Gorm
"There is nothing purer and more ancient than war. It is a divine ritual conducted universally by all and its horrors will always be felt and will cause more war"- Patrolus, Former Pontiff of the Church of Gorm
The Warbringer, Arbitor of Battle
Gorm is the god of War and conflict. He oversees every battle, from petty quarrels over duels to battles between nations with the continent itself at stake. Born from the fusion of the First Pantheon and The first Higher Ones , Gorm often claims direct lineage from Effneki , inheriting his portfolio of war, which is usually considered erroneous considering his chaotic and unwise nature. This claim however fuels the war god's hatred for the Second Higher Ones and along with Mannamen mac Lir , the god of the sea, he is one of their greatest opponents.
It is said that Gorm himself fought on the first battlefield between mortals, yet the detail of that battle has been lost to time. However, if anything, this legend shows the war god's more active involvement in the matters of mortals instead of simply ruling over them with an iron fist. Gorm is known to have shown himself to many a devoted priest or paladin, showered the warriors he deemed worthy with gifts and punished the ones he named cowards with curses. He is also said to have sent multiple avatars of himself throughout history into the mortal plains, an extremely rare feat only done also by Goibhniu , god of smiths, and Eshnahif , god of winter who regularly send avatars of themselves for celebratory purposes to the northern parts of the continent as well. This participation and care for the matters of mortals has gained Gorm many followers, be it out of fear of his smiting or out of reveration for his boons, but it is also said to have attracted the disapproval of other gods, such as Hachubna , goddess of magic and mysticism, whom Gorm proclaims as his rival, and who always is said to clash with her brother's erratic behaviour. It is important to note however that Gorm does not have any enemy gods, neither good nor evil ones, as all respect his prowess or would not dare oppose him.
Though he is not known to have created any race in particular, Gorm is venerated by most humanoid races of the continent in one way or another, but it is mostly belligerent cultures that put him at the center of their worship. Furthermore, most of Gorm's worshippers are part of the greater organization of the Church of Gorm , a great church whose seat is the Castle of Alliances and who acts as arbitor of most of the continent's conflicts, trying to limit innocent casualties, moderate the involved factions' litigations etc. The church thus adopts Gorm's neutral aspects of not being the enemy to any specific faction, be it good or evil, but only caring that the crimes of war are kept to a minimum. Notably, the only race that is known to scorn the war god are usually the elves, who are known to venerate Hachubna and disenvow the chaotic and ever moving nature of war, preferring to leave such trivial matters to shorter lived races, and thus the war god in turn usually leaves them often to their own devices, only bringing war to their doorstep on rare occasions to test if their vivacity is still alive.
Temples to the war god are found in many aspects. Those associated with the official church of Gorm are usually constructed in a manner to resemble parts of the castle of alliances as their materials are brought from that region, while some barbarian tribes and other races usually make shrines out of weapons, armour or other spoils of war. What is certain however is that any place of veneration to Gorm is easily recognizable.
It is said that Gorm himself fought on the first battlefield between mortals, yet the detail of that battle has been lost to time. However, if anything, this legend shows the war god's more active involvement in the matters of mortals instead of simply ruling over them with an iron fist. Gorm is known to have shown himself to many a devoted priest or paladin, showered the warriors he deemed worthy with gifts and punished the ones he named cowards with curses. He is also said to have sent multiple avatars of himself throughout history into the mortal plains, an extremely rare feat only done also by Goibhniu , god of smiths, and Eshnahif , god of winter who regularly send avatars of themselves for celebratory purposes to the northern parts of the continent as well. This participation and care for the matters of mortals has gained Gorm many followers, be it out of fear of his smiting or out of reveration for his boons, but it is also said to have attracted the disapproval of other gods, such as Hachubna , goddess of magic and mysticism, whom Gorm proclaims as his rival, and who always is said to clash with her brother's erratic behaviour. It is important to note however that Gorm does not have any enemy gods, neither good nor evil ones, as all respect his prowess or would not dare oppose him.
Though he is not known to have created any race in particular, Gorm is venerated by most humanoid races of the continent in one way or another, but it is mostly belligerent cultures that put him at the center of their worship. Furthermore, most of Gorm's worshippers are part of the greater organization of the Church of Gorm , a great church whose seat is the Castle of Alliances and who acts as arbitor of most of the continent's conflicts, trying to limit innocent casualties, moderate the involved factions' litigations etc. The church thus adopts Gorm's neutral aspects of not being the enemy to any specific faction, be it good or evil, but only caring that the crimes of war are kept to a minimum. Notably, the only race that is known to scorn the war god are usually the elves, who are known to venerate Hachubna and disenvow the chaotic and ever moving nature of war, preferring to leave such trivial matters to shorter lived races, and thus the war god in turn usually leaves them often to their own devices, only bringing war to their doorstep on rare occasions to test if their vivacity is still alive.
Temples to the war god are found in many aspects. Those associated with the official church of Gorm are usually constructed in a manner to resemble parts of the castle of alliances as their materials are brought from that region, while some barbarian tribes and other races usually make shrines out of weapons, armour or other spoils of war. What is certain however is that any place of veneration to Gorm is easily recognizable.
Divine Domains
Gorm is the embodiment of war and conflict at large. He watches over every battle, every quarrel, every fist fight and every tussle. He is inevitable, yet he is also just. For Gorm, only strength and prowess mean anything, and thus he is an arbiter in any conflict.
He is the direct successor of Effneki , leader of the First Pantheon , yet did not inherit the portfolio of knowledge which made his allfather tend to lawfulness and good. However, since conflict and war have always existed and will always exist, Gorm remains one of the most powerful gods of the Second Pantheon .
He is the direct successor of Effneki , leader of the First Pantheon , yet did not inherit the portfolio of knowledge which made his allfather tend to lawfulness and good. However, since conflict and war have always existed and will always exist, Gorm remains one of the most powerful gods of the Second Pantheon .
Artifacts
The war god is among the gods who have the most artifacts associated to him, surpassed only by Goibhniu master of smiths (and who often fabricates Gorm's weapons). Many a weapon, armour, shield and banner have been sanctified by his very hand, as his more active involvment compared to his kin in the matters of mortals has brought many occasions. Among them, a few of Gorm's most sought after artifacts are:
- The Pontiff's sanctifying sword: This sword is the symbol of Power of the Church of Gorm's leader, The Pontiff of the castle of Alliances. It is passed down from generation to generation, and has been recovered from many perils at the cost of great sacrifices. Many claim that this sword is responsible for upholding the sanctifying barrier of the Castle of alliances, a shield only once breached by the forces of the Lich king himself. It's function is mostly ceremonial, but it undeniably channel's the war god's authority and contains part of his essence.
- Grand Dexitus Shield: Said to be the legendary shield of a once mighty storm giant king whose name has been lost to time, the Grand Dexitus Shield is said to be able to block any incoming attack, be it dragon fire, a psychic incursion, or even a blow from a god itself. In giant and dwarven sagas, the shield was given to the giant king as he prayed to the war god atop the lonely mountain before a battle long forgotten. However, the prayer was not for victory or might, it was for protection of the kin and men the king knew he was sending to die by his side. In one of the only times Gorm is ever known to have shown compassion, the war god gifted the king a mighty shield so that he could stant, undaunted as a mountain for his people. After the king's death, the shield is said to have been entombed with him in a region far north of the Mahakam mountains.
- Sharnakur's Axe: One of the only artifacts gifted by any gods to the orcs, this axe is a gift from the war god to their greatest warchief in history, Sharnakur Bloodbolt. Though orcs usually venerate fanatically the lesser god Gruumsh, Sharnakur and his host impressed Gorm so with their will for conquest, their relentlessness and their savagery that it is said he one night appeared to the Warchief disguised as Gruumsh and offered him the legendary greataxe. To this day, most orc shamans are split about the original gifter of the weapon, but most other historians agree it transpired as such. The axe is said to grow stronger each time its weilder makes a new kill, and Sharnakur was known to have slain many. Like any warrior however, the legendary warchief perished many centuries ago in the field of battle, said to be somewhere in the hills of the Western alliance, and his legendary weapon was never recovered, perhapes returned to the war god or lost to the sands of time.
- Sir Athaniel's Greathelm: Gorm's most recent artifact gifted to a mortal dates only about two centuries back, and is one of the most recent divine items in recorded history. It is a greathelm belonging to the legendary paladin Sir Athaniel of Thornwood, a knight of the Western Alliance whose prowess was favoured by the war god. Athaniel was a devout member of the church of Gorm and was the first general of the continent to successfully repell the forces of Eshneff'il in the infant days of the infant days of the Alliance. During the battle of the Shandriri plains, the paladin is said to have had a divine epiphany, his greathelm being blessed by Gorm to give him the capacity to limitlessly inspire his companions and leading him to victory though heavily outnumbered. The helm is now safely kept in Mentalcastle within the possession of Hayden, Leader of the school of abjuration, and former friend of Athaniel's, though their quarrels are known to have shaken the very foundations of the city in the past.
Holy Books & Codes
Gorm does not care much for written codes. However, the church of Gorm in the Castle of Alliances possesses a copy of his direct teachings in the possession of the Pontiff, and that every member of the church must know by heart. It is a small book that mostly describes the art of war, when to wage war and when to wage piece, as well as a vivid description of the many horrors of armed conflict.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Gorm's main symbol a one handed axe superposed over a kite shield. It is worn as a pendant, engraved into his churces etc.
Tenets of Faith
The Church of Gorm preaches to only wage war when absolutely necessary, but once the time for war has come, that no expense shall be too much, and that every citizen must participate in the effort. A quote engraved within the Castle of Alliances 's great hall is "A great ruler knows as much how to wage war as he knows how to wage piece" .
Holidays
Gorm has a few holidays, but the aptly named Gormdag or Gorm's day is the most important among them. Celebrated at the start of spring, when many campaigns start and armies set off once more, it is said that good fortune in battle is given to the country who starts a war on that day. As such, it is the day where the most conflicts in history were started, as even countries and factions that did not venerate the war god thought it wise to do so.
Divine Goals & Aspirations
Gorm Himself is a chaotic incarnation of conflict. He usually does not wish for a particular side to win, and only knows that war is ever waged and ever present and that he must stunt the unnecessary ones and fan the important ones. Thus, the war god has taken an odd liking to humans, the short lived creatures that have nothing but conflict in their minds and are often the catalysts for the continent's greatest struggles.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Gorm was born from the second fusion of the First Pantheon and The first Higher Ones . He was quickly crowned one of the most powerful gods for his martial prowess in many battles both against the higher ones and subjugating many lesser gods who wished to usurp the main Second Pantheon.
It is said that as soon as Gorm laid eyes upon the continent, he knew already all the major battles that would erupt in its future millenia and that Men would be their prime catalysts. Thus, he was the first of his siblings to take a liking to these creatures, calling them endearlingly "Epliström's roaches" and gifting them with many artefacts and weapons to defend themselves against the then more prominent races such as Orcs, elves and dwarves. Many of his human believers also claim that the War god defended them against the wrath of Hachubna, godess of mysticism and magic, who preferred the more studious and longer living races likGe the elves.
After the creation of Eshneff'il, Gorm took a more hands off approach to conflict between humans for reasons unknown, only gifting boons to certain heroes such as Sir Athaniel of Thornwood. However, in matters of higher threat, such as the Lich King's conquest, Gorm instructed his representatives clearly and would have perhaps intervened himself if his existence had been at stake.
It is said that as soon as Gorm laid eyes upon the continent, he knew already all the major battles that would erupt in its future millenia and that Men would be their prime catalysts. Thus, he was the first of his siblings to take a liking to these creatures, calling them endearlingly "Epliström's roaches" and gifting them with many artefacts and weapons to defend themselves against the then more prominent races such as Orcs, elves and dwarves. Many of his human believers also claim that the War god defended them against the wrath of Hachubna, godess of mysticism and magic, who preferred the more studious and longer living races likGe the elves.
After the creation of Eshneff'il, Gorm took a more hands off approach to conflict between humans for reasons unknown, only gifting boons to certain heroes such as Sir Athaniel of Thornwood. However, in matters of higher threat, such as the Lich King's conquest, Gorm instructed his representatives clearly and would have perhaps intervened himself if his existence had been at stake.
Morality & Philosophy
Gorm Believes in the virtues of valor, honor and bravery in the face of adversity. He is known to not favour expansionist warmongering and despite his portfolio only sanctifying the most necessary conflicts. The war god's philosophy is more about the balance of conflict rather than war for its own sake, but there are some exceptions when he believes judgement is to be handed out.
Social
Family Ties
Gorm is respected by all his siblings despite his chaotic nature. He is sometimes depicted as the older sibling of the second pantheon, his prowess serving as a model to many.
The war god considers one of his siblings his rival however and that is Hachubna , goddess of magic, as he considers her magical gifts and practitioners weak compared to pure martial prowess. Many times the siblings have argued, but it is well known that in times of need, they have come to each others aid with great devotion, sometimes even chosing champions together, heroes who would weild martial and magical might and thus surpassing anyone in history.
Gorm is known to have sired a few children, but many more have falsely claimed his lineage, either to justify their actions or their power. The true demigods that the war god is father to often only find out their status later in life and are known to have accomplished heroic feats of great valour.
Lastly, Gorm has a special relationship with the god of smiths Goibhniu , which would seem natural considering their adjacent portfolios. It is said that the war god's battle attire was fully crafted by the smith, and many an artifact that Gorm gives to his worthy champions was first made in Goibhniu's forge before being blessed.
The war god considers one of his siblings his rival however and that is Hachubna , goddess of magic, as he considers her magical gifts and practitioners weak compared to pure martial prowess. Many times the siblings have argued, but it is well known that in times of need, they have come to each others aid with great devotion, sometimes even chosing champions together, heroes who would weild martial and magical might and thus surpassing anyone in history.
Gorm is known to have sired a few children, but many more have falsely claimed his lineage, either to justify their actions or their power. The true demigods that the war god is father to often only find out their status later in life and are known to have accomplished heroic feats of great valour.
Lastly, Gorm has a special relationship with the god of smiths Goibhniu , which would seem natural considering their adjacent portfolios. It is said that the war god's battle attire was fully crafted by the smith, and many an artifact that Gorm gives to his worthy champions was first made in Goibhniu's forge before being blessed.
Divine Classification
Greater deity of the Second Pantheon
Religions
Alignment
CN
Church/Cult
Circumstances of Birth
The Second fusion of First pantheon and First Higher Ones
Children
Presentation
Typically male
Eyes
White, shining
Hair
none
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Coal black skin
Belief/Deity
War, Conflict
Other Affiliations
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