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Sebek, (pronounced: /ˈsɛbɛkSEH-beck[1]) known as Sebethant in Thay and as Sebakar (pronounced: /sɛbɑːˈkɑːrseh-ba-KAR[7]) in Unther[3] and Chessenta,[7] was a jealous, vain, and evil member of the Mulhorandi pantheon. The Lord of Crocodiles was a member of low-standing, yet rivaled only by Set in his wickedness.[3]

Description[]

Sebek usually appeared in one of two forms. The first, known as the "Lord of Crocodiles", was that of a Mulan man possessing the head of a crocodile. This form typically wore a horned and plumed headdress. The second form, known as the "Smiling Death", was that of a giant crocodile.[3] The appearance of a giant crocodile's smile was used a sign of favor and disfavor.[9]

Personality[]

Sebek delighted in devouring humans, but could be convinced not to through obsequious begging and offerings of even greater meals.[3]

Powers[]

Sebek was able to summon and control crocodiles at will, and has been known to swallow boats and living creatures whole.[9]

Activities[]

Before the Spellplague, Sebek rarely manifested in the material world, usually sending his avatar to hunt.[9]

Relationships[]

Sebek was an outcast in the eyes of the rest of the Mulhorandi pantheon, though he was known for occasionally being ally of his father, Set.[3] Sebek often had conflicts with Malar, who disliked the Mulhorandi deity for possessing a portion of his portfolio of lycanthropes.[10]

Worshipers[]

Sebek Symbol

Holy Symbol of Sebek

Worship of Sebek was rare, and even considered anathema in some places, such as Chessenta,[7] though he was often well respected in communities near large populations of crocodiles.[9]

Priests of Sebek wore linen skirts and collars, and shaved their heads. They favored no ornamentation in crocodile form. When preparing for combat, the clergy of Sebek favored light armor and simple weapons.[9]

Clerics of Sebek prayed for spells at dusk.[1]

Church of Sebek[]

Priest of Sebek

Priest of Sebek.

All clergy of the church of Sebek were werecrocodiles, usually of Mulan descent.[9]

Priests of Sebek spend much of their time planning methods of seizing power in their surrounding regions.[9]

The city of Sekras housed a temple that served as the center of the church of Sebek, known as the River's Maw. Upon the city's destruction, the clergy relocated to the Adder Swamp of Chessenta. No temples dedicated to the "Smiling Death" were known to exist as of 1358 DR.[9]

Orders[]

All werecrocodiles followed Sebek, though no organizations were known to be sponsored by the church.[9]

Celebrations[]

Monthly offerings of meat were dedicated to Sebek in order to ward off crocodile attacks.[9]

Priests of Sebek had to kill a sentient creature monthly, as well as create at least one new werecrocodile from among the humans living in Mulhorand each year.[9]

History[]

Sebek was the son of an ancient manifestation of the Mulhorandi god Set and a bestial archfey of the Feywild known as Mornach.[7] In the Year of the Grisly Ghosts, 1183 DR, the largest sect of Sebek's worshipers were expelled from Mulhorand by the Brotherhood of Those Who Smile in the Face of Death. They resettled in Chessenta.[3]

During the Time of Troubles in 1358 DR, Sebek battled Malar's avatar in the Adder Swamp in a titanic struggle that destroyed large areas of the region.[2][note 1]

In the late years of the 15th century DR, some rumors said that Sebek was living in the Adder Swamp[7] within a werecrocodile nation named in his honor.[11]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

  1. 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.

Further Reading[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 146. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Eric L. Boyd (June 1995). “Forgotten Deities: Sebek”. In Duane Maxwell ed. Polyhedron #108 (TSR, Inc.), p. 4.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 124. ISBN 978-0786906574.
  4. Jennifer Clarke-Wilkes, Bruce R. Cordell and JD Wiker (March 2005). Sandstorm. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 47. ISBN 0-7869-3655-X.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 62, 299. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  6. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 122. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Brian R. James (May 2010). “Backdrop: Chessenta”. In Chris Youngs ed. Dungeon #178 (Wizards of the Coast) (178)., p. 71.
  8. Hal Maclean (September 2004). “Seven Deadly Domains”. In Matthew Sernett ed. Dragon #323 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 65.
  9. 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 125. ISBN 978-0786906574.
  10. Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 147. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
  11. Brian R. James (May 2010). “Backdrop: Chessenta”. In Chris Youngs ed. Dungeon #178 (Wizards of the Coast) (178)., p. 72.

Connections[]

AnhurBastBesGebHathorHorus-ReIsisNephthysOsirisReSebekSetThoth

Pharaonic Pantheon (Those Who Stayed Behind)
AnubisNutPtahSekerShuTefnut

Deities of the Post–Second Sundering Era
Ao the Overgod
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



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