Pyremius
Encyclopedia
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting
for the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game, Pyremius is the Suel
god of Assassins, Fire, Poison, and Murder. His symbol is a demonic face with ears like a bat's wings (this is the head of a yagnaloth).
(1983), by Gary Gygax
.
Pyremius was one of the deities described in the From the Ashes
set (1992), for the Greyhawk campaign.
Pyremius's role in the 3rd edition Greyhawk setting was defined in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
(2000). Pyremius's priesthood is detailed for 3rd edition in Complete Divine
(2004).
-like head. He wears large bracers of brass. He wields a sword, the Red Light of Hades, and a whip called the Viper of Hades
Pyremius speaks through open flames, and occasionally causes them to assume his visage.
and the Oinoloth Mydianchlarus
. He is distrustful of all other gods; he remembers how he betrayed Ranet, the previous Suel deity of fire, and doesn't wish for the same thing to happen to him. Geshtai
particularly loathes him.
, firenewts, and grimlocks
.
Priests of the god work to create poisons, explore places of great heat, practice stealth, and observe people to ascertain their weaknesses.
Clerics wear orange silk with red silk over that, slitted to reveal the inner layer. Male and female clerics both shave their heads. They wear brass bracers in imitation of their deity.
The largest center of Pyremius' faithful is Hesuel Ilshar, the capital of the empire of the Scarlet Brotherhood.
. Victims are poisoned, stabbed, and burnt alive.
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...
role-playing game, Pyremius is the Suel
Suloise
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Suloise, also known as the "Suel," are one of the major races of humans inhabiting the Flanaess....
god of Assassins, Fire, Poison, and Murder. His symbol is a demonic face with ears like a bat's wings (this is the head of a yagnaloth).
Publication history
Pyremius 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....
.
Pyremius 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.
Pyremius'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). Pyremius'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
Pyremius is depicted as a hideous human with a bald, jermlaineJermlaine
The jermlaine is a fictional creature from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. They are evil and fiendish underground fey who spend their days sneaking, hiding and plotting.-Publication history:...
-like head. He wears large bracers of brass. He wields a sword, the Red Light of Hades, and a whip called the Viper of Hades
Pyremius speaks through open flames, and occasionally causes them to assume his visage.
Relationships
Pyremius's closest allies are the goddess SyrulSyrul
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...
and the Oinoloth Mydianchlarus
Mydianchlarus
Mydianchlarus is the Oinoloth, ruler of the Wasting Tower of Khin-Oin on the Gray Waste of Hades, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Publication history:...
. He is distrustful of all other gods; he remembers how he betrayed Ranet, the previous Suel deity of fire, and doesn't wish for the same thing to happen to him. Geshtai
Geshtai
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Geshtai is the Baklunish goddess of Lakes, Rivers, Wells, and Streams...
particularly loathes him.
Dogma
Pyremius teaches that destruction by fire is the destiny of the world, and that those who are foolish enough to be poisoned or otherewise murdered by stealth deserve their fate. Pyremius urges his followers to burn those who threaten them and to murder those who keep them from getting what they want.Worshippers
Pyremius is very popular in the lands ruled by the Scarlet Brotherhood, as well as among assassins and pyromaniacs. He is also worshipped by jermlaineJermlaine
The jermlaine is a fictional creature from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. They are evil and fiendish underground fey who spend their days sneaking, hiding and plotting.-Publication history:...
, firenewts, and grimlocks
Grimlock (Dungeons & Dragons)
Grimlock is a fictional monstrous humanoid that lives in the Underdark, a vast interconnected system of caves underneath various Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings. Based on subterranean humanoids called "morlocks" created by H.G...
.
Clergy
Clerics of Pyremius are never granted spells related to cold. The lowest-ranking priests are known as "deathseekers;" those higher up in the hierarchy are known as vipers, and those who rule them all are called firelords. Many elect not to use these titles, however, knowing they will only incite jealousy from their murderous inferiors. Many clergymembers are assassins.Priests of the god work to create poisons, explore places of great heat, practice stealth, and observe people to ascertain their weaknesses.
Clerics wear orange silk with red silk over that, slitted to reveal the inner layer. Male and female clerics both shave their heads. They wear brass bracers in imitation of their deity.
Temples
Pyremius' temples are made of mortared stone, volcanic stone if possible. Red and orange shapes are enameled into the walls and glazed to reflect the lights. Dark alcoves and chambers fuel a visitor's sense of paranoia.The largest center of Pyremius' faithful is Hesuel Ilshar, the capital of the empire of the Scarlet Brotherhood.
Rituals
Sacrifices of slaves and prisoners are conducted at the beginning of winter, spring, and low summerGreyhawk Calendar
The Greyhawk Calendar is a fictional calendar used in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
. Victims are poisoned, stabbed, and burnt alive.
Holy days
The faithful of Pyremius meet during hot, dry days when wildfires are common. They meet at the sites of wildfires and pray to their fickle god.History
Originally a mere demigod of poison and murder, Pyremius gained his fire aspect centuries ago when he poisoned Ranet, the Suloise fire goddess.Additional reading
- Brown, Anne. Player's Guide. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- 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
- Gygax, GaryGary GygaxErnest 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 Frank MentzerFrank MentzerJacob Franklin "Frank" Mentzer III , is an American fantasy author and game designer best known for his work on early materials for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. He was a performing folk musician from 1968 to 1975, and played one concert at the White House during the...
. The Temple of Elemental EvilThe Temple of Elemental EvilThe Temple of Elemental Evil is an adventure module for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, set in the game's World of Greyhawk campaign setting. The module was published by TSR, Inc. in 1985 for the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules...
. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985. - Lakofka, LenardLenard LakofkaLenard "Len" Lakofka is an American writer of material for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. He was an influential voice in the development of the game, as well as the author of what has been called one the greatest D&D adventures ever written...
. "Gods of the Suel Pantheon." DragonDragon (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...
#89 (TSRTSR, Inc.Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
, 1984). - Reynolds, Sean K.Sean K. ReynoldsSean 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:...
The Scarlet Brotherhood (TSR, 1999).