Gnome Pantheon

[Mr. Cheez-It]

Referred to as the Lords of the Golden Hills, the gnome pantheon is led by Garl Glittergold, and includes:

Baervan Wildwanderer, Baravar Claokshadow, Callarduran Smoothhands, Flandal Steelskin, Gaerdal Ironhand, Garl Glittergold, Segojan Earthcaller, Urdlen

[Mr. Cheez-It]

Baervan Wildwanderer



The Masked Leaf
Symbol:  Racoon’s Face
Home Plane:  The Golden Hills
Alignment:  Neutral good
Portfolio:  Travel, nature, forest gnomes
Worshipers:  Druids, forest gnomes, rangers, rock gnomes, tricksters
Favored Weapon:   “Whisperleaf” (halfspear)

Cleric Alignments:  CG, LG, NG
NwN Domains:  Animal, Gnome, Good, Plant, Travel

History/Relationships: Baervan tends to keep to himself, except for the company of Chiktikka Fastpaws, a sentient giant raccoon who is always getting him into trouble. He works closely with the nonevil gnome deities, particularly Segojan Earthly, for both gods are strongly concerned with the natueral world. Traditionally, their portfolios are loosely divided between forest animals and plants on Baervan’s part, and burrowing animals on Segojan’s part. He is friendly with other good animal and nature deities, as well as mischievous or exuberant ones as Brandobaris, Clangeddin Silverbears and Gwaeron. He has few foes aside from Urdlen, although the Beastlord has earned the gnome deity’s ire for his hunting of forest gnomes.

Dogma: The great forests of the outdoors await those Forgotten Folk daring enough to venture forth from their burrows. Wander the great woodlands in search of excitement ans sylvan sites of incredible beauty. Defend and protect the creatures of the forest and the woodlands in which they reside. Be ever curious, and follow life wherever it may lead.

[Mr. Cheez-It]

Baravar Cloakshadow



The Sly One, Master of Illusion, Lord in Disguise
Symbol:  Cloak and dagger
Home Plane:  The Golden Hills
Alignment:  Neutral good
Portfolio:  Illusions, deception, traps, wards
Worshipers:  Adventurers, deceivers, gnomes, illusionists, rogues, thieves
Favored Weapon:  “Nightmare” (dagger)

Cleric Alignments:  CG, LG, NG
NwN Domains:  Gnome, Good, Illision, Protection, Trickery

History/Relationships: Baravar is closely allied with the other nonevil gods of the gnome pantheon and, despite his somewhat vengeful nature, he follows Garl’s lead in emphasizing trickery over strenght. Other allies include Azuth, Brandobaris, Clangeddin Silverbeard, Erevan Ilesere, Mystra, Sehanine Moonbow, Tymora and Vergadain. Baravar has a genuine antipathy for deities of many godblinoid races, particularly the deities of the goblin and kobold pantheons and, unlike the other gnome gods, he is none too restrained about expressing this. Baravar and Leira were once closely allied, and the apparent death of the Lady of Mists at the hands of Cyric has earned the Dark Sun Baravar’s eternal enmity. Other foes include Abbathor, Mask and ofcourse Urdlen.

Dogma: The world is a dangerous place, and the only sure defense is to cloak oneself in the shadows under a web of deception. Strive to master the art of illusion and the game of deceit for therein lies security. Trust no one that has not proven trustworthy to your satisfaction. In was, use the crafts of illusion and camouflage to make sure your side wins. Devote yourself to your art and those you love with equal fervor, for one must have a reason to live beyond mere survival.

[Mr. Cheez-It]

Callarduran Smoothhands



Deep Brother, Master of Stone, Lord of Deepearth
Symbol:  Gold ring with star symbol
Home Plane:  The Golden Hills
Alignment:  Neutral
Portfolio:  Stone, the Underdark, mining, the svirfneblin
Worshipers:  Fighters, gemcutters, hermits, jewelers, illusionists, opponents of drow, swirfneblin
Favored Weapon:  “Spiderbane” (battleaxe)

Cleric Alignments:  CN, N, NE, NG, LN
NwN Domains:  Cavern, Earth, Gnome

History/Relationships: Callarduran is allied with the other gnome gods except Urdlen, although he rarely takes time to speak to any of them. He has a similar amiable but remote alliance with the other nonevil Underdark deities such as Eilistraee, Shevarash, Dumathoin and Geb, although his primary interest is the protection of the svirfneblin. He despises the drow and is always battling with the evil deities of that race and other fould Underdark deities.

Dogma: Callarduran led his chosen people into the deepest depths of the earth so that they might discover the joyous beauty of rubies and other gems. Beware the dangers of Deepearth and guard against evil races such as the drow who employ any means necessary to seize what is not rightfully theirs. Protect and serve your community. Celebrate the beauty of minerals and gems and understand their value in craft, art and magic.

[Mr. Cheez-It]

Flandal Steelskin



Master of Metal, the Great Steelsmith
Symbol:  Flaming hammer
Home Plane:  The Golden Hills
Alignment:  Neutral good
Portfolio:  Mining, physical fitness, smithing, metalworking
Worshipers:  Artisans, fighters, gnomes, miners, smiths
Favored Weapon:  “Rhondang” (warhammer)

Cleric Alignments:  CG, LG, NG
NwN Domains:  Gnome, Good, Metal

History/Relationships: Flandal has excellent relations with the other gnome deities, with the notable exception of Urdlen. In particular, Flandal gets on well with Segojan Earthcaller, for both are responsible for overseeing the safety of gnome miners. Flandal is also closely allied with Gond and many of the good-aligned deities of the dwarven pantheon, particularly Clangeddin Silverbeard, Dumathoin and Vergadain and he shares a particularly strong bond with Moradin. Other allies include Cyrrollalee, Geb, Grumbar, Kossuth and Urogalan. Like all the gnome deities Flandal opposes the efforts of the various humanoid deities, particularly the kobold pantheons, but his role in combating them is more indirect, as he primarily focuses on sharing secrets of forging armor and weapons with the Forgotten Folk so that they can defend themselves.

Dogma: The reasures of life are buried within Flandal’s embrace and only hard labor, dedication and great craftsmanship, as taught by the Master of Metals, can reveal the hidden beauty. Dig mines, extract ores and forge suits of armor, weapons and other items of metal. Strive to refine known techniques, invent new processes and stay physically fit.

[Mr. Cheez-It]

Gaerdal Ironhand



The Stern, Shield of the Golden Hills
Symbol:  Iron Band
Home Plane:  The Golden Hills
Alignment:  Lawful good
Portfolio:  Vigilance, combat, martial defense
Worshipers:  Administators, fighters, judges, monks, paladins, soldiers, warriors
Favored Weapon:  “Hammersong” (warhammer)

Cleric Alignments:  LG, LN, NG
NwN Domains:  Gnome, Good, Law, Protection, War

History/Relationships: Gaerdal has generally good relations with the rest of the gnome pantheon, with the notable exception of Urdlen, but his stern nature keeps his somewhat aloof from the mischievous antics of the other gods of the Forgotten Folk. In particular, he is somewhat hostile to Baravar, disliking deceitfulness, and to a lesser extent Baervan, disliking foolish pranks and other jests, and may work to thwart their plans if he learns of them. In times of danger for the Forgotten Folk, however, Gaerdal works smoothly and easily with all the nonevil gnome gods. Among other pantheons, Gaerdal is closest in temperament with Helm, Torm, Gorm Gulthyn and Clangeddin Silverbeard. The shield of the Golden Hills is ever vigilant against Urdlen’s insidious attacks and he regularly battles with the gods of the kobold and goblin pantheons.

Dogma: The best defense is unswerving vigilance. Serve Gaerdal with absolute dedication and fevotion. Defend and protect gnome communities against all invaders both obvious and hidden. Never cease to hone the skills of war and take the opportunity of relative peace to pass such talents on to gnomes at large.

[Mr. Cheez-It]

Garl Glittergold



The Joker, the Watchful Protector, the Sparkling Wit
Symbol:  Gold nugget
Home Plane:  The Golden Hills
Alignment:  Lawful good
Portfolio:  Protection, humor, trickery, gem cutting, gnomes
Worshipers:  Adventurers, bards, defending soldiers, gemcutters, gnomes, illusionists, jewelers, miners, rogues, smiths
Favored Weapon:  “Arumdina” (battleaxe)

Cleric Alignments:  LG, LN, NG
NwN Domains:  Gnome, Good, Law, Protection, Trickery

History/Relationships: Garl is on excellent terms with the rest of the gnome pantheon, with the notable exception of Urdlen. Garl’s boon companion is Arumdina the Justifier, a great intelligent two-headed battleaxe, commonly referred to as female, who serves him as both weapon and friend. The Joker is often found in the company of other deities of other pantheons of similar perspective. The various deities worshiped by humanoids and creatures of the Underdark are often the target of Garl’s jests and he usually leaves them helpless and humbles, a victim of self-inflicted folly. As a result, despite his ever-optimistic hope that they might learn a lesson about overweening pride and pomposity, the Joker has garnered many enemies from among their ranks, particularly among the kobold pantheon. Notable among the Joker’s exploits is the story of how he pretended to be caught by Kurtulmak (the chief kobold deity) before escaping as he collapsed the kobold deity’s cavern upon the scaly rat’s head.

Dogma: While life may sometimes be hard, it is important to keep as sense of humor and always welcome opportunities for laughter and delight. Communities are forged through the cooperation and communal spirit of a group of individuals who work and play together. The strenght of a community is the cooperation that binds individuals into more than the sum of their contributions. A great prank can lighten hard times and make good ones shine. Never take yourself too seriously, lest you lose touch with those you protect and care for. Do not fear change or the unorthodox – therein lies the future. Above all, do what works.

[Mr. Cheez-It]

Segojan Earthcaller



Earthfriend, Lord of the Burrow
Symbol:  Glowing gemstone
Home Plane:  The Golden Hills
Alignment:  Neutral good
Portfolio:  Earth, nature, the dead
Worshipers:  Druids, elemental archons (earth), fighters, gnomes, illusionists, merchants, miners
Favored Weapon:  “Earthcaller” [crystalline rod] (heavy mace)

Cleric Alignments:  CG, LG, NG
NwN Domains:  Cavern, Earth, Gnome, Good

History/Relationships: With the notable exception of Urdlen, Segojan is closely allied with the rest of the gnome pantheon, for his areas of control overlap with them. He once held other portfolios but has passed them on to the rest of the gnome deities over time as they gained experience. Among other gods, Segojan is most closely allied with other gods of nature and the earth and, to a lesser extent, death. He is an ardent foe of the kobold gods and often battles the various other humanoid deities as well. Other enemies include Abbathor and Cyric. The ancient enmity between Urdlen and the gnome pantheon unfolds in large part in the endless battles between Earthfriend and the Crawler Below for, of all the gnome gods, Segojan’s area of concern is most directly threatened by Urdlen’s campaign of bloody terror and destruction. Much more than the other members of the gnome pantheon, Segojan and Urdlen are engaged in an ongoing and brutal war of attrition.

Dogma: The earth is the heart and soul of the Forgotten Folk. From it’s nurturing embrace spring forth the children of Garl, on it’s surface and amid it’s tunnels and caves they dwell in life and beneath it’s silen shroud they rest in death. Preserve and protect the natural worlk that lies beneath the roots of those who dwell on the surface. Dig burrows, tunnel and explore, for the Badger welcomes all gnomes into his domain. Ware the evil that ansnares those blinded by the avarice and destructive impulses of the Crawler Below and the Lord of the Burrow shall protect those who dwell in his demesne and live in harmony with his teachings.

[Mr. Cheez-It]

Urdlen



The Crawler Below
Symbol:  White mole
Home Plane:  The Golden Hills
Alignment:  Chaotic Evil
Portfolio:  Greed, bloodlust, evil, hatred, uncontrolled impulse, spriggans
Worshipers:  Assassins, blackguards, gnomes, rogues, spriggans
Favored Weapon:  Great claw (claw bracer)

Cleric Alignments:  CE, CN, NE
NwN Domains:  Chaos, Earth, Evil, Gnome, Hatred

History/Relationships: Urdlen’s place in the gnome pantheon is unquestioned, though the deity is greatly feared and reviled by nearly all the Forgotten Folk. Urdlen hates all the other gods of the gnomes with a passion and it has garnered the enmity of the dwarves and halfling deities as well. Other enemies include the kobold gods and Grumbar.

Dogma: Succumb to the bloodlust. Hate, covet, crush, despoil and kill. Revel and exult in orgies of death and destruction. That which is living or created by life must be murdured or destroyed. The strong survive and the weak are their cattle. Propitate the Crawler Below so it does not come for you.