Doburdun, the Loyal Storm
Pelandan God of Thunder
Doburdun is worshipped in Pelanda and Dara Happa as the God
of Thunder and Storms. He is a servant and protector of Entekos.
When the Rebel Gods looted her realm, Entekos grew angry. A
black cloud formed over her furrowed brow and stated, "I am
Doburdun!" When he was born, he already bore the Thunder Addi,
a club of rumbling, grumbling storm. He struck the Rebel Gods
with the Thunderstick, and its shattering Thunder frightened
them so that they fled.
In Dara Happa, Doburdun is the big but harmless midcontinental
summer thunderstorm. He usually receives sacrifice only once each
year, before the rains start. He also receives propitiatory worship
when too much rain falls, to keep the storms away. When the Lunar
Empire began fighting the southern barbarians, they needed people
who could tame the Heortling storms, and Doburdun was the perfect
choice. His initiates have been welcomed into the Lunar Field
Colleges and many Provincial regiments, where his priests lead
them in fighting the violent storm barbarians in the south.
There, missionaries promote the Loyal Storm as an alternative to
Orlanth (the Rebel Storm). Doburdun also has a very few worshippers
in the Heartlands who are dedicated to taming crop-devastating storms.
The Good Storm God
What the Seven Mothers Missionary Says
In the Golden Age, Ernalda was an attendant to Yelm the
Bright Emperor. At his court she met many beautiful gods,
including Entekos, goddess of the air, and her retinue. One
member of Entekos' entourage was particularly handsome to
behold: Doburdun the Thunderer. He wooed Ernalda, and Ernalda
tested him by giving him three important tasks to complete.
He did them all with honor and dignity, without complaint. He
rescued Donandar’s harp from the Mostali, and fought their
Snake of Long Steel. He flashed his booming light on the In
Betweens, whom no one else could see, and kept them from looting
Yelm’s pantry. The last test was the most difficult. When violent
Orlanth came to take Ernalda away, Ernalda commanded Doburdun not
to fight. "There is always another way," she said. Doburdun
suffered without Ernalda, and when the Darkness came he searched
the world for her. He found her at her loom, weaving everything
back together. He fought off the enemies who tried to stop her,
and was woven back into the world as her Thunder Husband, who
would command the storms, protect the people, and lead the men
with dignity, restraint, and honor.
| Entry Requirements: |
Must be male. |
| Homeland: |
Originally Pelanda; now, throughout the Empire. |
| Abilities: |
Addi Fighting, Addi and Shield
Fighting, Devotee of Doburdun or Initiate of Doburdun,
Endure Weather, Mythology of Doburdun, Predict Weather, Soul
Vision, Throw Addi. |
| Virtues: |
Brooding, Combative, Loyal. |
| Affinities and Feats: |
Storm
(Call Clouds, Command Air Daimon, Initiate Thunderstorm, Lashing
Winds, Shrug Off Storm Magic)
Thunder Addi
(Booming Voice, Command Thunderstorm, Deafening Blast, Thunder
Addi) |
| Secret: |
Ride Thunder Addi
(The devotee can throw his Thunder Addi at a foe and ride it to
the target. This permits the hero to fly short distances and
also allows him to add the secret's rating to his Throw Addi or
any Close Combat ability, such as Addi Fighting.) |
| Other Side: |
Doburdun’s throne is in his
glowering Black Cloud Castle, which floats in Entekos’ Air Realm.
From the castle, worshippers may exit to the Green Age, Solar Age,
Storm Age, Darkness Age, or directly into the Sky. After death,
initiates join Doburdun in hunting sky creatures and fighting the
enemies of Entekos. |
| Disadvantages: |
None significant, inside the Empire.
However, in Sartar, Doburdun is decidedly inferior to Orlanth.
Nonetheless, his cult is approved by the Provincial Overseer, and
is for many an acceptable alternative to being outlawed or
crucified for worshipping Orlanth. |
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