Vaprak
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Vaprak is the deity worshiped by ogres and trolls. Vaprak is also known as "The Destroyer." His symbol is a taloned hand.
Publication history
Vaprak was created by James M. Ward for Deities and Demigods (1980).[1]
Vaprak was detailed in the book Monster Mythology (1992), including details about his priesthood.[2] His role in the cosmology of the Planescape campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996).[3] His role in the giant pantheon of the Forgotten Realms setting is detailed in Giantcraft (1995).[4]
Vaprak was described briefly in Defenders of the Faith (2000).[5] His priesthood is detailed for 3rd edition in Complete Divine (2004).[6]
Description
Vaprak has a humanoid form colored an exceedingly horrid mottled brown and green. He has an elemental, savage quality that endears him to ogres and trolls. Vaprak holds the other giantish gods in awe and respect, however, and fears that his race may abandon him to worship them. He is not a planner or a thinker; he merely destroys, ferociously, as quickly as he can, urging his followers to do the same.
Relationships
Vaprak is an enemy of the giant pantheon led by Annam. One legend says that a vastly tall, hideous ogress disguised herself in order to seduce Annam, and that Vaprak was the result of this deceitful coupling. Vaprak himself has three sons: Anori (or Agmori), Hakuni, and Muaj, who are believed to have sired the three races of ogre magi.
Realm
Vaprak makes his home in Shatterstone, the 524th layer of the Abyss. There, he dwells in a pitiful cave at the base of a great cliff.
Dogma
Vaprak urges his followers to combat, aggression, and frenzy; his own fears help fuel his anxiousness that they keep themselves busy.
Worshippers
Vaprak is worshipped chiefly by ogres and trolls.
Clergy
Vaprak's priests wear blood red plate mail and war helms. They must be ferocious and constantly on the look out for opportunities to fight. They must devour all they can, but remain physically fit. They often exercise by ritually bashing one another with clubs, which helps determine rank in their violent society. Vaprak's favored weapon is the greatclub.
Temples
Vaprak is worshiped in the lairs and dens of ogres and trolls.
Rituals
One curious rite practiced among the ogres of one tribe is the "Six Day Night," where ambitious tribesmen demonstrate their loyalty to Vaprak and their tribal leader by being placed in a dark cavern for six days with no food and only a small amount of water. If the initiate survives this ordeal, his status is greatly increased.
Campaign settings
Mystara
In the Basic D&D setting, Vaprak was known as Jammudaru.[7]
References
- ^ Ward, James and Robert Kuntz. Deities and Demigods (TSR, 1980)
- ^ Sargent, Carl. Monster Mythology (TSR, 1992)
- ^ McComb, Colin. On Hallowed Ground (TSR, 1996)
- ^ Winninger, Ray. Giantcraft (TSR, 1995)
- ^ Redman, Rich and James Wyatt. Defenders of the Faith (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)
- ^ Noonan, David. Complete Divine (Wizards of the Coast, 2004)
- ^ Heard, Bruce. The Orcs of Thar (1988, TSR)
Further reading
- 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