Uthgar
Father of the Uthgardt barbarians of the Savage Frontier, located in northern Fjoll, Uthgar (uhth-gar) is a proud, fierce, and independent warrior. According to some legends he is the son of Beorunna while others claim he is the divine offspring of mighty Tempus. The Battle Father has few friends and has remained relatively uninvolved in divine politics. Uthgar’s full and hearty laugh rings out whenever he hears a good joke. He enjoys sensual pleasures of the flesh, even in his divine state, and likes to hunt, eat, drink, and be merry in his feast halls with the warrior spirits he has called to serve him. Although he is a tireless and methodical tactician, his battle strategies are not terribly inspired. He is driven to win in the long run, however, especially if the Uthgardt barbarians (his people) are threatened. Uthgar has many faces, in his guises as the various beast totems, but in his hall he is always depicted as a tall, burely, bearded, blond-haired warrior with eyes of piercing blue dressed only in a battle harness, leather breechcloth, and furred boots.
Clergy and Temples
Clergy and temples do not exist per se outside the collected ranks of those who venerate the various beast cult shamans. Although generally seen as savage and frightening by other inhabitants of the Savage Frontier, in truth the character of the church of Uthgar varies greatly from tribe to tribe. Religious fervor within the tribes has increased recently due to several infants in each tribe having been born with a beast-totem birthmark, which has been taken as a sign of great favor. This has caused Uthgar to rise to the level of a lesser deity.
Clerics of Uthgar pray at dawn or sunset, and each worships the beast totem spirit of his or her tribe. The spring equinox and both solstices are holy days, and all tribes converge upon their ancestral mound during the autumn equinox to perform ceremonies, make agreements, and commune with ancestral spirits.
During the Runemeet, Uthgardt youths desiring to be adults (and warriors of all ages) participate in the ritual of the Runehunt, in which those involved seek victory over the tribe’s ritual enemies. When youths complete a Runehunt successfully, Uthgar’s clerics hold a ceremony, known as the Telhut, to initiate them into adulthood.
Clerics of Uthgar (and those who take him as a patron deity) must abide by the somewhat broader alignment guidelines of the beast totems who mediate between Uthgar and his people. Any alignment that fits the guideline for a beast totem is suitable for a cleric of Uthgar of that totem. The names and alignment guidelines of the totems are Black Lion (CG), Black Raven (CE), Blue Bear (CE), Elk (CN), Gray Wolf (CN), Great Worm (CG), Griffon (N), Red Tiger (CN), Sky Pony (CN), Tree Ghost (NG), and Thunder beast (CN).
Uthgar’s clerics often multiclass as barbarians, druids, or rangers.
Dogma
The dogma of the Uthgardt religion varies slightly from tribe to tribe as each beast cult emphasizes different “barbarian” virtues. In general, shamans are charged as follows when they are initiated into the Uthgardt faith:
Strength is everything. Civilization is weakness. Warriors should fight, hunt, and raid from the weak to provide for their families and tribe. Family is sacred, and its bonds are not cast aside lightly. Arcane magic is effete, self-indulgent, and ultimately leads to weakness. Reliance upon arcane magic is an evil and false path that leads to death and ruin. Revere Uthgar, your ancestors, and your tribe’s beast spirit. Study the beast so that you know its virtues and its weaknesses; claim its virtues as your own and weed its weaknesses from your spirit. The beast holds wisdom and raw power that you can make your own. Make the others of your tribe fear and respect your power and knowledge so they heed the wise words your ancestors speak through you to them.
History and Relationships
Uthgar was once a mortal Northlander from Geriland named Uther Gardolfsson, brother to Morgred (the “Morgur” of Morgur’s Mound). As he lay dying of wounds received in battle with Gurt, Lord of the Frost Giants, Uthgar was raised up as a demipower by Tempus, who admired his fighting spirit. Uthgar counts only the Lord of Battles as an ally. The Father of the Uthgardt dislikes Helm, Ilmater, Torm, and Tyr, for they have stolen away the devotion of all but one cleric of the Black Lion tribe. Other than enmities stemming from encroachment upon his followers, Uthgar holds himself aloof, unconcerned with divine politics and struggles.
Divine Classification
Lesser Deity
Honorary & Occupational Titles
- Father of the Uthgardt
- Battle Father
Children
Gender
Male
