Bahamut

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Greyhawk Deity
Bahamut
Bahamut01.jpg
Bahamut the Platinum Dragon, as depicted in Deities and Demigods (2002).
Title: The Platinum Dragon, King of the Good Dragons, Grandfather of Dragons, Lord of the North Wind, the Dragon King, Justicemaker, Draco Paladin
Alias(es): Xymor
Home plane: Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia
Power level: Lesser
Gender: Male
Class: No Class (53HD Dragon, 3e)
Alignment: Lawful good
Portfolio: Good dragons, wind, wisdom, enlightened justice
Domains: Cold, Dragon, Good, Law, Luck, Nobility, Protection, Storm
Symbol: Pole star above milky nebula
Superior: Io

Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon, is the King of the Good Dragons. He is a deity of Good Dragonkind. He is also referred to as the God of Dragons or the Lord of the North Wind. His symbol is a star over a milky nebula.

Description[edit]

Bahamut is depicted as a massive, long and sinuous dragon with silver-white scales and blue, catlike eyes. According to Complete Divine and Races of the Dragon, the exact color of Bahamut's eyes is hard to specify and may depend on Bahamut's mood, ranging from sky-blue to frosty indigo.

About a quarter of the time, Bahamut wanders the Oerth in the shape of a human or some other guise. He is said to have been encountered as a frail old hermit, with the seven great golden wyrms that accompany him disguised as seven canaries singing sweetly nearby.

Relationships[edit]

Bahamut is a child of the dragon god Io, and a fierce enemy of Tiamat, his evil sister and twin. He respects Heironeous, Moradin, Yondalla, and other lawful good deities. Some myths claim he is the son of Lendys, god of justice, and Tamara, goddess of mercy, but more commonly those deities are said to be among his younger siblings, which also include Aasterinian, Chronepsis (also said to be his uncle), Astilabor, Hlal, Faluzure, Garyx, and Nathair Sgiathach.

Bahamut cannot be harmed by Kelmar, the intelligent greatsword of Kord.

Vassals[edit]

An aspect of Bahamut, as depicted in the Miniatures Handbook (2003).

A number of non-divine dragons and dragonlike beings serve Bahamut:

  • Borkadd the Claw is Bahamut's hand of justice, sent to set things right when nothing else when suffice. He is one of the seven great wyrm gold dragons in Bahamut's direct service.
  • Gruemar the Voice is a slender great wyrm gold dragon who serves as Bahamut's negotiator, known for preferring words of peace over blood and claw.
  • Kuria the Eye is a sleek, serpentine gold dragon who is sent by Bahamut on tasks that demand secrecy. One of the seven great wyrms who serve Bahamut directly, Kuria can be suspicious and threatening even to those she knows well.
  • Marroshok the Tail is Bahamut's genial, massive bodyguard, another of the seven great wyrm gold dragons who serve him directly.
  • Medrinia is a blue-green aquatic dragon said to have been born from the first tear that Bahamut shed after witnessing the desolation left after the first battle between Tiamat and the dragons of good. She dwells in the undersea palace of Sea Reach on the Material Plane, allying with dolphins, sea-horses, and other aquatic dragons to defeat evil and protect good.
  • Sonngrad the Wing is a gold dragon who serves as Bahamut's messenger. A thrill-seeker and explorer, Bahamut gives this great wyrm time off after she has completed her mission in order to investigate new places.
  • Troannaxia the Presence is a shining gold dragon that Bahamut sends out when Gruemar's words fail and intimidation is needed. She is another of his seven great wyrms.
  • Xathanon is a burst of golden energy with draconic shape, said to be a physical embodiment of the Positive Energy Plane. It was created by Bahamut from positive energy long ago, and it serves Draco Paladin unswervingly. It has a special hatred for Dhrakoth the Corruptor, a negative energy being created by Tiamat.
  • Vanathor, the Golden Harpist, is Bahamut's advisor and bard, appearing as a gold dragon with a swirl of rainbow colors on his breast. The master of all things musical, Vanathor dwells with the Platinum Dragon in his palace. He is on good terms with all the gods of music, especially Corellon Larethian. He sometimes appears as a handsome half-elven bard. Some myths say he was actually a dead god from an ancient pantheon, given new life by Bahamut's magic.
  • Urgala the Fang is one of the seven great wyrm gold dragons who serve Bahamut. She serves as the leader and chief tactician of Bahamut's army, flying above the troops to scout and lead. She is proud and uncompromising, but stubborn and rude when she is in a bad mood.

Realm[edit]

Bahamut's realm, Bahamut's Palace, is said to exist "beyond the East Wind." It is unknown to most sages whether this means it is somewhere on the Elemental Plane of Air or somewhere between that plane and the Seven Heavens or Tri-Paradises, but in truth it may be found traveling in a whirlwind between the first four layers of Mount Celestia. It is a wondrous, glittering fortress with windows made from gems set in silver and gold, walls of inlaid copper and ivory, and floors of beaten mithral. When they are not traveling with their master, Bahamut's seven great golden wyrms tend to the palace and its treasures.

Within the palace are open, unkeyed portals leading to all four of the first four layers of the plane as well as the Elemental Plane of Air and the Astral Plane. There are four gates nearby leading to each of the four winds, each guarded by a warden archon. The guardian of the gate to the North Wind is Yonel, the guardian of the gate to the South Wind is Kerkhoutha, the guardian of the gate to the West Wind is Moriel, and the guardian of the gate to the East Wind is Ruhiel.

Bahamut's palace is the only known shortcut to the upper layers of the celestial mountain, though he and his servants only permit those who are worthy to pass through.

Dogma[edit]

Bahamut's symbol, as depicted in Deities and Demigods (2002).

Bahamut is very stern and disapproving of evil. He accepts no excuses for foul deeds. On the other hand, he is very compassionate, and has boundless empathy for the weak and downtrodden. He urges his followers to promote good, but to let people fight their own battles when they can, providing healing, information, or temporary safe refuge rather than fighting alongside those who can fight for themselves.

Bahamut's own greatest priority is his endless war with his sister Tiamat. He opposes all her schemes, answering them move for move. He values wisdom, knowledge, prophecies, and song. For a dragon, he is neither vain nor greedy.

Worshipers[edit]

Bahamut is revered by all good dragons, but gold, silver, and brass dragons hold him in particularly high regard.

Clergy[edit]

Bahamut only accepts good-aligned priests. They may be dragons, half-dragons, or other beings. They strive to constantly yet subtly act on behalf of good. They oppose evil, but their first mandate is to ensure they do no harm in the process.

The Sundered Empire of Ravilla[edit]

In the history of the Western Oerik nation of Ravilla, Bahamut helped found the Dragon Empire, Ravilla's predecessor. In the midst of the Demon War in which hordes of demons poured out of Abyssal Gateways, Bahamut aided the forces of good[1]. Afterward, the elves were charged by Corellon Larethian with defending the gateways from future incursions[1]. Bahamut pledged his continuing support to the fledgling nation[1]. Together with elven archmages, he brought life to felldrakes which became an integral part of Ravillan life. Later, other dragons, half-dragons, and other dragon-kin took up residence or were born in Ravilla[2] Elves have had a close relationship with metallic dragons since the Demon War[2] and there are people who still venerate Bahamut there.

Temples[edit]

Temples to the Platinum Dragon are very rare. Those few that exist are beautiful, elegant edifices characterized by clean, simple architecture and furnishings. Within them will be public rooms in which the faithful can gather and private rooms for meditation and recuperation.

Dragons will not normally build temples, contenting themselves with simple symbols on the wall that they treat as shrines. Bahamut prefers his followers to worship him with deeds, not objects.

Rituals[edit]

Most of the quests that Bahamut's followers go on are apt to involve opposing Tiamat in some way. They have few formal rituals. Instead of praying aloud, they count their deeds as prayers, supporting goodness and opposing evil. Bahamut cares little for mere words.

The Rite of Rebirth[edit]

Rarely, humans, elves, halflings, or other humanoid races may hear a call, like a faint question in their hearts, asking them if they want to devote themselves completely to Bahamut. Normally it is first heard before adolescence, but sometimes adults hear it as well. Not all those who are called answer, but those who do may undergo the Rite of Rebirth. Those who commit to this demanding ritual put aside all their weapons and equipment, dressing in a simple linen shift. They meditate for a full day and night, their head filled with reminders of all they are giving up. If they elect to go on, they then enter an egg-shaped chamber at dawn and sleep until dawn the next day, emerging as a dragonborn, a noble, draconic, platinum-scaled version of their previous shape, ready to become a permanent champion against Tiamat and her spawn.

Myths and legends[edit]

Bahamut the Platinum Dragon, as depicted in the first edition Monster Manual (1977).

Vorel[edit]

Tiamat's emnity with Bahamut dates back to their creation, when Io made them; they were made with the intention of becoming complements and mates, but their personalities were too much at odds. Tiamat murdered Vorel, her eldest brother, and tried to frame Bahamut for the deed. Io realized who was truly to blame, though, and banished Tiamat from his presence.

The Banishment of Tiamat[edit]

Many myths claim that Tiamat lived for a long time on the Material Plane, seeding it with evil dragons and dark magic. Eventually she was banished to the Nine Hells by Bahamut and a sky/sun god (perhaps Pelor or Heironeous).[citation needed]

The Prodigal Son[edit]

One myth has it that Bahamut is known as the Grandfather of Dragons because he has a son who is the true father of metallic dragonkind. This son rebelled against Bahamut long ago, but if he defeated Bahamut in battle he would be able to claim his father's place among the gods. Divinations are unable to reveal this son's location or even his name, though Tiamat's agents are always on the lookout for him.[citation needed]

Bahamut's death[edit]

Legend has it that Bahamut can be permanently slain by his own offspring, or he can be forced to abandon his divinity if he ever commits a dishonorable deed.[citation needed]

Bahamut's rebirth[edit]

Bahamut infuses certain chosen warriors, known as Bahamut's vessels, with a portion of his divinity. Should his divine form be destroyed, these godly sparks may act as embryos that, if certain conditions are met, will allow the Platinum Dragon to be reborn into the world. When every condition is fulfilled, the Vessel will be consumed with divine fire, sacrificing their very essence to allow the dragon god to live again. Only the memory of the champion will live on in the god.

Publishing history[edit]

Bahamut's personal name is derived from the Bahamut of Arabic mythology, an elephant-headed fish that supports the world.

Original edition[edit]

The character was introduced to the game in its first supplement, Greyhawk (1975), by Gary Gygax and Rob Kuntz.[3] In this book, he was only known as the Dragon King, also called the Platinum Dragon, and did not have a personal name.

First edition[edit]

The character appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977).[4] In this book, the Platinum Dragon was given the personal name Bahamut.

He was also identified as a lesser god for dragons in the book Deities & Demigods (1980).[5]

Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon, King of the Good Dragons, and Angel of the Seven Heavens is further described in Dragon #38 (1980).

Bahamut's role in the outer planes is detailed in the first edition Manual of the Planes (1987).[6]

Second edition[edit]

Bahamut was first detailed as a deity for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting in the original Draconomicon (1990).[7]

Bahamut was detailed as a deity in the book Monster Mythology (1992), including details about his priesthood.[8]

Bahamut is also described in Cult of the Dragon (1998).[9]

His role in the cosmology of the Planescape campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996).[10]

Several draconic children of Bahamut are described in the article "Spawn of Tiamat, Children of Bahamut", in Dragon #260 (June 1999).[11]

Bahamut is described as one of the good deities that celestials can serve in the supplement Warriors of Heaven (1999).[12]

Third edition[edit]

3.0 edition[edit]

Bahamut appears in a preview article for the third edition, in Dragon #272 (June 2000).[13] This information is later included in the Manual of the Planes (2001),[14]

Bahamut is further detailed as a deity in Defenders of the Faith (2000)[15] and Deities and Demigods (2002).[16]

3.5 edition[edit]

Bahamut's priesthood and his role as a draconic deity are further detailed for this edition in Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons (2003),[17] Complete Divine (2004),[18] and Races of the Dragon (2006).[19]

Fourth edition[edit]

Bahamut appears as one of the deities described in the Players Handbook for this edition (2008).[20] He is further detailed and has a stat block in the Draconomicon: Metallic Dragons (2009).

Bahamut options for PCs and details of his clergy as an enemy threat are detailed in the articles "Channel Divinity: Bahamut" and "Deities & Demigods: Bahamut" in Dragon #378 (August 2009).

Creative origins[edit]

Bahamut first appeared in Supplement I: Greyhawk by Gary Gygax and Rob Kuntz (1976) as the Dragon King, also called the Platinum Dragon. He was given a personal name in the Monster Manual (1977). Bahamut's personal name is derived from the Bahamut of Arabic mythology, an elephant-headed fish that supports the world.

Gallery[edit]

External links[edit]

Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. a b c Chris Pramas, Dragon #285, p93
  2. a b Chris Pramas, The Ghostwind Campaign, p10.
  3. Gygax, Gary and Robert Kuntz. Supplement I: Greyhawk (TSR, 1975)
  4. Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual (TSR, 1977)
  5. Ward, James M., Kuntz, Robert J. Deities & Demigods (TSR, 1980 p.90)
  6. Grubb, Jeff. Manual of the Planes (TSR, 1987)
  7. Findley, Nigel, Christopher Kubasik, Carl Sargent, John Terra, and William Tracy. Draconomicon. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1990
  8. Sargent, Carl. Monster Mythology (TSR, 1992)
  9. Donovan, Dale. Cult of the Dragon (Wizards of the Coast, 1998)
  10. McComb, Colin. On Hallowed Ground (TSR, 1996)
  11. Strohm, Keith Francis. "Spawn of Tiamat, Children of Bahamut." Dragon #260. Renton, WA: TSR, 1999
  12. Perkins, Christopher. Warriors of Heaven (TSR, 1999)
  13. Williams, Skip. "Bahamut and Tiamat." Dragon #272 (Paizo Publishing, 2000)
  14. Grubb, Jeff, David Noonan, and Bruce Cordell. Manual of the Planes (Wizards of the Coast, 2001)
  15. Redman, Rich and James Wyatt. Defenders of the Faith (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)
  16. Redman, Rich, Skip Williams, and James Wyatt. Deities and Demigods (Wizards of the Coast, 2002)
  17. Colins, Andy, Skip Williams, and James Wyatt. Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons (Wizards of the Coast, 2003)
  18. Noonan, David. Complete Divine (Wizards of the Coast, 2004)
  19. Kestrel, Gwendolyn FM, Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, and Kolja Raven Liquette. Races of the Dragon. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2006
  20. Heinsoo, Rob, Andy Collins, and James Wyatt. Player's Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast, 2008)

Bibliography[edit]

———. "Deities and Demigods: Bahamut." Dragon #378. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2009.

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Index is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, and his work as continued and updated by Eric Johnson, Richard DiIoia, Jason "PupickDad" Jacobson, a French fan group, and numerous other fans over the years. The wiki page for the EGI has a list of sources, full product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Into White Plume (RPGA) (High Level Version), D&D 3.5e 4, 45
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Deities & Demigods (1st & 2nd printing), AD&D 1e 105, 132, 133
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Deities & Demigods (3rd+ printing), AD&D 1e 90
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Deities & Demigods, D&D 3.0e 58 - 60, 213, 214, 215
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Dungeon Masters Guide 1st Edition 160, 164
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Dungeon Master's Guide, D&D 4e (Premium Edition) 108, 111, 136, 141, 155, 156, 160, 162, 202, 206
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, DMGR4 - Monster Mythology 3, 98, 105, 106, 107
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Defenders of the Faith, D&D 3.0e 40, 94, 95
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Dragon magazine #038 42
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Dragon magazine #087 23
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Dragon magazine #272 28-31, 32, 34
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, FOR1 - Draconomicon, AD&D 2e 3, 5, 57-58, 76, 77, 84, 85
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Greyhawk: Supplement I, OD&D 35, 36
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Legends & Lore, AD&D 1e 90
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Monster Manual 1, AD&D 1e 33
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Monster Manual 1, D&D 4e (Deluxe Edition) 74
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Monster Manual 1, D&D 5e 103
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Manual of the Planes, AD&D 1e 15, 35, 65, 87, 88
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, On Hallowed Ground 134, 175, 186, 191
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Oerth Journal #11 54
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Oerth Journal #24 5,6,10,13
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Oerth Journal #32 8
Bahamut {Draco Paladin} (Dragon, Platinum) Deity Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon, Worshipped by: Good Dragons, Native of: Ethereal, Astral, Saltmarsh Encounters, D&D 5e 4
Dragon, Platinum {Bahamut} Deity Reference SEE Bahamut {Draco Paladin, Platinum dragon}