God of Thunder, Guardian of Asgard
Greater Deity
Symbol: Hammer
Home Plane: Asgard
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Portfolio: Storms, thunder, war
Worshippers: Barbarians, fighters, paladins, rangers, farmers and other commoners, dwarves, half-orcs
Cleric Alignments: CG, CN, NG
Domains: Chaos, Good, Protection, Strength, War, Weather
Favoured Weapon: Warhammer
Usually portrayed as a powerfully built man with a red beard and eyes filled with lightning, Thor is the strongest god of Asgard. Thor is the son of Odin and a female giant named Jord (“Earth”). Where Odin is complex and crafty, Thor is straightforward and physical. This makes him popular among the common people. Thor greatly enjoys facing giants in contests of strength and martial prowess. His nemesis is Jormungandr the World Serpent, whom he is destined to face at Ragnarok. Though married to Sif, Thor had two sons with a giant named Jarnsaxa. Those sons, Modi and Magni, are prophesied to survive Ragnarok.
Thor’s cult believes that the measure of a person lies in how that person faces and handles challenges. The cult’s focus on self-reliance and individuality often makes them the last to throw their support behind an endeavor, but it also makes them first to congratulate the successful, member and non-member alike. Those who succeed without the cult’s aid often find the cult singing their praises loudest. The cult also teaches that violent storms are a necessity, since they sweep aside weak structures and wash away detritus. The destruction of a big storm can reveal new resources. In battle, physical prowess is foremost, and Thor’s cult often challenges Sif’s cult to mock battles and other contests in the never-ending argument of power versus skill.
Nothing challenges people like combat, according to the cult, so it promotes military readiness and encourages its members to seek martial training of all sorts. Thor’s cult is popular among soldiers, and communities welcome the cult for its strong role in local defences.
Thor’s clergy are most likely seen wearing armour and carrying warhammers. They often patrol their communities, on the alert for any threat. Their earthy natures and straightforward demeanor make them popular with the common folk. Half-orcs often find acceptance in human communities as Thor’s clerics.
Like Odin’s temples, the interiors of Thor’s temples are raucous places where beer, mead and ale flow freely, hot food is plentiful, and physical challenges are constant entertainment. Also like Odin’s temples, Thor’s temples quickly transform into sturdy forts. They generally contain an armoury, a bell tower for sounding local alarms, and when they don’t contain a smithy, there’s generally one nearby. Rooms are set aside for quiet offerings to appease and pray for Thor to moderate his storms. Thor’s temples are common in mountainous regions, shared between human and dwarf communities.
Parishioners greet visitors to Thor’s temples by challenging them to a drinking contest, a foot race or a wrestling match. Greetings are always boisterous, and many visitors find the noise and confusion daunting. Both clergy and faithful are quick to respond if visitors bring news of threats to the community.
Source: Deities and Demigods (Page 192)