Istus
| Istus | |
 |
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| "Istus creates the first Deck of Many Things", art by Hichel Or (2023). | |
| Title: | The Lady of Our Fate, the Colorless and All-Colored |
|---|---|
| Alias(es): | None |
| Home plane: | Concordant Domain of the Outlands (or uncertain) |
| Power level: | Greater |
| Gender: | Female |
| Class: | Cleric 14/Druid 14/Magic-user 24/Illusionist 14 |
| Alignment: | Neutral |
| Portfolio: | Fate, Destiny, Divination, Predestination, Future, Honesty |
| Domains: | Celerity, Chaos, Destiny, Knowledge, Law, Luck, Oracle |
| Superior: | none |
Istus is the Baklunish goddess of Fate, Destiny, Divination, the Future, and Honesty. Her symbol is a golden spindle with three strands.
Description[edit | edit source]
Istus is the most powerful of the Baklunish deities, but aloof from mortals and immortals alike, concerning herself only with the fate of the universe. She is depicted in three separate ways: as an old crone, as a mature and haughty noble dame, and as a cold and unfeeling young maiden. She carries a golden spindle, with which she spins the future into the present, thus weaving the web of fate.
Relationships[edit | edit source]
Istus holds herself aloof from all other gods, even those of her own pantheon. The mendicant Daoud was a servant of the Lady of Our Fate in life. Istus is said to have a strange companion, a cloudlike being who is a prince from the Demiplane of Time.
In the course of events in the adventure Fate of Istus, Istus creates a being known as the Morgorath who appears in a variety of guises, behaving sometimes as an ally and sometimes as an adversary.
Rudd does not get along with Istus, as Rudd has a big problem with the idea of predestination.
"A human woman named Asteria bargained with Istus, to save the life of Euryale, her dearest friend. As part of this bargain, Istus created a deck of twenty-two magical cards drawn from constellations in the night sky, and she used thirteen of these cards to change the destinies of Asteria and Euryale. These cards formed the first Deck of Many Things." [1]
Realm[edit | edit source]
Istus dwells within the Web of Fate, which is thought by some to be a realm in the Outlands and by some to be a pocket universe beyond the known cosmology, or perhaps a demiplane within the Ethereal Plane. All times and places are open to Istus as long as she holds her spindle; if she loses it, she must return home immediately.
Dogma[edit | edit source]
In the strange metaphysics of the worshippers of Istus, the multiverse is conceived of as an intricate mesh of interconnected threads, with everything connected to everything else. They are believers in predestination, although the threads of fate are sometimes slack enough that destiny can be altered in some small way. Because the future is for the most part foreordained, it can be permitted by those with the skills to perceive how the threads are linked. Clerics of Istus teach that acceptance of one's fate is the only honest approach; those who strive too hard against Fate will only meet their own foreordained ruins.
Worshipers[edit | edit source]
Because Fate is callous and often unkind, only cynical and unfeeling people tend to make Istus their patron. Centers of Istus' worship are in Dyvers, the Free City of Greyhawk, Rauxes, Rel Mord, and Stoink. She is also worshipped in Bissel, the Bright Lands, Ekbir, Ket, the Plains of the Paynims, the Tiger Nomads, Tusmit, the Wolf Nomads, and Zeif.
Clergy[edit | edit source]
Istus has few true followers. Her clerics tend to be stoic and cynical, having seen all the extremes of mortal destinies. They use divinations to discern what fate will bring and are called upon by nobles and other important people to make predictions about the future. They hold honesty as a virtue and teach the importance of accepting one's destiny and role in the world. Eighty percent of them are female.
Clerics of Istus wear gray or black robes. Higher ranking clerics have formal vestments with weblike patterns. They must wear their holy symbols openly and allow their hair to grow at least six inches in length.
Relics[edit | edit source]
- Deck of Many Things
- Istus created the very first Deck of Many Things.[1] In response to pleas from a human princess, Asteria, (from a "small, coastal kingdom")[2] to change the fate of her boon companion and close friend, Euryale, who was a medusa who had been murdered by Asteria's father's soldiers. Istus made the first Deck to give them a chance to change their fates. Afterward, because of the divine nature of the Deck, it multiplied across the multiverse. Mortal spellcasters made similar artifacts and new cards, and these too multiplied across the multiverse.[1]
Rituals[edit | edit source]
Services to Istus include hangings of gauze, clouds of incense, the music of woodwinds, chanting, and meditation.
References[edit | edit source]
Citations[edit | edit source]
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
- Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:[1]
- Findley, Nigel, Dan Salas, Stephen Inniss, and Robert J. Kuntz. Fate of Istus. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.
- Gygax, Gary. "The Deities and Demigods of the World of Greyhawk." Dragon #69. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- ———. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- Moore, Roger E. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- Noonan, David. Complete Divine. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2004.
- Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
- Tondo, Jason, James Wyatt, Mackenzie DeArmas, Dan Dillon, et al. The Book of Many Things. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2023. ISBN 978-0-7869-6917-3
- Ward, James M. Greyhawk Adventures. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1988.
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enmeshment (LVL6) (Istus) | Spell | Spell (Cleric), | CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook | 112 |
| Enmeshment (LVL6) (Istus) | Spell | Spell (Cleric), | From the Ashes: References Card | #05 |
| Enmeshment (LVL6) (Istus) | Spell | Spell (Cleric), | Greyhawk Adventures | 14 |
| Enmeshment (LVL6) (Istus) | Spell | Spell (Cleric), | Priest's Spell Compendium Volume 1 | 246 |
| Enmeshment (LVL6) (Istus) | Spell | Spell (Cleric), | Priest's Spell Compendium Volume 3 | 798 |
| Hands of Istus {Isius} (Willip) | Building | Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , | WGR4 The Marklands | IC, 35 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions | 29 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Dragon magazine #069 | 27, 28 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Dragon magazine #265 | 59 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Dungeon magazine #006 | 29 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 2, 7, 27, 30, 80, 83, 84, 95 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | From the Ashes: References Card | #4 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | From the Ashes: References Card | #5 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Greyhawk Adventures | 3, 13, 14 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Ivid the Undying | 7, 8, 36, 38, 108, 121, 150, 154, 157 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 32, 37, 42, 67, 83, 114, 125, 133, 136, 168, 170, 172, 176 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Living Greyhawk Journal #0 | 7 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Living Greyhawk Journal #2 | 5 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Living Greyhawk Journal #3 | 10, 16 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Living Greyhawk Journal #5 | 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21, 28 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | On Hallowed Ground | 180, 185, 191 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 14, 19, 46 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Polyhedron magazine #128 | 29 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Return of the Eight | 62 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | SJR6 Greyspace | 90 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 8 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Saga of Old City | 79 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil | 120 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | The Adventure Begins | 2, 3, 13, 31, 71, 105 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | WGA4 Vecna Lives! | 60 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | WGR1 Greyhawk Ruins | 40, 41 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | WGR4 The Marklands | IC, 4, 35, 54, 65, 74, 88 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | WGR5 Iuz the Evil | 3, 6, 72 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 63, 70, 71 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 43 |
| Istus {Istis} (Lady of our Fate) | Deity | Lady of Fate, Female, Worshipped by: Human (Bakluni), | Night Watch (1990) | 22, |
| Istus, Pillars of | Place | Living Greyhawk Journal #5 | 18, 19 | |
| Istus, Shrine of (Strand) | Building | Shrine, | Ivid the Undying | 121 |
| Istus, Shrine of (Verbobonc) | Building | Shrine, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 95 |
| Istus, Temple of (Chendl) | Building | Temple, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 84 |
| Istus, Temple of (Chendl) | Building | Temple, | WGR4 The Marklands | IC |
| Istus, Temple of (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Temple, | The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions | 29 |
| Istus, Temple of (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Temple, | Living Greyhawk Journal #2 | 5 |
| Istus, Temple of (City of Greyhawk) | Building | Temple, | Night Watch (1990) | 22, |
| Istus, Temple of (Wragby) | Building | Temple, | WGR4 The Marklands | 74 |
| Levistus (Archdevil) | Deity | Book of Vile Darkness, D&D 3.0 | 154-156 | |
| Levistus (Archdevil) | Deity | Defenders of the Faith, D&D 3.0e | 96 | |
| Levistus (Archdevil) | Deity | Dragon magazine #347 | 32 | |
| Levistus (Archdevil) | Deity | Monster Manual 1, D&D 5e | 68 | |
| Levistus (Archdevil) | Deity | On Hallowed Ground | 50 | |
| Specialty Priest of Istus | People Group | Religious order, | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 84 |
| Specialty Priest of Istus | People Group | Religious order, | Greyhawk Adventures | 14 |
| Web of Fate (Istus' Realm) | Planar | Plane/Dimension, | On Hallowed Ground | 180 |
| WG8 The Fate of Istus | Adventure | Adventure - Located in: Various, | Dragon magazine #164 | 19 |
| WG8 The Fate of Istus | Adventure | Adventure - Located in: Various, | El Raja Key Archive (Standard Edition) | 20, 21, 136 |
| WG8 The Fate of Istus | Adventure | Adventure - Located in: Various, | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 73 |
| WG8 The Fate of Istus | Adventure | Adventure - Located in: Various, | Ivid the Undying | 29 |