Malar (pronounced: /ˈmɑːlær/ MAHL-arr[16][13] or: /ˈmeɪlær/ MAY-larr[17] 
listen) was the lesser deity of hunting, stalking, bloodlust, and bestial savagery in the Faerûnian pantheon.[3] The Beastlord was the epitome of the dark, bloody side of nature.[1] In his more favorable aspects, he was worshiped by those who identified with the wild nature, as well as the grace and amorality of predators[3] or as the hunger and hunting instinct of beasts.[18]
In the past he was a member of the Gods of Fury led by Talos,[3] becoming an exarch of Silvanus after the Spellplague.[19]
Description[]
Malar had two favored forms when he was prowling the Realms: the Beast and the Master of the Hunt. As the Beast, he was a 12 feet (3.7 meters) long, man-high feline creature, sleek and supple in his movements. His ebony fur was matted with blood, which dripped endlessly from his talons and fangs, and he could not speak in this form. The Master of the Hunt meanwhile was humanoid and as tall as the Beast was long, though it too had black fur. Above his red eyes was a large rack of antlers able to melt away and reappear at his will, while below them was a whuffling, flesh-draped hole rather than a nose and mouth. Though able to speak in this form, he only did so in a low, growling undertone or vicious snarl.[3] In some manifestations, he was known to rapidly shift between the forms of many massive predatory beasts, including panthers, bears, apes, and alligators.[20]
Relationships[]
Malar was one of the Deities of Fury, led by Talos. He held a long-standing alliance with Lolth against the Seldarine, and is allied with other dark deities like Bane and Loviatar. He fought against deities of peace, civilization, and nature, but held particular hate for Nobanion for defeating him in a battle during the Time of Troubles.
After the events of the Spellplague, Malar became subject to Silvanus' rule as a resident of the Deep Wilds. Despite this, Silvanus did not rein in Malar.[21]
Worshipers[]
Holy symbol of Malar.
Malar was a minor deity not unique to Toril, a divine scavenger who foraged for worshipers among perhaps a hundred predatory races across an equally vast number of worlds.[4] Malarites were generally frowned upon by civilization, as they tended to wreak havoc in their wake.[22][13] One exception where the worship of Malar was allowed was in Cormyr.[23][13] Malar was never widely worshipped. Like other Gods of Fury, he was more often invoked to ward off his wrath—typically manifested through wild beasts—than to seek his favor. Nonetheless, some groups did devote themselves to him, forming roaming bands that terrorized settled regions and poached whatever they required.[24] Despite being revered among some druids as a primal deity of predators,[13][18] his faithful were historically hostile to druids owing to their hatred for the Balance that druids sought to maintain between nature and civilization.[3] Priests of Malar were known to actively hunt druids, and in turn, druid circles and factions like the Harpers made efforts to locate and dismantle Malarite strongholds whenever possible.[24]
The "church" of Malar had no formal hierarchy. Instead, it revolved around the primal concept of the hunt. Specialty priests of Malar typically wore woodland garb in earthy tones—most often red and brown. Their headpieces were fashioned from the skulls or pelts of formidable predators such as bears, wolves, or great cats—ideally slain by the priest himself, using either bare hands or clawed weapons. The most dominant figure within any group was known as the huntmaster, who held authority over the rest. It was the huntmaster who determined the timing, prey, and location of ceremonial hunts. This role could be filled by a cleric, a specialty priest, or even a fighter, rogue, or wizard. Challenges to the huntmaster’s position occurred at any time, and while some stepped down voluntarily, most resolved such disputes through deadly combat.[24]
The People of the Black Blood were tribes of Lycanthropes that venerated Malar. In the Year of Wild Magic, 1372 DR, it was estimated that the total population was at least 3,000 individuals scattered across the forests of Faerûn in groups of fifty to one hundred.[25]
Dogma[]
Malarites believed that it was an honor to Malar to make one's killing bloody and long. His followers sometimes formed in bands, called "Hunts". While forbidden to slay the young or the pregnant, Hunts typically followed his dogma and evoked wanton slaughter in Malar's name.[22][13] They were opposed to the druidic concept of Balance, which they perceived as a threat to the savage rights of predators and hunters.[3]
Holy Days[]
Another holy symbol of Malar.
The High Hunt ritual was a vicious hunt in which a captured humanoid was released, and for the next day and night attempted to escape the prowling worshipers of the Beastlord. If they managed to survive, they won their freedom as well as, perhaps, other things.[22]
The Feast of the Stags day made Malar's worship more tolerable in certain areas. For this event, all people were invited to partake of the bounty of the hunt, regardless of faith. At this time, priests of Malar chose some widows, orphans, elderly, or infirm citizens and promised to provide meat for their tables for the winter.[13][22]
Notable Worshipers[]
- Garmos Saernclaws, one of the most respected servants of Malar, responsible for the gospel of Saernclaws by which all priests of Malar were bound, ensuring that hunts remained clean and poison-free.[23]
- Anth-Malar was the Chosen of Malar and leader of the Furious Hunt lycanthrope cult in the early 1370s DR.[26]
Relics[]
The weapon known as the Claws of Malar was regarded as sacred and exclusive to his followers. Any outsider who wielded the Claws risked becoming the target of the next hunt, as Malarites considered such use a grave offense.[24]
History[]
Conflict with the Catlord[]
At some point in the 1350s DR, Pasha Abon Duum of Manshaka had fortuitously been granted guardianship of the kittenlord, heir to the power of the cat lord, a minor power of felines. However, Duum desired to corrupt and dominate the child, and therefore made a deal with the mightier power Malar to keep the vengeful old Catlord off his back. Duum wished to use the cat lord's power of planar travel to journey into the Outer Planes and, using the Claw of Malar, even challenge Tyr, god of justice, and gain awesome power. In exchange, when he was done with the boy, Duum would give him to the Beastlord. Learning of Duum's wicked intentions for the boy, the Catlord came and rescued him, but Malar pounced upon the Catlord as he fled.[27])
The Catlord handed over the boy to the rogue Conner (who'd been guided onto the scene by the goddess Selûne,[27] and to buy time for him to carry the child away and hide him, fought Malar. The Catlord and Malar battled for three days and three nights, before the Catlord escaped, and it was a year before his wounds even healed. The scars would not.[28][note 1] However, in the Year of the Prince, 1357 DR, Duum was tricked and thwarted and Tyr seized the Claw of Malar instead.[29]
Era of Upheaval[]
During the Time of Troubles in 1358 DR, Malar's avatar battled Sebek in the Adder Swamp in a titanic battle that destroyed large areas of the region.[30][note 2]
Following the Spellplague, Malar was much reduced,[19] and it was said that he had in fact been slain after being hunted down by his own beasts.[31] This rendered him unable to affect anything but his followers' dreams, and to visit them in their nightmares.[32] His spirit was said to be trapped in the Abyss[33] while his body was said to be in a tomb on the island of Moray within the Moonshae Isles, where his worship was kept alive among the lycanthropes of the Black Blood tribe by his angelic servant, Argon Bael. Bael struggled to keep Malarite worship and rituals alive as he touted a prophecy of his god's return, which would require the intervention of a greater deity.[32] It was not until the late 1470s DR that Bael successfully revived Malar, having arranged for the god's spirit and mind to return within the body of a cat-shifter named Kip with the approval of Malar's longtime enemy, Chauntea.[34][note 3] After a bloody day of slaughtering much of Moray's inhabitants and laying siege to Caer Moray, Malar shed the last vestiges and memories of Kip, and assumed his true form once more.[35]
Appendix[]
| This article is incomplete. You can help the Forgotten Realms Wiki by providing more information. |
Background[]
Malar was first created by Ed Greenwood, mentioned in the "Down-to-earth divinity" article of Dragon magazine #54 (October 1981, pg 52).
Notes[]
- ↑ It is unclear how Duum obtained the Claw of Malar, whether from the god Malar himself or separately. The actual details of Duum's and Malar's plan are unknown.
- ↑ This source states that Malar slew Sebek and assumed control of his cult. However, sourcebooks including Powers & Pantheons and Faiths and Pantheons directly contradict the claim that Sebek was killed or replaced.
- ↑ Canon material does not provide a year for the events described in The Rose of Sarifal, although the novel indicates that it takes place "more than a hundred years" after the return of High Lady Ordalf to Gwynneth in 1375 DR (ch. 1) and "nearly a hundred years" after the Spellplague in 1385 DR (ch. 3). While this fits the usual assumption that all 4th edition material is set in 1479 DR, the novel contradicts a number of other sources set during that year: at the start of the novel, Caer Moray is held by lycanthropes rather than by soldiers loyal to House Kendrick (as stated in Backdrop: Moonshae Isles), Citadel Umbra has been home to Prince Araithe for at least 12 years rather than being the base of his enemies (as stated in Backdrop: Moonshae Isles, the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide, and Realmslore: Sarifal), and Malar is stated to be "dead" rather than an active exarch of Silvanus (as stated in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide). These contradictions are largely resolved by the end of the narrative, meaning that the novel is best assumed to be set prior to 1479 DR. Unless a canon source contradicts this assertion, this wiki will thus assume that the events of the novel take place after 1475 DR but before 1479 DR.
Appearances[]
Gallery[]
Further Reading[]
- Eric L. Boyd (September 2005). “Vampires of Waterdeep: Blood of Malar”. Dungeon #126 (Paizo Publishing, LLC) (126)., pp. 62–77.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 21, 33. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 113. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 105. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Elaine Cunningham (1999). Evermeet: Island of Elves. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-1354-1.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 107. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Player's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 26. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (2022-08-28). Worg Religion (Tweet). theedverse. Twitter. Archived from the original on 2022-09-29. Retrieved on 2022-08-28.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 61–62, 294. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
- ↑ 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. 81. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Christopher Lindsay (April 2006). Complete Psionic. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 11. ISBN 0-7869-3911-7.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 189. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 43. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
- ↑ Hal Maclean (September 2004). “Seven Deadly Domains”. In Matthew Sernett ed. Dragon #323 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 65.
- ↑ William L. Christensen (April 2006). “The Wild Hunt”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #342 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 89.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 245. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). “Cyclopedia of the Realms”. In Karen S. Martin ed. Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 12. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 126. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 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. 63. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ Paulina Claiborne (May 2012). The Rose of Sarifal (Kindle ed.). (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 10. ASIN B006NPFFHY.
- ↑ Richard Baker (August 12th, 2008). The one and only "Ask the Realms authors/designers thread" 4. Retrieved on January 29th, 2017.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 106. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (April 1998). Cormyr: A Novel. (TSR, Inc.), chap. 5, p. 74. ISBN 0-7869-0710-X.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 26. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
- ↑ Jason Carl, Sean K. Reynolds (October 2001). Lords of Darkness. Edited by Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 167–168. ISBN 07-8691-989-2.
- ↑ Wil Upchurch (December 2005). “The Twisted Run”. In James Jacobs ed. Dungeon #129 (Paizo Publishing, LLC) (129)., p. 87.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Dan Mishkin (March 1990). “The Last Betrayal”. In Elliot S. Maggin ed. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons #16 (DC Comics) (16)., p. 23.
- ↑ Dan Mishkin (March 1990). “The Last Betrayal”. In Elliot S. Maggin ed. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons #16 (DC Comics) (16)., p. 2.
- ↑ Dan Mishkin (March 1990). “The Last Betrayal”. In Elliot S. Maggin ed. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons #16 (DC Comics) (16)., p. 14.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (June 1995). “Forgotten Deities: Sebek”. In Duane Maxwell ed. Polyhedron #108 (TSR, Inc.), p. 4.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 Paulina Claiborne (May 2012). The Rose of Sarifal (Kindle ed.). (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 2. ASIN B006NPFFHY.
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 Paulina Claiborne (May 2012). The Rose of Sarifal (Kindle ed.). (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 3. ASIN B006NPFFHY.
- ↑ Paulina Claiborne (May 2012). The Rose of Sarifal (Kindle ed.). (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 14. ASIN B006NPFFHY.
- ↑ Paulina Claiborne (May 2012). The Rose of Sarifal (Kindle ed.). (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 9. ASIN B006NPFFHY.
- ↑ Paulina Claiborne (May 2012). The Rose of Sarifal (Kindle ed.). (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 12. ASIN B006NPFFHY.
Connections[]
Azuth • Bane • Bhaal • Chauntea • Cyric • Gond • Helm • Ilmater • Kelemvor • Kossuth • Lathander • Loviatar • Mask • Mielikki • Myrkul • Mystra (Midnight) • Oghma • Selûne • Shar • Shaundakul • Silvanus • Sune • Talos • Tempus • Torm • Tymora • Tyr • Umberlee • Waukeen
Other Members
Akadi • Auril • Beshaba • Deneir • Eldath • Finder Wyvernspur • Garagos • Gargauth • Gerron • Grumbar • Gwaeron Windstrom • Hoar • Istishia • Iyachtu Xvim • Jergal • Lliira • Lurue • Malar • Milil • Nobanion • The Red Knight • Savras • Sharess • Shiallia • Siamorphe • Talona • Tiamat • Ubtao • Ulutiu • Valkur • Velsharoon
Faerûnian Pantheon
Akadi | Amaunator | Asmodeus | Auril | Azuth | Bane | Beshaba | Bhaal | Chauntea | Cyric | Deneir | Eldath | Gond | Grumbar | Gwaeron | Helm | Hoar | Ilmater | Istishia | Jergal | Kelemvor | Kossuth | Lathander | Leira | Lliira | Loviatar | Malar | Mask | Mielikki | Milil | Myrkul | Mystra | Oghma | Red Knight | Savras | Selûne | Shar | Silvanus | Sune | Talona | Talos | Tempus | Torm | Tymora | Tyr | Umberlee | Valkur | Waukeen
The Morndinsamman
Abbathor | Berronar Truesilver | Clangeddin Silverbeard | Deep Duerra | Dugmaren Brightmantle | Dumathoin | Gorm Gulthyn | Haela Brightaxe | Laduguer | Marthammor Duin | Moradin | Sharindlar | Vergadain
The Seldarine
Aerdrie Faenya | Angharradh | Corellon | Deep Sashelas | Erevan | Fenmarel Mestarine | Hanali Celanil | Labelas Enoreth | Rillifane Rallathil | Sehanine Moonbow | Shevarash | Solonor Thelandira
The Dark Seldarine
Eilistraee | Kiaransalee | Lolth | Selvetarm | Vhaeraun
Yondalla's Children
Arvoreen | Brandobaris | Cyrrollalee | Sheela Peryroyl | Urogalan | Yondalla
Lords of the Golden Hills
Baervan Wildwanderer | Baravar Cloakshadow | Callarduran Smoothhands | Flandal Steelskin | Gaerdal Ironhand | Garl Glittergold | Nebelun | Segojan Earthcaller | Urdlen
Orc Pantheon
Bahgtru | Gruumsh | Ilneval | Luthic | Shargaas | Yurtrus
Mulhorandi pantheon
Anhur | Bast | Geb | Hathor | Horus | Isis | Nephthys | Osiris | Re | Sebek | Set | Thoth
Other gods of Faerûn
Bahamut | Enlil | Finder Wyvernspur | Ghaunadaur | Gilgeam | Lurue | Moander | Nobanion | Raven Queen | Tiamat
Greater Gods of Faerûn
Amaunator | Asmodeus | Bane | Chauntea | Corellon | Cyric | Ghaunadaur | Gruumsh | Kelemvor | Lolth | Moradin | Oghma | Selûne | Shar | Silvanus | Sune | Tempus | Torm
Gods of Faerûn
Angharradh | Auril | Bahamut | Berronar Truesilver | Beshaba | Garl Glittergold | Gond | Ilmater | Loviatar | Luthic | Malar | Mielikki | Sheela Peryroyl | Sseth | Talona | Tiamat | Tymora | Umberlee | Waukeen | Zehir
Exarchs of Faerûn
Abbathor | Arvoreen | Baervan Wildwanderer | Bahgtru | Baravar Cloakshadow | Brandobaris | Callarduran Smoothhands | Clangeddin Silverbeard | Cyrrollalee | Deep Sashelas | Dugmaren Brightmantle | Erevan Ilesere | Fenmarel Mestarine | Fzoul Chembryl | Garagos | Hoar | Hruggek | Jergal | Labelas Enoreth | Lliira | Maglubiyet | Malar | Marthammor Duin | Milil | Obould | Red Knight | Sharess | Shargaas | Shevarash | Shiallia | Siamorphe | Solonor Thelandira | Thard Harr | Uthgar | Valkur | Vaprak | Vergadain
Greater Deities of Faerûn
Angharradh | Bane | Chauntea | Corellon Larethian | Cyric | Garl Glittergold | Gruumsh | Horus-Re | Kelemvor | Lathander | Moradin | Mystra | Oghma | Shar | Silvanus | Sune | Talos | Tempus | Tyr | Yondalla
Intermediate Deities of Faerûn
Abbathor | Arvoreen | Baervan Wildwanderer | Berronar Truesilver | Beshaba | Callarduran Smoothhands | Clangeddin Silverbeard | Cyrrollalee | Deep Duerra | Deep Sashelas | Dumathoin | Erevan Ilesere | Flandal Steelskin | Gond | Hanali Celanil | Helm | Ilmater | Isis | Labelas Enoreth | Laduguer | Lolth | Mask | Mielikki | Nephthys | Osiris | Rillifane Rallathil | Sehanine Moonbow | Segojan Earthcaller | Selûne | Set | Sharindlar | Sheela Peryroyl | Solonor Thelandira | Thoth | Tymora | Umberlee | Urdlen | Vergadain
Major Deities of Faerûn
Angharradh | Bane | Bhaal | Chauntea | Corellon Larethian | Garl Glittergold | Gruumsh | Horus-Re | Lathander | Moradin | Myrkul | Mystra | Oghma | Shar | Silvanus | Sune | Talos | Tempus | Tyr | Yondalla
Other Deities of Faerûn
Auppenser | Abbathor | Arvoreen | Auril | Baervan Wildwanderer | Berronar Truesilver | Beshaba | Callarduran Smoothhands | Clangeddin Silverbeard | Cyrrollalee | Deep Duerra | Deep Sashelas | Dumathoin | Erevan Ilesere | Flandal Steelskin | Gond | Hanali Celanil | Helm | Ilmater | Isis | Labelas Enoreth | Laduguer | Lolth | Mask | Mielikki | Nephthys | Osiris | Rillifane Rallathil | Sehanine Moonbow | Segojan Earthcaller | Selûne | Set | Sharindlar | Sheela Peryroyl | Solonor Thelandira | Thoth | Tymora | Umberlee | Urdlen | Vergadain