Cosmology & Pantheon of Faerun

The gods of Faerûn are overseen by Ao, the Overgod, who maintains cosmic balance but does not accept worship. Deities are categorized by power level (greater, intermediate, lesser, or demigods). They interact with mortals through avatars, divine signs, or Chosen—mortals imbued with divine power, like Elminster for Mystra. The pantheon is dynamic, with gods rising, falling, or dying due to events like the Time of Troubles (1358 DR) and the Second Sundering (1480s DR), which reshaped the divine landscape. In the 5E era, the gods are active, their influence restored after the chaos of the Spellplague.

Deities are worshipped across Faerûn, but their prominence varies by region. In the Dalelands, agrarian gods like Chauntea dominate, while Mystra and Mielikki hold sway in Shadowdale due to its magical and forested surroundings. Temples are rare in small villages like Shadowdale, where worship occurs at shrines or through local heroes like Elminster.