Delleb
Encyclopedia
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting
for the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, Delleb is the Oeridian god of Reason, Intellect, and Study. His symbol is a phoenix-feather quill, or an open book.
and first fleshed out by Andy Miller in Dragon (magazine)
#263. He was later fleshed out in a slightly different way by Sean K. Reynolds
in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
.
(1983), by Gary Gygax
.
Delleb was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes
set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign. Delleb is described as one of the good deities that celestials
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999). Delleb was featured in the article series on the Oeridian Lesser Gods in Dragon
#263 (1999).
Delleb's role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
(2000). Delleb's priesthood is detailed for 3rd edition in Complete Divine
(2004).
More rarely, Delleb is portrayed as a fully armored warrior riding a warhorse and carrying a sabre (Delente-Vinnos, "That which strikes down ignorance") and a strange projectile weapon of metal and wood. Delleb believes that the pen is mightier than the sword, however, and he once drove away a young, murderous Hextor
using nothing but his quill.
He is always accompanied by a large black war dog called Shadow.
Delleb hates lies and dislikes fiction; as a result, he and Syrul
have battled one other intermittently since long before the Invoked Devastation. He has been at odds with Hextor
since the quill incident. He is allied with Boccob
, St. Cuthbert
, Lirr
, Heironeous
, and Zuoken
, and friendly to all but those who are evil or who oppose knowledge.
Delleb warns of the dangers in letting emotion cloud one's reason. He teaches the importance of educating others. Secrets that contain true knowledge are seen as blasphemous, for knowledge belongs to everyone. Even evil knowledge is sacred to the church, though they try to keep it out of the hands of those who would use it for evil ends. This may seem to be a double standard, but goes hand in hand with Delleb's desire to preserve life first. Debates about the nature of good and evil, and what constitutes "evil knowledge," are frequent among all of Delleb's sects.
An honorary order within the church for those who sages and philosophers who are not clergy is the Silver Savants. Membership in the order is awarded to those who have made great discoveries or unearthed long-lost knowledge, and they are held in high esteem by members of the church.
Clergy of Delleb's church generally wear the black robes of a scholar. On ceremonial occasions they wear black mortarboards with tassels of gold, silver, or white. The tassels denote scholars, librarians, or members of the Silver Savants respectively.
in regions settled by Oeridians. They are most prevalent in Furyondy
, Nyrond, Veluna
, the Urnst States, and Keoland.
The largest of Delleb's temples is the Savant Hospital in Chendl. Before the siege of the city it was called simply the Library Temple, but the library has since been moved south to Littleberg. The Savant Hospital has been rededicated to the healing order of the clerics of Delleb, and they concentrate on medical texts and teaching others about the healer's arts. They defer to the priests of Rao
.
The University Temple in Rel Mord is closely connected to the Royal University there, and its priests often teach at the school. This building is built of white marble, its walls inscribed in Old Oeridian, the classical language spoken by all inhabitants of the temple. The inner shrine features a copper statue of Delleb, represented as an old man in simple robes, carrying books and scrolls. The priests at the University Temple are widely held to be among the most knowledgeable and intelligent men in the land.
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
for the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, Delleb is the Oeridian god of Reason, Intellect, and Study. His symbol is a phoenix-feather quill, or an open book.
Creative Origins
Delleb was created by Gary GygaxGary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
and first fleshed out by Andy Miller in Dragon (magazine)
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#263. He was later fleshed out in a slightly different way by Sean K. Reynolds
Sean K. Reynolds
Sean K Reynolds is a professional game designer who has worked on and co-written a number of D&D supplements for Wizards of the Coast, as well as material for other companies. He does not put a period after his middle initial.-Background:...
in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
The Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is a sourcebook for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Despite the title, the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is not exclusive to the Living Greyhawk Campaign...
.
Publication history
Delleb was first detailed for the Dungeons & Dragons game in the World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game SettingWorld of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting
The World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting and the World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting are two closely related publications from TSR, Inc. that detail the fictional World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
(1983), by Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
.
Delleb was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes
From the Ashes (Dungeons & Dragons)
From the Ashes is a supplement for Dungeons & Dragonss World of Greyhawk campaign setting. It was published in 1992 by TSR as a boxed set of materials...
set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign. Delleb is described as one of the good deities that celestials
Celestial (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, celestials are a class of creatures and monsters known as outsiders who are of wholly good alignment....
can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999). Delleb was featured in the article series on the Oeridian Lesser Gods in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#263 (1999).
Delleb's role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
The Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is a sourcebook for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Despite the title, the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is not exclusive to the Living Greyhawk Campaign...
(2000). Delleb's priesthood is detailed for 3rd edition in Complete Divine
Complete Divine
Complete Divine is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game published by Wizards of the Coast...
(2004).
Description
Delleb is depicted as a tall, thin Oeridian man with olive skin. His features are elderly, and the top of his head is balding but for some short white tufts of hair, primarily on the back and sides. He is usually shown with spectacles in modern portrayals, and dressed as a noble scribe or finely attired scholar.More rarely, Delleb is portrayed as a fully armored warrior riding a warhorse and carrying a sabre (Delente-Vinnos, "That which strikes down ignorance") and a strange projectile weapon of metal and wood. Delleb believes that the pen is mightier than the sword, however, and he once drove away a young, murderous Hextor
Hextor
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Hextor is the Oeridian god of war, discord, massacres, conflict, fitness, and tyranny....
using nothing but his quill.
He is always accompanied by a large black war dog called Shadow.
Relationships
According to rumors whispered by those knowledgeable in such arcane matters, Delleb was the deity who sponsored Daern, hero-goddess of defenses and fortifications, to her present exalted state.Delleb hates lies and dislikes fiction; as a result, he and Syrul
Syrul
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Syrul is the Suel goddess of Lies, Deceit, Treachery, and False Promises...
have battled one other intermittently since long before the Invoked Devastation. He has been at odds with Hextor
Hextor
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Hextor is the Oeridian god of war, discord, massacres, conflict, fitness, and tyranny....
since the quill incident. He is allied with Boccob
Boccob
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Boccob is the god of magic, arcane knowledge, balance, and foresight. He is known as the Uncaring, the Lord of All Magic, and the Archmage of the Deities...
, St. Cuthbert
Saint Cuthbert (Dungeons & Dragons)
In some versions of the Dungeons and Dragons roleplaying game, Saint Cuthbert of the Cudgel is the combative deity of Wisdom, Dedication, and Zeal...
, Lirr
Lirr (Greyhawk)
Lirr is the Oeridian goddess of Prose, Poetry, Literature, and Art in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
, Heironeous
Heironeous
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Heironeous is the Oeridian god of Chivalry, Justice, Honor, War, Daring, and Valor. His holy symbol is a silver lightning bolt, often clutched in a...
, and Zuoken
Zuoken
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Zuoken is the Baklunish god of Physical and Mental Mastery...
, and friendly to all but those who are evil or who oppose knowledge.
Realm
Delleb's realm, the Great Library, is in Solania, the fourth of the Seven Heavens. Solania is a place with many scholarly hermitages and monasteries hidden atop high, steep peaks.Dogma
Delleb's order teaches that the purpose of existence is the accumulation of knowledge, although they are careful to remind others that this does not supersede the sanctity of life. Ideally, this is knowledge that must be passed from teacher to student. What cannot be learned from teachers may be learned in personal research through books. What cannot be learned from books may be learned through experimentation.Delleb warns of the dangers in letting emotion cloud one's reason. He teaches the importance of educating others. Secrets that contain true knowledge are seen as blasphemous, for knowledge belongs to everyone. Even evil knowledge is sacred to the church, though they try to keep it out of the hands of those who would use it for evil ends. This may seem to be a double standard, but goes hand in hand with Delleb's desire to preserve life first. Debates about the nature of good and evil, and what constitutes "evil knowledge," are frequent among all of Delleb's sects.
Worshipers
The church teaches its clergy and followers to hone their intellects. Riddle and pun contests are common and important. The winners are often rewarded with higher status within the church or access to some of the more "sensitive" books.An honorary order within the church for those who sages and philosophers who are not clergy is the Silver Savants. Membership in the order is awarded to those who have made great discoveries or unearthed long-lost knowledge, and they are held in high esteem by members of the church.
Clergy
Delleb's clerics (sometimes known as Tomesages) are devoted to learning and to using their knowledge to help and teach others. They ask questions of bards and sages, pore over old books, help engineers plan and invent, and travel in search of forgotten lore.Clergy of Delleb's church generally wear the black robes of a scholar. On ceremonial occasions they wear black mortarboards with tassels of gold, silver, or white. The tassels denote scholars, librarians, or members of the Silver Savants respectively.
- The scholars of Delleb are the largest group and contain among them the best thinkiers, philosophers, mathematicians, scholars, historians, and sages in the church. They are divided into learners and teachers.
- The learners revere learning for its own sake; some are inventors. A scholar of Delleb is credited with the invention of the crossbow.
- Teachers are a smaller sect, running the various church schools and spreading knowledge as widely as possible. Teachers are divided into assistance, acolytes, mentors, and savants.
- The librarians of Delleb are dedicated to repairing, copying, illuminating, and indexing the books in the libraries of the temples. The lower-ranking librarians are called scripters, while the higher ranking ones are called bookkeepers. The bookkeepers answer to the Chief Librarian.
- The knights of Delleb are an order of warriors dedicated to defending the church and spreading knowledge as far as possible. The group has grown considerably since the Greyhawk WarsGreyhawk WarsIn the Dungeons & Dragons World of Greyhawk campaign setting, the Greyhawk Wars raged across the whole of the Flanaess from 582-584 CY.-History:...
.
- The church is also known for its doctors and healers. A few temples of Delleb are dedicated solely to knowledge of the healing arts.
Paladins
The Knights of the Book are paladins dedicated to Delleb. They protect temples, serve as military advisors and leaders of troops levied to protect the church and the lands around it. They also act as teachers of military strategy and history.Temples
Temple-schools of Delleb can be found throughout the FlanaessFlanaess
The Flanaess is the eastern part of the continent of Oerik, one of the four continents of the fictional world of Oerth in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. The Flanaess has been the setting of dozens of adventures published between the 1970s...
in regions settled by Oeridians. They are most prevalent in Furyondy
Furyondy
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Furyondy, properly known as the Kingdom of Furyondy, is a feudal kingdom of the Flanaess, and a successor state of Ferrond.-History:...
, Nyrond, Veluna
Veluna
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Veluna, properly known as the Archclericy of Veluna, is a theocratic political state of the Flanaess.-History:...
, the Urnst States, and Keoland.
The largest of Delleb's temples is the Savant Hospital in Chendl. Before the siege of the city it was called simply the Library Temple, but the library has since been moved south to Littleberg. The Savant Hospital has been rededicated to the healing order of the clerics of Delleb, and they concentrate on medical texts and teaching others about the healer's arts. They defer to the priests of Rao
Rao (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Rao is the Flan god of Peace, Reason, and Serenity. His holy symbol is a heart-shaped mask with a calm expression, or a simple white heart crafted of metal or wood...
.
The University Temple in Rel Mord is closely connected to the Royal University there, and its priests often teach at the school. This building is built of white marble, its walls inscribed in Old Oeridian, the classical language spoken by all inhabitants of the temple. The inner shrine features a copper statue of Delleb, represented as an old man in simple robes, carrying books and scrolls. The priests at the University Temple are widely held to be among the most knowledgeable and intelligent men in the land.
Holy Days and Rituals
- The Mass of Knowledge. The Mass of Knowledge is performed each GodsdayGreyhawk CalendarThe Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
. The ceremonies last the better part of a day, which is spent speaking of new learnings in an elaborately ceremonial fashion. The rest of the day is spent in free-form discussion among the clergy.
- On the eve of FreedayGreyhawk CalendarThe Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
, scholars of the Church of Delleb visit inns and taverns, listening and committing to memory local gossip and news. Freeday morning is spent writing notes on what is heard. The following week, the scholars try to determine what is true and what is false.
Additional reading
- Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:http://www.wizards.com/rpga/downloads/LG_Deities.zip
- Findley, NigelNigel FindleyNigel D Findley was a game designer, editor, and an author of science fiction and fantasy novels and role-playing games .-Biography:Nigel Findley was born in Venezuela, in 1959...
, Dan Salas, Stephen Inniss, and Robert J. KuntzRobert J. KuntzRobert J. Kuntz is a game designer and author of role-playing game publications. He is most famous for his contributions to various Dungeons & Dragons-related materials.-Works:...
. Fate of IstusFate of IstusFate of Istusis a multipart adventure for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, taking place in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting. The module is designed for characters of any class or level, and was published as an in-game vehicle to explain the transition from the game's first to second...
. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.