Prosopaedia

Who's Who Among Gloranthan Gods and Goddesses

originally published in Gods of Glorantha

This document is Copyright © 1998 Issaries, Inc. It may be freely linked to, and one copy may be printed for personal use, but any other reproduction by photographic, electronic, or other methods of retrieval, is prohibited.

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Table of Contents

Vadrus Valind Valkaro Valzain Vangono
Varchulanga Vegetarianism Vivamort Voria Vovisibor
Vrimak

Vadrus [VAE-druhs]

Orlanth pantheon -- the ill wind

Vadrus was a storm god of unrestrained violence and its attendant destruction. His nameless minions, the Vadrudi, are still called upon when someone wants a destroying wind. He had some famous and hated children such as Valind, Gagarth, and Molanni. Vadrus was killed by chaos during the Gods War.

He is not illustrated since he no longer exists.

Valind [VAHL-ind]

Orlanth pantheon -- god of winter

Valind is a son of Vadrus and a slave goddess. He is the source of the winter powers which sweep over the earth from the north. In the Storm Age he ruled most of the world and even today wields great power.

He is shown as a giant, dripping with ice and with a frozen beard.

Valkaro [VAL-kar-oh]

Malkioni pantheon -- the good sorcerer

Valkaro, disturbed at the perfidy of the Jrusteli Empire and the God-Learners left his rich home and lands to travel to the distant East Isles. There he preached the Malkioni Liberation, and succeeded in converting all the inhabitants of one island to that philosophy. He defended his converts against the Eastern Seas Empire in a famous war instigated by Brithini diplomats.

He is shown as an elderly man in western dress. His coat of arms is solid white with a diagonal line of flying red birds-of-prey angled across from top right to bottom left.

Valzain [vahl-ZAIN]

Eastern pantheon -- Vormain god, the emperor, god of loyalty

Valzain is the exemplary ruler of a pantheon of elegant though deadly deities. Where they are wily, he is subtle. Where they are cunning, he is wise. He has earned their absolute loyalty through deeds, not words. He sits at the top of the universe, where he can see every act of treachery and disloyalty that man or god commits. Each such act earns Valzain's wrath and ultimate disaster for the sinner.

When depicted, he appears as a human with a white face and jet black armor.

Vangono [van-GO-noh]

Pamalt pantheon -- the Spear

Vangono is the expert warrior of Pamaltela. He is the master of the spear, and he can breathe three types of fire. He is always either at the right hand of Pamalt or in the midst of slaughter. He is the reason that both sides in wartime always reap destruction and he is worshiped by those destined to die in battle.

He is usually shown carrying a large shield and several spears.

Varchulanga [VAHR-choo-LAN-gah]

Merman pantheon -- Mother of Monsters

Varchulanga is the origin of both the common and of the unique monsters which live in the ocean depths. She can be fended off with propitiatory worship, and is often called upon to destroy foes of the sea.

She is not shown, as standard among the mermen. The Waertagi worship her, but also fashion no images of her.

Vegetarianism

Dwarf pantheon -- heresy of growth

This heresy is restricted in extent to a few scattered citadels in Pamaltelan mountain ranges. Dwarfs adhering to this heresy believe that the natural growth processes of the world are part of the design of the World Machine and should be incorporated into its structure. Hence, they plant farms to grow food and fuel for their workers and machines.

Despite the name, vegetarianist dwarfs sometimes eat meat as well. The term refers to acceptance of plant-like growth properties, not diet. There are no standard symbols for vegetarianism.

Vivamort [VEE-vah-mort]

Chaos pantheon -- chaos god, the vampire god

Vivamort is the god of undeath who wilfully sacrificed his own soul to gain empty immortality. Because of this dark and hollow entity, corpses sometimes rise from the grave at night to suck the blood of sleeping persons.

He is shown as a human vampire, pale, with sharp teeth.

Voria [VOHR-ee-ah]

Elf, Orlanth, and Yelm pantheons -- spring virgin

Spring's Handmaiden, one of Voria's common names, was born of Ernalda and Yelm, begat in the joy of the underworld after the arrival of the Lightbringers. Her appearance alerts the crop goddesses to awake at the start of a new year, and persons seeking a propitious start in a venture sacrifice to her.

Voria is always portrayed as a youthful, (prepubescent or adolescent) human or elf woman, always appearing barefooted.

Vovisibor [voh-VEE-see-bor]

Chaos pantheon -- Pamalt's foe, Filth-Which-Walks

Until it met Pamalt, this vile creature was undefeated in combat when challenged by a single foe. It was finally thrown down by the combined efforts of many gods, whose attacks were coordinated by Pamalt.

Vovisibor hobbles across the vast plains of Pamaltela each Sacred Time, only to be felled again by Pamalt. Each time it appears wrapped in rotten meat and degenerate plant parts, and caked with dung.

Vrimak [VREE-mak]

Yelm pantheon -- Father of Birds

All avian life, from the mightiest sky-eagle to the smallest gnat-catcher, is merely a variation on great Vrimak, child of the Sky.

He is usually shown as a huge bird (usually an eagle), which is often aflame.


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