DMingDad Season 2 Planning:
Illithids & Deities
You should you read Campaign notes: S2E00(1) before continuing with this post. You may want to also read Playing With Gods.
As I revealed in the previous post, the Illithids will be masquerading as gods from the Egyptian pantheon. Since the players will be encountering the Illithids from the outer rim of their empire, the they will encounter lesser known, lower power Illithids claiming to me lower tier gods and heroes of the pantheon. It helps to know the names and domains of these gods because the Illithids that are posing as them will be using various forms of magic to make their impersonations believable.
The hierarchy of Egyptian gods was centered around the Great Ennead of Heliopolis, which was led by the sun god Ra.
- Ra: The sun god and creator
- Shu: The god of air
- Tefnut: The goddess of moisture/rain
- Geb: The god of earth
- Nut: The goddess of sky
- Osiris: The ruler of the underworld and judge of the dead
- Isis: A goddess in the Great Ennead
- Seth: A god in the Great Ennead
- Nephthys: A goddess in the Great Ennead
- Anubis: The deity who presided over mummification and protected burials
- Ptah: The god of craftsmen and builders, and a member of the Triad of Memphis
- Ma’at: The goddess of truth, justice, balance, and order
- Amun-Ra: The “supreme god” who was symbolized by the ram
- Bes: The deity of luck and chance, as well as protector of women in childbirth.
- Anhur: A lesser guardian deity.
In addition to gods, Egyptian mythology attributed lesser godhood and powers and mortal pharaohs. This means that not ever villian needs to be an Illithid or possessed/infected human.
Voices of The Gods
When the characters eventually encounter the Illithids posing as gods, here are some greetings they might hear.
Ra, the Sun God (mighty voice)
“I, Ra, lord of the radiant sun, bid you greetings. May the warmth of my solar chariot illuminate your path and guide you through the realms of the gods.”
Shu (quiet confident voice)
“The gentle breeze whispers secrets to me. I am Shu, lord of the air. May my breath bring wisdom and clarity to your journey as you navigate the realms of the gods.”
Tefnut (fatherly voice)
“As the life-giving rains nourish the land, so too can I bring sustenance to your quest. May my waters quench your thirst for knowledge and guidance.”
Geb (low, gravely voice)
“From the fertile earth, I bid you welcome. May my bounty provide shelter and sustenance as you follow in the footsteps of the gods.”
Nut (motherly voice)
“As the starry sky above us, so too shall I guide your path with celestial wisdom. May my stellar light illuminates the darkness and leads you to your destiny.”
Osiris (deep echoing voice)
“I am Osiris, ruler of the underworld and judge of the dead. I am the guardian of the mysteries beyond life. I hold the power of resurrection. What has set you on this journey through the realms of the gods?”
Isis (powerful female voice)
“As the weaver of fate and protector of the pharaohs, I bid you greetings. May my maternal instincts guide you through the treacherous paths set before you.”
Seth
“I, Seth, god of chaos and the desert, stand before you as a force to be reckoned with. May my cunning and guile bring an edge to your journey, but beware: my wrath is not to be underestimated.”
Nephthys
“As the weeping goddess who mourns the dead, I, Nephthys, bid you approach me with reverence and respect. May my sorrowful tears wash away your fears and guide you through the realms of the afterlife.”
Anubis
“I, Anubis, god of mummification and protector of the dead, stand watch over the gates of the underworld. May my keen senses and unwavering dedication to justice guide you through the mysteries of death and rebirth.”
Ptah
“As the creator god and patron of artisans, I, Ptah, bid you greet you with the power of creation. May my creative spark ignite your imagination and guide your hands as you navigate the realms of the gods.”
Ma’at
“I, Ma’at, goddess of truth, justice, balance, and order, stand before you as a beacon of righteousness. May my feathered scales weigh your actions and intentions, guiding you toward wisdom and virtue.”
Amun-Ra
“As the supreme god, I, Amun-Ra, bid you approach me with reverence and awe. May my divine power course through you, imbuing you with strength and wisdom to face the challenges of the realms.”
Bes
“I, Bes, god of luck and chance, protector of women in childbirth, bid you greet you with joy and good fortune. May my playful nature bring laughter and lightness to your journey, and may my protective power shield you from harm.”
Anhur
“As a guardian deity and lesser-known son of Ra, I, Anhur, bid you approach me with respect and humility. May my knowledge of the stars and celestial bodies guide you through the treacherous paths of the gods, and may my gentle guidance bring balance to your journey.”
