Macha & Nemain, The Twins

Symbol: Sword and mace lying crossed atop a crown

Home Plane: Acheron (Clangor)

Portfolios: Macha -- War, Weaponry, Warriors Nemain -- War, Strategy, Warriors

Worshippers: Warriors, Tacticians, Smiths, Mercenaries, Generals, Rulers

Worshipper’s Alignment: Any

Clerics: CN

Domains: Chaos, Nobility, Strength, War

Favored Weapon(s): Any

 

Description:

 

Macha is depicted as a handsome, young man with flowing blond Hair, a helmet under his arm and a sword planted in the ground at the feet. Often, a slain opponent is depicted as well.  Nemain is depicted as a young woman with short blonde hair bearing a crown and wearing chainmail.  A mace is usually visible at her hip, and she is almost always viewed leaning on a shield.

 

History/Relationships:

 

According to Legend, Macha and Nemain were born of a union between law and chaos. It is speculated that these deities came from another place and settled. Fraternal twins, Macha favors the bloody side of war while Nemain favors tactics and strategy. They have little to do with most other deities but share overlapping interests in any type of military maneuver or warfare on a large scale. However, both Twins have a good respect for Dumathoin's skill at the forge as well as the abilities of Yrinith to produce masterwork armor and weaponry. Macha and Nemain are particularly despised by Rakothans, as they rallied the deities together to defeat and banish Rakoth to his prison plane.  There is an ongoing rumor is that The Twins control the armies of every nation through a secret brotherhood and plan to one day mold the entire world into one empire.

 

Dogma:

 

Life is a battle; live each day as if it will be your last. Leave no regrets unspoken when you come to your final battle. Do not throw your life away unnecessarily; choose the battles you fight carefully. Learn from veterans and trust in their wisdom; they have not become veterans through luck on the battlefield. If you cannot become a good leader at least have the whit to recognize and follow one.

 

Clergy and Temples:

 

Temples to Macha and Nemain are found normally only in major cities supported by armies. Shrines to the The Twins, however, are commonly found anywhere warriors train or rulers plan with their generals. Temples are always built to serve military functions as well as religious ones, such as Barracks, garrison or fallback in a seige. As such, they are always stocked with ample food, water, weapons and armor. A forge is always present. Macha and Nemain welcome both sexes and all races into their worship as long as they can demonstrate handiness with weaponry.

 

All clergy of Macha and Nemain gain proficiency with martial weapons as well as simple ones. The best armor and weapon a priest can afford is expected, and many priests learn to craft magical arms and armor at the earliest opportunity. It is common for clergy to multiclass as warriors. They pray for spells at first light in preparation for the day's battle.

 

Special Abilities:

 

Priests and priestesses of macha and Nemain gain additional special abilities as they progress in their dedication. Unless otherwise specified, these powers are supernatural abilities usable at will by the caster only.

 

1st level – the cleric gains use of all simple and martial weapons

3rd level – the cleric gains the feat Weapon Specialization in one weapon of choice

5th level – The cleric gains the bonus spell haste (1/day)

7th level -- The cleric gains the bonus spell warcloak (1/day)

 

Sacred Prayers of Macha and Nemain:

 

Macha and Nemain offer special prayers to their faithful seldom seen outside their clergy.

 

Rituals:

 

Macha and Nemain do not make use of ritual magics.