Deities and Demigods

I have added a Greyhawk deities in the sidebar.

These deities are all that are known to exist in the World of Greyhawk (At least, for now). In an effort to simplify things, and as a continuation of my desire to recreate the feel and play of 1st edition AD&D circa the early 1980s, I've decided to acknowledge only those deities that had been detailed and introduced by Gary Gygax at that time.

Specifically, in late 1982, Gary began detailing the Greyhawk Pantheon with articles published to Dragon Magazine. Before that, he rather famously referred to any "Higher Beings" as simply, "The Gods". Clerics received their spells and abilities to "The Gods". Small-folk whispered their prayers to "The Gods!" You get the idea.

It is reported that many of the players in his games would call out to specific deities from a favorite real-world pantheon, or a particular work of fiction (anecdotes abound about his players beseaching "Crom" for help). The Deities and Demigods reference book was published in 1980, and was frequently referenced by his players.

Dragon Magazine issue #67 changed all that. Beginning in that issue, and continuing through issue #71, Gary wrote a column called "Deities & Demigods of Greyhawk". In those articles, he laid out the Pantheon as I've recorded it in the Greyhawk deities reference page.

These 19 Gods and Goddesses were all that existed then, so that's what we're starting with now!

Note: A previous Dragon Magazine article (issue #64) laid out some guidelines and advice for modifying the non-human deities in the Deities and Demigods book for use in Greyhawk. I am selfishly ignoring the spirit and content of that article! Gods are Gods, and non-humans have to live in the same world as the humans do. If they wish to worship some or all of these 19 deities, great! They are free to name those gods anything they want (though, I can't be held responsible for the Deities' reactions to such misnomers!), but the underlying being referred to will be one of these 19.

Henchmen

I've also begun to fill in the details for your various henchman.

Here are a couple of notes:

Tadhm Flanigan

• (it's pronounced "Tom").
• Mark's PC's henchman
• He is a devoted priest of St. Cuthbert, Acolyte of the Order of the Billets.
• Mark's family, being fine and upstanding citizens, have always employed a priest of St. Cuthbert to lead devotionals and services in their own, private chapel. Recently, the venerable Patriarch tending the flock of Mark's PC's family passed away and Mark's PC's mother requested a replacement from the temple in the city.
• Upon discovering that He was leaving home to make it on his own, His mother insisted that their newly hired acolyte, Tadhm, accompany her "widdle baby boy" on his "grand adventure"; for protection, of course.
• Tadhm is wide-eyed and wonder-struck by everything outside the city walls. He fears for Mark's PC's soul, but he knows he has time to properly instruct and lead Mark's PC toward the glory of St. Cuthbert -- whether he likes it or not!

Balin Fardthal

• Edwin's PC's henchman
• He is a loyal Veteran/Rogue.
• He is known to leave offerings and devotions to Pholtus.
• Balin is an orphan, rescued from a collapsing mine shaft by Edwin's PC's father many years ago. Balin, believing he owed a "life-debt" to Edwin's PC's father, swore life-long loyalty to him.
• When Edwin's PC informed his father that he was off to find his own way in the world, his father suggested that young Balin should follow along. "Besides," he remarked, "he's been cooped up in this household with nothing significant to do for years! The young lad could use the experience!"
• If asked, Balin isn't yet sure how he feels about this turn of events.