Purphoros, God of the Forge

Purphoros is the god of the forge, the restless earth, and fire. He rules the raw creative force that infuses sapient minds. Purphoros is also the god of artisans, obsession, and the cycle of creation and destruction. As a forge radiates heat in the area around it, Purphoros’s influence provides inspiration to mortals. He makes exquisitely crafted objects almost constantly, sometimes absentmindedly working while he holds conversations with the other gods, only to destroy the finished product and begin again. Impulsive and mercurial, Purphoros is prone to bouts of either joyous productivity or frustrated anger. He often feels constrained by the limits of imagination, yearning to realize ideas that seem just out of reach. Purphoros’s preferred form is that of a muscular man whose coal-hued skin is mostly covered in mutable organic bronze. He might also appear in the form of a fiery phoenix or a bull made of cooling lava, and for that reason, both of those creatures are associated with him. When angered, he might appear as an enormous mass of lava, a blazing fire, or a volcanic eruption. Mortals who see Purphoros in one of those forms seldom live to tell about it.

Purphoros’s Influence

The raw creative force that Purphoros embodies is chaotic, but Purphoros isn’t a god of unbridled chaos. Rather, he shows mortals how to harness that primal energy, shaping it through passion and labor into something usable. Purphoros is primarily associated with forging, metallurgy, and related activities. It was his followers who first brought bronze to Theros, and a few of his most favored have begun working with a new metal—iron—said to come directly from their god’s forge-fires. Though Purphoros is largely interested in physical craft, he has influence over all forms of creation. Keranos also inspires new ideas, but it is Purphoros who oversees the advancement of the craft that brings these ideas to life in the world. Purphoros is always ready to obliterate what is to make room for what could be, and to start the cycle again when what could be becomes what is. When he is inspired, the night sky glitters with new constellations, and anvilwrought creatures appear in the countryside. When he is wrathful, stars vanish in molten rain, and his hammer blows annihilate whole mountaintops.

Purphoros’s Goals

Purphoros acts not because of grand plans or high ideals, but on the whims of his restless, creative mind. On the rare occasions when he contemplates what he would do if he were ascendant in the pantheon, his most fervent wish is to be left alone. To Purphoros, that would mean spending time by himself in his forge, creating anything he desires. But it also would mean being free to uproot mountains, topple cities, and reroute rivers without any of the other gods interfering.

Divine Relationships

Purphoros has few strong relationships with his fellow gods, considering most of them arrogant ingrates. According to legend, it was he who created the weapons of the gods, asking nothing in return. But his infrequent though memorable bouts of destructive fury have earned him more ill will in the pantheon than he realizes. Heliod despises Purphoros’s unpredictable impulses even as he envies the forge god’s ability to create grand works. Purphoros resents Heliod’s attempts to impose laws that constrain the passion of creation. In many ways, the two gods represent opposing approaches to the contradictions and challenges of mortal life, and they have more than once fought titanic battles in Nyx. Thassa is Purphoros’s closest ally in the pantheon. Imbued as she is with the malleable, quenching power of water, she knows that he can neither destroy her waves nor reforge them. Because she has no fear of him, she treats him as a friend. Purphoros frequently makes wondrous gifts for Thassa, and her underwater palace holds countless unique creations of the god of the forge. Purphoros holds Kruphix in contempt for hobbling his mind after he engaged in a particularly destructive battle with Heliod. The forge god spent years addled and incomplete. He has since recovered his faculties, but he mourns the things he might have made during that lost time. Taking revenge on Kruphix would require careful planning, however, and Purphoros is unlikely to undertake such an effort unless another god goads him into it. Ephara and Karametra are, like Purphoros, deeply involved in the project of civilization. Purphoros’s desire to overturn the established order with violence stands in stark contrast to their measured ways. As a result, Purphoros stands aloof from them.

Worshiping Purphoros

Purphoros holds dominion over everything that springs from mortal ingenuity. Most artisans say a small prayer to him upon beginning or completing the construction of nearly anything, from swords to fortresses to ships. Naturally, Purphoros is strongly associated with the forge, and nearly every smithy on Theros is a sort of ad hoc temple to him. Charms and idols of Purphoros hang from the walls in such places, intended both to inspire the artisans and protect them against accidents. Regardless of their professions, worshipers of Purphoros often light small fires in the god’s honor, burning wooden crafts or drawings of their inventions to gain his favor.

Purphoros’s Champions

Alignment: Usually chaotic, often neutral Suggested Classes: Barbarian, bard, cleric, fighter, sorcerer Suggested Cleric Domains: Forge (described in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything), Knowledge Suggested Backgrounds: Acolyte, entertainer, guild artisan Most champions of Purphoros are unswerving advocates of passion and creativity who change the world by doing what they believe is right in the moment.

Purphoros’s Favor

Purphoros is notoriously impulsive, often selecting champions based on momentary whims. Despite this seemingly blasé attitude, he is dedicated to all his champions, no matter how they came into his service. What made the forge god turn his attention to you? What set you apart from the masses of people who offer him prayers and sacrifice? What whim came over him that made you the perfect choice in the moment he tapped you? The Purphoros’s Favor table offers a handful of suggestions. Purphoros’s mood is highly changeable, and having his favor doesn’t always mean having his attention. But if you follow your passions and do what you believe is right, he will stay true to you as well. Purphoros’s Favor

1 Mount Velus erupted at the moment of your birth, signifying Purphoros’s blessing of the event.

2 As a young artist, you breathed the intoxicating fumes of a volcano and found mystical inspiration.

3 You are an artisan who crafted a work of such high quality that Purphoros took notice.

4 After you were orphaned by a fire at your parents’ forge, Purphoros took you under his protection.

5 Your parent or mentor was a master artisan, and you also yearn to create something worthy of a god’s attention.

6 As a reckless youth, you joined a group of young artists and rabble-rousers who sought to tear down the established order in Purphoros’s name.

Devotion to Purphoros

Purphoros encourages freedom and self-expression, so it is only natural that his champions follow him for many different reasons. As a follower of Purphoros, consider the ideals on the Purphoros’s Ideals table as alternatives to those suggested for your background. Purphoros’s Ideals

1 Devotion. My devotion to my god is more important to me than what he stands for. (Any)

2 Passion. I will follow my heart and help others do the same. (Chaotic)

3 Aspiration. With Purphoros’s blessing, I will create something magnificent. (Any)

4 Change. The old must be swept away to make room for the new. (Chaotic)

5 Generosity. I want to create things that will enrich the world. (Good)

6 Rage. I follow my passions, no matter how dark they might seem to others. (Evil)

Earning and Losing Piety

You increase your piety score to Purphoros when you expand the god’s influence in the world in a concrete way through acts such as these:

Fighting against those who would rule over others
Taking decisive action on impulse
Destroying something that has outlived its usefulness
Creating something wondrous in Purphoros’s name

Your piety score to Purphoros decreases if you diminish Purphoros’s influence in the world, work against freedom or self-expression, or allow tyranny to take hold through acts such as these:

Following an unjust law despite your misgivings
Creating something shoddy or flawed
Backing down from a fight or a contest

Purphoros’s Devotee Piety 3+ Purphoros trait As a devotee of Purphoros, you have drawn the notice of the forge god with your skill. You can cast shield of faith with this trait, requiring no material components, a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. In addition, you know the mending cantrip. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells. Purphoros’s Votary Piety 10+ Purphoros trait You can cast heat metal with this trait, requiring no material components. Once you cast the spell in this way, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for this spell. In addition, you have advantage on saving throws against being knocked prone. Purphoros’s Disciple Piety 25+ Purphoros trait While you are standing and an effect would push you 1 foot or more, you can use your reaction to not be pushed. Champion of the Forge Piety 50+ Purphoros trait You can increase your Strength or Intelligence score by 2 and also increase your maximum for that score by 2.