Bahamut Character in Faerûn | World Anvil

Bahamut

Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon, is the good dragon god of enlightened justice and patron deity of metallic dragons. The only platinum dragon in existence, he has an eternal rival with his arch-nemesis Tiamat. Although once relegated to worship by metallic dragons, the appearance of the dragonborn from Abeir granted Bahamut many new followers following the Spellplague.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

The true origins of Bahamut are unclear, but is generally agreed in the late 15th century DR that he is and has been a god for most of existence. He has existed since at least -30,000 DR, when the first dragons came into being. At this time, he was called Xymor by his draconic followers. Modern scholars also believe that Bahamut is ontologically different to most other deities, as his origins seem to lie with the Material Plane, rather than the Outer Planes. In one version of events, Bahamut is the son of Asgorath, brother of Tiamat and Null. In another, he is the son of Lendys and Tamara. The dragonborn of Abeir believe Bahamut and Tiamat were born from the corpse of Io, who is analagous to Asgorath, during the Dawn War.

The dragons have a different story of the origin on Bahamut, which they call the Elegy for the First World. According to this version of events, Bahamut and Tiamat awakened from the primordial chaos and worked together to create the First World - what would eventually become the Material Plane. The two then created the dragon god Sardior, and the trio created the first dragons. During this, the gods of the Outer Planes invaded the First World and defeated Bahamut in battle. When he recovered, he travelled the Material Plane to understand the other gods, while mourning the imprisoned Tiamat. When the First World was eventually destroyed, Bahamut went to Mount Celestia, where he was accepted as a god there.

Worship of Bahamut began with the first dragons during the Dawn Age, in -30,000 DR. Bahamut became increasingly popular during the Draco Holy Wars, as other draconic deities fell in popularity until his and Tiamat's worshippers were the most devout. The Dragonfall War saw the followers of Bahamut and Tiamat face each other, and both sides unleashed powerful, mutated followers. The war ended with an agreement between the dragons to cease their wars, as they were in danger of becoming extinct. Instead, they would settle differences through a 'game' called xorvintaal.

Although the initial, devastating conflict had ended and the dragons no longer ruled Toril, the Dragonfall War in some ways continued for tens of thousands of years. The most recent era of intense fighting was between -2087 and -1071 DR, during the age of the Untheric Empire. Bahamut, under the alias of Marduk, fought against Tiamat directly. This conflict ended when Tiamat attempted to kill the god-king Gilgeam, but Bahamut intervened at the cost of his own life, striking down Tiamat. With their Untheric aspects destroyed, a lack of worshippers massively reduced both of their divine powers. Tiamat was reduced to an archfiend, while Bahamut became a celestial paragon.

During this time, Bahamut wandered the Upper Planes and Material Plane, doing good wherever he could. In 1359 DR, the Wand of Orcus was destroyed by Gareth Dragonsbane and his companions with aid from Bahamut, becoming the Tree-Gem. It was planted in Bloodstone Village in Damara, and grew into a white tree with golden leaves. The Tree-Gem and the tree that grew from it generated new interest in Bahamut from non-dragons, enough to grant Bahamut divine power. Bahamut's power grew further in 1373 DR with the destruction of the Dracorage Mythal, and the belief of dragons in the "Turning of the Great Cycle" that sparked a new religious fervor in them.

During the Spellplague, Bahamut sent his legions to defend the Triad (Tyr, Ilmater, and Torm) from a demonic invasion. When Tyr abdicated his position as a deity, Bahamut received the portfoilo of justice, and was brough into the Triad, and by extension, the Faerûnian pantheon. In addition, the appearance of dragonborn from Abeir gave him even more followers, as he had an aspect on that world as well.

When Tyr returned after the Second Sundering, Bahamut gave him back his portfolio of justice, becoming an independent deity once more. When Tiamat attempted to escape from her prison in Avernus in 1489 DR, it is believed that Bahamut indirectly interfered to ensure the victory of the Council of Waterdeep. Following this, he dispatched a bronze dragon to keep surveillance on the dragon queen in her prison.

Relationships

Bahamut

Rival (Vital)

Towards Tiamat

-5

Subversive


Tiamat

Rival (Vital)

Towards Bahamut

-5

Subversive


Divine Classification
Lesser Deity
Alignment
Lawful Good
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Xymor (ancient Draconic pantheon)
Marduk (Untheric pantheon)
The Platinum Dragon
Angel of the Seven Heavens
Grandfather of Dragons
Grand Master of Flowers
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Current Residence
Mount Celestia
Presentation
Masculine
Divine Domains
Life, War

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