Boccob
| Boccob | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Portfolio: | Magic, Arcane Knowledge, Balance, Foresight |
| Home: | Concordant Domain of the Outlands |
| Alignment: | Neutral |
| Gender: | Male |
| Class: | Wizard 20, Cleric 20 |
| Superior: | none |
| Rules items | |
| Domains: | Magic, Knowledge, Mind, Oracle, Trickery |
Boccob is the god of Magic, Arcane Knowledge, Balance, and Foresight. He is known as the Uncaring, the Lord of All Magic, and the Archmage of the Deities.
Description
Boccob is usually portrayed as a middle aged man with white hair who wears purple robes. He is known to carry the very first staff of the magi with him at all times. In addition, he knows every spell ever created and can travel to any time and dimension. He is the possessor of the only magical library that contains a copy of every potion, spell, and magic item in existence.
Other aspects
Among the Bakluni, Boccob is known as Al'Zarad, the god of Magic and Learning.
Relationships
Boccob is opposed to Tharizdun, who he believes is slowly draining magic from the Oerth. He guided the apotheosis of his servant, Zagyg.
Realm
Boccob's realm is known as the Library of Lore. This imposing citadel sits atop a barren bluff in the Outlands. Those who would access the library and its knowledge must climb a single narrow stair guarded by four elder elementals, one of each of the cardinal types.
The walls themselves are proof against teleportation and astral meddling, and those who try find themselves at the base of the great stair. Within the walls of the library, spells that access other planes do not function. The library is a convoluted mazework of passages that cross beneath and occasionally through each other, leaving no mark of their passage but foiling the most diligent of mapmakers. Within this structure are private meditation cells for spellslingers, sealed armories of magic items, and both true and false libraries that contain much of the magical knowledge of the multiverse. Those granted access to a true library (done with the approval of Boccob himself) can find the answer to any questions as if a commune spell were cast. One hour of research is required for each question answered. The Library of Lore contains a copy of every nonartifact magic item created by mortal hands. They are sealed beneath magical wards and traps, and golems and shield guardians patrol the halls.
Boccob is a greater power, and as such the effects of his realm can be felt far beyond the walls of his library. Within this area he can limit magic of many types at will. In addition, much magic is enhanced in Boccob's realm. Divinations cast within the domain are extended, and all spells within the Library of Lore itself may be cast without verbal utterances. He has the power to further modify the magic trait of his realm.
The souls of Boccob's worshipers appear as they did in life and have abilities typical to Outlandish petitioners. In addition, they have the ability to know the motivations of others and they often use this ability to determine whether a visitor deserves to receive the information desired. Petitioners are usually librarians, scribes, researchers, inventors, or guides.
Dogma
Boccob teaches that magic is the most important force in the cosmos, and that balance between Law and Chaos, and between Good and Evil, should be preserved. Magic, according to Boccobite dogma, is an energy source of finite extant, and may eventually wane. Boccob promotes the research and creation of new spells and magical items, under the theory that this increases the amount of magic available to everyone.
Worshipers
Clergy
Temples
Boccob's temples are generally tall, round towers, although the one in Greyhawk City is a pyramid.
Bibliography
- 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: [1]
- Grubb, Jeff, David Noonan, and Bruce Cordell. Manual of the Planes. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
- Gygax, Gary. "The Deities and Demigods of the World of Greyhawk." Dragon #70. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, Inc., 1983).
- -----. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- Moore, Roger E. Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- Noonan, David. Complete Divine. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2004.
- Redman, Rich, Skip Williams, and James Wyatt. Deities and Demigods. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2002.
- Reynolds, Sean K. "Core Beliefs: Boccob." Dragon #338. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2005.
- Ward, James M. Greyhawk Adventures. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1988.