Nobanion (pronounced: /noʊˈbɑːnjʌn/ no-BAN-yun[7]), also known as the King of Beasts, Lord Firemane or the Lion King, was a primal spirit[8] sometimes worshiped as a deity of royalty, lions, and other felines, as well as good beasts. Nobanion was considered to have originally been an interloper deity on Toril, but since his arrival he has firmly established himself within the Faerûnian pantheon. His worship was especially strong in Gulthmere Forest and among the wemics of the Shining Plains.[1][3]
Contents
Description[edit | edit source]
Lord Firemane led his faithful along a noble path, without force or coercion, and never took the rear in command. He genuinely wanted his pride to willingly choose benevolent and good actions over the alternatives by their own accord. He was a deity of virtue, and would never ask another to take an action that he himself would not, including the sacrifice of their own life.[1]
His favored weapon was a heavy pick called Lion's Head.[1]
Appearance[edit | edit source]
Radiating a powerful, yet gentle presence, Nobanion possessed a majesty and charisma that was overwhelming at times. Even the smallest of animals felt comfortable around him.[1]
Divine Realm[edit | edit source]
In the Great Wheel cosmology, Nobanion made his divine realm called the Pridelands in Krigala, the sunlit first layer of the Beastlands. After the Time of Troubles, the Lion King established a permanent portal from here to the Gulthmere Forest, and from then on prowled both Faerûn and the Happy Hunting Grounds.[2]
Worshipers[edit | edit source]
- Nobanion's worshipers included druids and rangers of Faerûn, of mixed lawful and good alignments in areas such as the Vilhon Reach and the Dragon Coast.[1] He was especially venerated in the city of Nathlekh within the Gulthmere Forest and among the wemics of the Shining Plains.[3]
Relationships[edit | edit source]
The Lion King has long been allied with the archfey Lurue and the good-aligned deities Tyr and Torm, as well as Mielikki and the other gods of nature.[3]
All lammasu on Toril, both greater and lesser, were believed to be his offspring.[9]
History[edit | edit source]
Nobanion was an interloper deity, having only established a presence on Toril around the mid 1000's DR. Ancient texts referred to him as Aslan, and some legends claimed he entered the Realms through one of the magical pools in the Weathercote Wood.[9] He was responsible for driving most of Malar's worshipers out of the Vilhon Reach, which has earned the promise of vengeance from the Beastlord.[3]
During the Spellplague, Nobanion tried to save a pride of lions in Gulthandor from oncoming blue fire. He came in contact with the blue fire, and it mutated him into a dark and bestial lion with a mane of blue flame. In this state, he was held in subjugation by Malar. In 1486 DR, he was tasked by Malar to capture Stedd Whitehorn, the boy Chosen of Lathander, but Stedd and his companions healed him of his corruption by blue fire. He returned to his natural state, and introduced himself to Stedd and his companions. In his reinstated form, he was no longer under Malar's control. He guided the young Chosen through the wilds of Gulthandor. They parted ways just before Stedd and company entered Turmish.[10]
Appendix[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 102. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Eric L. Boyd (1997). Powers and Pantheons. (TSR, Inc), p. 41. ISBN 0-7869-0657-X.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 103. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Hal Maclean (September 2004). “Seven Deadly Domains”. In Matthew Sernett ed. Dragon #323 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 65.
- ↑ Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 189. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 102. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
- ↑ Brian R. James (June 2009). “Realmslore: Sarifal”. In Chris Youngs ed. Dragon #376 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 61.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Eric L. Boyd (January 1996). “Forgotten Deities: Lurue; Nobanion”. In Duane Maxwell ed. Polyhedron #115 (TSR, Inc.), p. 21.
- ↑ Richard Lee Byers (Feb 4, 2014). The Reaver. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 206–210. ISBN 0786964588.
Connections[edit | edit source]
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 • 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
