I've got a player in an upcoming game who is rocking an Indiana Jones, artifacts from ancient tombs and dungeons aesthetic. Being Faerun, there's the obvious question of what god do they in some way pay homage to.
The player says they're thinking a death god of some kind that they pray to when they don't want the undead of ancient places to awaken while they're going through.
I have been having some trouble finding an appropriate god for this concept. Any god of death I can find would either not be okay with someone stealing from tombs, or would probably be the one whose priests/followers animated the tomb's undead.
How about a god of magic, knowledge or exploration instead? Following a god like that would allow the character to justify robbing the dead for the sake of pursuing ancient knowledge/magic that should not be lost to the annals of time or disturbing graves sites for the sake of exploring. I feel like this character needs to venerate a god that values something, anything, more than honouring the dead, preserving the sanctity of graves and remains, and fighting the undead. YMMV.
While you can chose any diety you want, one thing though at base Vecna is not from Faerunian but Oerthly pantheon of Greyhawk, and his portfolio is evil secrets.
If evil is not an issue, then other Faerunian gods of dead or death includes Cyric, Bahal, Myrkul, and Bane. The last one were known as The Dead Three in past history.
Gods of death among other different races and cultures include Urogalan (Halfling), Segojan Earthcaller (Gnome), Yurtrus (Orc), Null (Dragon) and Osiris (Mulhorand),
Unless it's an Official Campaign, nothing's stopping the GM from adding Vecna to the FR.
I personally recommend against Kelemvor, since part of his portfolio is making sure that the dead are treated with honor and respect- grave robbing is the opposite of that.
Honestly, Mask would be a good choice for this character.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Most of the death powers specific to Faerun either don't approve of disturbing the dead (Kelemvor) or are more inclined to cause them to wake up and start causing trouble than placate them; I'd second the suggestion of Mask. If you're open to going beyond the standard Faerun pantheon, the Raven Queen seems quite appropriate.
A god of luck, like Tymora, could also fit, but my favorite is Mask, god of thieves. Now, if Mask is alive depends on the year your adventure takes place in, but he’s a great option for a thief character, especially after his “revival”
How deep is the character going into Indy's aesthetic? Kelemvor would be a great god for a treasure hunter concerned with bringing treasures home to a museum...
Another God to pay homage and pray to when they don't want the undead of ancient places to awaken could be Helm, the Faerûnian god of guardians and protectors
Incidentally, some of this is an issue of just whose graves you're robbing. Gods are generally going to take offense at robbing the graves of the faithful, but they may be indifferent or approving of robbing the graves of neutrals and enemies of the faith.
I've got a player in an upcoming game who is rocking an Indiana Jones, artifacts from ancient tombs and dungeons aesthetic. Being Faerun, there's the obvious question of what god do they in some way pay homage to.
The player says they're thinking a death god of some kind that they pray to when they don't want the undead of ancient places to awaken while they're going through.
I have been having some trouble finding an appropriate god for this concept. Any god of death I can find would either not be okay with someone stealing from tombs, or would probably be the one whose priests/followers animated the tomb's undead.
Any thoughts from the more knowledgeable?
Faerunisn gods of dead or death that are not evil or tied to undead include Kelemvor and Jergal.
How about a god of magic, knowledge or exploration instead? Following a god like that would allow the character to justify robbing the dead for the sake of pursuing ancient knowledge/magic that should not be lost to the annals of time or disturbing graves sites for the sake of exploring. I feel like this character needs to venerate a god that values something, anything, more than honouring the dead, preserving the sanctity of graves and remains, and fighting the undead. YMMV.
I would go with Kelemvor, or maybe Oghma...
Evil is not an issue in this case.
At the moment we're pondering on Vecna.
While you can chose any diety you want, one thing though at base Vecna is not from Faerunian but Oerthly pantheon of Greyhawk, and his portfolio is evil secrets.
If evil is not an issue, then other Faerunian gods of dead or death includes Cyric, Bahal, Myrkul, and Bane. The last one were known as The Dead Three in past history.
Gods of death among other different races and cultures include Urogalan (Halfling), Segojan Earthcaller (Gnome), Yurtrus (Orc), Null (Dragon) and Osiris (Mulhorand),
Unfortunately, Vecna is not a Forgotten Realms deity; he’s a god in the Greyhawk and “Nentir Vale/Points of Light” settings.
Unless it's an Official Campaign, nothing's stopping the GM from adding Vecna to the FR.
I personally recommend against Kelemvor, since part of his portfolio is making sure that the dead are treated with honor and respect- grave robbing is the opposite of that.
Honestly, Mask would be a good choice for this character.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Most of the death powers specific to Faerun either don't approve of disturbing the dead (Kelemvor) or are more inclined to cause them to wake up and start causing trouble than placate them; I'd second the suggestion of Mask. If you're open to going beyond the standard Faerun pantheon, the Raven Queen seems quite appropriate.
A god of luck, like Tymora, could also fit, but my favorite is Mask, god of thieves. Now, if Mask is alive depends on the year your adventure takes place in, but he’s a great option for a thief character, especially after his “revival”
How deep is the character going into Indy's aesthetic? Kelemvor would be a great god for a treasure hunter concerned with bringing treasures home to a museum...
Another God to pay homage and pray to when they don't want the undead of ancient places to awaken could be Helm, the Faerûnian god of guardians and protectors
Incidentally, some of this is an issue of just whose graves you're robbing. Gods are generally going to take offense at robbing the graves of the faithful, but they may be indifferent or approving of robbing the graves of neutrals and enemies of the faith.