Soma was an interloper deity of moons, plants, and prophecies in the Vedic pantheon.[1][2] There was no evidence that this deity was directly worshiped in the Realms.[3][5][6][note 1]
Avatar[]
The avatar of Soma generally took the form of a giant with silver-skin, though at other times he was known to manifest as a bird or bull. His true form was said to be that of a moon.[1]
Personality[]
This deity was generally a charitable and kind person, but they were also rather proud and vain.[1]
Abilities[]
Rather than calling upon the divine spells of his spheres, the avatar of Soma typically utilized arcane spells from the phantasms sub-school of Illusion.[1]
Possessions[]
Soma carried an enchanted dagger that caused those struck by it to momentarily become convinced that they were struck dead.[1]
Realm[]
Soma resided on the Ysgard layer (or "Asgard") of the plane of Ysgard, where he shared the divine realm known as the Gates of the Moon with Selûne, the Faerûnian goddess of the moon of Realmspace.[3][5][6]
Activities[]
With Selune's blessing, the petitioners of Soma distilled a juice from special flowers that were dotted around the Gates of the Moon. This juice was rumored to provide insight into the future.[5] Soma also devoted a portion of his time to amassing a collection of beautiful things, for the deity believed that the horde of items reflected well upon his person.[1]
Relationship[]
Much like Selune, Soma was served by both lillendi and lycanthropes. However, unlike Selune, he also commanded a legion of asuras. These servants of his were rarely seen outside the Gates of the Moon and were unrecognizable to most petitioners in Ysgard.[3]
Worshipers[]
In addition to divine spells from Soma's spheres, his priests were provided the spells find the path, plant growth, and programmed illusion.[1]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ There were no known worshipers of Soma in the Realms, particularly Malatra where some other Vedic powers were worshiped. However, Soma is detailed on this wiki because of her relations with the Faerûnian power Selûne, as detailed in On Hallowed Ground and Planes of Chaos.
External Links[]
Soma (deity) article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 James M. Ward and Troy Denning (August 1990). Legends & Lore (2nd edition). (TSR, Inc), p. 132. ISBN 978-0880388443.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 154, 179. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Wolfgang Baur and Lester Smith (1994-07-01). “The Book of Chaos”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Chaos (TSR, Inc), p. 107. ISBN 1560768746.
- ↑ Skip Williams (March 1994). “Sage Advice”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #203 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 79–80.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 170. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Wolfgang Baur and Lester Smith (1994-07-01). “The Book of Chaos”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Chaos (TSR, Inc), p. 116. ISBN 1560768746.