Hades (hay-deez)
God of the Underworld
Many mortals may refuse to speak his name, but despite popular belief the lord of the Underworld is not a malicious deity. Grim, implacable and stubborn he may be, but Hades is concerned only with the correct and well-ordered acquisition of souls for his kingdom. After all, he has no need to rush; everyone comes to him eventually.
Suggested Classes: Cleric, sorcerer, wizard
Suggested Cleric Domains: Death, Grave
Suggested Backgrounds: Acolyte, hermit, sage
Those that worship Hades accept that death is inevitable and do not fear it. They are guided by an obligation to ensure that those passing into the afterlife are allowed to do so in an orderly manner, subject to all the proper rites and ceremonies.
Why did Hades seek you out as a champion? The following table offers a few suggestions.
As a devotee of Hades, you have proven that you have what it takes to be a servant of the Underworld. You can call on Hades's power and cast bane with this trait, requiring no material components. You can cast the spell in this way a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
You have been entrusted with the rare honour of being allowed to call upon the fallen to do your bidding. You can cast animate dead with this trait, requiring no material components. Once you cast the spell in this way, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
One day you will pass into Hades's realm, but it will be when he wishes it, not before. So that you might serve Hades better in the realm of the living, you gain advantage on death saving throws.
In addition, you have resistance to necrotic damage.
You can increase your Intelligence or Wisdom score by 2 and also increase your maximum for that score by 2.
Hades's Champions
Alignment: Lawful, usually neutralSuggested Classes: Cleric, sorcerer, wizard
Suggested Cleric Domains: Death, Grave
Suggested Backgrounds: Acolyte, hermit, sage
Those that worship Hades accept that death is inevitable and do not fear it. They are guided by an obligation to ensure that those passing into the afterlife are allowed to do so in an orderly manner, subject to all the proper rites and ceremonies.
Hades's Favor
Hades carries out his duties as lord of the Underworld with a dour, impartial purpose. When choosing his champions, he looks for mortals that share his detached sense of responsibility.Why did Hades seek you out as a champion? The following table offers a few suggestions.
| D6 | Circumstance |
|---|---|
| 1 | You worked for many years as a gravedigger and always ensured your charges received their burial rites. |
| 2 | You lost someone close to you, and swore a vow to serve Hades if he released them from his realm. |
| 3 | You almost died once. For some reason it didn’t take. |
| 4 | You slew a necromancer who was robbing Hades of his subjects. |
| 5 | You were tricked into eating a fruit that had been grown in the Underworld, forever binding you to it. |
| 6 | You seek to serve Hades in life so that you may enjoy a more pleasant afterlife. |
Devotion to Hades
Following Hades means humbling yourself to the inevitable nature of your own mortality. As a follower of Hades, consider the ideals below as alternatives to those suggested for your background.Hades's Ideals
| D6 | Ideals |
|---|---|
| 1 | Devotion. My devotion to my god is more important to me than what they stand for. (Any) |
| 2 | Impartiality. Even my foes should receive the proper burial rites. (Neutral) |
| 3 | Duty. I have a job to do. Defy me at your peril. (Any) |
| 4 | Legacy. Everybody dies. The only choice is what we leave behind. (Any) |
| 5 | Tradition. The living should honour the dead. (Lawful) |
| 6 | Apathy. Whether today or tomorrow, our time will come. (Neutral) |
Earning and Losing Piety
You increase your piety score to Hades when you expand his influence in the world in a concrete way through acts such as these:- Convincing a group of people to accept misfortune
- Easing someone’s passing or assisting with funeral rites
- Ensuring that the deeds and knowledge of someone who has died are remembered and preserved
- Denying a dead or dying person their final rites
- Forsaking your duties for personal gain or pleasure
- Removing wealth from a corpse or defiling a tomb
Hades's Devotee
Piety 3+ Hades traitAs a devotee of Hades, you have proven that you have what it takes to be a servant of the Underworld. You can call on Hades's power and cast bane with this trait, requiring no material components. You can cast the spell in this way a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
Hades's Votary
Piety 10+ Hades traitYou have been entrusted with the rare honour of being allowed to call upon the fallen to do your bidding. You can cast animate dead with this trait, requiring no material components. Once you cast the spell in this way, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
Hades's Disciple
Piety 25+ Hades traitOne day you will pass into Hades's realm, but it will be when he wishes it, not before. So that you might serve Hades better in the realm of the living, you gain advantage on death saving throws.
In addition, you have resistance to necrotic damage.
Hades's Champion
Piety 50+ Hades traitYou can increase your Intelligence or Wisdom score by 2 and also increase your maximum for that score by 2.
Divine Domains
Death, Grave
Relationships
Divine Classification
Chthonic
Religions
Alignment
Lawful Neutral
Spouses
Persephone
(spouse)
Siblings
Children
Comments