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\title{The Gods of Western Midway}
\author{Tim Prestero}
\date{prestet@jacobs.cs.orst.edu \\ ez007162@hamlet.ucdavis.edu}
\maketitle

{\it \noindent
{\Large W}hile clever cub scouts may notice similarities
between Tim's gods and those of Harn or AD\&D, none should claim that his
world of Midway is without its own distinctive pantheon.
Yet, should he suddenly disappear, following a TSR funded
press release saying ``he is sick" (a la Gorbachev), assume 
the worst, and learn a valuable lesson from his folly.
Thus, in the spirit of derivative theology, the Guildsman doth
present the Gods of Midway.\\}


{\noindent
D}espite cultural and geographical differences, most 
of the cultured inhabitants of western Midway share the 
similar metaphysical belief in a pantheon of thirteen
gods.  While most actively worship only one deity, it is common 
practice to pay respect to other deities in order to gain divine
favor.

Many of the world religions are factious affairs, with 
different groups disagreeing over the {\em proper} aspect of a 
given god or the proper manners of worship.  
Disagreements range from passive theoretical debates to holy 
wars and inquisitions.

\vspace{.1in}

\begin{center}
{\large \bf ALBANARRA\\{\sf Major God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``The Merciful and Compassionate Queen of Heaven, 
the Lady of Truth and Virtue, the Healer, Lady of Industrious 
Labor and the Ripe Harvest."}
\end{center}

\noindent{A}lbanarra is the goddess of peace, healing, 
compassion, and agriculture. As the goddess of the 
peasant, she is considered the exemplary female figure.

	The majority of the Albanarran clergy is celibate, and 
there are separate orders for men and women.  Some local 
orders are:

\begin{description}
\item[The Order of the White Palm:]  a female order, whose 
activities include sponsoring a variety of orphanages, leper 
colonies, and food kitchens.

\item[The Order of the Merciful Lady:]  a male order, whose 
activities are quite similar to the female order, although the 
Order of the Merciful Lady also trains a number of mendicant 
priests, whose duty it is to wander the countryside, spreading 
peace, and the word of the goddess.

\item[The Order of St. Ilmater:]  this is another male order, 
although this group is considered to be quite extreme by most 
other adherents of the faith.  St. Ilmater was a priest in ancient 
days who spent his days in studious self-denial and ended up 
sacrificing his life to barbaric Hessian priests in the ultimate 
display of non-aggression.  His order, founded several years 
after his death, consists of priests determined to take the 
world's pain upon themselves.  They lead a rather grim life, 
leaping at any chance to take suffering upon themselves.
\end{description}

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf ALPHATON\\ {\sf Major God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``The Wise and Majestic King of Heaven, Of the 
Blinding Light, the Golden Lion, Lord of Paladins."}
\end{center}

\noindent{A}lphaton is the god of light and the sun, portrayed as 
the King of heaven, and the ageless god of Wisdom.  
Alphaton's church was the source of feudalism, as well as the 
inventors of the code of chivalry.

	Each of Alphaton's churches are dedicated to a saint, 
and many contain some holy relic associated with one of the saints.
His priesthood is organized into various orders and brotherhoods, 
and many clerical orders support knightly fighting orders, 
usually for the purpose of protecting church holdings and 
interests.  Some local orders are:

\begin{description}
\item[The Order of the Chalice:]  St. Ulric, in his long life of 
holy conquest, was said to have slain many a dragon and sea 
serpent, living a life of pious abstinence and dying while 
recovering the most holy Chalice of Aviens.  His fairly small 
clerical order is centered in Ar, with ambitions of spreading 
throughout the rest of Prydain.

\item[The Order of St. Kenned:]  St. Kenned was another 
extremely pious knight, canonized posthumously after 
attempting to subjugate the barbarian northlands.  This 
clerical order was recently granted lands in southern Prydain, 
and supports a fighting order.

\item[The Order of the Mace of God:]  The fighting order 
supported by the Order of St. Kenned.  The order is currently 
cooling its heels in Ar, fighting brigands in the Gnome Heads.
\end{description}

	Alphaton is served by a number of angels and saints.

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf BANE\\{\sf Demon Lord}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``Lord of the Pitch Shadows, Master of Deceit and Evil 
Dreams, Protector of Thieves and Murderers, the Merchant of 
Death, the Unseen Lifter of Lives and Eater of Souls, Wealth's 
Worry"}
\end{center}

\noindent{B}ane is perhaps the most merciless of the gods, save 
Tharzidun, who is incomprehensible.  More than any other, he 
is the god of darkness and is often worshiped by thieves and 
assassins.  He is often called the thief of heaven and is 
deemed a doer of the impossible and a master of lies and 
deception.

	Apparently, Bane lacks an organized clergy, although 
several Thieves' Guilds support a small, hidden temple of 
Bane.  Obviously, as the worship of Bane is forbidden by most 
governments, whatever clergy there is would not benefit from 
widespread knowledge of their existence.  Bane is said to be 
served by a number of demonic beings.

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf DIOMEDES\\{\sf Minor God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``The Emperor of Opulence, the Queen of Pleasure 
and Self Fulfillment, the Maker of Bargains, Guardian of the 
Treasure Hoards of Heaven, Enslaver of Hearts and Loins, 
Mistress of the Stolen Moment Forever Lost, King of 
Fermentation, Lady of the Feast."}
\end{center}

\noindent{T}he Ruler of Pleasures is portrayed as a perfectly 
proportioned, sensuously lithe, human male or female, 
neither sex having precedence.  His/her true form is so 
sensuous as to drive mortals mad with passion.  Diomedes has 
many aspects, among them the helpless {\em maiden}, the 
worldly sophisticate, the drunken sot, and the canny usurer.  
Diomedes is obviously more than solely a symbol of 
sensuality, although he/she is commonly perceived as such by 
ignorant outsiders.  Non-adherents have a tendency to 
perceive Diomedes as a god of little wisdom and his church as 
a shallow and spiritually bankrupt institution, but the goddess 
is the shrewdest of schemers, one who sometimes hides 
behind a facade of naivete or a well-timed, drunken stupor.

There is only one clerical order of Diomedes in 
western Midway, the Order of the Endless Feast.
Serving Diomedes' are six demi-gods:

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{ll}
{\em Lydia}  & Beauty, music, art.\\
{\em Elomia}  & Business, commerce.\\
{\em Galopea}  & Feasts.\\
{\em Sardura}  & Contracts.\\
{\em Tania}  & Sex and passion.\\
{\em Thalia}  & Chance.\\
\end{tabular}
\end{center}

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf OCEANUS\\{\sf Major God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``King of the Endless Sea, Ruler of Watery Domains, 
Lord of Rivers and Water, Master of Sea Creatures, Creator of 
Storms, Protector of Those Who Work the Sea, Creator of the 
Ocean's Bounty."}
\end{center}

\noindent{O}ceanus is the lord of the sea.  His clerics usually 
serve amongst those who work the seas: sailors, fishermen, and 
merchants.  His is an ancient god, and his kingdom is the 
greatest of the earthly gods.  He is considered a patron of 
trade, particularly waterborn trade.  Those involved in such 
trade petition for his mercy.  His anger can sink whole fleets
and wash away towns.

	His church is not very well organized, most 
temples being independent entities, and many of his priests
taking their positions from their fathers or mothers as
an hereditary right. Oceanus is served by
one demi-god:

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{ll}
{\em Umberlee}  & Oceans, storms, rough waters, shipwrecks.\\
\end{tabular}
\end{center}

\newpage

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf SILVANUS\\{\sf Major God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``King of the Wooded Realm, Protector of Beasts, the 
Unchanging, the Provider, Lord of Autumn."}
\end{center}

\noindent{S}ilvanus is another ancient god and is the brother of 
Oceanus.  He is the master of the woods, and his adherents 
are simple woodsmen and druids.  His 
appearance is said to age with the seasons: a youth in spring and
old man in winter.  His servants are said to be all the animals of 
the forest; they go to him and bring him news of his kingdom.

His clergy, in ancient times, were the druids, who have 
since left the civilized lands of western Midway.  Now, his 
shrines are encountered, often unattended, in forest depths 
and forgotten glens.

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf THARZIDUN\\{\sf Major God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``The  Unmaker, the Unnamed One, the 
Unescapable Doom at the End of Time, Master of Unlife, the 
Sleeping Lord of Evil Incarnate."}
\end{center}

\noindent{T}harzidun is said to be the oldest of gods and has 
been imprisoned in chains of sleep since the dawn of time.  
Tharzidun is the Unmaker. It is said that would reduce the world and 
the heavens to nothing.  Tharzidun represents the opposite of 
life and growth, and he controls the essence of Unlife.  To speak his 
name is to disturb his slumber and invite curses of the most 
potent variety.

	The idea of a priesthood of Tharzidun is unthinkable.  
To worship such a god would be to invite the {\em End of Time} and 
the {\em destruction of All}.


\vspace{.2in}
\begin{center}
{\Large \bf GODS OF AUSTERRICH}
\end{center}
	The pantheon of Austerrich is quite different from 
that of the rest of the area, as many of their gods are 
unsophisticated leftovers from the days when Austerrich was 
merely a collection of barbarian tribes (days not long past).

	As is evident, their gods tend to center around martial 
strength; a frequent test of a religion was whether or not a new 
god was `stronger' than existing gods.

\newpage

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf KHORNE\\{\sf Demon Lord}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``Lord of the Pit, Master of Balrogs, Immortal 
Warlord of the Land of Shadows, Master of the Bloodfire, 
Reasonless Reaper, the Insatiable Drinker of Blood."}
\end{center}
	Khorne is most commonly portrayed as a mighty 
humanoid figure with a bull's head, shrouded in smoke and 
flame, reeking of brimstone, with leathery, scalloped wings, 
cloven hooves and razor sharp claws.  An old god enjoying 
recent popularity, he represents those who enjoy pillage, 
cruelty, rapine and destruction for its own sake.  Khorne is the 
greatest warrior of the gods, though he is known for his 
unchivalrous methods.  His favorite weapons are {\em Glamrist}, an 
enormous flaming broad sword, and {\em Armahnh}, a great whip 
which is said to strike the ground with the sound of thunder.

	His clergy is a divided group, with constant intrigue 
and competition between churches and orders often leading 
to  bloodshed.  Philosophical and political differences are not 
the only cause of disputes within the church.  The church of 
Khorne seems to attract men as much concerned with power 
for its own sake as with theology.  Competition between 
temples and orders is accepted, even encouraged.  Often, 
violence is perceived as an act of worship in itself, and no 
adherent could make a greater sacrifice than his own life.

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf MALAR\\{\sf Minor God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``Lord of Beasts, the Untamed One, Hunter of Men in 
the Darkness, Fearless Berserker."}
\end{center}
	Malar is the god of yet another ancient cult, however,
his modern church has 
yet to make any sort of attempt at organization.  Malar is 
popular amongst barbarians and a few civilized folk.  He is the 
opposer of progress and the destroyer of civilization.\\

\begin{center}
\framebox{\parbox{2.5in}{\center\parbox{2.2in}{
``What the world needs is not dogma but an attitude of scientific inquiry
combined with a belief that the torture of millions is not desirable, whether
inflicted by Stalin or by a Deity imagined in the likeness of the believer."\\

\ \ \ --- Bertrand Russell\\}}}
\end{center}

\newpage

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf RAUGH\\{\sf Minor God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``The Lord of Glorious Combat, Courage in the Face 
of Insurmountable Odds, the Master of Strength, the 
Hammer of the Righteous, the Fearless Leader."}
\end{center}
	Raugh, the name of the god, and the battle cry of his 
clerics, is a god that has only a few simple requests of his 
adherents: never show fear, spend your life in pursuit of the 
Perfect Battle, and die amongst the crushed bodies of your 
enemies.  The early religion of Raugh was influenced by 
foreign missionaries and has adopted the philosophy that 
`fighting is good; fighting evil is better.'

	Raugh is perhaps the only god who attracts a clergy 
through conscription.  A thump on the head, a few years in a 
monastery, and just about any hardy warrior can become a 
priest of Raugh.  There is no such thing as a clerical order of 
Raugh; all of his clerical orders would be considered fighting 
orders by most standards.  Raugh has a number of saintly 
servants.

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf TEMPEST\\{\sf Minor God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``Lord of Lightning, Master of Thunder, Lord of 
Storms and Battle, Fury of the Skies, Master of the Winds 
That Shake the Heavens, the Ten-Slayer."}
\end{center}
	Tempest is another ancient, elemental god.  His 
worshipers are usually seeking martial prowess or protection 
from the elements.  His religion is not widely spread outside of 
Austerrich, though several tribes follow various versions of this 
religion.

	His clergy is becoming more organized, although few 
orders agree on the proper form the religion should take.  
Tempest is said to be served by the elemental forces of 
lightning, thunder, and wind.


\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
\framebox{\parbox{2.5in}{\center\parbox{2.2in}{
``All dross of education and civilization slipped from me,
leaving only the primitive man, only the primordial soul,
red-taloned, ferocious."\\

\ \ \ --- Robert E. Howard\\}}}
\end{center}


\newpage

\vspace{.2in}
\begin{center}
{\Large \bf FOREIGN GODS}
\end{center}
	These are gods worshiped outside the sphere of 
western Midway, although they are not without their influence 
in this region.

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf AL-AZIZ\\{\sf Major God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``The Mighty, the Ruler of the Desert, the Keeper of 
Wisdom, the Lord of Majesty and Generosity, the Raiser of 
the Dead, the Master of Angels and Djinn."}
\end{center}
	Al-Aziz is the god of the desert and its people, his 
religion formed from their culture.  To his people, he 
represents the god of their way of life, the god of the harsh 
territory of the desert, its searing winds and scorched earth, as 
well as the god of the oasis.

	The religion of Al-Aziz has been turned into one of 
intolerance; his worshipers view those not of the same faith 
as heathens, less than people.  Recently, the attitude towards 
the infidel has been `convert or die', as the religion of Al-Aziz 
has spread across the north coast of Mauretania and into Castille.  

Serving the god's will is one demi-god:

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{ll}
{\em Gabriel}  & Herald of Al-Aziz.\\
\end{tabular}
\end{center}

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf ARIOCH\\{\sf Major God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``Lord of the Frozen North, Lord of Frenzied Battle, 
Wielder of the Blooded Axe, Master of the Great Beasts, the 
Grey Slayer, Tamer of Thunder."}
\end{center}
	Arioch is the god of the north, master of the icy 
tundra and frozen waters.  To the people of the north, he 
represents their way of life, being the ideal warrior, statesman, 
and clanhead. Arioch is served by four demi-gods:

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{ll}
{\em Jarlak}  & Carrion lord.\\
{\em Oolpick}  & Lord of owls, skies.\\
{\em Njehu}  & Lord of whales, seas, mariners.\\
{\em Usnarl}  & Lord of bears, tundra.\\
\end{tabular}
\end{center}

\newpage

\vspace{.2in}
\begin{center}
{\Large \bf NONHUMAN GODS}
\end{center}
	In addition to the human pantheon, most other races 
have their own pantheon, as well as their own creation story.  
Listed below are the various gods of the non-humans.  In rare 
cases, some demihumans will worship human gods. For 
example, there is a dwarven order of Arioch. It is extremely 
rare, however, for a human to worship a non-human god.

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf CORELLON\\{\sf Minor God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``The Never-changing King of Dreams, Lord of the 
Starlit Realm, Lord of the Far West and the Blessed Realm, 
Hunter in the Deep Woods, Protector of the Race in Exile, 
Spirit of the Mist, Lord of Faerie."}
\end{center}
	 The Lord of the Starlit Realm often appears as an 
elven lord garbed in a mantle of flowing green and silver with 
a wreath of stars about his head.  His face and body bear no 
clues of age, but his eyes project wisdom, and his aura projects 
confused feelings of strength and longing.

	There appears to be no formalized priesthood of 
Corellon. The duty seems to pass freely amongst various 
member of the community.  Corellon is served by five demi-gods:

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{ll}
{\em Aerdrie}  & Goddess of air and weather.\\
{\em Erevan}  & Mischief, change.\\
{\em Solonor}  & Archery, hunting.\\
{\em Hanilil}  & Romantic love, beauty.\\
{\em Labelas}  & Longevity.\\
\end{tabular}
\end{center}

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf BAERVANE\\{\sf Minor God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``The Wildwanderer, Master of Mischief, Walker in 
the Deep Woods, Protector of Gnomes, Master of Crafts and 
of the Arts."}
\end{center}
	Baervane Wildwanderer is the god of the gnomes.  
He is constantly revealing greater means of mischief to his 
earthly followers.  He is a master smith, as well as being the inventor 
of all other gnomish crafts.

	His church is a simple affair, with mendicant priests 
wandering gnomish lands, telling proverbial tales, and 
encouraging an adherence to the {\em true} gnomish lifestyle.

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf BRANDOBARIS\\{\sf Minor God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``The Guardian, Lord of the Bounty of the Fields, the 
Brewmaster, Lord of the Homestead Beneath the Hill."}
\end{center}
	Although many halfling cultures have adopted 
human or elven gods, Brandobaris is still worshiped in some 
of the more isolated communities.  Brandobaris 
represents all of the qualities present in a halfling's lifestyle; 
he is an unobtrusive god, reluctant to leave his home, proud of 
his lands and works.

	The church is actually quite similar to that of 
Albanarra, although the majority of priests are male.  Services 
are held once every tenday and concern themselves primarily with 
simple requests on behalf of the community.

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf GRUUMISH\\{\sf Minor God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``One Eye, The Great Chieftain, Slayer of Khuzdul, 
Befouler of Sindar, Lord of the Deep Realm, Warlord of the 
Night, Master of the Blasted Plains Beyond Krakendor."}
\end{center}
	Gruumish is the one-eyed god of the gargun.  He appears 
as a massive, ten-foot orc, his one, huge eye staring
from beneath a hoary brow.  He forced the other gods into 
giving up land for the gargun, but the only lots left were those 
in the uninhabitable regions of Midway (caves, deserts, tundra).  
Gruumish granted his race the abilities necessary to endure in 
these harsh regions and prophesied that the gargun would one 
day cover the planet and rule the earth.  Gruumish is an 
exceedingly warlike god and demands frequent sacrifice of 
the blood of his enemies, the Khuzdul and the Sindarin.

	Gruumish's priests are born into their position, and 
are taught by the religious clan leaders.  Many pluck out one 
eye, to better see with the wisdom of their god.  Rivalry 
between priests of Gruumish is intense, as the god has 
decreed he will only allow the finest warriors to serve him in 
the afterlife.  Gruumish heads a heavenly clan and 
occasionally sends his servants to Midway to wreak war and 
mischief.

\newpage

\vspace{.1in}
\begin{center}
{\large \bf MORADIN\\{\sf Minor God}\\}
\end{center}

\begin{center}
\parbox{2in}{\em
	``King Under the Mountain, the Soulforger, Master of 
Stone and Metal, Keeper of Secrets and Ancient Wisdom, the 
Keeper of the Treasures of the Earth."}
\end{center}
	Moradin is the god of the dwarves, believed to be 
their creator.  Moradin represents all of the qualities that 
embody the dwarven race.  He is a keeper of secrets and a 
hoarder of treasure.  He is a mighty warrior and stands 
steadfast against the innumerable hosts of Gruumish.  
Moradin is infinitely wise but only shares his wisdom with the 
worthiest of dwarves, whispering his secrets deep into the 
bowels of the earth.  He has shown the dwarves the ways of 
metal and stone, secrets they dutifully keep.

	Moradin's clergy is hereditary.  His priests are born 
into a religious clan and learn the secrets of religion from 
their clan leaders.  His will is served by five demi-gods.


\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{ll}
{\em Clageddin}  & Father of battle.\\
{\em Vergadain}  & Wealth, luck.\\
{\em Dumathoin}  & Keeper of secrets under the mountain.\\
{\em Abbathor}  & Greed, avarice.\\
{\em Berronar}  & Safety, truth, the home.\\
\end{tabular}
\end{center}


\vspace{.2in}
\begin{center}
{\Large \bf LESSER KNOWN GODS}
\end{center}
In addition to these well known gods, there are a few 
other minor gods, those that are worshiped in only certain 
areas or have a small following with no established clergy. An
example of this sort of god would be one of the gods and 
goddesses of the home, whose shrines can be found in the 
occasional peasant cottage.

Along with these minor gods, there are quite a 
number of demons worshiped, usually in secret, by various 
individuals and groups.  These demons often trade powers 
and influence in return for mortal souls.

Finally, there are some minor deities related to the 
solar constellations.  These gods are supposed to have 
influence only over those born in their phases.

\newpage

\ \\
\vspace{.5in}

\begin{center}
\framebox{\parbox{2.5in}{\center\parbox{2.2in}{
``You are an evil and vicious man. You have no feelings;
{\bf you} have no soul. You are blackhearted and cruel. You
are an abomination in the eyes of God. You mock everything
that is right and true. You have no compassion towards
anyone or anything. You would murder without a second
thought. You are twisted and warped. You are an agent
of evil and a servant of darkness. You revel in carnage,
chaos, destruction and the misery of others. You are
a tool of Satan, and I wouldn't be very surprised if you
were not, in actuality, the Anti-Christ."\\

\ \ \ --- From an Admirer\\}}}
\end{center}

\vspace{1in}


\begin{quote}
\begin{description}
\item[Paladin:] ``I'll try a detect evil on the room!"
\item[DM:] ``You're in the Temple of Elemental Evil!"
\item[Paladin:] ``Do I detect any?"
\item[DM:] ``Lots!"
\item[Paladin:] ``Good!"
\end{description}

\begin{tabbing}
\ \ \ --- \=Ken Hunt\\
\>{\em hunt@ria.ccs.uwo.ca}\\
\>a.k.a. Sir Roderick Danske, Esquire\\
\end{tabbing}
\end{quote}



\end{document}
