Ilneval (ILL-nev-all)

Ilneval was the orc god of strategic warfare and patron of orc captains, symbolizing the race's combative nature. He was the archetypal leader in front who unflinchingly lead the charge, embodying the orcish tactic of overwhelming numbers, and the Horde Leader was revered by those that saw the wisdom in that strategy. With bloodied blade in hand, he called those that understood the flow of battle to sit around his council fire and learn the ways of the War Maker.

Personality

Bold and direct, Ilneval was a daring leader that charged headfirst into battle with only the destruction of his opposition and triumph over his adversaries on his mind. He was a take-charge figure of inspiring bravery that loathed cowardice and underhandedness, but was not, as one might assume, an unthinking brute.

Indeed, Ilneval was actually a devious strategist, but his careful plans were made before the battle to maximize his odds of success and ensure he inflicted as much damage on the enemy as possible. He was both self-serving and ambitious, preferring to plan the conquest to come rather than reminisce on victories past.

Worshipers

Ilneval was considered the god of orcish leaders, and his clerics were expected to be physically strong themselves, charismatic enough to lead, and able to command a military force effectively. Most of his clerics were also fighters, less often becoming rangers, while only the adepts of the most primitive orc tribes trained as barbarians. More powerful priests had access to the prayer spell and could cast domination once per week.

Ilneval's clergy was second only to that of Gruumsh, and the two worked together to oppress other faiths to ensure their own prominent status, although priests of the War Maker sought to make Ilneval's cult dominant over all others in the clan. Many members were officers in the tribe's armies and answered only to the chieftain, and though only Gruumsh's followers could call forth the orcs into a single force, it was Ilneval's who marshalled the fractious tribes into a united horde.

When young orcs showed an aptitude for the nuances of enacting war, they were considered the chosen of Ilneval and groomed to become his blades, battle captains that lead a portion of the chief's warriors into the thick of the fight while giving an element of strategy to the forces. Blades of Ilneval were fearsome foes that emulated the god they venerated, able to smite their opposition, command their kin in unpredictable but beneficial ways, and utilize an uncanny intuition for when to move and when to attack, exploiting the enemy's weaknesses as a group like a feral pack of wolves.

Ilneval was also seen as the patron of orc crossbreeds, particularly the powerful ones, with ogrillons and tanarukks (orc-ogre and orc-tanar'ri hybrids respectively) being prime examples. Half-orcs were also under Ilneval's purview, with those that worshiped the orc gods following him in particular, and orogs often revered him due to frequently being in leadership roles. Tanarukks believed him to be their special patron, worshiping him almost as much as Gruumsh, and if the race were to expand, he'd likely supplant the One-eyed god in their eyes, with wiser tanarukks already favouring him.

Divine Domains

War

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Physical Description

Specialized Equipment

Ilneval's dreadful broadsword was enchanted, and caused profuse bleeding in those it struck unless magic on or above the level of cure serious wounds was applied. There was a chance that any non-orc it hit would be instantly slain.

The War Maker also wore an enchanted suit of red, iron chainmail that deflected all missile weapons (such as arrows), including bolts and rays form spells or spell-like abilities, though it was possible that enchanted missile weapons could harm him.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Near the end of the Orcgate Wars, Ilneval fought against the leader of the Untheric pantheon, Gilgeam, before Tiamat used the situation to launch an ambush against the God-king, The Untheric aspect of Bahamut known as Marduk managed to defeat Tiamat before she could land a killing blow, though at the cost of his own life.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Ilneval was Gruumsh's first lieutenant and right hand, and allowed no challenges to his position, systematically stopping any potential rival. He had deposed or destroyed one or two orc gods in the past, crushing demigods and relegating more powerful deities to lesser status in his climb to power. This was because he secretly coveted the position of Gruumsh, and had been waiting for ages to seize the throne of He-who-never-sleeps. However, many obstacles stood in the path of the Crafty Warrior's objective, and for a god of bold warfare, he was ironically restricted by several forces beyond his influence.

Gruumsh was aware of Ilneval's desire and so rightly did not trust him, but with his son Bahgtru on his side, some of the One-Eyed God's concerns were relieved. Ilneval was absolutely terrified of Bahgtru's brutality, and so long as the Leg-Breaker remained loyal to Gruumsh, Ilneval would stay loyal enough to him as well, so Gruumsh chose not to take action. Ilneval secretly resented Bahgtru for this on top of being frightened by the stronger but stupid deity, and so avoided him as much as possible (never battling with him) while covertly working to undermine him. Ilneval was also believed to lust after Gruumsh's mate, Luthic, but was afraid to act on this desire as well.

The more sinister members of the pantheon, Shargaas and Yurtrus (the orc god of darkness and stealth and the orc god of death and disease respectively), had a cold, quiet alliance to counterbalance the influence of the orcish gods of war, including Ilneval as well as Bahgtru and Gruumsh. Shargaas in particular, who was even more cunning than Ilneval, secretly revealed his treacheries to Gruumsh to simultaneously undermine the War Maker and cement himself in the pantheon. Ilneval intensely disliked the two of them for their craven, dishonourable methods but was smart enough to make use of their talents effectively when fighting other pantheons.

Others

Though he had his differences with his fellows in the orc pantheon, Ilneval hated the goblinoid gods, Morndinsamman, Seldarine, and all their other traditional enemies, and would never betray his race as a whole. He once found himself in battle with Bahgtru against the forces of Khurgorbaeyag, the goblin god, and Hruggek, the bugbear deity.

Ilneval's proxy was the half-orc warrior known as General Guldrin Blut.

Divine Classification

Lesser deity

Religions

• Orc pantheon

Alignment

Lawful evil

Honorary & Occupational Titles

The War Maker
The Horde Leader
The Crafty Warrior
The Lieutenant of Gruumsh
War Master
Son of Strife