D&D Homebrew; Erallian Pantheon

The Erallian Pantheon is, to be frank, rather spacious. In the beginning, only the most powerful gods dared to stake their claim to the swirling nothingness of the ocean mire, and, once the land became settled and dominated by The Four, no other deities dared intrude. Still, there are a few inhabitants of the Erallian mainland who achieved their place through migration, and many of these outsiders stake their claim to one of three Under Gods or the plethora of deities from other lands. Because of this, the Erallian campaign setting remains confined in both landmass and supernatural leaders, but the few who do preside are not to be trifled with.

The Four

Bahamut

Bahamut, upon noticing the opportunity for a new and lawful domain, staked his claim to two areas. The one began as a secluded, mountainous island; the other a snow ridden proving ground for his bravest followers. Unfortunately, as the years passed and the wars forsook the lands, his sacred retreat was completely obliterated. Ironically, the area made to be his land of fame and victory instead morphed into the only safe haven for northern war deserters. He now presides in the fourth quadrant of the Am’Or astral plain, waiting and watching for the time to save his greatest creations… or destroy them.

Tiamat

If one would compare Bahamut to the king of Erallia, Tiamat must be considered the most aggressive party vying for the throne. Her villainy in Erallia began as it ended; the destruction of many and a hasty retreat. To her delight, the other gods trusted her in the beginning of all. A mistake, she hopes, they will soon regret. Her realm, in Am’Or quadrant two, is a fiery hell of unmentionable destruction. None would dare approach her. As a kind of taunt, perhaps, she created an accessible portal on the northern Erallian isle. Exactly eight have entered the place. Exactly eight are suffering eternal damnation for their ignorance.

Lolth

The spider queen has given up her previous struggle for Erallian supremacy. Her vision of a new and powerful underdark was, unfortunately, shattered after the Second War. In escaping, without her knowledge, she left a gateway to her realm in the third quadrant of the Am’Or. It is a vile and dangerous place, only accessible through her premature underdark on Erallia’s southeast isle. She knows not of Erallia’s goings on. Rather ironic when one considers she is open to invasion… at least, if the enemy can overcome her darkest minions in the process.

Vecna

The true lich king cares not for Erallia. He despises the elves that forsook his name, he loathes the gods who stole his glory, and he desires the entire Erallian world to crumble into nothingness. He thinks about it sometimes, basks in the realization that at any time he could begin his third crusade against the good and hopeful of Erallia. The southwestern city of Dothram houses the only portal to his Am’Or realm, that of quadrant one. Both Dothram and the first quadrant are home to the most vile and despicable of undead creatures. Vecna dares all to challenge him. Their deaths, if hideous enough, give him minor satisfaction.

The Under Gods

Ultara

Her presence in Erallia was as sudden as any. One second she was unknown, the next she walked the earth in search of true pride and peace. Though she cares not for the role of politics or violence, she has in secret aligned herself with the great lord Bahamut. Her mastery of the seasons and thunderous refrain must be challenged if any desire meeting with her lawful master. As an interesting aside, the people of the northwestern isle are the only to worship her… the same isle which was chosen and created by Bahamut to be his ultimate gauntlet.

Zinshe

A dual wielding katana warrior is horrifying enough. Imagine one taller than the skies themselves, wielding eight mighty weapons of sharpest quality, and burning in the northern sect. Zinshe approached Tiamat. She told him that challenging her would lead to certain doom, and, in seeing his obvious talents, convinced him to guard her supremacy. None can champion Tiamat without first destroying her most prized warrior.

Silsannan

If Lolth is the spider queen, Silsannan is the spider princess. Don’t ever call her that, of course, lest you desire to lose your head and be sucked dry. She guards the premature remains of Lolth’s Erallian underdark, skittering around the caverns in search of food and sustenance. You may be able to challenge Lolth without facing Silsannan, but don’t expect to miss her on the way out. Lolth is directly tied to her veritable princess, and will resurrect in true form if Silsannan is not first defeated.

And there you have it. Vecna has no under god, for the bronze lich serves as adequate protection. My players usually enjoy the tiered battle system (though in 4e the gods can be difficult enough on their own) and sometimes opt to simply destroy the under god associated with the true god they hope to defeat. Warm ups like Ultara, especially, often resemble the true battle in epic challenge and reward.