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                 GODS AND MYTHS OF THE BURLE CAMPAIGN

                            created by

                           Steven Sharp


                          and developed by

                            Ed Barach

                       with contributions by

                 Eric Kaylor, Alan Rollow and others


                        THE ELDER GODS


         Name:  Sky, Air, Heaven Holder, Windfather
       Origin:  The Power of Elemental Air
Manifestation:  The Sky, Air
  Description:  Holds the Sky above the Earth.  His breath is the wind.


         Name:  Ocean, Water, Man of the Sea
       Origin:  The Power of Elemental Water
Manifestation:  The Ocean, Seas, Water
  Description:  Surrounds Earth.  His blood is water.


         Name:  Earth, All Mother, All Loving
       Origin:  The Power of Elemental Earth
Manifestation:  The Earth, the physical world
  Description:  Source of all life, mother of all major deities.  Her body is
                the Earth.  The only Elder God still widely revered.


         Name:  Fire, The Destroyer, The Corrupter
       Origin:  The Power of Elemental Fire
Manifestation:  The Underworld
  Description:  Holds up the Earth, causes volcanoes and earthquakes.  The only
                TRULY evil god.  His breath is fire.

                        THE GREATER GODS


         Name:  Alzaric         (al-ZAHR-ic)
       Titles:  King of the Gods, Ruler, Overlord, Lawmaker, Windlord
       Origin:  Son of All-Mother by command of Sky
Manifestation:  The Stars
        Color:  Purple
       Symbol:  A crown, palace, throne, or sword
  Hand Signal:  Salute with flat palm upright.
        Image:  A crowned king with sharp features, violet eyes and well
                trimmed brown hair and beard.  He has a lofty bearing.
  Description:  Ruler of deities.  Upholder of Laws.  Unyielding Justice.
                Wind is his steed, Winged Folk his servants.  Bringer of windy
                autumn season.


         Name:  Nemior          (NEE-mee-or)
       Titles:  Rebel, Shapeshifter, Trickster, Seducer, Queen of the Gods
       Origin:  Child of All-Mother by seduction by Ocean
Manifestation:  The Planets
        Color:  Yellow
       Symbol:  A net, trident, fish scale, waves, or (by a few) a broken crown.
  Hand Signal:  Fingers waved randomly, often with thumb touched to nose.
        Image:  Almost any shape or form can be used, but when a human form is
                represented it usually has red hair and is usually laughing.
  Description:  Rebel among deities.  Obeys no command.  Shapeshifter.  Waves
                are Nemior's steed, Merfolk Nemior's companions.  Bringer of
                wet and fertile spring season.


         Name:  Morenae         (MOR-eh-nay)
       Titles:  The Chaste, Renewer, Dark Lady, Cold Lady, Reaper, Deathbringer
       Origin:  Daughter of All-Mother by rape by the Destroyer
Manifestation:  The Moon
        Color:  Black
       Symbol:  Spiral, whip, or coiled snake. Skull. Moon in one of its phases.
  Hand Signal:  Downward thumb, fingers curled
        Image:  A grim young woman in black with long dark hair and a fair round
                face, holding a snake, whip, or scythe.  Her feet are bare.
  Description:  Earth as deathbringer.  Tombs, graves, decay, undead.  Cold,
                darkness. Death to allow new life.  Cycles of life and death.
                New beginnings.  Dark secrets.  Patroness and protector of
                young women and chastity.  Bringer of cold winter season.


         Name:  Belane          (bel-AYNE)
       Titles:  Bright One, Healer, Lifebringer, Warmthgiver
       Origin:  Son of All-Mother by rape by the Destroyer, twin of Morenae
Manifestation:  The Sun
        Color:  White
       Symbol:  An upward pointing arrow.  A light ray or spear.  The Sun.
  Hand Signal:  Thumb or index finger raised.
        Image:  A joyful young man with a round face, tanned skin, curly blond
                hair, and bright blue or glowing golden eyes.
  Description:  Fire as lifebringer.  Warmth and healing.  Sustains life for
                the sake of life.  Bringer of warm summer season.  Patron of
                young men and male fertility.

                        THE LESSER GODS


         Name:  Seldar          (SEL-dahr)
       Titles:  Grower, Plantmother, Spirit of the Woods
       Origin:  Grown by Belane and Nemior
        Color:  Green
       Symbol:  A sprout, ivy.  Intertwining trees or vines.  A bow and quiver.
  Hand Signal:  Crossed fingers
        Image:  A tall, thin, beautiful member of the worshipping race.  For
                the Elves, a Firstborn, with green skin and leaves for hair.
  Description:  Goddess of growth, plants, and natural forests.  Goddess of
                longevity.  Patroness of Elves.


         Name:  Groth           (GROTH)
       Titles:  Warmaster, Beastfather, Stalker
       Origin:  Earthen image made by Morenae and given breath by Alzaric
        Color:  Red
       Symbol:  A club or mace. A fallen tree. A wolf head. Hunter with dogs.
  Hand Signal:  A clenched fist.
        Image:  Huge, muscular male of the worshipping race, often horned or
                antlered, always with weapons, and usually in armor or furs.
  Description:  God of beasts, hunting, domination, and war.  Patron of Orcs.


         Name:  Huldah          (HUL-dah)
       Titles:  Trickster, Lady Luck, Masked One, the Insatiable, the Greedy
       Origin:  Eroded from stone by Nemior who was tricked by Morenae
        Color:  Orange
       Symbol:  A dagger or sling.  An impaled corpse.  A phallic symbol.
  Hand Signal:  Upward middle finger
        Image:  A small member of the worshipping race, usually with at least
                one hand behind her back and a smiling face.
  Description:  Goddess of magic, mischief, theft, and debauchery.  Patroness
                of Goblins.


         Name:  Miter           (MAI-ter)
       Titles:  Builder, Maker, Defender, The True
       Origin:  Smelted and forged by Alzaric and Belane
        Color:  Blue
       Symbol:  A hammer, pick, axe, or crossbow.  A balance.  A horned helmet.
  Hand Signal:  "Horns" of index finger (or thumb) and smallest finger.
        Image:  A stocky and strong male of the worshipping race, bearded when
                possible, and either armed for battle or using a forge.
  Description:  God of honor, oaths, marriage, and justice tempered with
                mercy.  God of building and artifice.  Patron of Dwarves.


         Name:  Omdis           (AHM-dis)
       Titles:  Trader, Traveller, Rich One
       Origin:  Created from an attempted seduction of Alzaric by Nemior.
        Color:  Clear, Transparent
       Symbol:  A circle.  A coin or bead.  A wagon wheel.  A potter's wheel.
  Hand Signal:  A hand with the thumb and index finger forming a circle.
        Image:  A tall male of the worshipping race, walking with a pack over
                his shoulder and a staff or coins in his hand.
  Description:  God of wealth, trade, crafts, status, influence.  Patron of
                humans.


         Name:  Anselm          (AN-selm)
       Titles:  The Mediator of the Gods, The Sage, The Open Hand
       Origin:  Created by Belane and Morenae using knowledge
        Color:  Grey
       Symbol:  A square.  A piece of written parchment.  A book or scroll.
  Hand Signal:  An empty hand lifted, open in peace, fingers often horizontal.
        Image:  A physically weak member of the worshipping race, robed in
                grey, reading a scroll or with both hands extended in peace.
  Description:  Goddess of thought, knowledge, learning, diplomacy, balance.
                Patroness of no race in order to maintain her neutrality.
                Caused creation of Shar and Lucalla.


         Name:  Shar            (SHAR)
       Titles:  Grainmother, Feeder, The Good Wife
       Origin:  The result of a pact of Anselm's between Seldar and Groth.
        Color:  Brown
       Symbol:  A bowl of grain, watering trough, corral, or firepit.  A scythe.
  Hand Signal:  A pair of cupped hands.
        Image:  A female of the worshipping race in childbearing years, either
                working in the fields or upon some domestic task.
  Description:  Goddess of agriculture, animal husbandry, the family, home,
                beggers.  Revered mostly by Humans as the wife of their Omdis.


         Name:  Lucalla         (loo-CAHL-lah)
       Titles:  Enslaver of Hearts, Poet, Harper, The Fickle
       Origin:  The result of a pact of Anselm's between Huldah and Miter.
        Color:  Reflective
       Symbol:  A harp or lyre.  A diamond.  A fan.  A mirror.
  Hand Signal:  Two hands clasped together.
        Image:  An incredibly beautiful member of the worshipping race, with
                usually blonde or red hair and carrying a harp and mirror.
  Description:  Goddess of youth, love, beauty, desire, music, art, poetry,
                festivals.

                        THE AGE OF THE ELDER GODS

  Before the Beginning of Days, the universe was a seething mass of Chaos.
There was no order and nothing of substance existed.  From this Chaos was born
the Elder Gods.  The first to pull himself from the Chaos was he who would be
called Sky and Heaven Holder.  He provided some order to the universe, filling
it with his breath.  He made himself a high seat, and stayed there in deep
thought.  The second would be known as Ocean and Sea and Water.  He had no
form, for he was made largely of Chaos.  He came to dwell below Sky.  The
third would be known as All Mother and Earth. She was gentle and benign and
also came to dwell below Sky, surrounded by Ocean.  Last to form was the most
terrible of all, being evil and delighting in mindless torments.  He would be
called Destroyer and Fire, and came to dwell below Earth, far away from Sky.

  After a timeless time Sky took notice of those below him, and commanded
Earth to be his wife and to bear him a child.  She meekly did so, and Alzaric
was born.  Alzaric was much like his father, and Sky was pleased.  This task
done, Sky retired once more to his lofty place of contemplation.

  More time passed.  The loving Earth was neglected by Sky, and lived in
solitude.  Occasionally she was visited by Alzaric, but her son took to
spending most of his time with his father.  Ocean noticed the lonely Earth
and, finding her form pleasing, began a great seduction.  For long Earth
endured Ocean's gentle caresses and whispers.  For long she resisted, trying
to remain loyal to her husband.  In the end her resolve weakened and she
succumbed.  The result of this union was a child named Nemior.  Ocean was
amused by this development, and took his child with him.

  The young Alzaric discovered his mother's adultery.  He was disappointed in
her, for she had broken powerful vows.  Ocean earned Alzaric's scorn and
Nemior was despised by him as a bastard.

  Then there came a time when Earth was again alone.  From his hiding place
came the vile Destroyer, Fire.  He inflicted much pain upon Earth, and raped
her.  Alzaric heard Earth's screams and rushed to her aid.  The young Alzaric
struggled valiantly with Fire, but had not yet come into his Power and so was
simply brushed aside.  The aloof Sky was never aware of the incident.  Ocean
saw, but was afraid and kept the child Nemior near him.

  Fire waited, and a child was born, a daughter that would be named Morenae.
With an evil laugh he snatched the girl and departed, determined to raise her
as a destroying force.  A battered and burned Alzaric went to comfort his
mother and discovered a second child, a boy who would be named Belane.  The
fertile Earth had birthed twins.

  In the time that followed, Alzaric grew straight and tall.  His sharp
features were framed by dark brown hair and a perfectly trimmed beard.  In his
glaring violet eyes were resolve and determination.  In his noble bearing,
strength.  He learned much from Sky, his father, but could never forgive him
for neglecting Earth during her time of need.  Ocean he despised as a base
coward.  Nemior he ignored when he could.  Of Fire he would never speak.  He
spent much time with his mother Earth and his young brother Belane.

  Nemior came to maturity as a wild and unrestrained thrill-seeker.  Ocean had
given much to Nemior but had often left his child to simple amusements and had
never applied real discipline.  Nemior kept no shape, appearing as male or
female in whatever guise whim dictated.  Nemior delighted in playing tricks on
others, especially Alzaric, who appreciated them not in the least.  Upon
occasion, it pleased the trickster to visit Earth and Belane, usually when
Alzaric was absent.

  Belane was yet a child in the care of his mother, whom he loved dearly.  He
was full of joy and mirth, and never angered.  He had a round, tanned face and
a curly head of golden hair.  His eyes were full of light when he smiled.

  Morenae lived in constant torment in the dark Underworld realm of her father,
Fire.  She was imprisoned in a tiny room with burning manacles and was often
flayed with a barbed whip, for Fire thought this to be great sport.  She was
lean and trim, with pale skin and long dark hair.  Her body showed many burn
scars due to Fire's abuse.  Finally, Fire told her that when he next returned,
he would take pleasure of Morenae as he had her mother, Earth.  Determined to
escape that fate, Morenae grasped to herself the one secret she had wrested
from Fire: destruction.  She slew herself to escape the Destroyer, and so
became the first being to die.

  Earth was aware of Morenae's death at that very instant, for nothing that
the All Mother brings into existance can pass without her knowledge.  Earth
refused to lose her daughter, and took Morenae and caused her to be reborn.

  For the occasion of Morenae's rebirth were gathered her three siblings.  She
quickly grew to maturity and told them of the danger of Fire.  She believed
that once he discovered that she was missing, he would come searching for her.
She asked that before that happened, she be allowed to die.  The Earth was
helpless, for she did not know how to answer her daughter.

  Then Earth shook, and cried in pain.  Fire was furious at his discovery of
Morenae's escape, and was venting that anger upon the only victim readily
available to him.

  Alzaric came forward, full of anger.  In a clear, precise voice he proposed
to his siblings that they petition the mighty Sky to take notice and act
against Fire.  They agreed (Nemior mostly because it would be a new
experience) and Alzaric proceeded to build a great stairway up into the
heavens to his father.

  Sky, annoyed at being disturbed, declined to even speak with them.


                        THE AGE OF REBELLION

  Fire's rampages continued to assail Earth, who refused to reveal Morenae's
location.  In a secret place deep within their tormented mother, the four
siblings met and planned their next action.  Alzaric loudly claimed that Sky
was unjust and undeserving of his high position.  Nemior disliked the low
status that Ocean assigned his child in his realm and Nemior now wished to be
master of it.  Belane felt that he was now old enough to no longer need his
mother's constant presence, though he still loved her and wished to stop the
cause of her pain.  Morenae agreed with the others, and said that the time had
come for the new order to replace the old.

  The four of them returned to the heavens and caught Sky unawares. With the
help of his siblings, Alzaric was able to gain control over Sky's Power and
wrest it from him.  Instead of sharing it, however, Alzaric kept it all for
himself.  He fashioned a crown, placed it upon his own head, and claimed that
as the firstborn, legitimate son, it was his duty and right to rule over all.

  The others were angry, Nemior most of all.  While Belane and Morenae sought
out Fire, Nemior took up the Net of the Deep and the Trident and went alone to
find Ocean.  Ocean, treacherously ensnared, was stabbed through the heart by
his own child. As Ocean's lifeblood spilled out around Earth, Nemior drained
away his Power.  Nemior then went straight to do battle with Alzaric, whom the
Rebel could never accept as ruler.

  While these actions were taking place above Earth, the twins ventured into
the depths of the Underworld, seeking their father.

  Morenae led the way, for she knew the paths.  She dared hope for the time
when Fire would be helpless and she would be without fear.  Revenge for her
long suffering would be sweet, and all pain that she had received would be
paid back in full.

  For the first time ever, Belane was grim and quiet.  He was determined that
such evil could not be allowed to run free, but regretted that there was no
alternative to restraining or destroying his father.  He wished that the
distasteful task could be completed without delay.

  At that moment, Fire leapt from hiding and struck down Morenae.  With a
gleeful laugh he turned upon his son and began tearing at Belane's perfect
skin with his lash.  He loudly boasted that soon Morenae would again be
manacled to her old place and Belane's skin would be flayed from his body.

  Morenae came to her brother's aid. She fought savagely while Belane
continued to ignore the pain that was being inflicted upon him and continued
to stare into his father's eyes.

  It was at that time that Belane realized that he was a child of Earth and
Fire, and that both were a part of him.  He knew Fire's secret.  He reached
into his soul and that of his father.  Fire was startled, and this distraction
enabled Morenae to wrest the Burning Lash, the Power of Destruction from his
grasp.  Ignoring the searing pain, she wrapped it about him again and again,
securely binding Fire.

  It was then that Belane pierced Fire's soul and pulled the Golden Spear,
Fire's Power of Heat from him.  Belane himself began to shine brightly, and
Fire the Destroyer was made dim.

  The twins took their helpless father deeper into the Underworld.  Morenae
bound him into the same place that she had been imprisoned.  Unlike his
sister, Belane felt that this was wrong, for it used the Destroyer's own
methods.

  With tears in his eyes and mouthing appologies, the Bright One reached out
and took the Power of Healing from his mother the Earth.  Then Belane came
forward, attempting to cure the rage and hate in Fire's dark soul.  Morenae
protested, but could not restrain her brother.

  Belane touched his father and both cried out in pain.  Belane was determined
to remake Fire's soul, but soon tired.  His bright glow faded.  Fire smiled,
for he was winning the struggle to regain his Power.

  Now that Fire had finally been bound, Morenae refused to allow him to again
be free.  She reached out and took more Power from the unresisting Earth, and
then buried Fire under Earth's bulk before Belane could be vanquished.

  When the exhausted twins climbed once again to Earth's surface, they
discovered that the battle between Alzaric and Nemior was still raging.  The
conflict was so terrible that it threatened to harm the weakened Earth.

  The situation was grave, for Nemior had gone beyond the Void and caught
Chaos in the Net of the Deep, to be used to aid in rebellion against Alzaric.
Not caring that these allies threatened to destroy the very fabric of
existance, the Rebel loosed the squirming contents of the Net into the World.
Alzaric used Law to bind the Chaos things as he could, and commanded Sky to
drive the others away beyond the heavens.  The Rebel moved Ocean's blood
against Alzaric.  The Ruler commanded the Winds to defend him.  Thus great
storms savaged the Earth, and she was flooded by the Ocean.

  The twins Morenae and Belane knew that they could not defeat both of their
siblings, especially in their weakened condition.  To end the conflict, they
supported Alzaric, for they knew Nemior could provide them no stability.

  In the end, Nemior was driven off, and Alzaric was acknowledged as the first
of all kings.


                THE AGE OF THE ORDERING OF THE WORLD

  From his high seat in the Sky, Alzaric, King of the Gods, decided to bring
order to his new realm.

  In the center of the Universe was his mother, Earth.  She had suffered long
at the hands of those around her.  For her was a place of honor.  He made the
Law of Falling, so that all things should be held tight to her, and so that
nothing would clutter the Sky.

  He made the Law of the Firmament, that Sky, his father, should hold the
heavens above Earth and should henceforth hold the Chaos back.  Sky would also
move his breath, the Winds, at Alzaric's command.  In the Sky Alzaric placed
parts of himself to act as eyes to survey his new realm.  These became the
Stars.  When he needed to communicate with any of his subjects, Alzaric would
send a star flashing across the Sky.

  He made the Law of Time, and so the stars were ordered to turn in a precise,
stately motion about his high seat.  Some were always sent sweeping down below
the Earth to watch happenings under the Ocean or in the Underworld.

  He made the Law of the Depths, that Ocean shall surround Earth and never
again cover her.  He also stated that although he would share the Sky with
Belane and Morenae, Nemior would keep to the Ocean, and never presume to
travel elsewhere.

  He made the Law of the Underworld, that the Destroyer would be forever bound
beneath the Earth, to never again be a threat.  Morenae and Belane would share
the task of watching him.  This task demands constant vigilance, and upon rare
occasions the Destroyer will strive to break free, causing distress to the
Earth or darkening the Sun or Moon as he attempts to steal back his Power.
Thus far, he has been resisted.

  In addition to the Law of Time, Morenae convinced her brother to make the
Law of Cycles.  This ensured that Time would be varied, and yet would vary in
a precise manner.  Each cycle would be called a "year".  It also enabled those
with Power to make their mark upon the universe.  Implusive Nemior would start
the year with a rainy spring.  In later days amorous activities from this god
would generate the beginning of the year's life and growth.  Bright Belane
made the warm summer, which nurtured that growth.  Alzaric made the windy
autumn, when crops would be harvested and taxes collected.  Morenae made the
cold winter, and later convinced Alzaric to make the Law of Death, so that all
that is old is taken away, and room is made for the new world of the next
year.

  Other cycles came into being, such as Morenae's monthly cycle of birth and
death and Belane's daily cycle of light and dark.

  Belane agreed with most of Alzaric's Laws.  Every day Belane's shining form,
the Sun, would rise in the east at the time of dawn and climb high, warming
his mother and allowing him to see all things upon her surface.  Then he would
travel down the edge of the Sky, past the time of dusk, to continue his
journey into the Underworld.  There he would illuminate that dark realm and
keep watch upon his imprisoned father, the Destroyer.

  Morenae realized, as her brother did, that she was a child of Earth and
Fire.  But Belane had taken the Powers of Healing and Heat from his parents,
so hers was the dark, dead earth, and her fire was cold.  At the beginning of
each month, as the Moon, she would be born as a bright young force of renewal.
As the weeks pass, she would slowly grow to maturity and then decline in age,
becoming a force of destruction.  At the end of the month, at her darkest
time, she would die.  It was near this time she would seek out her brother,
and his shining presence would renew her body for the next cycle.

  Nemior opposed Alzaric, and would obey no Laws.  The Rebel creeped upon the
Earth, and formed lakes and rivers.  The Rebel took to the Sky in a myriad
great, white, shapeless bodies to be combatted by Alzaric in terrible storms.
In a later day Alzaric would stab Nemior with the Lightning Sword obtained
from Miter, causing Nemior to bleed and rain upon the Earth.

  As a small victory, Nemior sent some spies of his making to dwell among the
stars and be free of Alzaric's authority.  And so to this day do the planets
continue to wander as they will across the Sky.

  Nemior turned to oppose Belane.  At night when Belane was absent, Nemior
would oft-times cover the Earth with dew, and form fog to obscure the Bright
One.  But Nemior's element was far removed, and between the heat of Belane's
Golden Spear and the strength of Alzaric's Winds, the Rebel could not remain.

  Always Nemior lusted after the chaste Morenae.  As she passed overhead, or
when she was gone over-long, the waters of the world would reach with yearning
for her.  At Moonrise and Moonset Morenae would swell her power and hold the
red Burning Lash at ready in order to resist the Rebel.

  There came a day during Morenae's time of Winter when Nemior would not be
resisted.  The Rebel came for Morenae, and she had naught to shield herself.
Yet when she seemed defeated, she laughed and used the secret of her cold fire
to burn her assailant.  Nemior fell as cold ashes, which would be called snow.

  Nemior continued to oppose the others, but to no avail.  Yet Nemior could
never be commanded by the others.  Thus it was for an age.


              THE AGE OF THE COMING OF THE LESSER GODS

  Nemior grew to understand that the combined Power of the other three
siblings could never be overcome with the World as it was.  It was then that
Nemior, putting on a fair, smiling form, went to Belane and proposed a joint
task.  Belane was fooled into believing that his sibling was showing true
repentance, and agreed.  In truth, Nemior's goal was to trick Belane into
helping create new allies to use against Alzaric.

  Belane shined his pure white light upon the Earth, while Nemior sprinkled a
soft mist upon the same spot.  After a time a small green form took shape, and
began to grow.  Belane's life bringing fires gave it strength, and soon a new
being stood before the siblings.  It was Seldar, the First Plant.  She grew
tall and straight in the form of a great tree, and Belane and Nemior were
filled with delight at this new goddess.

  Seldar spread her likeness across the Earth, and plant life swarmed in every
land.  She created servants in many forms.  Some of her children were Elves,
and like their brothers the trees they continued to grow and would never die.
The Firstborn of that race were said to be tall and thin, green of skin and
with leaves for hair.  They grew to become very powerful.  The Elves scattered
the Seeds of Seldar, and several of the First Trees were planted, to become in
later days the center of havens and homelands of the Elves.  The Elves were a
peaceful people, and took to singing songs and dancing.

  Before long the Earth was green with life, which could only be checked by
the harsher seasons of Alzaric and Morenae.

  Morenae sensed a lack of Balance.  To oppose this Life, there must be Death.
She sought out her brother Alzaric and the two made a careful plan.  Morenae
formed a figure out of dead Earth, and Alzaric breathed life into it.  The
result was the god Groth, the First Beast.  More beasts came from him, and
they began consuming plants and each other, completing the cycle of Life and
Death.  This pleased Morenae, for Balance was restored, and it pleased
Alzaric, for his firstborn son possessed great might.  Indeed, Groth was the
greatest of all beasts, and one which killed for the simple joy of it.  Groth
became the master of War and of the Hunt.  A pack of giant wolves were made to
serve him.

  Some beasts Groth made solely for the purpose of being eaten by greater
beasts.  These Seldar took pity on, and so were the gentle deer and others
adopted by the forest goddess, and nourished from her very substance.  Some
beasts followed Nemior, and Alzaric took from these the ability to breath air.
Some followed Morenae, those creeping crawling dwellers in the dark.  Others
took Alzaric as lord, and to these were granted the ability to fly.

  In later days Groth shaped children into a form similar to that of Elves,
which where called Orcs.  They became a strong and violent race, delighting in
destruction.

  The first great wars began, where Orc killed Elf and Elf killed Orc.  Groth
fashioned his Mace of Destruction, and set to smashing the forests.  Seldar
caused the very trees to move, and to fight the Orcs.  So Groth called upon
the fierce pack animals, such as wolves, to stalk the Elves in their own
homes.  As the wars continued, it was clear that the warriors of wood were not
enough, and Seldar was forced to call her Elves to the battle.  Seldar caused
the Greenwood Bow to spring forth from the ground.  This weapon she plucked,
still bearing leaves, from the fertile Earth and used it to great effect
against the Orcs and Groth.  All the Firstborn fashioned similar weapons and
settled in fierce defense of their forests, never giving direct battle when
another choice existed.

  Nemior was pleased, for the Peace of Alzaric, hateful to the Rebel, was at
an end.

  Nemior approached Morenae to seduce her into giving aid through creating yet
another being.  Morenae, wishing to remain chaste but not wishing to offer
battle that could upset the Balance, conceived a plan to trick the Rebel.  As
before, she fashioned an image out of the Earth, but in this case it was an
image of herself.  As a rock by the Ocean, the image was subjected to the
constant touch of the waves as Nemior attempted the seduction of Morenae. The
rock was eroded until the shrunken remnant gained awareness and fled under the
ground. Thus was the Trickster tricked, and the goddess Huldah created by
deceit and magic.

  Huldah, possessing much of the Ocean's Chaos, constantly tried to disrupt
the Laws of Alzaric.  She created a magical race, the Goblins, to further her
ways.  The Goblins were supreme tricksters, and seemed to crawl from their
rocks and caves only to cause mischief upon all in their reach.  At first the
Goblins varied greatly, and Huldah made no two alike. Then they took to living
among others of a like kind, and the races that we know today emerged.  There
were the Darkling Goblins, shrunken and ugly who lived underground.  There
were the bright Faries who sang and danced in the woods.  There were the
Pixies, Nixies, and Sprites, who delighted in the various elements.  Much
disorder was caused and Nemior was again pleased.

  Angered by this new opposition, Alzaric went to Belane and demanded the
Bright One's support.  The Ruler then caused one of his stars to fall upon the
Earth and open a great pit into her.  Using ores from the depths of this pit,
combined with the heat and air at their command, the two brothers smelted
metals and then forged them to create the god Miter.  After his creation,
Miter claimed the hammer of his forging, offering his makers great wonders in
exchange.  Alzaric granted the new god's wish, and Miter set to work.  He
forged the Lightning Sword as the Ruler's weapon.  He forged the vast blue Sky
Dome to keep Chaos away.  He made many palaces and vehicles and weapons for
the gods.  He made strong metal statues that moved at his command to serve
him.  He made the race of Dwarves, who, like Miter himself, delighted in
metals and in rules that benefited an ordered society.  The Dwarves then
brought the use of iron, that bane of magic, to the world.

  Dwarves delved under the mountains, and formed the first great kingdoms of
the Earth.  Some ranges they shared with Goblins.  Whenever Huldah's children
came with their magic and mischief to bring down the Dwarves' work, Miter's
people would take their weapons of cold forged iron, Goblin banes all, to burn
and slay them.  Huldah's servants soon found themselves driven back into their
poor holes.  The Dwarves decided that the Goblins, who upset the Laws of
Alzaric with their magic, should be eliminated from the Earth.  Alzaric was
pleased, for his second-born son was truly loyal.

  Huldah created great warriors of stone, the Trolls, only to find that direct
confrontation with Miter's children was useless.  Then she defended her own
children by teaching them tricks.  They used magic and water from the Ocean to
turn the deadly Dwarvish iron into a kind of harmless orange stone called
rust.  With Magic she carved the Knife of Flint out of the rock of her forming
and showed the Goblins its use.  One day all of the Dwarvish High Kings were
slain by Goblin assassins. Finally Huldah herself managed to steal the Hammer
of Forging, though at a great price.  She eventually returned it at the urging
of Anselm, who tried to foster peace between the races.  Since that time,
though Dwarves and Goblins continue to hate and war upon each other, still
both races survive.

  Nemior delighted in the disorder caused by the younger gods.  Thinking to
cause even more confusion, the Rebel sought out the Ruler.  A great trick
would be played.  Nemior had always believed that Alzaric also lusted after
their sister Morenae, so the Rebel shifted shape into her form and approached
him.

  Alzaric was surprised but pleased to see whom he thought to be Morenae, and
responded to her advances and spoke mighty vows that he would make her Queen
after their marriage.  In the midst of love making, the true identity of
Alzaric's companion was revealed to him and the Shapeshifter laughed gleefully
at the great joke.

  Alzaric was wroth, and in a great rage sought to slay his sibling.  He
struck blows with the Lightning Sword again and again, leveling mountains and
carving new valleys.  Yet Nemior could not be caught, for the Shapeshifter
would dart this way and that, in first the form of a bird, then that of a
spider, then that of a doe, all the while laughing in the Ruler's spite.

  Finally, Nemior tired of the game and jumped from Alzaric's High Seat to
rain upon the Earth in an area made barren by Alzaric's recent rage.  The
Ruler threw the Sword at the fleeing form, and as a thunderbolt it struck the
desert sand.  From the point of impact arose the god Omdis.  Alzaric retrieved
his weapon and gazed upon this, his third-born son.  The Ruler left in
disgust, for Nemior had a part in his making.

  In his beginning, Omdis was interested only in his own survival, for he had
come into existance in a very inhospitable place.  He came to rely on his own
strengths and weaknesses, but took any advice or help that might be offered by
other gods or their races.  He moved from place to place, and for long had no
home.  He made Humans, a restless race, to be his people.

  All this time Morenae and Belane were watching the happenings in the World,
and agreed that the conflict among the gods must be reduced, for they feared
that Nemior's next Call of Chaos could result in the ending of all things.
The twins set to gathering all of the knowledge of the World and sought out
that very pit where Miter had been created, for it was now empty of ore and
was a great dark void.  They placed their lore into this void within the
Earth and between them created the goddess Anselm to be impartial to all and
to arbitrate wisely and fairly between any who could not themselves resolve
their conflicts.

  Morenae and Belane spoke with Anselm, and told her of their intentions for
her future.  They instructed her to make no race after herself, for it would
cause accusations of special favor.  Anselm humbly agreed to undertake this
task, for it was in her nature.


                        THE AGE OF COMPROMISE

  First Anselm came upon Seldar and Groth in the midst of a struggle.  She
calmed the enemies and brought them and their followers together to try to
reconcile their differences.  From their different ways of life Anselm created
a compromise.  Using domesticated animals to provide labor and fertilizer,
they cultivated the land to grow food crops.  This compromise worked for only
an sort time, for unfortunately this way of life did not suit either god.
They and their followers soon drifted back to their own ways.

  Rude words were spoken to Anselm, and she was directed to never again
interfere in the affairs of others.  Groth's warning was most severe, for he
sensed that Anselm's ways of peace would be his undoing.

  Anselm sat in the deserted field and wept, for she felt that she had failed
in her mission.  Then a kindly voice asked the cause of Anselm's distress.
Anselm turned to gaze upon the goddess Shar, who had arisen from the
cultivated fields.

  Encouraged, Anselm taught Shar home crafts of cooking and weaving, and gave
her knowledge of agriculture.  They then parted ways.

  Next Anselm met Huldah and Miter in conflict, for Huldah had stolen the
Hammer of Forging, and Miter demanded its return.  Huldah did not truly want
the Hammer, for it burned her fiercely, but she kept it hidden to spite her
enemy and to protect her children, the Goblins, from Dwarvish weapons.  Anselm
proposed a truce between these gods, and as part of that truce the Hammer was
returned.

  Anselm attempted to bring them together in an endeavor to solidify the
relationship.  Miter took a huge and beautiful diamond from the depths of the
Earth and cut it into a lovely female form.  Then Huldah gathered her most
powerful Magics and forced them into the gem, bringing it to life.  Thus did
the goddess Lucalla come into being.

  Lucalla possessed beauty and grace unlike any other god or goddess.  Anselm
was pleased with her, and taught her music, dancing, and many other arts.

  However, the natures of Huldah and Miter were such that no friendship could
long be between them.  Both gods coveted Lucalla for her beauty and began to
fight again over who should have her.  Anselm became disappointed in the new
goddess, for she would tease and promise favors to first one, then the other.
The struggle grew so great that Anselm petitioned Alzaric to render a true
judgement.  The Ruler, of course, judged in favor of loyal Miter, and Lucalla
was married to him.  This did not stop her dalliances, and she has always gone
from one lover to another, causing strife and jealously where ever she went.

  The Mediator was again discouraged, for it seemed that her efforts were in
vain.

  Anselm then met Omdis in his wanderings, and sensed that the struggling god
would by his nature be one to wish for peace and stability.  She sought to
strengthen this weakest of gods.  She flattered Lucalla, and managed to coax
that fickle goddess to cause Omdis and Shar to fall in love.  Many followers
of Omdis adopted the ways of agriculture as a result.  Next Anselm gifted
Omdis with the knowledge of crafts and money.  Omdis fell to building cities,
and the Humans became more and more powerful, displacing the older races until
they are now dominant.

  Then at last it came to be that the gods called for Anselm to mediate
between Alzaric and Nemior.  Since the time that the Rebel played the great
trick upon Alzaric that resulted in the creation of Omdis, Nemior claimed to
be the Queen of the Gods, as Alzaric had then vowed.  Alzaric maintained that
Nemior could never be Queen, and that he was unjustly tricked into swearing
the oath.  Nemior, Alzaric claimed, would ignore any oaths and remain free
while Alzaric would be bound by his words.  Yet Alzaric was the Upholder of
Law, and could never forswear.

  Anselm pointed out that Alzaric had swore to make Nemior his wife as well as
Queen, and as long as both gifts were not given, the oath was void.  Nemior
wished the power that would be given by this status, and also wished to see
Alzaric discomforted.  Thus did Nemior in a female aspect swear marriage vows
to Alzaric and thus was Nemior made Queen of the Gods.  Miter was called upon
by his lord to forge rings to bind the two together, and to instill in
them Law enough to curtail Nemior's excesses.  So were both the Ruler and
Rebel reconciled and brought to an uneasy peace.  And to the High Court, among
Alzaric's ministers and advisors, came the Fool, loyal servant to the Queen.

  This great success pleased Anselm, who no longer tries to change the nature
of others, and who often remains neutral in the affairs of the gods.


NOTES FOR ADAPTATION TO OTHER CAMPAIGNS

Alignments
  Many D&D players want alignments for their deities.  The pantheon was
originally designed symmetrically around alignments.  The alignments were
later removed and some of them have drifted.  The "evil" deities (except
for the Destroyer) all have codes of morality that they feel are right
and do not consider themselves to be evil.  If you really need them,
here they are:
Windfather: Lawful Neutral
Man of the Sea: Chaotic Neutral
All Mother: Neutral Good
Destroyer: Neutral Evil
Alzaric: Lawful Neutral
Nemior: Chaotic Neutral
Belane: Neutral Good
Morenae: Neutral Evil
Seldar: Chaotic Good
Groth: Lawful Evil
Huldah: Chaotic Evil
Miter: Lawful Good
Omdis: Neutral (passively, indifferent)
Anselm: Neutral (actively, preserves balance)
Shar: added after alignments removed; perhaps lawful good?
Lucallah: added after alignments removed; perhaps chaotic evil?

Races
  My elves and dwarves are similar to the usual Tolkien types.  The orcs
are somewhat similar, but much tougher.  They inhabit forests and are the
nemesis of elves.  The nemesis of dwarves is the goblin race.  These are
not D&D goblins, but the goblins of Celtic lore, i.e. wee folk, faeries,
kelpies, pixies, boggles, pookas and others of their mischievous ilk.