Lore Book: Battle of the Field of Blood

This lore book was written for my ongoing Ptolus game, but also establishes some of the lore regarding the mortal understanding of fiends in my own setting.

This battered, black leather book relates both a series of lists of commanders and troops in a battle said to have been waged “upon the fields of blood in the circle of envy.” The unnamed author’s descriptions decline in clarity until the latter pages which descent into utter gibberish—perhaps the last ravings of a broken mind.

The initial entries praise the “lords of the entropic hosts,” lauding the “great vision and glory” of their commander, the “cambion son of the great ascended Gnasher of Endless Bones,” a balor said to have slain “a thousand devas of the ill-begotten chorus of wailers.” 

The account of the battle lists “a hundred war chiefs of a thousand legions of the blessed hosts of chaos” arrayed against “the ill favored armies of the infernal pit.” The fallen angel, Dalferion, is noted as the head of this force, with the hell knights “Flegthas, Naras, and the dread knight Karcius” as her lieutenants at the head of these “endless, ant like hordes.”

My Homebrew World: The Cascades of Saints

This article is player focused lore for character creation. There will be a GM focused addendum providing additional information at some point. This article is also a bit of a work in progress, but I want my players to be able to use it (that means sorry for any blanks or more typographical errors than normally slip through this one man show).

There are many saints in the world, some obscure and relatively unknown in certain areas, others (and some we don't discuss because of that power that trumps the divine: copyright law. But I assure you that they exist too, at the game table). Saints are meant to provide a niche into which a player can shoehorn an odd cleric or archetype, while gaining the in game benefits of being associated with the Church and following the Nine rather than some other god. There is opportunity to collaborate on creating a saint for such players to follow. Given enough time, some retired or deceased characters may become saints in their own right.

St. Adelard

Title(s): The Sage, He Who Walked After Wontor

Alignment: NG

Domain(s): Knowledge, Travel

Associated Paladin Oaths: 

St. Adelard is said to have been a disciple of Wontor, so devoted that he walked the paths between worlds, seeking the great god’s knowledge. When at last he arrived at the gates of heaven, he was greeted as if by an old friend. Many followers of Wontor revere the saint and seek to emulate this journey in a spiritual, if not literal sense.

St. Adevalia

Title(s):

Alignment: 

Domain(s): 

Associated Paladin Oaths:

Story

St. Anne

Title(s): Lioness of the Faith, The Shield of Rosh-Haigar, Founder-Commander of the Holy Knights of the Nine

Alignment: LG

Domain(s): Justice, Knowledge, War

Associated Paladin Oaths: Battle, Conquest, Devotion, Eagle, Glory, Guardian, Safeguarding, Zeal

Saint Anne is a larger than life figure, said to have defended the holy city of Roshe-Haigar against some sort of great evil. The details are lost to time, but her order of the Holy Knights of the Nine makes up a major portion of the military strength the church can call upon.

St. Brirea 

Title(s): 

Alignment: 

Domain(s): 

Associated Paladin Oaths:

Story

St. Erstopholos

Title(s): Unknown

Alignment: Unknown

Domain(s): Unknown

Associated Paladin Oaths: Unknown

The story of St. Erstopholos is lost to time. Few devotees of his survive other than an isolated monastery in the mountains called the Light House of Morning Snow. Few have ventured there in many years, and none of its residents have ever come down to other settlements. What is told of the legend is that Erstopholos was martyred by the servants of a Demon Prince and his bones carried up to the monastery to be enshrined.

St. Heliodora

Title(s): The Radiant Star, Prophecier of 

Alignment: 

Domain(s): 

Associated Paladin Oaths: 

Story

St. Hurbert

Title(s): 

Alignment: 

Domain(s): 

Associated Paladin Oaths: 

Story

St. Lukricus

Title(s): Patron of Gamblers

Alignment: CN

Domain(s): Arcana, Avarice, Beer, Trickery,

Associated Paladin Oaths: Acquisitions, Mercy, Vengeance 

Unlike many Saints, Lukricus was not a cleric or a devoted follower of a deity. He was a great debaucher by all accounts, and most identified with the aspects of Culsani engaging in great excess, with none of the redeeming qualities of romanticism or love. But according to legend St. Lukricus won his salvation in a gambling contest with Cernunnos, in which he secured a promise from the god that he would ransom his soul back from the Devil Lord to whom he had lost it and grant him a place in the Heavens. Cernunnos dispatched great champions, including St. Brirea, to win back the scoundrel’s soul so that he could then rest in eternal bliss. Gamblers and those who live by fortune seek to emulate St. Lukricus’ cunning and guile.

St. Meynard

Title(s): The Scientist

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Domain(s): Arcana

Associated Paladin Oaths: N/A

Story

St. Navrejar

Title(s): The Reaver Priest, Northern King, Wrath of Tsovinar

Alignment: CN

Domain(s): Apocalypse, Dragon, Tempest, Ocean, Serpent, War, Wind

Associated Paladin Oaths: Ancients, Battle, Conquest, Devotion, Redemption

A devotee of Toutatis and Tsovinar, St. Navrejar was a northern raider who rose to be a jarl and a king of his people. Originally a cruel tyrant, he found religion when healed by a priest of the Church after contracting a terrible disease from the bite of a lycanthrope. St. Navrejar remained a raider, but was tempered by his experience, focusing his wrath upon monsterous peoples that raided the cities and towns of his jarldom. His tomb is in the Chapel of the Bastion at Vraugate. It is said he will rise to battle the creatures of the pit alongside Tsovinar at the end of all time. Raiders, sailors, and barbarians revere him for interceding to Tsovinar on their behalf. His followers recognize lycanthropes for bringing St. Navrejar to his rebirth, but loathe them, believing their condition is the result of the corruption of the endless Abyss and its Demon Princes.

St. Nithtari

Title(s): The Redeemed, Rebuker of Devils, The Gem Among Snakes, The Risen Angel

Alignment: LG

Domain(s): Atonement, Justice, Knowledge, Life, Light, Martyr, Mercy

Associated Paladin Oaths: Glory, Perfection, Purification, Redemption, Watchers

A tiefling woman, St. Nithtari stands as a symbol of transcendence. St. Nithtari rebuked her family in the name of the Nine. Her family were devoted disciples of Asmodeus. Nithtari was martyred by her uncle, the evil Lord Karcius, a powerful Illrigger said to have been dragged down to the Hells for his failures, but left to live on in eternal torment as a Dread Knight (Monsterous Menagerie). St. Nithtari herself is said to have so humbled Wontor that he persuaded Lucan to relinquish her soul from death and made her a Planetar angel of the Chorus of the Moon-Bathed Crescent. Thus some of her devotees revere both her aspects as a risen angel, and a martyred saint.

St. Orpheus

Title(s): Of the Iron Spike

Alignment: 

Domain(s): 

Associated Paladin Oaths:

Called St. Orpheus of the Iron Spike. Disciple of Tarin.

St. Protogonia 

Title(s): The Chained Scholar

Alignment: 

Domain(s): Knowledge, Prophecy 

Associated Paladin Oaths:

Story

St. Samira

Title(s): The Wise, Slayer of Liches, Most Holy Hierophant

Alignment: CG

Domain(s): Arcana, Travel, Speed, Trickery, Portal 

Associated Paladin Oaths: Ancients, Watchers, Zeal

St. Samira was a great wizard, trained in both the arcane arts at Uqance, the City of Mages, and a follower of Cernunnos. Samira is said to have discovered much deep magic and traveled to distant worlds searching the secrets of the Nine and the magical weave. Her final resting place is unknown, but her staff is kept in a shrine at the great Cathedral of St. Samira in Uqance, and her writings are part of the great arcane library also in the city.

St. Sucro

Title(s): Ashen-faced, 

Alignment: N

Domain(s): Death, Grave

Associated Paladin Oaths: Giving Grave, Vengeance

Sucro was said to be a grave-digger in the necropolis of Rosh-Haigar. His shrine and tomb are there, though he is revered by grave-diggers and those who have suffered great loss across the lands once claimed by the Empire and beyond. Little record remains of his life and legacy.

St. Selene

Title(s):

Alignment: 

Domain(s): 

Associated Paladin Oaths:

Story

St. Tedmund

Title(s):

Alignment: 

Domain(s): 

Associated Paladin Oaths:

Story

St. Tevra

Title(s): Holy Lancer, Apprentice, Golden Crown

Alignment: CG

Domain(s): 

Associated Paladin Oaths: 

Born a poor child in Uqance, St. Tevra is said to have been cast a blessed coin by St. Tedmund as he rode through the city on his departure to slay the green worm Goavraynth. She almost spent the coin on a bit of bread and a warm drink, but instead her feet led her to a wheelwright's shop where she was apprenticed. Many years later she embarked on adventures, the details of which are lost to time, until she was knighted and made a Holy Lancer of the Order of the Nine. 

St. Valdra

Title(s): Blessed of Culsani, Cleanser of Orzberg, Patriarch

Alignment: Neutral

Domain(s): Avarice, Moon

Associated Paladin Oaths: Acquisitions

St. Valdra was a unique Patriarch of the Church by becoming an Archbishop after working through the ranks of the deaconry. A dedicated follower and cleric of Culsani throughout her career, Valdra took over the Archbishopric of Orzberg following the revelation that the clerics of the city had been corrupted by a vampire. Through this experience she was a fierce and pragmatic defender of the faith. Her fellow archbishops elected her to the Patriarchy upon the death of Horeshtus IV. She is credited for revitalizing and expanding the greatest cathedrals of the Church (though it is rumored that she did this by collecting indulgences, or payments for the sins of nobles and great merchants). Her followers dismiss any of this as hearsay, and instead focus on her expansion of the great Cathedral and monuments at Rosh-Haigar, the holy city of the Church.

Mercenary Company Campaign: Company NPCs

Feeling inspired by the campaign concept, so I have been working on some NPCs that can provide clues or motivation to the characters to strike out in different directions. Some are inspired in part by their stat blocks, as I find interesting stats for NPCs and consider how they acquired these abilities and came to be part of the company. 

Rasp

Appearance: Dark skinned man with white hair. He has a full head of hair and a beard. Slim but strong and muscled. His shoulders stoop slightly from age. His eyes are a deep brown, but at times have twinkles that appear purple. They are deep and appear ancient beyond his years.

Roleplaying: 

• Has a rasping voice and often coughs. 
• Rasp is wary of strangers, but a solid drinking buddy and dice player with his trusted companions. 
• He falls silent at times and seems in deep thought. 
• As a sergeant, he is gruff, but looks out for his newer troops.

Background: Rasp was born in the far southern continent. As a young man he was kidnapped in a raid by mind flayers with others from his village. The illithids took him into the Astral Sea and he worked as a thrall for the colony. He was about to be implanted with a tadpole when the colony was attacked by Githyanki, who freed him. Rasp was forever changed by the near implantation though, developing psionic powers. He fought the mind flayers alongside the Gith for many years, unaged in the Astral Sea’s suspended time. Finally he returned to the mundane world through a portal only to discover his village long desolate, abandoned hundreds of years later. Rasp is over four hundred years old because of these experiences. He joined the company many years ago and has been part of it through many battles. 

Key Info: 

• Provides hooks to the Astral Sea.
• Info on mind flayers and githyanki.
• Introduces psionic powers.

Stat Block: Psychic War Veteran (Planar Bestiary 5e, pg. 111)

Ram

Appearance: Ram has the head of a goat and the torso and arms of a humanoid, with the bow legs and hoofs of a goat. She has a white stripe of hair that covers the middle of her face down to her muzzle and white hair on her ears. Otherwise her hair is brown. She has brown eyes, and wears light leather armor. Ram is quite tall, standing about six and a half feet in height.

Roleplaying:

• Ram is very talkative and friendly, always asking questions.
• Ram out loud bleats when she disagrees with something.
• Ram does not talk about her past and ignores questions about her unique ancestry.
• She dislikes orcs and half-orcs.

Background: Ram is an Ovisan hunter, a member of a people living on another world that are mortal enemies of the evil grethk. The ovisan send small groups of hunters called battle flocks through portals to hunt infestations of grethk. In Ram’s case her flock arrived in a remote region of this world near a tribe of orcs. The orcs hunted a killed her flock, believing them to either be magical mountain goats or strange aberrations. Ram escaped by surviving in the woods and hills until stumbling into a settlement where bewildered halfling farmers nursed her back to health. Once she had her strength back she worked for a time as a sheep and goat herder, but then journeyed and joined the company when it arrived in a nearby region. Ram continues to hold a grudge for all orcs and their kin, and she has vowed never to leave the company with a greater dedication than even the average recruit because it is her new flock.

Key Info: 

• Provides hooks to the grethk and other worlds.
• Ram has knowledge of how portals function.

Stat Block: Ovisan Hunter (Planar Bestiary 5e, pg. 102)

Nivs

Appearance: Nivs is a tanned and muscled human woman, with brown hair dyed with red and orange streaks. She bears both tattoos of blue and red ink on her face and applies daubs of paint as well before battle. Her eyes are deep brown. She is of middling height and weight but is solidly built and moves with speed and grace as she fights.

Roleplaying:

• Nivs speaks and moves confidently, acting with decisiveness in every action.
• Nivs can be bold and often speaks in anger without fully considering the consequences.
• Nivs carefully studies her blood hunter crafts and is a master of these mysterious arts.

Background: Nivs was trained in the mysterious ways of hemocraft from her youth by her adopted mother, a member of a blood hunter order in the Thornspire Highlands. When her order and mother were killed in the Dragonflame Rebellion, Nivs joined the company to escape the remnants of her old life and find a new family.

Key Info:

• Nivs possesses links back to the lands of the fractured imperium and Thornspire Highlands.
• Nivs knows the ways of the blood hunters.
• She is an accomplished tracker and hunter.

Stat Block: Bloodhunter (Explorer’s Guide to Wildmount, pg. 284)

Homebrew World: Expanded Ancestry Options

By default in my world I only allow certain player ancestries because most others are a bit too rare in the mundane world. However, some campaigns go beyond the world or range into remote or forgotten regions. In those campaigns, the list below provides an authoritative list of the ancestries that are thematically appropriate for my universe. I will note exceptions by exclusion in the campaign write-up. I’m also including a write-up about each species in my setting so players can use the information to craft their backstories appropriately for the setting.

Expanded Ancestry Options

Note: Players may reassign ability score increases that are included in their ancestry.

• Astral Elf (Astral Adventurer’s Guide)
• Bugbear (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Cambion (Cambion Player Option)
• Changeling (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Chimeran (Path of the Planebreaker)
• Chthonic Scion (MCDM - Arcadia 11)
• Deep Gnome (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Derro (Midgard Heroes Handbook)
• Dhampir (Von Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft or Midgard Heroes Handbook)
• Dragonborn (Chromatic) (Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons)
• Dragonborn (Gem) (Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons)
• Dragonborn (Metallic) (Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons)
• Drow (Tome of Heroes or Player’s Handbook)
• Duergar (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Eladrin (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Fikrawi (MCDM - Arcadia 16)
• Firbolg (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Genasi (Air) (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Genasi (Earth) (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Genasi (Fire) (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Genasi (Water) (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Ghoul (Darakhul) (Midgard Heroes Handbook)
• Githyanki (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Githzerai (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Gnoll (Midgard Heroes Handbook)
• Godsong Scion (MCDM - Arcadia 11)
• Half-Giant (Goliath) (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Inkarnate (Path of the Planebreaker)
• Leonin (Mythic Odysseys of Theros)
• Lizardfolk (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Modron (the_singular_anyone)
• Mushroomfolk (Tome of Heroes)
• Ogre (MCDM - Arcadia 14)
• Primordial Scion (MCDM - Arcadia 11)
• Ratfolk (Midgard Heroes Handbook)
• Ravenfolk (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse or Midgard Heroes Handbook)
• Reborn (Von Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft)
• Ruin-Touched (somanyrobots)
• Satarre (Tome of Heroes)
• Sea Elf (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Shade (Tome of Heroes)
• Shadow Elves (Shadar-kai or Shadow Fey) (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse or Midgard Heroes Handbook)
• Shifter (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Somnian (MCDM - Arcadia 3)
• Thri-kreen (Astral Adventurer’s Guide)
• Traveler (Path of the Planebreaker)
• Triton (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)
• Trollkin (Midgard Heroes Handbook)
• Vindicator Scion (MCDM - Arcadia 11)
• Yuan-Ti (Mordenkainen Presents Monsters of the Multiverse)

Descriptions

Astral Elf

Hailing from colonies in both the Astral Plane and amongst the stars of space, Astral Elves are the heirs to great spaceborne empires and powerful magic that drives their flying ships through the void to explore new frontiers.

Bugbear

Bugbears are found in greater numbers in remote areas, but also have communities in many large cities. They have great traditions of folk magic both arcane and divine, as well as a legacy of being talented and stealthy hunters.

Cambion

Cambions are the direct offspring of powerful fiends of all varieties from the lower planes. They lead diverse and often traumatic life experiences, often needing to fight to survive. Cambions are also inclined to oppose others of their kind, seeing them as competitors for power and control. Only one cambion may be part of a party.

Changeling

Changelings are humanoids possessed of the strange skill of being able to alter their appearance. Some discover this talent in their adolescence, while others grow up in changeling communities. Generally shunned in most societies when discovered, being a changeling is a hard life. Some adopt a particular persona and simply live out their lives, while others go off adventuring or journeying, changing their appearance in every place they find themselves.

Chthonic Scion

Chthonic scions are touched or literally descended from Dalquiel or Rindriaze. They most often manifest in families of Aasimar, already embued with the blood of celestials. These mysterious figures possess abilities to comfort or speed the dying upon their way. They are extremely rare, and often become known as saints for their activities.

Deep Gnome

Deep gnomes have bluish skin and have spent much more time underground than their surface swelling cousins. They often have experience in surviving and living in subterranean environments, and their culture emphasizes crafting to a lesser degree than other gnomes.

Derro

A subterranean people with blue and purplish skin, white shocks of hair, and wide eyes from generations in dark caverns, the derro may be related to dwarves, duergar, or gnomes. Some isolated communities of derro have taken to worship of strange eldritch beings or discovered corrupting artifacts, giving many who are familiar with the underground the false idea that all derro are insane. This is not the case, and many thriving communities of derro exist in hidden sanctuaries.

Dhampir

Not quite living and yet not quite dead, dhampir arise from a variety of circumstances—but most often after an encounter with a vampire. They possess a hunger like their undead kin and vampiric powers.

Dragonborn (Chromatic, Gem, & Metallic)

Dragonborn are rare in many lands, but many dwell with the draconic populations in the Thornspire Highlands. They possess some of the powers of their true dragon forebears, but are not as powerful as half-dragons.

Drow

An elvish people that primarily live in matriarchal societies in large cities deep beneath the earth, Drow are known to have potent spellcasters, and strong survivors against the alien entities in the deep places of the world.

Duergar 

Eladrin

Fikrawi

Firbolg

Genasi (Air, Earth, Fire, Water)

Ghoul (Darakhul)

Githyanki

Githzerai 

Gnoll

Godsong Scion

Half-Giant (Goliath)

Inkarnate

Leonin

Lizardfolk

Mushroomfolk 

Ogre

Primordial Scion

Ratfolk

Ravenfolk

Reborn

Ruin-Touched

Satarre

Sea Elf

Shade

Shadow Elves

Shifter

Somnian

Thri-kreen

Traveler

Triton

Trollkin

Vindicator Scion

Yuan-Ti

Mercenary Company Campaign: A Historical Timeline

One of the important themes in the mercenary campaign concept is that of continuity. Although individual members die, the company lives on, and carries on its legacy. This timeline is not all inclusive and events might be filled into the gaps based upon player backgrounds. This is designed to be a player resource as well. It reflects knowledge that would be available to them through the Annals. It will be added to as details are uncovered in the campaign and created collaboratively.

Present Day: Company has waited in garrison at Vraugate to repel the feared ice giant raid. Its strength has been replenished by Northerners from Vraugate and the surrounding region after the losses of the march North.

18 Months Ago: After years of on and off participation in various sides of the civil conflict slowly tearing apart the Empire, the company received a contract request from the Burgomeister of Vraugate in the Northern Lands. They traversed the Desolation of Tsar, staying far from the ruins, and traversed the Mountains of the Spine. Some good troops were lost on the journey, but the company remained strong together.

Two Years Ago: The company was at the Battle of the Broken Spires, but its employer, Count Ebonshade, was on the losing side, alongside the exiled Patriarch Grimnar. Finding itself without an employer and not desired now that the civil conflict had lapsed into another uneasy peace, the company searched for new work.

Ten Years Ago: The company fought at the Storming of the Bloodshadow Citadel, beginning the current “hot” phase of the civil conflict within the Empire after the Uneasy Peace, which had lasted between the major imperial claimants and the fragmented Patriarchs of the Church for fifteen years.

Fifteen Years Ago: The company served one of the barons of the Thornspire Highlands during the Dragonflame Rebellions.

One Hundred Years Ago: The company arrived from the Southern deserts to the fractured imperium. They are said to have traveled on ships that could sail upon the sand.

Many Hundreds of Years Ago: The company participated in a defense of the City of Brass from attack by an army of Jinn and elementals from the Plane of Earth.

My Homebrew World: The Heavenly Choruses of Angels

The servants of the good and neutral deities of the Nine, the Heavenly Choruses of Angels are a strictly hierarchical ordering of certain classes of celestial. Some chaotic deities maintain their own chorus in addition to the general choruses.

This article is a work in progress, but I am putting it up for the benefit and collaboration of my players.

The Heavenly Choruses

The Chorus of Blazing Glory

The Chorus of Blazing Glory is the body of the Seven Archangels in service to the Nine. The evil gods have their own retinues of fiends. These angels are Solars, but may possess distinctive and powerful abilities.

Ceraman

Title(s): The Timekeeper of the Heavens, Judge of the Nine

Alignment: Neutral

Domain(s): Balance, Clockwork, Justice, Prophesy, 

Associated Paladin Oaths: Watchers

Ceraman is said to guard the sanctum of time, protecting its flow and seeing that it remains in proper order. The location of the sanctum is unknown, even to the gods for they know that Cernunnos or Culsani might cause irreparable damage in a moment of jest or spite. Demons seek to destroy the passage of time, throwing the universe into chaos like the infinite Abyss, while devils desire to use the power to subjugate all free creatures to their will and corrupt their souls. Ceraman only emerges to act as the neutral arbiter of justice on behalf of the Nine. It is said he was the judge when Asmodeus was cast out of the heavens.

Dalquiel

Title(s): The Doorkeeper, Guardian of the Way

Alignment: Lawful Good

Domain(s): Grave, Mercy, Travel

Associated Paladin Oaths: Ancients, Devotion, Guardian, Safeguarding, Silence, Watchers

Dalquiel is the angel who oversees and guards souls on their journey to the afterlife in the upper realms with the Nine. He is constantly in struggle and working to counter the schemes of fiends that would steal or divert these souls on their path and send them to the lower realms to become tortured thralls in the legions of the damned. 

Eda

Title(s): The Waves and the Wind, Storm of the Endless Stars

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Domain(s): Arcana, Portal, Speed, Tempest, Travel, Void

Associated Paladin Oaths: Elements, Thunder, Sanity, Silence

It is said Eda lives at the center of a storm that exists simultaneously on all worlds and planes. That she represents a singularity of chaos held in control by direction of the gods, else much of creation would be undone. 

Lakratel

Title(s): The Light in Darkness, Commander of the Hosts of Glory, Master of the Choruses, Archangel of the Armies, The Radiant Marshall

Alignment: Lawful Good

Domain(s): Apocalypse, Dragon, Justice, Knowledge, Light, Martyr, Order, 

Associated Paladin Oaths: Battle, Conquest, Eagle, Glory, Purification, Radiance

Lakratel is the leader of the armies of the Nine, and leads their eternal war against the powers of darkness on all worlds. He is ever present in history and legend at the forefront of the armies and battle during each epoch. It is said he fought alongside Asmodeus before the betrayer’s fall from grace. Lakratel has no tolerance for betrayal after this, and casts out or destroys any traitorous angel in the many hosts.

Mivi

Title(s): Tamer of the Song, Composer, Trumpet of Creation and Apocalypse 

Alignment: Neutral Good

Domain(s): Apocalypse, Creation, Mercy

Associated Paladin Oaths: 

Revered as the great muse by many bardic colleges and troubadours, Mivi is said to have been born in the gods’ song of creation and will sound the trumpet signaling the end of all things. 

Nakrav

Title(s): The Grower, Lover of Life

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Domain(s): Life, Nature

Associated Paladin Oaths: 

Nakrav sees to all green and growing things drawing upon the elemental energies of Caturix for growth. He is a gentle defender of plants and animals, revered by some Druidic circles who do not worship old or forgotten gods as a nature deity.

Rindriaze

Title(s): The Executioner of the Gods, The Angel of Death

Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Domain(s): Apocalypse, Death, Grave, Judgement, War

Associated Paladin Oaths: Balance, Battle, Conquest, Justice, Silence, Vengeance

Rindriaze is the weapon of the gods against evil. She is known in many cultures, and in other aspects is worshiped as a deity in her own right. She dispatches vindicators and other angelic servants to slay the foes of good when their efforts exceed the bounds decreed by the gods. Why certain evil beings are allowed to live on is a mystery known only to her and the gods.

Chorus of the Moon-Bathed Crescent

The Chorus of the Moon-Bathed Crescent is the order of Planetars that serve the Solar Archangels in the Chorus of Blazing Glory and the Nine Gods. It is said that there are nine hundred and ninety nine members of the Chorus of the Moon-Bathed Crescent. When a member dies, the Archangels select a member of the Chorus of Innumerable Stars that is advanced to the Chorus of the Moon-Bathed Crescent. These angels can intercede for mortals, and a sampling of those most well known to the Church is provided below:

Narkesi

Title(s): Demon Hunter, Bolt of Truth

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Domain(s): Demonology 

Associated Paladin Oaths: 

Narkesi is an Angel dedicated to destroying demons, hunting them across the planes, and studying their ways to destroy them. She leads a cohort of lesser angels that follow this path and guides mortals that walk the fraught path that skirts of the edge of madness by studying and attempting to destroy the power of demons.

Nithtari

Title(s): The Redeemed, Rebuker of Devils, The Gem Among Snakes, The Risen Angel

Alignment: Lawful Good

Domain(s): Atonement, Justice, Knowledge, Life, Light, Martyr, Mercy

Associated Paladin Oaths: Glory, Perfection, Purification, Redemption, Watchers

A tiefling woman, St. Nithtari stands as a symbol of transcendence. St. Nithtari rebuked her family in the name of the Nine. Her family were devoted disciples of Asmodeus. Nithtari was martyred by her uncle, the evil Lord Karcius, a powerful Illrigger said to have been dragged down to the Hells for his failures, but left to live on in eternal torment as a Dread Knight (Monsterous Menagerie). St. Nithtari herself is said to have so humbled Wontor that he persuaded Lucan to relinquish her soul from death and made her a Planetar angel of the Chorus of the Moon-Bathed Crescent. Thus some of her devotees revere both her aspects as a risen angel, and a martyred saint.

Chorus of Innumerable Stars

The Chorus of Innumerable Stars is composed of countless Devas comprising the Heavenly Legions. They serve the Archangels and Chorus of the Moon-Bathed Crescent. These angels do not generally act as intercessors on behalf of mortals, but will appear as messengers of more powerful Choruses. Their armies are said to be organized in tens and hundreds and twenties in their legions and cohorts, and fight alongside the gods from the beginning of time to the present and until the end of time. Other angelic beings like Valkyries also make up specialized cohorts of the Chorus of Innumerable Stars.

Chorus of the Flaming Blaze of Dusk

The Chorus of the Flaming Blaze of Dusk is unlike the other Choruses. It is the Chorus of angels that have had their physical form destroyed, but their immortal spirit has not been destroyed. These angels appear like shining spirits of light in the image of their physical bodies, and dwell in the heavens. They can still defend the heavens alongside their living comrades, but are confined to their world, and their souls can be destroyed forever by magical weapons.

Chorus of the Silent Grave

These are the followers of Dalquiel, who bring the dead and dying to the afterlife and guide them upon their path through the worlds to their eternal rest. They are solemn and quiet in aspect. Angels, celestials of all types, and chthonic scions are all part of this chorus.

Chorus of Fallen Glory

This Chorus is not often spoken of, but is the term to reference those angels that betrayed the Heavenly Legions and fled into the Hells after Asmodeus, along with all fallen angels until the present. These are the worst of traitors and most bitter enemies of the gods. Their names are secret and often not known by the Church for the good of all mortals. It is whispered that some of these have become devils and demons through twisted and dark magic. 

Homebrew World: Seven Truths

To give players an idea of what my setting is about, and help guiding them as far as themes I enjoy during character creation I created the following list:

1. The World is Wide and Untamed. Maps won’t always be exact and the places between settlements are dangerous, haunted by great beasts and mystical monsters. Only the bravest travel between settlements and few have travelled across continents. Monsters exist in the wilderness and don’t care if they are overpowered for your party’s level—you may need to run.

2. There is Great Darkness in the World, but Where There is Darkness There Arise Heroes. There is real evil, and horrors from the void and realms of nightmares in the world. But, your character can literally reshape the world. Their actions determine history, changing reality with every choice. The goals you create and discuss with the GM become reality in this world, and can change it for the better.

3. Politics and Choices Drive Conflict. Your character’s affiliations and beliefs shape the world. The world has been shaped by an empire that now only seems to exist in name. Great heroes and villains can seize power and gain influence in the far flung fiefdoms, remote villages, and most cosmopolitan cities. Criminal, political, religious, and economic groups vie for power and need to be engaged with, otherwise their choices will still affect you.

4. Blank Spaces Need to be Filled In. There’s still plenty of room in the world. Your ideas for a village, an organization, or whatever to fill in a character backstory are welcome. There may be something that exists, or maybe you can help create that lore. You just need to ask to find out.

5. Gods, Angels, Demon, and Devils are Real. There are great forces for good and evil, fighting for the eternal souls of mortal beings. Mortals have the ability to choose what and whom they serve. There still exists ambiguity and moral complexity, meaning celestial and fiends are more complicated than they might first appear.

6. There are Infinite Worlds, and You Can Go to Them. There are many worlds, where the gods and angels live, along with demons, devils, and all manner of beings. Part of adventures in this world is discovering the secret portals, hidden paths, magical machines, and arcane lore that allows you to walk between worlds and explore the wider universe.

7. If it Exists in Roleplaying Games, There’s Probably a Place for it Here. Most concepts and ideas can be included in the world if you express that you are interested and are willing to work with the GM to modify them to fit the setting and style.

My Homebrew World: The Nine Gods

I really enjoy developed lore about the deities and cosmology of my fantasy worlds. It may be from reading the Belgariad as a kid or any number of fantasy series, but the idea of clerics and paladins choosing a god and fighting evil—or maybe being evil from a different point of view because of their fanatical beliefs—is intriguing. 

This post is intended for players. I will provide a GM only addendum eventually which will include secrets and potential adventure hooks. Gods from other materials can be incorporated by considering them an aspect or a different name for a similar deity, much like we see in real world history. Gender and other details may be swapped, but you can often treat them as literally being the same as other gods not included here.

You may also notice that at the time this is published originally that there remain many blank spaces for associated angels and saints. This is because those articles have not been written yet. Once they are up I will add the names and link to the respective articles.

The Nine

The Church worships the Nine as a collective. Thus the Church acknowledges all Nine in its iconography—and expressly prohibits any appeals to the Dark Ones. However, largely the Church encourages appeals to the Cascades of Saints or the Heavenly Choruses of Angels for intercession on the petitioner’s behalf to the Nine, which is why most clerics of the Church have patron Saints or Angels that they venerate. There are still however those who beseech one or more of the Nine directly. There might even be sects that prioritize the worship of one deity over the others, but few groups would dispute that the Nine are one group—at times fractious and divided, but always one pantheon.

Toutatis

Title(s): The Warrior, The Chief of Warlords, Master of the Noble Hunt

Alignment: CG

Domain(s): Hunt, Knowledge, Nature, War

Associated Paladin Oaths: Ancients, Battle, Conquest, Devotion, Eagle

Associated Angels: Yanvarra, Kolos, Riktar

Associated Saints: St. Navrejar, St. Tevra 

Toutatis is the warrior deity of the pantheon of the Nine. Devotees of Toutatis are often martial-types, or warrior paladins, or even rangers or barbarians that wander the deep woods and high peaks. Toutatis is the patron of many warrior angels and saints, and their respective orders. But his worshippers may also be found in deep groves or in mountain hollows open to the sky as well as in stone temples and citadels. The conflicting ideals of both duty and freedom define the various sects of the followers of Toutatis, one the aspect of the devoted warrior, and the other the unleashed energy of the wild, borne on the winds of one’s own passions and strength. 

Lucan

Title(s): The Gentle Sleep, The Resting Grave, Change and Decay, The Grim Lord, Gaoler of Afterlives, The Jailer

Alignment: N

Domain(s): Grave, Darkness, Death, Demonology, Life, Peace, Corruption, Vermin, Repose

Associated Paladin Oaths: Devotion, 

Associated Angels: Dalquiel

Associated Saints: St. Nithtari

Lucan represents the inevitability of death. He is not evil, rather Lucan represents the natural consequences of life and magic. He abhors the undead, liches, and others who prolong their lives through unnatural means. Lucan also represents the inevitable decay that exists in the duality of life and growth progressing into corruption, decay, and death. His followers seek to destroy the undead, specializing in hunting necromancers and those who would disturb the sleeping dead. He hates the followers of Orcus and demons in general for meddling with the order of the universe. Lucan is said to reside in the realm of shadows that mirrors the mundane world where he sends souls on their way to the outer realms. Other souls linger in the shadow plane, endlessly waiting for release from whatever holds them bound to it and the material plane.

Cernunnos 

Title(s): The Cunning, The Stranger, The Gambler, Master of Lies, Weaver

Alignment: CG

Domain(s): Arcana, Avarice, Labyrinth, Travel, Speed, Trickery, Portal, Void

Associated Paladin Oaths: Acquisitions, 

Associated Angels: Myika, 

Associated Saints: St. Lukricus, St. Samira

Cernunnos is a trickster god, and although he is good at the core, can be capricious. He is also a god of travelers, and those who entrust their lives and fortunes to chance, like gamblers. Cernunnos is described in myths as often playing tricks on the other gods or seeking to engage them in riddles. Sphinxes and similar creatures often are said to be descended from Cernunnos due to this predilection. He also is said to be the grandfather of the fey lords and ladies, and to animal spirits, all creatures that display cunning and cleverness. Many rogues revere him for these traits. Cernunnos also represents the shifting nature of magic and it is said that once when he transformed into a spider he woven the threads of magic that crisscross the universe, acting as a fount of arcane magic, particularly for those who study ley line magic.

Caturix

Title(s): Father of Dust, Flamebringer, The Tempest, The Wave, Endtime, Suns and Seasons

Alignment: CN

Domain(s): Creation, Life, Light, Air, Fire, Earth, Nature, Tempest, Water, Wind

Associated Paladin Oaths: Ancients, Battle, Eagle, Elements

Associated Angels: 

Associated Saints: 

Caturix is an old god, perhaps older than the others, and represents the power of the elements. The Inner Planes and the building blocks of the universe were created by him. Though the various jinn of these planes have differing stories about their creation and lineage these may be references to various aspects of Caturix. He may also be linked to many sorcerers gifted with elemental magic. He is also worshiped under various names by druidic circles.

Brigid

Title(s): The Hammer, Anvil of Truth, Master of all Makers, Exalted Artificer, The Chains of Eternity 

Alignment: LN

Domain(s): Avarice, Creation, Clockwork, Forge, Light

Associated Paladin Oaths: Acquisitions, Devotion, Eagle, 

Associated Angels: Ouron, Riktar, Ibeph

Associated Saints: 

Brigid is the smith and armorer of the gods. She is a versatile crafter, capable of working all mediums, and is thus a patron of creation, art, and innovation. Even some bards worship Brigid, desiring that their lays be as fine and cunningly wrought as her weapons and precious gem-set treasures. The dwarves and elf’s hold Brigid in high regard, although they know her by many other names. It is said she takes her materials from the Inner Planes to ensure the greatest purity from Caturix material creations. She also is said to inspire inventors and artificers of all types. She is said to have forged the chains that prevent fiends and celestials from running rampant across the planes, requiring them to be summoned by manipulation of her chains and Cernunnos’ magical weave.

Tsovinar 

Title(s): Lady of the Four Winds, The Breathe of the World, The Glittering Dragon, She of Might and Terror, The Appointed Destroyer, The End of All Things

Alignment: CN

Domain(s): Apocalypse, Arcana, Dragon, Knowledge, Tempest, Nature, Ocean, Serpent, War, Wind

Associated Paladin Oaths: Battle, Conquest, Eagle, 

Associated Angels: 

Associated Saints: St. Navrejar

Tsovinar is sister to Tiamat. In ancient times their battles tore the sky and sent wind and wave flying, destroying all in its path. Until Tiamat was cast into the Lower Realms and bound. Tsovinar is revered by all good dragons, no matter what the shade of their scales, but is often considered the mother of gemstone dragons. Those who seek the might of dragons or to emulate them are often followers of Tsovinar. She is a powerful god of storms, often worshipped by sailors and travelers desiring good weather. It is said that when the world reaches its true end, if it is not consumed by some evil deity in a terrible apocalypse, that Tsovinar will heed Lucan and Wontor’s command to end the world, retiring it from all violence and blood that is waged and spilt upon it, and giving it eternal rest from the evil of mortals.

Culsani 

Title(s): Fairest, Beauty of the Dew and Dusk, Budding Life, The Dancer, The Jealous Watcher

Alignment: CN

Domain(s): Avarice, Beauty, Life, Wine (Beer), Moon, Nature 

Associated Paladin Oaths: Acquisitions, 

Associated Angels: 

Associated Saints: St. Lukricus

Culsani is a goddess most identified with love and loss of inhibition. She is worshiped by festival and party-goers, but also is particularly highlighted at weddings and other events marking the possibilities of a new beginning. She also is said to love the gardens in moonlight, garnering her the devotion of many nature and moon focused clerics. While not evil, she can be unpredictable and cruel with her beauty and quick wit. 

Tarin 

Title(s): The Silvered Dragon, The Dragon Emperor, The Rock of the Mountains, Stoneheart, Unyielding, Unforgiving 

Alignment: LN

Domain(s): Arcana, Judgement, Justice, Balance, Dragon, Mountain, Order, Serpent, Speed

Associated Paladin Oaths: Battle, Conquest, Devotion, Eagle, 

Associated Angels: 

Associated Saints: St. Orpheus

Tarin is the third of the three dragon gods, consort and nemesis to both Tsovinar and Tiamat. He is the rock of the mountains, unyielding against the storms of the others. Revered by good dragons of all types and those who admire dragons, Tarin is stubborn in dispensing justice and order. He cannot tolerate creatures of disorder and is said to dislike Cernunnos intensely. Toutatis is at times an ally of Tarin when he is devoted to duty and order, and at other times a foe.

Wontor 

Title(s): The One-Eyed God, Father Time, Raven-Eyed, Scarred, King of the Nine

Alignment: LG

Domain(s): Arcana, Life, Knowledge, Apocalypse, Creation, Civilization, Martyr, Portal, Prophecy 

Associated Paladin Oaths: Ancients, Ascetics, Battle, Conquest, Devotion, Eagle, 

Associated Angels: 

Associated Saints: St. Adelard, St. Nithtari, 

Wontor is often said to be the leader of the gods. This may or may not be true, but at the least he is renown for his knowledge and power. He is said to be gifted the power of making and unmaking and will be there at the world’s end. Often depicted as missing an eye, he is said to see the bridge between worlds. Those who seeks knowledge and magical power, tempered by wisdom and good are seekers of Wontor. The patron of selfless sacrifice, his legends speak of the times he has sacrificed himself in defense of the gods. He is recognized as ruler of the Nine, even by those who follow the other gods to a greater degree.

The Dark Ones

Chergoth

Title(s): The Dark One

Alignment: CE

Domain(s): Apocalypse, Avarice, Hunger, War, Corruption, Darkness, Death, Demonology, Madness, Void

Associated Paladin Oaths:

Associated Angels: 

Associated Saints: 

Chergoth may be a mask of various demon lords, primarily Orcus. Or he may be a distinct entity, ruling the lower realm of Gahenna. He is generally recognized as distinct from the Darkest Low, who is largely ignored in the theology of the Nine, although its clerics will not dispute the existence of the King of the Hells.

Tiamat

Title(s): The Dark Serpent, Witch of the Dead, Season Turner

Alignment: LE

Domain(s): Apocalypse, Avarice, Darkness, Dragon, Serpent, Tyranny

Associated Paladin Oaths:

Associated Angels: 

Associated Saints: 

Called the dark serpent, the goddess Tiamat is sister to Tsovinar and sometimes consort, most time enemy of Tarin. Her battles with these other gods are legendary. Legend say that Tiamat is bound in chains by the gods, but her loyal followers seek to restore her and lift her up to rule over the Nine.