Beltar: Difference between revisions

From Greyhawk Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
Kenneth the Sage (talk | contribs)
VerifiedUsers
15 edits
No edit summary
m Text replacement - "|power =" to "|rank ="
 
(31 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Deity
{{Deity
| image               =
|image       = [[Image:Beltar01.jpg]]
| caption             = Symbol of Beltar.
|caption     = Beltar, the Dark Mother, as depicted in ''Dragon'' #89 (1984), art by [[Roger Raupp]].
| name               = Beltar
|name         =  
| title              =
|alt_spelling =  
| symbol              = Set of opened fangs poised to bit
|titles      = The Dark Mother
| aspects            =  
|home        = [[Carceri|Tarterian Depths of Carceri]]
| power              = Lesser Deity
|rank        = Lesser
| status              =  
|gender      = Female
| primordial          =
|class        =  
| pantheon            =
|alignment    = Chaotic evil (chaotic neutral tendencies)
| home                =Tarterian Depths of Carceri  
|portfolio   = Malice, Caves, Pits
| formerhomes        =
|domains     = Chaos, Earth, Evil, (Envy),{{cite dragon|323|65}} (Pride),{{cite dragon|323|65}}  War, (Wrath){{cite dragon|323|65}}
| serves              =[[Lendor]]  
|alt_name    =  
| servedby            =  
|super        = [[Lendor]]
| minions            =  
}}
| died                =  
'''Beltar''' is the [[Suloise|Suel]] goddess of Malice, Caves, and Pits. Her holy symbol is a set of opened fangs poised to bite.
| dominion            =
| formerdominion      =
| realm              =
| sphere              =  
| portfolio           = Malice, Caves, Pits  
| domains             = Chaos, Earth, Evil, War
| spheres            =
| worshipers          = Suel, evil nonhumans and savage humas
| cleric alignments  =
| favored weapon      = Claws of Beltar
| holy days          =
| channel divinity    =  
| race                = [[Human]] [[Suel]]  
| gender              = Female
| mortalhomes        =
| apotheosis          =
| alignment          = Chaotic Evil
| class              =
| power5e            =
| alignment5e        =
| symbol5e            =
| homeplane5e        =
| realm5e            =
| serves5e            =
| servedby5e          =
| portfolio5e        =
| domains5e          =
| worshipers5e        =
| cleric alignments5e =
| channel divinity5e  =
| holy days5e        =
| class5e            =
| refs5e              =
| power4e            =
| alignment4e        =
| symbol4e            =
| dominion4e          =
| realm4e            =
| serves4e            =
| servedby4e          =
| sphere4e            =
| domains4e          =
| worshipers4e        =
| cleric alignments4e =
| channel divinity4e  =
| holy days4e        =
| class4e            =
| refs4e              =
| power3e            =
| alignment3e        =
| symbol3e            =
| homeplane3e        =
| realm3e            =
| serves3e            =
| servedby3e          =
| portfolio3e        =
| domains3e          =
| worshipers3e        =
| cleric alignments3e =
| favored weapon3e    =
| holy days3e        =
| class3e            =
| refs3e              =
| power2e            =
| alignment2e        =
| symbol2e            =
| homeplane2e        =
| realm2e            =
| serves2e            =
| servedby2e          =
| portfolio2e        =
| spheres2e          =
| worshipers2e        =
| cleric alignments2e =
| holy days2e        =
| class2e            =
| refs2e              =
| power1e            =
| alignment1e        =
| symbol1e            =
| homeplane1e        =
| realm1e            =
| serves1e            =
| servedby1e          =
| portfolio1e        =
| worshipers1e        =
| cleric alignments1e =
| holy days1e        =
| class1e            =
| refs1e              =
| animals            =
| plants              =
| monsters            =
| minerals            =
| colors              =
| misc manifestations =
| manifestation refs  =
| rules              =
}}'''Beltar''' is the Suel goddess of Malice, Caves, and Pits.


== Description ==
==Description==
Although often depicted as a haglike human female, Beltar is known to also appear as a beholder, red dragon, or marilith. Some regard the later form as a likely cause of rumors of the existence of a Suloise snake-cult.
Though often depicted as a hag-like human female, Beltar is known to also appear as a beholder, red [[dragon]], or [[demon|marilith demon]]. Beltar hates nearly everything, even other deities.


Beltar hates nearly everything, even other deities.
==Relationships==
Beltar was formerly a goddess of earth and mines, but was supplanted by other Suel gods (as well as nonhuman deities such as [[Moradin]] and [[Garl Glittergold]], according to ''Complete Divine''), until her only worshipers were nonhuman slaves. It is perhaps for this reason that [[Jascar]] is one of her greatest enemies.  


==Worshipers==
Beltar will often take mates in her various forms, but few survive, as she eats them afterward, as well as any young born from such a union.  
Clerics of Beltar is expected to take leadership positionsin their tribes.


==Relationships==
==Realm==
Beltar dwells on the plane of [[Carceri]].
 
==Dogma==
 
==Worshippers==
Beltar's followers are encouraged to mine and explore caverns for riches and foes to kill. Her worshipers are mostly savage humans and evil nonhumans, barbaric dwellers in vast subterranean caverns. She encourages her faithful to join together in great armies and ally themselves with [[beholder]]s, [[demon]]s, red [[dragon]]s, [[lich]]es, and other powerful creatures. Her followers are relentless explorers and raiders who take whatever they can find in the darkness and make it their own.
 
Beltar is worshipped in the [[Bone March]], the [[Pomarj]], [[Stonehold]], and even in [[Erelhei-Cinlu]],{{cn}} as well as in the [[Corusk Mountains]], [[Vast Swamp]], and the [[Rakers]].{{cite dragon|89|21}} Some regard her marilith form as evidence that she is the Suloise snake-goddess worshipped in the [[Vale of the Lamia]] and the [[Isle of Serpents]].{{cn}}


==History==
===Clergy===
She was once a goddess of mines and earth.
Her devotees wear black or dark gray vestments.{{cite dragon|89|21}}


==Dogma==
Beltar's priests preach hatred of one's enemies, rather than fear. They are expected to take positions of leadership in their tribes, or to form their own. The priesthood makes examples of the weak-willed and traitors. They usually fight with their natural weapons, cesti, or spiked gauntlets. Devoted priests, within a year of their deaths, often rise from the grave as undead, often to return to their original tribes.


==Appearances==
==Rituals==
Services to Beltar are usually held in deep caves{{cite dragon|89|21}} or points of low ground, and often involve sacrifice of sentient beings.{{cn}


==Behind the Scenes==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Beltar02.jpg|Holy Symbol of Beltar
Image:Beltar03.jpg|Avatar of Beltar, by [[Roger Raupp]]{{cite dragon|89|21}}
Image:Beltar04.jpg|Avatar of Beltar, by [[Roger Raupp]]{{cite dragon|89|21}}
Image:Beltar05.jpg|Avatar of Beltar, by [[Roger Raupp]]{{cite dragon|89|21}}
</gallery>


===References===
== References ==
=== Notes ===
<references group="note" />
=== Citations ===
<references />
<references />
=== Bibliography ===
*[[Brown, Anne]]. ''[[Player's Guide]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
*Conforti, Steven, ed. ''[[Living Greyhawk]] Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign,'' version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:[http://www.wizards.com/rpga/downloads/LG_Deities.zip]
*[[Gygax, Gary]]. ''[[World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
*[[Gary Holian|Holian, Gary]], [[Erik Mona]], [[Sean K. Reynolds]], and [[Frederick Weining]]. ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
*[[Lakofka, Lenard]]. "Gods of the [[Suel]] Pantheon." ''[[dragmag|Dragon]]'' #89. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1984.
*[[Niles, Douglas]], and [[Carl Sargent]]. ''[[The City of Greyhawk]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.
*[[Noonan, David]]. ''Complete Divine''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2004.
*[[Sean K. Reynolds|Reynolds, Sean K]]. ''[[The Scarlet Brotherhood]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999.
*[[Reynolds, Sean K.]], and [[Chris Pramas]]. ''[[Slavers]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
* [[Carl Sargent|Sargent, Carl]]. ''[[Ivid the Undying]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995. Published online. [https://greyhawkonline.com/download/16370/?tmstv=1727302323 PDF by William Allman with maps].  Original RTF archived:[http://web.archive.org/web/20081218001449/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads Wizards.com]. WGR7 or WGRx
:———. ''[[Ivid the Undying]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, unpublished. Available online: [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads]
{{index}}
[[Category:Aberrant deities]]
[[Category:Characters of Carceri]]
[[Category:Deities of earth]]
[[Category:Deities of hate and ugliness]]
[[Category:Suel deities]]

Latest revision as of 06:12, 28 April 2025

Greyhawk Divinity
Beltar
Beltar, the Dark Mother, as depicted in Dragon #89 (1984), art by Roger Raupp.
Names and titles
Title(s):The Dark Mother
General information
Portfolio:Malice, Caves, Pits
Home:Tarterian Depths of Carceri
Alignment:Chaotic evil (chaotic neutral tendencies)
Gender:Female
Superior:Lendor
Rules items
Domains:Chaos, Earth, Evil, (Envy),[1] (Pride),[1] War, (Wrath)[1]
Divine rank:Lesser

Beltar is the Suel goddess of Malice, Caves, and Pits. Her holy symbol is a set of opened fangs poised to bite.

Description

Though often depicted as a hag-like human female, Beltar is known to also appear as a beholder, red dragon, or marilith demon. Beltar hates nearly everything, even other deities.

Relationships

Beltar was formerly a goddess of earth and mines, but was supplanted by other Suel gods (as well as nonhuman deities such as Moradin and Garl Glittergold, according to Complete Divine), until her only worshipers were nonhuman slaves. It is perhaps for this reason that Jascar is one of her greatest enemies.

Beltar will often take mates in her various forms, but few survive, as she eats them afterward, as well as any young born from such a union.

Realm

Beltar dwells on the plane of Carceri.

Dogma

Worshippers

Beltar's followers are encouraged to mine and explore caverns for riches and foes to kill. Her worshipers are mostly savage humans and evil nonhumans, barbaric dwellers in vast subterranean caverns. She encourages her faithful to join together in great armies and ally themselves with beholders, demons, red dragons, liches, and other powerful creatures. Her followers are relentless explorers and raiders who take whatever they can find in the darkness and make it their own.

Beltar is worshipped in the Bone March, the Pomarj, Stonehold, and even in Erelhei-Cinlu,[citation needed] as well as in the Corusk Mountains, Vast Swamp, and the Rakers.[2] Some regard her marilith form as evidence that she is the Suloise snake-goddess worshipped in the Vale of the Lamia and the Isle of Serpents.[citation needed]

Clergy

Her devotees wear black or dark gray vestments.[2]

Beltar's priests preach hatred of one's enemies, rather than fear. They are expected to take positions of leadership in their tribes, or to form their own. The priesthood makes examples of the weak-willed and traitors. They usually fight with their natural weapons, cesti, or spiked gauntlets. Devoted priests, within a year of their deaths, often rise from the grave as undead, often to return to their original tribes.

Rituals

Services to Beltar are usually held in deep caves[2] or points of low ground, and often involve sacrifice of sentient beings.{{cn}

References

Notes

Citations

  1. ↑ a b c Dragon #323 (Sep 2004), p.65.
  2. ↑ a b c d e f Dragon #89 (Sep 1984), p.21.

Bibliography

———. Ivid the Undying. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, unpublished. Available online: [2]

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Bastion of Faith 42, 87
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), The City of Greyhawk: Adventure Cards 19
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Dragon magazine #089 20-22
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Dragon magazine #241 42
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Dragon magazine #241 42
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Dragon magazine #298 77
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), From the Ashes: References Card #4
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Ivid the Undying 132
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 21, 35, 87, 108, 166, 173
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Living Greyhawk Journal #3 18
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Oerth Journal #01 6,7,14,15
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Oerth Journal #04 19
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Oerth Journal #08 33
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Oerth Journal #10 35,71,73
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Oerth Journal #11 4,5,42,53,57,59
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Oerth Journal #17 18
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Oerth Journal #21 23
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Oerth Journal #23 10
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Oerth Journal #27 6,33
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Player's Guide to Greyhawk 20, 24
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), Slavers, AD&D 2e 53, 54, 90, 93, 106, 117
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil 120
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), The Scarlet Brotherhood 11, 12, 14, 55, 64, 80, 82, 83
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), WGR3 Rary the Traitor 16
Beltar Deity Worshipped by: Human (Suel), World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 63
Beltar, Temple of (Erelhei-Cinlu) Building Temple, Dragon magazine #298 77
Beltar, Temple of (Highport) Building Temple, Slavers, AD&D 2e 90, 93
Retrieved from "https://gateway.greyhawk.city/greyhawkwiki/index.php?title=Beltar&oldid=93243"