Vanderan (Van-der-ran)
The Wandering God
Vanderan is the god of exploration, wanderlust, and travel for travel's sake.
Vanderan is technically a member of Marian's Children and a human god, though his travels have him as an honorary god in various other pantheons. The elves know him as Tealaíl, halflings revere him as Thioldryn, dwarves as Navinad, and even orcs know him as irákül.
Vanderan is revered by adventurers, explorers, and wanderers who seek to discover new places, meet new people, and experience all the wonders the world has to offer. Traveling Merchants, nomadic peoples, and troupes that spend life on the road and value independence and self-expression also tend to worship Vanderan. He is depicted as a middle-aged, tall, lean man with tanned skin, sparkling grey eyes, and dark hair that is starting to grey. He wears simple clothing and a worn travelling cloak that allows him to move freely and comfortably; and carries a gnarled wooden staff.
Vanderan is said to inspire people to seek out new horizons, to embrace the unknown, and to challenge themselves to grow and learn through their experiences. As the god of wanderlust, Vanderan is a champion of the restless spirit and the call of the open road. He inspires people to embrace their sense of adventure and to follow their hearts and intuition as they explore the world around them. He is also a symbol of the joy and wonder that comes from simply being on the move.
It is customary for those setting out on a long journey to say a prayer to Vanderan and make an offering, typically a handful of seeds or bread tossed out near the road. Migratory birds are often associated with him and an offering to him is typically food to them. They are also seen as good omens and seeing a flock of birds fly overhead in the direction you are heading as you set out is said to guarantee safe travels.
During the Second Age Vanderan gifted Fioré with the Waystones that now dot the landscape. Originally meant as a means to facilitate travel, the loss of the knowledge of the leylines that marked the end of the Second Age has relegated the waystones to a curious oddity. Vanderan's Wanderers, his most devoted followers, use waystones as gathering points for meeting other travelers and telling stories. Whenever one comes across a waystone they are to stop for the day and rest, regardless of the how long or little they had been walking beforehand. They believe the waystones to be blessed ground that Vanderan himself stopped to rest when he was walking the first roads of Fioré.
Vanderan is technically a member of Marian's Children and a human god, though his travels have him as an honorary god in various other pantheons. The elves know him as Tealaíl, halflings revere him as Thioldryn, dwarves as Navinad, and even orcs know him as irákül.
Vanderan is revered by adventurers, explorers, and wanderers who seek to discover new places, meet new people, and experience all the wonders the world has to offer. Traveling Merchants, nomadic peoples, and troupes that spend life on the road and value independence and self-expression also tend to worship Vanderan. He is depicted as a middle-aged, tall, lean man with tanned skin, sparkling grey eyes, and dark hair that is starting to grey. He wears simple clothing and a worn travelling cloak that allows him to move freely and comfortably; and carries a gnarled wooden staff.
Vanderan is said to inspire people to seek out new horizons, to embrace the unknown, and to challenge themselves to grow and learn through their experiences. As the god of wanderlust, Vanderan is a champion of the restless spirit and the call of the open road. He inspires people to embrace their sense of adventure and to follow their hearts and intuition as they explore the world around them. He is also a symbol of the joy and wonder that comes from simply being on the move.
It is customary for those setting out on a long journey to say a prayer to Vanderan and make an offering, typically a handful of seeds or bread tossed out near the road. Migratory birds are often associated with him and an offering to him is typically food to them. They are also seen as good omens and seeing a flock of birds fly overhead in the direction you are heading as you set out is said to guarantee safe travels.
During the Second Age Vanderan gifted Fioré with the Waystones that now dot the landscape. Originally meant as a means to facilitate travel, the loss of the knowledge of the leylines that marked the end of the Second Age has relegated the waystones to a curious oddity. Vanderan's Wanderers, his most devoted followers, use waystones as gathering points for meeting other travelers and telling stories. Whenever one comes across a waystone they are to stop for the day and rest, regardless of the how long or little they had been walking beforehand. They believe the waystones to be blessed ground that Vanderan himself stopped to rest when he was walking the first roads of Fioré.
Divine Domains
D&D 5e
Cleric Domains:- Life
- Nature
- Peace
Pathfinder 2e
Devotee Benefits:- Divine Font: Heal
- Divine Skill: Survival
- Favored Weapon: Staff
- Major Domains: Air, Luck, Travel, Truth
- Minor Domains: Change, Freedom
- Cleric Spells: 1st: Fleet Step, 3rd: Feet to Fins, 5th: Tree Stride
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Vanderan's sign is "The Endless Path," a grey road on a green field disappearing into the distance, with a blue sky and sun on one side, a darker blue sky and moon on the other.
Tenets of Faith
Vanderan, commonly known as "The Wanderer" or "The Horizon Seeker," is the patron of travelers. Clerics of Vanderan are encouraged to experience new things in the world, and often have many travels under their belt before being chosen. Due to their worldly knowledge, many become translators and diplomats, while others aid in the construction of roads or bridges.
Edicts:
- Seek out new sights and experiences.
- Share the road and aid fellow travelers.
- Tell stories of your travels and lessons learned.
Anathema:
- Shun those from other lands.
- Refuse to learn as you see new things.
- Block or destroy roads and bridges.
Follower Alignments:
- Lawful Good
- Neutral Good
- Lawful Neutral
- Neutral
Holidays
Day of Wanderlust
This holy day is celebrated on the first full moon of Tusvor, as it marks the beginning of a new journey and a new season. It is a time to honor Vanderan, the god of travel, and seek his blessings for safe and successful journeys in the coming year.
On this day, people gather together to share stories of their travels, both near and far, and offer prayers to Vanderan for guidance and protection on their future journeys. They might also make offerings of food, flowers, or other items that represent travel to them.
In many cultures, this day is also marked by a symbolic journey, such as a pilgrimage to a Greystone site or a community walk. People might also decorate their homes or travel gear with symbols of Vanderan, such as The Wandering Path or an image of a bird in flight.
Overall, Vanderan's Day of Wanderlust is a time to celebrate the joy of travel, connect with other travelers, and seek the blessings of the god who watches over all who wander. It is said each year that Vanderan chooses a different Greystone site to visit and listens to the stories told.
This holy day is celebrated on the first full moon of Tusvor, as it marks the beginning of a new journey and a new season. It is a time to honor Vanderan, the god of travel, and seek his blessings for safe and successful journeys in the coming year.
On this day, people gather together to share stories of their travels, both near and far, and offer prayers to Vanderan for guidance and protection on their future journeys. They might also make offerings of food, flowers, or other items that represent travel to them.
In many cultures, this day is also marked by a symbolic journey, such as a pilgrimage to a Greystone site or a community walk. People might also decorate their homes or travel gear with symbols of Vanderan, such as The Wandering Path or an image of a bird in flight.
Overall, Vanderan's Day of Wanderlust is a time to celebrate the joy of travel, connect with other travelers, and seek the blessings of the god who watches over all who wander. It is said each year that Vanderan chooses a different Greystone site to visit and listens to the stories told.
"Great Vanderan, hear my plea,
Guide my steps across land and sea.
Through desert heat and winter's chill,
Lead me safely to where I will.
Protect me from harm along the way,
And bring me home again one day.
Grant me the courage to explore,
And the wisdom to know what's in store.
I offer you my humble prayer,
And ask for your blessing on my journey with care.
Hail to thee, Vanderan, may you forever be my guide."
prayer said to Vanderan at the end of the Day of Wanderlust
Divine Classification
God
Alignment
Neutral Good
Honorary & Occupational Titles
The Roving God
The Wild Rover
The Traveller
The Old Rambler
The Horizon Seeker
Tealaíl (Elvish)
Thioldryn (Halfling)
Navinad (Dwarvish)
Irákül (Orcish)
The Wild Rover
The Traveller
The Old Rambler
The Horizon Seeker
Tealaíl (Elvish)
Thioldryn (Halfling)
Navinad (Dwarvish)
Irákül (Orcish)
Children
Gender
Man
Eyes
grey
Hair
medium length dark hair with grey starting to come in
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
tanned and road-worn
Aphorisms
May the horizon guide you: A simple phrase often said between parting travelers on the road.Journey before destination: Vanderan's faithful believe that the journey is of more value than wherever you end up, and that you should always appreciate where you are, instead of simple longing for where you wish to be.
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