Tiamat
Tiamat, Goddess of Wealth, Greed, and Vengeance and also a deity of The Lost, is a fearsome dragon deity who embodies insatiable ambition, ruthless vengeance, and the unquenchable thirst for wealth and power. Known by many names, including The Dragon Queen, The Hoardmistress, and The Five-Faced Tyrant, Tiamat inspires both fear and awe among those who know of her. Once an Icon of her people and a figure of justice and nobility, Tiamat’s descent into greed and vengeance transformed her into a force of relentless ambition and spite.
Her scales are dark, iridescent, and glimmer with the sheen of hoarded gold and precious gems. Her eyes burn with malevolent intelligence, betraying her deep cunning and ambition. Tiamat’s wings are massive, black as the void, stretching out to eclipse all who stand before her. Her voice is a combination of seductive charm and venomous fury, captivating yet deadly.
However, during the War of the Divine, Io fell to an Elder Evil in a great sacrificial battle. Upon his death, his Divine Spark split between Tiamat and Bahamut, transforming them into gods. Bahamut inherited Io’s principles of justice and nobility, while Tiamat’s share of the spark enhanced her natural ambition and greed, making her the Goddess of Wealth and Ferocity.
Throughout the Divine Era, Tiamat’s desire for power grew, and her personality became increasingly twisted by her own insatiable greed. She saw mortals and even her fellow gods as obstacles or tools in her schemes to amass more influence and wealth. Ultimately, during the Divine Seal Era, her paranoia and spite led her down a dark path, succumbing entirely to her greed and hatred. This descent transformed her into the Goddess of Wealth, Greed, and Vengeance. Her relentless pursuit of dominance and the torment she brought to others led the other gods to seal her away in one of the Nine Hells, trapping her within its infernal depths.
Exact Ruthless Vengeance: Every slight, insult, or offense must be answered. Tiamat’s followers believe in punishing anyone who opposes them, no matter the cost.
Respect Only Strength: Weakness is despised, and only those who prove themselves strong and cunning deserve loyalty. Mortals and lesser beings are tools, to be manipulated or discarded as necessary.
Show No Mercy: Mercy is for the weak, and compassion is a hindrance. The world is a place for those who can seize what they desire without hesitation or apology.
These tenets encourage followers to live by ambition and cunning, gaining wealth and power, and taking revenge against any who challenge their right to possess all they covet. Tiamat’s followers often see themselves as above others, emboldened by their goddess’s example.
Scaled Avengers: These followers are bent on exacting vengeance, taking up arms or manipulating events to punish those who slighted them. They believe that no offense is too small to be repaid in full.
Lords of Dominion: Nobles, tyrants, and rulers who dedicate themselves to Tiamat follow her doctrines of control and wealth accumulation. They rule through fear and intimidation, often seeing their subjects as assets rather than people.
Dark Servants: Those who are willing to serve Tiamat’s purposes for personal gain, such as mercenaries, thieves, and assassins, fall under this category. They are willing to manipulate, betray, and steal to serve her goals, either out of reverence or for the promise of rewards.
Tiamat’s followers are known for their arrogance, cruelty, and cunning. They believe that might and wealth are all that matter and that they are entitled to take whatever they desire. Many are feared within their communities, and they inspire dread among those who know of Tiamat’s teachings.
Holy Day: Tiamat’s followers observe The Day of Hoard Reckoning, a day dedicated to counting and securing wealth and marking those who deserve retribution. This day is one of indulgence and punishment, as followers boast of their wealth and make plans to settle old scores.
Through her presence and teachings, Tiamat inspires mortals to embrace their ambition and pursue wealth, power, and vengeance with unrelenting ferocity. Her imprisonment in the Nine Hells has only intensified her hatred and desire for more, and her followers continue her mission to extend her influence in the mortal realm, driven by her relentless pursuit of dominance and her refusal to forgive any slight or insult.
Physical Description
Tiamat is an awe-inspiring, terrifyingly powerful dragon with five heads, each representing one of the chromatic dragons: red, blue, green, black, and white. Her red head blazes with an unyielding fire, her blue head crackles with the fury of lightning, her green head exudes toxic fumes, her black head drips with corrosive acid, and her white head emanates a freezing chill. Each head acts as an embodiment of her destructive power and symbolizes one of her aspects as Goddess of Wealth, Greed, and Vengeance.Her scales are dark, iridescent, and glimmer with the sheen of hoarded gold and precious gems. Her eyes burn with malevolent intelligence, betraying her deep cunning and ambition. Tiamat’s wings are massive, black as the void, stretching out to eclipse all who stand before her. Her voice is a combination of seductive charm and venomous fury, captivating yet deadly.
History
During the Ruination era, Tiamat and her twin brother Bahamut were born from Io, the great titanium dragon created by the Divine Triad to combat the Elder Evils. Tiamat fought with ferocious might, her cunning and ruthlessness proving instrumental in several battles. Her ambition and desire for power became well-known, and she earned her place as an Icon among the dragons. Together with Bahamut, who represented honor and justice, Tiamat embodied the fierce, unyielding force of the dragon race.However, during the War of the Divine, Io fell to an Elder Evil in a great sacrificial battle. Upon his death, his Divine Spark split between Tiamat and Bahamut, transforming them into gods. Bahamut inherited Io’s principles of justice and nobility, while Tiamat’s share of the spark enhanced her natural ambition and greed, making her the Goddess of Wealth and Ferocity.
Throughout the Divine Era, Tiamat’s desire for power grew, and her personality became increasingly twisted by her own insatiable greed. She saw mortals and even her fellow gods as obstacles or tools in her schemes to amass more influence and wealth. Ultimately, during the Divine Seal Era, her paranoia and spite led her down a dark path, succumbing entirely to her greed and hatred. This descent transformed her into the Goddess of Wealth, Greed, and Vengeance. Her relentless pursuit of dominance and the torment she brought to others led the other gods to seal her away in one of the Nine Hells, trapping her within its infernal depths.
Beliefs
Tiamat’s teachings center on the unbridled pursuit of wealth, power, and revenge. She teaches that only the strong and ambitious survive and that mercy is weakness. Her followers believe that life’s ultimate purpose is to acquire as much wealth and power as possible, by any means necessary, and that vengeance must be exacted upon anyone who wrongs them, no matter how slight the offense.Core Tenets of Tiamat’s Faith:
Pursue Wealth and Power: Amass wealth, riches, and resources, seeing them as measures of worth and influence. Hoard treasures and take what you desire, for only those who possess material power can control the worldExact Ruthless Vengeance: Every slight, insult, or offense must be answered. Tiamat’s followers believe in punishing anyone who opposes them, no matter the cost.
Respect Only Strength: Weakness is despised, and only those who prove themselves strong and cunning deserve loyalty. Mortals and lesser beings are tools, to be manipulated or discarded as necessary.
Show No Mercy: Mercy is for the weak, and compassion is a hindrance. The world is a place for those who can seize what they desire without hesitation or apology.
These tenets encourage followers to live by ambition and cunning, gaining wealth and power, and taking revenge against any who challenge their right to possess all they covet. Tiamat’s followers often see themselves as above others, emboldened by their goddess’s example.
Followers
Tiamat’s followers, often known as The Scaled Faithful or Hoardseekers, are individuals driven by greed, ambition, and a thirst for dominance. Her cult attracts those who desire power, wealth, and influence, often willing to go to great lengths to achieve their goals. Tiamat’s faithful include warlords, tyrants, mercenaries, and greedy nobles, as well as those who bear deep grudges and seek vengeance.Types of Followers:
Hoardseekers: These followers are treasure hunters and hoarders, seeking wealth in all its forms. They often pillage, exploit, and manipulate to increase their fortunes, and some establish secret lairs to hoard their riches.Scaled Avengers: These followers are bent on exacting vengeance, taking up arms or manipulating events to punish those who slighted them. They believe that no offense is too small to be repaid in full.
Lords of Dominion: Nobles, tyrants, and rulers who dedicate themselves to Tiamat follow her doctrines of control and wealth accumulation. They rule through fear and intimidation, often seeing their subjects as assets rather than people.
Dark Servants: Those who are willing to serve Tiamat’s purposes for personal gain, such as mercenaries, thieves, and assassins, fall under this category. They are willing to manipulate, betray, and steal to serve her goals, either out of reverence or for the promise of rewards.
Tiamat’s followers are known for their arrogance, cruelty, and cunning. They believe that might and wealth are all that matter and that they are entitled to take whatever they desire. Many are feared within their communities, and they inspire dread among those who know of Tiamat’s teachings.
Temples and Worship
Temples to Tiamat are hidden in remote, heavily guarded places or hidden beneath mountains or in lairs. They resemble dark vaults, filled with treasures and adorned with dragon motifs in each of the chromatic colors. These temples are often lit by gems and precious metals, symbolizing the goddess’s love for wealth and power. Rituals in her name involve offering portions of one’s wealth to appease her or invoking her wrath upon enemies.Symbols and Holy Days:
Symbols: Tiamat’s symbols include a five different colored dragon claws and a hoard of coins beneath outstretched, clawed wings. Her symbols are often displayed on treasure chests, weapons, and armor.Holy Day: Tiamat’s followers observe The Day of Hoard Reckoning, a day dedicated to counting and securing wealth and marking those who deserve retribution. This day is one of indulgence and punishment, as followers boast of their wealth and make plans to settle old scores.
Sacred Texts:
The Code of the Scaled Queen is Tiamat’s primary text, outlining her teachings of greed, ambition, and vengeance. Followers study this text to learn how to accumulate wealth, avoid weakness, and pursue power without mercy.Through her presence and teachings, Tiamat inspires mortals to embrace their ambition and pursue wealth, power, and vengeance with unrelenting ferocity. Her imprisonment in the Nine Hells has only intensified her hatred and desire for more, and her followers continue her mission to extend her influence in the mortal realm, driven by her relentless pursuit of dominance and her refusal to forgive any slight or insult.
Type
Greater DeityTitle(s)
ArchdevilThe Dragon Queen
The Hoardmistress
The Scaled Fury
The Hoardmistress
The Five-Faced Tyrant
Alignment
Lawful evilSymbol
five-pointed star with different colored dragon clawsEdicts
amass wealth, power, and influence by any means necessary; exact vengeance on those who wrong you or oppose your goals; demand respect and submission from others.Anathema
act with genuine humility or charity; forgive a slight or allow an insult to go unanswered; share wealth or power without expecting something in return.Areas of Concern
wealth, greed, power, vengeance5e Domains
Trickery, WarP2 Devotee Benefits
Divine Ability
Strength or CharismaDivine Font
harmDivine Sanctification
can choose unholyDivine Skill
IntimidationFavored Weapon
glaiveDomains
ambition, destruction, might, trickery, wyrmkinAlternate Domains
confidence, wealthCleric Spells
1st: sure strike, 3rd: fireball, 4th: wall of fireDivine Intercession
Tiamat rewards those who relentlessly pursue their desires for wealth and power, but she punishes those who show mercy or humility.Minor Boon: Golden Glint
Once per day, you can cast glibness as an innate divine spell, allowing you to enhance your persuasiveness and mask your greed with a silver tongue. This spell is especially effective when trying to manipulate or persuade others in the pursuit of wealth or power.Moderate Boon: Draconic Wrath
Once per day, you can cast dragon’s breath as an innate divine spell, granting you the power to unleash a breath weapon in one of Tiamat’s favored elements (fire, acid, cold, lightning, or poison). This power gains a +1 bonus to its DC if used in an act of vengeance.Major Boon: Queen’s Hoard
Once per day, you can call upon Tiamat’s blessing to replenish your wealth and resources. You can magically manifest a small treasure hoard worth up to 100 gold pieces, though this wealth cannot be shared or given freely to others without losing Tiamat’s favor. This boon allows you to recover and repair lost equipment, reflecting Tiamat’s endless wealth.Minor Curse: Covetous Gaze
If you act with charity or share your wealth without personal gain, Tiamat marks you with an insatiable desire for riches. You take a -1 penalty on all Will saves against greed or charm effects until you reclaim what you have lost or acquire new wealth.Moderate Curse: Scales of Vengeance
If you forgive a slight or fail to act on vengeance, Tiamat curses you with scales that itch and burn as a reminder of her scorn. You take a -1 penalty to AC and a -5-foot penalty to Speed until you achieve revenge against someone who wronged you.Major Curse: The Dragon’s Spite
Tiamat marks you as weak and unworthy of wealth, visibly tarnishing your appearance and ruining any wealth you touch. Any coins or valuable items you acquire crumble to worthless dust within a day, and you suffer a -2 penalty on Diplomacy and Intimidation checks when dealing with those who value power or riches.
Children
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