Bugbear pantheon

The bugbear pantheon is a fictional pantheon in many campaign settings of the "Dungeons & Dragons" role-playing game, and is usually led by Hruggek, the god of violence and combat. The pantheon is primarily worshipped by bugbears, a race of savage humanoids described as goblinoids in the context of the game.

Publication history

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)

The bugbear pantheon is first mentioned in the first edition sourcebook "Deities and Demigods", which states that there are six deities in the bugbear pantheon, including gods of earth, death, fertility, hunting and fear. Despite this, only Hruggek is detailed, and is stated to be a lesser deity.

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)

The second edition sourcebooks "On Hallowed Ground" and "Monster Mythology" feature Hruggek, Grankhul and Skiggaret as members of the bugbear pantheon. Hruggek is stated to be an intermediate deity in this edition.

Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)

Hruggek is featured in the third edition sourcebooks "Defenders of the Faith" and "Faiths and Pantheons".

Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)

The revised third edition sourcebook "Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss" briefly mentions Grankhul and Skiggaret. Hruggek is briefly mentioned in the "Complete Divine" sourcebook.

Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)

Hruggek is featured in the fourth edition "Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide", where he is presented as an evil exarch presiding over the sphere of ambush.

Hruggek

D&D Deity|fgcolor=#fff


caption=
bgcolor=#000
fgcolor=#fff
name=Hruggek
title=The Decapitator, the Master of Ambush
home=Windswept Depths of Pandemonium
power=Intermediate
alignment=Chaotic Evil
portfolio=Violence, combat, ambushes
domains=Chaos, Evil, Trickery, WarRedman, Rich and James Wyatt. "Defenders of the Faith" (Wizards of the Coast, 2000).] Boyd, Eric L, and Erik Mona. "Faiths and Pantheons" (Wizards of the Coast, 2002).]
alias=
super=

Hruggek is the deity of violence and combat, and chief deity of the bugbear pantheon. He is described as taking the appearance of a large and powerful bugbear, though it is stated that he rarely takes the form of an avatar (a physical incarnation in the world, which itself is known as the Prime Material Plane in the context of the game). His symbol, as well as his favored weapon, is a morningstar.

Hruggek is described as not being inclined to make enemies based on racial prejudice, possessing the opportunistic qualities of the bugbear race. He is stated to encourage Khurgorbaeyag, the racial god of goblins, to act against Maglubiyet, the chief deity of both the goblins and hobgoblins, so that the two goblin species remain divided, and therefore unable to compete for resources with bugbears. Hruggek opposes Bargrivyek, the goblin deity of co-operation, as he wishes to unite the goblins.

Hruggek is stated as inhabiting Hruggekolohk, a cave in Cocytus, the second layer of Pandemonium (the Outer Plane where Chaotic Neutral- and Chaotic Evil-aligned creatures are sent after death).

Grankhul

D&D Deity|fgcolor=#fff


bgcolor=#000
fgcolor=#fff
name=Grankhul
title=
home=Infinite Layers of the Abyss
power=Lesser
alignment=Chaotic Evil
portfolio=Hunting, senses, surprise
domains=
alias=
super=

Grankhul is the bugbear deity of hunting, senses, and surprise. Grankul's symbol is two eyes that are ever open in the darkness.

Grankhul is described as being always aware, and prone to violent tantrumns. It is stated that Grankhul was the being that taught the bugbears to be stealthy, allowing them to function effectively in small numbers.

Grankhul's avatars are depicted as tall, lean bugbears with bulging eyes who are incapable of being surprised. It is stated that Grankhul uses his avatar forms to subtly drive away goblinoids and other humanoid races who operate too close to bugbear settlements.

Grankhul shares the realm of "Palpitatia" on the 241st layer of the Abyss with his fellow bugbear god, Skiggaret.Jacobs, James, Erik Mona, and Ed Stark. "" (Wizards of the Coast, 2006).]

kiggaret

D&D Deity|fgcolor=#fff


bgcolor=#000
fgcolor=#fff
name=Skiggaret
title=
home=Infinite Layers of the Abyss
power=Demigod
alignment=Chaotic Evil
portfolio=Fear
domains=
alias=
super=

Skiggaret is the bugbear deity of fear. He is depicted as a half-mad being who roams the mortal world in his avatar form, a jet black bugbear with red lips, hands and feet. Skiggaret's symbol is a black claw.

Skiggaret is not worshipped by bugbears, and as such has no clergy. He is instead described as using fear to make bugbears act for him.

Skiggaret's position in the bugbear pantheon is described as being that of a messenger, conveying the will of the other gods to their followers. It is noted that this role grants him a great deal of power despite his position as a demigod. Additionally, Skiggaret is described as having an alliance of mutual tolerance with Stalker.Sargent, Carl. "Monster Mythology" (TSR, 1992).]

Skiggaret shares the realm of "Palpitatia" on the 241st layer of the Abyss with a fellow bugbear god, Grankhul.

References