Falkor the Brown

The Tale of Falkor the Brown

Falkor the Brown is a revered deity among The Gods of Lankhmar, embodying the essence of the earth, stability, and the nurturing power of nature. His tale is one of strength, endurance, and the deep connection between mankind and the land. Legends tell of a time when Lankhmar was plagued by natural disasters and infertile soil. Falkor, a mortal of superior resilience and affinity for the earth, emerged to heal the land and ensure the prosperity of his people.
According to myth, Falkor was once a farmer and a guardian of the forests who possessed a profound understanding of the earth and its cycles. He could communicate with the soil, plants, and trees, using his knowledge to cultivate and protect the land. When Lankhmar faced a period of severe drought and famine, Falkor used his abilities to restore fertility to the soil and bring life back to the barren fields. His unwavering dedication to nurturing the land and ensuring its bounty earned him divine status, granting him eternal guardianship over the earth and its riches.

Overview

Falkor the Brown is worshipped as the god of the earth, agriculture, and stability. He is often depicted as a sturdy figure clad in garments made of leaves and bark, with eyes that glow with an earthy brown light. His presence brings a sense of grounding and nourishment, ensuring the fertility of the land and the well-being of those who depend on it.

• Domain: Earth, Agriculture, Stability

• Symbols: Leaves, Bark, Soil

• Attributes: Resilience, Endurance, Nurturing

Historical Foundations

Falkor's worship began in the early days of Lankhmar, when the city’s survival depended heavily on the fertility of its land and the stability of its environment. His ability to restore and protect the earth made him a central figure for those who worked the land and revered nature’s bounty. Farmers, gardeners, and foresters revered him, spreading his legend throughout Lankhmar.

Legacy and Folklore

The legacy of Falkor the Brown is deeply ingrained in the cultural and agricultural practices of Lankhmar. He is invoked during planting and harvest ceremonies, as well as in rituals aimed at ensuring the stability of the land. One popular legend tells of Falkor planting a great tree in the center of Lankhmar, its roots spreading throughout the city to provide strength and nourishment to the entire community.

Adaptations across the Lands

While Falkor is primarily worshipped in Lankhmar, his influence extends to regions with rich natural landscapes and agricultural communities. Villages, farming settlements, and forest tribes honor him, reflecting their reliance on the earth for sustenance and stability.

Cultural Interpretations

Cultural interpretations of Falkor vary widely. In Lankhmar, he is seen as a guardian of the earth and a protector of agriculture. In other areas, he is revered as a wise and nurturing deity, a figure who embodies the enduring strength and stability of nature.

Literary Echoes

Falkor the Brown has inspired numerous works of literature. Epic tales recount his efforts to heal the land and protect his people, while pastoral poems and agricultural treatises highlight his principles and methods. His character often appears in stories as a mentor, teaching heroes to understand and respect the earth.

Artistic Impressions

Artists in Lankhmar and beyond have long been inspired by Falkor’s resilience and connection to nature. Paintings, sculptures, and tapestries depict him surrounded by lush greenery and fertile fields, his eyes glowing with an earthy brown light. These artistic impressions capture both his majestic presence and his nurturing spirit, celebrating his role as the god of the earth and stability.

Deithar

Terra by Chad Watson via Midjourney

Falkor's Deithar is known as Terra. This pendant contains earthy smoky quartz stones that symbolize the grounding and stabilizing nature of Falkor, reflecting the power of the earth. The crown of the Deithar is adorned with earth and rock patterns, and the skull’s eyes glow with an earthy brown light. Terra grants the ability to cast "Stone Shape" at will and "Earthquake" once per day, reflecting Falkor’s mastery over the earth and its stability.

The Transformation from mortal to god

Upon their deaths, the founders of Lankhmar underwent a mystical transformation that was catalyzed by a combination of their extraordinary deeds, the collective reverence of the citizens, and ancient, powerful magic embedded in the city's foundations. Their bodies were mummified and housed in The Black Temple, where their spirits continued to reside, maintaining a vigilant watch over the city they had dedicated their lives to.
The exact process of their transformation involved several key elements:

• Sacred Rituals: Ancient rituals performed by the city's early priests invoked powerful enchantments that bound the spirits of these great men to their mummified remains.

• Collective Belief: The unwavering belief and reverence of the citizens of Lankhmar played a crucial role in empowering and sustaining the transformation of these men into gods.

• Divine Intervention: It is believed that the gods themselves, recognizing the extraordinary nature of these men, granted them divine status to ensure the continued protection and prosperity of Lankhmar.

Why They Transformed

The transformation of these founders into gods served several essential purposes:

• Eternal Protection: As gods, they could continue to protect Lankhmar from both natural and man-made disasters, ensuring the city's survival and prosperity.

• Symbol of Unity and Strength: Their presence as gods served as a constant reminder of the city's resilience and the unity of its people, fostering a strong sense of community and purpose.

• Balance of Power: By becoming gods, they maintained a delicate balance of power within Lankhmar, preventing any one faction or temple from gaining undue influence over the city.

Alignment Shift

In life, these founders were known for their diverse alignments, ranging from noble and just to cunning and strategic. However, upon their transformation into The Gods of Lankhmar, they collectively adopted a Lawful Neutral Alignment with Lawful Evil tendencies. This shift was influenced by the following factors:

• Eternal Vigilance: As guardians of the city, their primary focus shifted to maintaining order and stability at all costs. This required a rigid adherence to law and order, often leading to ruthless decisions to protect Lankhmar.

• Absolute Power: The immense power and responsibility they wielded as gods necessitated a more pragmatic and, at times, harsh approach to governance, resulting in actions that could be perceived as Lawful Evil.

• Divine Judgment: The need to balance protection with retribution led to a more severe interpretation of justice, often punishing those who threatened the city with ruthless efficiency.

Role as The Gods of Lankhmar

The Gods of Lankhmar are more than just mummified remains or sacred relics; they are the eternal guardians of the city. Their roles include:

• Protectors in Times of Crisis: Whenever Lankhmar faces a severe threat, the gods emerge from The Black Temple to defend the city. Their interventions range from creating protective domes during hurricanes to obliterating threats that challenge their supremacy, such as when they destroyed the Temple of Issek.

• Enforcers of Order: The gods also enforce order by ensuring no other temple is built westward of The Black Temple, maintaining the temple's status as the most important in the city.

• Collectors of Energy: After defending the city, the gods embark on a rampage to replenish their spent energy, a process that also serves to remind the citizens of their reliance on the gods and the need for better risk management.