Valkur

The Mighty, Captain of the Wind and Waves

Valkur the Mighty is a sailor's god, a power who intercedes to protect ships against the cruel whimsy of and the destruction of Talos. He is often depicted as a giant sailor who wades through the ocean, which only comes up to his knees. He carries a great shield with which he turns back the worst of the forces of nature arrayed against him. In other religious images he is shown at the helm of the great galleon Windjammer, which can sail across any sea and even fly through the heavens.
Valkur is the sworn foe of the Gods of Fury (Talos, Umberlee, Malar, and Auril especially Umberlee) and looks to Selüne to guide him across the oceans of Faerun. The Red Knight is trying to persuade him to take more of an interest in the disposition of naval conflicts, but he feels his primary responsibilities lie in the protection of sailors. The Captain of the Waves can pilot any sailing craft in any conditions, and he never shies away from a challenge. His moods are as mercurial as the weather, but he is always incredibly loyal to his crew. He is usually jolly, always lucky, emphasizes his points by shaking his fist in the air, and has a great belly laugh. Valkur never holds a grudge, but when angered, his voice cracks like rolling thunder. Valkur epitomizes the daring sea captain who can sail his ship through anything the Gods of Fury can unleash.
Valkur's worship originated in the North centuries ago and seems tied to tales of a legendary captain from Mintarn who challenged Umberlee and won against all odds. The stories say that Valkur was once a sea captain who was beset by Umberlee. He triumphed over the Goddess of Fury and gained some of her portfolio. Valkur has become the God of Favorable Seas and Winds, but is primarily concerned with the protection of ships and sailors. His faith quickly spread to Tethyr and Amn, where it is now centered. His name is used throughout the Realms to bless the spirits of dead sailors and lost ships.
In the past, Valkur was not always responsive to his followers' prayers, and, as a result, worship among northern sailors was often more in line with trying to placate the Gods of Fury than seeking protection from them through him—protection that might never come. Since the Time of Troubles, the god of sailors has become more responsive to the entreaties of his faithful, although he is still somewhat unreliable, and as his worship has spread rapidly along the coast of the Sea of Fallen Stars, particularly in Aglagrond (in Velprintalar and Furthinghome) , Telflamm, and Tsurlagol, the ranks of his faithful ate swelling with new converts. If Valkur reduces the high numbers of ships that have been lost at sea every month of late, his popularity is sure to soar even further. Umberlee's name, however, is still spoken more, and her shrines are more numerous. The Bitch Queen may yet attempt to destroy the upstart power who dares challenge her dominion.

Divine Domains

Tempest, War

Divine Symbols & Sigils

A shield showing a thundercloud with three lightning bolts descending from it

Tenets of Faith

There is nothing more invigorating than challenging the elements. The feel of wind and spray on one's face and the deck pitching beneath Onek feet is the greatest feeling in the world. If humankind is to expand its reach, daring men and women must defy the odds and dare the impossible. The thrill of exploration is sweeter than wine or rum. There is always risk, but without risk life is empty. Life is to be lived and damn the consequences.
One's loyalties are first to one's mates, then one's ship, and then to Valkur, who protects all sailors. Rely not on Valkur's hand to always extract his faithful from difficulties, for such is coddling and leads to a lack of challenge and the room to grow. Rather, Valkur helps those best who find solutions themselves by helping those plans to work.

Holidays

The clergy of Valkur celebrate only one holy day per year. the Shattering. The Shattering is always held in early spring, but the exact date varies from year to year. festival is held to mark the end of winter and the beginning of the sailing in the North and is celebrated even in the South where the winter ice does not block or trouble ocean travel. Valkur is said to communicate to his High Captains the exact date of the festival each year, and it often varies from city to city. The Shattering is marked by the unfurling of many new sails throughout the port districts of coastal cities and the christening of at least one new ship that then departs for its maiden voyage crewed by Valkur's clergy.
Valkur's clergy regularly perform over a dozen separate ceremonies in the course of their duties. Most of these ceremonies are related to ships and voyages, including ceremonies at a ship's christening, before departing on a voyage, when arriving at a new port, and when returning to the home port, among others. Valkur's temples garner most of their operating funds from rich merchants who wish to ensure Valkur's favor on high-risk sea voyages.

Divine Goals & Aspirations

Day-to-Day Activities

Some priests of Valkur captain sailing ships the length of the Sword Coast and across the Sea of Fallen Stars. Most serve as officers on some ship or other. A few priests of Valkur serve on pirate ships, but many enjoy serving their homelands as privateers. While in port, Valkur's priests provide care and small amounts of monetary support to sailors down on their luck and to families whose chief breadwinner has been lost at sea. Others priests run shipyards or administer fleets of merchant ships. Valkur's priests are also fond of contributing (if not totally sponsoring) seaborne exploration and long-distance trading expeditions because of the challenges and opportunities they present.

Priestly Vestments

When in port, priests of Valkur garb themselves in flowing robes of White and blue with silver trim that flap in any sort of wind and carry cutlasses. At sea, Valkur's priests dress as simple sailors or as appropriate to their rank. They bear a small vial of sea water on their person at all times as a holy symbol, though some clergy sport a piece of sturdy jewelry bearing Valkur's symbol for the same purpose.

Adventuring Garb

When adventuring, priests of Valkur favor light armor and weapons common to sailors, even on land. If they can afford it, Valkur's clergy members have suits of chain mail personally crafted at triple the normal cost that can be released by special catches in a single round so that they do not encumber the wearer in water.

Symbol: A shield showing a thundercloud with three lightning bolts descending from it
Home Plane: Warrior's Rest, Safe Harbor
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Portfolio: Sailors, ships, favorable winds, naval combat
Worshipers: Fighters, rogues, sailors
Cleric Alignments: CG, CN, NG
Domains: Tempest, War
Favored Weapon: "The Captain's Cutlass" (cutlass)
ALLIES : Red Knight, Selune, Tempus
FOES: Auril, Malar, Talos, Umberlee

Divine Classification

Lesser Power