I was doing some research which lead me to some
ancient brethren of oerth. The flan seemed to corner the market on such
supernatural beings. Mok'slyk the Serpent, comes to mind. Many see him as a
demonic creature of unknown origin. History tells us, he gifted arcane magic to
the Ur-Flan people. I'd say to the flan people in general--though many people
would dispute that with me...
The Flan were a very pagan-like people who worshiped the old faith. Nowadays the old faith only mentions gods. Who's to
say the old faith did not include creatures like Mok'slyk as part of the flan
pantheon. The sibilant beast had a stranglehold among the flan. When the
migrating oerid's starting conquering the flan people--he turned his attention
to the oerid's. Lord Kargoth comes to
mind, his dealings with Demogorgon affected him for eternity and those that
served under his banner. It seems demons were very much accepted by the flan
people.
Which stands
to reason how the Horned Society came to fruition. The demonic influence over
the flan people would of put the devils at a disadvantage in the blood war. Hence
their need to influence the dominant mortal race's on oerth. While the Horned
society itself was officially established in 513 CY, it is rumored that the
horned society originated as a druidic order that preyed upon the flan people.
This also helps explain why Iuz forces would invade the lands held by the
Horned Society. Though rumors persist that the Horned Society exists as it once
did. As whispered threats against society as we know it.
All this is food for thought. Though if it were up
to you who would be included among the Ancient Brethren of Oerth?
Later
Argon

I recently addressed this very question when writing a high level adventure set in the ruins of Vecna's Rotted Tower. Here was my take: Asmodeus, Charon, Lady of Pain, Jazirian (the couatl deity of Community, Peace, Learning, and Parenthood), several baernaloths (Apomps , Daru Ib Shamiq , Harishek Ap Thulkesh), Fharlanghn, Celestian, the Queen of Chaos, Miska the Wolf Spider, the seven Dukes of Aaqa.
ReplyDeleteShould add really that my take on the Ancient Brethren was that these are all powerful entities, not necessarily gods who play a great and secret game across the multiverse. My inclusion of Fharlanghn and Celestian may seem odd but in some correspondence with Rob Kuntz some years ago he implied there was more to these beings than "simple" gods and there are more hints in his Maure Castle adventure.
DeleteDay Tripper,
ReplyDeleteInteresting take. Who's to say that former beings did not achieve divinity or god-like divinity eons ago. Perhaps Fharlanghn and Celestian are merely an alias these beings share?
Later
Argon
Remember too that the Obyriths, Ancient Brethren and Gods are said to be of the same "Order" of Being and are simply more akin to different "Races" among this Order.
ReplyDeleteIt would be easy to imagine "cross overs."