When the Suel failed to achieve their ultimate victory against the Bakluni, the few followers of the goddess Tomaari that had not already been exectued for treason became the scapegoats and were exterminated. Today, her clergy survives in the lands of the Sheldomar, training the officers of the Royal forces.
Author: Chatdemon
Forgotten Gods of the Suel: Tomaari
by Chatdemon (chatdemon@gamebox.net)
Used with Permission. Do not repost without obtaining prior permission from the author.
To lead an uninstructed people to war is to throw them away.
- Confucius
What follows is the information on the Suel Goddess Tomaari, translated into 3e D&D stats.
Tomaari
Lady Strategy, The War Maiden
LN intermediate goddess of Honorable Warfare, Tactics, Strategy and Patience
Even a society like the Suel Imperium, known for its unimaginable arcane might, resorts to the use of simple force of arms from time to time. For the soldiers who the Suloise leaders employed to fight their wars, Tomaari was a popular matron. Fair, just and impartial, her faithful who embraced her teachings and patiently conducted their wars first with the minds, then with their blades were said to be invincible. Such was quite literally true for centuries, until the coming of the great war against the Baklunish, when savage arcane might began to rule Suloise battlefields, and the Tomaarik clerics who made outraged protests against the barbaric treatment of their enemies were executed for treason against the Emporer. The distrust of Tomaari's followers, brought on by the Emporer's propaganda against them to hide the atrocities of the war he was waging, grew to the point where after the Rain of Colorless Fire, the few remaining clerics were put to death on site, being accused of making a vile pact with their goddess to avenge their fallen comrades by handing the Suloise people to defeat. Such claims were obviously untrue, but the the feverish discrimination and executions continued to the point where Tomaari's faith was almost all but wiped from the face of Oerth competely.
One man can claim credit in history for saving the goddess' faith, and returning her few followers to a position of trust and honor among their people, Anhus of the Rhola house. Anhus, a battle hardened veteran of the war, walked away from the fallen empire in Slerotin's exodus, and when his clan finally settled later near what would become Niole Dra one day, he spent the remainder of his days overseeing the construction of a fort housing a temple to Tomaari and training grounds for new clergy and warriors to help carve a nation out of the Sheldomar valley. For years his fort was known as the Citadel of Patience, and some of the finest generals and admirals of early Keoland were schooled within its impenetrable walls. The building stands to this day, though expanded upon greatly over the centuries, but bears another name; The Royal Academy of Warcraft, a school for those who will serve as officers in the King's army and navy. The weatherworn stonework symbol of Tomaari still rests proudly over the main gates to the complex, and some of the academies most experienced instructors are taken from her clergy.
Warfare is the sport of nobles, and nobility and honor are the keys to victory. Strategy is the only art men may ever truly master, for only in war is the superior tactician undisputably evident upon conclusion of the contest. Patience, planning and merciful treatment of your enemies will bring victory, steel, wood and fists are merely the tools by which we enact our craft. Tis better to die brave and honorable than live as a barbaric coward.
Tomaari's faith is still somewhat widespread throughout the Sheldomar, being a refined alternative to the brutality of Hextor's followers. Her clergy are found as officers and advisors in almost every military organization and outpost in Keoland and the Gran March, with a similar but less widespread presence in the Ulek states, Sterich, the Yeomanry and in Hochoch among the Geoffan liberation army. In times of peace, the clergy are founding teaching the local militias, or engaging in games of war, from simple draughts and 'king's field' (a keoish variant of chess, played on a hexagonal board), to more detailed and complex wargame type simulations.
Domains: Law, Protection, War, Community, Glory
Weapon: Broadsword
Garb: Tomaarik clergy are most often found clad in fine armor, of the best type their proficiency and finances allow, with royal blue tabards emblazoned with the symbol of their goddess, a shield depicting two swords crossed beneath a lions head.
Forgotten Gods, Suel
