List of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' deities

This is a list of deities of Dungeons & Dragons, including all of the 3.5 edition gods and powers of the "Core Setting" for the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) roleplaying game. Religion is a key element of the D&D game, since it is required to support both the cleric class and the behavioural aspects of the ethical alignment system - 'role playing', one of three fundamental. The pantheons employed in D&D provide a useful framework for creating fantasy characters, as well as governments and even worlds.[1] Because the Core Setting is based on the World of Greyhawk, the Greyhawk gods list contains most of the deities listed here, and many more.

Publication history

The first official publication to detail god-like beings for use in the Dungeons & Dragons game was Gods, Demi-gods & Heroes, published in 1976 as the fourth supplement for the original edition. This work was superseded by the Deities & Demigods source book, which was first published in 1980.[2] The first printing included the Cthulhu Mythos, but both this and the Melnibonéan mythos were removed by the third printing because of potential copyright issues. In 1985, the book was renamed Legends & Lore due to concerns about bad publicity. The Babylonian, Finnish, nonhuman, and Sumerian content were removed to allow room for expansion of the remaining mythoi.[3]

In 1992, Monster Mythology was published as a sourcebook for the second edition of Dungeons & Dragons. This work re-introduced detailed information on the deities of several non-human pantheons.[3] The Faerûnian pantheon for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting was more fully detailed in 1996–8 with the publication of Faiths & Avatars, Powers & Pantheons and Demihuman Deities.[3]

Categories

The deities are grouped into three categories:

  1. Core powers - Deities presented in the Player's Handbook 3.5th edition or substantially introduced in the other two core books (Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual). Most of these deities are worshipped by humans. There is a subset within this category called Additional Deities which has deities not mentioned in the core rulebooks but instead in supplements and as such considered additions to the core category.
  2. Alternate human pantheons - This lists the pantheons and the deities within them that are presented in the supplement book Deities & Demigods. Most are based upon real-life mythology.
  3. Non-deity powers - These beings would fit into the previous category, but are not actually deities, plus most of them aren't the patron of a specific monstrous race. This includes the demon princes and archdevils as well as some other godlike beings.

Before third edition, there was no Core Setting, so the distinctions above are not as clear-cut. For the most part, materials which did not specify a setting were assumed to be at least compatible with the World of Greyhawk if not outright parts of the canon. As such, those prior materials are covered in the setting-specific lists of deities.

The book Monster Mythology, however, was considered to be canon for core materials for the gods of non-human races in second edition.

Dungeons & Dragons

Gods, Demi-gods & Heroes (1976) included the Egyptian, Hindu, Greek, Celtic, Norse, Finnish, Aztec, Mayan, Chinese, and Japanese mythologies, as well as Robert E. Howard's Hyborea and the Melnibonéan Mythos from Michael Moorcock's Elric novels.[4]

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons

The original edition of Deities & Demigods contained 17 pantheons of gods:

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition

Legends & Lore was expanded, completely revised from the 1st Edition AD&D volume, and rewritten for the 2nd Edition rules.[4] This edition had pared-down content in comparison to the original; the sections on Babylonian, Finnish, Sumerian and non-humanoid deities were wholly excised.[5] The Central American mythos was renamed the Aztec mythos, while the Nehwon mythos was retained.[5]

Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition

There are over 100 deities in the Greyhawk setting, and when creating Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition Wizards of the Coast selected a subset to become iconic deities. They selected and altered deities to correspond to "iconic" aspects of core D&D. Most core deities are human deities; except for the chief gods of the demihuman races. Certain aspects of the deities were altered to make them more generic - for example: the "Core" Heironeous favors the longsword (in order to make the favored weapon of the "God of Chivalry" more traditionally knight-like), as contrasted with the original "Greyhawk" Heironeous, who favors the battleaxe.

The designation of "greater" vs. "intermediate" comes from Legends & Lore (1990). It is not used in any edition of the Player's Handbook, but it is used in Deities and Demigods (2002) and various v3.5 Edition materials.

Core D&D-pantheons

Greater deities

Intermediate deities

Lesser deities

Supplementary pantheons

Although not listed in the Players Handbook, these deities are listed as part of the default D&D pantheon in new works and as such are regarded as additions to the default pantheon. Although some of these originally come from the Greyhawk, Forgotten Realms, or Eberron campaign settings, each one is mentioned at some point in a non-setting-specific source. The name in brackets next to each one specifies the source they are mentioned in.

Other pantheons

The third edition version of Deities & Demigods contains only four pantheons:

The third edition version of the book also discusses in detail how one would go about the creation of their own pantheon, as well as individual gods, for use in Dungeons & Dragons.

These three alternative faiths were described in the third edition Deities and Demigods book.

The Faith of the Sun

The Faith of the Sun is a fictional, monotheistic religion presented in and constructed according to the guidelines given for monotheistic religions in 3rd Edition Deities and Demigods. Being monotheistic, it of course consists of only one deity (though said deity is described as having two aspects; a creator one and a destroyer one):

Following the Light

Following the Light is a fictional dualistic religion presented in and constructed according to the guidelines given for dualistic religions in 3rd Edition Deities and Demigods. Being dualistic, it consists of two, polar-opposite deities:

Dennari

The faith of Dennari is a fictional mystery cult, presented in and constructed according to the guidelines given for mystery cults in 3rd Edition Deities & Demigods. It worships a single deity of the same name:

Nondeity powers

Similar to monster powers, these are not true deities but very powerful extraplanar beings. These however do not even profess to be gods (though many still have designs on godhood).

Fiendish entities

Demon lords of the Abyss

The single unifying feature of all demon lords (also called demon princes) is the inherent control over part of the infinite layers of The Abyss. Only the first 666 layers of The Abyss are generally known, and of those only a small fraction of the princes of those layers are a part of the D&D cosmology.

Arch-devils of Baator

Celestial paragons

The celestial paragons are powerful unique outsiders of the Upper Planes. They are to the celestials as the archdevils are to the devils and the demon lords are to demons.

Archon paragons

The celestial paragons of the archons are known collectively as the Celestial Hebdomad. They rule the layers of the Plane of Mount Celestia.

Barachiel
ruler of the Silver Heaven of Lunia, the bottom layer of Celestia.
Domiel
ruler of the Golden Heaven of Mercuria, the second layer of Celestia.
Erathaol
ruler of Venya, the Pearly Heaven, the third layer of Celestia.
Pistis Sophia
ruler of Solania, the Crystal Heaven, the fourth layer of Celestia.
Raziel
ruler of Mertion, the Platinum Heaven, the fifth layer of Celestia.
Sealtiel
ruler of Jovar, the Glittering Heaven, the sixth layer of Celestia.
Zaphkiel
ruler of the Illuminated Heaven of Chronias, the seventh layer of Celestia.
Eladrin paragons

The celestial paragons of the eladrins are collectively known as The Court of Stars. They hail from the Plane of Arborea.

Faerinaal
oversees the defense of the Court of Stars and liberates eladrins captured by evil forces.
Gwynharwyf
Queen Morwel's loyal champion and a barbarian of unparalleled ferocity.
Morwel
the ruler of the eladrins and the Court of Stars.
Guardinal paragons

The celestial paragons of the guardinals are collectively known as Talisid and the Five Companions. They hail from the plane of Elysium.

Bharrai
the matriarch of the Ursinals, resides on Eronia, the second layer of Elysium.
Kharash
the paragon of Lupinals.
Manath
the duke of the Cervidals.
Sathia
the voice of the Avorals, and matron and muse for painters and sculptors.
Talisid
the most powerful of Leonals. Spends most of his time on Amoria, the topmost layer of Elysium.
Vhara
the duchess of the Equinals, resides on Amoria.

Archomentals

Archomentals are powerful exemplary beings of the Elemental Planes and the rulers of the elementals. Although they are not truly rulers of their planes, archomentals like to consider themselves as much and often grant themselves regal titles like Prince or Princess. They are compared in the source material to the archfiends or celestial paragons, and are considered to be the elemental equivalent of such beings.

Evil Archomentals

The evil archomentals are collectively known as the Princes of Elemental Evil. The five most famous are:

Good Archomentals

The good archomentals are collectively known as the Elemental Princes of Good. The five most famous are:

Lesser evil Archomentals

Three other archomentals are first mentioned in Manual of the Planes (TSR, 1987).

Slaad Lords

The Slaad Lords are the de facto rules of the Slaadi race and the plane of Limbo. Though true to their chaotic nature they often do not appear anything like other Slaadi.

Titans

"Titans are closer to the well spring of life and thus experience more pronounced emotion including Deity-like fits of rage. In ages past some rebelled against the deities themselves..."[18]

The Lady of Pain

The Lady of Pain is an enigmatic being who oversees the city of Sigil in the plane of the Outlands. Almost nothing is known about her; her origin, her race, her motives and her level of power are all obscure, although she is sometimes shown to have absolutely immense power. The Lady of Pain refuses to tolerate anyone who worships her, killing those who do so. Again; virtually nothing is known about her, apart from the fact that she has the power to slay gods who displease her.

Vestiges

These entities are outside the boundary of life, death, and undeath. They are untouchable by even the most powerful deities although they can be summoned and used by the weakest mortal through pact magic and binding. Binders are often feared and hunted down by "Witch Slayers." The list of vestiges that can be bonded with include:

Vestiges were introduced in D&D: Tome of Magic supplement by Matthew Sernett, Ari Marmell, David Noonan, Robert J. Schwalb. Wizards of the Coast (C) March 2006.

The supplement Dragon Magic, by Rodney Thompson and Owen Stephens published in September 2006, introduces this vestige:

Wizards of the Coast created these vestiges online:

Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition

These are the deities for the non-Greyhawk default campaign setting of 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons (informally referred to as the "points of light" setting). The list includes long-time D&D establishments from Greyhawk and the Forgotten Realms, as well as several original gods. Although some gods are patrons of specific races, they are worshipped by all, and racial pantheons do not exist in this edition. Many lesser gods from previous editions (such as the Seldarine or most members of the dwarven pantheon) now have the status of Exarch, a demipower in service to a greater god.

Good and Lawful Good deities

Unaligned deities

Evil and Chaotic Evil deities

Deceased/Former deities

See also

References

  1. ↑ Livingstone, Ian (1982). Dicing with Dragons. Routledge. p. 79. ISBN 0-7100-9466-3.
  2. ↑ Schick, Lawrence (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games. Buffalo, New York: Prometheus Books. ISBN 0-87975-653-5.
  3. 1 2 3 "Dungeons & Dragons FAQ". Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  4. 1 2 Schick, Lawrence (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games. Prometheus Books. p. 143. ISBN 0-87975-653-5.
  5. 1 2 "Dungeons & Dragons FAQ". Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on April 6, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2008.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Tweet, Jonathan; Cook, Monte; Williams, Skip (2003). Player's Handbook: Core Rulebook I v.3.5. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Redman, Rich; Williams, Skip; Wyatt, James (2002). Deities and Demigods. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-2654-6.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Williams, Skip (2005). Races of the Wild. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3438-7.
  9. 1 2 Noonan, David; Decker, Jesse; Lyons, Michelle (2004). Races of Stone. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3278-3.
  10. ↑ Noonan, David (2004). Complete Divine. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3272-4.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Collins, Andy; Cordell, Bruce R. (2004). Libris Mortis: The Book of Undead. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3433-6.
  12. 1 2 3 Kestrel, Gwendolyn F.M.; Wilkes, Jennifer Clarke; Liquette, Kolja Raven (2006). Races of the Dragon. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3913-3.
  13. 1 2 Cook, Monte; Tweet, Jonathan; Williams, Skip (2003). Dungeon Master's Guide: Core Rulebook II v.3.5. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
  14. 1 2 3 Cagle, Eric; Rosenberg, Aaron (2004). Races of Destiny. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3653-3.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Stark, Ed; Jacobs, James; Mona, Erik (2006). Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3919-2.
  16. ↑ Baur, Wolfgang; Jacobs, James; Strayton, George (2004). Frostburn: Mastering the Perils of Ice and Snow. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-2896-4.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Cook, Monte (2002). Book of Vile Darkness. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-2650-3.
  18. ↑ Monster Manual 3.5 edition
  19. ↑ Schwalb, Robert J. (July 2008). Demonomicon of Iggwilv: Yeenoghu, Demon Prince of Gnolls. Dragon 364. Wizards of the Coast. External link in |title= (help)
  20. ↑ Heinsoo, Rob, The Plane Above. (Wizards of the Coast, 2010)
  21. ↑ Dead Gods by Pierre van Rooden. http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/drfe/20100816b
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