5e:Bahgtru
Deific Summary
Despite the influence of Ilneval, orcs are and will forever be brutal and feral in how they wage war. Bahgtru is the deity who epitomizes the physical might and ruthlessness that orcs use to overwhelm their foes. He is the one who drives every thrust of an orc's weapon, so that it does as much harm as possible.
Fearless and Mighty. In the myths, it is said that Bahgtru was out hunting when he was surprised by the mightiest of the behirs, one with hundreds of legs. In a flash, Bahgtru was wrapped in the creature's coils and gripped by its legs. No one had ever escaped the grasp of the behir, but Bahgtru saw this as the ultimate test of his strength, and laughed at his good fortune. One by one, Bahgtru broke the behir's legs, and freed himself from its clutches. The creature's shrieks became the lightning of the storm, and its broken femur became the symbol of Bahgtru's followers, reminding them that anything can be broken and defeated by superior strength.
Competing in Cruelty. Most young orcs that an explorer or an adventurer might encounters are followers of Bahgtru. Orcs of Bahgtru continually try to prove their superior strength and endurance through cruel contests against their tribe mates, acts of unprovoked belligerence, and great success in battle. It is through these tests of strength that Bahgtru's followers prove which among them will eventually be worthy of Gruumsh's unwavering gaze.
The Sacred Bull. Orcs of Bahgtru sometimes enter battle astride aurochs, large creatures that resemble oxen or cattle but are much morc ferocious. By doing so they honor the creatures as well as their deity, because legends tell that Bahgtru also rode a great bull into battle. No orc will eat or harm one of these sacred beasts, which are believed to be imbued with Bahgtru's spirit. [1]
Bahgtru, son of Gruumsh and Luthic, is the orc deity of unbridled strength. Legend says Bahgtru needed a mount as fierce as him for making war, so he sought a mighty aurochs, subjugated the creature with his bare hands, and hauled it to Nishrek, Gruumsh's realm. Bahgtru named the beast Kazaht, or "Bull" in Orc. On Kazaht's bare back, Bahgtru charges into battle, ramming into an enemy host and leaping over the aurochs's horns to land in the midst of his foes. [8]
Bahgtru was the orc god of pure, physical strength and patron of the average orc, a deity as awesomely strong as he was utterly oafish.[4][2][9] He embodied the merciless might with which orcs overwhelmed their enemies, driving each weapon to do as much damage as possible.[1] Son of Gruumsh and the Cave Mother Luthic, the Leg-Breaker was the orc symbol of tribalistic loyalty and unstoppable power,[4] a champion of brutal, senseless violence. [3]
Sources and Notes
- Mike Mearls, et. al.. Volo's Guide to Monsters (5e 2014) (2016-11-15). Wizards of the Coast. p. 83-84. Licensed: © Wizards of the Coast (used under 'fair use' clause). ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2
- Steve Kenson, et. al.. Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide (5e 2014) (2015-11-03). Wizards of the Coast. p. 24. Licensed: © Wizards of the Coast (used under 'fair use' clause). ↑ 2.0 2.1
- titles — . Bahgtru Forgotten Realms Wiki Accessed: 2023-06-24. Licensed: CC-BY-SA. ↑ 3.0 3.1
- titles — Eric L. Boyd, et. al.. Faiths and Pantheons (3e) (May 2002). Wizards of the Coast. p. 148. Licensed: © Wizards of the Coast (used under 'fair use' clause). ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2
- titles — Colin McComb. On Hallowed Ground (2e) (1996). TSR. ISBN 9780786904303. p. 133. Licensed:© TSR, Inc. (used under 'fair use' clause). ↑
- titles — Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). Forgotten Realms Campaign Set. "Cyclopedia of the Realms". TSR, Inc.. ISBN:August 1987 ↑
- titles — Rob Heinsoo, et. al.. The Plane Above (4e) (April 2010). Wizards of the Coast. p. 152–153. Licensed: © Wizards of the Coast (used under 'fair use' clause). ↑
- VGtM p.207 ↑
- Roger E. Moore (June 1982). "The Gods of the Orcs". 'Dragon' (62). TSR, Inc.. pp.31–32. ↑
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