Nardo
Ruler of the Neitherworld
Nardo is a greater deity within The Leitan Pantheon. Nardo is the ruler of the Neitherworld, that place between the mortal world and the afterlife.
Nardo is one of The THP Five. Although, Nardo is not quite as flamboyant as the other four members and rarely flaunts their power in the way that the other do. Nardo recognizes, and intimately understands, how Nardo’s sphere of influence permeates all aspects and entities in the Leitan Peninsula. As such, Nardo see little need to recruit and manipulate the population of the peninsula the way the other powers do.
Nardo is one of The THP Five. Although, Nardo is not quite as flamboyant as the other four members and rarely flaunts their power in the way that the other do. Nardo recognizes, and intimately understands, how Nardo’s sphere of influence permeates all aspects and entities in the Leitan Peninsula. As such, Nardo see little need to recruit and manipulate the population of the peninsula the way the other powers do.
Divine Domains
Priests of Nardo have access to the following Domain Lists:
Minor Access allows access to spells leveled 1 to 3 in that domain list.
Prohibited Access prohibits access to any spells on that domain list.
Restricted Access restricts acces to only spells of levels 1 to 3 on that domain list, but they are cast at a penalty.
- Major Access
- All
- Charm
- Creation
- Divination
- Minor Access
- Protection
- Summoning
- Prohibited Access
- Healing
- Necromantic
- Restricted Access
- Sun
Minor Access allows access to spells leveled 1 to 3 in that domain list.
Prohibited Access prohibits access to any spells on that domain list.
Restricted Access restricts acces to only spells of levels 1 to 3 on that domain list, but they are cast at a penalty.
Artifacts
Though many artifacts have been attributed to Nardo over the millennia, the following are the best documented:
Location: Believed to be in the high temple of the Church of the Eternal Crossing.
Owner: High Priest of the Church of the Eternal Crossing.
Location: Unknown. Lost during the Elemental War
Owner: Unknown.
Location: College of Ollamh .
Owner: Maestro Leopold Stokowski .
Location: The gate to the Neitherworld on Krinard. .
Owner: Nardo .
Crown of Shadows
A dark, grim, and imposing crown adorned with onyx and obsidian. The crown is said to give the wearer control over shadows and spirits from the Neitherworld.Location: Believed to be in the high temple of the Church of the Eternal Crossing.
Owner: High Priest of the Church of the Eternal Crossing.
Shroud of Eternity
A flowing cloak made from finely spun Ingeniare Miasma, alegedly it grants the wearer the ability to move between The Peninsula, Krinard, The Neitherworld, and the outer plane associated with the wearer's alignment effortlessly.Location: Unknown. Lost during the Elemental War
Owner: Unknown.
Banshee's Harp
A harp crafted from the bones of ancient spirits. When played, its haunting melodies are rumored sway the emotions of both the living and the dead, evoking sorrow in the living or serenity in the dead.Location: College of Ollamh .
Owner: Maestro Leopold Stokowski .
The Eternal Lanthorn
A perpetually burning lantern that emits an otherworldly, flickering light. This artifact symbolizes the eternal glow of the Neitherworld and guides lost souls there from The Peninsula. It is visible to anyone on any of the innerplanes except the Prime Material Plane (if alive).Location: The gate to the Neitherworld on Krinard. .
Owner: Nardo .
Holy Books & Codes
Lexicon of the Twilight Horizon
The Lexicon of the Twilight Horizon is the sacred tome and word of Nardo. The book serves as a repository of divine wisdom. It guides the faithful at the end of their life, then death, then to the place that is neither life nor death, the Neitherworld.The cover of the Lexicon of the Twilight Horizon is crafted from an unknown ethereal material that seems to shift between shades of brilliant lavendar and deep indigo. Intricate engravings of souls crossing into the Neitherworld adorn the tome's surface. Finally the entire work is bound in the skin of an unidentified outlander, which symbolizes the union of the living and the dead.
The pages within the Lexicon are made from a mysterious parchment that seems to simultaneously both absorb and reflect the ambient light. The writing itself is etched with a silvery luminescence, making it readable in the dimmest light.
The three main themes within the tome are each devoted to a specific aspect of the Neitherworld and the teachings of Nardo. Specific topics include the nature of death, the journey of souls, the balance between light and shadow. Following the more theological segments are the rituals that connect the living to the Neitherworld.
Distributed over the pages as footnotes, sidebars, and asides are verses to the epic song, Eternal Crossing. Some of these verses describe the transition from life to death and the importance of embracing the eternal cycle. Other verses contain cryptic prophecies and oracles that fortell events. Some followers believe the full story of the apocalype is containded in these verese and if properly decoded, anranged, and sung, will bring on the apocalypse.
The margins are adorned with intricate illustrations and drafts that depict the sacred rites and flora and fauna of the Neitherworld. These illustrations can serve as a visual guide for the faithful to the church in understanding both ceremonies on The Peninsula and creatures in the Neitherworld.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
As a very hands off deity in The Peninsula, Nardo is most likely to communicate with the faithful by a divine symbol. Nardo's symbols are a cornucopia, a sheep dog, pilot fish, gauze, bonemint plants, and the birch tree.
The sigil of Nardo is a cluster of three stars surrounded by a pair of symbolic scythes and backed by a moonglow glyph. The star cluster is symbolic of Nardo and his hand maids, Terrinuk and Lambadeere. The scythes represent the ever present grip of death and the moon glow glyph: the home of Nardo.
The sigil of Nardo is a cluster of three stars surrounded by a pair of symbolic scythes and backed by a moonglow glyph. The star cluster is symbolic of Nardo and his hand maids, Terrinuk and Lambadeere. The scythes represent the ever present grip of death and the moon glow glyph: the home of Nardo.
Tenets of Faith
The Eternal Crossing
Acknowledge and embrace the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Understand that death is not an end but a transition to the next phase of existence.Shadows and Light Unite
Live in the twilight of shadow between the mortal world and the outer planse. Recognize that both realms are interconnected and that balance must be sought to prevent miasmic distortions. Understand that darkness is not inherently malevolent but a necessary force in the balance of existence. Embrace the symbolic and literal shadows. Seek wisdom in the shadows and find strength in the mysteries that lie beyond.Respect the Departed
Honor the departed spirits. The departed continue to exist, but in a different form. Honor them by seeking their wisdom and guidance through respectful and courteous rituals and ceremonies.Respect Death's Domain
Respect the authority of death and Nardo, the god who rules the Neitherworld. Acknowledge that death is a natural part of the Eternal Crossing and that Nardo holds a crucial role in maintaining balance. Neither accelerate a creatures journey to Death's Domain nor retard a creatures path there through use of divine power(spells and magic).Holidays
There are no specific dates associated with Nardo's holidays. Every group worships Nardo on the anniversary of the death of an important member. For a family, it might be on the anniversary of a matriarch's death. A town might pay homage on the anniversary of a great defender's death. While a nation might celebrate Nardo on the anniversary of a monarch's death.
Ceremonies are held under the orblight of Krinard. If Krinard is full the respected might grant those present with a small blessing. The more powerful the spirit was in life, the more powerful the blessing might be. If there is no orblight, i.e. a new moon, there is a similar chance of angering the contacted spirit and being similarly cursed. Should a group of worshipers miss the ceremony on the anniversary of a death and the moon is new, there is a tripled chance of being cursed.
Ceremonies are held under the orblight of Krinard. If Krinard is full the respected might grant those present with a small blessing. The more powerful the spirit was in life, the more powerful the blessing might be. If there is no orblight, i.e. a new moon, there is a similar chance of angering the contacted spirit and being similarly cursed. Should a group of worshipers miss the ceremony on the anniversary of a death and the moon is new, there is a tripled chance of being cursed.
Divine Goals & Aspirations
Nardo is responsible for initiating the end of days by merging the Neitherworld with the Prime Material Plane according to prophesy. Nardo neither knows how nor when to do this, just that he must do it.
Everything that Nardo does he does to move him one step closer to this goal. Sometimes it is a grab of material necessary for the merging. The next time it might be a recovery of a text or miasmic tablet. Centuries can pass between steps, but that is little to a god.
Everything that Nardo does he does to move him one step closer to this goal. Sometimes it is a grab of material necessary for the merging. The next time it might be a recovery of a text or miasmic tablet. Centuries can pass between steps, but that is little to a god.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Nardo appears more or less human and an almost prefect specimen of one. He is 6'6" tall and all muscle. While fools might describe Nardo as lanky, that would be greatly under estimating his physicality. At his height Nardo has an incredible wingspan, this is slightly exaggerated due to his general build of having longer than average arms and slightly shorter than typical legs for an individual of his height.
One of the biggest physical traits that mortals notice when encountering Nardo are his enourmous feet. As a god he is typically immune to simple physical harm from the environment and as such is rarely adorned in shoes.
Of course the god's lavender skin is absolutely the most noticed item about the god's physicality. History isn't clear if Nardo's skin has always been the shade of pinkish purple that it is today, or if that is somehow a result of his dwelling on Krinard.
One of the biggest physical traits that mortals notice when encountering Nardo are his enourmous feet. As a god he is typically immune to simple physical harm from the environment and as such is rarely adorned in shoes.
Of course the god's lavender skin is absolutely the most noticed item about the god's physicality. History isn't clear if Nardo's skin has always been the shade of pinkish purple that it is today, or if that is somehow a result of his dwelling on Krinard.
Body Features
Nardo posesses perfect skin that is a cool and soothing shade of lavendar. While bathed in the light of Krinard, the smallest moon orbiting The Peninsula, if Nardo stands still he will almost always be over looked.
Nardo posesses a lean and muscular physique with low body fat. His muscle development is particularly prominent in the upper body, including well-defined shoulders, chest, and arms. This isn't to say that he 'skips leg day'. Even with somewhat shorter than average legs, they are lean, muscular, and as thick as tree trunks.
Beyond a manifestation that closely resembles humans of The Peninsula, Nardo manifests lavendar colored misty tentacles when angered or excited. These tentacles writhe, twist, and swirl about him. It is unknown if he conciously controls their shape, density, or appearance.
Nardo posesses a lean and muscular physique with low body fat. His muscle development is particularly prominent in the upper body, including well-defined shoulders, chest, and arms. This isn't to say that he 'skips leg day'. Even with somewhat shorter than average legs, they are lean, muscular, and as thick as tree trunks.
Beyond a manifestation that closely resembles humans of The Peninsula, Nardo manifests lavendar colored misty tentacles when angered or excited. These tentacles writhe, twist, and swirl about him. It is unknown if he conciously controls their shape, density, or appearance.
Facial Features
As previously stated, Nardo has an almost gaunt facial expression. Slightly sunken cheeks, elevated cheek bones, and recessed eyes with a protrouding brow almost give his face the appearance of a skull. This gaunt skull like appearance is exacerbated by the lavender skin and no facial hair except for eyebrows.
As stated elsewhere, Nardo has a very androgynous appearance. He is male, but the lack of facial hair accompanying the high cheek bones makes any outward sign of his sex barely discernable.
As stated elsewhere, Nardo has a very androgynous appearance. He is male, but the lack of facial hair accompanying the high cheek bones makes any outward sign of his sex barely discernable.
Mental characteristics
Intellectual Characteristics
Though the gods of The Leitan Peninsula are mortal, they have been alive a very long time and have capabilities far beyond those of mortals. Nardo has unparalleled wisdom and knowledge; easily trancending that of common folk. His intellectual capacity allows him to grasp the intricacies of the multiverse, the nature of souls, and how they all weigh in the cosmic balance.
Though Nardo has a near perfect memory and immense intellect, he is not omniscient. It just appears that way. His recollection of the past and pattern matching and recognition often times allows him to predict future actions and outcomes with disturbing accuracy. Unfortunately for him this can also be a weakness to an individual capable of manipulating this trait.
Though Nardo has a near perfect memory and immense intellect, he is not omniscient. It just appears that way. His recollection of the past and pattern matching and recognition often times allows him to predict future actions and outcomes with disturbing accuracy. Unfortunately for him this can also be a weakness to an individual capable of manipulating this trait.
Morality & Philosophy
Nardo's morality and philosophy represent a philisophical stance that seeks to maintain balance and neutrality while avoiding the extremes of good and evil and the orthagonal extremes of law and chaos. Nardo is most concerned with the natural order and the preservation of balance. Nardo neither promotes excessive good, nor revels in wanton destruction and evil.
Most of the time, Nardo is non-judgemental in mortal affairs. His vast experience and superior wisdom permits him to appreciate the complexities of ethical decisions without imposing a strict and opressive moral code on mortals. The only time he may become judgy is when mortal actions interfere with his completion of his destiny of bringing on the end of days.
Nardo's philosophy on life has three simple pillars. The first is an adherance to the belief that there is a natural order of the multiverse. He emphasizes the importance of every component of the cosmic assembly playing its part to maintain harmony in the grand scheme of things. Second, he approaches matters with a certain level of detachment, seeking to transcend personal biases and subjective emotions. Finally the third pillar is one of adaptation and evolution. Nardo encourages adaptation and evolution within the mortals of the Prime Material Plane. Change, much like life, is not inherently good or evil; it is a natural part of existance.
Most of the time, Nardo is non-judgemental in mortal affairs. His vast experience and superior wisdom permits him to appreciate the complexities of ethical decisions without imposing a strict and opressive moral code on mortals. The only time he may become judgy is when mortal actions interfere with his completion of his destiny of bringing on the end of days.
Nardo's philosophy on life has three simple pillars. The first is an adherance to the belief that there is a natural order of the multiverse. He emphasizes the importance of every component of the cosmic assembly playing its part to maintain harmony in the grand scheme of things. Second, he approaches matters with a certain level of detachment, seeking to transcend personal biases and subjective emotions. Finally the third pillar is one of adaptation and evolution. Nardo encourages adaptation and evolution within the mortals of the Prime Material Plane. Change, much like life, is not inherently good or evil; it is a natural part of existance.
Taboos
Thou shalt not disturb the rest of the departed without proper cause and respect.
It is considered a grave taboo to disturb the final resting places of the deceased without proper cause. Grave robbing, desecration of tombs, or any actions that disrupt the peace of the departed souls will be strongly condemned.
Thou shalt not unreasonably or nonconsentualy imprison souls in the mortal realm.
Preventing souls from crossing over to the afterlife is strictly forbidden. Any magic or ritual that binds spirits to the mortal realm or denies them passage to the underworld, goes against the natural order and is considered a sin.
Thou shalt not imbalance the natural balance of life and death.
Nardo despises any interference in the life - death balance. Resurrecting the dead in large numbers, artificially extending one's life beyond the natural course are two examples of upsetting the life-death equilibrium.
Thou shalt not impose undue influence on souls.
Manipulating or coercing the souls within the Neitherworld is taboo. Spells or artifacts that seek to control or exploit the energies of departed spirits is be considered disrespectful to the autonomy of the souls and the divine will of Nardo. Doing so will be punished as a capital crime.
It is considered a grave taboo to disturb the final resting places of the deceased without proper cause. Grave robbing, desecration of tombs, or any actions that disrupt the peace of the departed souls will be strongly condemned.
Thou shalt not unreasonably or nonconsentualy imprison souls in the mortal realm.
Preventing souls from crossing over to the afterlife is strictly forbidden. Any magic or ritual that binds spirits to the mortal realm or denies them passage to the underworld, goes against the natural order and is considered a sin.
Thou shalt not imbalance the natural balance of life and death.
Nardo despises any interference in the life - death balance. Resurrecting the dead in large numbers, artificially extending one's life beyond the natural course are two examples of upsetting the life-death equilibrium.
Thou shalt not impose undue influence on souls.
Manipulating or coercing the souls within the Neitherworld is taboo. Spells or artifacts that seek to control or exploit the energies of departed spirits is be considered disrespectful to the autonomy of the souls and the divine will of Nardo. Doing so will be punished as a capital crime.
Social
Contacts & Relations
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Family Ties
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Divine Abilities
Ageless - The gods are nearly immortal. They do not age. The only way for a god to die is to be slain on their home plane of existance. If reduced to zero hit points on the prime material plane, they disperse and materialize on their home plane after d100 days.Teleport without Error - The gods posess the ability to teleport without error to any location on the same plane of existance. This aability my be used at will.
Perfect Initiative - When interacting with mortals, gods always win initiative compared to the mortals. e.g. if 2 gods and 2 mortals are in combat, the two gods roll against each other and the 2 mortals roll against each other.
Comprehend Languages - All gods understand and can speak any language. It is assumed that this includes written and spoken languages as well as other, more unusual, forms of communication like the light and color based dialect of the will o'wisp.
Magic Use - All gods may use any spell of any level. This includes the spells of priests or wizards and does not requires the use of spell books, prayers. or material. verbal. and somatic components. In short, invoking such powers requires the slightest act of will on the part of these incredible beings.
Shapeshifting - Greater gods can change into any animate or inanimate object they desire. The is no limit on the size of this shapeshifting. Greater gods have assumed celestial object sized proportions on occasion.
Magic Resistance - Greater gods are 100% resistant to magic cast by non gods, 75% resistant to magic wielded by gods who are not of greater god status, 50% resistant to magic of other greater gods.
Saving Throws - Greater gods always make their saving throws. They don't roll, they just make them.
Planar Travel - Greater gods can travel between planes at will. No physical or material barrier can hinder such transit and they have no chance of error.
Sensing Ability - Greater gods always know what is happening everywhere on their home plane of existence. Greater gods also always know what is happening within 10 miles of themselves. They can extend their senses to include knowledge of all that is transpiring within 10 miles of any of their worshipers or any of their holy objects.
Nardo also knows what is happening everywhere on Krinard.
Creation - Greater gods can create any object animate or inanimate. There are limitations, but no mortal has ever analyzed those limitations.
Life and Death - Greater gods can kill mortals with a thought and bestow life to the dead on a whim. n.b. Another greater god could do the opposite if they desired.
Communication - Greater gods can communicate with any being on their home plane, the Prime Material Plane, or inner plane at will.
n.b. Nardo can also communicate this way with beings on Krinard. Gods may not communicate through time with this power.
Granted Abilities - Greater gods can grant any spell level or powers to his or her priests.
Divine Classification
Greater Leitan Deity
Church/Cult
Age
Ancient
Children
Pronouns
They/Them
Sex
Male
Gender
Neutral
Presentation
Androgynous
Eyes
Golden and slightly squinted
Hair
None
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Lavender
Height
6'6"
Weight
240
Lavender, Black, Pale Green
Gemstone Opal
Precious Metal
Silver
Holy Number
3
Celestial Body
Krinard
Physical Gesture
Drooping the head, clasping your hands, and stating, "Eternal Crossing".
Oral Response
Eternal Crossing!
Omens
Owls, Crows, Black Cats, The Death Knocks
Animal Avitar
Crow
Home Plane of Existence
Neitherworld
Spheres of Clerical Spells
All, Charm, Creation, Divination, Protection, Summoning1,2
Undead Action
Choice at 1st level
Requirements of the Priesthood
Ability ScoresStandard
Allowed Alignments
True Neutral, Any Neutral Axis3
Allowed Weapons
Scythe, Sickle
Allowed Armor
Any
Additional Game Mechanics
Base Percentage of Intercession1%
Comments