The World Tree/Althum

Summary

Althum is the god of war within the World Tree campaign setting. Althum is worshiped by countries in times of war and those who have an "inner battle" to fight.

According to ancient texts, Althum created carnivorous beasts and monstrosities in the world after Hasdum and Gielel forged the world from the remaining pieces of Katasis and Vareus. Ra-Orn is in direct opposition of Althum.

Origin

During the battle between Vareus and Katasis, it is said that Vareus "cut out the heart of Katasis and cast into oblivion" where it was able to grow and recreate itself. Katasis, with her final moments, separated Vareus in his moment of glory and pride into his three true selves (the brain creating Althum, the heart creating Nazuma, and the spirit creating Gagaur). When the Material Plane was formed by Gielel and Hasdum, the heart of Katasis still battled against the veins of Vareus, forming the Feywild and the Underdark as the battle raged. When the war had ended, each piece of the two deities created the current greater deities, with Ra-Orn ruling over life and nature and Althum ruling over war and destruction.

After conspiring with Nazuma and Gagaur, Althum created the Nine Hells and Acheron as well as the denizens within them. Althum then created Adonizar, only to see it forge Limbo, Pandemonium, and the Abyss. After giving birth to his son, Althum had lost the ability to create those loyal to himself and asked Gagaur for help, in exchange for his Yugoloth's, his most powerful leaders. Gagaur agreed, creating for him Krazak and Golammor, creatures of destruction and tyranny respectively.

Interaction with Other Deities

According to the ancient texts, Penur is the son of Hasdum and Althum. Althum, after conspiring with Nazuma, swore an oath to the other deities that he would stop creating wars in the world if Hasdum would be his bride. The other deities rejoiced at the news and were wed within a ten-day. After consummating the marriage, Althum created a war that is said to have "shook the stars and earth" in violent terror. Upon hearing of this news, Ra-Orn turned the armies into sentient elements and banished them deep into the earth, ocean, and sky. Hasdum, ashamed of her deceit, hid within an active volcano and gave birth to Penur.

Clergy

Listed below is the current structure in society of worshipers of Althum

• Worship: solemn group prayer
• Holidays: Althum is celebrated during the second full moon of autumn.
• Event: Celebrations are varied between locations. Some cities celebrate Althum as the shaping force of the other deities, being father to Penur, his pure visage, or a mixture of these ideas. Celebrations reflect the standpoint of cities and towns of Althum's role.
• Members: Must be male, fought in wartime, and seek the destruction of others.
• Divine Interaction: Althum rarely interacts with the Material Plane, only doing so to protect followers and those instrumental to its survival.