Callarduran Smoothhands
| Game background | |
|---|---|
| Title(s) | Deep Brother, Master of Stone, Lord of Deepearth, the Deep Gnome |
| Home plane | Twin Paradises of Bytopia |
| Power level | Intermediate |
| Alignment | Neutral (NG tendencies) |
| Portfolio | Protection, earth, mining |
| Domains | Cavern, Craft, Earth, Gnome, Good, Healing, Protection |
| Superior | Garl Glittergold |
| Design details | |
Callarduran Smoothhands is the gnome god of the earth in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.
He is the patron deity of the svirfneblin (deep gnomes), and is not very popular among other gnome subraces. Unlike other gods of the Underdark, he is not an outcast. He voluntarily led his people to the depths as a means of encouraging diversity among the gnomes.
Callarduran Smoothhands is a True Neutral Intermediate Power. His symbol is a golden ring with a ruby star on it.
Publication history
Callarduran Smoothhands was first detailed in the book Monster Mythology (1992), including details about his priesthood.[1] His role in the cosmology of the Planescape campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996).[2] He received a very detailed description for his role in the Forgotten Realms in Demihuman Deities (1998).[3]
Callarduran Smoothhands was described in Defenders of the Faith (2000).[4] Callarduran Smoothhands's role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons (2002).[5]
Relationships
Callarduran Smoothhands remains allied with the rest of the gnome pantheon (with the exception of Urdlen), and has also forged alliances with other deities of the Underdark who share a common interest in working together, such as Eilistraee (the drow elven goddess of good drow), Psilofyr (the patron of myconids), and Shevarash (the elven deity of retribution who holds a profound hatred for drow). His primary enemies are the drow deities, especially Lolth. He also opposes deities venerated by evil humanoids also residing in the Underdark, for instance the orc and goblin pantheon, the deities of illithids, kuo-toa, beholders, etcetera.
Worshippers
Clergy
Priests of Callarduran Smoothhands are regarded by their kin as their dedicated protectors and wise councillors. Many also lead small warbands seeking to neutralise drow threats. They are assisted by the Wardens of the Webspinners, an order of warriors and priests dedicated to combating the followers of Lolth the Spider Queen.
The ceremonial garb of the priests of Callarduran Smoothhands is simple grey robes adorned with small (usually red) gems, a steel or mithral circlet worn on the brow, and steel sandals as footwear. The holy symbol a priest carries is a ruby whose size is indicative of the priest's rank in the church. Novice priests are known as "the Unworked". The ranks of the church (in ascending order) are: First Facet, Second Facet, Third Facet, Fourth Facet, Fifth Facet, Sixth Facet, Seventh Facet, Eighth facet, Ruby, and the Smoothed.
Temples and rituals
When practicing the rites of the god, the priests only communicate in whispers, and their temples are domed, so as to enhance their echoes.
References
- ↑ Sargent, Carl. Monster Mythology (TSR, 1992)
- ↑ McComb, Colin. On Hallowed Ground (TSR, 1996)
- ↑ Boyd, Eric L. Demihuman Deities (TSR, 1998)
- ↑ Redman, Rich, and James Wyatt. Defenders of the Faith (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)
- ↑ Boyd, Eric L., and Erik Mona. Faiths and Pantheons (Wizards of the Coast, 2002).
Additional reading
- Greenwood, Ed, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, and Rob Heinsoo. Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (Wizards of the Coast, 2001).