In the multiverse of Dungeons & Dragons, various gods exert influence over life and death across the different planes. We present to you 6 important deities that play significant roles, especially on the continent of Faerûn, and whom you should better not upset.
What is Faerûn? Faerûn is the probably best-known continent in the multiverse of Dungeons & Dragons and the popular setting of the “Forgotten Realms.” It lies on the planet Toril, and it is home to, for example, the famous Sword Coast, a setting for many adventures and video games, such as Baldur’s Gate 3. It also includes the renowned cities of Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter, Waterdeep, and Luskan.
How did the list come about? For our list, we focused on the 5th Edition and selected gods that play larger roles in Faerûn. If you travel there within a game or your campaign, the chance is high that you will encounter followers of them. Some of you may even be lucky (or unfortunate) enough to meet one of their avatars.
To know whom you are dealing with, we have selected 6 of the most important and powerful deities with whom you should preferably not tangle due to their jurisdiction and power.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, for example, you enter a temple of the goddess Shar:
Mystra, Goddess of Magic
Domain: Knowledge
Alignment: Neutral-Good
Mystra is the goddess of magic and embodies the fabric of the Forgotten Realms, a magical weave from which many spellcasters, like wizards and sorcerers, draw their spells. Even gods rely on it to grant magical powers to their followers. Therefore, one should not take her lightly if one wishes to wield magic.
Thus, Mystra ranks among the most powerful deities of the Forgotten Realms. She was born during the war of light and shadow when the moon goddess Selûne cast part of herself onto her sister Shar. This part pierced Shar and separated part of her divine essence, with which the part of Selûne united.
The weave was born, and with it Mystra, who at that time bore the name Mystryl. Throughout the history of the Forgotten Realms, there have been several incarnations of Mystra—each one occurring after her predecessor died dramatically.
These changes were often associated with profound alterations in the functioning of magic. The current form of Mystra combines the essence of her former incarnations. Her followers typically aim for the collection and preservation of knowledge and protect it in as secretive places as possible.
Symbols of hers include a circle of seven or nine stars surrounding a flowing red mist, or a single star—depending on Mystra’s current form. In Baldur’s Gate 3, you mainly encounter her in connection with Gale, who has a deep connection to her… on various levels.
