The Gods of Neutrality

The Gods of Balance believe that mortals should exist in harmony with the world and be free to make their own choices about morality and faith. This makes them at once the most aloof and distant of the pantheons and the most deeply immersed in the lives of mortals.

To understand this apparent paradox is to understand the role of the
Neutral gods. They represent and promote the elemental and conceptual truths of Krynn as inherent principles rather than tools for compassion or corruption. Thus, while they are not the signposts of faith that the Gods of Good and Evil are, they are strongly present in their respective areas of influence. Without them, the world would be in constant conflict between Good and Evil, Light and Darkness.

Unfortunately, this middle ground also makes them more prone to the temptations and influences of Chaos, as evidenced by the failures of Reorx and Lunitari in Krynn’s history.

The seven Gods of Neutrality are described below.

Chislev

The Beast, Wild One, World Mother
Intermediate Deity
Symbol: A feather of brown,yellow, and green
Celestial Symbol: The planet Chislev
Home Plane: The Hidden Vale
Alignment: Neutral
Portfolio: Nature, wilderness,
beasts, the seasons
Worshipers: Druids, farmers
Cleric Alignments: CN, LN, N, NE, NG
Domains: Air, Animal, Earth, Plant
Favored Weapon: Shortspear (“Green Protector”)
Colors: Brown, yellow, and green

The divine power of instinct is Chislev’s (kiz-lev or chiz-lev) realm. She endorses the soul’s ability to grow and develop by letting go of thought and reason, trusting to the primal urge. Chislev is the power of the natural world, the cycles of the seasons, the wild and the bestial. She extends her divinity through the earth, becoming as one with Krynn, feeling all that happens to it and all that is done to it. Thus, her anger and fury are aroused by those who abuse the wild, especially supernatural or conjured forces. Agriculture and animal husbandry, when carried out with moderation and care, please Chislev.

While the goddess knows that mortals are the greatest threat to the natural world, they are still the greatest part of it.

History/Relationships: Chislev’s historical influence over Krynn’s mortal cultures has been profound. The land and the goddess are essentially the same, and those shamans, priests, and druids who have understood this and guided their tribes towards reverence and supplication to the World Mother have been rewarded.

During periods of war, this close connection to Krynn’s natural world has caused her terrible pain and suffering.

Chislev is the divine partner to Zivilyn, the Tree of Life, who tempers her instinct with wisdom and awareness. They are evenly matched and act in harmony. Chislev’s relationship with Sirrion is similar, in that he embodies change while she commands the cycle of nature, but Sirrion’s counterpart Shinare often comes into conflict with the World Mother over progress and industry.

Reorx similarly rankles Chislev, but for the most part they are in alignment over the power of the earth and the substantive beauty in making something out of it in reverence, rather than disrespect. Gilean has always provided Chislev with
the knowledge she has needed, although he is perhaps too cerebral for her, and Lunitari is careful to instruct her wizards to be mindful of the natural world when using magic in it.

Chislev is well regarded by the pantheon of Light, especially Habbakuk and ranchala, and strongly opposed by the pantheon of Darkness, who see nature as more of a tool or medium for the pursuit of wickedness. Morgion, especially, embodies all that Chislev does not, and he is her constant foe.

Gilean

The Book, the Sage, the Gray Voyager
Greater Deity
Symbol: An open book
Celestial Symbol: The constellation Book of Souls
Home Plane: The Hidden Vale
Alignment: Neutral
Portfolio: Knowledge, balance, watchfulness, freedom
Worshipers: Sages, scholars, bodyguards, historians, teachers
Cleric Alignments: CN, LN, N, NE, NG
Domains: Knowledge, Liberation, Planning†, Protection, Rune†
Favored Weapon: Quarterstaff (“The Sagestaff ”)
Colors: Gray

Gilean (gil-ee-un) is the divine power of knowledge. He advocates the growth of the soul through the experience of knowledge in all of its forms, without judgment or constraint. Gilean holds the Tobril, the great book of all
knowledge, given to him by the High God.

In addition to being the patron of sages, scholars, and librarians, Gilean’s desire for all knowledge and truth to be respected and protected makes him popular with those who guard or watch over knowledge and information. As the head of
the Gods of Balance, Gilean is also the primary proponent of free will and individual choice among the mortal souls of the world, and he is tireless in this outlook. Because he protects freedom, he is often considered to be more chaotic than ordered, but this is not the case. Rather than seeking
the end of authority and control, the Sage desires structure that defines itself through the ongoing acquisition and use of information and understanding.

History/Relationships: The High God called Gilean out of Time, raising him to godly power and stature as companion to Paladine and Takhisis. Legend and myth surround his genesis, but one particularly interesting version states that the High God commanded Gilean to ensure his own existence by fostering the soul of the mortal scribe who would one day become him.

This, some surmise, is the reality of Astinus of Palanthas. Still others call this nonsense and say that Astinus is a mortal child of Gilean, or indeed simply a very long-lived human with no connection to Gilean at all.

Gilean’s role throughout history has been as arbiter and mediator between the Gods of Light and Darkness, siding against whichever faction most threatens the Balance. He is fair and even-handed with his divine brethren, to the point
of being distant. He is never undecided, but his neutral purity has caused him to be seen as difficult. All of the Neutral gods look to Gilean for his understanding and his knowledge of the High God’s plan. The Gods of Light do
likewise, hoping Gilean will side with them in their actions.

Fully expecting Gilean to stand with the Good Gods if they are too overt, the Gods of Darkness manipulate the situation, presenting Gilean with no choice but to side with Evil.

Lunitari

The Veiled Maiden, Maid of Illusion, Night Candle
Intermediate Deity
Symbol: A red circle or sphere
Celestial Symbol: The red moon, Lunitari
Home Plane: Ethereal Plane/Lunitari
Alignment: Lawful neutral
Portfolio: Neutral magic, illusion, transmutation
Worshipers: Wizards of the Red Robes
Colors: Red

Lunitari (loo-nuh-tah-ree) is the embodiment of the divine power of magic used for neutrality. She is the patron of wizards who have chosen to practice magic tempered by balance, freedom of expression, and curiosity. She promotes and defends the laws of the Orders of High Sorcery, seeking to maintain the balance between light and darkness in magic.

There was a time in the elder days that she was the divine power of mystery; when she joined her magical cousins in planar exile close to the Mortal Realm,
Lunitari’s focus estate transformed and embraced the specificity of magic’s mysteries. Lunitari now watches over her Red Robe wizards as they join the Progression of Souls and eventually pass into the unknown realms beyond
death.

History/Relationships: Lunitari is said to have sprung fully formed from the thoughts of her father, Gilean. She chose to incarnate her power into Krynn’s crimson moon once it became evident that arcane power needed her
closer attention. Throughout the ages, Lunitari has driven her faithful towards the endless secrets and discoveries that can be found when magic is the focus of one’s life. She is a capricious and mischievous presence in the heavens,
orbiting between the ponderous trail of Solinari and the rapid cycle of Nuitari, always pursuing the balance.

Lunitari maintains a healthy if strained relationship with the Gods of Neutrality. She is closest to Reorx, who has joined with her in forging artifacts of magical power and supporting those wizards who create items. The two of them conspired to trap Chaos within the Graygem, which has become the major sticking point between Lunitari and the other Neutral gods. They love and respect their sister, but they do not trust her.

The Veiled Maiden’s relations with the Gods of Good and Evil are cool. The only gods she regularly interacts with are Nuitari and Solinari, who rely on her (and often curse her) for being the sly, overly curious deity she is.

Reorx

Greater Deity
Symbol: A smith’s hammer
Celestial Symbol: The planet Reorx
Home Plane: The Hidden Vale
Alignment: Neutral
Portfolio: Creation, mountains, metal, luck, pride
Worshipers: Dwarves, gnomes, kender, blacksmiths, artisans
Cleric Alignments: CN, LN, N, NE, NG
Domains: Earth, Fire, Forge, Luck, Strength
Favored Weapon: Warhammer (“Reorx’s Strength”)
Colors: Gray and red

Reorx (ree-orks) is the divine power of creation. He encourages the soul to grow through the practice of craft, skill, and artifice. While he is renowned as the patron of the dwarves and gnomes, his reach extends well beyond these
races. He is the god of all craftsmen and all those who aspire towards and embrace the need to create.

Because his estate encompasses talent and skill, he is also favored by rogues and gamblers, those individuals who rely upon their ability to turn a situation to their favor by applying what they know. However it is done, Reorx acknowledges and promotes the drive of mortals to shape, build, and produce.
History/Relationships: It is no small feat to have crafted the world and the stars and the souls of Krynn from the raw material of Chaos.

With his forging hammer and the direction of the High God, Reorx brought the world into existence. Since then, he has done all that he can to keep it from boiling away into Chaos once again. Reorx hates and fears Chaos, calling it the “Father of All and Nothing,” the primal demiurge from which all life and death was formed, but he was unable to resist trying to bottle this power.

Reorx, despite his involvement in the creation of the Graygem, is a much-beloved deity. All of the other gods either grudgingly or gratefully acknowledge his skill and his craftsmanship. He works with Shinare in promoting
progress and civilization and with Gilean in recording and carrying out the greater plan of the High God.

Kiri-Jolith and Sargonnas respect Reorx’s brawny arm for the creation of weapons and armor. Even tempestuous Zeboim, no favorite of the dwarves, has been known to seek out Reorx for the secrets of shipmaking and maritime crafts, the better to capsize and destroy seagoing vessels during one
of her stormy moods.

It is only when Reorx’s desire to create brings conflict with the moral absolutism of good or evil that the World Smith finds himself at odds with his brother gods.

Shinare

Winged Victory, the Silver Mistress, Walking Liberty
Intermediate Deity
Symbol: A griffon’s wing
Celestial Symbol: The planet Shinare
Home Plane: The Hidden Vale
Alignment: Lawful neutral
Portfolio: Wealth, enterprise, communication, travel
Worshipers: Merchants, traders, dwarves, mercenary soldiers
Cleric Alignments: LG, LN, LE
Domains: Commerce†, Law, Luck, Travel
Favored Weapon: Light mace (“Jeweled Delight”)
Colors: Gold, silver, and brown

Shinare (shi-nah-ree) represents the divine power of interaction. Souls aligned with the Silver Mistress grow and improve the more they communicate and interact with other souls.

Her estate governs all negotiations, all contracts, and all partnerships. Shinare seeks to drive the world forward with the spirit of enterprise, stripped of such ephemeral notions as desire or morality. She is the patron of merchants, honored by all who conduct trade with fairness and conviction. A somewhat fickle goddess, she cares little for the motives of those who do business
with others so long as the interaction is balanced. Because of this, slavery and mercenary activity are just as valid to her as any other industry.

Abuse, unfair practices, and theft, on the other hand, will incur the wrath of Shinare for they violate the spirit of interaction that she champions.

History/Relationships: Shinare was one of the gods called from Beyond to serve alongside Gilean. From the earliest days of the world, she has acted to foster
interaction and enterprise in the souls of the world, prompting exploration and travel in order to unite disparate communities so that they might come together
and associate with each other.

Her presence is strong during times of war and unrest, driving diplomacy and negotiation to ensure a continued state of communication even between hated foes.

In periods of recovery, her interests are served as trade routes are re-opened and cities flood with people seeking the offerings of merchants and craftsmen. In the Age of Despair, Shinare was at her least influential, as communities became isolated and currency was rendered useless. The steel coinage of Ansalon, often regarded as a desperate solution to the uselessness of gold
and silver, was secretly inspired by Shinare. Once faith in the gods had returned, her efforts were redoubled.

Shinare is the companion of Sirrion, the god of fire and passion. Theirs is a volatile and often problematic relationship, as his chaotic tendencies clash strongly with her lawful nature. Even so, the two are inseparable and manage to support each other’s interests when they aren’t opposing them. She is also close to Reorx, with whom she influences and motivates the dwarves and gnomes towards progress.

Shinare maintains cordial relations with the other Gods of Balance, who defer to her mastery of interaction even if they are not always as enamored with the way it manifests.

Of the Gods of Light, Shinare is closest to Kiri-Jolith and Majere, who share her sense of order and trust. Shinare opposes Hiddukel of the Gods of Darkness with significant zeal and effort, though the other evil gods are just as likely to cross her path to their own misfortune.

Sirrion

The Flowing Flame, the Alchemist, the Firemaster
Intermediate Deity
Symbol: Flames
Celestial Symbol: The planet Sirrion
Home Plane: The Hidden Vale
Alignment: Chaotic neutral
Portfolio: Fire, creativity, passion, renewal
Worshipers: Alchemists, lovers, artists
Cleric Alignments: CE, CG, CN
Domains: Chaos, Charm†, Fire, Passion
Favored Weapon: Heavy flail (“Flaming Strike”)
Colors: Red and yellow

Sirrion (sear-ee-un) is the essence of the divine power of transformation. He encourages the soul to embrace a passionate and creative existence in order to grow and change.

Sirrion’s dominant trait is fire, both literal and metaphorical. Fire is the element that brings change and transformation; it represents the warmth of love and
passion or the creative spark of artists and alchemists. All who produce, honor, and worship this power are beloved of Sirrion.

Chaotic and unpredictable, Sirrion is nevertheless opposed to needless or undirected destruction, feeling that all change should produce something and mark a transition between the old and the new. As a patron of the arts and of alchemy, Sirrion’s fiery presence does much to promote this ideal.

History/Relationships: Sirrion was one of the gods brought by the High God from Beyond to stand alongside Gilean. Legends say that he fashioned his partner, Shinare, from wondrous metals, just as he provided the fire for
Reorx’s worldforge and the spark of divinity within all life. In truth, he shared much of this responsibility with the other gods, but his power over transformation has been significant throughout the ages of Krynn.

He is the crucible of adversity and the spirit, and in any era marked by significant or lasting change Sirrion has a hand in easing the world through the process.

His faith is often small, celebrated by the free spirits of Krynn more than the settled and urban population, but his elemental nature echoes in the hearts of mortals everywhere.

Sirrion’s mate is Shinare, which is a relationship characterized by fiery debate. Shinare is the neutral pantheon’s most lawful member while Sirrion is her polar
opposite, but his passion together with her progressive bent has produced wondrous results in the mortal realm.

Sirrion has a kinship with Reorx, as well, lending creativity to creation, fire to the forge. Sirrion and Chislev work together in the natural world through the cycles of the seasons and the process of renewal brought about by
forest fires. Zivilyn and Gilean have the least in common with the Flowing Flame, but they recognize the power of transformation.

Among the Gods of Light, Sirrion shares much in common with Branchala and Habbakuk, even if his motivation towards beauty and renewal are not tempered by compassion and righteousness.

Sirrion stands in opposition to Sargonnas of the Evil pantheon, for the Red Condor brings flame upon the world in wrath and ruin, directing the passionate spark in retribution.

Zivilyn

The World Tree, Wise One, the Tree of Life
Intermediate Deity
Symbol: A stylized tree with branches above mirroring roots below
Home Plane: The Hidden Vale
Celestial Symbol: The planet Zivilyn
Alignment: Neutral
Portfolio: Wisdom, foresight,
prophecy, enlightenment
Worshipers: Philosophers, mediators, counselors, sages
Cleric Alignments: CN, LN, N, NE, NG
Domains: Insight, Knowledge, Meditation, Time†
Favored Weapon: Quarterstaff (“Cane of Enlightenment”)
Colors: Green, brown and gold

Zivilyn’s (ziv-uh-lin) realm is the divine power of wisdom. His counsel reinforces the soul’s need to grow in enlightenment, to see the world around it as a fluid,
ongoing river of experience.

Zivilyn, more than any other deity, extends his interests and his awareness into all times and all places, like the branches of a many-limbed tree. His is the estate of awareness, of insight, both internally and externally. The River of Time winds eternal, and Zivilyn dwells partially within this river as much as he exists
outside of it. As a result, he can promote understanding, cause and effect, justification, and spiritual consciousness.

History/Relationships: Zivilyn came from Beyond at the invitation of the High God to serve as counselor to Gilean, to give insight to Chislev’s instinct, and to bear witness to the world and share this divine experience with mortals.

The World Tree’s roots are in the Age of Starbirth and its branches flourish in all of the ages of Krynn.

Zivilyn is respected by all the gods, but as he remains unswervingly loyal to the Balance and has seen far more in the River of Time than any other god, he never chooses sides.

When the gods gather on rare occasions, all of them look to Zivilyn for his insight and perception. He is closest to Gilean, giving wisdom and understanding to the bearer of the Tobril, and to his mate Chislev, whose primal nature is free of ignorance or dispute.

Zivilyn has much in common with both Majere, who also embraces wisdom, and Hiddukel, who uses his awareness to mislead others. Zivilyn, however, exists beyond compassion and corruption, which do not factor into his actions as a deity.