The giant pantheon (or Ordning when used with an initial capital) is the group of titans worshiped by giants and giant-kin as deities.[1] While the specifics of worship and religious views vary from species to species and even from tribe to tribe, most giants accept that Annam All-Father, the creator of giants, is the supreme deity. It is believed that the taller the giant, the closer he is to the throne of Annam, and therefore the more superior he is. This is why Hartkiller's short stature meant that he was not widely accepted as a giant king.[2] All giant deities are revered but most tribes restrict their actual worship to one or two. Each tribe has its own patron deity.
Clergy
Giant priests are rarely the head of their tribes but they have the ability to overrule their tribe's leader if they enter into a parley with the priest of another tribe and agree on the will of Annam for any given situation.[3] Priests are served by shamans who occupy a lesser role in giant society. Shamans are generally trained by their priests.[4]
Worship
It is perfectly acceptable to worship any giant deity in the temple of any other giant deity, and the training of priests is a general education in the Ordning rather than indoctrination into the specifics of any one deity.[2]
Stormazîn
The stormazîn (in 1366 DR Xephras [note 1]) is the Great Priest of Annam and represents the peak of the religious hierarchy amongst giants. He resides in Annam's grand temple in the Ice Spires but must travel to attend various rituals and ceremonies and sort out disputes. The position is highly respected in giant society, although holds no sway over non-religious matters.[2] Giant priests are trained by the stormazîn.[4]
Deities
The following list is incomplete as there are other beings who have claimed right to be within the pantheon.[5]
Notes
- ↑ The year is deduced from the "Presenting . . . Seven Millennia of Realms Fiction" article from Wizards of the Coast and the fact that Giantcraft describes its setting as taking place immediately before the events of the The Twilight Giants trilogy.
References
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 67. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 41. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
- ↑ Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 26. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 42. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
- ↑ Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 43. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.