Tephaneron

worshipers among the intelligent aquatic races, and the water and sea peoples often interact through clerics of the Blue.

The Soggelosan pray for spells at high tide (usually in the afternoon). They call a holy day whenever the tide is extremely high or low and spend this time dancing and rescuing sea creatures adversely affected by the abnormal tide. They declare a day of mourning any time an animal (such as a whale) beaches itself and cannot be returned to the water. Soggelos’s spellcasters tend to multiclass as bards or rogues. His colors are blue and green.

History/Relationships: Soggelos is a fairly old deity, said by some to be the son of Galaedros. He is allied with Galaedros, Eanius, and even Wyst (at least with regard to travelers on the water) and has been known to visit Uhanam on matters of naval battles. He considers no being his enemy, but tries to stay out of the way of Khostren and Orcus. He becomes lethargic when in the presence of Nessek, although he can perceive her normally (the reverse is not true).

Dogma: If Eanius is the source of life, water is what conveys that life. Creatures give birth or live in water, are nourished by mother’s milk, and depend upon fresh water for survival. Respect water as you would your parents. Water is everchanging, both in color and temperament, and life owes its countless forms to the influence of water. Just as water shapes life in new and creative ways, you must let the waters of your mind shape your life and art. A life that is stagnant and unchanging is dull and unhealthy, like a fetid pool, while the most dynamic lives echo the splendor and vigor of the turbulent ocean.

TEPHANERON (INTERMEDIATE DEITY)

The Iron General

Alignment: Chaotic neutral Domains: Chaos, Luck, Strength, War Favored Weapon: Battleaxe Symbol: A battleaxe with four triangles on the blade Portfolio: Battle, success, athletes, warriors

Loud, aggressive, and fearless, Tephaneron conquers challenges through strength and perseverance. Completely devoted to the physical, he scoffs at mental pursuits such as wizardry, poetry, strategy, and other forms of “book learning.” He is always shown as a massive warrior outfitted for battle. Tephaneron is an outgoing deity who doesn’t take well to cowards, the scholarly, or the hesitant, but favors warriors, athletes, and those who strive for greatness.

Tephaneron’s church is popular among barbarians and less civilized folk. His temples are usually some kind of fort or at least a normal building with fortified walls. The smaller shrines are usually on the site of battlefields and consist of a battleaxe buried upright in the ground and surrounded by battered shields. His clerics are expected to be particularly alert and fit and are often military commanders, guards, or action-oriented politicians. The church follows a rough military-style hierarchy, despite being associated with a chaotic deity. In times of war, it is Tephaneron’s clerics who lead the charge, often discouraging leaders from overplanning a strategy that will just fall apart in the chaos of battle. He favors military leaders who succeed because of courage and determination, rather than endless planning and contingencies.

The Tephaneronai pray for spells at sunrise. They celebrate the anniversaries of great battles and the birthdays of great warriors and leaders, usually with mock battles, the forging of new weapons or armor, and the destruction of old war equipment. His clerics usually multiclass as barbarians or fighters, and those whose enemies include many ghosts sometimes become ghost slayers. Tephaneron’s colors are green and orange.

History/Relationships: Tephaneron is thought to be the opposite half of Uhanam, both coming from a primal deity of conflict and success that split in two before recorded history. The two are opposed in philosophy and temperament and can never agree on anything. Tephaneron is indifferent to all other deities, allowing them to be allies or adversaries as the battle warrants. He holds no grudges, for he knows that life is a series of conflicts and can lead to strange bedfellows. The only creature he deliberately avoids is Khostren, who he believes has the power to sap his strength and render him vulnerable.

Dogma: Hone your body like you would the blade of a weapon, for your body is the greatest tool you will ever own. Avoid distractions that do not benefit your body, for those paths lead to weakness and sloth. Constantly strive to better yourself and accomplish difficult or even impossible things, for legends never speak of those who were content to remain quiet. Trust in yourself and your own power and you will succeed at your wildest dreams. Do not be fooled by the promises of the weak, for they have no mettle and will fail you as soon as you come to depend upon them.