Herne

Herne the Huntmaster, or Herne Hurkgruum in Orcish, also known as the Wild Hunter, is a deity of hunting worshiped by the orcs of Tir Naomh, instead of the orc pantheon. He is also the herald of Cerunnos when that god needs to intervene in mortal affairs, in which capacity he is known as as Herne the Hunter.

Description

As Herne the Hunter, he rode a nightmare and wore a black skull mask and a crown of antlers.

Herne was said to wield a spear called "Boarskewer".

Worshippers

Notably, Herne the Huntmaster was revered by the High Forest orcs, instead of the typical orc pantheon. His priests were almost entirely adepts and druids, as well as a few clerics.

History

A long time before Corellon's battle with Gruumsh, an incarnation or avatar of Herne came to the world of Toril and was slain by the native deity Malar. Years later, when a young Araushnee went looking to recruit Malar she found and gazed upon the shadowy remains of Herne.

Around the time of the rise of Netheril, a wave of planar immigrants came from another world and settled on Toril. One of these groups of people came from a rugged land with a culture tied to nature, the sea, and the warrior history of its dozen-king greater god. They brought with them their own style of society and faiths, with the worship of Celtic deities. This included a new incarnation of Herne, who would become corrupted.[note 1]

This Herne was worshiped by orc tribes in northwest Faerûn's High Forest, including the Bloody Eye, Horned Lord, Sharpspike, and Tanglethorn tribes by the mid–14th century DR.

Eventually, during the Time of Troubles of 1358 DR, Herne was challenged and defeated once more in battle by Malar, who then proceeded to assume his portfolio and identity.

Nevertheless, the High Forest orcs' faith in Herne Hurkgruum would remain strong. During the Gray Migrations out of the High Forest in 1372 DR, they took it with them through the Delimbiyr Vale and Graypeak Mountains.

Herne

Demigod

Basic Information

Titles

Herne the Huntmaster
The Wild Hunter
Herne Hurkgruum (in Orc)
Herne the Hunter

Pantheons

Tuatha De Danann

Attributes

Alignment

True Neutral

Symbol

A single antler

Realm

Concordant Domain of the Outlands/Tir na Og

Portfolio

Hunting

Favored Weapon

Boarskewer (spear)

Following

Worshippers

Orcs of the High Forest

Alignments

NG, LN, N, CN, NE

Domains

Animal (Feather, Fur)
Travel (Exploration)