Iyachtu Xvim
 | This a Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game-related article describes a fictional demi-god in a primarily in-universe style. (December 2011) |
Template:Forgotten Realms Deity
In the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Iyachtu Xvim (/ˈiːjəxtuː zəˈvɪm/ EE-yəkh-too z(ə)-VIM)[1] was the half-demonic son of the god Bane and temporary holder of his portfolio.
Iyachtu Xvim was a Lawful Evil lesser deity.
Publication history
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
Iyachtu Xvim was first described in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Set's "Cyclopedia of the Realms" booklet (1987), which states that he "is called "the Godson" and the son of Bane, and serves as Bane's instrument in the Realms, directly carrying out his "father's" will".[1]
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
Iyachtu Xvim is fully detailed in Faiths & Avatars (1996),[2] and his clergy is further described in Warriors and Priests of the Realms (1996).[3]
His role in the cosmology of the Planescape campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996).[4]
His relationships with the nonhuman deities in the Forgotten Realms was covered in Demihuman Deities (1998).[5]
Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition (2000-2007)
Iyachtu Xvim's demise is described in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (2001).[6]
History
During the Time of Troubles, the then-demigod Xvim was imprisoned within the depths of Zhentil Keep. After the end of the Time of Troubles and his father's demise, Iyachtu Xvim was granted his father's command of hatred, and tyranny, and elevated to godhood. For little over a decade, Xvim reigned as a minor god, a feeble successor to his fearsome sire. During his existence, Xvim was petty, power-hungry, and ruthless, in some ways like his father. However, he was not nearly as strong, especially in comparison with the other "new" deity in the Faerûnian Pantheon, Cyric.
In Tymora's Luck, Xvim impersonated Sirrion in a bid to seize the portfolios of Tymora and Beshaba, when Lathander attempted to re-create Tyche by reuniting the two goddesses. (Tyche became Tymora and Beshaba after becoming corrupted by Moander during the Dawn Cataclysm.) His plan was foiled by Finder Wyvernspur and his priest Joel, who threw the two halves of the Finder's Stone into the fusion chamber. Xvim fled, but his realm, the Bastion of Hate, was already destroyed by Beshaba.[7]
Then, on Midwinter night of 1372 DR, the young god was consumed by a blazing green fire, from which emerged a resurrected Bane. Nearly all former clerics of Xvim (who in turn shifted to his allegiance after the death of his father) repledged themselves to the Church of Bane. Xvim is now considered a dead god, and for as long as his father holds on to divinity, he will probably remain as such.
References
- ^ a b Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb and Karen S. Martin (1987). Forgotten Realms Campaign Set. TSR, Inc. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.
- ^ Martin, Julia, and Eric L. Boyd. Faiths & Avatars (TSR, 1996)
- ^ Terra, John. Warriors and Priests of the Realms (TSR, 1996)
- ^ McComb, Colin. On Hallowed Ground (TSR, 1996)
- ^ Boyd, Eric L. Demihuman Deities (TSR, 1998)
- ^ Ed Greenwood; et al. (2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. Wizard of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ^ Kate Novak & Jeff Grubb, Tymora's Luck (TSR, 1997)