Talos, the Storm Lord

Basic Information

• Name: Talos (pronounced "TAH-los")
• Domains: Storms, Destruction, Fire, Earthquakes, Rebellion
• Alignment: Chaotic Evil
• Symbol: Three lightning bolts radiating from a central point

Talos is the god of storms and destruction in the Forgotten Realms, embodying the raw, untamed power of nature. He is a deity of chaos and ruin, feared for his wrath and revered by those who thrive in turmoil. As a Chaotic Evil deity, Talos revels in the devastation he brings, often inspiring fear and awe in equal measure.

History and Mythology

Talos is one of the oldest and most feared deities in the Faerûnian pantheon, his origins tied to the primal forces of nature. He is often depicted as a towering figure with wild hair and eyes like crackling lightning, wielding a spear that can summon storms and earthquakes.

Key Myths

• The Birth of Storms: Talos is said to have been born from the first great tempest, a force of nature given divine form. His very existence is a testament to the destructive power of the elements.
• Battles with the Gods: Talos has clashed with many deities, particularly those who seek to protect or nurture, such as Chauntea (goddess of agriculture) and Lathander (god of dawn). His most notable rivalry is with Umberlee, the goddess of the sea, as both vie for control over the destructive forces of nature.
• The Time of Troubles: During this period, Talos’s avatar roamed the Sword Coast, unleashing devastating storms and earthquakes that reshaped the landscape and brought ruin to many settlements.

Talos’s myths emphasize his role as a bringer of chaos and destruction, a god who revels in the raw power of nature and the fear it inspires.

Worshipers and Church Structure

Talos’s followers are those who embrace chaos, destruction, and the power of the elements. His church is decentralized and often operates in secret, as his worship is feared and outlawed in many places.

• Followers: Pirates, raiders, anarchists, and those who live in storm-prone regions often turn to Talos for protection or to harness his destructive power. Some mad cultists actively seek to bring about apocalyptic events in his name.
• Clergy: Priests of Talos, known as Stormlords or Ruinbringers, are often skilled in elemental magic, particularly lightning and thunder. They lead small, fanatical cells rather than large congregations.
• Worship Practices:
• Rituals are conducted during storms, involving sacrifices, invocations of lightning, and the destruction of symbols of order.
• The Festival of the Storm is a chaotic celebration where followers revel in the fury of the elements, often leading to widespread damage and unrest.

Talos’s church thrives in places where nature’s wrath is most evident, such as coastal towns battered by hurricanes or mountain villages prone to avalanches.

Divine Realms and Sacred Locations

• Divine Realm: The Towers of Ruin, located in the plane of Pandemonium, is Talos’s domain—a chaotic, storm-wracked fortress where the winds howl and the ground trembles.
• Sacred Locations:
• The Storm Spire in Luskan: A towering lighthouse that doubles as a temple, where Stormlords gather to summon tempests.
• The Crater of Talos: A massive impact site in the High Moor, believed to have been created by Talos’s wrath, now a pilgrimage site for his followers.
• The Thunder Peaks: A mountain range on the Sword Coast, where lightning storms are frequent and Talos’s presence is said to be strongest.

These locations are often dangerous, attracting only the most devoted or desperate of followers.

Gameplay Mechanics

Talos’s influence in gameplay is tied to destruction, chaos, and elemental power, making him a popular choice for characters who embrace the fury of the storm.

• Cleric Domains: Tempest, War
• Favored Weapon: Spear or javelin
• Divine Boons: Clerics of Talos can channel divinity to invoke Thunderous Strike (dealing lightning or thunder damage) or Storm’s Fury (summoning a localized tempest). They may also gain resistance to lightning or thunder damage.
• Artifacts: Legendary items such as the Spear of Storms (which can summon lightning bolts) or Talos’s Eye (a gem that grants control over weather).

Campaign Hooks

• Storm Summoning: Players might be tasked with stopping a cult of Talos from unleashing a devastating hurricane on a coastal city.
• Elemental Chaos: Adventurers could investigate unnatural storms plaguing a region, tracing them back to a relic of Talos.
• Pirate Alliances: Characters might ally with or oppose pirates who worship Talos, navigating treacherous waters and moral dilemmas.

Summary

Talos is the embodiment of nature’s fury in the Forgotten Realms, a god who revels in chaos and destruction. On the Sword Coast, his presence is felt in every tempest and earthquake, from the storm-battered shores of Luskan to the lightning-scarred peaks of the Thunder Mountains. For players and Dungeon Masters, Talos offers rich opportunities to explore themes of power, fear, and the untamed forces of the world.