Urogalan
Encyclopedia
In many campaign setting
s for the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
, Urogalan is the halfling
deity of earth and death. His symbol is the silhouette of a dog's head.
He was first detailed in the release of Monster Mythology
(1992), which included details about his priesthood. His role in the cosmology of the Planescape
campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground
(1996). He received a very detailed description for his role in the Forgotten Realms
in Demihuman Deities
(1998).
Urogalan's role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons
(2002).
Urogalan rarely speaks or shows emotion. His voice, rarely heard, is tinged with loss. In appearance, Urogalan is a slim, dusky-skinned halfling dressed in brown or pure white, representing his two primary aspects of earth and death.
, as well as Arvoreen
, Brandobaris
, Cyrrollalee
, Sheela Peryroyl
, and Urogalan himself. Urogalan is on good terms with the rest of the halfing pantheon, but somewhat removed from their embrace of life. Urogalan is allied with Callarduran Smoothhands
, Dumathoin
, Flandal Steelskin
, Grumbar
, Segojan Earthcaller
, and Sehanine Moonbow
. He is also allied with human deities associated with earth and the protection of the dead.
Urogalan is opposed to Abbathor
and Urdlen
. He abhors those gods associated with necromancy and the undead, such as Nerull and Kyuss.
Urogalan's novices are called Earthlings, while his full priests are called Vassals of the Black Hound. They wear simple, ankle-length robes tied with belts of rope. They are always bare-footed. Priests typically shave their heads, while priestesses bind their hair in twin braids.
Halfling bodies are interned in stone or wooden caskets with a stone tablet graven with the name of the deceased and a symbol of the Black Hound on their chests and on their palms. Mementos of their lives are often buried with them.
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...
, Urogalan is the halfling
Halfling (Dungeons & Dragons)
The halfling is a fictional race found in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Halflings are similar to humans except about half the size...
deity of earth and death. His symbol is the silhouette of a dog's head.
Publication history
Urogalan was first mentioned in Roger Moore's "The Gods of the Halflings" article in Dragon #59 (1982).He was first detailed in the release of Monster Mythology
Monster 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), which included details about his priesthood. 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). He received a very detailed description for his role in 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...
in Demihuman Deities
Demihuman Deities
Demihuman Deities is a Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition: Forgotten Realms campaign accessory, published by Wizards of the Coast. The book was designed by Eric L. Boyd...
(1998).
Urogalan's role in the Forgotten Realms is revisited in Faiths and Pantheons
Faiths and Pantheons
Faiths and Pantheons is a campaign accessory for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons, for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.-Contents:...
(2002).
Description
Urogalan is a gentle deity for a god of death, respected and revered by his chosen race but never feared. He is seen as a protector of the dead. Because halfling dead are usually buried in the earth, he is also the guardian of the earth itself (as opposed to the green plants that grow in the earth, which are the dominion of other halfling deities).Urogalan rarely speaks or shows emotion. His voice, rarely heard, is tinged with loss. In appearance, Urogalan is a slim, dusky-skinned halfling dressed in brown or pure white, representing his two primary aspects of earth and death.
Relationships
In many campaign settings, the halfling pantheon of gods consists of the leader YondallaYondalla
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Yondalla is the chief halfling goddess and a member of the game's 3rd edition "core pantheon". Her symbol is a shield with a cornucopia motif....
, as well as Arvoreen
Arvoreen
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Arvoreen is the halfling deity of protection, vigilance, and war. He is also known as "The Defender."-Publication history:...
, Brandobaris
Brandobaris
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Brandobaris is the halfling deity of Stealth, Thievery, Rogues, and Adventuring. His sacred animal is the mouse. His symbol is a halfling's footprint.-Publication history:Brandobaris was first detailed in Roger E...
, Cyrrollalee
Cyrrollalee
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Cyrrollalee is the halfling deity of Friendship, Trust, and the Home. Her symbol is an open door...
, Sheela Peryroyl
Sheela Peryroyl
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Sheela Peryroyl is the halfling deity of Nature, Agriculture, and Weather. Her symbol is the daisy...
, and Urogalan himself. Urogalan is on good terms with the rest of the halfing pantheon, but somewhat removed from their embrace of life. Urogalan is allied with Callarduran Smoothhands
Callarduran Smoothhands
Callarduran Smoothhands is the gnome god of the earth in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.He is the patron deity of the svirfneblin , and is not very popular among other gnome subraces. Unlike other gods of the Underdark, he is not an outcast...
, Dumathoin
Dumathoin
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Dumathoin is the patron of mountain dwarves, and the dwarf deity of mining and underground exploration. He is also the protector of the dwarven dead. His holy symbol is a cut, faceted gem inside of a mountain.-Publication...
, Flandal Steelskin
Flandal Steelskin
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Flandal Steelskin is the gnome deity of mining, smithing, and fitness. His symbol is a flaming hammer.-Publication history:...
, Grumbar
Grumbar
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Grumbar is the "Elemental Lord of the Earth."-Publication history:...
, Segojan Earthcaller
Segojan Earthcaller
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Segojan Earthcaller is the gnome deity of earth and nature. Unlike Baervan Wildwanderer, who is a god of the plants and forests of the surface world, Segojan's area of concern is the deep earth and the life within it...
, and Sehanine Moonbow
Sehanine Moonbow
In many Dungeons and Dragons campaign settings, Sehanine Moonbow is the elven goddess of the moons. She is one of the more powerful members of the Seldarine. The Lady of Dreams actively opposes the nefarious schemes of the Spider Queen and the other drow powers. She is said to be the wife of...
. He is also allied with human deities associated with earth and the protection of the dead.
Urogalan is opposed to Abbathor
Abbathor
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Abbathor is the dwarven deity of greed. His holy symbol is a jeweled dagger.-Publication history:...
and Urdlen
Urdlen
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Urdlen is the gnome deity of greed and blood.In many campaign settings, the gnome pantheon of gods consists of the leader Garl Glittergold, as well as Baervan Wildwanderer, Baravar Cloakshadow, Flandal Steelskin, Gaerdal Ironhand, Nebelun, Segojan...
. He abhors those gods associated with necromancy and the undead, such as Nerull and Kyuss.
Realm
Urogalan's realm, Soulearth, is found on the plane of Elysium. This realm is a cavern beneath the surface of Eronia, Elysium's second layer. The souls of halflings go to Urogalan's realm before being assigned their proper places in the afterlife.Dogma
Urogalan's faithful believe that just as the earth is the giver of all life, so it ultimately receives all life into its embrace. They revere the soil and embrace death when their natural lives come to an end.Clergy
Though he is propitiated by many halflings, Urogalan's priesthood is small. They administer last rites, preside over burials, and care for halfling graves. They also maintain much of halfing genealogies and histories, and consecrate the foundations of new buildings and burrows. Their favored weapon is the flail.Urogalan's novices are called Earthlings, while his full priests are called Vassals of the Black Hound. They wear simple, ankle-length robes tied with belts of rope. They are always bare-footed. Priests typically shave their heads, while priestesses bind their hair in twin braids.
Temples
Urogalan's temples are found in shallow basins open to the sky, in natural caves or in catacombs dug by halflings. They emphasize the natural terrain and their floors are always covered in six inches of dirt.Rituals
Offerings to Urogalan include uncut gems and clay images of He Who Must Be. They are placed on flat rocks at the centers of natural earthen basins while soft dirges and elegies are sang and read while percussion is provided by the pounding of bare feet making slow circles around the central stone.Halfling bodies are interned in stone or wooden caskets with a stone tablet graven with the name of the deceased and a symbol of the Black Hound on their chests and on their palms. Mementos of their lives are often buried with them.
Holy days
Urogalan's holy times are the nights of the full moons, known as Earthrisings. Halflings believe the full moon to be one of Urogalan's manifestations.Additional reading
- Williams, SkipSkip WilliamsRalph Williams, almost always referred to as Skip Williams, is an American game designer. He is married to Penny Williams, who is also involved with the games industry...
. Races of the Wild. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005.