Goibhniu

Goibhniu, also known as Goibhnie, is an interloper deity of the Tuatha De Danann who originates from another plane of existence.

Description

The avatar form of Ghoibniu was typically that of a large, brawny human, dressed in smith attire and with skin blackened from working at the forge.

This deity wielded a +5 spear and a +5 warhammer, both of which would almost certainly kill any living creature they struck.

Divine Realm

Goibhniu lives within the Outlands, in the divine realm of Tir na Og. His own divine realm within Tir na Og is known as the Great Smithy, which sits at the base of an exposed hill and extends far deeper into it than can be readily discerned from the outside. These subterranean levels hold vast veins of raw ore. The Great Smithy itself is said that the sound of hammers never ceases, either being the work of himself or the army of smiths that work within the building under his tutelage.

Worshippers

The priests of his faith were permitted to wield any kind of weapon, so long as it was made of metal. They wore a kilt as part of their priestly vestments. They had access to spells from the all, animal, astral, charm, combat, creation, elemental, guardian, healing, protection, sun, and weather spheres. They particularly had access to the spell heroes' feast. They also were capable of enchanting any weapon, shield, or suit of armor with a +2 enchantment.

His priests were required to watch over and protect both smiths and warriors, as well as oversee the feeding and healing of the faithful. They were often proficient in blacksmithing, serving as a royal court's armorer or blacksmith.

On Toril, the dwarves of Faerûn occasionally showed reverence for Goibhniu, due to him representing powers of smith-work and the earth, but this was only a rare occurrence.[note 1]

Relationships

Goibhniu once part of a trinity of Celtic craftsmen, with gods known as as Creidhne the Worker and Luchta the Wright. The two both gave their powers to Goibhniu in an effort to raise him to the status of an intermediate deity, thereby becoming his dutiful proxies, in hopes that one day their sacrifice could help them too to rise alongside him.

Though Zeus forbid the Olympian gods from fraternizing with the members of the Celtic pantheon, the Olympian known as Apollo had a secret friendship with Goibhniu. Goibhniu was also occasionally a rival of the Olympian god of blacksmithing, Hephaestus, though because of their unflagging devotion to furthering their craft the two more often compared notes and skills with one another.

Goibhniu

Intermediate deity

Basic Information

Titles

Blacksmith of the Gods

Pantheons

Tuatha De Danann

Attributes

Alignment

Neutral Good

Symbol

Anvil

Realm

Concordant Domain of the Outlands/Tir na Og/Great Smithy

Portfolio

Healing, Smithing

Following

Worshippers

Workers of metal

Alignments

LN, N, CN

Domains

Artifice (Toil)
Earth (Metal)
Healing (Medicine, Restoration, Resurrection)
Protection (-)

Favored Aspects

Colors

Iron