The Charlatan

The God of Mischief & Deception

The Charlatan is a controversial god across most communities and across most cultural variations- in some cases downright infamous. He is not nearly on the same level as, say, The Assassin, even though they share a similar portfolio. He also is similar to The Rebel in many respects but he lacks in the good and righteous streak of that deity. There are some theologists nowadays who consider these three to be three faces of the same deity (colloquially called The Three-Faced God) representing his finicky Good, Neutrality, and Evil sides. All three share a portfolio of trickery, illusion, and subterfuge. What makes The Charlatan stick out is that he rarely has any kind of motive. The Charlatan is a force for chaos, an arbiter of trickery, the lord of pranks, the king of absurdity. He doesn't much care if people use his gifts or influence for good or evil, as long as they disrupt the status quo and entertain him. There is a limit to this though; worshipers across cultures all seem in universal agreement that he does not condone murder. The reason for this is that there is nothing humorous about it. If someone dies they can't be pranked again and they may not have to live with their embarrassment. Though he may be a champion of thieves, he is not a deity of assassination. Most anything else seems to be fair game. He is especially drawn to mischievous street urchins who have a proper understanding of humor and are willing to obey his absurd commands.

Eilann of the Common Pantheon

Domains: Trickery, Twilight, Arcana, Knowledge
Portfolio: Trickery, Secrets, Deception, Information, Thievery
Alignment: CN
Alias/s: The Secret Keeper
Symbols: Black Mask, Thornapple
Eilann is a very mysterious trickster god said to spread havoc and chaos wherever he goes. He is also a deity of information, as he is said to watch much of what happens in large cities. He has associations with spies as well as thieves and grifters, which makes worship of him somewhat of a questionable thing and his alters are largely hidden from public view, even if they aren't outlawed everywhere. This god appreciates those who are cunning and tactful- with a silver tongue, a watchful eye and a stealthy foot. He is the patron of pranksters and ‘harmless’ ploys- even if it results in some political turmoil. He also loves con-artists and charlatans who work their trickery right in plain sight. His most devout are charged with creating chaos and targeting people with just a little too much pride and a little too much coin. He also is a protector of those who have been left with no avenue other than theft and trickery to survive, including many a street urchin and pickpocket. Groups of these children sometimes form, calling themselves The Hands of Eilann. His only rule is that his followers do not cause direct deaths to others in their pursuit of chaos unless it is required for self preservation.  

Eilann of the Elvish Pantheon

Domains: Trickery, Twilight, Life
Portfolio: Illusion, Mischief, Trickery, Pranks
Alignment: CN
Alias/s: The Court Jester
Symbols: Mask with Star Eyes
Eilann has likely been around a long time, going by different names and under different guises. No one knows for sure the origins of this deity, though he was believed to have originated in the feywild, perhaps as an ancient Archfey who did not hold court. An insufferable trickster, he is said to prey especially on the elven aristocracy, causing scandal and public spectacles under various disguises. He has grown a sizable following of elves from the lower classes who delight in the public embarrassments he causes to the people in power. It draws in the disenfranchised and anarchists alike. These people often emulate this mysterious being, causing mischief and mayhem from time to time- often resulting in their own imprisonment. Eilann can recognize kindred hearts and often assists in their escape. There is a myth that he met his mortal end when he played one of his infamous tricks on one of the gods themselves. To their chagrin, Eilann ascended after his destruction due to his widespread cult following, becoming this deity’s equal. In most myths it was the god of music, Emaris, whose concert Eilann disrupted.
A very specific kind of person finds themselves within Eilann’s cult; people who prefer to stay out of sight, people who have a penchant for mischief, and people who like to take the wind out of the sails of people who think very highly of themselves, to name a few. He is considered the patron of charlatans, grifters, and pranksters. Most people drawn to him come from low stations in a given society and scramble desperately for what they can get, and most rely on quick wit and cunning. He is drawn to anyone who works in the shadows and uses cunning as opposed to brute force. Those with a natural talent for illusion magic are also his favorites. Eilann takes a shine especially for those who make mischief for the sake of mischief- to enjoy the chaos and drama of it all. These agents of chaos are the ones he choses to give cleric-ship to. Their only job is to disrupt order at any given opportunity- especially in subtle ways wherein they are not caught.

Arloh of the Halfling Pantheon

Domains: Trickery, Arcana, War
Portfolio: Illusion, Deception, Pranks, Humor, Lies
Alignment: CN
Alias: Lord of Mischief
Symbols: Black starred mask, racoon
Arloh is a different sort of deity among Halflings. For one- there are so many different myths of who he was as a mortal that there might as well be none. No one knows who he was in life to be ascended into full diety-ship by Aberdan or Fion. Most suggest that if people knew the real myth he wouldn't be a very good deity of deception and pranks. He's not one that many in a proper halfling society might approve of. He is the patron of liars, swindlers, and illusionists- not typical staples of peaceful rural communities. He sows discord wherever he goes- both among his fellow divinities and among mortal communities. His peers consider him harmless but annoying but some halfling societies greatly fear his influence. Halfling societies can be notoriously similar to dwarven ones- they stand on a strong foundation of traditions and rules of behavior that are not to be broken lest that individual face some measure ostracization from the community. Few halfling towns have need of prisons or jails- the cold shoulder is the best method of punishment for most. Arloh promotes all the kinds of behaviors that would be resented in these communities. Their followers may spread false gossip to watch the drama, pilfer crops and leave false tracks, or something more disruptive like releasing everyone's hogs in the middle of the night. Loud boisterous music, flashy magic, lewd displays, pranks, crude humor, chicanery, and outlandish drinking can all be attributed to his influence. While you would expect there not to be that many worshipers to a deity such as this- you'd be surprised. Most halflings go through 'an Arloh phase' where they break all the rules. While most eventually reach the end of the phase and move on to more mature deities, some get a real taste for it. These jokesters exist in halfling societies to keep everyone on their toes and to keep life from becoming too boring. These halflings are often traveling charlatans, performers, magicians, comedians, or even thieves. They have a higher calling and it is to not allow any one halfling town to become too comfortable and complacent. Variety is the spice of life, after all. Arloh has strong associations with Pelenei, deity of wanderers, and in some myths they have and on-and-off relationship. Arloh is also a deity of warfare, oddly enough. Though most halfling communities are peaceful and without strife- there are also worg-riding goblin raiders to contend with. Halflings aren't much for combat, but with the help of Arloh's followers, much confrontation can be avoided with tricks, traps, and illusions.

TEMPLES OF THE CHARLATAN

The largest temples to The Charlatan are located in the following places. Most of these are actually hidden but well-known shrines.

• Emenna (Namiza)
• Yersek (Kardath-)
• Lyresong (Kardath)
• Cutlass (Namiza)
• Three Bridges (Namiza)
• Goldwharf (Astrithyr)
• Port Lovinica (Krasnava province of Belstrad)
• Rushkeel (The Marasen Empire)
• Carrowmor (Hywela)
• Kharo'jhan (Va'Sehir)
• Mad Harbor (Monsoon Coast)

Worshipers

The Charlatan's worshipers are as widespread as they are hidden. He's not the sort you spread the good word about, after all. He is a god that finds You. He seeks out people who are like him and who entertain him and then he guides and assists them so that they can entertain him more efficiently. This could be helping them escape jail, hide in plain sight, or get away with graffiti. Most of his worshipers tend to be charlatans, criminals, rogues, urchins & tricksters. Some are mostly benevolent- entertainers or bards or wizard performers of illusion. Some are tinkerers and artificers who are drawn into making items that cause harmless chaos, like fireworks and stink bombs. Some are even folk heroes who use their deceptive powers to undermine and ruin the reputations of corrupt or wealthy figures. Some, like your run of the mill thief and smuggler, simply worship him in hopes he will assist them in remaining hidden and being successful. As an arbiter of chaos, and anti law-and-establishment he's generally happy to oblige. Some of the greatest thieves in history have been his aasimar or the lucky few given the title of trickster cleric. It is rumored there is even a hidden makeshift monastery to this deity, his monks being some of the most infamous pranksters and con artists. Many of his worshipers are fey or influenced by that realm, including elves. It's only natural as the fey themselves are often chaotic, morally ambiguous tricksters.


On-Brand Worshipers

• Bard: College of Glamour
• Cleric: Trickery Domain
• Druid: Circle of Dreams
• Monk: Way of Shadow
• Ranger: Fey Wanderer
• Rouge: All (especially Arcane Tricksters)
• Wizard: Illusion & Enchantment
• Charlatan Background
• Criminal Background
• Entertainer Background
• Courtier Background
• Far Traveler Background
• Pirate Background
• Gambler Background
• Failed Merchant Background