Crom

The Grim Grey God, The Lord of the Mound

Crom

Description

"Crom was their chief, and he lived on a great mountain, whence he sent forth dooms and death. It was useless to call on Crom, because he was a gloomy, savage god, and he hated weaklings. But he gave a man courage at birth, and the will and might to kill his enemies, which, in the Cimmerian's mind, was all any god should be expected to do." Tower of the Elephant
Crom is the chief god of the Cimmerians. He lives atop a great mountain, sending forth dooms and death, caring little for mankind save to breathe into man's soul the power to strive and slay. The other gods of the Cimmerians are just as grim and indifferent as Crom himself.
Crom does not send avatars into the world to meddle with the affairs of men. Some claim that the voice of Crom can be heard in the harsh winter winds of Cimmeria.

Rituals and Beliefs

The Cimmerians believe in their gods existence, but they do not worship them. Cimmerian religious ceremonies are minimal at best (prayers and supplications are useless, for it is better not to disturb this god lest he be resentful). Certainly ritual human sacrifice is not practiced — for no Cimmerian would passively allow himself to be served up on an altar. Invoking Crom can bring either a doom or aid upon the target, with equal chance for each effect. The Cimmerians believe in a gloomy afterlife in which the souls of the dead will wander Crom's grey realm aimlessly. It is useless to call upon Crom for aid "because he is a gloomy, savage god, and he hates weaklings".

Priesthood

The Cimmerians have no priests, sorcerers, shamans or witches. Those who traffic with the power of the gods, even through prayer, are weaklings in their eyes. Crom has few followers and no priests. Crom does not care to share his divine power with mortals. It is enough that he breathes life into mortals when they are born. They do have oracles however, as befitting their superstitious nature. These oracles could read the dooms evident in a flight of birds or in the entrails of an animal.

Crom

Grey Mounds of Crom

CROM

(Greater Deity)

Pantheon: Cimmerian
Gender: Masculine
Regions: Cimmeria
Representations: None
Sphere of Power:

• Endurance
• Strength

Can Be Worshipped with Other Gods: No

Conan Lore Archives
Faith and Fervour, Mongoose Publishing, 2006
Return to the Road of Kings, Mongoose Publishing, 2007
Cimmeria, Mongoose Publishing, 2008