Geshtai
| Game background | |
|---|---|
| Title(s) | Daughter of the Oasis |
| Power level | Lesser |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| Portfolio | Lakes, Rivers, Wells, Streams |
| Domains | Plant, Travel, Water, Weather |
| Superior | none |
| Design details | |
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Geshtai is the Baklunish goddess of Lakes, Rivers, Wells, and Streams. Her symbol is a waterspout.
Publication history
Geshtai was first detailed for the Dungeons & Dragons game in the World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), by Gary Gygax.[1]
Geshtai was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign.[2]
Geshtai's role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000).[3] Geshtai's priesthood is detailed for 3rd edition in Complete Divine (2004).[4]
Description
Geshtai is depicted as a young Baklunish woman carrying a clay jug. She stands in a pool of water with Gumus, her fish companion.
Relationships
Geshtai dislikes fiery gods and gods of disease and poison, particularly Pyremius.
Realm
Gestai's realm in the Outlands is called Nature's Rest.
Worshippers
Geshtai is revered in Bissel, the Bright Lands, Ekbir, Ket, the Plains of the Paynims, among the Tiger Nomads, in Tusmit, Ull, among the Wolf Nomads, and in Zeif.
She is the sole patron of the asherati race.
Clergy
Clerics of Geshtai act as guardians of valuable waters.
Rituals
Geshtai is worshipped on vessels in the Rumikadath River during the spring, the only time that using vessels in those shallow waters is not considered taboo by the local nomads.
History
The Daughter of the Oasis remained neutral during the ancient War between Light and Darkness before the Baklunish Hegira, aiding both sides dispassionately, as did Mouqol.
When the kingdom of Sulm was destroyed by the Scorpion Crown, Geshtai heard the pleas of a those Sulmites who prayed to her, transforming them into the first of the asheratis. If an asherati ever turns from the worship of Geshtai, it crumbles to sand.
References
- ↑ Gygax, Gary. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (TSR, 1983)
- ↑ Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes (TSR, 1992)
- ↑ Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)
- ↑ Noonan, David. Complete Divine (Wizards of the Coast, 2004)
Additional reading
- Broadhurst, Creighton, and Stephen Radney-MacFarland. Blight on Bright Sands Sourcebook. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:
- 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:
- Perkins, Christopher. Warriors of Heaven. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999.