GOD

Dolethrus (the Runemaster)

doh LETH russ
Intermediate Power of Bytopia, LG
Portfolio: Writing, Runes
Aliases: None
Allies: Solni
Foes: undetermined
Symbol: An open book
Worshippers’ Alignment: Any
Domains: Good, Knowledge, Law, Magic

Dolethrus is the god of written communication. From
ancient scribbles to modern alphabets and magical
symbols, Dolethrus is the source of it all.
The written word is very powerful. It can hold the
knowledge of ages, the passion of lovers, the decree of
war and the whisper of surrender. Not to mention the
syllables of powerful magic and runes of destructive
energy.

The oral tradition is unreliable – every storyteller can
forget parts, improvise, or change the story at will. With
writing, you read the story exactly as the writer
intended.

Worshippers are attracted to Dolethrus’ controlled
power. Scribes, lawmakers, rulers, and spellcasters all
understand the power contained when ink meets paper.

Manifestations
Dolethrus appears as a lithe man made of black
obsidian. Red glowing runes of power are etched
across his skin. He holds a rune-carved longspear he
calls "Kasa". Dolethrus also manifests as temporary
glowing runes appearing on an object or person.

The Church
Clergy’s Alignment: LN, LG, NG
Literacy is a powerful tool for communication and
acquiring knowledge. Dolethruns want to enlighten the
world. Their churches act as classrooms for thousands
of children wanting to read and write. While not as
impressive as Kluthian libraries, Dolethrun temples hold
reference books detailing vocabulary, grammar,
alphabets, and pictographs from hundreds of languages
and dialects. Dolethruns study living languages,
ancient or old languages, and dead languages –
anything that was ever written. Even scripts that they
can’t decipher are studied for clues of origin or relation
to other languages.

The church makes fair coin off adventurers. Dolethruns
are often asked to translate ancient runes on a scroll or
decipher the markings engraved on an antique weapon.

The church has a fascination with written magic,
especially ancient tribal rune magic. Very little of this
inscribed magic has survived to this day (Glyph of
Warding being one of the few notable examples). The
average temple has a number of these glyphs covering
doors, walls, and items in the building.

There are two types of Dolethruns – called Parchments
and Quills.

Parchments are temple priests. They don’t leave the
city often, and help in the day-to-day activities of the
church.

Quills are continuously moving. They travel from place
to place, inspecting museums, ruins, and castles for
examples of ancient writing. There are many Quills in
barbarian lands, seeing that the barbarian cultures were
the last ones to use ancient tribal rune magic. It creates
an ironic situation – a priest of the god of writing
befriends and travels with tribes of people who have no
respect or need for the written word.

Being referred to as a Parchment or Quill is not a
permanent situation. Parchments are free to wander as
Quills, and Quills are allowed to settle down and become
Parchments.

Dogma
The written word is power. It lives longer than the
writer, and carries her thoughts to the next generations.
It is virtual immortality.

We are protectors and distributors of that power. Our
duty is to make that power available to all and to ensure
no one destroys the books, writing, and knowledge
stored in our libraries.

Day-to-day Activities
Parchments spend their time in prayer, study, or
deciphering.

Quills are often adventurers, staying in a town or city
only long enough to review and record examples of
ancient script. Quills in barbarian territory frequently
join a tribe because the barbarians’ nomadic ways mirror
the Quills’ tendencies for travel.

Holy Days / Important Ceremonies
Dolethruns celebrate a day in early winter called the
"Day of Dry Ink". It is a respite from work and study,
when all Dolethruns laugh and dance instead of study
and write.

Major Centers of Worship
There are no major centers of worship.

Affiliated Orders
There are no affiliated orders.

Priestly Vestments
Dolethruns wear yellowish-white robes with lines of
runes sewn into the fabric. Each priest chooses a
favourite story or poem to be translated into phonetic
runes and written on the garments. More eccentric
priests choose undeciphered hieroglyphics or the
squiggles from a spellbook to adourn their robes.

Adventuring Garb
Quills wear yellowish-white clothes with a holy symbol
or runes sewn onto the chest, back, and each shoulder.
They carry longspears for self-defense, and are often
equipped with magical scrolls or inspirational writings.