Brandobaris
| Game background | |
|---|---|
| Title(s) | Master of Stealth, Misadventure, the Trickster, the Irrepressible Scamp, the Friendly Rapscallion |
| Home plane | Wanders |
| Power level | Lesser |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| Portfolio | Stealth, thievery, adventuring |
| Domains | Luck, Travel, Trickery (also Halfling in Forgotten Realms) |
| Superior | Yondalla |
| Design details | |
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Brandobaris (bran-doe-bair-iss) is the halfling deity of Stealth, Thievery, Rogues, and Adventuring. His sacred animal is the mouse. His symbol is a halfling's footprint.
Publication history
Brandobaris was first detailed in Roger E. Moore's article "The Halfling Point of View," in Dragon #59 (TSR, 1982).[1] In Dragon #92 (December 1984), Gary Gygax indicated this as one of the deities legal for the Greyhawk setting.[2] He also appeared in the original Unearthed Arcana (1985).[3]
Brandobaris was detailed in the book Monster Mythology (1992), including details about his priesthood.[4] The deity's role among his followers was expanded in The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings (1993).[5] His role in the cosmology of the Planescape campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996).[6] He received a very detailed description for his role in the Forgotten Realms in Demihuman Deities (1998).[7]
Brandobaris's role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons (2002).[8] He was detailed again in Races of the Wild (2005).[9]
Relationships
With Fharlanghn, Brandobaris co-sponsored the apotheosis of Charmalaine. Brandobaris gets along fine with most of his pantheon, and his exploits have earned him the respect and companionship of Garl Glittergold, Baervan Wildwanderer, Dugmaren Brightmantle, Erevan Ilesere, and Vergadain. His adventures have earned him the enmity of Urdlen, and he has no love for Abbathor.
Realm
Brandobaris is a wandering deity. Although he is welcome in the Green Fields with the bulk of the halfling pantheon, he takes no real part in maintaining it as a divine realm.
Dogma
Brandobaris's followers are expected to seek out danger and excitement wherever they can. Like their deity, they are wandering thrill-seekers, but they are told to avoid the temptations of greed; experience is the true treasure. Wild tales are honored.
Worshipers
Brandobaris's disorganized faith is known as the Church of Misadventure.
Clergy
Brandobaris's clerics, known as the Hands of Misadventure, wear gray leather armor and feathered caps. They pick one time of the night or day to pray for their spells; those who prefer public displays of bravado choose the day, while more stealthy types choose the night. Their favored weapon is the short sword or dagger.
Holy days and rituals
Brandobaris's holy days are on the new moon. Stolen items are sacrificed to him monthly, during the time of Luna's new moon. The items are hidden as securely as they can be; this is known as Brandobaris's Tithe.
Temples
The Church of Misadventure has no temples. Wherever a story is told of Brandobaris's deeds, this is considered a religious service in his honor.
Myths and legends
Brandobaris is said to have won a contest of speed and strength against the ogre and troll deity Vaprak, causing the ogres to cede their forested homeland of Luiren to halflings.[10]:149
References
- ↑ Moore, Roger E. "The Halfling Point of View." Dragon #59 (TSR, March 1982)
- ↑ Gygax, Gary (December 1984). "From the Sorcerer's Scroll: Clerics live by other rules". Dragon (Lake Geneva WI: TSR) (92): 22.]
- ↑ Gygax, Gary. Unearthed Arcana (TSR, 1985)
- ↑ Sargent, Carl. Monster Mythology (TSR, 1992)
- ↑ Niles, Douglas. The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993
- ↑ McComb, Colin. On Hallowed Ground (TSR, 1996)
- ↑ Boyd, Eric L. Demihuman Deities (TSR, 1998)
- ↑ Boyd, Eric L., and Erik Mona. Faiths and Pantheons (Wizards of the Coast, 2002).
- ↑ Williams, Skip. Races of the Wild, Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005
- ↑ Reid, Thomas. Shining South. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2004
Additional reading
- Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:
- Dragon magazine #171 - "Defenders of the Hearth"
- Living Greyhawk Journal no. 3 - "Gods of Oerth"