warning that intrigues and infighting have gotten out of
hand in a noble household; and married couples know to
seek advice .from others if "a Dark Sun shines through
the window" in their relationship.
DENE IR
The Lord of All Glyphs and Images, the First Scribe, the
Scribe of Oghma
Deneir is the god of literature and literacy, the patron of
the artist and the scribe. His is the power to accurately
render and describe, to write and to read, and to pass
on information. In legend, Deneir is often portrayed as
being a scribe in service to Oghma, and he is sometimes
thought of as Oghma's right hand.
It's common practice for someone who writes a let-
ter or records information to say a prayer to Deneir to
avoid mistakes. Similarly, artists acknowledge Deneir
before beginning and upon completing paintings, par-
ticularly illuminations on manuscripts, tapestries that
relate stories, and any such attempt to use art to capture
the truth.
Followers of Deneir believe that information not re-
corded and saved for later use is information lost. They
consider literacy an important gift of the gods, one that
should be spread and taught. His followers are scribes
and scholars devoted, like their patron, to preserving
written works, and also to experiencing them, for they
say that Deneir himself is hidden within the lines,
shapes, and passages of all written works. Priests of
Deneir take an oath of charity as well, compelling them
to accept the requests of others to write letters and tran-
scribe information.
The god's followers tend to be individualists, united
by their shared faith but not overly concerned with reli-
gious hierarchy and protocol. This behavior is supported
by the fact that Deneir's blessings of divine magic are
more often bestowed on those who lose themselves in
written works than on those who fancy themselves part
of any temple or religious order. Contemplation of the
faith's most holy book, the Tome of Universal Harmony,
is the most effective way to become deserving of Dene-
ir's blessings.
SYMBOL OF DENEIRCHAPTER 1 I WELCOME TO THE REALMSELDA TH
The Quiet One, the Guardian of Groves, the Mother of
the Waters
Eldath is the goddess of waterfalls, springs, pools, still-
ness, peace, and quiet glades. She is thought to be pres-
ent at many such places, particularly those that serve as
druid groves. Eldath is a goddess of comfort, healing,
and calm. Her blessed waters heal the sick, cure mad-
ness, and comfort the dying.
Most rural places have a pond or a glade that locals
ascribe to Eldath. Tradition dictates that it be a place of
quiet reflection where others are left to their thoughts. A
body of water such as a pond or a spring typically serves
as a repository of offerings. If the holy site is a glade, a
stream one crosses along the way might serve as the re-
pository, or a prominent bush or tree in the glade might
be the place where people tie offerings. Typical offerings
are broken weapons or items that are remembrances of
arguments, which the faithful discard while making a
wish for peace in the future. Many of those who favor El-
dath are pacifists or people who are troubled by violence
they have witnessed or experienced.
Eldath's priests don't organize into large sects. Indeed,
many are itinerant, wandering between various holy
sites and shrines, seeing that the locations are cared
for and that they remain places of sweet serenity. The
faithful of Eldath are usually close to nature, and allied
to druids, who count Eldath among the First Circle. It
is taboo to strike a priest of Eldath, and killing one is
said to bring great misfortune. Despite the measure of
protection that this belief affords them, most priests of
Eldath avoid conflicts rather than attempting to quell
them. Those who serve Eldath are happy to preside over
peaceful negotiations and to certify treaties, but they
can't force others to engage in harmony.GOND
The Wonderbringer, the Inspiration Divine, the Holy
Maker of All Things
Gond is the god of artifice, craft, and construction. He is
revered by blacksmiths, woodworkers, engineers, and
inventors. Anyone who is crafting something might say
a prayer to Gond to guide the work, but folk know that
Gond smiles most brightly upon new inventions that
others find useful.
Priests of Gond wander the North dressed in saffron
vestments, adorned with sashes that contain withinSYMBOL OF ELDATH