"Of the Gods" by Craig Bakey was published in The Dragon #29 (September, 1979), in which a system for designing a set of "Campaign Gods" is presented, distinct from the various mythos in Gods, Demi-Gods, & Heroes.
Illustration by David C. Sutherland III, possibly "Thunderfoot" the god of storms in battle with "Darquetue" the god of monsters
No one can be sure of the exact nature of the old gods but most interpretations describe them as 24 hyper-physical padrones which manifest themselves as coloured jewels of six different disciplines. It is assumed that the concepts of Law and Chaos originated in these jewels, as did the gods themselves.
The first discipline governs abstract relation—existence, relation, quantity, order, number, time, change and causation. These are the blue gems. The second, the purple gems, govern space, dimensions, form, motion and space in general. The greens govern matter, both organic, inorganic. Intellect is governed by the yellows, including the formation and communication of ideas. The fifth, the oranges govern volition, namely individual and intersocial volitions. The final discipline manifests itself as red gems that govern affections: personal, sympathetic, moral, religious and affections in general.
Craig Bakey, The Dragon #29 (September, 1979)
1. All abilities (strength, intelligence, etc.) equal 202. Magical resistance is at least 25%3. Not affected by weapons of less than +24. All gods capable of gate (95%), polymorph self, tongues,* ESP, and astral ethereal travel
*an AD&D 1e 4th level clerical spell
1. Status in the hierarchy* (+/- relations)2. Alignment** and gender3. Armor class and hit points4. Portfolio5. Extraordinary abilities and fantastic possessions6. Chance of intervention
Naturally, I had to give the tables a spin. Here is what I came up with:
Status in the hierarchy (55 on d%): God of the Inner Circle (no relations)Alignment (72 on d%) and gender (91 on d%): Lawful neutral, femaleArmor class and hit points (11 on d%); AC 3, hp 120Gods of the Inner Circle may have two portfolios.Roll d4 and apply the following results:1 - roll on P1 only, 2 - roll on P2 only, 3 or 4 - roll on each table.I rolled a 1 on d4 (roll on Portfolio table 1 only): 44 on d%: SpaceThose gods whose portfolios are determined on tables P1, P2, or P3, will have the powers of Wish (Limited or Full) over events concerning their respective portfolios as well as rulership over non-humanoid types governed therein.Extraordinary abilities and fantastic possessions (3 rolls):83 on d%: Fighter abilities (6 on 2d4): Lord 21st level06 on d%: Minor artifact (roll on any miscellaneous magic table or rings): drums of panic19 on d%: Armor/ShieldChance of intervention (13 on 2d10): Sympathetic to cosmic affairs only
Sample Pantheon:
The author shares details of several deities he created for his home campaign in Toronto, heavily influenced by the works of Michael Moorcock:
The conflict began when the unholy armies of the Lord of Night secured the Astral Plane, banishing those inhabiting it and restricting travel. But as the Cosmic Balance began to tip, the Neutral Lords enlisted the aid of a group of strict lawful immortals and the struggle for supremacy was on.
Craig Bakey, The Dragon #29 (September, 1979)
1. The Commune of Codification (The White Lords of Law)Telesm - the god of knowledge and patriarchs (the Ruler)Trion - god of the seas and all #3’sLemus - The Protector, the god of animalsThunderfoot - the god of stormsBattleace - the god of justice/art/poetry and musicMobus - the god of movement/order/games (contests)Dormamnu - the god of paradoxes and energyTeala - the goddess of whimsyGlimmer - the goddess of dreams/mind/thoughtPresence - the god of all things that do not live, yet exist2. "Areopagus" The Tribunal of Juste Milieu (Neutrality)
Chyron - the god of time and balanceBscyen - (Nature)The Grey RacerArdnha - the presence of swords and machinesHorus - the avenger**Horus is currently gaining power through the souls pledged to him by Opeius who wields the black blade—Cimmarian3. The Caliginostic Disunionn (the Dark Gods of Chaos)Darkwyon - the Dark LordDarquetue - the god of monstersTiffany - the goddess of entropyDrue - the god of foolsAdo - the god of bileWhisper - the god of forceful interventionKahn - lord of dragonsMagnar - the god of improbabilityQuasiman - the goddess of black sorcerers
addendum:
Bakey's article in The Dragon #29 was missing a title, a fact addressed by assistant editor Jake Jaquet a couple of issues later:
...we (the TSR Periodicals staff and our printer—we’ll share the blame this month) inadvertently dropped a title and a couple of bylines for articles that appeared in THE DRAGON #29. Our apologies. Now, here’s your chance to play editor: Take out your #2 robin’s-egg blue editing pencil and open your copy of TD #29 to pages 4 and 5—Craig Bakey’s article-pick a clear spot in the art and in big block letters write “Of The Gods.” That’s the title that should have been there. Circle it and spec it for 48 point Souvenir Bold type.
Jake Jaquet, from The Dragon #31 (November, 1979)
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