Nessek

Nessek
Aliases	The Bright Flame
Alignment	True Neutral
Divine Rank	Intermediate Goddess
Pantheon	Manifest
Portfolio	Fire, magic, sorcerers
Domains	Destruction, Fire, Magic
Home Plane	Unknown
Worshippers	Sorcerers, smiths, ogres, orcs, hobgoblins, bugbears
Favoured Weapon	Dagger

Nessek is the Ghostwalk goddess of fire and magic, and is the patron of sorcerers.

History

Nessek is an old goddess, who changes her name and form every few hundred years. She once was called Golzan, and depicted as a dwarf with a burning beard, and at another point Herukal, and depicted as a crone wearing fire-scorched robes.

Worshippers

Nessek's church is mainly centered in Bazareene and Xaphan, with token following in other nations. Sorcerers and people who work with fire are often her followers, with ogres, orcs and goblinoids usually worshipping her destructive aspect. The temples are independant of each other, and are built of rock, preferrably volcanic rock, and all have a fire that is to be kept burning permanently. Clerics of Nessek help others in teaching them how to build bigger and safer pyres and in building firebreaks around high-risk areas. It also isn't unusual to see them serving as magical firepower in armies. The summer solstice, called the High Burning, is the one holy day, where the clergy build fires and sacrifice animals and large chunks of ice to the flames. When clerics reach sixth level, they undergo a ritual branding, where the symbol of Nessek is branded to either their forehead, chest, or hand.

Appearance

Nessek is currently depicted as a beautiful woman, with long, dark hair, and crown of flames on her head.

Dogma

Fire is the energy of life. Before the people of the world tamed beasts and built cities, they loved fire for its warmth and feared it for its bite—and that love and fear endures to this day. Fire is a tool, above laws and moral concerns; it is the actions of the user that determine the good or evil of it. Seek to understand fire and emulate its neutrality. Know when fire should be used to comfort and heal, and understand when it must be used as a brand against your enemies. Magic, like fire, is a fundamental force not subject to moral classification.

The Deities of Ghostwalk
	Lawful	Neutral	Chaotic
Good	Durann	Aluvan • Eanius	Soggelos • Wyst
Neutral	Chaniud • Dracanish • Uhanam	Galaedros • Nessek	Tephaneron
Evil	Phaant	Khostren	Orcus