I am working on a chain magic build and I was wondering if there is any deity or higher being that involves chains? A lore based neural (aka non-chaotic evil) alignment is preferred, but I know it can be changed at the table.
The build uses peace domain cleric and fathomless warlock. Both the "tentacle of the deep" and "emboldening bond" have been re-flavored to look like chains. (There's also a bunch of spells that have been re-flavored as well)
Prometheus in Greek mythology was chained to a rock. He was a titan, as opposed to a god, but still a very powerful being. He's the first one that comes to mind.
In lore, "chains" are typically either associated with evil (enslavement, torture, etc), or insignificant as a means of connecting things that actually get the spotlight (ships and anchors)
Xalthu's example is probably the best way to go. A powerful being that escaped imprisonment and brings the chains with them cosmetically as a symbol of their past, as opposed to their portfolio.
A god of Justice is a good bet - I remember Hoar from earlier editions...
Actually - he's still around in the SCAG.
Hoar
The Doombringer, Poet of Justice
Hoar, known in the lands along the Inner Sea as Assuran, is a god of revenge and retribution. He isn’t typically worshiped habitually, but his name is invoked by those who seek vengeance. When a guilty party falls prey to fate — such as when a murderer escapes prosecution, but is then accidentally slain himself — the hand of Hoar is given credit. When one hears three rolls of thunder in succession, it is thought to be a sign from Hoar that some act of vengeance has been performed. Many human societies have the custom of ringing a bell or a gong three times when judgment of a crime is rendered or an execution takes place.
Folk speak Hoar’s name when they want revenge, particularly when they are incapable of avenging themselves. This invocation might be in response to a petty slight or a true injustice, and the acknowledgment of Hoar might be a short prayer said aloud or might be written down somewhere. It’s generally believed that the more permanent the form of the prayer, the more likely it is to be fulfilled. For this reason, some etch their prayers in lead and bury it or hide their prayers inside diaries. Aside from bounty hunters and those on crusades of vengeance, few truly revere Hoar, and he is served by fewer still who would call themselves priests. Temples or shrines of Hoar are almost nonexistent except for ancient sites in Chessenta and Unther.
Hoar became a member of the Faerûnian pantheon when his worship extended beyond the lands that originally revered him. Most consider Tyr to be the arbiter of laws, and Hoar to be the god who metes out punishment that comes as a result of breaking those codes. A judge might favor the worship of Tyr, while a jailor or a headsman is more likely to pray to Hoar.
One of the disservices that the Forgotten Realms' "every concept gets a deity" approach to a pantheon creates is in convincing players their character's deity needs to fit into a neat role. Deities are massively powerful, and nothing says their portfolio has to mention a specific theme for you to decide they match it.
The easiest to fit are the evil gods, as has been said: Asmodeus (god of enslavement), Bane (god of tyranny), and Loviatar (goddess of BDSM), any of whom are an easy fit for a chain theme. Tharizdun (god of wanting to destroy everything) and Tiamat (goddess of evil dragons) are two gods chained in the Abyss and the Nine Hells (respectively), who you might invoke to share a sliver of the power that restrains them. There's nothing in 5e that stops you from being a pleasant chap who worships a hateful deity; it could even make for a fun roleplaying experience.
Don't want to worship an evil god? Maybe worship Mystra as goddess of the Weave, but reimagine the Weave as a network of magic chains instead of threads. Helm (god of vigilance) is the de facto god of imprisoning things, so while his iconography is always all about gauntlets he's actually a perfect fit for chains. Waukeen (goddess of coin) could generate golden chains, or a worshipper of a smithing god like Moradin could focus on steel chains rather than metalworking in general.
One of the disservices that the Forgotten Realms' "every concept gets a deity" approach to a pantheon creates is in convincing players their character's deity needs to fit into a neat role. Deities are massively powerful, and nothing says their portfolio has to mention a specific theme for you to decide they match it.
The easiest to fit are the evil gods, as has been said: Asmodeus (god of enslavement), Bane (god of tyranny), and Loviatar (goddess of BDSM), any of whom are an easy fit for a chain theme. Tharizdun (god of wanting to destroy everything) and Tiamat (goddess of evil dragons) are two gods chained in the Abyss and the Nine Hells (respectively), who you might invoke to share a sliver of the power that restrains them. There's nothing in 5e that stops you from being a pleasant chap who worships a hateful deity; it could even make for a fun roleplaying experience.
Don't want to worship an evil god? Maybe worship Mystra as goddess of the Weave, but reimagine the Weave as a network of magic chains instead of threads. Helm (god of vigilance) is the de facto god of imprisoning things, so while his iconography is always all about gauntlets he's actually a perfect fit for chains. Waukeen (goddess of coin) could generate golden chains, or a worshipper of a smithing god like Moradin could focus on steel chains rather than metalworking in general.
It's a chance to be creative!
Or perhaps you're invoking the power that actually chains those evil beings...? Who chained them, and how? How are you accessing that power? Now that's interesting...
Tharzidun the Chained God of madness could be something to look into as well.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
I am working on a chain magic build and I was wondering if there is any deity or higher being that involves chains? A lore based neural (aka non-chaotic evil) alignment is preferred, but I know it can be changed at the table.
The build uses peace domain cleric and fathomless warlock. Both the "tentacle of the deep" and "emboldening bond" have been re-flavored to look like chains. (There's also a bunch of spells that have been re-flavored as well)
Prometheus in Greek mythology was chained to a rock. He was a titan, as opposed to a god, but still a very powerful being. He's the first one that comes to mind.
Maybe a lawful neutral god of impartial justice? The chains could represent the imprisonment of evildoers.
I live with several severe autoimmune conditions. If I don’t get back to you right away, it’s probably because I’m not feeling well.
In lore, "chains" are typically either associated with evil (enslavement, torture, etc), or insignificant as a means of connecting things that actually get the spotlight (ships and anchors)
Xalthu's example is probably the best way to go. A powerful being that escaped imprisonment and brings the chains with them cosmetically as a symbol of their past, as opposed to their portfolio.
A god of Justice is a good bet - I remember Hoar from earlier editions...
Actually - he's still around in the SCAG.
Hoar
Hoar, known in the lands along the Inner Sea as Assuran, is a god of revenge and retribution. He isn’t typically worshiped habitually, but his name is invoked by those who seek vengeance. When a guilty party falls prey to fate — such as when a murderer escapes prosecution, but is then accidentally slain himself — the hand of Hoar is given credit. When one hears three rolls of thunder in succession, it is thought to be a sign from Hoar that some act of vengeance has been performed. Many human societies have the custom of ringing a bell or a gong three times when judgment of a crime is rendered or an execution takes place.
Folk speak Hoar’s name when they want revenge, particularly when they are incapable of avenging themselves. This invocation might be in response to a petty slight or a true injustice, and the acknowledgment of Hoar might be a short prayer said aloud or might be written down somewhere. It’s generally believed that the more permanent the form of the prayer, the more likely it is to be fulfilled. For this reason, some etch their prayers in lead and bury it or hide their prayers inside diaries. Aside from bounty hunters and those on crusades of vengeance, few truly revere Hoar, and he is served by fewer still who would call themselves priests. Temples or shrines of Hoar are almost nonexistent except for ancient sites in Chessenta and Unther.
Hoar became a member of the Faerûnian pantheon when his worship extended beyond the lands that originally revered him. Most consider Tyr to be the arbiter of laws, and Hoar to be the god who metes out punishment that comes as a result of breaking those codes. A judge might favor the worship of Tyr, while a jailor or a headsman is more likely to pray to Hoar.
One of the disservices that the Forgotten Realms' "every concept gets a deity" approach to a pantheon creates is in convincing players their character's deity needs to fit into a neat role. Deities are massively powerful, and nothing says their portfolio has to mention a specific theme for you to decide they match it.
The easiest to fit are the evil gods, as has been said: Asmodeus (god of enslavement), Bane (god of tyranny), and Loviatar (goddess of BDSM), any of whom are an easy fit for a chain theme. Tharizdun (god of wanting to destroy everything) and Tiamat (goddess of evil dragons) are two gods chained in the Abyss and the Nine Hells (respectively), who you might invoke to share a sliver of the power that restrains them. There's nothing in 5e that stops you from being a pleasant chap who worships a hateful deity; it could even make for a fun roleplaying experience.
Don't want to worship an evil god? Maybe worship Mystra as goddess of the Weave, but reimagine the Weave as a network of magic chains instead of threads. Helm (god of vigilance) is the de facto god of imprisoning things, so while his iconography is always all about gauntlets he's actually a perfect fit for chains. Waukeen (goddess of coin) could generate golden chains, or a worshipper of a smithing god like Moradin could focus on steel chains rather than metalworking in general.
It's a chance to be creative!
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.
Or perhaps you're invoking the power that actually chains those evil beings...? Who chained them, and how? How are you accessing that power? Now that's interesting...
Tharzidun the Chained God of madness could be something to look into as well.
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"