Gods
Gods in RuneScape are a group of deities who play a role within the game at this time, the only true immortals featured in the game. Each god has his or her own unique beliefs, character, history, followers, and domain. There are or have been at least twenty gods in Gielinor in one time or another, although many of them are unknown. The gods of Gielinor are most notable for their participation in the God Wars of the Third Age, a major conflict that nearly destroyed the entire world, and their daily role in the Prayer skill, which enables them to transfer small portions of their power temporarily to their worshippers for a variety of potent effects. Ages past, during and prior to the time of the Third Age, the RuneScape deities were capable of interacting freely upon Gielinor, which caused such unimaginable chaos that Guthix set his Edicts to prevent the Gielinor gods from ever directly interfering in the world again, influencing events only through their remaining followers. The gods are incredibly powerful beings in the RuneScape game, the oldest and most potent among them far exceeding that of any other known class or race of beings, despite each one, even Guthix himself, having limits to their own power. It is believed that the Stone of Jas combined with the Staff of Armadyl would grant a Mahjarrat sufficient power to become a deity himself.
| “ | Many of the deities of this land also exist because their function is required to fulfill the roles they do. | ” |
| “ | All of the deities currently in this realm, and some who now are no longer with us, were involved in the war. | ” |
Distribution of religion throughout Gielinor
The First Age
Very little is known about the First Age. It is assumed that the Guthix discovered a "Blank Plane" which he named Gielinor, which he shaped as he pleased. The goddess Seren then arrived in Gielinor. When the world gate was open, Seren brought the Elves to Gielinor from their ancestral homeland and led them to massive clearing in the forest of Isafdar, where she had created the legendary tower of voices from Crystal. This is where the Elves created the city of Prifddinas, Gielinors first and oldest settlement which still exists. Guthix brought the first humans to Gielinor via the Portal of Life and tells them to use, not abuse, their new world. At around the year 4000, Guthix entered a deep Slumber until around 6000 years later. This marked the end of the First Age.
Second Age
During the Second Age, religion was found in almost all areas of Gielinor, including the area now known as The Wilderness. Many areas had their own religion, such as Karamja, the Fremennik Province and the Kharidian Desert. During this time, Saradomin was worshipped in Entrana, Mos Le'Harmless and Morytania. (In the Fifth Age, Zamorak dominates Morytania, excluding Burgh de Rott and Mort'ton).
The Fifth Age
The previously dominant Zarosian religion was overthrown by Zamorak. In the Fifth Age, it is confined to the Bandit Camp and Ghorrock. Armadyl ceases to be worshipped, however all other religions still exist, roughly in the same areas of Gielinor.
Guthix is now worshipped in areas such as Taverley, the Seers' Village, and the Tree Gnome Village and Stronghold.
It is clear that Saradomin has become much more powerful between the Second Age and the Third Age, with the Kingdoms of Misthalin, Asgarnia (excluding the Guthix city of Taverley), Entrana, and most of Kandarin starting to worship Saradomin, as well as cities, settlements and islands like Musa Point, Brimhaven, Yanille, Burgh de Rott, Mort'ton, Port Phasmatys, Tyras Camp, the Piscatoris Fishing Colony, Harmony, Dragontooth Island and the Tutorial Island.
In the Fifth Age, Zamorak is worshipped thoroughout Morytania and western Kandarin, as well as the Dark Knight's Fortress and the Bandit Camp in the Wilderness.
Major gods according to the original/classical curriculum
Major gods have the largest amount of followers in modern times.
Saradomin
Saradomin is the God of order. Saradomin is male and often portrayed as an old, bald man with a long beard. Most Saradominists claim that he is the God of good. His following consists mainly of humans and formerly Icyene. His symbol is a four-tipped star, and the colours that represent him are blue, white, and sometimes gold.
In The Ritual of the Mahjarrat quest, the player has a vision in which Saradomin appears after a Zamorakian invasion. He saves Commander Zilyana, who is severely wounded, by using the Stone of Jas to cast a very potent healing spell.
Zamorak
Zamorak is the God of chaos and initiator of the God Wars. He was originally a Mahjarrat, who rebelled against Zaros. During his betrayal against Zaros, Zamorak managed to defeat Zaros with the Staff of Armadyl and absorb some of his powers, achieving godhood shortly after that, when he used the Stone of Jas. Some call him the God of evil, but without him and his actions, Guthix would not have created the Edicts that harmonized Gielinor. The colours that represent him are red and black.
Guthix
Guthix is the God of balance, and shaped Gielinor with the Stone of Jas after the Elder gods created it. With the Stone, he created the runecrafting altars and the runes, along with the native nature of Gielinor and the Portal of Life, the portal which the other gods and most of the creatures used to enter Gielinor. Although Guthix has no specific gender, he is often referred to as male and appears as a skull with tendrils on the scalp. He is thought to be the most powerful of the current gods. In Meeting History, it is seen creating the first runes in the First age. His followers consist mainly of druids, fairies, gnomes, dwarves as well as a number of miscellaneous races.
Major gods according the current curriculum
These gods are hardly known by anyone except the members of the race that worships them, or have been long forgotten.
Armadyl
Armadyl is a god who ruled the skies and the birds. He is known to be the God of Justice and is an ally of Saradomin, and united with him during the God Wars. It is said that he wept and abandoned Gielinor after his 'precious children', the Aviantese, were slain, although a few of them still exist in the God Wars Dungeon, although it seems more likely that he was banished by Guthix along with the gods that participated the God Wars. He doesn't have many followers in the current age and for that reason, he is forgotten by most of the individuals that live on Gielinor.
Bandos
Bandos is the God of War, with most of his followers being ogres, goblins, orks and hobgoblins. He plays a major role in several quests, being opposed to the player, who can fight against his troops in the God Wars Dungeon. He is known to his followers as Big High War God and is rarely referred as Bandos. He arrived in Gielinor just when the God Wars were starting, eager to join the battle with his powerful followers (Ourgs, Raurgs and Fayrgs). Apparently, the races that served him did not exist on Gielinor before his arrival and he brought them with him by force from Yu'biusk, a plane that his followers loved very much.
Zaros
Also known as the Empty Lord, or the God of the Unknown Power, Zaros is the god of control and ambition<ref>http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=m-ch-fea&v=WQg_xYVKQJY</ref>. He was a major god before being overthrown and banished by Zamorak in the late Second Age. Before being overthrown, he ruled over most of the land in Gielinor, with numerous fortresses placed strategically throughout his lands, only one of which still stands. He is recognised to be very powerful, with his name striking fear into both Saradomin and Zamorak even after thousands of years of his passing. Currently he is thought to be the God of pure defilement and evil due to the behaviour of his followers, however, according to Ashuelot Reis, his followers changed a lot after his banishment. Zaros's alignment seems more likely to be one of conquest and domination, as he used to send his followers on missions to achieve these aims.
Lesser-Known, minor gods
Seren
The goddess of the Elves, also the divine aspect of the Anima Mundi, worshipped in Lletya and Prifddinas. She is the only god, other than Guthix, who is known to have arrived on the realm of Gielinor at the First Age.
Marimbo
The god of the monkeys, worshipped on Ape Atoll. Little is known about Marimbo, besides that Marim is named after him.
Menaphite Pantheon
Only eight desert gods have been named. Four of these gods were named gods by Tumeken during his great desert journey. They are considered to be a "family" despite not being related by blood. Many of them still walk on Gielinor.
The desert gods are based on Egyptian gods (e.g., Icthlarin is based on Anubis).
In the quests they've appeared in, the Menaphites have been able to directly interfere with events on Gielinor. This suggests that they are not bound by the Guthixian Edicts.
In Armies of Gielinor, the Menaphite Pantheon is classed all together as one god, which may have to do with why they are not bound by the Edicts of Guthix. Separated they are all mere thorns to the other gods, but together they can take down a god such as Saradomin. However, disputes such as with Icthlarin's followers and Amascut keep them separated.
Template:Map:Desert Gods From bottom center clockwise: Tumeken, Icthlarin, Het, Apmeken, Crondis, Scabaras, and Amascut. The river represents Elidinis.
Tumeken
Tumeken is the lord of the Kharidian Desert, and is worshipped by the Menaphites. He is the husband of Elidinis, and the father of Icthlarin and Amascut.
Because of an achievement in Armies of Gielinor it is believed Tumeken is thought to be the sun for the achievement is "Tumeken rises this morn"
Elidinis
Elidinis is the goddess of Fertility and Growth, and the wife of Tumeken. Her children are Icthlarin and Amascut. The River Elid is named after her. Elidinis is mentioned in the Spirits of the Elid quest.
Icthlarin
Icthlarin is the god of the Dead, and friendly with cats. He appears in the quests Icthlarin's Little Helper, and Desert Treasure. He is the son of Tumeken and Elidinis.
Amascut, "The Devourer"
The goddess of Destruction, Amascut is the sister of Icthlarin and the daughter of Tumeken and Elidinis. She appears in the Icthlarin's Little Helper quest, and uses the body of a wanderer to lure players into the city of Sophanem and steal ceremonial jars in a burial room, disturbing the spirit of the late high priest. She also appears in the Smoking Kills quest, when she makes a player go to rescue her "sister" (who turns out to be herself) in attempt to lure the player into a trap with mighty banshees. She also hates cats because they are her former followers who turned against her because of her large-scale destruction. Their curse bound her to be cast out of anyone she may try to possess. In fury, she lashed her own curse against her old followers, making them the cats they are today.
Apmeken
Apmeken is the most unpredictable and playful of the gods. She tends to appeal to people who desire mental pleasures which is often appealing to scholars and sometimes downright dishonest people. Her appearance is of a monkey or ape. Players can speak to Apmeken during the Do No Evil Quest.
Crondis
Crondis is a lady that has the head of a crocodile. According to Jex her main area of interest is with things that provide physical pleasure - such as food, vestments, etc. She tends to be followed by skilled cooks and hunters and other lavish people.
Het
Het is the least strange looking of the desert gods, as he apparently resembles humans. He is the god of knowledge and bodily health, and tends to be quite popular with Menaphites because of this. The plague of Sophanem is not known to be the work of Het or something trying to anger him, but Het is the main perpetrator in theories made by players.
Scabaras
According to Jex, Scabaras was a god who fell from grace. Of all the gods of the Desert Pantheon, besides Icthlarin and Amascut, Scabaras has the most available information about him. After the end of the God Wars, he defied the Edicts of Guthix and in the ensuing battle and subsequent banishment, he spilled his blood onto some Scarabs, turning them into Kalphites. He may have had an alliance with Zaros.
Followers/Animals associated with Menaphites
- Nearly all humans in the Kharidian Desert
- Cats
- Monkeys
- Jackals
- Scabarites
- Kalphites
- Crocodiles
- Elemental of Elidinis (Only in Armies of Gielinor)
- Mahjarrat (Formerly)
- Mummy
Elder gods
The Elder gods were a race of gods that existed so long ago that even Guthix struggles to remember them. Though it is commonly believed that Guthix created Gielinor, the god of balance himself is keen to point out that the plane already existed when he discovered it. He only created Gielinor in the sense that he shaped the empty, lifeless plane it originally was into the world as it is today, adding life in the form of plants and animals as well as certain races such as gnomes and dwarves. In this light, it seems likely that it was the Elder Gods who created the plane itself. Most likely surpassing even Guthix, it is safe to assume that they are exceedingly powerful.
Currently, the only known Elder god is Jas.
Other deities
The Kendal
The Kendal is a god from the Mountain Tribe's legends. A man impersonates the Kendal during the Mountain Daughter quest because the Mountain Tribe are scared of their gods and magic. According to the imposter, The Kendal is the guardian of the mountain, god of the northern lands, able to move the earth and control the skies. The Mountain Tribe planted trees to block the entrance to the cave where the imposter lives because they think it is unwise to come too close to a god. It is unknown if the Kendal is a fairytale, a Fremennik spirit or a real deity.
Karamjan Gods
The Karamjan Gods are a collection of deities worshiped by the tribal people of Karamja, particularly those inhabiting the southern reaches of the island. The people of Karamja tell little of their gods to outsiders since their origins and nature are a closely guarded secret. The gods are most prominently alluded to during the Jungle Potion quest.
Freneskae Creator-God
The legends of the Mahjarrat speaks of an evil creator-god in their homeworld of Freneskae. He is said to have combined his most fearsome creatures into the Muspah.
Camel God
The "Camel God" is an unofficial name given to a thus far unnamed deity worshipped by the people of the Kharidian Desert. The god's existence is implied by Aristarchus, a Menaphite historian from the city of Menaphos that is currently residing in Polnivneach.
Brassica Prime
Brassica Prime is the god of Cabbages. Brassica Prime could only be found in Oo'glog during the 2009 April Fool's event. Its combat level appears to be 11.
Because Brassica Prime was only seen during the April Fool's event, it is generally not included among the actual gods discussed during the course of the game. As it is something of a joke ("brassica" is the genus of the plant Brassica rapa, otherwise known as "fast plants", and "brassicaceae" is the family of the cabbage plant), it is not taken as seriously as the other deities.
Mistaken to be deities
Throughout the history of RuneScape, various entities have been worshipped as gods either due to their own claims or because of misinterpretations of history. But this is however, not the case.
Bob the Jagex Cat
Occasionally when talking to Bob the Jagex Cat, Bob begins to say that he is "Zar..." before cutting himself off<ref>Bob the Jagex Cat, "Icthlarin's Little Helper", RuneScape. "Well, I don't believe much really since I am Zar... erm, well, no, I erm, meow?" *</ref>, leading players to speculate that he is actually Zaros in disguise. This is later thought to be disproven when it was revealed that he is a feline incarnation of the Fourth Age hero Robert the Strong . (Though that did not dispel the possibility that he was Zaros completely, as Zaros was thought to be killed before the time of Robert.) Furthermore, after completing The Temple at Senntisten, Dr Nabanik (Azzanadra) tells the player that Bob is not Zaros, and the player shouldn't rely on information from a cat. Despite the fact that Bob's claim appears to be only a joke on Jagex's part, a shrine dedicated specifically to him (as a separate being; no affiliation with Zaros is implied) can nonetheless be built using the Construction skill.
Iban
In the recent Fifth Age, the Kinshra lord Iban was revived from the dead by the witch Kardia while living in a hut within the Underground Pass beneath the Arandar mountain range. After returning, Iban gathered a cult of Zamorakian followers and claimed to be the godly son of Zamorak himself. Although never accepted as a god by any but his followers, Iban's divinity is completely disproven when he is slain during the Underground Pass quest, and further supported by the Mahjarrat Enakhra, who confirms in a Postbag from the Hedge that Iban was not Zamorak's biological son. In an issue of the god Letters, when asked whether Iban is actually his son or merely a lunatic who believes so, Zamorak replied "both," implying there is no answer or he does not want to give it.
Appearances
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Amascut disguised as the Wanderer in Icthlarin's Little Helper
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Amascut disguised as the Sumona in Smoking Kills
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Trivia
- According to the Lore Live Q&A, Mods Mark and Osborn confirm that a new quest will be released in 2013 that deals with the "young gods" and that it will be the "quest of all quests".
- In the same source mentioned above, it is confirmed that an NPC ingame will soon ascend to godhood, creating a new god for the game.
See also
References