Gods of the Expanse

Friday, July 16, 2021

The Mwangi Expanse is a vast and diverse place. The region’s people hold a variety of beliefs that include gods not seen anywhere else. You can read about a number of these gods, including returning gods like Grandmother Spider and new gods like catfolk god Adanye, in Lost Omens Mwangi Expanse.

We here at Team Lost Omens thought it would be fun to take some of these Mwangi gods and match them up with other gods, both Mwangi and otherwise, to create new pantheons. Pantheons are groups of related gods that a faithful can worship as a collective, focusing on either a specific deity within the pantheon or following all of the gods together. You can find more information on pantheons in Lost Omens Gods & Magic.

Each of the following pantheons includes at least one Mwangi deity and can serve as a suitable faith for characters hailing from the Mwangi Expanse. We encourage everyone to use the following pantheons as examples when creating their own pantheons for home play. If you make your own pantheon or end up playing a character that follows one of the following pantheons, let us know!

A carving of Majagua, goddess of community. She is a muscular, fanged woman with a panther companion

Art by Daniele Sorrentino

Demon Bringers

Alignment LG (LG, LN, NG, CG)
Areas of Concern protection, retribution, and keeps
Divine Font heal
Divine Ability Strength or Constitution
Divine Skill Survival
Domains creation, family, might, protection
Alternate Domains cities, duty
Cleric Spells 1st: mage armor, 4th: creation, 7th: true target
Edicts create fortifications and defenses to protect those who can’t protect themselves, improve your hunting abilities, seek out evils that threaten others
Anathema exclude innocents from safe havens, intentionally destroy a shelter, allow demon summoners to live on unpunished
Favored Weapon machete

The Mwangi Expanse is full of dangers. Of particular note are the various demons and other Abyssal creatures that roam the jungles. Many of these creatures are drawn to the Mwangi Expanse by the presence of Angazhan’s or Lamashtu’s might, while others are direct servitors of those faithful to the demonic. While the Mwangi Expanse is home to many demon hunters that keep these evil forces at bay, many of them work in independent groups. It’s only with the combined efforts of the demon hunters that the Mwangi Expanse can be rid of this demonic presence and the people of the Mwangi Expanse can be safe.

The demon hunters among the Ekujae elves, Matanji orcs, Mwangi catfolk, Mbe’ke dwarves, and others began to join forces in their demon hunts and brought their respective gods with them. This led to the worship of a pantheon of righteous gods that both offered the might to destroy demons and the wisdom to defend others. Through the worship of Adanye, Chohar, Kazutal (in her form as Majagua), and Torag, these mighty hunters find the strength they need to make the Mwangi Expanse a safer place. While this pantheon didn’t originally have a name, the local Mwangi populations eventually dubbed them the Demon Bringers, as their faithful would bring home trophies in the form of demon heads, claws, or tails. Followers of the Demon Bringers use their skills to hunt demons and other evils that lie within the Mwangi Expanse. They also help create homes and fortifications for those that can’t fight, as the ultimate goal of the Demon Bringers is a safer Mwangi for all.


Lubaiko, goddess of wildfire, inspiration, and turmoil. She resembles a human woman wearing a stylish coat with flames licking at the coat’s tail

Art by Sophie Medvedeva.

The Freeing Flame

Alignment CN (NG, N, CG, CN)
Areas of Concern liberation, toppling tyranny, and self-realization
Divine Font harm or heal
Divine Ability Strength or Charisma
Divine Skill Stealth
Domains freedom, change, might, protection
Alternate Domains ambition, destruction, zeal
Cleric Spells 1st: anticipate peril, 3rd: fireball, 6th: mislead
Edicts free others from oppression, release harmful tethers be they physical or spiritual, work toward your best self and inspire others to follow
Anathema allow tyrants to escape punishment after their reign ends, enslave or oppress others, prevent others from honestly expressing themselves
Favored Weapon sword cane

Local stories say that the people of Vidrian had the support of the gods when the time came for revolution. Lubaiko provided the first flames of rebellion, literally igniting the first cart that led to the initial confrontation at a plantation on the outskirts of Eleder. The tales then note that the casks on the cart erupted as the first blow was struck, creating a massive explosion that woke everyone on the plantation. Many say this was Cayden Cailean’s way of showing his support. As everyone stirred about and watched those first servants and slaves fight, others were fearful of the consequences. It was the touch of hope that Milani granted them that finally gave them the strength to rise up and fight for freedom.

Whether or not the stories hold truth, the Freeing Flame remains a notable pantheon among the people of Vidrian today. The young nation broke free from the shackles of oppression and now looks toward bettering itself in the future, a mantra that many Vidrics and followers of the Freeing Flame follow for themselves. With the guidance of Milani, the courage of Cayden, and the inspiration of Lubaiko, a faithful can burn away maladies of the heart to become a person that is free to do as they wish, but also do so without infringing on others. Some follow these ideals to stop tyrants and liberate those that can’t live freely, while others take these teachings to become independent figures with little concern of others’ expectations.


Uvoko, god of metamorphosis, cycles, and growth. Uvoko is a massive cloud dragon with large horns and a gentle face

Art by Maichol Quinto.

Sky Keepers

Alignment NG (LG, NG, CG)
Areas of Concern freedom, skies, storms, weather
Divine Font heal
Divine Ability Dexterity or Wisdom
Divine Skill Acrobatics
Domains air, change (Pathfinder Lost Omens Gods & Magic 112), protection, wyrmkin (Gods & Magic 119)
Alternate Domains freedom, lightning
Cleric Spells 1st: gust of wind, 4th: fly, 9th: storm of vengeance
Edicts remove anyone that would threaten those who live among the skies, encourage others to find a way to live among the clouds, honor the might of storms
Anathema interfere with the natural phases of the sky, remove a creature’s innate means to fly
Favored Weapon longbow

The only thing more expansive than the Mwangi jungles, mountains, and rivers are the skies that rest above them. There are many who would seek to take control of the skies and there are others who seek to keep the skies free for all. From evil spellcasters looking to wield the weather for their own wicked whims to deadly monsters that make them dangerous to travel, the skies are never truly safe. Thankfully, an unlikely alliance of gods works together to keep the skies over the Expanse safe.

Apsu, god of good dragons, saw how his son Dahak once tried to burn down the entirety of the Mwangi Expanse and took it upon himself to defend the skies that rest over those that put a stop to Dahak’s destruction. Uvoko, the diamond ring, is a living embodiment of the Mwangi skies and valued Apsu’s aid. Finally, with the recent release of Ranginori, the elemental lord took to reclaiming the skies from evildoers. When the three gods encountered each other, they formed the Pact of the Sky Keepers, dedicating themselves to both keeping the skies safe for all, but also maintaining the natural cycles and orders of the skies. The sky belongs to everyone, but ultimately, the sky has no master and attempts to force one’s will upon by forcibly changing the weather or committing similar acts goes against the Pact. Followers of the Sky Keepers can be found all over Golarion, but Apsu and Uvoko’s focus on the Mwangi Expanse leads to many worshippers operating in the region.


Luhar, goddess of death, dreams, and destiny. She is a jet-black lioness with the head of a woman and eyes that grow bright like the moon.

Art by Sophie Medvedeva.

Touch of the Sun

Alignment NG (LG, LN, NG, CG)
Areas of Concern compassion, rebirth, and the sun
Divine Font heal
Divine Ability Constitution or Wisdom
Divine Skill Diplomacy
Domains family, healing, passion, sun
Alternate Domains change, vigil (Gods & Magic 118), zeal
Cleric Spells 1st: soothe, 2nd: false life, 7th: fiery body
Edicts help others with changes that can improve their lives, mind those that others forget or exclude, offer second chances, stand up for others when they can’t stand for themselves
Anathema challenge the sun, ignore the pleas of others when you are able to help, refuse to give someone else a chance to offer their truth
Favored Weapon rapier

Legends state that Chohar, Luhar, and Tlehar were the first sun-kings of Mzali, building the city as a safe haven for the people of the Expanse. Their might, leadership, and kindness earned them a place among the heavens, transforming them into the sun gods of Mzali. As gods, they met Sarenrae, another goddess of the sun, and for a time, all four worked together to help the people of Golarion. Eventually, whether intentionally or otherwise, the people of Mzali forgot their sun gods. The sun gods watched as the people of Mzali forgot prayers and songs to their former gods. The sun gods wept because their people could no longer see or hear them, but Sarenrae offered them words of encouragement: there would be a time when people remembered the sun gods once more.

Thanks to the efforts of the Bright Lions of Mzali, worship of the sun gods has returned to the Mwangi Expanse. While the sun gods appreciate this renewed faith, they did not forget Sarenrae’s kindness. When asked about their disappearance, the sun gods merely state they were biding their time alongside a friend. This friendship led to the worship of the three sun gods alongside Sarenrae as a greater sun pantheon. The collective sun gods teach that kindness and second chances are pivotal values. They also note that sometimes a person needs to change into someone new before they are truly themselves and instruct that helping others with these changes is akin to helping bring new life into the world. The four gods know that there might be other forgotten gods and peoples out there that just need some kindness to make it through their period of turmoil, so they ask their worshippers to help these forgotten in whatever way they can. Finally, the sun gods make it clear that lost or abandoned gods can still find companionship among the divine and welcome these gods to join their ranks.

Luis Loza
Developer

More Paizo Blog.
Tags: Lost Omens Mwangi Expanse Pathfinder Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Pathfinder Second Edition

Neato!


Pathfinder Lost Omens Subscriber

There's a typo in the Sky Keepers pantheon, Uvuko is written as "Uvoko"


Question, are these Pantheons going to be Society legal?

... I have some character ideas starting to form...

Paizo Employee Organized Play Associate

8 people marked this as a favorite.
Tempest_Knight wrote:

Question, are these Pantheons going to be Society legal?

... I have some character ideas starting to form...

They are and will be added to the Character Options page shortly :) Enjoy!


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

The art of Majagua is quite striking.


Love these! I love how feelgood all of these pantheons are.

Contributor

16 people marked this as a favorite.

The sun gods said "Trans Rights!"


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

That art of Lubaiko is so cool.

I love all these pantheons though.


Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

ooooooooh my gosh I wasn't expecting this, I've always wanted a revolutionaries pantheon and the Touch of the Sun write up is just too lovely for words <3


3 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Can't wait to play a worshipper of the Freeing Flame

Sovereign Court

4 people marked this as a favorite.

I could've swore than a few hours ago the Demon Bringers had Banishment as their third spell - which wouldn't have been all that useful since it's already on the cleric list. But hey! Now they got True Target which is a way to bring the mosh :)

Also yay Ranginori :)


7 people marked this as a favorite.

Majagua is gorgeous. I love how big Kazutal is in 2e.

It’s fun to me that the Demon Bringers are 3/4 feline - do you think we get Kitty Torag down in the Expanse?


Touch of the Sun Anathema wrote:
Challenge the sun

Dang, I guess I can't fight the final boss of Hollow Knight.

Jokes aside, this is great, already giving me character ideas. :D


6 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Whoever the genius was that introduced Lubaiko into this game, I tip my hat to you. You are way too awesome for this world and I freaking love her.


3 people marked this as a favorite.

“He Who is Massive” is his own Pantheon…;)


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber
Opsylum wrote:
Whoever the genius was that introduced Lubaiko into this game, I tip my hat to you. You are way too awesome for this world and I freaking love her.

Agreed!


6 people marked this as a favorite.

These are all pretty awesome!

I especially like how the writeup for the Touch of the Sun pantheon lends itself well to the possibility of the return of Easivra (another mostly forgotten solar deity of the Expanse!). :D

Carry on!

--C.

<edit> Added link to Easivra.

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Looks great! Pantheons were a great addition to the game!


2 people marked this as a favorite.

I don't really play 2e PF at all, but I think I'm still gonna pick up this book because of how much I want to see all the Mwangi info and content!

Liberty's Edge

2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
189birds wrote:
I don't really play 2e PF at all, but I think I'm still gonna pick up this book because of how much I want to see all the Mwangi info and content!

There aren’t that many mechanics. The vast majority of the book is lore, which will work with any system.


Any chance we'll see more of Grandmother Spider among other pantheons? I had more or less expecting her among the Freeing Flame, seeing how she likes to mess with tyrants.

Liberty's Edge

Captain collateral damage wrote:
Touch of the Sun Anathema wrote:
Challenge the sun

Dang, I guess I can't fight the final boss of Hollow Knight.

Jokes aside, this is great, already giving me character ideas. :D

Sounds like that makes it hard to fight Walkena though.

Liberty's Edge

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
The Raven Black wrote:
Captain collateral damage wrote:
Touch of the Sun Anathema wrote:
Challenge the sun

Dang, I guess I can't fight the final boss of Hollow Knight.

Jokes aside, this is great, already giving me character ideas. :D
Sounds like that makes it hard to fight Walkena though.

‘E’s not the Sun! He’s a very naughty boy!

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