Deities and Domains This holy quest is of world-altering import. Most deities— even evil ones—would prefer that the realm of mortals not be destroyed by famine, drought, heat, and flame. Followers of the nature gods are especially determined to see the natural order set right, but any deity wishing to preserve its mortal following has a stake in the outcome. The deities most likely to send their own champions into the fray are those whose areas of interest include the Animal, Fire, Healing, Plant, Protection, and Water domains. Animal: The animals of the world suffer as much as humanoids when the deserts expand and the fertile lands Me—perhaps even more, since they lack access to technological and magical means of survival. Not only should adherents of the Animal domain seek to protect these creatures, but they an also make use of their connection with the beasts to help locate the enemy and the elemental Wellsprings. From the animals, they can find mit where the land first began to die, and what areas the animals avoid for fear of the alien rod deadly creatures that now dwell there. Those who com mune with animals also have spies and
so could save this most basic building block of life and the environment. Protection: Followers of protective deities care less about the specifics of what is happening and more about the end result—people are suffering and dying. The threatened individuals and communities must be guarded at all costs. (This attitude does not extend to anyone who might be aiding the fiends and fire elementals in their activities. ) Water: Perhaps the most devoted and militant of all who strive against the spreading deserts are the followers of the water deities. They see a danger not only to the world, but also to the gods themselves, if this primary element of their divine portfolios weakens and fades from the world. For these champions, saving lives and communities is of secondary importance to restoring the elemental Wellsprings and re turning the four elements to a state of balance. Some zealous followers might seek retribution in the process, hoping to raise the ele ment of water to prominence over the others.
Suggested Rewards
For most char acters, saving scouts who can lead the world and them where they g a i n i n g trea must go. sure from the Fire: One might potent enemies expect followers of they face consti ire to support the tute sufficient spread of their elereward. How ever, Obad-Hai, ment, and indeed Ehlonna, and some do. But oth¬ Yondalla have a ers know from holy direct stake in writ or personal ex the completion perience that fire out of this mission. of control is to be feared All three gods rather than revered. Thus, they are grateful to have such de strive as hard as any to see the If they are not staffed, the beasts of fire will continue to corrupt voted and potent servants on the world put to rights, so that the the elemental wellspring of water with foul sacrifices Material Plane and are willing to power of the flame can once take steps to keep them there. Any characters serving one again be brought under their deities' influence. Clerics of fire of those deities who is slain in the course of a subsequent can force the obedience of elementals, which might prove adventure is immediately subject to a reincarnate spell (PH instrumental in the acquisition of information. 270), without the standard level loss or expensive material Healing: The people who have suffered, and the land itself, component. Each character can benefit from this blessing must be healed. Beasts of fire and fiends of the Lower Planes only once. are anathema to life, so those who revere healing must stop them. Deities that offer the Healing domain do not consider it sufficient that their champions simply halt the destruction; they must find a way to undo it. Once per generation, a continentwide gathering occurs of the Plant: Plants as well as animals die when the desert greatest athletes alive. Officially, this event is a sequence of spreads. Deities of plants and woodlands know that the sporting and athletic contests intended to honor the gods by encroachment of fire endangers not only the plants them showing them the greatest specimens the mortal races have selves, but ultimately every creature in the world that relies to offer. Informally, it is a chance for nations to settle minor differences without resorting to war, for various sects and fac on any sort of food. Those who revere plants are willing tions to make the public aware of their existence, for churches to sacrifice animals or even people, if they must, if doing
THE PANTHEISTIC TOURNAMENT
