Hermes (her-meez)
God of travel
Hermes is a deity full of contradictions. He is the god of travellersthe messenger of Olympus, yet also helps ferry souls to the Underworld. This apparent hypocrisy doesn’t seem to bother him much though, as he will happily inform anyone who asks.
Suggested Classes: Bard, monk, rogue
Suggested Cleric Domains: Music, Trickery
Suggested Backgrounds: Charlatan, criminal, urchin
Many merchants pray to Hermes for his blessing in commerce, but his most devoted followers are usually the thieves in need of divine assistance when relieving said merchants of their profits.
Why did Hermes seek you out as a champion? The following table offers a few suggestions
As a devotee of Hermes, you are more nimble with his blessing. You can cast expeditious retreat with this trait. You can cast the spell in this way a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
In addition, you increase your base movement speed by 5 feet.
You can cast sending 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. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
In addition, the bonus to your base movement speed from the Hermes's Devotee trait increases to 10 feet.
Hermes is highly impressed with your displays of guile and cunning in his service. As a reward, you gain proficiency in any combination of two skills or tools of your choice.
In addition, the bonus to your base movement speed from the Hermes's Devotee trait increases to 15 feet.
You can increase your Dexterity or Charisma score by 2 and also increase your maximum for that score by 2.
Hermes's Champions
Alignment: Usually good, often chaoticSuggested Classes: Bard, monk, rogue
Suggested Cleric Domains: Music, Trickery
Suggested Backgrounds: Charlatan, criminal, urchin
Many merchants pray to Hermes for his blessing in commerce, but his most devoted followers are usually the thieves in need of divine assistance when relieving said merchants of their profits.
Hermes's Favor
When picking champions from his mortal followers, Hermes tends to be most impressed by those armed with cunning and deftness. Rogues in particular are a favourite of the nimble messenger god.Why did Hermes seek you out as a champion? The following table offers a few suggestions
| D6 | Circumstance |
|---|---|
| 1 | You seek to travel the entire known world, and maybe explore some of the unknown too. |
| 2 | You have a gift for talking your way out of trouble. |
| 3 | You frequently steal from the rich to give to the poor |
| 4 | You have developed a ‘reputation’ with the locals. Completely unjustified of course. |
| 5 | You once stole a valuable artefact from the royal vaults, and nobody ever found out. |
| 6 | You once out-riddled a sphinx. Or so you claim. |
Devotion to Hermes
Following Hermes means putting faith in the greatest weapon in your arsenal - your cunning. As a follower of Hermes, consider the ideals below as alternatives to those suggested for your background.Hermes's Ideals
| D6 | Ideals |
|---|---|
| 1 | Devotion. My devotion to my god is more important to me than what they stand for. (Any) |
| 2 | Fairness. There’s never any point in shooting the messenger. (Good) |
| 3 | Cunning. I live for seeing the look on someone's face when they realize they’ve been outwitted. (Chaotic) |
| 4 | Ego. If I ever meet someone smarter than me, I’ll probably die a little inside. (Any) |
| 5 | Charity. Yes I help out the needy, but don’t shout about it. I have a reputation to maintain. (Good) |
| 6 | Wealth. Be honest, who doesn’t love the jingle of a fat coin-purse? (Any) |
Earning and Losing Piety
You increase your piety score to Hermes when you expand his influence in the world in a concrete way through acts such as these:- Carrying out an entire mission without your enemies noticing you
- Successfully distorting the value of something in your favor
- Using the proceeds from a theft or other criminal action for a charitable purpose
- Exploiting the desperate, impoverished or needy
- Relying on excessive violence to get you out of trouble
- Being outshone by someone who shares your talents
Hermes's Devotee
Piety 3+ Hermes traitAs a devotee of Hermes, you are more nimble with his blessing. You can cast expeditious retreat with this trait. You can cast the spell in this way a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
In addition, you increase your base movement speed by 5 feet.
Hermes's Votary
Piety 10+ Hermes traitYou can cast sending 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. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
In addition, the bonus to your base movement speed from the Hermes's Devotee trait increases to 10 feet.
Hermes's Disciple
Piety 25+ Hermes traitHermes is highly impressed with your displays of guile and cunning in his service. As a reward, you gain proficiency in any combination of two skills or tools of your choice.
In addition, the bonus to your base movement speed from the Hermes's Devotee trait increases to 15 feet.
Hermes's Champion
Piety 50+ Hermes traitYou can increase your Dexterity or Charisma score by 2 and also increase your maximum for that score by 2.
Divine Domains
Music, Trickery
Divine Classification
Olympian
Religions
Alignment
Chaotic Good
Children
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