The Gnomish Pantheon

Traditional Gnomish Beliefs

The Gnomish Pantheon consists only of six deities as well as one who was banished and scorned for their untempered greed. These deities are revered and prayed to, but not in the same way that humans or elves might. Gnomes treat these deities as if they were dear friends and colleagues and they find their own ways to show respect, offer gifts, and thank. One family might set their dinner table with a seat for Shemara. Another might write Cyreda a letter updating them about their life and discoveries and leave it in a location that Cyreda would be likely to look in (like a library). They do not worship or pray in temples or at altars. The deities, to their point of view, live along side them at all times. It should be noted that Forest gnomes tend to worship these deities a little differently than a typical Rock Gnome, depending on the culture of the burrow they come from. Many forest gnomes do not worship Cyreda or Geirr at all and some actually worship in a way more similar to the other races, with temples and priests. They generally worship Baerna, Shemara, and Demelza. Certain isolated forest gnomes worship gods outside the traditional pantheon, like those who live in the western jungles of Kharza and worship more violent gods.
Some typical gnomes also worship deities that come from other pantheons, but do so in a very gnomish way. They have made no move to incorporate the newcomers into the established history and myths of the gnomish gods. They take care to preserve their origin and provenance while still accepting that these other gods may also watch over them and have a place within their worship.

Name: Title	Portfolio	Domains	Alignment
Cyreda: Head Archivist	Research & Scholarship	Knowledge, Order	NG
Dahgmer: Arch-Mage	Magic & Experimentation	Arcana, Knowledge	N
Geirr: High Tinkerer	Invention & Innovation	Forge, Protection	LG
Demelza: Arch-Healer	Life & Time	Life, Grave, Twilight	N
Shemara: High Hostess	Family, Festivity, & Luck	Trickery, Peace	CG
Baerna: Head Gameskeeper	Exploration & Wilderness	Nature, Tempest	N

Hisilan: The Betrayer

Greed & Cruelty

Death, Trickery

NE

The Gnomish Gods

CYREDA

Archetype: The Archivist
Portfolio: Research, Scholarship, Discovery
Alias/es: The Professor, Head Archivist
Symbol: Unwound empty scroll
Cyreda is one of the Big Three of the rock-gnomish gods, the others being Dahgmer (the arcanist) and Geirr (the craftsman). While they specialize in the arcane and invention, Cyreda is a more holistic knowledge deity and more widely worshiped by both rock and forest gnomes. All three are known to have a heavy rivalry with each other and debate often in areas that their portfolios intersect. Cyreda is a god of mathematics, chemistry, philosophy, language, history, archeology or anthropology, biology, geology cosmology, and psychology. Just really any kind of "ology". He is important in highly academic gnomish dens and laboratories as the patron of researchers and teachers. That is not to say he would ever simply give one of his worshipers (better put- "students") an answer to something- he always makes his students work for their knowledge by prodding them in the correct direction. He expects his worshipers to be self-reliant, motivated, and passionate about their work or area of study. Though gnomes don't typically build altars, shrines, or temples to their deities, most of the large dens in Geddri do have a dedicated area put aside for this god (sometimes a wing of a library or something similar) where one can go and ask Cyreda for assistance. This often involves writing a request and filing it on a specific shelf. Most academic research papers written by gnomes include Cyreda in their list of assisting scholars. According to gnomish stories he will often attend lectures in the guise of a mortal gnome and correct the teacher as necessary- often to their ire.
Most art depicting "Professor Cyreda" shows a scholarly, ancient looking gnome, bald but bearded, and usually with spectacles on, and sweeping blue robes.

DAHGMER

Archetype: The Arcanist
Portfolio: Magic, Experimentation, Cosmology
Alias: The Arch-Mage
Symbol: Two crossed wands, black and white
Dahgmer is the goddess of magic and spellcasters to the gnomes, and not really so different from Vundath of the elves and humans. Plenty of scholarly gnomes consider them the same deity, more or less. Dahgmer is, of course, a female as opposed to the male persona Vundath is known for. Dahgmer is a goddess of arcane learning and experimentation but also of the study of the other planes and the machinations of the world- the underlying network of cogs that bind the material, the magic, and even the spiritual. Followers of Dahgmer are usually wizards who study the weave of magic but they also study how it is that other people, like bards or sorcerers and even clerics are able to access and do magic of their own. Dahgmer was said to be the patron deity of the lost gnomish homeland of Gulthar- that her guidance is what led them to be the only ones capable of standing up to the goddess Eresh when she enslaved the world. Much of the magic and technology she supposedly gifted them was lost when Eresh destroyed them, but many still seek out this lost knowledge by pillaging the ruins or searching the other planes of existence, as plane-shifting was what Gultharian gnomes were most known for. It seems that since the Event, and actually even before then (after the fall of Gulthar) Dahgmer because increasingly stingy with the magic knowledge she was willing to impart on her followers. It is claimed that she does this for their own protection and out of fear that history could repeat itself with various groups fighting over magical knowledge or to keep one group from becoming too powerful. Being a follower of Dahgmer is understanding that there is a limit one must not breech on their path to power or enlightenment, or she will swiftly take actions necessary to neutralize them for the greater good.

GEIRR

Archetype: The Craftsmen
Portfolio: Invention & Innovation
Alias: High Tinkerer
Symbol: Interlocked cogs & a star
Geirr is an important deity among Rock Gnomes, and in some Forest Gnome villages completely unheard of. He is the god of inventors and tinkerers. Geirr is in constant competition with the other two of the so-called Big Three of the rock gnomish pantheon. His rivals include Dahgmer and Cyreda, the deities of magic and general knowledge. Their portfolios sometimes overlap and they often fight to win the hearts of their followers. Geirr's sphere of influence is more earthly and physical. He is the god of innovation- the utilization of knowledge to make life easier and safer. And sometimes just to make a really cute clockwork companion. He is the god of technology and discovery and the laws of chemistry and physics. He is most often worshiped by inventors and scientists as well as some artificers and alchemists. He is also a deity of motivation and ambition and to a certain extent- risk and reward. Geirr's followers are far more superstitious and devout than Dahgmer's or Cyredas, the likely cause being that their professions (and even lives) often end with explosions and electrocution. They pray to him for success in their endeavors and to keep their fingers attached to their hands.

DEMELZA

Archetype: The Shepherd
Portfolio: Life, Time, Beginnings & Endings, Natural Cycles
Alias: The Arch-Healer
Symbol: an hourglass with skull
Demelza is a deity of time, a deity of endings and new beginnings which naturally falls into the Shepherd’s portfolio. Like the elves' version of The Shepherd, Demelza is not ascribed a gender. They are a deity of emotional healing, and as such they are the prime gnomish deity of grief and remembrance. A major teaching of theirs is to not to fear the inevitable end of everything- especially life- and to never question the purpose and gift that is life. Theirs is also the promise that any horrible thing a gnome may be going through will reach its end in time. The inescapable flow of time can be both painful and hopeful. Demelza’s followers celebrate life and honor those who are no longer present and as such they preside over gnomish burials and new births. They, like Sinarah of the elves and Helora of the common pantheon, share a dislike of the Warlock, as those who stave off the end of their lives are dishonoring those who meet their end with dignity. Demelza sees those who seek immortality or lichdom, or those who refuse to move on and remain as furious spirits, as petulant children who refuse to go to bed at bedtime. It is the job of their strongest followers to enforce that “bedtime”- by whatever means necessary, but if possible, in a kindly and reasonable fashion, for they are but children who do not understand that it is for their soul’s own good to rest and recharge. Perpetrators of lichdom are also often worshipers of Hisilan, the gnomish deity of ambition who sometimes guides gnomish wizards to seek immortality. Demelza also dislikes Hisilan because they attempted to murder Shemara, gnomish deity of luck, to absorb her portfolio. Demelza preserved Shemara and hunted Hisilan for centuries in an attempt to subdue and punish them; they were unsuccessful and the Betrayer remains at large.

SHEMARA

Archetype: The Reveler
Portfolio: Family, Festivity, & Luck
Alias: The High Hostess
Symbol: Coin on a Hand
Shemara is a gnomish deity followed by almost all gnomes in some respect. If they didn't it would mean they are inviting unhappiness and misfortune- and who would risk that? Shemara is the gnomish deity of luck, both among forest gnomes and rock gnomes. For forest gnomes this luck usually has to do with safety and for rock gnomes success in their fields of research. She is the deity of both familial relationships, friendships, and partnerships of all flavors. She is the goddess of bonds of the heart among gnome-kind and in whatever form that may take. Gnomes who ultimately live a lonely life- who never find love or even a good proper academic rival to love-hate- are thought to have been abandoned or shunned by Shemara for whatever reason. She is the deity of happiness and fun, and among forest gnomes especially this means festivity. Forest gnomes are more known for their festivals, competitions, and holiday celebrations and Shemara is considered the deity that oversees these events. She is a deity of drink, food, music, and fond memories. This aspect of her portfolio does also extend to rock gnome society, who refer to her as "The High Hostess", more a goddess of parties, conventions, social clubs and academic debates and events. Shemara has a little bit of a wild and chaotic side. She is the goddess of luck but she is ALSO the goddess of bad luck if she feels she has reason- and this reasoning does not always seem all that sound. Some gnomes live lives riddled with undeserved misfortune and tragedy while others live perfect wonderful lives even though they are awful people. It is not for mortals to question why she does what she does, for only she can see the whole picture of cause and effect. Her worshipers simply have faith that she knows what is best for everyone, even if it means breaking a few eggs for the omelet.
Though most gnomish myths don't involve a huge amount of interaction among their divinities, Shemara is known for having a particularly antagonistic relationship with Hisilan- and for good reason. Hisilan, formerly a deity of ambition, attempted to murder her and steal her portfolio. She was thankfully assisted by Demelza who preserved her essence and chased Hisilan into hiding, after which he was cast out of the pantheon by all the other divinities. Shemara's chaotic streak often strikes worshipers of Hisilan, and as a result and most gnomes of reckless ambition who do whatever it takes to reach their goals DO reach them- but she makes sure by the time they get there they are usually miserable or full of regret. She is a chaotic deity but she is also a good one, and for the most part she does prefer for people to get what they truly deserve.

HISILAN

Archetype: The Assassin
Portfolio: Greed, Apathy, Cunning, Revenge, Betrayal, Murder
Alias: The Betrayer
Symbol: Skull with one eye in it's socket
Hisilan was once a part of the gnomish pantheon as a deity of ambition, strength, and determination. Rock gnomes who wished to climb the academic ladder or become the most renowned in their field often worshiped Hisilan. Among forest gnomes worshipers were often a part of a town's protective forces or within their small governments. They often sought prestige among their peers and material comforts of success either way. This deity was much like their worshipers- ambitious and determined. They craved higher station and the reverence of their fellow deities.
Hisilan's portfolio changed over time as their own ambitions grew. The more worshipers they gained- and they began to gain them through lies and manipulation- the bolder they became. They began to covet the worshipers of their peers- especially Shemara whose portfolio of luck and success was most similar to his. They made a plot- a plot to end her life and then impersonate her, gaining all her worshipers and the strength their worship gave her. Unfortunately, they were up against the goddess of luck- and she was lucky. They nearly did succeed in killing her, but she had been keeping tabs on them and suspected they may try something. As such she had Demelza watching over her and Demelza was able to preserve her divine life in a small phylactery before it could be snubbed out. Hisilan was unable to attain her portfolio and was forced to flee in the face of Demelza's rage- Demelza being the deity of life and death and fully capable of destroying them handily. They did fight and Demelza was said to have blinded Hisilan in one eye. Demelza informed the other gnomish divinities of Hisilan's plot and over the course of several centuries slowly breathed life and energy back into Shemara. This time period is said to be the dark era of Eresh's enslavement of the world and the fall of the gnomish den of Gulthar. After this Hisilan the Betrayer was banished from the gnomish pantheon and the following generations of gnomes were taught to embrace generosity and charity and to eschew material wealth and power within reason.
Hisilan did not lose all of their worshipers- particularly in the gnomish den of Tungeldow. They worked from the shadows, tempting ambitious gnomes to give up their morals if that's what it took to reach their goals. They took up a portfolio of greed, lies, murder, and later on revenge, as they waged a constant war on the divine peers that had abandoned them. Their saying is 'An eye for an eye'.

Divine Archetypes

Over the past few centuries, Rock Gnomish theologists have begun to develop and embrace a new model of the gods- the Theology of the Divine Archetypes. Its a concept that is gaining traction among elvish societies and some human ones that are more accepting of new ideas even if they may conflict with their religion. The gnomes studied the various world pantheons and could not help but see similarities everywhere across cultures. The main idea is that there only ever has been a set number of prime deities in existence. These divine archetypes are worshiped by all societies which use different names and who have crafted their own myths and religions around them. There may be lesser, minor deities in addition to these, but they will never match these greater deities in power and world influence.
The gnomes still of course have their original pantheon which consists of the archetypal Archivist, Arcanist, Tradesman, Shepherd (of the dead), Reveler, Ranger, and Assassin. Many gnomes, particularly forest gnomes, continue to worship in the old fashioned way. Others, those who worship logic over all, are beginning to look at the bigger picture and realize their "gnomish deities" are nothing more than a cultural variation of the same gods that bind them and all other races together in a profound way.