Flandal Steelskin
| Game background | |
|---|---|
| Title(s) | Master of Metal, Lord of Smiths, the Armorer, the Weaponsmith. the Great Steelsmith, the Pyromancer |
| Home plane | Twin Paradises of Bytopia |
| Power level | Intermediate |
| Alignment | Neutral Good |
| Portfolio | Mining, smithing, fitness |
| Domains | Good (also Craft, Gnome, and Metal in Forgotten Realms) |
| Superior | Garl Glittergold |
| Design details | |
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Flandal Steelskin is the gnome deity of mining, smithing, and fitness. His symbol is a flaming hammer.
Publication history
Flandal Steelskin was first detailed in Roger E. Moore's article "The Gnomish Point of View," in Dragon #61 (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]
Flandal Steelskin was detailed in the book Monster Mythology (1992), including details about his priesthood.[4] His role in the cosmology of the Planescape campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996).[5] He received a very detailed description for his role in the Forgotten Realms in Demihuman Deities (1998).[6] He is described as one of the good deities that celestials can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).[7]
Flandal Steelskin's role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons (2002).[8]
Description
Flandal appears as a balding, aging gnome with skin the color of blue mithral steel, eyes like flaming coals, and hair of brilliant blue-silver. He wears a leather apron over the rest of his clothes, and carries Rhondang, an intelligent axe-backed hammer made of yellowish metal. He is the strongest of the gnomish pantheon and is able to sniff out veins of any ore with his prodigious nose. As such, he is the patron of gnomish warriors, miners and metalworkers.
Relationships
In many campaign settings, the gnome pantheon of gods consists of the leader Garl Glittergold, as well as Baervan Wildwanderer, Baravar Cloakshadow, Flandal Steelskin, Gaerdal Ironhand, Nebelun, Segojan Earthcaller, and Urdlen. Flandal is friendly with all of the gnomish gods save Urdlen; he is also an ally of the dwarven god Moradin, who shares his interest in the working of metals. He has the ear of Garl, as he helped forge Garl's intelligent axe Arumdina.
Realm
Flandal lives in the Mithral Forge in the gnomish realm of the Golden Hills on the plane of Bytopia.
Worshippers
Flandal Steelskin is worshiped by those gnomes concerned with mining, smithing, and fitness.
Clergy
Flandal's clerics wear red leather armor and steel helms. Their favored weapon is the warhammer. They are miners and smiths and they watch over the safety of gnomish miners. They often undergo rigorous strength training.
Temples
Flandal is worshipped in underground forges.
Rituals
Forged weapons are sacrificed to Flandal Steelskin annually, on the Summer Solstice.
Holy days
Flandal's holy day is the Summer Solstice.
References
- ↑ Moore, Roger E. "The Gnomish Point of View." Dragon #61 (TSR, May 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)
- ↑ McComb, Colin. On Hallowed Ground (TSR, 1996)
- ↑ Boyd, Eric L. Demihuman Deities (TSR, 1998)
- ↑ Perkins, Christopher. Warriors of Heaven (TSR, 1999)
- ↑ Boyd, Eric L, and Erik Mona. Faiths and Pantheons (Wizards of the Coast, 2002).
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:
- Living Greyhawk Journal no. 3 - "Gods of Oerth"