Introduction
“Let’s play Gods!”
– Me, circa 8th Grade
Way back in junior high school, when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons, the ultimate goal was “uplifting” our favorite characters to “god status.” Now, we heard all kinds of ways to do that: become 36th level, kill a god to assume his mantle, or even sleep with a god (something my boys never believed, no matter how much verisimilitude I employed). And so, many years later, I’m thinking back to those days, wondering the same thing I was wondering then: “How would a roleplaying game for gods work? After all, can’t gods do anything?”
Well, as it turns out, that isn’t exactly true. A college mythology course taught me that most gods are just as limited as human beings are. That is, gods are limited by the imaginations of the men who create them. (Mythological gods, that is. Not real gods. You know, the gods you worship, as opposed to other people’s gods.)
And so, here’s Enemy Gods. A roleplaying game for those of us who aren’t content with just playing heroes, but want a step up into the heavens, to play what may be the world’s most dangerous game…
What is Enemy Gods?
It’s a role-playing game where you play two characters: a God and a Hero. The Hero is a mortal trying to win the favor of the Gods by doing the kind of things Heroes do. In exchange, the Gods help the Hero out with acts of divine intervention, trying to win enough favor from him (or her) to be the God’s Champion. The more the God helps the Hero, the more the Hero helps the God and it all goes round and round in a big symbiotic circle. In the end, the player with the most power wins. Yes, a role-playing game you can actually win. All you power-munchkins must be going nuts. Let’s get started.
What Do I Need to Play?
You need this book, paper, pencils and 6-sided dice. Some tasty beverages and munchies might also help.
The Wicked-Dead Heads-Up
Before we get going, let’s stop for a moment and have a gamer-to-gamer talk. We all know what role-playing is, we all know what a GM is, we all know what rounds and actions are, and we all know how to roll and count dice, right? Okay. Then there’s no need to talk about any of that. We don’t waste any time or space with all that in a Wicked Dead game. We assume we’re all grown-up gamers who have done this at least once before and we’re all here to have a good time together with our friends. So, get out the pretzels and pizzas and your tasty beverage of choice and get on with the game!
Creating Characters
You’ll need to create two characters for this game: a God and a Hero.
One: Pick Your God
The first step in playing Enemy Gods is picking out a God for each player in the game. I’ve provided a sample Pantheon of Gods to use if you want to get started right away. The world they inhabit is a standard fantasy world with elves, dwarves, and any other races you may like, but these are the Gods of humanity. Throwing in a rival God of War from another culture could be interesting, but requires some consideration.
If you’d like to define your own Pantheon, please do so! I’ve only got these guys in here to get you going right away. There’s some free advice in the back of the book on defining your own pantheon and some alternate rules for making up your own cabal of Gods. Enjoy!
God of Celebration: Tavesh Shem
“No amount of sorrow can stain Tavesh’s smile.”
Tavesh Shem appears as a young man with wild hair and wild eyes, a cup in one hand and a smile on his lips. Those lips are always bright red – stained from the wine he drinks from a cup that is never empty.
As God of Celebration, his powers may seem limited, but in fact, he is one of the most popular and powerful Gods in the world – if only for the fact that everyone likes to have a good time. He is present at every celebration, a shrine of some sort build in his honor in every great hall of every king. A cup is always filled in his honor before the celebration begins and it remains full until the celebration is over; the most honored guest at the party is typically given the honor of finishing Tavesh’s cup.
Typical Miracles
Because he is the god of revelry, Tavesh has been known to give his followers exceptional powers of recuperation and recovery. Also, those who give him homage can drink and eat to their full content, no matter what is put on the table before them. They’ve been known to go for long periods of time without a single drop of water or ounce of food, claiming “Tavesh drinks for me in his great hall.”
Allies & Rivals
Tavesh is friendly with most Gods (you can’t be the God of Celebration and have enemies!), but his chief rivals are the Goddess of Love and the God of War. Tavesh doesn’t believe in relationships that last longer than a good night of revelry and warfare doesn’t make anybody happy. He is also on poor terms with the God of Death, but then again, who is on good terms with that gloomy fellow?
God of Craft: Aelon Valeron
“He has only one arm, but he has no need for two.”
Aelon is often called “the Wounded God” for he is missing his right arm. He gave it up for an anvil, his blood and flesh cooling the hot metal from the center of the world. Now, anything made from the anvil is stronger than any material found in the world. His blood iron weapons are the desire of every warrior in the world – as is any item created by Aelon Valeron.
But he is more than just a blacksmith. Aelon is a God of many means. As God of Craft, he is skilled in nearly every endeavor. He is a master sailor, a cooper, a tailor, a brewer, and a storyteller without peer. Skill is his trade, and any who seek to better their skills need seek no further than the temples of Aelon Valeron.
Typical Miracles
Valeron does not act much in the world; heroes go to seek him out. He believes in self-reliance, in making one’s own way in the world. It is said that when a follower of the Wounded God dies, his angels come to bring the hero to Valeron. There, the hero must prove his worth to join the warriors who drink at his table. If they do not, they are cast out into the world as restless dead, forever lamenting they were not cunning enough to sit at Valeron’s table.
But Valeron does not leave his followers helpless; he assists them in subtle ways. He gives them insight into their own abilities, shows them their own strengths and helps them overcome their own weaknesses. His valere also appear from time to time, carrying weapons made from his mighty anvil.
Allies & Rivals
It is no secret that God of Celebration is a great admirer of the mead Valeron brews and he also appreciates the God’s ability to weave a story so powerful, it can even make the God of Celebration weep (no small feat). Valeron is no friend to the God of War, who he feels is a bloodthirsty fool who makes battle for the sake of his own glory. As for the Goddess of Love, it is said he is her favorite lover, although their romances are troubled at best.
God of Death: Uhmume
“Uhmume comes when he is called. No sooner, no later.”
Stories involving the God of Death are many and varied. It is said no man may look upon Uhmume (uh-moom or uh-moom-ay; depending on dialect) and live. Others say any living man who sees is struck blind, his hair turning white and his skin turning to ash. While there are many stories of men who have seen Uhmume and lived to tell the tale, no one has ever actually met one of these men. Perhaps that is the most telling thing about these tales.
Because no man has ever seen Uhmume and lived, there are many tales of his appearance. Some say he is a tall figure with a skull for a face, standing in black robes that billow like smoke. Others say he is a beautiful boy who kisses those doomed for death. Others suggest Uhmume can appear as any form he likes. Whatever he may appear to be, Uhmume is the Lord of Death, the inevitable end for all creatures. The world is full of ghosts who still cling to the living lands; the priests of Uhmume assist those ghosts, completing unfinished business the ghost feels needs to be finished before it can move on.
Typical Miracles
Uhmume does not save those who beg for mercy, nor does he make deals to extend a person’s life, however, Uhmume does assist those who are haunted by departed souls unwilling to move on to their rightful resting place (or unresting place, as it may be). He also visits omens on those who have been targeted by his evil brother, Ikhalu, the Lord of Murder (see below).
Allies & Rivals
The priests of Uhmume tend to be devoted soley to the service of the God of Death. This devotion earns them no favors from the other Gods, although followers of Uhmume care little for what other Gods think or do. “Uhmume comes to all,” is the typical answer for those challenging an Uhmume priest for his fanatical devotion to a single God. This does not mean followers of Uhmume never pay reverence to other Gods; they just make no secret of the fact that their true devotion lies with the Lord of Death.
God of Fortune: Ashalim Avendi
“Thank Avendi for small favors, for his wrath is never so small.”
Ashalim Avendi appears as an old, blind man; a beggar with a cup, sitting on the side of the road, begging for coins. This image comes from a story of a rich man who was accosted by a beggar. The rich man shook his purse of coins at the beggar, mocking his poverty and ill fortune. The beggar smiled and said, “What you give is what you get.” As it turned out, the beggar was none other than the God of Fortune, and the story ends up with the rich man on the side of the road, blind and penniless, holding out a cup, begging for coins from his own servants who no longer recognized him.
The followers of the God of Fortune remind the world that the Avendi is a fickle god whose favors can turn on the toss of a coin.
Typical Miracles
Avendi’s miracles appear as wild luck. An arrow that happens to glance off a metal belt buckle, a cart of hay that happens to be passing when a hero falls from an open window, a misdelivered invitation that leads to the first meeting of true lovers: these are the miracles Avendi provides for his followers. But such miracles are not without a price. Avendi only blesses those who realize their fortunes are easily lost and those who assist others who have lost their own good luck. A toss of a coin to a beggar, assisting a helpless lady in distress, or even helping an old woman across the road are small prices to pay for Avendi’s blessings.
Allies & Rivals
No God would openly call wrath on Avendi; his followers would face an endless river of bad fortune. On the other hand, no God openly adores Avendi, for they are very aware Avendi is easily offended and his wrath is ten times worse than his blessing.
Goddess of the Hearth: Manna Renay
“All the world are her children.”
Appearing as a round, happy middle-aged woman, Manna Renay is commonly known as the Goddess of Hearth and Home. Her influence is small, but vital. A shrine to her sits in a prominent place in every household. While some may dismiss her as “the cooking goddess,” she is, in fact, the goddess of Motherhood, Childbirth, Medicine, and Safety. She is often pictured with a cat and dog at her feet or under her hands as she was the one who taught Mankind to domesticate these little guardians.
She is also the protector of children and it is known that she whispers the secret language of her protectors (cats and dogs) in an infant’s ear when it is still in its mother’s womb. Those who revere Manna Renay remember this language; those who do not forget it.
Typical Miracles
Manna Renay’s miracles are subtle and powerful. Her priestesses teach the secret arts of mothering. Those who revere her find allies among the guardian animals (as mentioned above) and may speak their secret language. Children are most often witness to her divine interventions as she looks out for them – especially orphans.
Allies & Rivals
Manna Renay’s chief rival is the Goddess of Love whom she sees as a harlot invader who has swooned the hearts of men and women away from her worship. Meanwhile, she maintains a healthy relationship with the God of Making.
God of Justice: Jonan Drax
“There is only One Law, and it is His Law.”
The god who is closest to the people was Jonan Drax, sometimes called “the compassionate,” sometimes called “the lawmaker.” It was Drax who handed down the first Code of Laws people lived by. This 32 article code outlined a basic system of law. Before it, man was lawless and without compassion for his fellow man. It was because Drax so loved the world he gave it law and the realization that with introspection, compassion and understanding, men could become better than what they were.
Those who follow Jonan Drax are called “paladins.” These warrior-monks wear the Code of Law on their bodies: the very words tattooed to their flesh. The ritual – which takes several days and is painful beyond description – empowers the paladin with certain blessings and powers. It is said those who wear the code need not eat, sleep, or drink. They cannot be infected by disease or suffer the effects of poison. They are also completely bound by Drax’s laws, and even a slight slip jeopardizes the blessings bestowed by their god.
A paladin of Jonan Drax seldom – if ever – uses weapons. His body is a weapon – infused with the power of his god. They are often called upon by judges of the ven empire for their ability to sense truth and dispatch villainy. And while they do not stand above the legal system (their god was the one who enacted it), they sometimes operate outside of it, to make sure justice prevails even when law might fail.
Typical Miracles
The Paladins of Jonan Drax do not rely on their God for miracles, but rely on His Word to give them strength. The Laws tattooed to their bodies give them tremendous power over evil, protecting them from evil magics that influence the mind and body.
Allies & Rivals
No God calls Drax an enemy. His Paladins fight for justice regardless of the cost. Only a fool would openly call the Lord of Justice an enemy. Openly.
Goddess of Love: Talia
“She is the Muse of All Muses, the Inspiration for All Beauty.”
Talia’s temples are exotic and foreign. Her priestesses (she accepts no priests) are beautiful, witty, and well versed in the arts. All the arts.
A common misconception of Talia’s followers is that they are a sex cult. This is incorrect. Talia’s priestesses are skilled lovers, but they are also painters, poets, sculptors, and musicians (as well as composers). All artists revere Talia, seeing her as the archetypal muse of all muses. Talia’s priestesses know the proper methods of preparing and eating eloquent meals, the arts of banter and debate, as well as the high holy art of love.
In return for their devotion, the followers of Talia learn secret arts no other school or academy in the entire world knows. In addition, she bestows blessings and magic that are secret… and seldom seen. The use of magic for any mundane purpose is taboo. Even if only to save her own life, Talia’s priestesses are reticent to their secret magics outside the confines of Talia’s domain.
Typical Miracles
Talia almost never uses miracles, finding them vulgar. Instead, she prefers the rigorous use of rituals and ordeals to make her followers stronger. While she will dip her hand occasionally to protect a particularly devoted follower, she generally lets them fight (and win) their own battles with cunning, skill, and charm.
Allies & Rivals
It is said her chief enemy is the Goddess of the Home who views Talia as an usurper; a foreign Jenny-Come-Lately who seeks to steal away the faithful followers of the All-Mother. Meanwhile, Talia has been romantically linked to nearly every other God in the Pantheon. Allegedly, her favorite lover is the God of Craft, while her recent dalliance with the God of War has created a bit of tension between the two.
God of War: Falvren Dyr
“Whenever two men want the same thing, Dyr is there.”
Falvren Dyr (dire) appears as a large man with flowing red hair. His armor shines like the sun, his blade carved from the moon. On his shield is the head of the God of Darkness whom he slew in personal combat at the beginning of Time. The scars he bears are from every war ever fought.
The followers of Dyr hold one principle to be true: life is defined by conflict. It is almost a misnomer to call Dyr the God of War, because his followers do not leave their worship of him on the battlefield. They embrace all of life as a great war between conflicting desires. The followers of Dyr revere him in the courts, they revere him in the market, they revere him wherever there is disagreement. “Even debate is warfare,” a high priest once said. He quickly followed it up with: “All is warfare.”
Typical Miracles
Dyr only drops his hand to protect those who show courage and prowess in battle; he never assists those who ask for it. “If you need Dyr’s help, don’t ask for it,” goes one proverb. Luck in battle is the most common manifestation of divine intervention for followers of Dyr, but he also assists in other struggles from time to time.
Allies & Rivals
Dyr’s chief rival is the God of Making who sees Dyr as a bloodthirsty warmonger. Dyr views the Making God as a clever forger who talks a lot. Dyr once tried courting the Goddess of Love (in his own way), but her rejection was so cold, he vowed revenge. Tales fill the chapels of Dyr about his successes in making her look the fool, but these tales are often dismissed as fantasies by the followers of the Goddess of Love who tell their own tales of Dyr’s embarrassment at her hands. Needless to say, there is a fierce rivalry between the two.
God of Wisdom: Tyane Bran
“The world is an imperfect place… only reason is pure.”
His followers call him “the Patient One,” or “Tyane Bran, the Indefatigable.” He is always portrayed as a small man with long, well kept hair and diligent eyes, standing to the side of an event, watching from a distance. He is always watching, never acting. In the tales of the Patient One, even the smallest actions are viewed as monumental and full of meaning. He only chooses to act when it is most appropriate, when it is most necessary, when it is most effective.
His devoted follow his example, watching and listening, providing their knowledge when it is needed, acting only when it is most necessary. They distain what they view as “the corrupt world of temptation” preferring the world of thought and reason, the world of spontaneous and immediate action.
Typical Miracles
Tyane Bran’s miracles take the form of bursts of enlightenment and insight in those who revere him. They see connections between disparate facts, spot tiny details most miss and gain an awareness around them unparalleled by any other.
Allies & Rivals
Tyane Bran and his followers are too isolated to have enemies or allies, although the Fell Gods despise him more than any other diety – even the followers of Jonan Drax.
The Elementals
Outside the pantheon of gods is another power, an impersonal power that is far older than the Gods listed above. Men call them “the Elementals,” forces of power ancient and mighty. Revering these elemental powers is almost impossible as they appear to be beyond the crude technology of language. Those who study the elements and commune with them are called “alchemists.”
Alchemists believe these elements are the fundamental powers that made the world so many ages ago. The powers are so vast, so beyond human understanding, the only way alchemists can communicate with them is through the metaphorical language of symbols. Thus, the ven art of wizardry involves communing with these elements through sympathetic symbolism. In other words, using symbols to communicate with the element with a metaphorical language. Thus, to speak with fire, one must use the symbols of fire; to speak with water, one must use the symbols of water, etc.
Typical Miracles
The Elementals do not perform miracles without communion with their devotees. In other words, in order to summon the power of the Elementals, an alchemist must petition them with prayer. This requires specific and elaborate rituals. The more rituals an alchemist successfully performs, the more attuned with the elements he becomes.
There is the possibility of becoming so attuned to the Elementals that the alchemist becomes one with their living energy. A “Elemental Hero” becomes a living embodiment of his chosen element.
Allies & Rivals
None of the Gods listed above approve of their worshipers giving reverence to the Elementals. The Elementals represent the
The Fell Gods
The Fell Gods are dark entities who were defeated and driven from the world into the
While the names of the Fell Gods are never uttered, their names are well known. They are Ikhalu, the Lord of Murder; Mahl, the Bloody-Teared Widow; the Grinning God… These dark, foul entities are listed in the GM section of this book.
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