight, but at least there is some body diversity - even if there is not going on a lot else in terms of diversity.

But the goddesses? Yeah, no they all look the same.

You could argue that the current design for Shar looks a bit East Asian, but other than that? I mean, they are all super pale and shit.

Now, I already hear people say: "But Faerûn is BASED ON EUROPE! And it is majority human!"

There are only two issues.

Given that since 3e the world outside of Faerûn was not really developed further, WotC decided to turn Faerûn into this super diverse place - but this is not reflected in the gods.

Some of the gods are just mortal who through ascension became gods, while the forms of other gods were formed through their avatars - which then should reflect the diversity of Faerûn, too, and it doesn't.

I mean, while I started reading into the lore of the game, I came across this one artwork of Mystra, which still has her as white - but very much as a fat woman. Which actually is such a nice look for her.

Meanwhile I have decided that in my stories I will depict Tymora not as a white, blonde human woman, but rather have her use an avatar of a Black, halfling woman. And Loviatar in my stuff has a more Arabian, brown skin tone and thick black hair. Because why... would I want all of them be white, normal folks?

It is in general an issue I have, and where especially the (yes, very underfounded) novelization part of WotC is doing shitty work. Because most of the canonical characters that get to play a big role in novels and comics are still white, abled, thin. And man, it sucks.

It is boring. It is bad design.

And yes, Baldur's Gate 3, I am also looking at you. You know I love you, you stupid game. But really, a bit of melanin would have done wonders for you.

[bookmothic-dyke]

There was once. In those ancient wilds. Two spirits. Among many, these two, were mates.

Green.

And red.

Green was in the gnarled rotting roots, the the cicada’s shrill cry, and the the crashing gray waves.

Red was in the tearing of flesh and dribble of blood, the eyes watching in the dark, and the warm embrace of a mother.

Green was wood. Red was blood.

One was the unknown of nature. Of the endless woods, the watery depths, and pale mists of death.

One was the unknown of the forsaken. Of the maddening mind, the mutating flesh, and transgressed acts.

But lest not forget, they were mates. And in these ancient days, among the oldest of their kind. They bore as mates often do, children.

Six.

And of one, would become three.

Yet these spirits, though dead, are not gone. But anew. For emanations of nature are not so easily unmade.

Beware the red wolf, she seeks her wife.

[ghostcashewart]

i've designed the new God of Knowledge for the world of Wyn K'moji!

[lockhinge]

"Gods are just spicy, powerful men."

- Zaven, kalashtar wizard

[shroompunk]

here's to a year of the dragon that's colorful and unexpected!

ID: ID: Digital illustration of a bronze dragonborn character sitting in a tiny personal canoe, surrounded by the twisting turning convolutions of a massive serpentine sea dragon swimming through a cosmic sea. The sea dragon is green in coloration with curled horns and a messy mane along his back, swimming through dark water lit with colorful stars.

[coreene]

Bane has a simple ethos: the strong have not just the right but the duty to rule over the weak. A tyrant who is able to seize power must do so, for not only does the tyrant benefit, but so do those under the tyrant's rule. When a ruler succumbs to decadence, corruption, or decrepitude, a stronger and more suitable ruler will rise.

Bane is vilified in many legends. Throughout history, those who favour him have committed dark deeds in his name, but most people don't worship Bane out of malice. Bane represents ambition and control, and those who have the former but lack the latter pray to him to give them strength. It is said that Bane favours those who exhibit drive and courage, and that he aids those who seek to become conquerors, carving kingdoms from the wilderness, and bringing order to the lawless.

At many times and in many places in Faerûn, the faithful of Bane have been seen as saviours for their efforts in slaughtering raiders, throwing down corrupt rulers, or saving armies on the brink of defeat. But in just as many other places, the worship of Bane has created or supported cruel dictatorships, aided mercantile monopolies, or brought about the practice of slavery where before it didn't exist. source: Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide pg. 26

This description of Bane really took me by surprise because it so similar to Gortash. And that the banites were seen as saviours before Gortash's little play and it makes me wonder how many of the others were also ruses? But also, Bane really is the only one of the dead three with a more logical look on being a god.

Also interesting to me is the fact that most people doesn't worship Bane out of malice. Maybe that's how Gortash started as well? And Gortash really is the type of person Bane would favour. Strong, ambitious and brave. The man's got balls. Big ones. Not everyone can just even decide they are going to rob the second most powerful devil in hells.

[itsalwaysalmostchristmas]

Shadowheart: Daughter of the Darkness?

SPOILERS FOR BG3 ACT 3 AND SHADOWHEART'S COMPANION QUEST

This isn’t really a theory or headcanon but more of a random thought after finishing Shadowheart’s Companion Quest. The thought came to be me literally as Mother Superior (trying to forget it’s Viconia T^T) speaks on her reason why she’s done everything she done in the name of Shar.

[Shadowheart: Why? Why me? Why all this effort?

Mother Superior: I had an enclave in Waterdeep, you know. Much greater than this. Shar ordered me to raze it, kill all who followed me - claim they betrayed me, when in fact I slew those who showed nothing but loyalty. Shar had me do that, and I did. To cover my tracks. To usher in you.

Shadowheart: What are you talking about?]

So at this point, I was the same as Shadowheart; what is she talking about? Then she says:

[Mother Superior: You became my mission. To take a child of Selûne's, and turn her over to Lady Shar. To show that all light fades, and darkness will prevail in the end.]

And my brain, stupidly, jumped to 'Oh my god, is Shadowheart another child of Selûne??' because that could maybe make sense with Aylin knowing so much about Shadowheart, originally I thought the whole fear of wolves thing was like a Sharran tactic to convert children to be Sharran's. You know 'you're in danger, we save you, you owe us and now join our cult' vibe. But if that's a specific thing that only happened to Shadowheart, of course another child of Selûne would know, right? Like Selûne herself might have told/projected it Aylin what had happened, something like that.

[Mother Superior: Lady Shar commanded me. And I obeyed. I do not question - I merely act as she wills me to. All this was to make you into what the Dark Lady needed you to be - the planning. The training. Those deaths in Waterdeep. It was all to groom you to replace me at her right hand side. And still, you threw it away]

See, realistically I know that she means Shar wanted a follower of Selûne to become the Chosen of Shar to rub it in her sister's face. But this is a lot for one random child that's parents are Selûnites. And yes, I know we meet her parents literally right after this in the Chamber of Loss, but you know who else shows their face in the Chamber of Loss?

FUCKING SHAR

The only time we've seen a god show themselves is with Mystra to speak to Gale, her former Chosen, ex-lover and holder of the Netherese Orb. Mystra, I doubt, just randomly shows herself or invites for someone who uses the Weave for a quick chat. That's why the gods have Chosen's, to be their voice on the mortal plane.

Shar's had Mother Superior hold Shadowheart's parents captive for however many years Shadowheart has worshipped Shar, watching her being tortured and groomed (also having her hurt them as part of it). Also, Shadowheart has had that pain in her hand since we met her which we learn is every time her parents suffer, she suffers.

And, look, we defeat Mother Superior and her enclave but we didn't rid Shar of every Sharran. So for her to appear before Shadowheart to taunt her and try to get her make her suffer more with freeing her parents means killing them or letting them live means she will suffer that the pain in her hand for the rest of her life unless she comes back in Shar's embrace...

And, I'm meant to believe Shadowheart is some random child and Shar was like 'meh that one will do'?

Now, I know what you must be thinking: 'But we see her parents!' We do! Here they are:

Arnell Hallowleaf: Werewolf Elf

Emmeline Hallowleaf: Human

So how could Shadowheart be a child of Selûne? Let me, unfortunately, bring Mystra back into the conversation.

In 1995, a 2e accessory book was released called 'The Seven Sisters' where we learn about Mystra's seven Chosen daughters.

All (and tbh I use all loosely) seven of the sister's are the daughters of Dornal Silverhand and his wife Elué Silverhand. But how are they Mystra's daughters? Oh, you know, she only went and possessed Elué for so long and made her bear SEVEN children that it led to Dornal thinking she was possessed by an evil spirit and killed her. Mystra decided she wanted to breed herself good Chosen's and Elminister even suggests that she may have manipulated events to make sure the two met. Which honestly seems likely since she possessed Elué and used her to seduce Dornal. Elué does end up agreeing to sharing her body with Mystra but that's only after Mystra has to reveal herself, not because she wanted to.

Anyways, the reason I say that all seven of the sisters are loosely all children of Dornal, Elué and Mystra is because like I said Dornal didn't know Elué was willingly sharing her body with Mystra and just saw his wife turned into a husk, literally only being held together by Mystra's magic. A cleric told him that his wife was being possessed by an intelligent and powerful force, but didn't say it was Mystra. So, what did Dornal do? Fucking chopped his wife's head off. But I digress. With Elué dead, Mystra put the soul of her seventh child into the unborn dead baby of Iliryztara Veladorn, a follower of Eilistraee; a good drow goddess.

So, we've learned that Faerûnian pantheons, which both Mystra and Selune are, have the ability to possess people, become a third parent in the make up of mortal children (and therefore making the children immortal no matter their race), and if need be can transport the soul of their children into others (whether them being dead is an absolute must idk).

Selûne is a chaotic good deity so I think it could very well be in the realm of possibility that she could do something similar, considering their pals n all makes it more possible in my mind.

So, yeah, that was thoughts. Of course, there's literally no other evidence to back up to claim hence why it's not a theory but just a silly thought that went through my mind.

Thanks for reading my bullshit if you got this far. I do have other stupid BG3 rants that I want to write but this was my smallest one, small relief for my over active brain.

[ghostcashew]

i drew up a design for the god of tiny folks in case they come up in future episodes of my Tiny TTRPG!

[cupophrogs]

I MADE A GUY!

Introducing the Storykeeper! An mischievous deity who loves nothing more than a good book (He may or may not find morally gray adventurers to be those stories).