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Yep, it's me, doing my first valiant stabs at homebrew goodness (which'll hopefully stop two of my friends from arguing over whether Golarion or Greyhawk has the better deities).
Feedback is appreciated, but one caution: I don't have access at the moment to an Advanced Player's Guide, or the affordable PDF version. So, no subdomains/oracle mysteries/antipaladin oaths for them (yet). Also, no deities for gnomes or orcs- I view orcs as shamanistic, while the gnomish god is dead. That's why they have a constant =D on their faces- Vanedel's final breath, in action.
Ageha:
The Font of Dreams, She Who Dreams and Loves
Alignment: True Neutral
Power: Deity
Symbol: A silver crescent moon
Favored Weapon: Rapier
Domains: Charm, Death, Liberation, Luck, Repose
Portfolios: Death, dreams, love, and the moon
Worshipers: Young lovers, humans, elves
Bane: Nightmares
Credo: All things must end, yet love endures. Nurture this- cherish it, with all your heart. May thoughts of your loved ones sweeten your dreams.
Description: Ageha is a tall, slender half-elven woman with silver hair and green eyes. Every depiction of her describes her as wearing a black silk dress that tastefully reveals her body, ruby-red lipstick, and a white shawl at her waist. She has a perpetual dreamy, faraway look upon her face- as if concentrating on something, or remembering lost loves.
The Font of Dreams, She Who Dreams and Loves
Alignment: True Neutral
Power: Deity
Symbol: A silver crescent moon
Favored Weapon: Rapier
Domains: Charm, Death, Liberation, Luck, Repose
Portfolios: Death, dreams, love, and the moon
Worshipers: Young lovers, humans, elves
Bane: Nightmares
Credo: All things must end, yet love endures. Nurture this- cherish it, with all your heart. May thoughts of your loved ones sweeten your dreams.
Description: Ageha is a tall, slender half-elven woman with silver hair and green eyes. Every depiction of her describes her as wearing a black silk dress that tastefully reveals her body, ruby-red lipstick, and a white shawl at her waist. She has a perpetual dreamy, faraway look upon her face- as if concentrating on something, or remembering lost loves.
Bald Rick Beerbaron:
The Master Brewer, The First Forgemaster
Alignment: Neutral Good
Power: Deity
Symbol: A warhammer, its head shaped like an anvil.
Favored Weapon: Warhammer
Domains: Artifice, Community, Fire, Good, Strength
Portfolios: Alcohol, dwarves, and the forge
Worshipers: Dwarves, craftsmen
Bane: Enemies of dwarvenkind
Credo: A good brew and good friends makes for a good hammer. Enjoy both, and keep them close at hand!
Description: Bald Rick Beerbaron is a dwarven male, tall by their standards, depicted with fiery red hair, and a beard with intricate braiding and decorations. He wears a tanned brown leatherworker's apron, and is never seen without his prized possessions- an adamantine anvil, a set of handcrafted blacksmith tools, and a brass tankard.
Paladin Rituals: Any prospective paladin of the First Forgemaster begins their trial by forging a warhammer, which is tempered in alcohol instead of water. (This alcohol, whatever it is, is typically "passed down from an old dwarven recipe.") After completing the hammer, the paladin then drinks from the alcohol-filled trough, along with three of his closest friends. Once sufficiently liquored up, the four must perform daring feats of strength (winning at arm wrestling/pub brawls), dexterity (darts), and courage (Gem Snatcher, Bounder).
The Master Brewer, The First Forgemaster
Alignment: Neutral Good
Power: Deity
Symbol: A warhammer, its head shaped like an anvil.
Favored Weapon: Warhammer
Domains: Artifice, Community, Fire, Good, Strength
Portfolios: Alcohol, dwarves, and the forge
Worshipers: Dwarves, craftsmen
Bane: Enemies of dwarvenkind
Credo: A good brew and good friends makes for a good hammer. Enjoy both, and keep them close at hand!
Description: Bald Rick Beerbaron is a dwarven male, tall by their standards, depicted with fiery red hair, and a beard with intricate braiding and decorations. He wears a tanned brown leatherworker's apron, and is never seen without his prized possessions- an adamantine anvil, a set of handcrafted blacksmith tools, and a brass tankard.
Paladin Rituals: Any prospective paladin of the First Forgemaster begins their trial by forging a warhammer, which is tempered in alcohol instead of water. (This alcohol, whatever it is, is typically "passed down from an old dwarven recipe.") After completing the hammer, the paladin then drinks from the alcohol-filled trough, along with three of his closest friends. Once sufficiently liquored up, the four must perform daring feats of strength (winning at arm wrestling/pub brawls), dexterity (darts), and courage (Gem Snatcher, Bounder).
Blirante:
He of the Sun, the Morning Light
Alignment: Neutral Good
Power: Deity
Symbol: An eight-pointed star, upon which a circle has been engraved.
Favored Weapon: Shortsword
Domains: Fire, Good, Healing, Nobility, Sun
Portfolios: The sun
Worshipers: Knights, priests, and who hate the undead
Bane: The undead
Credo: There are two ills unto our world: The eternally damned undead, and the destitute. We can solve these ills with gold and steel- gold for the poor, to help them build their life. Steel for the undead, to send the accursed to their final rest.
Description: Blirante is often depicted as a blonde brown-eyed human male, wearing a radiant suit of golden chain mail. Besides his armor, he is never seen without a pair of sunblades (one for his own personal use, one to gift unto the truly worthy) and his heraldric surcoat, upon which his holy symbol is prominently displayed.
Paladin Rituals: Blirante's paladins are beholden to an oath to destroy any undead encountered, as well as their creators. Along with this oath, the paladin also crafts a shortsword for himself, tempered by a fire lit from focused sunlight.
He of the Sun, the Morning Light
Alignment: Neutral Good
Power: Deity
Symbol: An eight-pointed star, upon which a circle has been engraved.
Favored Weapon: Shortsword
Domains: Fire, Good, Healing, Nobility, Sun
Portfolios: The sun
Worshipers: Knights, priests, and who hate the undead
Bane: The undead
Credo: There are two ills unto our world: The eternally damned undead, and the destitute. We can solve these ills with gold and steel- gold for the poor, to help them build their life. Steel for the undead, to send the accursed to their final rest.
Description: Blirante is often depicted as a blonde brown-eyed human male, wearing a radiant suit of golden chain mail. Besides his armor, he is never seen without a pair of sunblades (one for his own personal use, one to gift unto the truly worthy) and his heraldric surcoat, upon which his holy symbol is prominently displayed.
Paladin Rituals: Blirante's paladins are beholden to an oath to destroy any undead encountered, as well as their creators. Along with this oath, the paladin also crafts a shortsword for himself, tempered by a fire lit from focused sunlight.
Fuu:
The Free-Spirited Wanderer, The Winds of Liberation
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Power: Deity
Symbol: A green stylized symbol of a tornado.
Favored Weapon: Shortbow
Domains: Air, Chaos, Good, Luck, Travel
Portfolios: Freedom, luck, travel, and wind
Worshipers: Adventurers, liberated slaves, wanderers
Bane: Slavers
Credo: May the roads you travel always be well-worn, may the winds always blow at your back, and may you always respect the most precious gift of all- freedom.
Description: Fuu is often depicted as a green-eyed blonde human woman, wearing a simple green dress and well-worn traveler's boots. She is always smiling, and the wind itself seems to play at her clothing and hair. She has no love for anybody who dares to impune the freedom of any living being.
The Free-Spirited Wanderer, The Winds of Liberation
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Power: Deity
Symbol: A green stylized symbol of a tornado.
Favored Weapon: Shortbow
Domains: Air, Chaos, Good, Luck, Travel
Portfolios: Freedom, luck, travel, and wind
Worshipers: Adventurers, liberated slaves, wanderers
Bane: Slavers
Credo: May the roads you travel always be well-worn, may the winds always blow at your back, and may you always respect the most precious gift of all- freedom.
Description: Fuu is often depicted as a green-eyed blonde human woman, wearing a simple green dress and well-worn traveler's boots. She is always smiling, and the wind itself seems to play at her clothing and hair. She has no love for anybody who dares to impune the freedom of any living being.
Kepbrand:
The Chief Thief, The Head Halfling, He Who Reeks of the Street
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Power: Deity
Symbol: A multi-colored clothing patch.
Favored Weapon: Starknife
Domains: Chaos, Charm, Good, Protection, Trickery
Portfolios: Halflings, rogues, schemers, thieves, and tricksters
Worshipers: Halflings and thieves
Bane: Criminals who strike indiscriminately
Credo: Sure, you can make the dice always roll in your favor, and of course, you'll get a coin with two heads, but it's all in good fun, right?
Description: Kepbrand is often depicted as a male halfling with curly black hair, possessing a slight alcoholic odor. He wears striped black pants, a wrinkled gray shirt, and a patchwork coat of many colors. (Think Colin Baker's coat from the Sixth Doctor's run on Doctor Who and you've pretty much got the idea.)
The Chief Thief, The Head Halfling, He Who Reeks of the Street
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Power: Deity
Symbol: A multi-colored clothing patch.
Favored Weapon: Starknife
Domains: Chaos, Charm, Good, Protection, Trickery
Portfolios: Halflings, rogues, schemers, thieves, and tricksters
Worshipers: Halflings and thieves
Bane: Criminals who strike indiscriminately
Credo: Sure, you can make the dice always roll in your favor, and of course, you'll get a coin with two heads, but it's all in good fun, right?
Description: Kepbrand is often depicted as a male halfling with curly black hair, possessing a slight alcoholic odor. He wears striped black pants, a wrinkled gray shirt, and a patchwork coat of many colors. (Think Colin Baker's coat from the Sixth Doctor's run on Doctor Who and you've pretty much got the idea.)
Marchwall:
The Eternal Sentinel, The Adamantine Fortress
Alignment: Lawful Good
Power: Deity
Symbol: An upraised longsword, its hilt painted in blue and white.
Favored Weapon: Longsword
Domains: Glory, Good, Law, Strength, War
Portfolios: Justice, valor, and warriors
Worshipers: Soldiers, judges, and any who
Bane: Traitors
Credo: For the queen, and for Eireica, we take up arms- not for mindless, savage war, but in their noble defense. To fight for queen and country is perhaps the greatest undertaking anybody can perform.
Description: Marchwall is a human man with short brown hair and dark brown eyes, dressed in a suit of fine plate mail, as well as his equally immaculate blue and white heraldric surcoat.
Paladin Rituals: Marchwall's paladins must endure the Night Vigil- spending an entire night awake, fasting and praying in a temple dedicated to Marchwall. After the Vigil, he must then forge a longsword, tempered with holy water. It is this longsword that is used to dub the paladin during his rites.
The Eternal Sentinel, The Adamantine Fortress
Alignment: Lawful Good
Power: Deity
Symbol: An upraised longsword, its hilt painted in blue and white.
Favored Weapon: Longsword
Domains: Glory, Good, Law, Strength, War
Portfolios: Justice, valor, and warriors
Worshipers: Soldiers, judges, and any who
Bane: Traitors
Credo: For the queen, and for Eireica, we take up arms- not for mindless, savage war, but in their noble defense. To fight for queen and country is perhaps the greatest undertaking anybody can perform.
Description: Marchwall is a human man with short brown hair and dark brown eyes, dressed in a suit of fine plate mail, as well as his equally immaculate blue and white heraldric surcoat.
Paladin Rituals: Marchwall's paladins must endure the Night Vigil- spending an entire night awake, fasting and praying in a temple dedicated to Marchwall. After the Vigil, he must then forge a longsword, tempered with holy water. It is this longsword that is used to dub the paladin during his rites.
Melethor:
The Father of the Damned
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Power: Deity
Symbol: A serrated, crude-looking club.
Favored Weapon: Greatclub
Domains: Death, Evil, Madness, Rune, Trickery
Portfolios: Demons, poison, the undead
Worshipers: Tieflings, any who seek to consort with demons or the undead
Bane: Humans
Credo: The humans can be useful- their world shall be our playground. Once we easily conquer their world and enslave them and their allies, we shall crush their spirits. Once we crush their spirits, we shall crush their bones.
Description: Melethor is a tiefling male, his horns curled upward and twisted to resemble pitchforks. He is typically depicted as well-dressed, with short black hair and blood-red eyes, overseeing an army of demons and skeletons alongside a human woman named Amarra Kesselwein, who has served Melethor as his demon queen/slave girl since the Age of Myths.
The Father of the Damned
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Power: Deity
Symbol: A serrated, crude-looking club.
Favored Weapon: Greatclub
Domains: Death, Evil, Madness, Rune, Trickery
Portfolios: Demons, poison, the undead
Worshipers: Tieflings, any who seek to consort with demons or the undead
Bane: Humans
Credo: The humans can be useful- their world shall be our playground. Once we easily conquer their world and enslave them and their allies, we shall crush their spirits. Once we crush their spirits, we shall crush their bones.
Description: Melethor is a tiefling male, his horns curled upward and twisted to resemble pitchforks. He is typically depicted as well-dressed, with short black hair and blood-red eyes, overseeing an army of demons and skeletons alongside a human woman named Amarra Kesselwein, who has served Melethor as his demon queen/slave girl since the Age of Myths.
Michiru:
She of the Tide and Waves
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Power: Deity
Symbol: A teal glass trident, filled with sea water.
Favored Weapon: Trident
Domains: Chaos, Healing, Travel, Water, Weather
Portfolios: Sea, storms
Worshipers: Sailors, pirates, sea elves, any who brave Eireican waters
Bane: Any who threaten the water
Credo: All that swim beneath the waves are my subjects, all that sail upon the waves are my honored guests. Do not abuse my generosity or my hospitality, or I shall set swift vengeance upon you.
Description: Michiru is a female aasimar with teal hair and eyes. When she rises from the oceans, she is seen wearing a revealing teal ballgown and an aquamarine tiara. She has been known, from time to time, to board the boats of pirate captains to either demand tribute or provide mischievous assistance.
She of the Tide and Waves
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Power: Deity
Symbol: A teal glass trident, filled with sea water.
Favored Weapon: Trident
Domains: Chaos, Healing, Travel, Water, Weather
Portfolios: Sea, storms
Worshipers: Sailors, pirates, sea elves, any who brave Eireican waters
Bane: Any who threaten the water
Credo: All that swim beneath the waves are my subjects, all that sail upon the waves are my honored guests. Do not abuse my generosity or my hospitality, or I shall set swift vengeance upon you.
Description: Michiru is a female aasimar with teal hair and eyes. When she rises from the oceans, she is seen wearing a revealing teal ballgown and an aquamarine tiara. She has been known, from time to time, to board the boats of pirate captains to either demand tribute or provide mischievous assistance.
Nihilus:
The Fallen Paladin, The Traitorous Conqueror
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Power: Deity
Symbol: A bloodied scythe.
Favored Weapon: Scythe
Domains: Death, Evil, Law, Strength, War
Portfolios: Revenge, conquest
Worshipers: Soldiers and mercenaries, particularly those displeased and discouraged by "the rules of war"
Bane: Duly-elected kings
Credo: Her Serene Highness is a fool- no amount of benevolence can ever maintain a kingdom for long. The people need a dictator to keep them in line.
Description: Nihilus is a tall dark-haired human man dressed in heavy black robes. As a fallen paladin, he has issues with his brother Marchwall's preaching to renounce his bloodlust and desire for conquest. On other issues, they are willing to share and respect differences in opinions.
The Fallen Paladin, The Traitorous Conqueror
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Power: Deity
Symbol: A bloodied scythe.
Favored Weapon: Scythe
Domains: Death, Evil, Law, Strength, War
Portfolios: Revenge, conquest
Worshipers: Soldiers and mercenaries, particularly those displeased and discouraged by "the rules of war"
Bane: Duly-elected kings
Credo: Her Serene Highness is a fool- no amount of benevolence can ever maintain a kingdom for long. The people need a dictator to keep them in line.
Description: Nihilus is a tall dark-haired human man dressed in heavy black robes. As a fallen paladin, he has issues with his brother Marchwall's preaching to renounce his bloodlust and desire for conquest. On other issues, they are willing to share and respect differences in opinions.
Odjn:
The Master Librarian
Alignment: True Neutral
Power: Deity
Symbol: A scroll tied with a gray ribbon.
Favored Weapon: Crossbow
Domains: Artifice, Knowledge, Magic, Nobility, Rune
Portfolios: Knowledge, skill, and magic
Worshipers: Wizards, bards, any who desire knowledge
Bane: Willful ignorance
Credo: Help yourself, my friend. Knowledge is for everyone. It is, however, up to you to do your best with what you learn.
Description: Odjn is depicted as a middle-aged human man, with graying black hair and gray eyes. He wears spectacles and simple gray robes, and carries at least two books with him at all times. While most of his clerics believe these books contain the secrets of the universe, Odjn himself maintains that they books are simple cookbooks and trivium.
The Master Librarian
Alignment: True Neutral
Power: Deity
Symbol: A scroll tied with a gray ribbon.
Favored Weapon: Crossbow
Domains: Artifice, Knowledge, Magic, Nobility, Rune
Portfolios: Knowledge, skill, and magic
Worshipers: Wizards, bards, any who desire knowledge
Bane: Willful ignorance
Credo: Help yourself, my friend. Knowledge is for everyone. It is, however, up to you to do your best with what you learn.
Description: Odjn is depicted as a middle-aged human man, with graying black hair and gray eyes. He wears spectacles and simple gray robes, and carries at least two books with him at all times. While most of his clerics believe these books contain the secrets of the universe, Odjn himself maintains that they books are simple cookbooks and trivium.
Rumiss:
Harvestmistress, The Overwatcher
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Power: Deity
Symbol: A bundle of wheat and a sickle bound together, similar to a fasces.
Favored Weapon: Sickle
Domains: Community, Earth, Law, Protection, Weather
Portfolios: Civilization, family, and farming
Worshipers: Farmers, impoverished peasants
Bane: Anything that seeks to tear a family apart
Credo: Your family acts as the roots that support the harvest, and your community serves as the rain that nourishes it. We are all in many ways like the wheat and grain we survive on. Never forget that.
Description: Rumiss is depicted as a tan-skinned human female with short black hair and brown eyes. She dresses in simple peasant garb and is depicted with a sickle in her left hand- a farming implement that is also recognizable as a weapon.
Paladin Rituals: Any prospective paladin of Rumiss must establish a homestead for a family that the paladin is not related to- for example, the family of a loved one, the family of a close friend, or, best yet in the Harvestmistress's eyes, the family of an old rival.
Harvestmistress, The Overwatcher
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Power: Deity
Symbol: A bundle of wheat and a sickle bound together, similar to a fasces.
Favored Weapon: Sickle
Domains: Community, Earth, Law, Protection, Weather
Portfolios: Civilization, family, and farming
Worshipers: Farmers, impoverished peasants
Bane: Anything that seeks to tear a family apart
Credo: Your family acts as the roots that support the harvest, and your community serves as the rain that nourishes it. We are all in many ways like the wheat and grain we survive on. Never forget that.
Description: Rumiss is depicted as a tan-skinned human female with short black hair and brown eyes. She dresses in simple peasant garb and is depicted with a sickle in her left hand- a farming implement that is also recognizable as a weapon.
Paladin Rituals: Any prospective paladin of Rumiss must establish a homestead for a family that the paladin is not related to- for example, the family of a loved one, the family of a close friend, or, best yet in the Harvestmistress's eyes, the family of an old rival.
Saint Amelia:
The Mother of Mercy, The Radiant Healer
Alignment: Lawful Good
Power: Deity
Symbol: Twin bandages wrapped around a staff.
Favored Weapon: Quarterstaff
Domains: Good, Healing, Law, Nobility, Protection
Portfolios: Healing, life, medicine, and mercy
Worshipers: Any who seek to heal others, paladins, pacifists
Bane: Violence
Credo: Nobody is beyond redemption- from bandits and thieves to demons, all are deserving of mercy. Should you ever have to take up arms, offer your opponents mercy and surrender twice- once before the fight, and once when the fight is won. Bloodshed is never truly an option.
Description: Saint Amelia is most typically described as a short human woman with short red hair, kind blue eyes, and always wearing a yellow dress with a small white cape. She seems at peace wherever she walks.
Paladin Rituals: Saint Amelia's paladins earn their title through three miraculous acts- healing a man's body is the first, and easiest, of these acts. The second is to heal a man's mind. The third is to heal a man's soul. While what qualifies as healing body, mind, or soul may vary from paladin to paladin, all must be done without expectation, acceptance, or demand of any kind of reward.
The Mother of Mercy, The Radiant Healer
Alignment: Lawful Good
Power: Deity
Symbol: Twin bandages wrapped around a staff.
Favored Weapon: Quarterstaff
Domains: Good, Healing, Law, Nobility, Protection
Portfolios: Healing, life, medicine, and mercy
Worshipers: Any who seek to heal others, paladins, pacifists
Bane: Violence
Credo: Nobody is beyond redemption- from bandits and thieves to demons, all are deserving of mercy. Should you ever have to take up arms, offer your opponents mercy and surrender twice- once before the fight, and once when the fight is won. Bloodshed is never truly an option.
Description: Saint Amelia is most typically described as a short human woman with short red hair, kind blue eyes, and always wearing a yellow dress with a small white cape. She seems at peace wherever she walks.
Paladin Rituals: Saint Amelia's paladins earn their title through three miraculous acts- healing a man's body is the first, and easiest, of these acts. The second is to heal a man's mind. The third is to heal a man's soul. While what qualifies as healing body, mind, or soul may vary from paladin to paladin, all must be done without expectation, acceptance, or demand of any kind of reward.
Tyma:
Nature's Guardian, Archdruid, The Mother of All Elves
Alignment: True Neutral
Power: Deity
Symbol: Holly and mistletoe (as a druid's holy symbol.)
Favored Weapon: Longbow
Domains: Animal, Charm, Earth, Magic, Plant
Portfolios: Elves, nature
Worshipers: Elves, druids, rangers
Bane: Destruction of nature
Credo: Nature provides for us all- is it not proper to provide for nature as well?
Description: Tyma is a tall, black-haired green-eyed female elf, dressed in simple green and brown explorer's clothing. Hanging beneath her cloak is a quiver perpetually filled with arrows.
Nature's Guardian, Archdruid, The Mother of All Elves
Alignment: True Neutral
Power: Deity
Symbol: Holly and mistletoe (as a druid's holy symbol.)
Favored Weapon: Longbow
Domains: Animal, Charm, Earth, Magic, Plant
Portfolios: Elves, nature
Worshipers: Elves, druids, rangers
Bane: Destruction of nature
Credo: Nature provides for us all- is it not proper to provide for nature as well?
Description: Tyma is a tall, black-haired green-eyed female elf, dressed in simple green and brown explorer's clothing. Hanging beneath her cloak is a quiver perpetually filled with arrows.
Ulroos Malroos:
Terror Overwhelming, The Elder Chaos God
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Power: Deity
Symbol: A twisted purple rune.
Favored Weapon: Spiked Chain
Domains: Chaos, Darkness, Destruction, Evil, Madness
Portfolios: Darkness, destruction
Worshipers: Doomsday cultists
Bane: Order
Credo: ALL SHALT PERISH. ALL SHALT BE CONSUMED. THOU ARE TO I AS ANTS ARE TO THEE. YOU ARE INSIGNIFICANT.
Description: A indescribably ugly, hideously mutated and deformed tumorous grotesquery of flesh, bone, mouths, eyes, and tentacles, forever gibbering in insanity, writhing in pain.
Terror Overwhelming, The Elder Chaos God
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Power: Deity
Symbol: A twisted purple rune.
Favored Weapon: Spiked Chain
Domains: Chaos, Darkness, Destruction, Evil, Madness
Portfolios: Darkness, destruction
Worshipers: Doomsday cultists
Bane: Order
Credo: ALL SHALT PERISH. ALL SHALT BE CONSUMED. THOU ARE TO I AS ANTS ARE TO THEE. YOU ARE INSIGNIFICANT.
Description: A indescribably ugly, hideously mutated and deformed tumorous grotesquery of flesh, bone, mouths, eyes, and tentacles, forever gibbering in insanity, writhing in pain.
Clearly Bald Rick Beerbaron is the greatest dwarf diety in the history of roleplaying :D
I concur. I really like what you did here. I approve :D
Sorry for the double post, but I also find the gnomish god being dead amusing. And the same for the orcs being godless and more shamanistic. In my campaign setting, I was thinking of having them praise dragons as gods, as they are quite rare, and powerful. Sort of like in Chinese mythology how dragons are effectively gods.