I have a multi-classed wizard/cleric who is Chaotic Neutral. Given the character's alignment and proclivity to blow up things, I have been looking for a deity that represents chaos, but there are no good or neutral deities of chaos in the campaign setting in which we are playing. I have been thinking to ask my DM whether my character could worship Tharizdun, probably the best example of a chaos god across all D&D settings. This would not be out of the realm of possibility as our party has another cleric who worships a god not affiliated with the campaign setting.
My question relates to the lore of Tharizdun. I have a free language proficiency and want to take something pertinent to Tharizdun. The problem is that Tharizdun is all over the map in terms of lore. He started as an elder elemental evil affiliated with the primordials and has been referenced as the parent (or boss) of the four princes of elemental evil (e.g., Imix, Olhydra, etc.). This would support taking the primordial language. However, Tharizdun has also been referenced as having relationships with the Obyriths, having created the Abyss, and in some sources as residing in the Abyss, which would support taking the Abyssal language. Finally, the MToF lists Tharizdun as an Elder Evil, the Critical Role lore suggests he "dreams aberrations into being," and Tharizdun's appearance is presented as something out of a Lovecraftian nightmare. All of this would advocate for proficiency in deep speech.
I am already proficient in abyssal as I was planning to learn the spell Summon Greater Demon, and in the longer-term can learn all three languages. However, if I were to choose between primordial and deep speech, based on the lore, what do others feel would be most appropriate? Is there any definitive lore that would guide me to one over the other?
The Chained God does indeed have inconsistent lore yet seems to be more an ancient, eldritch being. What role would he play in your campaign setting?
I look at the oldest sources, as the cosmology of D&D have changed multiple times. First presentation I know of is the 1e module, Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun. He's a god (or great old one?) so bad that other gods joined forces to lock him away. For this reason, my vote would be for Deep Speech rather than Primordial (elementals) or Abyssal (demons).
Alas, He represents the darkest form of chaos, meaning madness, oblivion and annihilation. His clerics tend to be secretive and insane. Is that what you want for your character? A less purely "evil" deity that fits your needs could be one based on misfortune, luck, fire, storms, destruction. Perhaps you could work with your DM to create a god that fits your purpose exactly.
In a way, your language challenge is a manifestation of the chaos!
I'd ask the DM what fits best in their game to be honest. There are a lot of good reasons for each answer and the best one is what fits best in the game you are playing so you can team up with the DM on story.
Stryk, I am a bit reluctant to go with a deity created on the fly. I've done a lot of research and have not been able to identify a better example of a god of chaos and destruction. There are a number of humanoid-specific examples (e.g., Gruumsh, Maglubiyet) as well as beings like Talos. However, they are all too bipedal for my taste. Tharizdun is more of a force than a being. I feel that's a more representative presentation of chaos/entropy incarnate. The character is a wizard first and foremost, so I feel as long as he's creating havoc in some form Tharizdun would not be displeased. In the bigger picture, Big T would probably want some support in unleashing him. Since he is not a household name in the setting in which we are playing, I assume my character would play along until the awful truth is revealed (and then would have a choice to make).
Xeyd, sounds good - of course go with what feels right for your character and the campaign setting. What a unique character you have there!
Working with your DM, there ought to have some flexibility in how you interpret the Chained One. And, indeed, your character can also choose how he wishes to worship he-who-must-not-be-named. Have fun!
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I have a multi-classed wizard/cleric who is Chaotic Neutral. Given the character's alignment and proclivity to blow up things, I have been looking for a deity that represents chaos, but there are no good or neutral deities of chaos in the campaign setting in which we are playing. I have been thinking to ask my DM whether my character could worship Tharizdun, probably the best example of a chaos god across all D&D settings. This would not be out of the realm of possibility as our party has another cleric who worships a god not affiliated with the campaign setting.
My question relates to the lore of Tharizdun. I have a free language proficiency and want to take something pertinent to Tharizdun. The problem is that Tharizdun is all over the map in terms of lore. He started as an elder elemental evil affiliated with the primordials and has been referenced as the parent (or boss) of the four princes of elemental evil (e.g., Imix, Olhydra, etc.). This would support taking the primordial language. However, Tharizdun has also been referenced as having relationships with the Obyriths, having created the Abyss, and in some sources as residing in the Abyss, which would support taking the Abyssal language. Finally, the MToF lists Tharizdun as an Elder Evil, the Critical Role lore suggests he "dreams aberrations into being," and Tharizdun's appearance is presented as something out of a Lovecraftian nightmare. All of this would advocate for proficiency in deep speech.
I am already proficient in abyssal as I was planning to learn the spell Summon Greater Demon, and in the longer-term can learn all three languages. However, if I were to choose between primordial and deep speech, based on the lore, what do others feel would be most appropriate? Is there any definitive lore that would guide me to one over the other?
The Chained God does indeed have inconsistent lore yet seems to be more an ancient, eldritch being. What role would he play in your campaign setting?
I look at the oldest sources, as the cosmology of D&D have changed multiple times. First presentation I know of is the 1e module, Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun. He's a god (or great old one?) so bad that other gods joined forces to lock him away. For this reason, my vote would be for Deep Speech rather than Primordial (elementals) or Abyssal (demons).
Alas, He represents the darkest form of chaos, meaning madness, oblivion and annihilation. His clerics tend to be secretive and insane. Is that what you want for your character? A less purely "evil" deity that fits your needs could be one based on misfortune, luck, fire, storms, destruction. Perhaps you could work with your DM to create a god that fits your purpose exactly.
In a way, your language challenge is a manifestation of the chaos!
I'd ask the DM what fits best in their game to be honest. There are a lot of good reasons for each answer and the best one is what fits best in the game you are playing so you can team up with the DM on story.
Thanks all for your responses. I think I'll focus on abyssal and deep speech drawing on the CR presentation of Tharizdun.
Stryk, I am a bit reluctant to go with a deity created on the fly. I've done a lot of research and have not been able to identify a better example of a god of chaos and destruction. There are a number of humanoid-specific examples (e.g., Gruumsh, Maglubiyet) as well as beings like Talos. However, they are all too bipedal for my taste. Tharizdun is more of a force than a being. I feel that's a more representative presentation of chaos/entropy incarnate. The character is a wizard first and foremost, so I feel as long as he's creating havoc in some form Tharizdun would not be displeased. In the bigger picture, Big T would probably want some support in unleashing him. Since he is not a household name in the setting in which we are playing, I assume my character would play along until the awful truth is revealed (and then would have a choice to make).
Xeyd, sounds good - of course go with what feels right for your character and the campaign setting. What a unique character you have there!
Working with your DM, there ought to have some flexibility in how you interpret the Chained One. And, indeed, your character can also choose how he wishes to worship he-who-must-not-be-named. Have fun!