| Game background | |
|---|---|
| Home plane | Tarterian Depths of Carceri |
| Power level | Lesser |
| Alignment | Neutral Evil |
| Portfolio | Deformity, hatred, beasts |
| Design details | |
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Karontor is the giant deity of deformity, hatred, and beasts. His symbol is the head of a winter wolf.
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Karontor was first detailed in the book Monster Mythology (1992), including details about his priesthood.[1] His role in the giant pantheon of the Forgotten Realms setting is detailed in Giantcraft (1995).[2] His role in the cosmology of the Planescape campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996).[3]
Karontor manifests as a uniquely hideous fomorian giant dressed in rotting, stinking furs and wielding a club. He may also appear as a winter wolf.
In many campaign settings, the giantish pantheon of gods consists of the leader Annam, as well as Grolantor, Hiatea, Iallanis, Karontor, Memnor, Skoraeus Stonebones, and Stronmaus. Other powers worshipped by giants or giant-type creatures include Baphomet, Kostchtchie, and Vaprak.
Karontor, like his brother Grolantor, is one of the third generation of the Giant pantheon, one of the so-called "runts." He is far more evil than his brother, and far more intelligent.
Karontor dwells in a mausoleum of beast and giantish bones in Minethys, the third layer of Carceri, which he calls the Rack of Injustice. He is served by petitioners and by a pack of ever-hungry winter wolves. He was banished to Carceri by Annam, who wearied of the endless fights between his sons and found Karontor the easiest to rid himself of.
Karontor despises giantkind; this reflects his own deep self-loathing. He spends much of his time in introverted self-reflection, sending avatars to kill and destroy during his infrequent fits of rage.
Karontor is worshipped by many fomorian and verbeeg giants, as well as other giants considered deformed by most.
Karontor's priests are encouraged to kill good creatures, using trained beasts (especially wolves) for this purpose. They urge their followers to war and conflict.
Some myths say that Karontor was once beautiful and shining, but his jealousy of Stronmaus caused him to twist into a form as hideous as his heart. As the corruption grew, he descended into the underworld where he learned dark secrets from an ancient race of subterranean hags. On his return, he used this magic to twist some of the fairest mortal giants into fomorians and verbeegs as hideous and corrupt as he is.