Of the real-world mythoi that are in the D&D game, Celtic is one of the ones I’m more likely to work on. How to handle it is an open question, because the D&D game primarily merges a variety of Celtic cultural mythoi into one; considering how much of what we know comes from euhemerized tales of the gods and simple interpretatio romana inscriptions. There are a small set of Irish figures that we can reliably see as pre-Christian deities, and the same can be said of the Welsh tales. Contitnental Celtic mythology is mostly known from inscriptions and artwork. So what would be the best way to approach these different groups? Merge them as one, and use the continental names to expand it into a large pantheon, or split them into smaller ones? I’m not sure what’s the best approach. I have two good sources for Celtic mythology: The Lore of Ireland: An Encyclopedia of Myth, Legend and Romance by Daithi O hOgain and Dictionary of Celtic Religion and Culture by Bernhard Maier. I would like to get a good analysis of Welsh folklore, though.
Brainstorming Part 3: Celtic Mythos
May 14, 2025
2 Comments | 
Deities, General Topics | 
Permalink
Posted by AuldDragon
Brainstorming Part 2: New Pantheons
May 12, 2025Another potential next phase of the project would be to start creating pantheons for races that should have them, or have a mention of a pantheon but with very little detail. Many of these races are from Spelljammer, of course.
Read the rest of this entry »
2 Comments | Deities, General Topics | Tagged: Brainstorming | Permalink
Posted by AuldDragon
Brainstorming Part 1: Expanding Pantheons
May 10, 2025Before I decide on my next Deity project, it’s helpful to do some brainstorming about the potential paths I might take. The first potential project is to expand some of the existing nonhuman pantheons that feel light on deities, starting with ideas from Monster Mythology.
4 Comments | Deities, General Topics | Tagged: Brainstorming | Permalink
Posted by AuldDragon
What’s Next?
May 1, 2025What’s coming in the future for this blog and project, now that the main list of deities is complete? That’s a good question! Right now I need to get old posts here on the blog cleaned up and edit the deities that are finished (I’ve always considered them drafts) and compile them into “books” of related deities. That overall will likely be fairly lengthy, and I would like to commission cover art for them as well.
However, what *new* works will be coming in the future? That’s the question. Right now, there are three different things that I’m considering working on:
- New pantheons for races that never had deities, many of which are Spelljammer creatures (hurwaeti, zalani, grommams, etc.)
- Expand current pantheons, especially for the goblinoids, with all new deities so they have more options and feel more well rounded.
- Begin working on real-world pantheons, such as the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Norse pantheons.
What would everyone like to see come next?
7 Comments | General Topics | Permalink
Posted by AuldDragon