Dungeons and Dragons Lore: Ecology of the Gods

Here it is, the first in a comprehensive series on the pantheons and deities of the Forgotten Realms! How are divine powers created, and how do they die? How powerful is a greater deity compared to a lesser deity? What rules, if any, do they follow and what pantheons are worshipped in what areas of the world of Abeir-Toril.
Let's find out!

[@XTheLoneWandererMCX]

"though shalt not traverse this blessed paradise wearing CROCS on thine feet" -torm 15:43

[@OmusKnowsAll]

Crocs are a sign of the demonic influence of Sess'Innek. This is known This is the way I have spoken

[@draxthemsklonst]

That was awesome. Crocs, no, but sandals, as I remember, are very much adored by higher planar beings. See the art of archons and such. This aligns with real world myths, such as the angel Sandalphon (Metatron's "twin").

[@codypatton2859]

I love how you call out people who "get threatened by make believe", absolutely love it. Never stop making content, AJ!

[@1smallball]

Those people are usually so smart and reasonable, I'm sure those warnings work really well. Not a waste of our time at all.

[@johng4176]

Ao is what is known as a true immortal information found in wrath of the immortals box set . Ao is a lesser immortal and sphere of creation .

[@MisterTutor2010]

The relationship between Ao and the the gods seems like the relationship between Eru and the Ainur in lord of the Rings.

[@josephstewart324]

Best opening statement in a video ever. Good job my friend

[@colin1115]

Hey AJ. I really appreciate the work you put into the content you provide. I draw heavily on it for the games I DM. Keep up the great content.

[@AJPickett]

Thanks Colin!

[@jackhartford521]

Damn man you have some great, thorough videos. My favorite is Tharizdun.

[@RaphaelRavenwing]

They had to make the deities that broken because they KNEW players would slaughter all of them if it were possible.

[@TheBones1188]

Its still possible u just gotta work your way up

[@gargoyles9999]

Star Glitter Glow if you stat it they will kill it

[@kozmo7]

God dammit I love your videos. You sir are awesome, thank you for all your work and efforts, I love the way you explain these topics!

[@davide2711]

When you have to apologize and explain yourself before anyone even complained, you know the world is fucked.

[@awesomeking6]

David Ernst he's appeasing the sjw gods

[@hamstsorkxxor]

@@awesomeking6 More like apeasing the creationist christian conservatives that filip their shit over fantasy. Like seriously, they organized a book bonfire of Harry Potter books when those came out, because apparently they thought Harry Potter were teaching kids Satanism.

[@justinwainwright5069]

@@hamstsorkxxor problem is you can not please them. The simple act of even acknowldgeing them gives them power. They need to be ignored, just like children when they are begging attention in a negative way. Otherwise you just make them think its ok to act that way.

[@tooslow4065]

@@hamstsorkxxor , more like appeasing wack jobs like you who thikn they are the center of the universe. funny that i dont see a single christian talking smack about any of this. but you sure had to chime in on your bullshit, didnt you?

[@Prodigi50]

@@tooslow4065 You realize that Christian Conservatives have a history of overreacting to Dungeons and Dragons, right? Same with Harry Potter. Iirc it was called the Satanic panic.

[@idpolisdumbreallydumb1365]

No! They’re all real! Elfstar told me so!

[@jtb6737]

I just stumbled upon your channel and I was mostly Dragonlance and you have helped me catch up with Forgotten Realms. I am sorry you had to make the caveat on the video, but I find it well researched but not boring.

[@kreiyu]

Such great analogies for what it would be like to be a god.

[@stevenpeterson8582]

Very awesome video AJ.

[@AJPickett]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@josephfernandez8015]

Gods might be immortal, but Oko can turn them into 3/3 elks.

[@DAMDARAMDAMDAAAAAMM]

And them swap them with a self created food token XD unbeatable

[@draxthemsklonst]

Unfortunately, Oko could not turn the ban hammer into a 3/3 elk.

[@Pragabond]

@@draxthemsklonst Sad times

[@km1dash6]

So there are contradictions in the lore, which signal to me that the lore is just that, lore. As GMs, this is inspiration, but not cannon. Here's a few interesting thoughts: was Umberlee created with the ocean, before the ocean, or after the ocean? If before, are the gods necessary for the thing to exist, and what happens if the god dies? If after, are the gods even necessary? Are the gods people, and if so do they have free will? Can they go against their own portfolio, or are they infallible regarding their own nature? Can Tyr, god of Justice, do something unjust, and if so are they really people? Is there a difference between Torm, who was mortal, and Ilmater who wasn't? People change with experience, so do the gods change? Why don't chaotic evil gods spread their faith in other gods territory if they don't really care about divine law? What happened to the gods from other pantheons (like the Norse or Hindu gods) during the Time of Troubles since they had nothing to do with the Tablets of Fate? A lot of these questions go unanswered, and if you don't think about them the entire system can fall apart.

[@straightjacket219]

Can they be seduced???

[@eternialogic]

Herein lies the problem with Immortals. They only see mortals as specks of sawdust that burn very bright and quickly so they will almost never fully invest emotions into them. If you are so fortunate to get their favor, a Demigod may be born. Demigods are immortal, so Gods usually use them as subordinates of their own flesh in mortal worlds or in their pantheons. So, the answer is yes, but they will probably only see you as a pawn to produce immortal cannon fodder.

[@TripQuist99]

I love how u use magic cards for you art!!!

[@chabreed3714]

AJ thanks again for the great content, is Loth a lesser, intermediate, or greater deity? Thanks again AJ

[@AJPickett]

Intermediate.

[@mattnerdy7236]

Hey AJ, great video! You got me thinking & wondering. Where does the Dark Sun Campaign fit in to all this? Did you ever notice in the D&D cartoon. When the Dungeon Master is explaining to Presto how magic works in this world or realm. That if you produce water here you are taking it from somewhere else in the world. Thats how it works in Dark Sun Campaign. To me, they are in the Dark Sun Realm. My favorite deity is the fumbling, bumbling, stumbling Fizban from the Dragonlance books. What a shock it was to find out he is the top deity of that realm. Thanks AJ & have a great day.

[@jacksonrockford7174]

Ao is the Dungeon Master

[@LOUDMOUTHTYRONE]

We are greater than Ao

[@StickySauce101]

nope, that would be the "Luminous Being", who Ao had to report to in old lore.. they retconned it away but it was basically the DM

[@Hero-yu4om]

wow... 2 minutes to avoid some offended stranger, this is not a sign of a healthy society

[@EnvisionerWill]

?????

[@themusicgaragetmg2330]

Lol! you don't say...

[@obradinn7491]

Or, can go with me here "muh snowflakes". He's simply being considerate to other people. I KNOW RIGHT!? Being considerate, thoughtful and taking care of each other? That's socialism.

[@tooslow4065]

@@obradinn7491 , actually its not.

[@RhodesWC]

@@tooslow4065 true that, most encounters end with 'my way or the highway' and a temper tantrum should one not submit to the bully.

[@julierose689]

Could you make a video about the Eberron God's? It's mainly info about the Traveller I'm after. Any info on him seems to be on short supply. Hopefully you'll have better luck researching him than me.

[@yellowfellow7246]

As someone who follows the cult of Mielikki, I would like to say I am deeply offended by this video. How DARE YOU say my goddess is part of a FICTIONAL setting? (Sorry, just felt like I had to, this being 2021)

[@user-zn4is8no7z]

Thank you for your thoughtfulness for those who take their religion seriously.

[@vechcron]

In the inner,outer planes and on the etheral or asteral planes I've read there are no limits to the number of avaters most powers can have

[@Giganfan2k1]

Pagan here... People take themselves too seriously. XD

[@michaelscotts3949]

Rule 3 leaves me wondering about when they popped up around the time of the first aboleth. If they must have worshipers to live howd they pop up and stay around? Was it like warhammer? I've vaguely looked into that and those beings one race created in warped space. In still wondering about that bloodqueen or whatever that passed by and left the first aboleth behind. The origin before this elemental plane of water thing came about. Finally I cant recall what or who's video but I could almost swear I recall someone doing one on the spheres and how gods are basically barred from acting outside. Bringing up talk of possible overgods that may exist and do so along with the name of a male overgod that I can't remember but it's not the one mentioned in this one. Meh, I have searching to do. Back to the vid I guess.

[@tannerrobinson3952]

Mr.Rhexxx made a video about the phlogiston. It goes in depth on the gods and the astral plane

[@bluezero8557]

Since the multivers and the word paradox was mentioned heres my paradox for the multiverse, enjoy My paradox: With unlimited outcomes and versions and possibilities if the muliverse does exist there is a universe where it doesnt exist.

[@403902]

That's interesting. Universe does not carry the same meaning as monoverse - it's is the unity of verses and therefore contains all multiverses. So if the universe exists, it is a monoverse, therefore there is no true multiverse (only multiple parts of the true monoverse). Touché, Blue Zero. Edit: spelling.

[@GaramondGourmond]

I'd wish everyone who didn't believe in role playing games fall down an endless pit. Unfortunatlely they would'nt believe in it, and just stand there, not falling.

[@bartistclord1916]

If you are a pathetic failure who died half way into the quest... Greater God Kelvemor And if you happen to have 3 fighter levels and 7 levels of thief, and happen to show up for the interview... *Poof* Greater God Cyric (here have 40+ unearned levels given to cyric for 'reasons' ) Those two set the precedent that 90% of all player characters are more appropriate choices for godhood.

[@billybish1717]

Can there be two gods with the exact same domain (say death), but be in two different pantheon. on the same planet., that are not demi-gods.

[@blamalam7257]

Of course ,read the 3rd E or 3.5 E PHB, it shows two different gods with the Death Portfolio and Domain's, namely Nerull, god of death and Wee Jas, SUEL Goddess of Death and Magic and Beauty. Also there's crossover in Magic ,where the Aforementioned Wee Jas is a Goddess of Magic as is the God of Magic and knowledge Boccob, with access to those Domains, along with Vecna ,a God of Magic ,Knowledge and Secrets. The main Reasons for the allowed Crossover in the same Pantheon and Planes ,is that Racial Divisions and Alignment divisions seems to allow Crossover in Portfolios and Domain's of God's ,simply because they are applied in different ways. Plus the lore plays God's with Similar Portfolios and Domain's and interests as friendly competition who cooperate as to their main purposes but have their own goals and methods.

[@Joram647]

Only on the internet will you run into weirdos who would get offended by topics like this. You don't need content disclaimers attempt to appease those few sorry souls and warn them of the "horrors" you are about to delve into that offends their sensibilities. Ignore them and get on with the topics that the vast majority of us are hear to listen to. No need to validate anything like that. Most of us don't care about them, and neither should you.

[@Speed001]

As you said in your first sentence, there is a reason for the disclaimer. Not just because he gives a crap about people's beliefs but as a precautionary measure to prevent him from getting a bunch of hate.

[@johntheherbalistg8756]

He actually gets reported sometimes. He objectively must do disclaimers on some videos

[@harrylong2796]

(thery're all make-believe gods and mythologies)

[@sarenastralis9969]

Except the ones in the books that aren't make believe lol but yes I agree with you.

[@sarenastralis9969]

Specifically Norse DND gods

[@morganjones4281]

That was more of a veiled excuse to bash modern society than it was a disclaimer. You're defending yourself from a straw man, nobody is going to go out of their way to bash a dungeons and dragons lore video. You're not discussing controversial subject matter. Stop trying to be edgy.

[@tooslow4065]

guess you never heard of the kid that killed himself after his character died and his mother blamed d&d? might want to read a little more before you open your mouth.

[@Giganfan2k1]

I live in the Midwest of the US. ... Yes, yes people still do that here. Some even have internet. Same mentallity of people, use the same god, to make the same ignorant arguments here to@@Hahadonkeypunch

[@kendrajade6688]

Scroll up a bit from your post, man. Not a strawman at all.

[@Malorn0]

More to the point, this sort of thing also attracts the people obsessed with the idea of the lack of a god, who preach with as much outrage and fury. Neither group reflects well on the more serious believers of their sort.

[@sagesheahan6732]

It's been an issue on previous videos, you could've looked before you opened your mouth, fyi. You just make an assumption about a genuine disclaimer and come at someone, as you put it, "just to be edgy"? Seriously, that comment was so foolishly stuck up I did a spit take. Way to make me a dragon, love it. 🐉👍

[@ryuprimeus3719]

Because they cant be a GOD if there NOT OMNIPOTENT meaning ALL KNOWING, ALL POWERFUL,ALL SEEING so many people think they can put the word GOD in any book and consider them GODS when there no where near what GOD is i am just saying so be for you Take my post down OR Harass me because how i feel come on now i like listening to Dungeons and Dragons Lore to its fun BUT when i hear about FALSE GODS i wonder what you mean thats all.

[@Sparda104]

Dude....relax.

[@couchapple1]

You know the difference between capital G God and the noun god right? No ones saying these beings are equals to God. They are just highly powerful fictional beings worshipped by a fictional society.

[@isolationer7243]

Dude this is a game and its all made up literally no one cares, obv. the gods are fake lol you sound like a Jehovah's Witness who just stumbled onto this video lmao

[@ryuprimeus3719]

@@Sparda104 i am already doing that lol.

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

Even in real life, very few Gods are omnipotent. Even the Judeo-Christian God isn’t omnipotent, one example being Abraham’s ability to negotiate with him in the story of Sodom and Gamora, and another being Lucifer’s ability to sneak into the Garden of Edan in the form of a snake. I can’t actually think of a single god in all of human history that is actually portrayed as truly being omnipotent. Oden is another god who is supposedly “all knowing” but truly isn’t. Loki is repeatedly able to hide both himself and his machinations from Oden.

[@ejedwards988]

How to become a Greater Power: Step One: body the Elemental Evil Campaign Step Two: body a homebrew campaign Step Three: have your daughter kidnapped by idiots trying to die Step Four: cut off a winged elf's wings to show that you mean business and demonstrate clearly how little chill you possess Step Five: further demonstrate that you have 0% chill by discovering the plot to sacrifice your daughter to a god Step Six: take exception to this Step Seven: visit your father on the Elemental Plane of Fire and receive many gifts Step Eight: dismantle a cult and its manga incarnations in its entirety across the prime material plane (this may or may not involve the slaughter of everyone in a country as a part of the process) Step Nine: break a demigod's legs and steal an item which allows you to access Sigil Step Ten: find a way to the infinite stairs and butcher even more people Step Eleven: rescue your daughter from the cult, t-pose for dominance with a greater god Step Twelve: return home with your friends, daughter and a shit load of loot Step Thirteen: your female elf nymphomaniac rogue must go solo and end up pregnant with a purple tiefling Step Fourteen: adopt the little tiefling as your granddaughter because you love kids Step Fifteen: the greater god you got on over on because he wasnt expecting you to go as hard as you did out of the gate because he's an arrogant ass steals away your adopted tiefling granddaughter Step Sixteen: lose your fucking mind Step Seventeen: go back to Sigil Step Eighteen: raise all hell in Mount Celestia Step Nineteen: "kidnap" an angel who has had more than enough of your shit to break into the realm in which the god physically resides Step Twenty: engage the god in combat Step Twenty-One: roll like the One Above All himself to grapple said god while enlsrged Step Twenty-Two: realize you have no way to put the god down permanently available while your hands are busy grappling the god Step Twenty-Three: get enlarged even further to colossal plus size in your spellcaster's turn Step Twenty-Four: decide to eat the now smaller God because you have -3000% chill Step Twenty-Five: crit confirm three times to successfully eat the God Step Twenty-Six: have a brief audience with Ao where you directly are being judged for your actions and deeds but are smart enough to not say a single damn thing Step Twenty-Seven: have Ao acknowledge your complete lack of chill Step Twenty-Eight: explode with the force of several hundred stars going super nova all at once because you ate a god and of course it's not actually dead Step Twenty-Nine: decide that this isnt going to kill you and basically use force of will circa mtg like your a planeswalker before the Sundering and tell the god currently trying to destroy your very essence "no your mom gay" Step Thirty: remind your DM that because of prior events you just have an improved critical 15-20 is a crit, show him your character sheet where he signed off on the series of feats as you crit confirm that you didn't die Step Thirty-One: best the greater God in a metaphysical contest of wills and make it look as easy as an adult boxing a toddler for real because of your improved critical Step Thirty-Two: succeed in battering the greater God into submission Step Thirty-Three: kill the god Step Thirty-Four: assume the God's profile and get a little something else added to your new godly profile by Ao Step Thirty-Five: send a physical avatar home to your wife with your grand baby in arms Step Thirty-Six: realize that your character is just Asura from Asura's Fury at this point because your DM kind of had to make you broken because you were the only tank through Elemental Evil when we were running it during adventure league Step Thirty-Seven: retire that character and that whole time period Step Thirty-Eight: wait for you DM to create another campaign Step Thirty-Nine: make a new character that is a paladin for your old character who is now actively doing godly things Step Forty: be granted the ability to enlarge and eat creatures to regain spell slots and up to 1/2 of your maximum health back once a week.

[@LOUDMOUTHTYRONE]

Oh God. Reading while having a migraine isn't advisable.

[@nathancrowder9176]

Well, THAT was thorough. 😂👍🏾

[@FromAgonyToLight]

Ej Edwards Lovely story!! I hope to play at this level of power one day

[@johntheherbalistg8756]

"No, ur mom gay", he said to Lolth 🤣🤣

[@sanddry738]

How fitting that even some of the gods aren’t invulnerable to the power of the Natural 1. Makes you feel a bit better about rolling one...

[@LockSteady]

5% of the time, it works every time

[@Enixon869]

Skimming the comments, there's some irony in how adding that disclaimer to avoid offending people seemed to mostly just end up offending a whole other group.

[@gargoyles9999]

Perfectly balanced, as all things should be

[@martineshamzin7535]

@@gargoyles9999 AHAHAHAHA!! Excellent point.

[@Pragabond]

Actually I think its the same kind of people. I've skimmed the profiles of a handful of people getting the most pissy and funny enough they all seem to be Christians who he made the disclaimer to shush to begin with. There's no winning. But they all act like putting a disclaimer in front of something you're about to say to keep certain people from pissing their pants is a new thing in the world

[@Prodigi50]

@@Pragabond It’s literally the “viewer discretion is advised” thing that’s at the beginning of many things.

[@TheGateShallStand]

So a gods power is simply based on how many people worship them? This technically means I can become a God! Oh good day!

[@jackeilhigh]

I want the world to burn. Lol it’s not that easy

[@Speed001]

Being a God sucks.

[@EnvisionerWill]

Gotta love how the gods have all these broadly defined powers, and yet they can't see in the dark unless they have darkvision.

[@johntheherbalistg8756]

He did say that they can see anything within X number of *miles* of themselves. I don't think darkness stops that

[@Doomseer]

I'm christian and I have absolutely zero problem with there being Gods in fantasy or any other genre for that matter. Honestly if anything my faith makes me appreciate such stories all the more and gives me great inspiration when coming up with my own Gods when dabbling in fantasy writing myself. I also really love dark stories which criticize religion and attempt to deconstruct faith cause it's just posing questions I've already asked myself a million times over, dark souls is probably my favorite of such works of art.

[@dakotastein9499]

same with me... in fact some of of the gods to me reflect some of the good qualities of our God of the bible. Thorm,Pelor and Bahamut in particular. thats why as a christian i am inspired by them...i love Bahamut for his devotion to good and law...not so much that he goes out of his way to pick a fight...but only gives as much push as necessary.. he is merciful,patient generous and diligent against all forms of tyrany and evil. just like Jesus.

[@km1dash6]

The Forgotten Realms was influenced by Western Culture, which was in turn influenced by Christianity. Ilmater is literally the Christ, with the Triad meant to reflect the nature of Christ and the Father. The Seven Heavens of Mt. Celestia are taken from Dante's Paradisio, and the 9 Hells from the Inferno. The fallen angel backstory of Asmodeos is similar to the Old Testament interpretation of Satan, specifically the Book of Job where Satan tests Job's faith in God. Christianity forms the backbone of D&D. As a person who was born in the Abrahamic faiths and converted to Buddhism, it's actually hard not to send a very Christian message when constructing a campaign. I made a campaign where my players fought against Graz'zt and accidentally made the campaign about temperance and self-sacrificing nature of Christ.

[@The_Biscuit_From_Heaven]

Same! I mainly take the Tolkien route and make a supreme god based on God

[@bigmonkey1254]

Same. I like learning about fictional mythologies. And my favorite genre of fiction may be dark fantasy. Like you, I find I've asked a lot of the questions before. And I still have faith.

[@sagesheahan6732]

You really should continue this series. There's not that much in-depth videos on the Deities themselves. Pretty sure videos on Tyr, Bane, Lloth, Mystra and Cyric by themselves would be popular viewing.

[@nopenope5626]

I dunno, you manage to kill a demigods avatar "Thats it, that mortal is getting hit with SMITE right now! Take me a whole Me-damn year to make another one". Probably going to be a bit annoyed at least.

[@aliceofspades]

Note to Self: Do not wear Crocs while traversing the Outer Planes. ;)

[@dakotastein9499]

I kinda want to do that now the next time I'm in a game just to see if whoever DMing catches on.

[@themusicgaragetmg2330]

Love that disclaimer dude! awesome channel, love your content

[@magua9563]

I've always been kinda confused how deities work in the Ravenloft setting since the Dark Powers kind of negate the gods but let clerics and paladins keep their powers? Raistlin technically became greater than the gods in the Dragon Lance setting. Killing all of them and becoming the one and only diety.

[@josephkehler5241]

Something that is not your god answers the call but does not speak you know someone or something provides your power but there is no devine presence or will other then the effects you don't know why you Don't want to know. if there is price you cant tell but the possibility the question the answer you sleep nightmares assail you wake they do not leave why WHY WHY WHY WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHO IM I WHAT DID I DO what did i do you hear nothing the comfort of your faith fails you the presence of your god struck from this world long ago you throw your self into your code the laws of your god to atone to save your self to forget for just a moment the question you can't there is no hope in this place

[@krofgninut5984]

Is there any rule against literally creating ideal worshippers to sustain you? Like cultivating a psychic prayer garden of mortals.

[@MythosTheSophist]

I'd assume it would just be inefficient with all the micromanaging necessary, but some more powerful deities do create their own races which count as that, more or less.

[@almitrahopkins1873]

The older editions were better in that regard in explaining how heroes become gods based on the belief of their followers. It’s the power of the believer that powers the god. Look at the entries in the 2nd edition Monster Mythology for several examples of folk hero demigods. The goblinoid deity of The Stalker is a prime example. He has no church, no priests, no shamans, but the fear of it grants it demigod status, equal to most other humanoid gods. I used the Empress of the Dhakaani goblins as a stand in for divine gods in an Eberron game, much like the prayer garden you suggested.

[@AJPickett]

Nope, in fact, a race contained within the physical form of a god featured in 4th edition, the Quom.

[@xcron3549]

It's easy to reskin gods based on real life samples, but making something new entirely is an incomprehensible task for me. It's like grasping at vines.

[@AJPickett]

Be like Tarzan my friend, make grasping vines your super power.

[@xcron3549]

​@@AJPickett Actually that's exactly what I did! I made my gods in a way where they share all domains, then added culture to the mix, which gave them relevant names and then creatures to follow them. Their worshippers view of a god gives these greater entities identity, blurring the lines of legends, myth and actual religion. Anything might be true. I guess... Now every race in my game is Kuo-toa, huh? :D

[@jaxx1258]

@@xcron3549 that's really interesting. I like it!

[@burakc9673]

Please do more ECOLOGY videos like this!!! It is amazing and one of the most entertaining videos you have made! although all your videos are very entertaining so this is saying something!

[@dakotastein9499]

the mythology and gods are always an exiting aspect of DnD... i remember when i played in a God campeign (we were gods that were de-throned and became mortal,on a quest to regain our former power).

[@sagesheahan6732]

That's actually a really sick wicked idea. PLAY the Time of Troubles, AS the Gods. Huh.

[@krispalermo8133]

Marvel Comics," Tales of Asgard." Run a game of "Thor & the Warriors Three," as titans fighting the Blood War.

[@dakotastein9499]

@@sagesheahan6732 super old coment I kbow,but I seem to have missed your reply... I'm a bit unfamiliar with the time of troubles...wasnt that a thing in the dragonlance setting? Rather than gods of any of the pantheon of the books players make thier own deities...i myself have played as Ladon the dragon god of the creation and cosmic domains (who ruled over the astral plane in the true form of a colossal sized star-colored etherial dragon)and Eon,the warforged god of Time and fate....whose body was a glleming azure metal and whose eyes resembled flawless amythists...and wielded a fearsome pendulum scyth.

[@cernunnos_lives]

Real life lore is much more frightening, complicated, & messy than D&D. I'm so sorry you've had to make your first statement in the beginning of this episode. If anything, our world is going through it's own "time of troubles". And all of this is a celebration of what this one small world produced over a period of 300,000 years of oral history, myths, & traditions (out of the 4.5 billion years of known existence). Keep it going my friend. Great job. I know our ancestors would be proud you are keeping story telling to a whole new level now.

[@samedmundson6470]

AO is a manifestation of the Divine of the Realms. He is Their collective Id.

[@beowulf.reborn]

The Great Unknown > The Luminous Being > AO > Greater Powers > Intermediate Powers > Lesser Powers > Demi-Powers > Quasi-Powers > Epic Level Characters > Characters of Level 20 and below. Or is it Quasi-Powers > Demi-Powers? 🤔

[@AspenBrightsoul]

I like to imagine a quasi-Power is any being that is on the level of a demigod or higher but doesn't actually have divine blessing to be a god. I.E. Demon lord's, Lords of Hell, powerful Elementals and Primordials are all on the level of gods but not actually acknowledged to be Divine.

[@Smol_Eri]

I'd love to see a video on every god, especially mystra.

[@MindFeather]

always fascinating. you really rocked this, AJ. my little group has been playing three-and-a-quarter years now. we spent the first year in our homebrew version of 5e planescape, and then jumped ship and have been playing in Monte Cook & Bruce Cordell's Cypher System since then, though the group often travels back to a kind of "home base" location in planescape. in addition to largely playing Cypher System's "The Strange" multiverse, we are using Bruce Cordell's rules from "Gods of the Fall," so the players are on track to becoming gods themselves. so it's really fun and imaginatively inspiring to hear your take on how gods work in the Realms.

[@sarenastralis9969]

It's interesting because my belief systems are impacted positively by DND. Personally. Like an extra pantheon of understanding.

[@ddillard143]

So where do demigods rank amongst angels in power? Is it safe to assume that all Divine powers I'm more powerful than angels?

[@unknownnope7543]

very much so. They mold angles into their image.

[@unknownnope7543]

Or to put it simply outside of solar most other angel are still servants to greater powers... as a direct example all of the demon princes and the Empyrean are Higher CR than most if not all Angels.

[@sypandacat7236]

I wanna know more about the slaad god tbh

[@patricksmith9700]

So it's still possible to kill a god technically

[@intothekey]

I'm Christian DM and a lot of my friends are too. I didn't know much about D&D's deities and allowed one of my friends to play a Christian Monk. That was a mistake. Any religious roleplaying felt blasphemous as I as the DM had to speak for God. That and when he started sharing his faith to lizard folk they just beat in combat it just felt wrong rolling to see what happened. Luckily that was a one shot to test the waters. I learned that real word religion doesn't belong in D&d. From now on I will always brief new players on the disconnect between the players and their characters. Just like writing a character in a book.

[@almitrahopkins1873]

The game designers had that in mind during the design of the game. That’s why you will never find Christian, Jewish or Islamic religion used in any D&D product. That rule for staff writers goes all the way back to TSR.

[@tbohn10]

Have him play an atheist player character who is constantly harassed and bothered by the gods of the realm. Might be fun

[@mbarker_lng]

Time of Troubles was covered in a trilogy of books known as "The Avatar Trilogy". This might get me flamed, but they are among the worst books I have ever read; poorly written and constructed start to finish, laughably bad in some places. They came from DnD's own book publisher which is how they made it to print. The Author isnt even a single person but a bunch of 'authors for hire' and that lack of consistency is visible on the pages. The only reason I soldiered on to the end was that the Time of Troubles was basically the 'backstory' for the game's pantheon at that time. Had it been any other book(s), I would have put it down and backed away.

[@AncientRylanor69]

thanks

[@Purple.mind...Honored.one.]

Thanks for everything you have made a video on, but I can't wait for cleric's, the two closest you've gotten to it is well worlocks and will this, anyways it would be fun to see a cleric/ worlock that wants to serve both loyly, but one is the druid God of storms and the other is a spell-Weaver, as a result the player has to run errands for both and has to make both get along, like an inter planner diplomat or ambassador... + They get cool pawers from both 😄.. Tell me if you like the idea AJ 😉

[@onlycorndog6322]

Lolomg the need to have a disclaimer at the beginning says a lot a out the state of the world.

[@Enixon869]

as do how many people apparently got "triggered" by the disclaimer itself

[@qjsharing2408]

Did you guys ever go over how the Chosen worked out? Where the various gods were hiding their power from Ao?

[@judgecurran7289]

Where are my brothers and sisters of the the triad?!

[@thefifthaceassociation]

look here AJ picket! As a Christian... There is only one true God..... That sir, Is Tiamat, the one true god of the ages! Dont you forget it.

[@fishyboii8023]

Nah, man. The one true God is Amaunator; all hail the Sun!

[@avataryellow]

​@@fishyboii8023I know you guys are just joking around, but God is no joke. I hope you grow up and learn to let St. Cuthbert into your lives

[@mikeymcchoas3511]

Vecna, the Maimed God and Master of the Spider Throne would like a word with you...

[@AProudDad]

Wow. I love your "move on my friend" sentiment at the start. You sound like a decent fellow, this was an awesome video! Thank you!

[@FromAgonyToLight]

As a DM, I disagree on "a Deity can cast ANY spell" like...a God of combat casting antimagic field?? YIKES Otherwise, I've added this video to my favorites, and hope one day to absorb much of it if not all!

[@Beowulf0510]

I would have to disagree with you. The way I took it a has the abilty to cast any spell. That doesnt necessarily mean they would be willing to do so. Sort of in a way like the players. You have the option to choose any class you want but you choose to main one or two mpre often than not.

[@Gelth42]

Hmm ive always seen it like this: A god in dnd can cast any spell. However a few things go into this. 1: Gods preferred Domains. 2: God predilection in combat ( a god may like straight forward combat or to trick thier opponent. 3: Gods need vs want in a moment vs thier ego. Also a domain directly opposite the gods are cast as a god, however as dm i weaken them. Still strong vs 99% of mortals but vs another god or legendary heroes thier cast is weak. Dont have to read further ( expanding on a straight forward fight) Gods dont view combat the same. They can use spells and a streight forward fight is essentially Gods using thier weapons in a martial style with spell casting weaved in to supplement that fight. It can also be 2 magic dieties having a magic duel with martial attacks, def etc weaved in with spells to supplement. Other categories of strategy are essentially similar they consider fair use is what they can all naturally do. Tricky would be setting ambushes etc ad is for us mere mortals. This of course is how i have viewed it.

[@thomash.7300]

They're not simply strong spellcasters, they're gods. They're on a different level compared to mortals and characters alike. Of course they can cast whatever spell they want, they shouldn't be restricted by the same rules that characters and npcs are bound by.

[@tannerrobinson3952]

They have the capacity ti cast. That doesn't mean theyre the best at it. Theyre swordsmanship may be 10k years ahead of their casting level, so when it comes time to fight, they'd go with their swordsmanship because its stronger

[@dawall3732]

I like the idea that the Demi powers all have the ability to create and utilize avatars but they don't all know that. It gives you a moment in your campaign when a very powerful entity can be like. Wait! What? I can do that awesome!

[@marsuini]

This is a much needed video

[@Christian_Bagger]

That we are in a time where you had to put a disclaimer on is fucking sad, but understandable in these times..

[@1smallball]

He doesn't have to do it at all. It is a complete waste of everyone's time.

[@Pragabond]

Dude religious people have been sensitive forever people have been having to use disclaimers when they go into topics like this...also forever. He mostly just didn't want to deal with religious people screeching at him more than anything I imagine. Well, at least less of it. But that's led to a different variety of triggered people. People triggered by disclaimers of nearly any kind. Also religious people still be in the comments

[@dantar1383]

My new favorite video and KZbinr.

[@juliogouvea9447]

Ao is in fact the DM. He can turn off the gods and the PCs, at his will.

[@russcomer5997]

I'm actually pretty sure Ao is meant to be Ed Greenwood. The Luminous Entity, the one above all overgods, is most likely the DM metaphor

[@justasandvich7168]

Interestingly it's the Luminous Being that is the stand-in for the DM in Dnd. Ao directly reports to him in the lore.

[@ballistics343]

Ah see in my mind I was thinking Ao = DM and the Luminous Being = WotC

[@DkKombo]

I think it would be fun to be a demigod, creating your own avatar, chilling with other gods just to make sure you have a good base, start on your avatar, and get to work making friends and allies to use as pseudo followers, kindly of like a religious passive income. "Look I'm not asking for much, just looking for some faith or two and hook me up with my buddies here and we'll help you out as well right? Just some small quick and easy prayers and rituals that are a one-way relationship no strings attached and if it works for you then it works! Feel free to bail and come back as you need, just be sure not to mess with other gods without first consulting the small contract I've set in your brain and/or talisman and boom no mess no fuss. Easy right?"

[@Grab_N001]

So Ao isn’t the Absolute Creator, just the one in the Crystal Sphere of traditional DnD. So each Sphere has its own Over God which each have their own Over God? An Over God above Over Gods?

[@michaelscotts3949]

Makes me think of spirits like you might see mentioned in a japanese story. Where a spirit of the land, maybe influenced by the animals, or people, belief, faith, superstition, feelings, act pile up over time and manifest an actual spirit and they give it a shrine and so on. The gods being like that only higher tier or can become higher tier beings but once they lose that link to mortals and fall out of favor they fade or disappear from the mortals and survive separate attaching to something else unable to connect again without outside influence encouraging worship once again to reestablish the connection. Overdieties being the same manifestation of powers or harmonization and so on of a higher scale. While gods might be aspects of the world or feelings and such an over god might be the combined cycle and flow forming a consciousness of a galaxy itself or planetary nebula, imagine the suoermassive blackhole center forming a mind and will. Or an entire universe, though that would probably be another tier in itself.

[@A_real_Ha_So]

Yeah. At the end of the novel, "Waterdeep" during the Avatar series, Ao is shown speaking to his 'superior' though of course, a description of neither is given.

[@noahragsdale124]

What if Io is just the DM. Anyone think about that?

[@camiblack1]

Noah Ragsdale the theory is that Ao is Standards and Practices.

[@NoActuallyGo-KCUF-Yourself]

DM is above Ao, of course.

[@smile-tl9in]

wait does that means Vecna got a permission from AO to become a god ? What about karsus during the folly ? And does that demiliches or other immortal's quest for godhood is doomed to fail unless they find a way to convince AO ?

[@quintinsteevessenior5568]

Vecna is not from Aber Toril

[@smile-tl9in]

@@quintinsteevessenior5568 it doesn't matter he is part of the same multiverse

[@echomarkii5756]

Yep, Vecna outright (and canonically) waltzed up to Ao and went: "Gimme godhood." and Ao went: "You know what? Sure, why not." That's literally it. For those seeking godhood, there are seemingly other ways of obtaining it that don't go through Ao. Some methods are: Obtaining enough worshipers, stealing the power from other deities, absorbing enough divine energy, some (No longer existing) 10th level spells, and there are some others too. Granted, Ao could still deny you your ascendance no matter what way you do it if he so desires, but not everyone needs to try to convince Ao to let them become a god anytime someone wants to ascend. He isn't signing off on it per se, it's more like he's striking you down if he doesn't like what he sees. From what I know about Ao though, he doesn't really give a fuck about anything unless a deity isn't upholding their divine domain. Besides, Ao appears to answer to a higher power (As revealed in the Waterdeep Novel)... Something called "the Luminous Being" *Cough* The Dungeon Master *Cough*. if you manage to convince this elusive being, Ao can't do shit to you even if he wanted to. www.candlekeep.com/fr_faq.htm#_Toc16090482 forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Luminous_being forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Ao

[@zhanusheaperd5728]

Echo Mark II The Luminous Being "I shall give godhood to these PCs after they beat my final BBEG. That, or they kill enough things, yeah that." Ao "I don't think that's a good idea, considering they're murder hobos." The Luminous Being "Godhood." Ao "..."

[@robertsouth6971]

If gods can reproduce, why aren't we up to our eyeballs in them?

[@DragonSageKaimus]

I assume that it is because of pride

[@ladyboyleelee]

if years are seconds to them, a generation could take a millennia.

[@FirstNameLastName-okayyoutube]

I am OFFENDED that i enjoy fantasy stories!

[@Speed001]

Ugh, same.

[@bobsyouryouknowthething6751]

The best disclaimer ever! Thanks for the depth of information you provide to DND.

[@agsilverradio2225]

What Does "A.O." stand for? Alpha Overgod?

[@sypandacat7236]

Ag silver Radio could just be alpha omega

[@NoActuallyGo-KCUF-Yourself]

Just the dude's name, "Ayoo!"

[@majokoshell9630]

I'm pretty sure he is referring to Io the over God

[@sagesheahan6732]

@@majokoshell9630 There is an Ao and an Io, actually. Both, are overgods, I believe. Ao is just a name, I think, though the hypothesis it stands for Alpha & Omega is pretty great.

[@jonathangibson9482]

The intro disclaimer seemed well-intentioned but a bit poorly executed. I like your videos quite a lot, been really delving deep for lore here. I wonder if there was some outcry on one or a few of your other videos that made you make such a disclaimer. The analogy of different planes of existence being like different frequencies in the same medium is very fascinating! And the analogy for the existence of gods was very helpful. I quite like this video. Thank you.

[@TheSilvergwarf]

gOOD INTRO

[@EnvisionerWill]

@AJ Pickett can you point me to the source image at 6:09?

[@dmstantastic3653]

So what's the amount of followers required for each level?

[@thomastruant8837]

Did you just say imagination that sounds like Herracy to me all right that's it exterinatus

[@michaelkelligan7931]

Hey there AJ,you should do a video on the Ethereal Dreadnaught!

[@AJPickett]

kinda have already, but it is exclusive to patrons for various reasons.

[@ianpaultully9589]

Your videos rule!

[@That80sGuy1972]

20 years ago, I had my own rules of divine ascension in Loom of Magus, the rules set by Loom of Magus's creators, the Loom Dragons. I had one divine level below demi-power, the initiate. I based (more inspired than actually based) a lot of my rules on the D&D Immortal Set with a more gradual climb to power. Two levels were used to determine what station you can ascend to, Divinity (feat based level, like a divine reputation meter) and Worshipper Populous (level determined by # of worshippers). Your first avatar, your first form, was the body you ascended in... gear and all. You can create other avatar forms, but construction takes time and costs power. The special levels of immunities and special powers are not automatic, they can be purchased based upon your next station and acquired power... and what you are willing to pay to enhance your being with. Your home realm is granted automatically (or stripped automatically) based upon your station. As an initiate, you are merely an enhanced character... could die if you have too few worshippers and are killed... dying with your "avatar" as most of your "divine being" is actually in that avatar, not yet having a realm. You are much easier to raise from the dead though. Now, if I re-enter AD&D as a DM with Godplay, I got to re-write all my rules... I don't know if I should groan or cheer.

[@DeanNatheos-eq3hl]

Excellent 👌 thank you and have a good evening.

[@TrueInvisible]

if one wishes to play as Ao, is it possible? or forbidden?

[@jondoe230]

If you are the DM you are always playing AO

[@draxthemsklonst]

Do it! Maybe create a new setting to play in with future characters. The DM isn't Ao, because Ao is tied to Forgotten Realms and the DM is not. The DM is the luminous being just above Ao.

[@n.a.nameless5435]

@@draxthemsklonst in the sense that anything: from a mote of dust, blade of grass, each and every NPC, major power deity, etc. that is not a player character is the DM, Ao is the little toe of the DM.

[@johntheherbalistg8756]

Literally nothing is forbidden in your game, unless you forbid it

[@jackhartford521]

The only limits are the ones you bring with you.

[@shaneplayzz8184]

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[@jeremymount795]

I remember thinkng that the priest of Ao was surprisingly underwhelming considering that he is the god of gods and the king of kings.

[@EnvisionerWill]

Ao doesn't even really "do" priests. It's surprising he had so much as one.

[@Kevin3826]

Can't tell if Ao canonically is my DM, WOTC or neither. The answer is equally disturbing because no character I create will ever be able to comprehend it; however this is a great philosophical excuse to create murder-hobos. If only my D&D group can understand.

[@amingussus]

I think Ao represents the DM, and the luminous being is WOTC. But that's just a theory

[@stevenpeterson8582]

Ao is the corporate property identity of WOTC, the rules and guidelines which constrain _published_ content creators. Ao and similar tier beings are supreme in all WOTC and 3rd-party published content. But there is a higher pantheon that is as much above Ao and that tier as Ao is above the gods of Toril. This ultimate higher pantheon is the combined group of players and DM sitting at your table, creating your own stories and making your own changes to your personal and private version of the world.

[@alexanderahlstrom5769]

Love this video! Would you ever do a power tier list? I mean a list of monsters/actual characters and rank them on their power? Maybe a top ten?

[@AJPickett]

no.

[@basicallyafk7494]

Can’t wait to hear more about the gods and primordials but I’m really wanting to hear about the rankings in more depth.

[@sunnysidefriendakdk2829]

Thank you good video

[@gamerguyriyad]

Love the intro. Lol.

[@jonmichael6746]

Sad that it was necessary however.

[@thomaseasley2938]

Would it be a stretch to say that anyone who gets offended by dnd, people playing dnd, or the opening to this video is a religious extremist, because that is certainly the vibe I get from those types of people

[@mikemccoy5092]

Wouldn't it be cool to have a player character who could take power and kill many gods and create a realms wide battle to stop him/her from wiping out all them

[@peterosborne8315]

Mike McCoy BOI

[@krispalermo8133]

That has been going on since AD&D

[@TheGamblingisgood]

I dunno, sounds a bit like a... folly.