Karontor
Encyclopedia
In many campaign setting
s for the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
, Karontor is the giant
deity of deformity, hatred, and beasts. His symbol is the head of a winter wolf.
(1992), including details about his priesthood. His role in the giant pantheon of the Forgotten Realms
setting is detailed in Giantcraft (1995). His role in the cosmology of the Planescape
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground
(1996).
s, the giantish pantheon of gods consists of the leader Annam
, as well as Grolantor
, Hiatea
, Iallanis
, Karontor, Memnor
, Skoraeus Stonebones
, and Stronmaus
. Other powers worshipped by giants or giant-type creatures include Baphomet
, Kostchtchie
, and Vaprak
.
Karontor, like his brother Grolantor
, is one of the third generation of the Giant
pantheon, one of the so-called "runts." He is far more evil than his brother, and far more intelligent.
, which he calls the Rack of Injustice. He is served by petitioners and by a pack of ever-hungry winter wolves. He was banished to Carceri by Annam
, who wearied of the endless fights between his sons and found Karontor the easiest to rid himself of.
giants, as well as other giants considered deformed by most.
caused him to twist into a form as hideous as his heart. As the corruption grew, he descended into the underworld where he learned dark secrets from an ancient race of subterranean hags. On his return, he used this magic to twist some of the fairest mortal giants into fomorians and verbeegs as hideous and corrupt as he is.
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...
s 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...
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...
, Karontor is the giant
Giant (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, giant is a type of creature, or "creature type." Giants are humanoid-shaped creatures of great strength and size.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
deity of deformity, hatred, and beasts. His symbol is the head of a winter wolf.
Publication history
Karontor was first detailed in the book Monster MythologyMonster Mythology
Monster Mythology is a sourcebook for the second edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Released by TSR in 1992 and written by Carl Sargent, with interior illustrations by Terry Dykstra, John and Laura Lakey, and Keith Parkinson, Monster Mythology was released as a companion volume for...
(1992), including details about his priesthood. His role in the giant pantheon of the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
setting is detailed in Giantcraft (1995). His role in the cosmology of the Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground
On Hallowed Ground
On Hallowed Ground is an accessory book for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, for the Planescape campaign setting.-Contents:This book contains information about deities' planar domains from 20 separate pantheons...
(1996).
Description
Karontor manifests as a uniquely hideous fomorian giant dressed in rotting, stinking furs and wielding a club. He may also appear as a winter wolf.Relationships
In many campaign settingCampaign 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...
s, the giantish pantheon of gods consists of the leader Annam
Annam (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Annam is the giant deity of Magic, Knowledge, Fertility, and Philosophy. Also known as the All-Father, is the creator god of the giant pantheon...
, as well as Grolantor
Grolantor
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Grolantor is the deity worshiped by the hill giant race, as well as ettins, and some frost giants and ogres. His sacred animal is the dire wolf. His holy symbol is a wooden club....
, Hiatea
Hiatea
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Hiatea is the giant deity of nature, agriculture, hunting, females, and children. Her symbol is a flaming spear.-Publication history:...
, Iallanis
Iallanis
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Iallanis is the goddess of love, forgiveness, mercy, and beauty in the giant pantheon. Her symbol is a garland of flowers.-Publication history:...
, Karontor, Memnor
Memnor
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Memnor is the giant deity of pride, honor, mental prowess and control. His symbol is a thin black obelisk.-Publication history:...
, Skoraeus Stonebones
Skoraeus Stonebones
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Skoraeus Stonebones is the deity worshiped by the stone giant race. He is also known as "King of the Rock" and "The Living Rock". His sacred animal is the cave bear...
, and Stronmaus
Stronmaus
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Stronmaus is the giant deity of sun, sky, weather, and joy. His symbol is a forked lightning bolt descending from a cloud that partly obscures the sun....
. Other powers worshipped by giants or giant-type creatures include Baphomet
Baphomet (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Baphomet is a demon lord who rules a layer of the Abyss called the Endless Maze. He is the Prince of Beasts and the Demon Lord of Minotaurs.-Publication history:...
, Kostchtchie
Kostchtchie
Kostchtchie is a demon lord from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game.-Publication history:Kostchtchie made his first appearance in the first edition module The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth...
, and Vaprak
Vaprak
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Vaprak is the deity worshiped by ogres and trolls. Vaprak is also known as "The Destroyer." His symbol is a taloned hand.-Publication history:...
.
Karontor, like his brother Grolantor
Grolantor
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Grolantor is the deity worshiped by the hill giant race, as well as ettins, and some frost giants and ogres. His sacred animal is the dire wolf. His holy symbol is a wooden club....
, is one of the third generation of the Giant
Giant
Giant or Giants may refer to:*Giants *Giant *Giant people; see gigantism, a medical condition*Giants -Arts and entertainment:*Giant , a 1952 novel by Edna Ferber...
pantheon, one of the so-called "runts." He is far more evil than his brother, and far more intelligent.
Realm
Karontor dwells in a mausoleum of beast and giantish bones in Minethys, the third layer of CarceriCarceri
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Carceri is a neutral evil-aligned plane of existence...
, which he calls the Rack of Injustice. He is served by petitioners and by a pack of ever-hungry winter wolves. He was banished to Carceri by Annam
Annam (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Annam is the giant deity of Magic, Knowledge, Fertility, and Philosophy. Also known as the All-Father, is the creator god of the giant pantheon...
, who wearied of the endless fights between his sons and found Karontor the easiest to rid himself of.
Dogma
Karontor despises giantkind; this reflects his own deep self-loathing. He spends much of his time in introverted self-reflection, sending avatars to kill and destroy during his infrequent fits of rage.Worshippers
Karontor is worshipped by many fomorian and verbeegVerbeeg
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, verbeegs are giant-kin.-Publication history:The verbeeg first appeared in first edition AD&D in the original Monster Manual II under the "giant" heading....
giants, as well as other giants considered deformed by most.
Clergy
Karontor's priests are encouraged to kill good creatures, using trained beasts (especially wolves) for this purpose. They urge their followers to war and conflict.Myths and legends
Some myths say that Karontor was once beautiful and shining, but his jealousy of StronmausStronmaus
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Stronmaus is the giant deity of sun, sky, weather, and joy. His symbol is a forked lightning bolt descending from a cloud that partly obscures the sun....
caused him to twist into a form as hideous as his heart. As the corruption grew, he descended into the underworld where he learned dark secrets from an ancient race of subterranean hags. On his return, he used this magic to twist some of the fairest mortal giants into fomorians and verbeegs as hideous and corrupt as he is.
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
- McComb, Colin, Dale Donovan, and Monte CookMonte CookMonte Cook is a professional table-top role-playing game designer and writer. He is married to Sue Weinlein Cook.-Roleplaying:Cook has been a professional game designer since 1988, working primarily on role-playing games. Much of his early work was for Iron Crown Enterprises as an editor and writer...
. Planes of ConflictPlanes of ConflictPlanes of Conflict is an accessory for the 2nd edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1995....
. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995.