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Orc Pantheon
Nulgreth (Deity), Dretha (Deity), Lanishra (Deity), Rull (Deity), Sezelrian (Deity), Varg (Deity), Verex (Deity), Zagresh (Deity), Zura (Deity), Gorum (Deity)
The Orc Pantheon is possibly due for some revision. In 1E Orcs and their pantheon were generally written from the perspective of their enemies and aggressors. Very likely, the Orc pantheon isn’t comprised of only Evil Deities, instead this is likely a bit of 1E propaganda. This is not to say that the Orc pantheon doesn’t include Evil Deities. I have done an analysis of the Orc Pantheon below. Please note that there is some speculation included throughout since we don’t currently know how the Orc Pantheon will be presented in 2E.
Dretha, Title: The Dark Mother (Concerns/Domains: Birth Fertility, Tribes, Chaos, Community, Protection)
Note: Dretha could use a change in title, otherwise, looking at her areas of concern and domains she is more likely to be of CN alignment instead of CE alignment. As a mother/community goddess she is not gentle but nor is she needlessly cruel. She is harsh and expects Orc children to be raised to handle the dangerous environments they are born into. However, I don’t think she is likely to condone abuse. My personnel guess is that in 2E Dretha is CN and her followers can have alignments of CG, CN, and CE. On a personal note I see Dretha as one of the strongest deities in the Orc pantheon.
Lanishra, Title: The Slavelord (Concerns/Domains: Slavery, Subjugation, Tyranny, Chaos, Nobility, Strength)
Note: Lanishra make sense as alignment CE. Lanishra has a heavy focus on slavery and subjugation which likely informs how some Orc cultures handle people they have defeated in war and battle. It is worth noting that Lanishra does not advocate slaughter and murder. Lanishra also promotes tyranny and nobility. While this will influence the leadership styles of those who follow Lanishra, this likely results in fairly strict rules for how these followers treat those under their rulership. Lanishra poses an interesting dichotomy in the Orc pantheon by being generally chaotic in nature while also trying to impose strict tyranny. My guess is that in 2E Lanishra is CE and their followers can have alignments of CE and LE.
Nulgreth, Title: The Blood God (Concerns/Domains: Anger, Rage, Strength, Chaos, Strength War)
Note: Nulgreth is an iconic representation of many Orcs natural ferocity and tenacity. Many Orcs have a near mystical connection with their ability to harness emotions like anger and rage, and use those emotions to survive in extreme situations like combat, battle, and war. There is nothing inherently evil in this ferocity and it can be used to survive battle against demons as equally as a battle against angels. My guess is that in 2E Nulgreth is CN and their followers can have alignments of CG, CN, and CE.
Rull, Title: The Thunderer (Concerns/Domains: Lightning, Storms, Thunder, Air Chaos, Weather)
Note: Rull is a nature deity that is focused on wind, rain, storms, and lightning. Rull is clearly not a gentle deity, but there is also nothing specifically evil about thunder storms. Interestingly Rull is likely the most recent member of the Orc pantheon as Orcs where unlikely to encounter storms prior to their emergence onto the surface. There is a likely chance that Rull is a popular deity among orcs in the Mwangi Expanse. My guess is that in 2E Rull is CN and their followers can have the N, CN, and CE alignments.
Sezelrian, Title: The Fire God (Concerns/Domains: Fire, Magic, Revenge, Chaos, Fire, Magic)
Note: Sezelrian is fairly unique as a god of fire and magic. Likely many Orc deities Sezelrian is not a particularly gentle deity, but as a god of magic, Sezelrian is perhaps the most academically inclined of the Orc pantheon. Magic and fire are powerful resources both in and out of wartime and it would be interesting to learn more about Sezelrian’s teachings, schools, and academies in Orc cultures. My guess is that in 2E Sezelrian is CN and their followers can have the N, CN, NE, and CE alignments.
Varg, Title: The Iron Warrior (Concerns/Domains: Iron, Siege Engines, War, Chaos, Earth, War)
Note: Varg is a god of tactics, metal working, and war. While maybe not quite as academically inclined as Sezelrian, Varg does expect their followers to be educated in war tactics, metalsmithing, and the creations and use of siege engines. Also, Varg’s focus on Earth suggestions Varg’s followers also study tactics relating to terrain. My guess is that in 2E Varg is CN in alignment and their followers can have alignments of LN, N, CN and CE.
Verex, Title: The Despoiler (Concerns/Domains: Lust, Pillage, Plunder, Chaos, Charm, Trickery)
Note: Verex’s is a rather roguish Orc deity with a focus on plundering and pillaging, as well as lust, charm, and trickery. Whereas most Orc deities are not thought of as being particularly subtle Verex breaks this trend. While their aspect of plunder and pillage may be as overt as the rest of the Orc pantheon, Verex represents an often overlooked subtly found in Orc cultures. My guess is that in 2E Verex is CE and their followers can have alignments of CN, NE, and CE.
Zagresh, Title: The Destroyer (Concerns/Domains: Death Destruction, Disaster, Chaos, Death Destruction)
Note: Zagresh is the Orc god of Death. As a Death god, Zagresh is likely to spend as much time conferring with Pharasma as they are to spend time conferring with the rest of the Orc pantheon. Zagresh is equally a god of disaster and destruction, however, these aspects of Zagresh are mostly aimed at the enemies of Orcs and not internally at neighbors and allied communities. My guess is that in 2E Zagresh is CN and their followers can have alignments of N, CN, and CE.
*Special Note: The Dahzagan are likely a type of Valkyrie, that will hopefully be updated in 2E and reflect this update. In 1E Dahzagan serve a similar function as other Valkyrie, however they are most often found serving the Orc Pantheon. Similar to how Orc Deities in 1E all have CE alignment, in 1E the Dahzagan also have a CE alignment. In 1E the CE alignment excluded them from being included as Valkyrie, however, they can easily be adjusted to a CN alignment in 2E, and this would align nicely with a revision of the Orc Pantheon.
Gorum, Title: Our Lord in Iron (Concerns/Domains: Battle, Strength, Weapons, Confidence, Destruction, Might, Zeal)
Note: Just like in many pantheons, in the Orc pantheon Gorum is a god of battle and weapons. However, of equal importance in the Orc pantheon is Gorum’s aspects of confidence and zeal. In many Orc cultures there is an ingrained understanding that zeal and confidence can win the day when all else fells. In 2E Gorum’s followers have the alignment options of CN and CE.
Zura, Title: The Vampire Queen (Concerns/Domains: Blood, Cannibalism, Vampires, Delirium, Indulgence, Nightmares, Undeath)
Note: The cult of Zura that is found in some Orc cultures has a very unique expression. Instead of focusing on vampirism or undeath, these cults focus on a form of endocannibalism where eating the flesh of a recently slain orc grants the orc doing the consuming Zura’s blessing, and possibly other boons from Zura. It is important to recognize that Zura is most likely granting these Orcs the power to consume a bit of the soul along with the consumption of flesh. Damaging a soul this way may possibly mark it as a target for Zura’s divine servants and reduce the chance of the soul arriving safely in the Boneyard. While this may offer a quick way to gain an advantage in battle, most Orc cultures frown upon the practice, but grudgingly recognize that it can yield results on the battlefield. In 2E followers of Zura can have alignments of NE and CE. (see 1E’s Blessing of the Feast)
I would be happy to hear everyone's thoughts on how the Orc Pantheon could be updated in 2E to more broadly represent the various Orc cultures found throughout the Inner Sea region, the Darklands and Golarion generally.
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I am guessing in 2e Orcs will like other races not really have as big a pantheon as they did in 1e and most cultures we see will worship already established gods just with different names like how the Matanji worship Kazutal,as Majagua.
Examples:
Dretha, is so much like Lamashtu it's silly for example and why would Lamashtu allow such a thing to exist and take worshipers from her, especially since she is known for killing and taking the power of deities and demon lords whose power she wants.
Zura sounds like Urgathoa.
Gorum and Zagresh are pretty similar especially with Gorum's 2e revision/Clarification.
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The Orc Lore in the Ancestry Guide enhances the Orc relation with their deities. For Orcs their deities are seen as an oppositional force. The greatest goal of a lot of Orc warriors is upon death challenge their gods and take their place(for better or for worse). Depending on the culture of an Orc tribe they may worship other deities and view them as Orcs them selves. Orcs of the Mwangi Expanse tend to worship Kazutal and other non orc pantheon deities. Saranrae is also a popular god amongst Orcs.
I think it would be interesting if the Orc Gods got fleshed out more but their dynamic with orcs have been in away that leads me satisfied.
That is actually in the Advanced Players Guide and it also says they really don't worship the Orc deities.