D&D 3.0 - Deities and Demigods PDF

Supplement
Rich Redman, Skip Williams,

James Wyatt
DEITIES AND DEMIGODS
Rich Redman, Skip Williams, James Wyatt
E D I T O R S A R T D I R E C T O R
Michele Carter, David Noonan Dawn Murin
C R E A T I V E D I R E C T O R C O V E R I L L U S T R A T I O N
Ed Stark Sam Wood
INTERIOR ILLUSTRATIONS
M A N A G I N G E D I T O R Kyle Anderson, Glen Angus,
Kim Mohan Matt Cavotta, Dennis Cramer,
Tony Diterlizzi, Jeff Easley,
VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR OF RPG R&D Donato Giancola, Lars Grant-West,
Bill Slavicsek Rebecca Guay, Matt Mitchell,
Eric Peterson, Wayne Reynolds,
VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLISHING
Darrell Riche, Richard Sardinha,
Brain Snoddy with Justin Norman,
Mary Kirchoff Arnie Swekel, Sam Wood
B U S I N E S S M A N A G E R G R A P H I C D E S I G N E R S
Anthony Valterra Dee Barnett, Cynthia Fliege,
Sherry Floyd, Sean Glenn
P R O J E C T M A N A G E R C A R T O G R A P H E R
Martin Durham Todd Gamble
P R O D U C T I O N M A N A G E R T Y P E S E T T I N G
Chas DeLong Erin Dorries
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Contents St. Cuthbert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Tiamat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Vecna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Loki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Njord. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Odur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Wee Jas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Sif. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Deities and Demigods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Yondalla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Skadi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Surtur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Chapter 1: Deities in Your Game. . . . . . 5 Chapter 4: The Olympian Pantheon . . 99 Thor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
The Nature of Religions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Olympian Theology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Thrym . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Loose Pantheons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Olympian Cosmology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Tyr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Tight Pantheons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The Olympian Pantheon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Uller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Mystery Cults. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Zeus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Asgardian Monsters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Monotheism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Aphrodite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Einherjar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Dualism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Apollo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Giants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Animism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Ares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Valkyries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
CONTENTS
TABLE OF
Forces and Philosophies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Artemis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Prestige Class: Berserk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
The Nature of Divinity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Athena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Infinite or Limited Divine Power . . . . . . . . . . 9 Demeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Chapter 7: Other Religions. . . . . . . . . 203
Hidden Knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Eleusinian Mysteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 The Faith of the Sun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
The Nature of Divinity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Dionysus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Taiia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Dependent and Independent Deities. . . . . . 12 The Orphic Mysteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Prestige Class: Justiciar of Taiia . . . . . . . . . . 205
How Deities Behave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Hades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Following the Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Why Mortals Worship Deities . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Hecate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Elishar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Why Deities Use Mortals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Hephaestus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Prestige Class: Soldier of Light . . . . . . . . . . 208
Active and Distant Deities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Hera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Toldoth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Deicide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Hercules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Dennari. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Building a Pantheon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Hermes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
How Many Deities? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Hestia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Appendix 1: Domains and Spells . . . 213
Example Pantheon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Nike. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 New Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Portfolios and Domains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Pan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Appendix 2: Divine Ascension . . . . . 218
Finishing Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Poseidon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Methods of Ascension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Cosmology and Divine Realms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Tyche. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
The Academy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 List of Tables
Chapter 2: Deities Defined . . . . . . . . . . 25 Olympian Monsters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 21: Salient Divine Abilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Ranks of Divine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Cyclops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 22: Creature Sizes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Divine Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Faun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 23: Abilities by Altered Size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Portfolios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 24: Weapon Damage by Increased Size. . . . . . 35
Building Your Own. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Chapter 5: The Pharaonic Pantheon . . 135 25: Weapon Damage by Decreased Size . . . . . 35
Portfolios and Domains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Pharaonic Theology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 26: Divine Spellcasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Salient Divine Abilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Pharaonic Cosmology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 31: The D&D Pantheon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Salient Divine Ability Descriptions . . . . . . . 32 The Pharaonic Pantheon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 41: The Olympian Pantheon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Feats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Re-Horakhty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 42: Olympian Deities by Race. . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Roleplaying a God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Anubis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 43: Olympian Deities by Class . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Meeting a God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Apep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 51: The Pharaonic Pantheon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Divine Politics in Your Campaign . . . . . . . . . 53 Bast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 52: Pharaonic Deities by Race . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Divine Meddling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Bes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 53: Pharaonic Deities by Class . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Divine Encounters and Experience Points . . 53 Hathor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 61: The Asgardian Pantheon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Divine Minions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Imhotep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 62: Asgardian Deities by Race . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Proxies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Isis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 63: Asgardian Deities by Class . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Petitioners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Nephthys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 64: The Berserk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Reading the Deity Entries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Osiris. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 71: The Justicar of Taiia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Deity Statistics Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Ptah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 72: The Soldier of Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Descriptive Text. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Game Statistics Block. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Sobek. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 List of Sidebars
Other Divine Powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Thoth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 The Divine Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Mysteries of Thrice-Greatest Thoth . . 158 Demon Princes and Archdevils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Chapter 3: The D&D Pantheon . . . . . . 57 New Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 How the D&D Pantheon Came to Be . . . . . . . . 12
The D&D Cosmology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Pharaonic Temples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Behind the Curtain: Divine Power Sources . . . 13
Assembling the D&D Cosmology. . . . . . . . . 57 Pharaonic Monsters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Worshipers of the D&D Pantheon . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Bahamut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Minion of Set. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Your Campaign and Real-World Religion. . . . . 14
Boccob. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Mummy, Greater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Attitudes of the D&D Deities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Corellon Larethian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Barriers to the Divine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Ehlonna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Chapter 6: The Asgardian Pantheon. . 163 Intercession by the D&D Pantheon. . . . . . . . . . 18
Erythnul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Asgardian Theology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Why Gods Rarely Die . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Fharlanghn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Aesir and Vanir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Immortality in the D&D Pantheon . . . . . . . . . . 20
Garl Glittergold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Asgardian Cosmology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 Behind the Curtain: The D&D Pantheon . . . . . 20
Gruumsh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 The Asgardian Pantheon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Deity Homes for the D&D Pantheon . . . . . . . . 22
Heironeous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Odin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Levels Beyond 20th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Hextor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Aegir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Deities and Synergy Bonuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Kord. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Balder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 Deities and Spellcasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Kurtulmak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Forseti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Behind the Curtain: Deities and Divine Spells. . 29
Lolth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Frey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Time and Divine Powers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Moradin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Freya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 Behind the Curtain: Divine
Nerull . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Frigga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 Abilities and Epic Feats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Obad-Hai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Heimdall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Size Categories in the D&D Game. . . . . . . . . . . 34
Olidammara. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Hel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Spell Slots Above 9th Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Pelor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Hermod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
3
Introduction
Deities: spiritual beings embodying the loftiest (and basest)
cleric class description in Chapter 3 and the discussion of religion
in Chapter 6 of that book) and are also briefly discussed in Chapter
6 of the DUNGEON MASTERs Guide. Four of the members of the D&D
principles of morality, ethics, and every aspect of mortal existence pantheon are presented here for the first timethe dragon deities
. . . or just some really powerful monsters? Bahamut and Tiamat, plus Kurtulmak and Lolth. If you want the
The answer to that basic question, like so many other ques- cosmology and the deities of your campaign to conform with the
tions in the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game, is up to you, and the information in the D&D core rulebooks, then the D&D pantheon
answer you decide on will have a lot to do with how you use is designed just for you.
this book. There is no right answer beyond whats right for your Chapter 4: The Olympian Pantheon is the first of three
campaign, your players, and your game. If youre really inter- chapters dedicated to mythological pantheons loosely based on
ested in whether Heironeous can defeat Thor in battle, weve historical religions. The deities of the Olympian pantheon were
INTRODUCTION
given you a set of rules and statistics in this book that can help worshiped in ancient Greece, and many of them are well-
you answer that question. (Early playtest reports say: not known names that are found in contemporary literature as well
bloody likely.) On the other hand, if you want help creating a as the classical tales and sagas where they first appeared. The
vibrant, realistic pantheon for your campaign, a set of deities chapter begins with a short discussion of Olympian theology
that helps shape the course of events in adventures of epic and Olympian cosmology before presenting detailed statistics
scope, deities who inspire the clerics, druids, paladins, and and general information about each of the nineteen deities that
other characters in your game to the greatest heights of hero- make up the pantheon. Following the deity descriptions is a
ism and the lowest depths of villainy . . . well, weve given you brief treatment of the religious philosophy known as the
the tools for that as well. Academy, as well as a section on Olympian monsters that
includes game information for two types of cyclopes and the
race of fey known as fauns.
DEITIES AND DEMIGODS Chapter 5: The Pharaonic Pantheon is structured the same as
This book can help you decide what role deities can play in your Chapter 4. The text begins by summarizing the basic precepts of
campaign, from their philosophies to their Armor Class. the religion of ancient Egypt, and then gives extensive descrip-
Chapter 1: Deities in Your Game addresses the role of tions for each of the pantheons fourteen deities. At the end of the
deities, as well as religions, in the D&D game. It discusses chapter are descriptions of two new weapons, game statistics for
different models of religions, from the traditional D&D loose the minion of Set (a new monster), and details about a new
pantheon epitomized by the deities described in the Players template, the greater mummy.
Handbook to alternative models such as monotheism, dualism, Chapter 6: The Asgardian Pantheon deals with the deities
and animism. Youll find some discussion of mystery cults, as of the ancient Norse religion. Following the descriptions of the
well as a different look at the pantheon. This chapter goes on to twenty deities in this pantheon is a section on Asgardian
talk about what influence the deities have on your campaign monsters, ncluding three types of einherjar, two types of giants,
world, what deities are like, and where they live. It closes with and the valkyries. At the end of the chapter is a new prestige
some concrete advice on how to build your own pantheon of class, the berserk, which is especially suited for use with the
deities for your campaign. Asgardian pantheon.
Chapter 2: Deities Defined delves into the rules that help Chapter 7: Other Religions provides examples of three alter-
quantify deities. It introduces the concept of divine rank as a native religious models: a monotheistic religion (the Faith of the
measure of godly power, and spells out what a deity of a certain Sun), a dualistic religion (Following the Light), and a mystery cult
rank can doin the same terms as any other characters abilities that is not connected to a pantheon (Dennari). These are all-new
are defined. Hercules may have a Strength score of 55 (as does fantasy religions, not derived from historical faiths. The chapter
Kord), but its still a Strength score that works like any characters also includes two new prestige classes: the justiciar of Taiia and the
or monsters Strength score. soldier of light.
In an extensive discussion of divine characteristics, youll read Appendix 1: Domains and Spells details all the domains
about all the abilities and powers that deities have in common. mentioned in this book, including thirteen new domains that
Next, the concept of portfolios is defined. Following that are do not appear in the Players Handbook. It also contains twelve
descriptions of nearly one hundred salient divine abilities new spells, each of which is associated with one of the new
special powers available only to deities. The chapter also presents domains.
thirty feats that deities can acquire, over and above the feats Appendix 2: Divine Ascension describes the process of divine
described in the Players Handbook. ascensionthe means by which a player character can become a
Chapter 2 continues with suggestions for the Dungeon Master deity (if you choose to allow this option in your campaign).
on how to roleplay a god. It describes two types of divine minions,
the proxy and the petitioner, and it concludes with information Deities and Demigods takes D&D adventuring to a whole new
on how to read the deity descriptions that make up the bulk of the level, in more ways than one. Whether youre a Dungeon Master
four chapters that follow. who wants deities to play a more significant role in your campaign
Chapter 3: The D&D Pantheon describes a group of deities or a player who wants to know how your character stacks up
specifically created for the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game. Most of against the divine entities that oversee the universe, this book
these deities were introduced in the Players Handbook (see the holds all the answers you could want.
4
Illus. by A. Swekel
eities and the religions they inspire typically play an and churches, the objects of worship and ritual, and the
important role in D UNGEONS & D RAGONS campaigns. receivers of prayer and sacrifice.
Whether its a cleric of Fharlanghn who chants Hail In a fantasy setting, as in the real world, religion can take
Fharlanghn, mighty Fharlanghn! every time he casts a many forms. The standard assumption, as described in the
cure spell or the evil cult that lurks in the Temple of Ele- Players Handbook, is that multiple deities loosely grouped
mental Evil, the mortal servants of these deities are everywhere in together form a pantheon, a collection of gods not united
the game, and the powers they serve hold an equally important, if by a single doctrine or philosophy. Deities and Demigods
somewhat more distant, place. refers to this model as a loose pantheon. Other groups of
This chapter examines the role of these forces in your cam- deities, such as the Pharaonic deities, also form a pan-
paign in two distinct sections. First, it discusses various models of theon, but their worship is more closely interrelated. All
religion: pantheons, monotheism, dualism, animism, mystery the deities show at least some respect for a particular
cults, and nondeist beliefs (forces and philosophies). You need to philosophical principle or overdeity. In the case of the
decide which of these models your campaign will use before you Pharaonic pantheon, for example, the deities are keenly
can populate your world with deities. Second, this chapter walks interested in Maat, the principle of divine order in the
you through various decisions about the nature of the gods in universe. These pantheons are called tight pantheons.
your campaign. Are they actively involved in the world, or are Not all religions in a fantasy world need to revolve
they remote and uncaring? Do they depend on worshipers or around a pantheon of deities. In your campaign, you
some other external source for their power, or are they worshiped can create monotheistic religions (worship of a single
because of their power? Can they be killed? deity), dualistic systems (centered around two deities
Once youve made some decisions about the basic nature of or forces), mystery cults (involving personal devotion
religions in your campaign and the deities those religions revere, to a single deity, usually as part of a pantheon system),
you are ready to start building your pantheon in earnest, and the animistic religions (revering the spirits inherent in
final section of this chapter offers guidance in that process. nature), or even forces and philosophies that do not
center on deities. This section discusses how reli-
gion works in each of these types of systems: how
THE NATURE OF RELIGIONS people worship, how clerics function, and other
Deities do not exist in a vacuum in their planar homes. Almost by implications for your campaign.
definition, deities in the D&D game interact with mortals, usu-
ally expecting or demanding worship from mortal followers and LOOSE PANTHEONS
expecting a certain standard of behavior from their worshipers. The basics of religion in a loose pantheon are
In other words, deities are parts of religions, the centers of cults described in the Players Handbook. A multitude of
5
new GODS
on the BLOCK
A Web Enhancement for Deities and Demigods
The new Deities and Demigods supplement provides ideas helps show DMs how to develop their own stories
everything you need to create, control, and call upon around mortals becoming deities.
the most powerful beings in your campaign. While the To use this web enhancement, you must already have
book includes plenty of information on advancing the new edition of Deities and Demigods. This bonus
characters to godhood, we thought it would be helpful, material is exclusive to the official D UNGEONS &
as you begin to explore the book, to have at hand an DRAGONS website: <www.wizards.com/dnd>.
example of a recently ascended deity. Presented here
for your use and enjoyment is a divine character
Erbin, the beggar godfor your player characters to
THE BEGGAR GOD
First we present to you Erbin, avenger of the down-
encounter in any of five different divine ranks. In addi-
trodden and god of vengeance. Erbin was once a beggar
tion, this web enhancement provides 21 campaign
and petty street thief who, through some circumstance,
hooks offering suggestions for how this character
became a deity. You should tailor the specific circum-
might enter the PCs lives as part of, or as a result of,
stance to your campaigns cosmology, but we offer some
divine ascension. The wide range of these adventure
suggestions below. Erbin appears at the beginning rank
for each divine category (quasi, demi, lesser, intermedi-
Credits ate, and greater). Cast a critical eye at his abilities,
because his power level edges up sharply in each cate-
Design: Rich Redman
Editing and Typesetting: Sue Weinlein Cook gory. Even as a quasi-deity, he can give unprepared mor-
Editorial Assistance Penny Williams tals a difficult time.
Web Production: Julia Martin Erbin functions best when at least some of the player
Web Development: Mark Jindra characters are active on the Material Plane. He can
Graphic Design: Sean Glenn, Cynthia Fliege focus his vengeful attention instead on deities, if you
Based on the original DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game by E. want to fit him into an inactive pantheon.
Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson and on the new edition of the
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game designed by Jonathan Tweet,
Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich Baker, and Peter Adkison. ERBIN
D&D, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, DRAGON, MONSTER MANUAL, and DUNGEON MASTER Divine Rank: Varies, see below
are registered trademarks and the d20 System logo is a trademarkowned by
Wizards of the Coast, Inc. All Wizards characters, character names, and the dis-
Symbol: An extended hand, palm cupped, like a
tinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast, Inc. beggar
This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America.
Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is Home Plane: Material
prohibited without the express written permission of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Portfolio: Vengeance (starting at rank 1)
This product is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual people,
organizations, places, or events is purely coincidental. Alignment: Neutral Evil
This Wizards of the Coast game product contains no Open Game Content. No Worshippers: Assassins, fighters, rogues, beggars
portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without written permission.
To learn more about the Open Gaming License and the d20 System Cleric Alignments: N, LE, NE, CE
License, please visit <www.wizards.com/d20>.
2002 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Domains: Destruction, Evil, and Trickery
All rights reserved. Favored Weapon: Dagger
Made in the U.S.A.
Visit our website at
As a deity, Erbin appears much as he did in life. He is a
<www.wizards.com/dnd> human male who stands 5 ft. 2 in. tall and wears tat-
1
tered rags under a shabby cloak. His feet are bare and light wounds, invisibility, magic circle against good, mislead,
filthy, his face spattered with open sores. One hand nondetection, polymorph any object, protection from good,
clutches his cloak around him, and the other constantly screen, shatter, summon monster IX (evil spell only), time
reaches out, begging for coins. A fringe of lank gray stop, unholy aura, unholy blight.
hair circles the crown of his skull, and a greasy,
unkempt beard hangs from his chin. Class and Outsider Abilities
Dogma, Clergy, and Temples: Erbin has no dedi- Sneak Attack: If Erbins target would be denied a
cated churchhe does not care for followers, wor- Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has
shippers, or clergy. He instead focuses his attention on a bonus or not), or when Erbin flanks his target, the
those who mistreated him as a mortal, and on those rogues attack deals varying points of extra damage. If
who continue to mistreat the unfortunate now that hes the attack scores a critical hit, this extra damage is not
a deity. Many a beggar has threatened passersby with multiplied. Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks
Erbins wrath if they did not give, and give generously. only if the target is within 30 feet. With a sap or an
unarmed strike, Erbin can make a sneak attack that
deals subdual damage instead of normal damage. He
Erbin (Quasi-Deity) cannot use a weapon that deals normal damage to deal
Rogue 1
subdual damage with a sneak attack. Erbin can sneak
Medium-Size Outsider
attack only living creatures with discernable anatomies.
Divine Rank: 0
Any creature immune to critical hits is not vulnerable
Hit Dice: 1d6+7 (13 hp)
to sneak attacks. Erbin must be able to see the target
Initiative: +15
well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to
Speed: 60 ft.
reach a vital spot. He cannot sneak attack while strik-
AC: 45 (touch 32, flat-footed 30)
ing a creature with concealment or striking the limbs
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
of a creature whose vitals are beyond reach.
Attacks: +5 distance returning wounding dagger +14
Outsider Traits: Darkvision 60 ft.; cannot be raised or
melee; or +5 distance returning wounding dagger +20
resurrected (though a wish or miracle spell can restore
ranged
life).
Damage: 1d4+14/1920/x2, +5 distance returning
Traps: Erbin can use the Search skill to locate traps
wounding dagger or 1d4+5/1920/x2, +5 distance return-
when the task has a DC higher than 20. Finding a non-
ing wounding dagger
magical trap has a DC of at least 20, higher if it is well
Special Attacks: Sneak attack +1d6, spell-like abili-
hidden. Finding a magic trap has a DC of 25 + the level
ties
of the spell used to create it. Erbin can use the Disable
Special Qualities: DR 35/+4, divine immunities, fire
Device skill to disarm magic traps. Disabling a magic
resistance20, Outsider traits, SR 32, traps
trap generally has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell
Saves: Fort +7, Reflex +17, Will +7
used to create it. If he beats a traps DC by 10 or more
Abilities: Str 28, Dex 40, Con 24, Int 25, Wis 24,
with a Disable Device check, he can generally study a
Cha 24
trap, figure out how it works, and bypass it (with his
Skills: Balance +18, Bluff +10, Diplomacy +8, Disguise
companions) without disarming it.
+10, Gather Info +10, Hide +18, Intimidate +10, Jump
Possessions: Erbin always carries a +5 distance return-
+12, Listen +12, Move Silently +18, Perform (act) +10,
ing wounding dagger he calls Povertys Bite. He normally
Pick Pocket +18, Spot +12, Tumble +18
carries six other +2 daggers he uses as throwing weap-
Feats: Alertness, Dodge
ons.
Divine Immunities: Acid, cold, electricity, transmu-
tation, draining and ability damage, and mind effects. Erbin (Demigod)
Rogue 1/Fighter 1
Spell-Like Abilities: Erbin uses these abilities as a
Medium-Size Outsider
10th-level caster. The save DCs are 17 + spell level).
Divine Rank: 1
Blasphemy, change self, circle of doom, confusion, contagion,
Hit Dice: 1d6+7 plus 1d10+7 (30 hp)
create undead, desecrate, disintegrate, dispel good, earthquake,
Initiative: +15
false vision, harm, implosion, inflict critical wounds, inflict
Speed: 60 ft.
2
AC: 47 (touch 33, flat-footed 32) screen, shatter, summon monster IX (evil spell only), time
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft. stop, unholy aura, unholy blight.
Attacks: +5 distance returning wounding dagger +16
melee; or +5 distance returning wounding dagger +22 Other Divine Powers
ranged Senses: Erbin can see, hear, touch, and smell at a dis-
Damage: 1d4+14/1920/x2, +5 distance returning tance of 1 mile. As a standard action, he can perceive
wounding dagger or 1d4+5/1920/x2, +5 distance return- anything within 1 mile of his worshipers, holy sites,
ing wounding dagger objects, or any location where one of his titles or name
Special Attacks: Domain powers, salient divine abili- was spoken in the last hour, or any location when an act
ties, sneak attack +1d6, spell-like abilities of unnecessary cruelty to a mortal occurs. He can
Special Qualities: DR 36/+4, demigod abilities, extend his senses to up to two locations at once. He can
divine aura (10 ft., DC 18), divine immunities, fire block the sensing power of deities of his rank or lower
resistance 21, immortal, Outsider traits, SR 33, traps at up to two remote locations at once for up to 1 hour.
Saves: Fort +10, Reflex +18, Will +8 Portfolio Sense: Erbin senses all events of unneces-
Abilities: Str 28, Dex 41, Con 24, Int 25, Wis 24, sary cruelty against intelligent beings when 1,000 or
Cha 24 more such beings are involved.
Skills: Balance +19, Bluff +11, Climb +14, Diplomacy Automatic Actions: Erbin can use Disguise, Move
+9, Disguise +11, Gather Info +11, Hide +19, Intimidate Silently, Perform (act), and Pick Pocket as free actions if
+11, Jump +13, Listen +13, Move Silently +19, Perform the DC for the task is 15 or lower. He can perform up to
(act) +11, Pick Pocket +19, Spot +13, Tumble +19 two such free actions each round.
Feats: Alertness, Blind-Fight, Dodge Create Magic Items: Erbin can create any kind of
magic item that improves checks for Disguise, Move
No Automatic Failures: When Erbin rolls a 1 on an Silently, Perform (act), or Pick Pocket, as well as minor
attack roll or saving throw, calculate success or failure magic daggers, as long as the items market price does
normally. not exceed 4,500gp.
Divine Immunities: Acid, cold, electricity, transmu- Divine Aura: Erbins divine aura extends in a radius
tation, draining and ability damage, mind effects, dis- up to 10 feet (Will save DC 18). Erbin generally chooses
ease, poison, paralysis, stunning, disintegration, and either the daze or frighten effect.
death effects.
Immortality: Deities are naturally immortal and
Class and Outsider Abilities
Sneak Attack: If Erbins target would be denied a
cannot die from natural causes. They do not age and do
Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has
not need to eat, sleep, or breathe. The only way for a
a bonus or not), or when Erbin flanks his target, the
deity to die is through special circumstancesmost
rogues attack deals varying points of extra damage. If
often, being slain in magical or physical combat with
the attack scores a critical hit, this extra damage is not
deities of higher stature.
multiplied. Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks
Salient Divine Abilities: Alter Form, Alter Size.
only if the target is within 30 feet. With a sap or an
Domain Powers: Erbin can use either of the follow-
unarmed strike, Erbin can make a sneak attack that
ing abilities a number of times per day equal to his
deals subdual damage instead of normal damage. He
divine rank: He can make a single melee attack with a
cannot use a weapon that deals normal damage to deal
+4 attack bonus (must declare this ability before
subdual damage with a sneak attack. Erbin can sneak
making attack roll), and he can cast evil spells at +1
attack only living creatures with discernable anatomies.
caster level.
Any creature immune to critical hits is not vulnerable
Spell-Like Abilities: Erbin uses these abilities as an
to sneak attacks. Erbin must be able to see the target
11th-level caster. The save DCs are 18 + spell level).
well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to
Blasphemy, change self, circle of doom, confusion, contagion,
create undead, desecrate, disintegrate, dispel good, earthquake,
ing a creature with concealment or striking the limbs
false vision, harm, implosion, inflict critical wounds, inflict
of a creature whose vitals are beyond reach.
light wounds, invisibility, magic circle against good, mislead,
nondetection, polymorph any object, protection from good,
resurrected (though a wish or miracle spell can restore life).
3
Traps: Erbin can use the Search skill to locate traps Divine Immunities: Acid, cold, electricity, trans-
when the task has a DC higher than 20. Finding a non- mutation, draining and ability damage, mind effects,
magical trap has a DC of at least 20, higher if it is well disease, poison, paralysis, stunning, disintegration,
hidden. Finding a magic trap has a DC of 25 + the level imprisonment/banishment, and death effects.
of the spell used to create it. Erbin can use the Disable Immortality: Same as for demigod.
Device skill to disarm magic traps. Disabling a magic Salient Divine Abilities: Alter Form, Alter Size,
trap generally has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell Divine Celerity 6 minutes, Divine Dodge, Divine
used to create it. If he beats a traps DC by 10 or more Weapon Focus (dagger), Free Move, Gift of Life, Hand
with a Disable Device check, he can generally study a of Death (Fort save DC 33).
trap, figure out how it works, and bypass it (with his Domain Powers: Same as for demigod.
companions) without disarming it. Spell-Like Abilities: Erbin uses these abilities as a
Possessions: Erbin always carries a +5 distance return- 16th-level caster. The save DCs are 23 + spell level).
ing wounding dagger he calls Povertys Bite. He normally Blasphemy, change self, circle of doom, confusion, contagion,
carries six other +2 daggers he uses as throwing weap- create undead, desecrate, disintegrate, dispel good, earth-
ons. quake, false vision, harm, implosion, inflict critical wounds,
inflict light wounds, invisibility, magic circle against good,
Erbin (Lesser Deity) mislead, nondetection, polymorph any object, protection
Rogue 5/Fighter 5 from good, screen, shatter, summon monster IX (evil spell
Medium-Size Outsider only), time stop, unholy aura, unholy blight.
Divine Rank: 6
Hit Dice: 5d6+35 plus 5d10+35 (150 hp) Other Divine Powers
Initiative: +16 Senses: Erbin can see, hear, touch, and smell at a dis-
Speed: 60 ft. tance of 6 miles. As a standard action, he can perceive
AC: 58 (touch 39, flat-footed 58) anything within 6 miles of his worshipers, holy sites,
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft. objects, or any location where one of his titles or name
Attacks: +5 distance returning wounding dagger +34/+29 was spoken in the last hour. He can extend his senses to
melee; or +5 distance returning wounding dagger +39 up to five locations at once.
ranged He can block the sensing power of deities of his rank
Damage: 1d4+16/1920/x2, +5 distance returning or lower at up to two remote locations at once for up to
wounding dagger or 1d4+5/1920/x2, +5 distance return- 6 hours.
ing wounding dagger Portfolio Sense: Erbin senses all events of unneces-
Special Attacks: Domain powers, salient divine abili- sary cruelty against intelligent beings when 500 or
ties, sneak attack +3d6, spell-like abilities more such beings are involved.
Special Qualities: DR 41/+4, divine aura (600 ft., DC Automatic Actions: Erbin can use Disguise, Move
23), divine immunities, evasion, fire resistance +6, Silently, Perform (act), and Pick Pocket as free actions if
immortal, lesser deity abilities, Outsider traits, SR 38, the DC for the task is 20 or lower. He can perform up to
traps, uncanny dodge (Dex bonus to AC) five such free actions each round.
Saves: Fort +18, Reflex +27, Will +15 Create Magic Items: Erbin can create any kind of
Abilities: Str 32, Dex 42, Con 24, Int 25, Wis 24, Cha 24 magic item that improves checks for Disguise, Move
Skills: Balance +30, Bluff +20, Climb +27, Diplomacy Silently, Perform (act), or Pick Pocket, as well as minor
+15, Disguise +20, Gather Info +20, Hide +29, Intimi- or medium magic daggers, without any requisite item
date +22, Jump +30, Listen +22, Move Silently +29, Per- creation feat, as long as the items market price does not
form (act) +16, Pick Pocket +31, Spot +22, Tumble +40 exceed 30,000gp.
Feats: Alertness, Blind-Fight, Cleave, Dodge, Exper- Divine Aura: Erbins divine aura extends in a radius
tise, Mobility, Power Attack, Spring Attack up to 600 feet (Will save DC 23).
Always able to take 10: At these ranks, Erbin may Class and Outsider Abilities
always take 10 on any check, provided he needs to Sneak Attack: If Erbins target would be denied a
make a check at all. Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually
has a bonus or not), or when Erbin flanks his target,
4
the rogues attack deals varying points of extra
damage. If the attack scores a critical hit, this extra
Erbin (Intermediate Deity)
Rogue 10/Fighter 10
damage is not multiplied. Ranged attacks can count Medium-Size Outsider
as sneak attacks only if the target is within 30 feet. Divine Rank: 11
With a sap or an unarmed strike, Erbin can make a Hit Dice: 10d6+70 plus 10d10+70 (300 hp)
sneak attack that deals subdual damage instead of Initiative: +20
normal damage. He cannot use a weapon that deals Speed: 60 ft.
normal damage to deal subdual damage with a sneak AC: 70 (touch 46, flat-footed 70)
attack. Erbin can sneak attack only living creatures Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
with discernable anatomies. Any creature immune to Attacks: +5 distance returning wounding dagger
critical hits is not vulnerable to sneak attacks. Erbin +53/+48/+43/+38 melee; or +5 distance returning wound-
must be able to see the target well enough to pick ing dagger +53/+48/+43/+38 ranged
out a vital spot and must be able to reach a vital spot. Damage: 1d4+16/1720/x2, +5 distance returning
He cannot sneak attack while striking a creature wounding dagger; or 1d4+5/1720/x2, +5 distance return-
with concealment or striking the limbs of a creature ing wounding dagger
whose vitals are beyond reach. Special Attacks: Domain powers, salient divine abili-
Evasion (Ex): If exposed to any effect that normally ties, sneak attack +5d6, spell-like abilities
allows a character to attempt a Reflex saving throw for Special Qualities: Crippling strike, DR 46/+4, divine
half damage, Erbin sustains no damage with a success- aura (1,100 ft., DC 30), divine immunities, evasion, fire
resistance 31, immortal, intermediate deity abilities,
ful saving throw.
Outsider traits, SR 63, traps, uncanny dodge (Dex
Outsider Traits: Darkvision 60 ft.; cannot be raised
bonus to AC, cant be flanked)
or resurrected (though a wish or miracle spell can
Saves: Fort +28, Reflex +37, Will +24
restore life).
Traps: Erbin can use the Search skill to locate traps
Cha 29
when the task has a DC higher than 20. Finding a Skills: Balance +40, Bluff +31, Climb +42, Diplomacy
nonmagical trap has a DC of at least 20, higher if it is +23, Disguise +31, Gather Info +31, Hide +38, Intimi-
well hidden. Finding a magic trap has a DC of 25 + date +31, Jump +47, Listen +31, Move Silently +38, Per-
the level of the spell used to create it. Erbin can use form (act) +27, Pick Pocket +40, Spot +31, Tumble +40
the Disable Device skill to disarm magic traps. Dis- Feats: Alertness, Blind-Fight, Cleave, Dodge, Exper-
abling a magic trap generally has a DC of 25 + the tise, Great Cleave, Improved Critical (dagger), Mobility,
level of the spell used to create it. If he beats a traps Power Attack, Quick Draw, Spring Attack, Sunder,
DC by 10 or more with a Disable Device check, he Weapon Finesse (dagger)
can generally study a trap, figure out how it works,
and bypass it (with his companions) without disarm- Always Maximize Checks: Erbin always get a result
ing it. of 20 on any check, provided he needs to make a check
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Erbin can react to danger at all. This takes no more time than a regular check.
before his senses normally would allow him to do so. Divine Immunities: Acid, cold, electricity, transmu-
Starting at 3rd level, Erbin retains his Dexterity tation, draining and ability damage, mind effects, dis-
bonus to AC regardless of being caught flat-footed or ease, poison, paralysis, stunning, disintegration, impris-
struck by an invisible attacker. Starting at 6th level, onment/banishment, and death effects.
Erbin can no longer be flanked. At 20th level, he gets Immortality: Same as for lesser deity.
a +4 bonus to Reflex saves to avoid traps and a +4 Salient Divine Abilities: Alter Form, Alter Size, Bat-
dodge bonus to AC to avoid attacks by traps. tlesense, Divine Blast (12/day, up to 11 miles,
Possessions: Erbin always carries a +5 distance return- 11d12+9d12 damage), Divine Celerity 11 minutes,
Divine Dodge, Divine Shield (10/day, stops 110 points
ing wounding dagger he calls Povertys Bite. He normally
of damage), Divine Weapon Focus (dagger), Free Move,
carries six other +2 daggers he uses as throwing weap-
Gift of Life, Hand of Death (Fort save DC 40), Increased
ons.
Spell Resistance, Life and Death, Supreme Initiative.
5
Domain Powers: Same as for lesser deity. attack only living creatures with discernable anatomies.
Spell-Like Abilities: Erbin uses these abilities as a Any creature immune to critical hits is not vulnerable
21st-level caster. The save DCs are 30 + spell level). Blas- to sneak attacks. Erbin must be able to see the target
phemy, change self, circle of doom, confusion, contagion, create well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to
undead, desecrate, disintegrate, dispel good, earthquake, false reach a vital spot. He cannot sneak attack while strik-
vision, harm, implosion, inflict critical wounds, inflict light ing a creature with concealment or striking the limbs
wounds, invisibility, magic circle against good, mislead, non- of a creature whose vitals are beyond reach.
detection, polymorph any object, protection from good, screen, Crippling Strike (Ex): When Erbin damages an
shatter, summon monster IX (evil spell only), time stop, opponent with a sneak attack, that character also suf-
unholy aura, unholy blight. fers 1 point of Strength damage. Ability points lost to
such damage return on their own at the rate of 1 point
Other Divine Powers per day.
Senses: Erbin can see, hear, touch, and smell at a dis- Evasion (Ex): If exposed to any effect that normally
tance of 11 miles. As a standard action, he can perceive allows a character to attempt a Reflex saving throw for
anything within 11 miles of his worshipers, holy sites, half damage, Erbin sustains no damage with a success-
objects, or any location where one of his titles or name ful saving throw.
was spoken in the last hour. He can extend his senses to Outsider Traits: Darkvision 60 ft.; cannot be raised or
up to ten locations at once. He can block the sensing resurrected (though a wish or miracle spell can restore
power of deities of his rank or lower at up to two life).
remote locations at once for up to 11 hours. Traps: Erbin can use the Search skill to locate traps
Portfolio Sense: Erbin senses all events of unneces- when the task has a DC higher than 20. Finding a non-
sary cruelty against intelligent beings when any magical trap has a DC of at least 20, higher if it is well
number of such beings is involved. In addition, his hidden. Finding a magic trap has a DC of 25 + the level
retains the sensations for up to one week per point of of the spell used to create it. Erbin can use the Disable
divine rank. Device skill to disarm magic traps. Disabling a magic
Automatic Actions: Erbin can use Disguise, Move trap generally has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell
Silently, Perform (act), Pick Pocket as free actions if the used to create it. If he beats a traps DC by 10 or more
DC for the task is 25 or lower. He can perform up to ten with a Disable Device check, he can generally study a
such free actions each round. trap, figure out how it works, and bypass it (with his
Create Magic Items: Erbin can create any kind of companions) without disarming it.
magic item that improves checks for Disguise, Move Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Erbin can react to danger
Silently, Perform (act), or Pick Pocket, as well as any before his senses normally would allow him to do so.
magic daggers, except artifacts, without any requisite Starting at 3rd level, Erbin retains his Dexterity bonus
item creation feat as long as the items market price to AC regardless of being caught flat-footed or struck
does not exceed 200,000gp. by an invisible attacker. Starting at 6th level, Erbin can
Divine Aura: Erbins divine aura extends in a radius no longer be flanked. At 20th level, he gets a +4 bonus
up to 1,100 feet (Will save DC 30). to Reflex saves to avoid traps and a +4 dodge bonus to
AC to avoid attacks by traps.
Class and Outsider Abilities Possessions: Erbin always carries a +5 distance return-
Sneak Attack: If Erbins target would be denied a ing wounding dagger he calls Povertys Bite. He normally
Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has carries six other +2 daggers he uses as throwing weap-
a bonus or not), or when Erbin flanks his target, the ons.
the attack scores a critical hit, this extra damage is not Greater Deity Powers
multiplied. Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks Rogue 20/Fighter 20
only if the target is within 30 feet. With a sap or an Medium-Size Outsider
unarmed strike, Erbin can make a sneak attack that Divine Rank: 16
deals subdual damage instead of normal damage. He Hit Dice: 20d6+140 plus 20d10+140 (600 hp)
cannot use a weapon that deals normal damage to deal Initiative: +22
subdual damage with a sneak attack. Erbin can sneak Speed: 60 ft.
6
AC: 82 (touch 53, flat-footed 82) 16d12+9d12 damage), Divine Celerity 16 minutes,
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft. Divine Dodge, Divine Rogue, Divine Shield (10/day,
Attacks: +5 distance returning wounding dagger stops 160 points of damage), Divine Sneak Attack,
+70/+65/+60/+55 melee; or +5 distance returning wound- Divine Weapon Focus (dagger), Free Move, Gift of Life,
ing dagger +70/+65/+60/+55 ranged Hand of Death (Fort save DC 45), Increased Spell Resis-
Damage: 1d4+18/1720/x2, +5 distance returning tance, Instant Move (up to 480 ft.), Know Secrets (Will
wounding dagger; or 1d4+7/1720/x2, +5 distance return- save DC 35), Life and Death, Shapechange, Shift Form
ing wounding dagger (rat), Supreme Initiative, True Shapechange.
Special Attacks: Domain powers, salient divine abili- Domain Powers: Same as for intermediate deity.
ties, sneak attack +13d6, spell-like abilities Spell-Like Abilities (caster level 26th; save DC 35 +
Special Qualities: Crippling strike, DR 51/+4, defen- spell level): blasphemy, change self, circle of doom, confusion,
sive roll, divine aura (1,100 ft., DC 30), divine immuni- contagion, create undead, desecrate, disintegrate, dispel good,
ties, evasion, fire resistance 36, greater deity abilities, earthquake, false vision, harm, implosion, inflict critical
immortal, improved evasion, opportunist, Outsider wounds, inflict light wounds, invisibility, magic circle against
traits, SR 68, traps, uncanny dodge (Dex bonus to AC, good, mislead, nondetection, polymorph any object, protection
cant be flanked, +4 against traps) from good, screen, shatter, summon monster IX (evil spell
Saves: Fort +43, Reflex +54, Will +39 only), time stop, unholy aura, unholy blight.
Cha 29 Other Divine Powers
Skills: Balance +47, Bluff +47, Climb +67, Diplomacy Senses: Erbin can see, hear, touch, and smell at a dis-
+28, Disguise +47, Gather Info +45, Hide +54, Intimi- tance of 16 miles. As a standard action, he can perceive
date +42, Jump +72, Listen +45, Move Silently +54, Per- anything within 16 miles of his worshipers, holy sites,
form (act) +45, Pick Pocket +56, Spot +45, Tumble +58 objects, or any location where one of his titles or name
Feats: Alertness, Blind-Fight, Cleave, Combat was spoken in the last hour. He can extend his senses to
Reflexes, Dodge, Endurance, Expertise, Far Shot, Great up to twenty locations at once. He can block the sens-
Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Critical ing power of deities of his rank or lower at up to two
(dagger), Improved Disarm, Improved Initiative, remote locations at once for up to 16 hours.
Improved Trip, Mobility, Point Blank Shot, Power Portfolio Sense: Erbin retains his previous abilities
Attack, Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Skill Focus (Bluff ), and can see events of unnecessary cruelty up to one
Skill Focus (Disguise), Spring Attack, Sunder, Two- week in the future per point of divine rank.
Weapon Fighting Weapon Finesse (dagger), Weapon Automatic Actions: Erbin can use Disguise, Move
Specialization (dagger), Whirlwind Attack Silently, Perform (act), and Pick Pocket as free actions if
the DC for the task is 30 or lower. He can perform up to
Always Maximize Roll: Greater deities automati- twenty such free actions each round.
cally get the best result possible on any die roll. Calcu- Create Magic Items: Erbin can create any kind of
late success, failure, or other effects accordingly. For magic item that improves checks for Disguise, Move
instance, when Erbin makes an attack roll, assume you Silently, Perform (act), or Pick Pocket, as well as any
rolled a 20 and calculate success or failure from there. magic daggersincluding artifactswithout any req-
You should roll the d20 anyway and use that roll to uisite item creation feat.
check for a threat or a critical hit. When Erbin hits, Divine Aura: Erbins divine aura extends in a radius
assume you rolled the maximum amount of damage up to 16 miles (Will save DC 35).
possible.
Divine Immunities: Acid, cold, electricity, transmu-
Class and Outsider Abilities
Sneak Attack: If Erbins target would be denied a
tation, draining and ability damage, mind effects, dis-
Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has
ease, poison, paralysis, stunning, disintegration, impris-
a bonus or not), or when Erbin flanks his target, the
onment/banishment, and death effects.
Immortality: Same as for intermediate deity.
the attack scores a critical hit, this extra damage is not
Salient Divine Abilities: Alter Form, Alter Size, Bat-
multiplied. Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks
tlesense, Divine Blast (12/day, up to 16 miles,
only if the target is within 30 feet. With a sap or an
7
unarmed strike, Erbin can make a sneak attack that by an invisible attacker. Starting at 6th level, Erbin can
deals subdual damage instead of normal damage. He no longer be flanked. At 20th level, he gets a +4 bonus
cannot use a weapon that deals normal damage to deal to Reflex saves to avoid traps and a +4 dodge bonus to
subdual damage with a sneak attack. Erbin can sneak AC to avoid attacks by traps.
attack only living creatures with discernable anatomies. Possessions: Erbin always carries a +5 distance return-
Any creature immune to critical hits is not vulnerable ing wounding dagger he calls Povertys Bite. He normally
to sneak attacks. Erbin must be able to see the target carries six other +2 daggers he uses as throwing weap-
well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to ons.
ing a creature with concealment or striking the limbs Combat
of a creature whose vitals are beyond reach. Once Erbin decides to intervene and exact revenge on
Crippling Strike (Ex): When Erbin damages an oppo- someone, he pursues that person until the mortal dies
nent with a sneak attack, that character also suffers 1 or changes his ways and makes up for his past actions.
point of Strength damage. Ability points lost to such Successful vengeance for Erbin means that the abusive
damage return on their own at the rate of 1 point per day. mortal learns a lesson, regrets his abusive actions, and
Evasion (Ex): If exposed to any effect that normally changes his ways. It does not mean killing. On occa-
allows a character to attempt a Reflex saving throw for sion, it may mean that Erbin acts to preserve those
half damage, Erbin sustains no damage with a success- deserving his vengeance, since keeping them alive
ful saving throw. means he can torment them longer.
Improved Evasion: This ability works like evasion, Erbin is not a straightforward fighter, and he knows it.
except that, while Erbin still suffers no damage on a Erbin prefers to use his skills to generate bad feeling
successful Reflex save against spells such as fireball or a for his target. For example, he might use his Disguise
breath weapon, he now sustains only half damage on a skill to make himself look like a specific mortal and
failed save. insult that mortals friends, break contracts, and other-
Opportunist: Once per round, Erbin can make an wise make life difficult. However, if Erbin decides that
attack of opportunity against an opponent whom combat is the best way to teach a lesson, he prepares a
another character has just struck for damage in melee. small army of beggars and undead, arm them with
This attack counts as Erbins attacks of opportunity for magic daggers, and attack the mortal. While the beg-
that round. Even with the Combat Reflexes feat, Erbin gars and the undead assault directly, Erbin moves
cant use the opportunist ability more than once per around the flanks and rear, making sneak attacks and
round. using his salient divine abilities.
resurrected (though a wish or miracle spell can restore DIVINE ASCENSION
life).
Traps: Erbin can use the Search skill to locate traps ADVENTURE IDEAS
when the task has a DC higher than 20. Finding a non- Writing the divine ascension rules for Deities and
magical trap has a DC of at least 20, higher if it is well Demigods brought us numerous ideas for adventures,
hidden. Finding a magic trap has a DC of 25 + the level and even campaigns. Wed like to share some of those
of the spell used to create it. Erbin can use the Disable ideas with you, and show how Erbin could play a role
Device skill to disarm magic traps. Disabling a magic in them. Some of them offer opportunities for the
trap generally has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell player characters to ascend to godhood, while others
used to create it. If he beats a traps DC by 10 or more assume the PCs have already reached divine status.
with a Disable Device check, he can generally study a
trap, figure out how it works, and bypass it (with his Erbins Power Level
companions) without disarming it. As a quasi-deity, Erbin provides a challenge for a party
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Erbin can react to danger of mid-level adventurers. Once he becomes a demigod,
before his senses normally would allow him to do so. he gains a tremendous number of abilities, and epic-
Starting at 3rd level, Erbin retains his Dexterity bonus level or divine characters may still find him challeng-
to AC regardless of being caught flat-footed or struck ing (especially if he has time to prepare). You know
8
your characters better than anyone except their players, they find the ruins of a small village and temple, with
so be careful to match Erbins divine rank to your party. livestock dead in the fields and crops ruined. One wall
of the valley is a sheer cliff, clearly defaced only
The Ideas recently. When the characters search the valley, they
What Goes Around find a surviving priest tending a few injured people in a
A beggar with superhuman powers attacks the player cave. The priest explains that all faithful who achieve
characters one day in the marketplace. After humiliat- great rank receive a summons to the valley. The cliff
ing them, the beggar explains that his name is Erbin held a list of tasks, one from each god in the pantheon.
and he nearly froze to death one night after the last Those summoned to the valley may attempt to under-
people he saw (the player characters) refused to give take the tasks as a way of becoming gods. On accom-
him enough money for a room. After that, he jour- plishing the final task, candidates return to the valley
neyed to the land of the gods, where he ascended to where the gods judge their success. Recently a beggar
become the new god of beggars. He intends to humili- came to the valley and insisted on trying to accomplish
ate them occasionally for the rest of their lives. Player the list. Through trickery and deceit he did so, and the
characters have to find some way to end the threat, gods made this beggar, Erbin, one of their own. A few
either through good deeds to living beggars, killing days later he attacked the valley with undead and beg-
this vengeful god, or by becoming gods themselves. gars under his control, causing all the damage and
destroying the list! Since the attack, the priest has had a
Divine Mission vision from Zeus. If the characters find Erbin and bring
The player characters in a campaign with a pantheon him to the gods for judgment, the characters will
similar to Greyhawks do little more than pay lip service become gods themselves, and Zeus will restore the list.
to their patron deities. As far as they know, youre either
born a god or youre a mortal. After achieving high The Divine Spark
levels, they die on an adventure. When their eyes next The player characters grew up with legends of Erbin, a
open, they find themselves in a great hall. Ranks of trickster god who stole the divine spark from deities
seats climb the walls, filled with spirits of great heroes that became too arrogant or too careless of their mortal
and champions whose legends and stories are well charges. These thefts often had unfortunate conse-
known to the PCs. The gods sit on thrones, glowering at quences, as Erbin gained and lost domains about which
the recently deceased characters. A servant of Heiro- he knew nothing. During their careers the PCs even
neous (or the clerics deity, if different) explains that, experience bizarre events caused by the tricksters igno-
while the characters are great heroes, their faith is shal- rance. After achieving high levels, the player characters
low and weak. Their divine status (divine rank 0) is pro- ascend to the divine, only to have Erbin steal from
bationary, provided they return to the Material Plane them! Their patron deity, Odin, or the clerics deity
and find the rogue god Erbin. They must return him to gives them a year and a day to recover the stolen divine
Sigil in the Concordant Domain of the Outlands (or the spark or become mortal again. Alternatively, Odin may
home of the gods, if not using the standard D&D cos- offer high-level characters a chance for divinity if the
mology). If they succeed, their divine status becomes track down Erbin and return a spark stolen from
permanent. If they fail, their souls go to join the ranks Asgard.
of the faithless.
Just Plane Temptation
The Path to Godhood With no outside aid, player characters infiltrate an
After achieving high levels, player characters who enemy country controlled by priests of an evil deity
demonstrated belief in and devotion to their gods whom Erbin serves. Over an extended period, and at
receive a summons from the high priest of Zeus (chief great risk, they reach a point where they can foil the
deity of the pantheon or the clerics deity). The priest priests plans, bring down the main temple, and wipe
reveals the existence of a mystery cult within the out the leaders of the priesthood. At that moment,
temple. The cult worships in an isolated valley in a Erbin appears to them and offers to impart divine
nearby mountain range and recently stopped commu- statusprovided they depart the Material Plane for a
nicating with the temple. When the characters arrive, year and a day. Though he makes no overt threats, its
9
obvious he can kill them all, and probably will if they ers are another story. (This idea assumes that the bar-
refuse. If they accept, their patron deities are disap- rier surrounding the home of the gods does not elimi-
pointed they didnt complete their work on the Mater- nate all planar travel.) The campaigns infernal forces
ial Plane, and the evil deity has a year and a day to guard the gate because they prefer the gods remain
advance his or her cause before the PCs can do any- inactive in the mortal world. In the course of the
thing about it. Unless they can act on the Outer Planes adventure, the characters discover why the barrier
somehow to affect actions on the Material Plane... exists, decide whether to leave it in place, and even get
the chance to pass through it and ascend (infernal
Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Pantheon agents might offer this opportunity as a way to remove
For the first time in 10,000 years, mortals ascend to their interference). Erbin acts as part of a group of evil
divine status, and those mortals are the player charac- deities who reside on the Material Plane and want to
ters. They discover that, as gods, they depend on their keep the other divinities inactive.
worshippers for their salient abilities and powers. They
also discover that for a hundred centuries the gods The Great Wheel
havent competed for worshippers, because theyd used Player characters, in the course of their higher-level
up all the divine ranks in the universe. Even the gods adventures, often visit the floating mountain peak that
arent sure how these mortals managed to ascend. A is home to the gods. They occasionally observe a gate
race begins to discover how many ranks there really through which no mortal is permitted to pass. After
are, and to see who can grab the most. Ra tasks the dei- one adventure, they return to the Material Plane home
fied PCs with the task of slowing Erbin down, allowing of the gods and discover it empty. The forbidden gate is
him to gain as few ranks as possible. As a reward, Ra open and unguarded. Searching for their gods, they
will distribute a rank from each of the pantheons gods enter the gate and find themselves standing in a court-
among the player characters. yard in the midst of an immense city. In the center of
the courtyard stands what appears to be some kind of
Behind the Curtain sundial, but on closer inspection it is a map of some-
Erbin completes the last step to ascend to the realm of thing called the Great Wheel. Faced with the Outer
the benevolent campaign pantheon. His patron deity, a Planes for the first time, the characters search for their
god of luck, appears and explains that in order for him gods, discovering strange new powers in themselves as
to ascend, some other deity would have to surrender they go (because crossing the gate caused them to
some divine ranks. Thousands, perhaps millions, of ascend to divine rank 0). Erbin becomes the chief oppo-
worshippers would suffer when that deity loses power. nent to the PCs search; he plans to remake the pan-
Regretfully, the patron cannot permit Erbin to ascend theon, and the world, after his own ideas.
at all. This first glimpse behind the curtain at the
mechanics of being a god rings false to Erbin, but if its Bridge Across Forever
not true, why would his benevolent patron lie? Erbin Although most members of the campaigns pantheon
decides to find out whats really going on. Player char- dwell on another plane, a few live in the campaign
acters get involved based on what Erbin does. He may world. As the player characters approach 20th level,
only investigate, in which case he may try to hire these deities appear more frequently in their lives.
them (remember, hes a beggar), or he may figure out a Finally, one of them explains that a thousand years
way to kill a god, in which case the PCs own patron ago, something destroyed the bridge from the world
deities ask them to hunt Erbin down. to the home of the gods. The pantheon, limited by the
nature of the Material Plane on which they live,
Godhome remain too busy with their divine duties to investigate
Trying to reach the gods, the player characters dis- thoroughly. All of them have done some checking
cover a gate through the barrier between their world over a thousand years, but the PCs are clearly
and the divine realm that keeps divinities from becom- approaching divine status themselves. If they can
ing active in the mortal world. The gates guardian is a reverse the destruction, build a new bridge, or dis-
reasonable creature, and PCs can probably defeat it cover a new path to the gods home (and determine
(EL3 or 4)but its many powerful and infernal keep- why the pantheon didnt find it centuries ago), the
10
gods will grant them ascension. In truth, Erbin Mortal Vengeance
destroyed the bridge, and he continually interferes The player characters receive a request from a more
with anything the PCs try to do. powerful deity whose mortal favorites have disap-
peared, and not even her divine senses can locate them.
Astral Reward As these mortals soon will be candidates for ascension,
In the campaign, deities appear through portals and the deity fears that the pantheons foes have stolen
gates. There is no record of where the gates go, but them. She offers artifacts from her stores as a reward if
everyone assumes they lead to the divine homeland. the PCs seek her mortal favorites. Erbin is behind the
Over the centuries, astral travelers occasionally report disappearances, of course. The other deity offended the
seeing a great city in the infinite realm of Astral beggar god, and hes taking his revenge through her
Space, but it moves away faster than they can mortal favorites.
approach it. After careers that include great faith in
and devotion to the campaign pantheon, Erbin comes Between a God and a Hard Place
to the player characters and explains that the great Erbin is furious with the player characters. When they
city in Astral Space is the home of the gods. The gates became deities, Odin punished him by giving some of
and portals function only for those with divine rank, his ranks to the newly ascended PCs. Erbin seeks to dis-
but the characters have proven themselves worthy. If credit them by sending them on missions that, if they
they wish to ascend, they must survive travel across succeed, will offend or anger Odinperhaps even
the Astral Plane as they search for the city. Should hasten Ragnarok. He flatters them and tells subtle lies,
they find it, the city will recognize them as candidates playing on their emotions, and laughs as they tread on
for ascension and will not flee. Once they enter the divine toes.
city, their deities will reward them with divine rank.
Erbin is lying, so clearly the PCs arrival in the city No Vacancy
hurts the divine residents in some way: Perhaps it When the player characters ascend to join their pan-
harms a specific deity against whom the beggar god theon, they discover all the positions filled. Erbin
seeks revenge. explains theyre welcome to travel, adventure, or just
relax. They can become servants of another deity if they
Infernal Gate like, and learn about that deitys duties. He goes on to
The player characters serve as the patron deities of a explain that, though they dont tell mortals, most
series of small villages (one per village) in the foothills deities get their positions by killing whoever has what
of a great mountain range. Noticing the villagers call- they want. Mortals think the previous deity retired or
ing on them much more often than normal, they died a heroic death fighting divine foes. As the PCs go
decide to investigate. The PCs discover that someone about their eternal lives, Erbin continues lying to them,
has opened a gate to an infernal plane in the moun- saying Thor, guardian of the pantheon, despises them.
tains, and demons (or devils) are stirring up trouble. The beggar god tries to goad them into fighting Thor in
That someone is Erbin, seeking vengeance against the hopes that theyll weaken the thunder god enough
them for a perceived past wrong. that Erbin can finish him off and take his position as
guardian.
Divine Tests
As emissaries of their gods, the player characters jour- Conspiracy!
ney to Erbins divine realm. In his hall, they must face After the player characters ascend to the heavenly
challenges and contests while simultaneously remain- realms, they discover the gods are secure in their divine
ing diplomatic. Thor, Loki, and Thialfi faced similar ranks and smug about it. All the mortals who ascended
challenges once when they visited the giants. The since the dawn of time have become simple quasi-
giants tricked Loki into trying to out-eat Fire, Thialfi deities (rank 0). As they go about their divine adven-
into trying to out-race Thought, and Thor into trying to tures, various quasi-deities approach them with
drink the oceans and then into trying to lift Jor- friendly offers to aid them on their adventures or teach
mungandr! Erbin tests the PCs similarly. them about their new powers. Eventually these helpful
figures reveal theyre part of a conspiracy to free up
11
divine power. One faction within the conspiracy Godslayers
already tries to persuade the old deities to surrender As the player characters achieve middle levels, Erbin
some of their power to worthy successors, while comes to them. He explains that if they want to join the
another seeks to free power by killing these venerable benevolent pantheon, not only will the almost infinite
powers. A third seeks the real source of all divine forces of the infernal realms seek to prevent it, but to
power in hopes of increasing the amount available. reach divinity each PC must kill a deity. As the charac-
Erbin leads the murderous second faction. ters continue to adventure, they face Erbins opposition
more frequently, find the opportunity to check the
Divine Agendas truth of his words, and wrestle with the question of
The player characters adventure in a world with active whether to slay a god.
but indifferent divinities. Neither benevolent nor hos-
tile, they or their avatars are occasionally seen going Trial by Fire
about some mysterious business. After achieving high, The Inner Planes are concentric circles within the
perhaps even epic, levels, the player characters decide world. These inside-out worlds are arranged with
to ascend to the divine ranks and show the pantheon Earth closest to the surface, Water next, and Air sepa-
how to care for their worshippers. To do so, they must rating Fire, at the center, from Water. The player char-
discover what interests these deities, perhaps try to acters adventure within these elemental planes over
become so indispensable to the efforts of one god that the course of their careers and know the gods call the
he makes them divine as well. Once they manage that, Inner Planes home. When they achieve high level,
they face the consequences of allowing their benevo- Erbin appears to them and explains that the true
lent actions to take worshippers from the indifferent home of the gods lies within a fifth elemental plane
members of the pantheon. Erbin may be the one god inside the Elemental Plane of Fire. If they can survive
with an understandable agenda, or he prove be an the increasingly intense voyage across the Elemental
unwelcome ally, encouraging the PCs and giving them Plane of Fire to the gates of the gods realm, they can
information for his own ends. ascend to become gods themselves. Erbin does not,
himself, know the way to the gates, and follows the
Strength in Numbers? PCs to see if they discover it.
After achieving high levels, the player characters meet
their patron deity or the clerics deity (not the chief deity
of the pantheon, if its a tight pantheon) and ascend to
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Designer for the Wizards of the Coast RPG R&D
join the divine ranks. Afterward they discover that the
department, Rich Redman started as a customer service
deities who share their alignments seem unhappy about
rep in 1994 and moved to design in 1998. Rich has
their presence. The god who appeared to them was Erbin
designed products for the Marvel Super Heroes Adventure
masquerading as their sponsor. The unhappy pantheon
Game, and he cowrote the D ARK M ATTER Arms and
explains that each good or neutral deity grows weaker,
Equipment Guide, Defenders of the Faith, and the new edi-
the more of them there are to worship. Although as a
tion of Deities and Demigods. He most recently worked
group they remain just as strong as the evil gods, individ-
on designing the forthcoming Monster Manual II.
ually theyre weaker and more vulnerable. The PCs now
face choices of how to rectify the situation.
12

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