Saimpt Loup
by Giampaolo Agosta(The Night Hunter, The Cold)
Lesser Power of Arborea, CN/Temporal of Thought, C
PORTFOLIO: Mercy, hunger,
destruction, night, winter, one who keeps the lupins strong by
weeding out the sick and weak
ALIASES: None
DOMAIN: Arborea/Olympus/The Wolfwoods
DATE OF ASCENSION: 112 AC
SPONSOR: Korotiku
ALLIES: Korotiku
FOES: Yazak goblinoids pantheon. Saimpt Loup also sees with
disfavour the rise of Saimpt Clébard
SYMBOL: A white wolf
WAL: Any
Saimpt Loup, whose mortal name is all but forgotten, was a hunter and rider in the plains north of modern Renardy. When he was young, his clan was attacked by the vanguard of the goblinoid horde that was going to invade the western Savage Coast. Saimpt Loup was the sole survivor. He was able to reach the other clans, and warn them of the imminent invasion. The lupins could barely withstand the strength of the goblinoid army, but Saimpt Loup managed to convince them to cooperate under his leadership (which wasn't an easy task, as the tribes were scattered and fiercely independent, and many lupins were not aware of the danger). He proved a good leader and a better fighter, preferring ambushes to open fight. The war ended when Saimpt Loup, with a single companion, reached the enemy camp, slew the Orc Warlord and his High Shaman and set fire to the tents. This deed completed the quest for immortality of Saimpt Loup, but he was wounded by poisoned arrows while escaping the burning camp. His body was never found, as Saimpt Renard gated him to Arborea before the death of his mortal body, and conferred him the gift of Immortality.
The Church
CLERGY: Priests, Beast Rider rangers
CAL: Any
WEAPONS: Short bow, short composite bow, horseman's flail,
horseman's mace, horseman's pick, lance, spear, dagger, knife,
sabre
ARMOUR: Leather, studded leather, padded armour, shield (up to
medium)
MAJOR SPHERES: All, Animal, Chaos, Necromantic, Sun (reverse only),
Weather
MINOR SPHERES: Travellers, Plant
GRANTED POWERS: Move Silently/Hide in Shadows as a Ranger of the
same level
BONUS PROFS: Riding (Dire Wolf or Lupasus), Survival
(Plains)
DOGMA: The eldest lupin Immortal,
Saimpt Loup fosters the traditional values of tribal life. In
contrast with Saimpt Clébard, he portrays the lupin hunter
and raider of the steppes. Saimpt Loup also encourages a "survival
of the fittest" view of life.
DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES: For the followers of Saimpt Loup, hunting is
a holy endeavour. They always look at themselves as hunters, even
though they may follow other careers. When actually involved in
hunting, they show respect for the hunted animal, as they know that
its death is their life. Priests of Saimpt Loup are traditionally
responsible for funeral rites (though the clergy of Saimpt
Clébard is now contesting this role: Loup-worshippers also
prefer the traditional burial in mounds, while the richer followers
of Clébard now build family mausoleums, often decorated with
marble sculptures). Many priests are travellers or hunters.
IMPORTANT CEREMONIES/HOLY DAYS: Winter is the season dedicated to
Saimpt Loup. He is celebrated on the first and last day of
winter.
MAJOR CENTRES OF WORSHIP: Saimpt Loup is worshipped mainly by the
few nomad lupins. The only important established centre of worship
is Deauvais, as most priest prefer to hold ceremonies outside the
towns.
AFFILIATED ORDERS: Lupin Beast Riders are commonly associated with
Saimpt Loup, though there isn't a formal knightly order. Lupin
Beast Riders and Honourbound are often at odds, like their patron
deities, and fights or duel between them are quite common.
PRIESTLY VESTMENTS & ADVENTURING GARB: Priest of Saimpt Loup
are nearly indistinguishable from common hunters or beast riders.
However, they wear a small piece of white fur as their holy
symbol.
Loupite Spells
Saimpt Loup's Flying Steed (Conjuration)
Level: 4
Sphere: Animal, Summoning
Range: 100'
Components: Holy Symbol and see below
Duration: 1 day/level
Casting Time: 1 turn
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: None
This spell summons a large lupasus (minimum 3 Hit Points per HD) to
serve as mount and companion for the priest. The lupasus is more
intelligent then the average (Int 7), and serves the priest
willingly, so that he can ride it even if he hasn't got the
airborne riding proficiency (the lupasus will carry him, and it
will also care that he does not fall, unless in combat or otherwise
difficult situation, as in a storm). The component needed is the
Holy Symbol, but the priest must also feed the lupasus for the time
he keeps it. The lupasus can fight for the priest, but putting the
beast into danger will almost certainly anger Saimpt Loup, so it is
mostly used for transport. Notice that the lupasus is summoned from
the Wolfwood, so the summoning never fails (as can happen with
Animal Summoning spells).