The World Tree/Nazuma

Summary

Nazuma is the goddess of deceit (among other names) within the World Tree campaign setting. Her depiction is that of a drow woman with a robe covering either multiple spider legs or tentacles. She is worshiped by thieves, criminals, and some drow.

According to ancient texts, Nazuma created lies, half-truths, and deception within the beings of the world after Hasdum and Gielel forged the world from the remaining pieces of Katasis and Vareus. Penur is in direct opposition of Nazuma.

After the "Great Deceit", Nazuma created shadows and the desire to murder within those who were succeptible to her corruption, including orcs, goblioids, ogres, giants, large beasts, and the denizens of the Underdark. After claiming lordship over the Underdark, Nazuma sent forth three titans into the world to spread her will through the Underdark to the material plane, rallying them to rise to the surface and claim the rest of the planes.

Zorum, titan of shadows, is the guardian of shadows, seeking to quench all light and obscure the senses. Zorum is depicted as either a black cloud or the shadow of Nazuma and has been tasked to protect her from her worshipers and to spy on the surface world in the night. Legend says that Zorum appears when a secret is told in complete darkness.

Dravum, demigod of murder, is the embodiment of wrongful death and murder. Nazuma, during Law's attempt at bringing law to the giants and ogres, deceived the great leader of the orc tribes, bribing him with riches and affection, spinning her words into him accepting. After giving birth to a Dravum, Nazuma killed the orc leader and infusing the murderous rage into the living. Dravum is a spawn of murder and hatred, protecting Nazuma and the Underdark from danger.

Vuralum, titan of lies, is Nazuma's personal pet, a powerful Rakshasa to twist Enweg's scribing and judgement to Nazuma's will.

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 Nazuma ruling over lies and deception.

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 powerful elemental titans 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.

Nazuma was driven to the Underdark by the other non-evil deities and transformed into a woman with a spider's body, where she must live her days in a tortured beast.

Clergy

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

• Worship: solemn individual prayer
• Holidays: Nazuma is celebrated during the eve of Midwinter.
• Event: Celebrations last for two days, where actors depict the treachery of Nazuma and her punishment.
• Members: Any who despise Penur and his virtues.
• Divine Interaction: Nazuma's domain is within the Underdark, trapping unwary travelers and adventurers to be devoured, spinning a tale of innocent lives trapped within or how she must be destroyed for her evil.