Ilmater (ill-MAY-ter)

(a.k.a. The Crying God / The Broken God)

Clerics

Ilmater’s clerics are the most sensitive and caring beings in the world. While some grow cynical at all the suffering they see, they still are compelled to help those in need whenever they encounter them. His clerics share whatever they have with the needy and act on behalf of those that cannot act for or defend themselves. Many learn the Brew Potion feat so that they can help those beyond their immediate reach. 
Clerics of Ilmater pray for spells in the morning, although they still have to pray to Ilmater at least six times a day altogether. They have no annual holy days, but occasionally a cleric calls for a Plea of Rest. This allows him a tenday of respite from Ilmater’s dictates, which prevents the cleric from suffering emotional exhaustion or allows him to perform some act that Ilmater would normally frown upon. One group of monks of Ilmater acts as the defenders of the faithful and the church’s temples. These monks can multiclass freely as clerics.

Divine Domains

Good, Healing, Law, Strength, Suffering

Divine Symbols & Sigils

A pair of white hands bound at the wrist with a red cord

Tenets of Faith

• Help all who hurt, no matter who they are.
• The truly holy take on the suffering of others.
• If you suffer in his name, Ilmater is there to support you.
• Stick to your cause if it is right, whatever the pain or peril.
• There is no shame in a meaningful death.
• Stand up to all tyrants, and allow no injustice to go unchallenged.
• Emphasize the spiritual nature of life over the existence of the material body.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Ilmater is an older deity. He has long been associated with Tyr (his superior) and Torm , and together they are known as the Triad. Ilmater is also allied with Lathander , but he opposes deities that enjoy destruction and causing pain and hardship for others, particularly Loviatar, whose nature is the diametric opposite of his own.

Morality & Philosophy

Ilmater is a generous and self-sacrificing deity. He is willing to shoulder any burden for another person, whether it is a heavy load or terrible pain. A gentle god, Ilmater is quiet, kind, and good-spirited. He appreciates a humorous story and is always slow to anger. While most consider him nonviolent, in the face of extreme cruelty or atrocities his anger rises and his wrath is terrible to behold. He takes great care to reassure and protect children and young creatures, and he takes exceptional offense at those that would harm them.

In Baldur's Gate: Ilmater's humble shrine stands in a quiet square in Heapside. The Shrine of Suffering provides free meals and a few coppers to the poor and destitute.
Even in the Upper City, some citizens feel their existence is one of secret torment and suffering. The idea that pain has nobility to it- that there can be a divine reason behind the trials that face Baldurians- comforts many.
Some Patriar spread word of Ilmater's faith not out of devotion, but to control their lessers. If people believe their suffering is worthy, they are less likely to demand safer conditions, higher pay, or more rights. In recent memory, cryptic notes have appeared on the gates of patriar estates warning that "those who falsely champion the Crying God will find their own suffering multiplied."