D-I-Y Deities: A Guide to Creating your own Pantheons by Stephen Kenson / Dragon # 283

Has anyone ever used the Roman gods, Finnish gods or lesser titans in your DIY pantheons?

Has anyone updated these pantheons?

Gods of the Kavevala (Finnish Pantheon)

The pantheon really needs updating. Anyone else interested in these gods? Many of these deities could easily be included in a mix & match pantheon.

Deities of the Ocean:

• Ahti (or Ahto), the sea god; god of the depths and giver of fish.
  
• Vellamo, the wife of Ahti, goddess of the sea, lakes and storms. From everything I read, she was an unfriendly goddess to humans; she preferred her mermaids, mermen and other people of the sea.

Deities of Agriculture:

• Äkräs, the god of fertility and the protector of plants, especially the turnip.
  
• Pekko (or Pellon Pekko), the god of crops, especially barley and brewing.
  
• Pellervo (or Sampsa Pellervoinen), the god of harvest.

I think Pellervo would be the major god of agriculture and the leader of Pellonpekko and, especially, Akras.

Deities of Evil:

• Hiisi, Originally meaning a ‘sacred grove‘, later meaning “goblin“; he was never even a deity!
  
• Lempo, originally a fertility spirit, became synonymous with demon in the a later era.
  
• Perkele, Originally a god of thunder, Perkele was demonized with the introduction of another, later monotheistic religion. He’s related to Baltic Perkunas and Norse Thor.

So Hiisi is out unless another deity took this name after its’ meaning was defiled. Lempo was possibly a god of Love; Perkele was a god of thunder and both were demonized by a conflict with another religion.

I don’t envision either Lempo or Perkele becoming the god of Evil (Hiisi) but I can see a conflict with another cult changing their alignments (similar to Ripvanwormer’s story with Aryaman becoming Druaga).

Deities of Death:

Tuoni, the personification of Death and Tuonetar, mistress of Tuonela (realm of the dead).

• Kivutar
• Kiputyttö
• Loviatar (Louhi)
• Vammatar

Theses goddess are all daughters of Tuoni and Tuonetar and delight in diseases and pain. Kivutar may have simply been another name for Kiputytto (since both mean “pain girl” or something similar). Loviatar and Louhi were probably the same being; if you prefer, Louhi could be an avatar of Loviatar.

I envision them as non-good lesser goddesses of death but open to interpretation. She does not have to be a goddess of disease but she can punish with plagues; she can be the patron of poisons or venoms but not murder necessarily. Also, pain can take many forms (emotional suffering, toil, torture, illness, misfortune, and etcetera).

Several of these goddesses could be in the same pantheon with different roles. One could be simply the goddess of evil (replacing Hiisi; maybe he‘s revealed as her avatar); another could be the goddess of death like Hel; yet another the goddess of misfortune or disease or torture and murder. One could be the patron goddess of dark elves (death, venom) and another of gray dwarves (toil, doom). Laduguer and Lloth may not be happy but perhaps they are denied access to this world for some reason.

Deities of nature:

• Nyyrikki: the hunter god
  
• Mielikki (Mimerkki): goddess of forests and the hunt
  
• Tapio (Knikkano, Knippana, Tupio): the forest god
  
• Tellervo, the goddess of the forest, daughter of Tapio and Mielikki.
  
• Tuulikki, daughter of Tapio and Mielikki, goddess of animals.

Tellervo and Tuulikki may or may not be daughters of Tapio; they may simply be minor forest goddess associated with Tapio and Mielikki.

As has already been done with Mielikki, any of these deities could become a power over nature or hunting or forests or animals and a patron of druids or rangers or wild elves or nymphs.

Deities of the Air:

• Ilmarinen, the great smith, maker of heaven; the god of sky and weather. Originally a male spirit of air.
  I also envision him as the god of the forge and crafts. He could easily become a patron god to dwarves.
  
  
• Ukko ("old man") the god of the sky and thunder, related to Thor (Estonian Taara).

Deity of War:

• Iku-Turso, a malevolent sea monster; probably same as Tursas.

• Tursas, the Tavastian god of war. May be same as the Norse Tyr and the Germanic Tîwaz.

The Spirit of Bear.

I'm not sure; requires more research. Perhaps s/he is in the Beastlands.

From www.godchecker.com:

Despite being a sparsely populated place, thick with forests and littered with lakes, Finland has been amazingly persistent and creative with its mythology.

For a mythology based on word-of-mouth tale-telling, Finland has better Godly documentation than some other places we could mention. The rambling epics of VAINAMOINEN, the Finnish folk hero, and the publishing of Kalevala, the Finnish folk bible, give intriguing glimpses of a mythology centered around trees, animals, natural forces... and more trees.

The Gods of Finland, although thin on the ground, are firm folksy favourites with spinners of spooky tales. When Christianity came and spread, Finnish mythology didn't turn a hair. It just mixed the two together with extra tales around the fire.

Outside the Kalevala, you will need good luck to find other sources to agree on who is a god or not.

I can tell that each god answers to no one else about his/her domain: Ahto, Pellervo, Tuoni, Tuonetar, Tapio, Ukko, Tursas and Otava (bear) are cheifs in their areas. Ukko may lead the pantheon but he can't tell Tapio what to do in his forest or Otava how her bears should behave. I am more intersted in the lesser gods (i.e. Kivutar) making their own ways in the worlds.

Go off the deep end anytime you wish. Your ideas are fantastic!!!

Even with my limited writing ability, I could expand upon your excellent extrapolations.

Thanks!

Ahtolaiset

Race: Deities
Title: Inhabitants of Ahtola

Names: Water People, People of the Foam & Billow, Wellamo's Eternal People

The "Ahtolaiset" are the deities associated with the water god Ahto and his domain Ahtola. They live in fountains, lakes and rivers. These divinities of the Seas were extremely vengeful spirits and disliked all of mankind. (Read as: if you’re of the aquatic subtype, you’re golden. Otherwise, these gods need to be avoided/placated. Use extreme caution if approaching.)

Ahto

Intermediate God
Title: God of Depths, God of the Waters, Giver of Fish

Names: Ahto, water-god, wave-host
Consort: Wellamo

Ahtio is the chief water god and chief of the depths. He lives at the bottom of the seas at his palace Ahtola. He rules fish; particularly the salmon, trout, whiting, perch, herring and white fish. As a god of the sea and of fishing, portrayed as a man with a handlebar moustache and beard of moss.

Wellamo

Lesser Goddess
Title: Hostess of the Waters, goddess of the sea, lakes and storms.

Names: Wellamo, Vellamo
Consort: Ahto

Wellamo is the hostess of the waters and called the "cold and cruel-hearted spouse" of Ahto. She is often pictured as a mermaid.

Iku-Turso

"Iku-Turso, son of Old-age, Ocean monster, manifested" -Kalevala Runo 42 "Capture of the Sampo"

Lesser God
Title: Water Deity

Iku-Turso ("the eternal Turso"; also known as Iku-Tursas, Iki-Tursas, Meritursas, Tursas, Turisas) is a malevolent sea monster.

His appearance remains unclear, but he is described with several epithets. It was sometimes said that he lived in Pohjola, but that may be because Pohjola was often perceived as the home of all evil.
Some runes tell that Meritursas partalainen makes pregnant the Maiden of Air (Ilman impi, Ilmatar). She later gave birth to Väinämöinen, which would make him a truly primeval creature. On the other hand, he is also mentioned as the son of Äijö (a name usually assigned to the God of sky).

He is mentioned as the god of war: Turisas voiton antoi sodast (Turisas brought victory in war). It has been suggested that the god in the list is same as the god of war Tyr or Tîwaz; however, this theory is not widely supported today. It is more likely that Tur(i)sas was the name of a disease-demon who shot sickness-inducing projectiles. On the other hand, it is conceivable that even some may have sometimes seen this spirit, who could bring decimating illnesses among the enemies, as a war-deity.

The Apotheosized:

Allotar

Demigoddess
Title: Wave Goddess

Koskenneiti

Demigoddess
Title: Goddess of the Cataract, Cataract Maiden

Melatar

Demigoddess
Title: Goddess of the Helm

(She has potential. As a goddess of ships and sailors, she would be more friendly than most Ahtolaiset; she'd at least be neutral.)

Wetehilien

Demigod
Names: Wetehilien, Vetehinen

Wetehilien is one of the darker Ahtolaiset. He is principally known for pulling young children into the depths, if they lean over bridge railings, docks or otherwise look into water surfaces to see their own reflection and touch the water. As a Näkki (a.k.a. Nix or Nixie), he is a fine example of a spirit enlisted by parents to guide children away from unsafe practices. Although a Näkki, he is also called Vesihiisi (water fey, see Hiisi).

Honorable Mention:

Satka

Demigoddess
another demigoddess of the sea.

Vedenemo

Demigoddess
Title: "mother of waters"

yet another demigoddess of water.

Ved-ava

Lesser Goddess

Names:Vete-ema and Veen emo

She is a water deity worshipped to several peoples traditionally dependent on fishing. She is also sometimes associated with fertility. She is generally depicted as a water creature resembling a mermaid, with long hair, large breasts, and the lower body of a fish complete with tail, and is sometimes said to play or sing, seducing humans with her music. Fishermen sacrificed to her the first of their catch and observed numerous taboos related to her while fishing. Seeing Ved-ava bodes ill, most often results in drowning. Some religious scholars regarded her as the spirit of a drowned person or simply as a personification of the water itself. Among the some of her followers, she is the Water Mother, ruler of the waters and their bounty. She is not Ahtolaiset (or Kalevalaiset) may be from the same pantheon as Maa-emæ.

Thanks to Molly Kalafut

Lintukotolainen

Race: Deities
Title: dweller in the land of birds

The "Lintukotolainen " are the deities associated with the earth and agriculture. Earth was believed to be flat. At the edges of Earth was Lintukoto, "the home of the birds", a warm region in which birds lived during the winter. The Milky Way is called Linnunrata, "the path of the birds", because the birds were believed to move along it to Lintukoto and back.

Of all the Kalevalaiset, the divinities of this Lintukoto are the most friendly and helpful to their followers. Of course, this is setting the bar underground (pun intended); do not expect every farmer to be on a first name basis with one of these gods.

The dark of the Kalevalaiset is that this pantheon has no native earth goddess! It has a few earth gods and many aspiring earth goddess. Of course, you’d think this would be a great opportunity for an ambitious goddess. All she would have to do is establish a following under some portfolio, slowly add to her range from the Earth domains and, eventually, become a rising power in the pantheon. The problem with being an mother earth aspirant: the competition is numerous! It is difficult to vie with an established goddess of the earth even on other worlds in other spheres. If you want to see the dark side of the earth mother, try being the upstart luring away her faithful.

Maa-emæ

Intermediate Goddess
Title: Mother Earth

Names: Maa-emæ, Maanemo, Manemo, Maan-Eno, Mother Earth, Mother Of The Earth, Akka (Maderakka, Sarakka, Uksakka, Juksakka, Yambe-Akka, Jabme-akka )
Consort: Ukko

Maa-emæ is the earth goddess with great powers. Also known as Akka ("old lady"), she is thought of as the feminine counterpart of "Ukko" She is also thought to be married to Ukko but she is not. In fact, she is not a Kalevalaiset; she is from another pantheon. How the “earth mother” and “sky father” from different pantheons first met is their secret. For reasons known only to them, her pantheon is not discussed among the Kalevalaiset.

Pellervoinen

(Pronounced Peller-voy-nen)

"Pellervoinen, gnome of plow-land, Little Sampsa Pellervoinen, He's the boy to do the planting, Sow the seeds and sow them thickly." -Runo 2 of the Kalevala

Lesser God
Title: Sower of the Forests; God of harvest; patron of fertility rites and Summer

Names: Pellervoinen, Pellerwoinen, Sampsa, Sampsa Pellervoinen, Sampsa Pellerwoinen, Pellervo

Sampsa Pellervoinen helped to plant and sow the world after Väinämöinen's birth. He sowed upon the lands, swamps, barrens and pine groves and helped to plant trees. Sampsa is commonly described as a slender youth carrying either a bag or a basket around his neck. He appears as a god of fertility, who has to be ritually awakened every summer (when he is directly connected to old fertility rites). The Feast of Sampsa has been traditionally held in connection with the midsummer festivities

The Apotheosized:

Äkräs

Demigod
Title: Demigod of fertility; God of the turnip and a protector of vegetation

Names: Äkräs, Ägröi, Egres, Pyhä Äkräs (Holy Äkräs)

Äkräs, the god of fertility; He is also the god of turnip and the protector of beans, peas, cabbage, flax, and hemp. In other words, he’s a minor god working his way up (and doing a good job, too).

Pekko

Demigod
Title: God of the crops and patron of brewing

Names: Peko, Pekko, Pekka, Pellon Pekko (Peko of the Field), Pikne (Pitkne), Perkunas

Peko is an ancient god of crops (especially barley) and brewing. As the protector of the fields and brewer of the beer, he is a popular deity among the people.

Virokannas

Demigod
Title: Ruler of the Wilderness, God of Trees, Rye, Flax & Barley; god of the Honey-land.

Names: Virokann, Virokannas, Wirokannas, Green Robed Priest of the Forest, Palwoinen, Turi, Tuuri

Virokannas is described as a minor deity of the earth. He’s ambitious and may overextend himself if he is unwise. He would do well not to make enemies in the Lintukotolainen and the Tapiolaiset. He needs to make a change for the better or he could find himself entered in the dead book soon.

Honorable Mention (aspiring earth goddesses)

Kankahattaret

Demigoddess
Title: Goddess of Weaving

Kankahattaret is described as the goddess of weaving

Sinettaret

Demigoddess
Title: Goddess of Dyeing

Sinettaret is the demigoddesses of dyeing - as in "dye", not "die".

Sukkamieli

Demigoddess
Title: Goddess of Love

Sukkamieli is the demigoddess of love.

Suonetar

Demigoddess
Title: Goddess of Veins;

Names: Suonetar, Swonetar

Suonetar is the demigoddess of the veins.

Pohjolaiset

Race: Deities
Title: Inhabitants of Pohjola

The "Pohjolaiset" are the deities associated with the infamous land of Pohjola. Scholars think of Pohjola as a purely abstract place, the source of evil — a foreboding, a forever cold land far in the north. Pohjola may or may not be a mobile demi-plane but, unfortunately, the land is all too real and volatile. Of all the Kalevalaiset, the Pohjolaiset are the most worrying and badly behaved. They are a band simply because no other faction in the Kalevalaiset wish to include them. These are the dark and vile gods. Beware!

The Apotheosized:

Ajattara

Demigoddess
Title: Goddess of Hidden Treasure and Serpents

Names: Aiatar, Ajattaro or Ajattara; Ajatar is also known as Aitvaras and Äi, Äijo or Äijattar.

Ajatar is a demigoddess known as "Devil of the Woods". It is an demigoddess that manifests as a snake or dragon. Ajatar is said to be the mother of devils. She spreads disease and pestilence (any that look at her become ill) and she suckles serpents. Truthfully, she is another apotheosized green dragon who murdered and succeeded Mammelainen, the hideously old goddess of hidden treasures and, also, the mother serpents. Ironically, Mamelainen had murderously succeeded Syojatar (Suoyatar), ancient mother of the serpent, after Syojatar had killed Aarni (the guardian of hidden treasures) to take his portfolio.

Hiisi
(Pronounced Hee-see)

"They were chanting Lapland runos, Howling out the hymns of Hiisi." -Runo 12

Demigoddess
Title: Queen of the Forest Goblins, "The Evil Principle"

Names: "Sacred Grove", Goblin, Hisi, Hiisi, Jutas, Juntas, Piru, Yutas

Hiisi is portrayed as a wicked demon or goblin and is blamed for many evils, diseases or misfortunes that befall mankind. The sorcerers of Lapland are accused of being "Hiisi's harpers". Truthfully, Hiisi was a title that was demonized in a conflict between the Kalevalaiset and a monotheistic cult; since then, it has been taken by several goblin chiefs and deities. The last Hiisi, the god of evil, was slain by some celestials while the current Hiisi was nearby and able succeed him. An apotheosized druid, she became the dark goddess of awe-inspiring nature who promotes all wicked beings (except those outside of nature like Aberrations and the Undead). Her abode is called Hiitola.

Louhi

(Pronounced Low-hee)

"Louhi, mistress of Pohjola, She the sparse-tooth dame of Northland" -Runo 7, "Väinämöinen's Promise"

Title: Mistress of Pohjola; Proxy of Loviatar

Names: Louhi, Loviatar, Ilpotar

Louhi is the hostess of the Northland who provides occasional help (and daughters as wives) to the heroes but then later causes a great deal of trouble. She makes heroes and gods go through ridiculously complicated trials in order to win her daughters for marriage. She incited Ilmarinen to forge the Sampo. In some stories she transfers her shape into various birds, including a hawk and a dove.

Lempo

Demigod

Lempo was the Finnish god of wilderness and archery. Other scholars have interpreted Lempo as a being of precarious love and/or a fertility spirit. Sadly, he was demonized in a conflict between the Kalevalaiset and a monotheistic cult. He apparently accepted this change and became a deity of passion and a patron of archers.

Perkele

Demigod

Name: Perkūnas, Pērkons, Perkūns, Parkuns, Percunis, Piarun, Peko or Pekolasõ and Perun.

Perkūnas is one of the most important deities in his pantheon (which is not the Kalevalaiset); he is the god of thunder, rain, mountains, oak trees and the sky. He was demonized with the introduction of a monotheistic religion and, oddly, a cult formed around these heresies. The cultists called him Perkele, a name stolen from Ukko, and worship him after destructive thunderstorms. Scholars agree is unlikely the original deity has anything to do with this cult and, probably, some unknown demigod seized an opportunity.

The Kalevalaiset: Designer Notes

First, I place all this in the public domain. In other words, use this if you so wish. Thanks to Molly Kalafut, Wikipedia, Godchecker (for Kipu-Tyttö and Vammatar), Hyena of Ice (for protogenoi), Wicke and, especially, Palomides. I am merely trying to provide an organized idea for others to build upon. Yes, I took some artistic license with some of the entries.

Q & A (in no particular order…)

Why is Ukko in charge? He’s not even a greater god!

Two reasons. Firstly, Ukko was chosen the diplomatic, public face of the Kalevalaiset with other pantheons only because he fit’s the stereotypical sky father chief god role. Secondly and truthfully, none of the others wanted to deal with Zeus, Odin, Enlil, Anu or the other pompous bores who head pantheons so they elected Ukko.

Hey, there are no greater gods! Why not?!?

I did not see how there could be greater gods yet; this small, obscure, struggling pantheon is still trying to find it’s way in the cosmos. I only know about this pantheon because I read Legends & Lore. Ukko, Ahto, Tuoni and Tapio may be on the verge of becoming greater gods; I leave that decision with the DMs.

The earth goddess is from another pantheon? That’s crazy/weird. Why did you do that?

The ancient Finns came into contact with other people and their religions. There was some crossover worship. I think it’s entirely plausible. I have no intention of writing up the other pantheons.

Where is the Kalevalaiset located in the planes?

For instance, I would be inclined to put the Finnish pantheon on the Outlands. I could draw some good parallels between them and the Celtic pantheon (which also focuses a lot on cultural heroes) They might fit on Ysgard, but overall, they don't seem to have a strong affinity for law/chaos. And neither do they strike me as being particularly good nor evil. They're mostly concerned with their own affairs and, keying off of Palomides' thoughts, they're more interested in competing against one another. Plus, on the Finnish mythology wiki page, where it talks about the structure of the world, there's a picture that looks suspiciously like the Spire. (It's supposed to be a tent pole that hold up the heavens.)
Sounds good to me. Thanks, Wicke .

Why did you organize the Kalevalaiset like this?

Actually, the gods of the Kalevala seem to unaffectedly organize themselves along geographical lines. Tapio’s clan, Tuoini’s clan, and Ahto’s clan were clearly established. The celestial gods, the maleficent gods and terrestrial gods have a far looser connection.

How did you come up with these weird names? Why are the Agriculture/Earth deities faction so different?

I started with Ahtolaiset and extrapolated. I do not speak Finnish language; I did the best I could.
From the beginning, I wanted to emphasize the difference of the agriculture and earth deities and the other factions. The Lintukotolainen are different because they care so much more about mortals. Lintukoto just jumped out at me!

Why did you include the Foreign Realms events as cannon?

I enjoy when mythology is updated! I feel it keeps it alive. I also think that this is exactly what the Kalevalaiset are actively pursuing when not fighting with each other. What Mielikki , Kiputyttö and Loviatar did on that single sphere world is what all these deities are trying to do: pump up their pantheon! They may not like each other but they need some allies.

What was the inspiration for all this?

Extrapolating (a lot), the concept of a god (and his underlings) as a tribe that is interested in their own thing and running into opposition (or at least rivalry) with competing single deities or other godly "tribes" seems like a workable and unique idea.
I recall that the recorded Finnish epics deal more with heroes of the culture than the gods. But if you were to treat the gods as largely indifferent to mortals and more interested in making gains against a rival godly groups; then it would make sense that the focus of the literature is more on the heroes (who accually do something positive for mortals).
While I'm sure this is far from true Finnish lore, I could see the gods of the "sun tribe" thumping on their chests, challenging the "ocean tribe" and talking smack, and occasionally fighting (with unpleasant effects for the mortal world). To these gods, the mortals are just lesser tribes that aren't even worth more than a passing thought unless a hero rises from their midst and does something epic.
There might be some compassionate deities (e.g. agriculture, etc.) that might covertly help out the human tribes; but for the most part, the humans are are on their own and they just have to deal with the consequences of the boisterous conflicts and showboating of the godly "tribes"
I could also see this making a good piecemeal addition to a DIY pantheon. Perhaps the established god of fire, the hearth and practical use of fire has to deal with a chaotic tribe of fire deities that occasionally show up and cause mayhem (e.g. forest fires) in an effort to demonstrate that fire isn't some tamed tool made for mankind; it's a wild force that can't be bound by rules
I know that I'm going off the deep end with this and straying far from the facts; but these are some of the ideas that tickled my fancy based on what you wrote above.
Thanks, Palomides