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These were the descriptions of the various faiths known in Diamond Lake and the surrounding Domain of Greyhawk that I gave my players. Eventually, I'll probably add an entry for Kyuss and the Ebon Overgod. I took certain liberties with the Old Faith and Vecna which aren't official just yet. If anyone needs pictures of the various holy symbols, feel free to give me your e-mail. I have symbols for all except Xan Yae, Bleredd, Norebo, and Kurell.
Religion
St. Cuthbert
St. Cuthbert of the Cudgel is the god of wisdom, honesty, and discipline. He may have once been a mortal man as his worshipers claim, but if so it was a long time ago and from an unknown people. He opposes chaos and evil sternly, with no backsliding or compromise permitted. His portfolio is common sense, wisdom, zeal, truth, and discipline. The Church of St. Cuthbert teaches new clerics with specially recruited mentors that have drill-sergeant attitudes and stern demeanours. Day and night clerics pray, train, and fight, until they can recite entire books of St. Cuthbert’s scripture from memory.
The great enmity between Iuz and St. Cuthbert adds to his appeal amongst the many folk living with the threat of Iuz to the north. Under the fiery leadership of Jierian Wierus, the Church of St. Cuthbert in Diamond Lake has grown to over 150 strong, making it the largest congregation in Diamond Lake. Many claim that the flagellants seem to follow Wierus as much as they do St. Cuthbert, and it is only because the charismatic firebrand somehow keeps his followers from breaking the law that his sect has been allowed to thrive.
Heironeous
Heironeous is the Oeridian battlefield champion of all that is right and good. He wages war against evil of all sorts, especially his half-brother and nemesis, Hextor. He is called the Invincible, the Valorous Knight, and the Archpaladin. His portfolio is justice, valour, chivalry, and honour. Known for his great battleaxe, he recently has been promoting usage of the longsword in order to appeal to common soldiers as well as paladins and knights. Heironeous’ church is very militaristic, championing causes and crusading to eliminate evils. His clerics are collectively known as the Valorous Host. They travel the world, fighting evil as dictated by their church commanders. Older clerics work as judges, strategists, and military instructors.
Most of the guards and soldiers serving in the Diamond Lake garrison honour Heironeous as the patron of justice and martial prowess. Weekly services by Valkus Dun exhibit a great deal of fraternity and sober, harmonic hymns. They are open to the public, but are dominated by soldiers and guards.
Wee Jas
Wee Jas is the Suloise goddess of magic and death. She gained her death aspect when the survivors of the Rain of Colourless Fire looked to their goddess of magic for assurance that the dead were being escorted to the afterworld. She is also a love goddess, due to her patronage of arranged marriages and her love affair with Norebo, a chaotic scoundrel with no respect for law and order or most of what she stands for. She is called the Witch Goddess, Ruby Sorceress, Stern Lady, and Death’s Guardian. Her portfolio is magic, law, death, and beauty (vanity). Her clerics are known as the Jasadin.
The worship of Wee Jas isn’t very widespread throughout the Domain, except in Hardby. She is the patron goddess of the Guild of Lawyers, Scribes, and Accountants in Greyhawk, who still use ancient Suloise in all court proceedings and documents. On the opposite shore of Diamond Lake is the Cairn of the Green Lady, is a reclaimed tomb of a Suloise saint inhabited by several followers of Wee Jas. They spend most of their time tending the Diamond Lake boneyard or exploring the nearby hills.
Old Faith
Druidic faith or the Old Faith is the most ancient form of worship in the Flanaess. It is the precursor to all other forms of formal religion among the Flannae. Simply put, the druidic faith is the belief that nature is an entity in and of itself. Not a god per se, but a creation of the gods, one that exists independently and regulates itself. The latter self-regulating mechanism, known simply as “The Balance,” is central to the philosophy of the Old Faith. The philosophy of balance permeates the religion on many levels: at the lowest level it considers the existence of individual plants and animals; at the highest level it considers the very fate of the cosmos.
The Old Faith teaches that the Oerth Mother (Beory) had two husbands – the brothers Pelor (Day) and Nerull (Night). Although she desired to take Pelor as her husband, Beory could not wed him without inciting the jealousy of his brother Nerull. Thus she married both, hoping to achieve a peaceful balance between the brothers. Her only stipulation was that she would not bear children for Nerull. The brothers agreed and thus Beory began her eternal wedding dance, dividing her time equally between Pelor and Nerull. To the Flannae this represents the eternal cycle of night and day. After a time, Beory and Pelor begat Rao, Allitur, Zodal, Obad-Hai, and all living plants and animals of Oerth, including the Flannae. Using trickery, Nerull sired two daughters by Beory: Luna and Celene.
The present hierarchy of the Old Faith is built upon the ancient religion of the druids. Although the majority of its adherents worship Beory or her son Obad-Hai, other gods are worshipped as well. No longer confined to druids, priests of these deities can also be found among the faithful. But it is the druids of the inner circles who hold the most power. Any druid who adheres to the Balance may matriculate through the Nine Circles of Initiation, regardless of which nature god that druid venerates. Above the Initiates are those that may claim the title of Druid. They, together with the three Archdruids and the Great Druid, maintain the Balance in their respective territories. There are nine Great Druids in the Flanaess, one representing each of the geographic divisions of the continent. Legends also speak of a Grand Druid and a cabal of ascended mystics called Hierophants, but complete knowledge of these masters is hidden from those outside the hierarchy. The ash and oak are held as sacred by all druids, and mistletoe is their greatest symbol of faith.
The Cairn Hills and the surrounding areas have a rich history for the Flannae. Legends tell of a powerful order of druids which once controlled the area, but was eventually destroyed by Vecna’s Ur-Flan empire long before the Great Migrations had begun. All that remains today are a few crumbling menhirs such as those just outside Diamond Lake. Today’s local druidic order, the Grey Circle, may know more about these ancient druids, but they have become more and more reclusive over the years.
Xan Yae & Zuoken
Xan Yae, also known as the Lady of Perfection, is the Baklunish goddess of twilight, shadows, and mental discipline. Zuoken is an ascended martial artist in her service. Their followers have temples scattered in hidden places across the land wherein they adhere to three metaphysical ideals: Universal Mind, Perpetual Harmony, and Internal Peace. They spend the majority of their time training themselves, both physically and mentally. Rumours hold that Zuoken’s essence is actually imprisoned on Oerth, and that his followers are searching for his prison, thought to be somewhere in the central Flanaess. They are also known enemies of the Scarlet Brotherhood. Xan Yae’s symbol is that of a black lotus blossom.
On top of Griffon’s Roost, a couple of hours north of Diamond Lake, can be found the Twilight Monastery. Most folk of Diamond Lake, fearful of Izenfen’s silent killers, leave them in peace.
Bleredd
Bleredd, also known throughout the Flanaess as the Iron Mule, is the Oeridian god of smiths, mines, and metals. He created many of the weapons his godly family uses, including that of his wife, Ulaa. Having taught iron-working to the Oeridians, it is from him that Oeridians gained their liking for the crafting of arms and armour. Unlike Ulaa and other human gods such as Jascar and Fortubo, Bleredd is little worshiped by dwarves, who are steadfast in their admiration of Moradin the Soul-Forger. Bleredd’s symbol is an iron mule.
Although Bleredd has no church in Diamond Lake, nearly every mine holds a small shrine dedicated to the Iron Mule. Some even have a cleric of Bleredd to tend the injured and inspect the tunnels for hazards.
Ulaa
Ulaa is the wife of the Oeridian god Bleredd, but is herself of unknown origin. Also known as the Stonewife, she is the goddess of hills, mountains, and gemstones. She is worshipped by both humans and dwarves and has druids among her priesthood as well.
Like Bleredd, Ulaa has no church in Diamond Lake. She does, however, receive many prayers from miners and followers of Bleredd, who beseech her in times of need since she abhors slavery and is seen as a protector of the downtrodden. Ulaa is also the patron goddess of the nearby dwarven stronghold of Greysmere.
Pelor
Pelor, also known as the Sun Father or the Shining One, is the life-giving sun, a source of healing, warmth, positive energy, and strength against the darkness. Originally a Flan god, his worship has spread to all peoples of the Flanaess, although the Flannae make up the vast majority of his druids. Throughout much of history he was perceived as a gentle and peaceful god, but recent events on Oerth have changed him, making him a more martial deity. His portfolio is the sun, light, strength, and healing.
While the faith of the Sun Father is popular throughout the Domain of Greyhawk, there hasn’t been a cleric of Pelor in Diamond Lake in many years. Pelor still has followers among the common folk and outlying farmsteads, but the difficult life of many Diamond Lake residents has turned several away from his faith towards that of Saint Cuthbert.
Mayaheine
Mayaheine is a recently ascended paladin of Pelor, brought here by Pelor from another world to help fight the powers of darkness and evil that gained prominence during the Greyhawk Wars. While she is a fine warrior, she is above all a protector of the weak and innocent. Her shield, Hope’s Champion, is said to turn back evil magic upon its source, and her sword Triumph stuns fiends and tyrants with its merest touch. Many tales credit her with distributing devices of magical protection to those in need. She is also called the Shield Maiden. Her portfolio is protection, justice, and valour.
Boccob
Boccob is an ancient deity known by all races of the world, certainly predating civilisations and all but the oldest of gods. He oversees the maintenance of magic’s existence on Oerth and investigates anything that weakens or interrupts the power of magic. Boccob is indifferent to whether or not people worship him, as his strength is based on the power of magic itself rather than mortal worship. He embraces balance as his philosophy, eschewing alignment interests and extreme points of view and holding knowledge as his ultimate goal. His role as a god of foreknowledge is both a blessing and a curse, for his vision shows him that magic is declining on Oerth and will eventually fade away. He is also called the Archmage of the Deities, the Uncaring, and Lord of All Magicks. His portfolio includes magic, arcane knowledge, foresight, non-intervention, and balance.
Zagyg
Most believe that Zagyg, the demigod of humour, eccentricity, occult lore, and unpredictability, was once Zagig Yragerne, a wizard and former Lord Mayor of Greyhawk who found a way to become a divine being. The mortal wizard somehow captured nine demigods of opposing temperaments and imprisoned them under his castle. Although the demigods were later freed by a group of adventurers, their temporary confinement was apparently sufficient to allow Zagig to ascend to godhood, possibly with the help of Boccob. Eccentric (and possibly mad) when a mortal, the demigod retained this aspect after his transformation; his holy symbol incorporates the rune meaning “insanity.” The Mad Arch-Mage is Boccob’s primary agent and liaison to mortals and other deities, although he puts his own twist on any mission and has also been known to associate with Celestian.
Since his ascendancy, the cult of Zagyg has gained a minor following in Greyhawk, though it has surprisingly never been strong in his adopted home town.
Celestian
Celestian is the benign Oeridian god of stars, space, and wanderers. The brother of Fharlanghn (his only close ally), he chose the distances of the stars and planes rather than Oerth. He is often called the Far Wanderer. Most of Celestian’s clerics are scholars, astronomers, and planar explorers. They search the stars for portents and lore relating to the heavens. Many of them make a pilgrimage to a holy site in the Barrier Peaks. Celestian is also a favoured deity of good-aligned members of evil nonhuman races; while their eyes are unable to tolerate daylight, they find acceptance and hope in the light of the stars.
For many years an order of astronomers dedicated to Celestian operated in the Cairn Hills. Today all that remains of them are a few scattered observatories such as those found in Greyhawk and Diamond Lake.
Norebo
Norebo is the Suel god of luck, gambles, and risks. He is known for his willingness to make a bet on anything and his fondness for dice games. He admires any mortal who takes great risks for great rewards and is the patron of all thieves. The God of Gambles has been paired with most of the female members of his pantheon, but has been the lover of Wee Jas, off and on, for more than a thousand years despite their alignment differences. It is rumoured that the divine couple’s first argument caused the southern Crystalmists to erupt in flames, earning their current name, the Hellfurnaces. His worship is popular in the Thillonrian Peninsula and in large cities, and donations to his temples (called Churches of the Big Gamble) are usually in the form of lost bets (as gambling operations are run on-site). His symbol is a pair of eight sided dice.
Worship of Norebo has long been popular throughout the Domain of Greyhawk. He is the patron god of the Free City’s Guild of Thieves and he is often called upon by patrons in the many taverns and gaming parlours throughout the Domain, including Diamond Lake’s Emporium and the Feral Dog Tavern.
Kurell
Kurell is the Oeridian god of jealousy, revenge, and theft. He was once loved by the spring goddess Atroa, but he spurned her to pursue the summer goddess Sotillion, wife of his brother Zilchus. This failure caused him to lose both goddesses as well as the favour of his brother. Now his jealous feelings keep him alone, even though the others involved would surely forgive him if he would ask. He is a patron of thieves although other gods such as Norebo and Olidammara are more popular than he, which makes him jealous and fills him with an irrational fervour to steal away their worshippers. He is called the Bitter Hand, the Scorned Heart, and the Vengeful Knave. His symbol is a grasping hand holding a broken coin. Many of Kurell’s clerics make their livings as thieves, and spend their time planning acts of revenge against their enemies. They travel in search of great things to steal, to escape their rivals, or to forget their past.
Kurell was once the patron god of Greyhawk’s Guild of Thieves until, in 533 CY, infighting in the guild forced the Kurell-worshipping old guard to flee the city. Most of them were soon assassinated by what later became the Guild of Assassins. More than sixty years later, Kurell has once again become popular amongst the lowlifes of Greyhawk, but no one has yet dared start another holy war between the followers of Norebo and those dedicated to the Vengeful Knave.
Zilchus
Zilchus is the popular Oeridian god of power, prestige, money, business, and influence. Husband of Sotillion and brother of Kurell, Zilchus is a busy god with little time for frivolous pursuits. He acts as a dealmaker between gods, finalising agreements once warring parties are convinced to talk. He is called the Great Guildmaster and the Money Counter.
Although not nearly as powerful as in the United Kingdom of Ahlissa, the Church of Zilchus has one of the grandest temples in Greyhawk. Some of the richest merchants and guildmasters of Greyhawk, particularly members of the Union of Merchants and Traders, make up the temple’s congregation. It is widely reported that many of the riches in the temple are openly displayed with no apparent guards about, yet no thieves have lived to tell of robbing this temple.
Nerull
Nerull is the ancient Flan god of death, darkness, murder, and the underworld; few anywhere do not know and fear his name. Among followers of the Old Faith, Nerull is also seen as a god of night and winter, in contrast to his brother Pelor. He is called the Reaper, Foe of all Good, Hater of Life, Bringer of Darkness, King of All Gloom, and Reaper of Flesh. Rumours hold that his clerics must be buried alive as part of their final initiation.
In 209 CY, Ponjes the Bull outlawed all evil cults and religions in Greyhawk in what became known as the Expulsion of Evil. Since then, followers of banned religions are usually sentenced to death, exile, or hard labour if discovered by the authorities.
Vecna
Vecna was a terrifying and evil Flan lich-king who gained a foothold on godhood almost two thousand years ago. He ruled his realm, which extended from the Sheldomar Valley to the Nyr Dyv, until -357 CY when he was betrayed by Kas, his vampiric lieutenant. The ensuing battle destroyed them both, leaving behind three artefacts: the Eye and Hand of Vecna as well as the Sword of Kas. Centuries passed and the artefacts traveled from land to land, sowing evil wherever they went. Although his mortal realm was broken, Vecna’s name still carried a dread weight, and a cult of fear grew about him. Hidden all this time, Vecna, whose spirit had survived, carefully weaved a plan to bring himself back to the mortal world. He eventually succeeded, becoming the demigod of secrets. In 581 CY, Vecna set into motion a plan that would turn him into a supreme god. His attempt failed, but one of his agents did manage to strike down the entire Circle of Eight. Though the Circle’s leader, Mordenkainen, returned his colleagues to life using powerful magic, the group was in disarray when the Greyhawk Wars broke out in 582 CY. As for Vecna, he became imprisoned in an unknown demiplane. In 591 CY, he finally became a lesser god after freeing himself from his extraplanar prison and now plots the destruction of all other gods so that he may take Oerth for himself. He has a great hatred for Iuz and is hated and feared by other deities. Vecna’s epithets and titles include the Arch-Lich, the Maimed Lord, Master of the Spidered Throne, and the Whispered One.
Iuz
Iuz is thought to be the cambion son of the demon lord Graz’zt and the powerful necromancer-witch Iggwilv. In 479 CY, a minor despot in the Howling Hills left his domain to his adopted “son” Iuz, whispered to possess demon-tinged blood. Within a year those whispers changed to screams of terror. Whoever, or rather whatever, Iuz was, he was certainly no human; his cruelty and capacity for inflicting human sufferings seemingly knew no bounds. Before news of his villainy had spread to the south, Iuz had conquered his neighbours and exhibited no signs of a waning political ambition. By 500 CY, it appeared as though the unchecked might of Iuz would threaten the whole of the Flanaess. Then, in 505 CY, Iuz vanished, leaving no signs of his whereabouts. But even as his realm was being carved up by ambitious generals, Iuz’s legend grew. The orcs of the northlands, who had known Iuz for generations of their short lives and had named him the Old One, worshiped him as a god, claiming that his strange disappearance was naught but an ascension to the afterlife. Soon, loyal and opportunistic humans joined the ever-growing Cult of Iuz, a movement aided by the fact that the Old One’s clerics found themselves imbued with powerful magical ability. In 570 CY, Iuz was freed from Zagyg’s imprisonment beneath Castle Greyhawk and returned to Oerth, taking residence in Dorakaa as a god made flesh. Thousands of those who had been “unfaithful” were murdered upon his order as a sign of his displeasure with the changes made in his 65-year absence. Since then, Iuz has focused his might towards the conquest of Oerth, triggering the Greyhawk Wars in 582 CY.
Appearing on Oerth as a shrivelled old man or as a huge, demonic-looking being, Iuz has many fiendish allies and impersonates other gods to fool mortals and increase his territory. He remains a great threat to the balance despite setbacks since the Greyhawk Wars. He especially hates the gods Zagyg, St. Cuthbert, and Vecna. His portfolio is deceit, pain, oppression, and evil.
Erythnul
Erythnul is the undisciplined counterpart to Hextor, possibly predating him and losing worshipers to his ordered and intelligent rival. Also called the Many, his title comes from his appearance in battle, as his features change between human, gnoll, bugbear, ogre, and troll, and his spilled blood becomes an allied creature of that type. An Oeridian god, he also counts many evil humanoids amongst his followers. His portfolio is hate, envy, malice, panic, ugliness, and slaughter.
Hextor
Hextor is the arch-foe of Heironeous, his half-brother and fellow Oeridian war god. He seeks to conquer or destroy any that oppose him. He is depicted as a handsome man with dark hair and light skin when shown as a god who rules through strength, but takes the visage of a grey-skinned, horrible six-armed being when shown in his more violent aspect. His titles include the Scourge of Battle, Champion of Evil, and Herald of Hell. His portfolio is war, discord, massacres, conflict, fitness, and tyranny.
Like the Church of Heironeous, the Church of Hextor is organised in military style and would-be clerics are put through rigorous, harsh training. Only those strong enough to put up with months of abuse become clerics. Hextor’s sect is not as secretive as other dark religions. Temples of Hextor operate openly in many cities, especially in the former Great Kingdom.