Trithereon

The Summoner, The Hunter, The Inescapable, The Vengeful One
Intermediate Power of the Beastlands

Portfolio: Individuality, Liberty, Retribution, Self-Defense, Protection, Revenge
Symbol: The rune of pursuit
Pantheon: Common (Oeridian?)
Aliases: None
Domain Name: Arborea/Olympus/Hunter’s Hall
Domains: Chaos, Good, Liberation* (CD), Mysticism* (CD), Protection, Strength, Summoner* (CD).
Superior: None
Allies: Kord, Rudd, Krovis (quasi-deity)
Foes: Pholtus and other strictly lawful deities, including St. Cuthbert, Bralm, Allitur, and Wee Jas; slave-owners, dictators, and those who deprive others of their freedom.
Favored Weapon(s): Spear
Core Worshippers: Humans
Worshipers’ Alignment: NG, CG, N, CN

Description: Trithereon (tri-THEH-ree-on) is shown as a tall well-built young man with red-gold hair, clad in a chainmail shirt and blue or violet clothes. His symbol is the rune of pursuit, representing his relentlessness in hunting down oppressors and tyrants. He is famous for his three great magic weapons (the shortspear Krelestro, the Harbinger of Doom; the sword Freedom’s Tongue; and the scepter called the Baton of Retribution) and his three summoned animals (Nemoud the Hound, Harms the Falcon, and Carolk the Sea Lizard). He fights evil and oppressive law, so he sometimes opposes other good-aligned deities such as Heironeous and Pholtus. “All deserve life and the ability to choose their own place in the world, and those who would place others in shackles or control them with oppressive laws must be toppled. Train the common folk to defend themselves and their property should another wish to take their freedoms. If you are wronged, you are right to exact vengeance yourself, especially if none will help you.” Because the faith praises individuality over standardized doctrine, each church has a different focus but is allied with all others. Trithereon’s clerics are rugged individualists, never afraid to question authority. Those in cities instruct commoners in self-defense and recruit like-minded rogues and rangers for the cause of individual liberty. Those in rural areas act as scouts or spies against despotic lords or murderous nonhumans. Both sorts keep close watch on Lawful religions lest they become too powerful. The Summoner’s clerics travel far and wide in search of those in need of their help.

Trithereon “The Summoner” is the power of individuality, self-protection and freedom. His symbol, the pursuit rune, illustrates the deity’s, and his servant’s, dedication to strive for liberty, freedom and to destroy those who seek to curtail others bent on abridging life or freedom. He is a vengeful god to whom the end justifies the means.

Scholars suspect that originally he was of Oeridian origins. It is thought in learned circles that his worship stems from the time of the Bakluni/Suel conflict from which the Oeridians fled into the central Flanaess. Some scholars go further than that; theorising that Trithereon was at one time a hero-god in the way that Kelanen is now.

The Chronicle of Secret Times, penned by Uhas Neheli, records several myths told to the author by the peasant folk of central Keoland relating the deeds of an Oeridian hero called Trithenon, who fought against tyranny and oppression several centuries before the
Oerid’s migration into the Sheldomar Valley. One tale relates how Trithenon was instrumental in delivering the Oerids into present-day Ull after fleeing a great enemy or conflict. Uhas notes, however, that he believes this tale to have no basis in fact. Other myths surrounding Trithenon include tales of monstrous animals fighting alongside him. Uhas theorised that if Trithenon and Trithereon were one and the same then this would explain why he is known as “The Summoner.”

Trithereon’s faith is currently the fastest growing in the Flanaess, apart from St. Cuthbert’s which is also enjoying a considerable influx of converts. His worship is concentrated in disputed areas and borderlands such as the Geoff/Gran March border, Sunndi, the Highfolk, northern Furyondy, and in the Ulek states where humans fight alongside dwarves and elves to hold back the might of Turrosh Mak. Most of these converts are found amongst exiles displaced from their homes. Inhabitants of Geoff, Bissel, Sterich and the states of the former Iron League can all be found within the ranks of the priesthood. Many former inhabitants of the Shield Lands also worship Trithereon, and their dispersion throughout the Flanaess has further spread his worship. He has even found converts in the Yeomanry, an extremely lawful land. (Most of these are individuals who oppose the slave-holding tactics of the Sea Princes and the Scarlet Brotherhood)

Although open warfare between Trithereon’s followers and lawful good sects is unknown, isolated acts of violence against those deemed to be tyrannical or overly repressive are not uncommon. His priests are renown for whipping small bands of followers into a frenzy and then turning them loose to find those who oppose their deity’s values. Among the faithful this is referred to as “street justice”. Authorities of areas in which this is practised almost always take a dim view of this practise. Indeed, in the City of Greyhawk the faith is on the brink of being banned unless it modifies its activities quickly.

The only lawful sect that priests of Trithereon are cordial to is the fledgling church of Mayaheine, demigoddess of protection, justice and valor. This sect has done much to defend those in peril in borderlands, and this has impressed many priests of Trithereon although they still find the Sons and Daughters of Mayaheine stuffy and overly regimented. In disputed areas these sects have actually allied themselves with each other in times of need. In the northern Sheldomar Valley both priesthoods have links to the Knights of the March, a secret society dedicated to keeping Hochoch free, and to the freeing of Geoff.

Trithereon’s Avatar (Ranger 30, Illusionist 25, Priest 20)
Trithereon appears as a tall, red-gold haired, well built young man with grey eyes. He is normally encountered wearing pale blue or occasionally violet clothes under a suit of golden chain mail, and carries a broad-bladed spear, a broadsword, and a scepter. It is said that Trithereon is able to summon many creatures to aid him in battle.

Trithereon’s aspect as a Power of protection and revenge on wrongs appeals greatly to many people. In borderlands such as the Highfolk, Sunndi, and northern Furyondy, and especially to those seeking to regain lost homes (Geoff folk, Sterish, Ulek, Shield Land exiles), he has a burgeoning following. Even in a well-ordered land such as the Yeomanry, this chaotic, freedom-fighting deity finds many passionate converts. This is the strongest-growing cult in the Flanaess, together with that of St. Cuthbert. Services to Trithereon include ceremonial flames, bell-ringing, displays of weaponry, and the triumphal procession of new converts to the faith.

The Church
Clergy: Cleric (20%), Crusader (40%), Specialty Priests (40%)
Alignment: CG
Turn Undead: C: Yes, Cru:No, SP: No
Command Undead: C: No, Cru:No, SP: No

All clergy of Trithereon receive the Religion non-weapon proficiency for free. The hierarchy of the faith is quite simple. Positions of power within the church are all reserved for those who gain spells from their god, specifically members of the priest class. Lay worshippers can be of any class, but many are conjurers, good- or neutrally-aligned thieves, and rangers.

As befits a chaotic clergy the hierarchy of the church is relatively simple. It consists of 4 basic levels, the lowest of which are the Hopeful Initiates (1st – 3rd level). Next in the hierarchy are the Sacred Sons and Daughters of Trithereon (4th – 6th level) followed by the leaders of the individual temples dedicated to Trithereon who are known as High Fathers or Mothers of Trithereon. These individuals are normally of at least 7th level. Finally there are the Master Priests and Priestess. These powerful folk lead the worship of Trithereon across whole countries and it is they whom the Knights of the Chase report to.

A “Favored One’s” (a member of the clergy who has put his hand inside the ceremonial flame and not been injured) opinion is greatly respected among the rest of the clergy. In council his words carry more weight than others of his level. Many “Favored Ones” tattoo a pursuit rune on their forearm surrounded by flames. They are particularly fanatical in the service of their god and some have received divine assistance from Trithereon himself.

Trithereon’s followers are viewed by the general populace as hot heads with ready swords and tongues. Although not evil they can cause considerable disorder, making those in authority wary of them and their practices. The bell ringing and constant weapon practice means that only followers of Trithereon tend to live near the temple, as unbelievers are driven away by the almost constant noise.

Temples of Trithereon are built of durable stone and are well able to resist attack. They are always built with an eye to defense, and all contain a bell tower from which the faithful can be called to worship. The bell in this tower is crafted out of solid gold and is the most valuable item in the temple unless the church is extremely poor. In this case the main goal of that temple will be to accumulate enough money to commission such a bell. His priests are always battle ready, and his temples always maintain extensive armories which to arm the faithful in times of need. Many worshippers are trained warriors and so many temples also boast weaponsmiths and armorers dedicated to making weapons and armor for the faithful.

In rural areas, the priests are spies and border skirmishers (where appropriate), and they work with woodsmen and demihumans to keep vigilant watch against despots and evil humanoids. In urban areas, the priesthood gives training in self-protection and weapon use, regularly practices battle tactics, and recruits rangers and thieves to teach priests the skills of covert conflict.

Dogma: The greatest good is freedom; Denial of this is the greatest evil. To ignore this is a mortal sin. This evil must be destroyed, as must all those who practice it. To achieve this no sacrifice is too dear; the end justifies the means.

The faithful have several sayings, three of which are detailed below:

“Summoned by Trithereon” means that one has heard the calling of The Hunter and joined the church.
“He has the eyes of Harrus” means that the object of the statement is considered to be very perceptive.
“By the Baton” An oath of the faithful.

Day-to-Day Activities: Each temple has a bell that is rung to call the faithful to worship. On normal days the bell is rung once at sunset. On Godsdays it is rung every hour on the hour from dawn until midnight. The ringing typically lasts for about one minute and tends to mean that only followers of Trithereon live close to the temple.

Services to Trithereon include the afore mentioned bell ringing, the parading of new converts (known as Hopeful Initiates) to the faith, the displaying of weaponry and the veneration of ceremonial flames. In the west the priesthood favors martial displays of weaponry while in the central Flanaess veneration of the Ceremonial Flame is seen as central to the faith. The priesthood also spends much time training their faithful in self-defense and in the use of weapons, notably the spear. The leader of the temple will also regularly harangue the faithful on the value of freedom.

Tithes to Trithereon are typically steep although there is no set percentage of a worshippers wealth that must be donated. In areas where worshippers have been displaced from their homelands they give as much as they can afford, as they believe that this will allow them to return to their homes quicker. The priesthood also hires adventuring parties to recover wealth for them and in borderlands hires them to strike deep into enemy territory. Monies gained are spent on hiring men-at-arms and for agitating for assistance from the country they shelter in to reclaim their homeland.

The clergy also organises “street justice” when it is able. In the countryside its priests act as spies and border patrollers, working with rangers and other woodsmen to ward against incursions by evil humanoids or despots. The church recruits rangers in rural areas and thieves in towns to teach covert warfare techniques.

Major Centers of Worship: Major centers of worship for Trithereon focus around disputed borderlands and conquered territory. Western Gran March has many converts to the faith, as does the Yeomanry whose worshippers are mainly clustered on the border with the Tors. His faith is also well established in Furyondy where it is led by Master Priestess Cataryna (a 13th-level priestess) who has established a major temple of the faith in Chendl, capital of the country. The Free City of Greyhawk also has a temple dedicated to the Summoner, led by Janziduur Euroz-slayer. It is a small temple in size, but until recently had much influence due to Janziduur’s control of a member of the ruling oligarchy, Laup Coburn. His worshippers also create a lot more trouble than their numbers would seem to allow.

After the fall of Geoff to the giant and humanoid hordes the semi-independent town of Hochoch has “enjoyed” a large influx of the faithful. The existing temple (The Hall of the Avenger’s Blade) has been rebuilt and expanded with the purchase of many of the
surrounding buildings after it was destroyed by catapults in the Battle of Hochoch. Weapons practice and worship go on here daily. The leader, Master Priest Danollen Redblade, a native of Geoff, constantly sponsors adventuring companies in their forays into Geoff. He also dispatches small companies of faithful across the Javan to gather intelligence on events in his homeland.

Affiliated Orders:

Priestly Vestments: Priests of Trithereon wear purple or dark blue robes, trimmed with silver or gold to indicate their position in the church hierarchy. The more ornate the trim, the more important the wearer. During especially important events or ceremonies the priests wear golden red cassocks with the rune of pursuit emblazoned over the wearer’s heart in silver edged with gold.

The possession of magical chain mail or a dancing broad sword brings great status to its owner. Priests always wear an amulet chased with gold on a golden chain in the shape of the pursuit rune. When going into battle they also typically wear blue surcoats over their chain mail with the symbol of their god emblazoned proudly on its front and back.

Adventuring Garb: When adventuring Trithereon’s priests are always ready for action. They wear blue or purple chain mail with the pursuit rune emblazoned over their heart signifying their devotion to the Hunter. Whilst “in the field” they must be ready at all times to assist those in need, particularly those at risk from oppression, slavery or who have suffered a great wrong. They will typically carry extra weapons to give to those in need.

Gods of the Flanaess