# Goals for the prose section: pitch the god to a player/potential worshipper. # Why should they worship this god? What are the advantages & limitations? # What's 'cool' about this god? %%%% Zin Zin is a god of discipline. Followers must remain pure of body and soul, refraining from dark magic and chaotic acts, and never consuming the flesh of intelligent beings. They must also tithe a fraction of all gold gained, preferably followed by donations of more. In exchange, worshippers may invoke Zin's wrath upon sinners, and eventually gain various divine protections. Zin's followers can convert to Elyvilon or the Shining One while keeping some piety. %%%% the Shining One Followers of the Shining One are bound to the code of the honourable warrior, soldiers in their god's eternal crusade against evil. For forsaking dark magic and underhanded tactics, the Shining One rewards them and their allies with the power they need to slay demons and the undead. Especially devout warriors can even call upon angels in times of need. The Shining One's followers can convert to Elyvilon or Zin while keeping some piety. %%%% Kikubaaqudgha Kikubaaqudgha is a terrible Demon-God, served by those who wish to indulge in the powers of death. An evil god, Kikubaaqudgha requires the deaths of living creatures and demons as often as possible. In exchange, Kikubaaqudgha offers great assistance to the aspiring necromancer: spellbooks filled with dark magic, protection against necromantic backlash, and an endless supply of bodies taken from Kikubaaqudgha's vast mausoleum. %%%% Yredelemnul Yredelemnul the Dark is a god worshipped by those who seek powers over death and the undead. Followers, who must oppose all things holy, can raise legions of servile undead, and gain a number of other useful (if unpleasant) powers. Yredelemnul appreciates killing, but has no interest in sacrifices, preferring corpses to be put to use. Destroying artificial beings is also appreciated, as they are neither truly alive nor subject to death or undeath. %%%% Xom Xom is a wild and unpredictable god of chaos, who seeks not worshippers but playthings with which to toy. Many choose to follow Xom in the hope of receiving fabulous rewards and mighty powers, but Xom is nothing if not capricious. There is nothing a follower can do to influence Xom's mood. %%%% Vehumet Vehumet is a god of the destructive powers of magic. Followers gain various useful powers to enhance their command of the hermetic arts, and the most favoured stand to gain access to some of the fearsome spells in Vehumet's library. One's devotion to Vehumet can be proven by the causing of as much carnage and destruction as possible. %%%% Okawaru Okawaru is a dangerous and powerful god of battle. Followers can gain a number of powers useful in combat as well as various rewards, but must constantly prove themselves through battle and the sacrifice of corpses. Okawaru prefers heroic feats against much stronger enemies, and pays little heed to easier victories. Furthermore, while fair fights are not required, harming one's allies will incur Okawaru's wrath. %%%% Makhleb Makhleb the Destroyer is a fearsome deity of bloodshed and mortification of the flesh. Followers are expected to cleanse others by inflicting suffering and death on them in Makhleb's name, and can gain further favour by sacrificing the freshly dead. Dedicated followers may also access the raw energies and hell-spawned servants of chaos, so that they may better break the impure world and its false laws for their evil god's glory. %%%% Sif Muna Sif Muna the Loreminder is a contemplative but powerful deity, served by those who seek magical knowledge. The Loreminder appreciates the training of spellcasting skills, and will reward faithful followers with a supply of spellbooks taken directly from Sif Muna's legendary library. %%%% Trog Trog is an ancient god of anger and violence. Followers are expected to kill in Trog's name and sacrifice the dead. In return, worshippers of Trog gain the ability to go berserk at will in combat, and will be granted gifts of powerful weapons. Trog hates all wizards, and loves to see their spellbooks burn. Followers are absolutely forbidden the use of spell magic. %%%% Nemelex Xobeh Nemelex is a strange and unpredictable trickster god, whose powers are invoked through magical packs of cards painted in the ichor of demons. Followers are expected to explore the world, and will recieve decks of cards in return. Followers are encouraged to trust in the cards and use them as much as possible. However, the Trickster can ensure that fortune favours the bold. %%%% Elyvilon Elyvilon the Healer welcomes all kind souls prepared to help others. Those individuals can expect to gain powerful healing abilities, by which they can avoid bloodshed. Elyvilon appreciates the destruction of weapons, though more pious worshippers must find and destroy unholy or evil weapons to gain piety in this way. Elyvilon's followers can convert to the Shining One or Zin while keeping some piety. %%%% Lugonu Banished to the chaotic realm of the Abyss, Lugonu the Unformed seeks followers to spread bloodshed and corruption in the overworld. Those who gain Lugonu's favour will be granted some of the power of the Abyss itself, allowing them to call forth eldritch horrors, and even to travel between the overworld and the Abyss at will. %%%% Beogh Beogh is an evil deity, worshipped by the cave orcs native to the dungeon. Only orcs may devote their service to Beogh, and they must prove their devotion with bloodshed. Especially fervent devotees of Beogh will find orcish followers flocking to their banner: it is an age of signs and portents, and the orcs have become increasingly certain that the coming of their Messiah is nigh. %%%% Fedhas The god of plant and fungal life, Fedhas Madash demands that followers encourage the decomposition of corpses. Fedhas also forbids followers from harming any species under Fedhas' protection, and from using any necromantic effects that interfere with corpses. In return Fedhas grants a number of abilities that promote the growth of plants and fungi. These abilities may incidentally prove useful to adventurers. %%%% Cheibriados Cheibriados is a god of deliberation. Those following Cheibriados travel more slowly the further they progress in their faith, and are forbidden from using any means to hasten themselves. In the process of so imitating their god, they attain perfection of mind and body, and the mysteries of time unfold before them. Especially devout followers may even momentarily abandon the flow of time and its needless disturbances. %%%% Ashenzari While it seems inconceivable that the divine could be shackled, Ashenzari is just that: bound to the sky for eternity, the unbudging god is all-knowing, all-seeing. Devoted worshippers are allowed to grasp shreds of this knowledge and foresight, but be warned: to Ashenzari, power and blessing and curse are all the same thing. %%%% Jiyva Jiyva is the ancient deity of the slimes. Followers are expected to support the spread and satiation of their fellow slimes by allowing them to consume items, and are forbidden from harming any slimes. Jiyva will even occasionally consume items left elsewhere in the dungeon by followers. Especially favoured followers will become as shapeless as their god, as their attributes and mutations shift around under Jiyva's influence. %%%% Dithmenos Dithmenos the Shadowed desires all to be darkness. Followers of Dithmenos gain a strange and otherwordly affinity to the shadows of their environment. This god despises fire, the ancient enemy of the shadows, and forbids its use by worshippers; Dithmenos favours those who would instead destroy sources of light. %%%% Gozag Gozag Ym Sagoz the Greedy teaches that the world belongs to the rich. Those accepting this principle may exchange their gold for divine assistance. Followers of Gozag do not earn piety; the only way to impress this god is by amassing a fortune, and worshippers may request as much assistance as they can afford. Fortunately, Gozag's worshippers are said to have the touch of gold. %%%% Qazlal Qazlal Stormbringer is a violent god of tempests, who delights in unleashing the forces of nature against the unsuspecting. Those who invite Qazlal's gaze will find themselves the eye in a storm of elemental destruction, from which only their God can protect them. Pious worshippers of Qazlal will gain the ability to direct and control the destructive might of the storm. %%%% Zin powers Zin grants followers the ability to preach to the unenlightened masses, and powers to vitalise their bodies and gain divine stamina, protecting them from various afflictions as well as giving sustenance to the hungry. Later, followers gain the ability to imprison their foes temporarily. Followers can eventually find temporary safety in a divine refuge. As piety grows, followers will be protected from mutation, and Zin may even occasionally directly intervene to save a follower's life. %%%% the Shining One powers Followers of the Shining One are surrounded by a halo that reveals their enemies to them. Followers will gain power by killing evil beings, and with growing piety their life force will be protected. The Shining One will keep summoned and charmed allies on their side longer, should the allies prove worthy of the crusade. Followers will gain use of a divine shield to protect them in battle. Later, they can channel blasts of cleansing flame that are particularly damaging to unholy beings, and can call upon powerful divine beings as temporary allies. Highly pious followers may request the Shining One's blessing upon a weapon. The Shining One may occasionally directly intervene to save a follower's life. %%%% Kikubaaqudgha powers Kikubaaqudgha will send corpses to followers, and enhance servants' necromantic prowess with gifts of spellbooks. Kikubaaqudgha will protect followers from the effects of necromantic miscasts, and may even shield them from unholy torment. Especially fervent followers may invoke torment themselves by sacrificing a cadaver, and Kikubaaqudgha will eventually allow followers to either receive the Necronomicon, or to have their weapon imbued with pain. %%%% Yredelemnul powers Yredelemnul gives followers the power to raise skeletons and corpses, to recall undead followers to their vicinity, and to heal by draining the life force of living creatures. With sufficient piety, Yredelemnul can be called upon to mirror a follower's injuries onto attackers. Eventually, followers will gain the power to bind a monster's soul, and make it fight for them instead. Yredelemnul will sporadically gift followers increasingly powerful undead servants. %%%% Xom powers To worship Xom is to live riskily. In a good mood Xom may shower you with gifts, while at other times this capricious god could decide to “spice things up a little” and send you to your doom. If you prove yourself the stronger, so much the better; if not, well, there'll be other playthings... %%%% Vehumet powers Worshippers of Vehumet will quickly be able to recover their magical energy upon killing beings. As they gain favour, they will also gain enhancements to their destructive spells — first assistance in casting such spells and then increased range for conjurations. Vehumet will offer followers the knowledge of increasingly powerful destructive spells as they gain piety. %%%% Okawaru powers Followers of Okawaru will gain the ability to temporarily increase their skills in combat, and, much later, to deal much faster blows. Okawaru will eventually gift followers with weapons and armour. %%%% Makhleb powers Makhleb offers followers means to inflict immense damage through chaotic, destructive attacks. Followers will also be able to call in help from powerful demons. Makhleb's powers come with a price in blood. However, Makhleb will grant followers renewed health in return for killing beings of all kinds. %%%% Sif Muna powers Followers of Sif Muna can channel magical energy when they need it the most, and they gain a power to forget any spell at will, so as to learn new ones. Sif Muna protects spellcasters against the negative effects of miscasting a spell. Over time, followers will receive spellbooks containing a vast range of spells. %%%% Trog powers Trog offers various powers to help followers in battle. Followers will gain the ability to go berserk at will, and to rapidly heal their wounds while increasing resistance to hostile enchantments. Later, followers may call in powerful raging allies. Eventually, Trog will gift followers with weapons focused on damage. %%%% Nemelex Xobeh powers The Trickster's followers gain various ways to influence fate when playing cards. They will quickly gain the ability to draw from decks without needing to wield them, and to peek at the contents of decks in order to identify them. Later, followers will gain much more powerful abilities to manipulate the cards, allowing them to choose one of three drawn cards, to gain the effects of multiple cards at once, and finally to stack decks and re-order their contents. %%%% Elyvilon powers The Healer offers followers means to heal themselves from damage and other ill effects. Elyvilon also allows healing of hostile monsters, trying to turn them neutral. Elyvilon may directly intervene to save a follower's life, especially when called upon; highly pious followers can be sure of such aid. %%%% Lugonu powers Followers of Lugonu gain powers to depart the Abyss at will, to bend space around themselves, and to banish monsters to the Abyss. Later they will be able to corrupt the ordered world, opening a gate for creatures of the Abyss to pass through, and to gate themselves directly into this realm of chaos. Lugonu will eventually offer to corrupt a follower's weapon, imbuing it with the distorting energies of the Abyss, and will protect the follower from the normally harmful effects of unwielding such a weapon. Lugonu expects followers to spread unceasing chaos in the overworld, and as such does not grant piety to worshippers while they remain in the Abyss itself. %%%% Beogh powers Followers of Beogh can smite their foes, and will even gain orcish followers of their own, who may be blessed by Beogh in battle and can be recalled as needed. Eventually, followers will gain the power to walk on water. Beogh will sometimes directly intervene to save a follower's life. {{ if you.race() == "Lava Orc" then return "Beogh suppresses the heat aura of Lava Orc followers." end }} %%%% Fedhas powers Plants and fungi will not attack Fedhas' worshippers without provocation. Fedhas' worshippers may walk through plants or fungi, and even fire missiles or spells through them without causing harm. Fedhas grants the ability to promote plants and fungi into stronger species. Followers can eventually grow a wall of plants and create explosive spores from corpses. They are also granted some control over the weather, being able to call sunlight and eventually rainstorms. %%%% Cheibriados powers Followers of Cheibriados move more slowly as they gain favour, and are rewarded for killing creatures who are faster than they are. Moving too quickly or using magically hastened weapons is frowned upon. Cheibriados rewards the faithful with a slowed metabolism, the power to slow other creatures, the power to distort the flow of time, the power to harm those who move more quickly than they do, and, finally, the ability to step out of the flow of time entirely. %%%% Jiyva powers Jiyva's followers can request jellies, turn monsters to slime, and eventually remove their harmful mutations. Followers of Jiyva may also pray alongside visible slimes, preventing items from being eaten for a while. As their piety grows, Jiyva will, with increasing frequency, drop jellies into the dungeon; rearrange followers' attributes based on their skills and armour; and grant mutation gifts. Slimes will never harm a follower of Jiyva, and Jiyva demands the same conduct in return. %%%% Ashenzari powers Ashenzari exhorts followers to garb themselves with curses, and provides rewards for time spent using cursed armour, jewellery or weapons. Ashenzari will increase followers' skills depending on how cursed they are, and grants clear sight and clarity of mind. Followers will later gain the ability to scry through walls, and eventually will be able to transfer a portion of their knowledge from one skill to another. %%%% Dithmenos powers Followers of Dithmenos are constantly surrounded in an aura of shadow, the extent of which is reflective of their level of devotion. Dithmenos grants followers the ability to instantly step into the shadow of nearby creatures, provided the shadow is still enough to do so. Dithmenos protects followers by occasionally shrouding those struck by attacks in dark smoke. Sufficiently pious followers of Dithmenos will find their own shadow will begin to attack on its own, and eventually gain the ability to assume the form of a shadow themself. %%%% Gozag powers For Gozag, both flesh and food are inferior to wealth, and therefore all corpses are turned into gold piles. These piles of gold may briefly distract nearby monsters. Stalwarts can order immediate help in the form of potions, with prices being dictated by the Greedy. Particularly well-off adherents may attract shopkeepers into the dungeon, and even bribe entire branches of the dungeon. Gozag will also duplicate any one non-artefact item for a servant. %%%% Qazlal powers Followers of Qazlal are protected from the clouds they create. As a follower of Qazlal gains divine favour, they are slowly surrounded by a loud storm, causing elemental clouds to appear near them, blocking attacks, and (for the particularly devout) deflecting incoming projectiles. Qazlal allows followers to incite nature against their foes, causing a localised natural disturbance or, for particularly devout followers, a more widespread disaster. Followers of Qazlal can give life to elemental clouds, turning them into elementals whose loyalty depends on the origin of the cloud. Followers can gain temporary resistances against the elements on taking damage from that element. %%%%