Gods and goddesses play a central role in the world of Dungeons & Dragons 🛒. They not only bestow divine magic on their followers, but also influence the fate of the worlds and the destiny of mortals. From the shrines of heroes to the rituals of villains – religion and mythology are omnipresent.
In this article, we introduce you to the most important pantheons and their deities, organized by setting and with a clear table of domains and alignments.
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The gods of D&D
1. The standard pantheon of the Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms (Forgotten Realms) is one of the best-known D&D settings. There is a rich pantheon here, ranging from powerful gods of magic to dark rulers of death.
2. The Greyhawk Pantheon
Greyhawk, one of the oldest D&D worlds, has its own set of gods that is heavily influenced by classic fantasy elements. It offers gods for almost every sphere of life and is of particular interest to fans of the early editions.
3. The Exandria pantheon
The world of Critical Role 🛒 has a unique pantheon developed by Matt Mercer and his team. Gods such as the Twilight Princess and the Archfather are of central importance here.
4. Other pantheons
In addition to those mentioned above, there are also universal gods that are worshiped in different worlds. Some gods, such as Vecna, the god of light, even transcend the boundaries between worlds.
Table of the most important D&D gods
Here you will find an overview of central deities from various pantheons with their associated domains (Domains) and alignments (Alignment).
| Name | Pantheon | Domains | Alignment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mystra | Forgotten Realms | Magic | Neutral Good |
| Pelor | Greyhawk | Light, Life | Neutral Good |
| Bahamut | Draconic/Universal | Justice, Protection | Righteous Good |
| Lolth | Forgotten Realms | Deception, Darkness | Chaotic Evil |
| Vecna | Greyhawk | Knowledge, Death | Neutral Evil |
| Raven Queen | Exandria | Death, Fate | Neutral |
| Moradin | Forgotten Realms | Smithing, Protection | Righteous Good |
| Zehir | Exandria | Night, Darkness, Poisoning | Chaotic Evil |
| Corellon | Greyhawk | Arcane, Art, Elven Culture | Chaotic Good |
| Asmodeus | Universal | Tyranny, Contracts | Righteous Evil |
The importance of domains
In D&D, the domains of a deity are crucial to the abilities of clerics who worship that god. For example, clerics of Pelor gain access to healing and light-based spells, while followers of Vecna can explore dark secrets and necromancy.
Here are some of the most important domains and their typical attributes:
- Life: Healing, protection, support
- Death: Necromancy, curses, control over undead
- War: battle spells, divine wrath
- Magic: Arcane control, protection from magical influences
- Nature: Connection to the wilderness, communication with animals and plants
The interplay of gods and mortals
The relationship between gods and their mortal followers can be multifaceted. Some cultures worship several gods and present them as part of a cosmic balance. Others fanatically worship individual deities and align their entire way of life with their commandments.</p
Gods in D&D – Conclusion
Whether you’re playing a cleric or simply want to explore the mythology of your campaign world, the pantheon of gods offers an inexhaustible source of inspiration and possibilities. Think about how your characters see the world of the gods and how their beliefs shape their actions.
