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Deneir (pronounced: /dɛˈnɪərdeh-NEER[1] about this audio file listen) was the neutral good lesser deity of art, cartography, glyphs, images, knowledge, literature, and scholars. The Scribe of Oghma was given purpose by his search for the Metatext, a single, perfect work of writing reflected in snippets of every written work committed to paper that, when read, would unlock the secrets of the multiverse. Whereas Oghma embodied the creative spark, the First Scribe was the recording of humanity's epiphanies.[1]

Description[]

Deneir was portrayed in religious depictions as an old, balding sage with a huge, flaring beard. Sometimes his eyes were a vibrant violet with triangular pupils, at others a brilliant ice blue, and at others still they were blazing balls of blue fire, but they were always peculiar in some way. He was always shown holding a quill and with some form of parchment, either carrying or writing in a book or scroll.[10]

Deneir most often appeared as he was depicted, with a white beard and intense blue or violet eyes, usually carrying quill pens, scrolls, and tomes. He sometimes, however, appeared younger, especially when in disguise. His voluminous robes were covered in symbols and glyphs that initiated random effects on those who touched them, ranging in effect from standard glyph or symbol spells, miscellaneous spell effects, or just bizarre happenings. The symbols seemed to serve as some sort of code to remind him of specific facts and events.[10]

Personality[]

Deneir's vast accumulation of book knowledge was contrasted by his outward appearance of being a very absent-minded deity. He had a severe lack of focus that negatively impacted his ability to share what he knew, often trailing off mid-sentence because his mind raced along multiple trains of thought even while he was speaking. Once he started telling a story he would go off on seemingly endless digressions about tangentially related substories.[10]

Furthermore, Deneir could be very out of touch with the modern world, particularly regarding what human customs were in practice. He often adhered to points of etiquette long since abandoned, mixed slang terms to unintentionally humorous effect, and ended up sounding profoundly dated when he tried sounding current.[10]

Despite these flaws, Deneir was usually calm and had few characteristics that one could associate with madness. Indeed he was usually calm, with a stodgy and studious outlook on life and a dedication to the truth. As long as his stories could be, they always conveyed some vital piece of information for those with the patience to endure them.[1]

Possessions[]

Deneir occasionally let some of his equipment fall when he appeared before leaving it behind, something that appeared accidental but in reality was always done on purpose. Mortals who obtained them would discover these to be pens, spell scrolls, magical tomes, or instructions for creating magical items or constructs.[10]

Activities[]

Aside from his search for the Metatext,[1] Deneir worked to ensure that everything known and true was accurately recorded in the Great Library. He was frequently caught up in recording, filing, indexing, and maintaining all that had even been written, drawn, or otherwise depicted.[10]

Relationships[]

Deneir, along with Oghma, Milil and Gond, were known as the Deities of Knowledge and Invention. Like Milil, he acted as an intermediary for Oghma, carrying new information both to him and those he favored.[15] Their relationship was a symbiotic one, and Oghma appreciated Deneir's commitment to his studies and truth, though he knew little of the obscure Metatext and suspected that his servant was chasing half-imagined ramblings and shadows of the mind.[1]

His scholarly outlook and magical interests made Deneir popular among gods of magic, including Mystra, Azuth, and particularly Savras.[1] He had forged contracts with the like-minded Thoth[16] and could count Labelas Enoreth of the elves and Dugmaren Brightmantle of the dwarves as his allies.[17] Lliira thought that she could scare some fun into him and gained endless enjoyment from making him uncomfortable,[1] though she too was among Deneir's allies, as was Lathander.[10]

Deneir counted among his enemies those who sought to hide or distort knowledge, such as Cyric, Mask, or Shar, or those who destroyed it, such as the Gods of Fury, notably Malar and Talos. These beings filled the normally collected scribe with rage.[10][1]

Worshipers[]

Main article: Church of Deneir
Deneir Symbol-5e

The holy symbol of Deneir.

Beyond Toril, Deneir, together with Oghma and Thoth, was worshiped by the fal, the enormous slug-like "scholars of wildspace".[12]

This section is a stub. You can help us by expanding it.

Chosen[]

The Chosen of Deneir include:

Other Favored[]

There were others who have been given special favor by Deneir, though what has been given to them varies per person.

Places of Worship[]

Main article:
  • The Spirit Soaring cathedral: This impressive place of worship lay south of the Snowflake Mountains and was erected by the priest Cadderly Bonaduce at the former location of the Edificant Library. Built using Cadderly's very life energy, it was inexorably tied to him.[20] When Cadderly was severely injured, the temple became ruined and since Cadderly left the Material Plane before he could heal, it remained so.[21]
  • The Library of Deneir: The Library of Deneir was a secret collective located deep inside a mountain in Waterdeep and was accessible only via a pair of portals. Both portals were only accessible with the use of a key. One portal was connected to a library within the temple of Deneir and the other with the temple of Oghma.[22]
  • The Gallery Majesta: This Deneirrath temple within the city of Calimport also functioned as a museum of magical artifacts.[23]
  • Mierskar: Deneir was the principal deity worshiped in the town of Mierskar in Lapaliiya.[24]

History[]

Deneir symbol

Another holy symbol of Deneir.

Deneir's purpose was to act as Oghma's scribe; more importantly, he recorded the Metatext: the numeric representation of the multiverse and a form of ultimate logic. During the events of the Spellplague, Cadderly witnessed Deneir transcribing the Metatext into the remnants of the Weave for purposes unknown. In doing so, Deneir wrote himself into the Weave as well, passing out of known existence. Deneir granted a portion of his power to Cadderly in order for him to combat and imprison the Ghost King.[25]

During the Spellplague, it seems as if Deneir tried to reestablish the stability of Mystra's Weave by writing the Metatext and thus, himself into it. During the battle of Spirit Soaring, Deneir seemed to completely disappear as a divine entity and instead became part of the Weave, granting his remaining Chosen, Cadderly Bonaduce, more arcane abilities.[25]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

Further Reading[]

Appearances[]

Novels
Patronage

References[]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 92–93. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 21, 28. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  3. Troy Denning (February 1998). Crucible: The Trial of Cyric the Mad. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 1. ISBN 0-7869-0724-X.
  4. Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 54. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  5. Black Isle Studios (August 2002). Designed by J.E. Sawyer. Icewind Dale II. Interplay.
  6. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 59–60, 294. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  7. Eytan Bernstein (2007-07-11). Psionic Classes. Class Chronicles. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2015-09-19. Retrieved on 2016-07-25.
  8. Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 235. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  9. Hal Maclean (May 2007). “Seven Saintly Domains”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #355 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 26.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 54–55. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  11. Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), Running the Realms. (TSR, Inc), pp. 53–54. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
  12. 12.0 12.1 Scott Davis, Newton Ewell, John Terra (1991). Monstrous Compendium Spelljammer Appendix 2. Edited by Allen Varney. (TSR, Inc.), p. Fal. ISBN 1-56076-071-0.
  13. Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). “Cyclopedia of the Realms”. In Karen S. Martin ed. Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), pp. 11, 17–18. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.
  14. Sean K. Reynolds (2002-05-04). Deity Do's and Don'ts (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Faiths and Pantheons. Wizards of the Coast. p. 11. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
  15. Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 131. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  16. Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 148. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
  17. Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 57, 117. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  18. Dale Donovan (December 1995). “Liber Benevolentiae”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Conflict (TSR, Inc.), p. 13. ISBN 0-7869-0309-0.
  19. Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 99. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  20. R.A. Salvatore (August 1997). Passage to Dawn. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 13. ISBN 978-0786907502.
  21. R.A. Salvatore (July 2010). The Ghost King. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0-7869-5499-5.
  22. Robert Wiese (2003-07-09). “Portals of the Written Word”. Perilous Gateways. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2003-10-08. Retrieved on 2018-12-05.
  23. Steven E. Schend (October 1998). Calimport. (TSR, Inc), pp. 56–57. ISBN 0-7869-1238-3.
  24. Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 100. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
  25. 25.0 25.1 R.A. Salvatore (July 2010). The Ghost King. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0-7869-5499-5.

Connections[]

The Faerûnian Pantheon
Major Deities
AzuthBaneBhaalChaunteaCyricGondHelmIlmaterKelemvorKossuthLathanderLoviatarMaskMielikkiMyrkulMystra (Midnight) • OghmaSelûneSharShaundakulSilvanusSuneTalosTempusTormTymoraTyrUmberleeWaukeen
Other Members
AkadiAurilBeshabaDeneirEldathFinder WyvernspurGaragosGargauthGerronGrumbarGwaeron WindstromHoarIstishiaIyachtu XvimJergalLliiraLurueMalarMililNobanionThe Red KnightSavrasSharessShialliaSiamorpheTalonaTiamatUbtaoUlutiuValkurVelsharoon


Exarchs of the Era of Upheaval
Azuth | Anhur | Auril | Bahgtru | Baravar Cloakshadow | Brandobaris | Deneir | Dugmaren Brightmantle | Eilistraee | Fenmarel Mestarine | Finder Wyvernspur | Gaerdal Ironhand | Garagos | Gargauth | Geb | Ghaunadaur | Gorm Gulthyn | Gwaeron Windstrom | Haela Brightaxe | Hathor | Kiaransalee | Hoar | Ilneval | Istishia | Iyachtu Xvim | Jergal | Lliira | Loviatar | Luthic | Malar | Marthammor Duin | Mask | Milil | Red Knight | Savras | Sebek | Selvetarm | Sharess | Shargaas | Shaundakul | Shevarash | Shiallia | Siamorphe | Talona | Thard Harr | Tiamat | Torm | Ulutiu | Urogalan | Uthgar | Valkur | Velsharoon | Vhaeraun | Waukeen | Yurtrus
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