TEXT: River Gods of the Empire
  —By Graeme Davis
  River Gods of the Empire
  —By Graeme Davis
  
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  IX
  DEVELOPER DIARY
  WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLEPL AY
  Gods on the Reik
  We can't pack everything we want into every book - there will always be more cool ideas than will fit. However, 
  Graeme's pitch for some extra information on the regional river gods of the Empire and some of the miracles they 
  grant was way to good to pass up. We may feature some of this content in a future publication, but for now they are 
  yours alone to enjoy!
  RIVER GODS OF THE EMPIRE 
  by Graeme Davis
  As noted in the WRP rulebook, the people of the Old World recognise many deities, both great and small. River 
  gods are typical of the local gods and spirits of place that may be encountered throughout the Empire and beyond. 
  Anyone who lives near a river or travels by water will know the name and nature of the local river god.
  Theologians debate whether these local gods are aspects of Taal or Mannan, or local names by which they are 
  known, or minor deities in their own right. Those who live on the river do not concern themselves with such 
  abstractions. They just know that it is sensible to keep the local river god happy.
  River gods are minor deities, and normally do not have a fixed seat of power, a recognised leader of their cult, 
  religious orders, or holy books. As the most powerful of the river deities, Grandfather Reik is a partial exception. The 
  chief priest of the Reikgott Temple (see Holy Sites below) claims authority over all who pray to the Reikgott and 
  all the riverside temples and shrines. While no one actively disputes these claims, many local priests ignore them. 
  All of the Reikgott’s priests are riverfolk — as are all of his followers — and the river life, they say, makes it hard for 
  them to learn of new edicts and pronouncements.
  MajoR Festivals
  The followers of most river deities make offerings when the spring floods bring the year’s first meltwater down from 
  the mountains. This is both to avert floods and to celebrate the fertility brought to the river in the form of silt and mud. 
  In rivers with an annual run of salmon or other edible fish, a festival is normally held to mark the bounty they bring.
  syMbols
  Religious symbols worn by followers of the river deities vary widely, and in many cases it is hard to distinguish 
  between a holy symbol and a lucky charm.
  A common practice among all riverfolk is to mount the skull of a drowning victim on the prow of their boat. 
  Explanations for this custom vary, but most riverfolk believe that the deity will recognise the skull as belonging to 
  someone they had already punished, and leave the boat and its crew alone.
  Other tokens include otter or duck skulls, pieces of coloured glass worn smooth by the water, crawfish claws, and 
  the shells of freshwater snails.
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  IX
  DEVELOPER DIARY
  WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLEPL AY
  WoRshiPPeRs
  All riverfolk pay their respects to the local river gods along their routes, and most farmers and others who live by a 
  river make offerings and follow strictures in the hope of averting floods, fish famines, or worse. Many travellers make 
  offerings before and after a journey, as well.
  The worship of the river gods is not formally organised, and with a handful of exceptions (explained below) they do 
  not usually have a dedicated priesthood. Almost all priests have at least one Career in the Riverfolk class, and many 
  riverfolk are lay priests, following a Riverfolk class but gaining Bless, Pray, and other priestly Skills and Talents 
  independently through the Training and Unusual Learning Endeavours (WFRP, pages 199–200).
  Riverfolk and some travellers may wear small pendants bearing the stylised face of a river god or some other emblem 
  such as an oar or a fish. Others, more superstitious, string bags around their necks holding fish bones, river pebbles, 
  or other tokens.
  holy sites
  It has been said that the river is a river god’s temple, although small shrines dot the banks of most rivers and port 
  towns may have small temples maintained by the community.
  The Reikgott Temple
  Reikgott (or, more commonly, ‘the Reikgott’) is one of the ancient names for the spirit-god of the river Reik. It is 
  an ancient spirit with many names and has been worshipped in the Reikland for millennia. Nowadays it is generally 
  indistinguishable from Manann. To the common supplicant, the Reikgott is just another name for Manann.
  This temple is situated on a small rock island in the middle of the Reik, half a mile or so downstream from Altdorf. 
  It can only be safely reached by boat. Fortunately, an initiate of Manann is always on hand to pick up any visitors 
  from the bank and row them to the temple. Very little of the temple is built, as such — most of it seems to have 
  been carved from the island itself by the force of the Reik, and the smooth walls are a spectacular site and stand 
  testament to the power of Manann.
  It is accepted practice that the occupants of any vessel passing the temple stop briefly to pay their respects or offer 
  a sacrifice to Manann, or, if they are in a hurry, to simply throw their sacrifice overboard towards the temple as they 
  pass. Because of the impressive natural architecture and its proximity to Altdorf, the temple is a very lucrative one. 
  MAIN RIVER GODS OF THE EMPIRE
  God
  Spheres
  Worshippers
  Offerings
  Notes
  Altaver
  River Aver
  Boatmen, merchants, 
  riverfolk
  Food, drink, coins
  Cave Day (1 Brauzeit) sacrifice of a wheel 
  of aged cheese (Bernloch, Averland).
  Aach
  Aach River, Ostland
  Boatmen, merchants, 
  riverfolk
  Food, drink, coins
  Bögenauer
  River Bögen
  Boatmen, merchants, 
  river folk
  Coins, sheaves of 
  reeds, rolled stones
  A single temple in Bögenhafen with no 
  full-time clerics; shrines line the river.
  Gorol
  Streams, Ostermark
  Boatmen, merchants, 
  riverfolk
  Food, drink, coins
  —
  Grandfather Reik
  River Reik
  Boatmen, merchants, 
  riverfolk
  Beer, eels, silver
  Shrines dot the length of the river 
  Reik, but there is no formal cult.
  Karog, aspect of 
  Taal
  Rivers (Talabecland), 
  inc. R. Talabec
  Boatmen, merchants, 
  riverfolk
  Food, drink, coins
  See WFRP, page 212
  Manann
  Rivers (tidal reaches, 
  and where there is 
  no local river god)
  Boatmen, merchants, 
  riverfolk
  Food, drink, coins
  See WFRP, page 205
  
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  The Rock at Split Waters
  The Rock at Split Waters is the name of a sacred temple of Taal and Rhya in Talabecland. It is so named for the way 
  in which two tributaries of the River Stir come together at a waterfall, punctuated by a jutting monolith of black 
  granite at the junction of these streams. Over untold generations, worshippers of Taal and Rhya have come here, 
  risking their lives to swim through the turbulent waters and scale the rock to carve words and pictures of praise to 
  Taal and Rhya. Some of the carvings are ancient beyond compare, harkening back to the time when Ishneros ruled 
  the land.
  The Rock at Split Waters bolsters the power of Spells that deal with water in some way. Magisters who cast Spells 
  of this nature within view of the Rock add an additional +1 SL to Casting Tests.
  The Temple of Bögenauer
  Bögenauer is the god of the River Bögen, which rises in the Grey Mountains and flows through Bögenhafen to join 
  the Reik at Carroburg. His temple in Bögenhafen consists of a hall with two colonnaded wings enclosing a three-
  sided court, within which stands a statue depicting Bögenauer in the guise of a merchant-boatman.
  Within the colonnades are several small shrines reflecting various aspects of the deity’s influence over the town’s 
  fortunes. There is a chapel where prayers are offered for the safety of the town’s boatmen, another dedicated to the 
  prosperity of its merchants, a third dedicated to the security of its walls, and so on. The temple is maintained by the 
  local guilds, each responsible for the upkeep of the shrine or shrines most relevant to their members. The rival guilds 
  strive to outdo one another in the magnificence of their shrines.
  There is no priest at the temple, but on festival days priests of Bögenauer come from Bögensee to conduct services.
  Bögensee
  The small town of Bögensee overlooks the lake from which it takes its name, at the source of the River Bögen in 
  the Grey Mountains. A small monastery stands on the lake shore, and is home to the priesthood of the river-god 
  Bögenauer. A dozen or so priests and initiates are in residence at any given time: the remainder travel the length of 
  the river attending local festivals, overseeing sacrifices, and conducting services.
  Penances
  Penances made to river gods usually involve sacrifices, which are usually of two kinds. Sacrifices of food, drink, 
  and sometimes live animals are dropped into the river, usually at the same spot where the penitent committed the 
  transgression for which they are atoning. Gifts of coin or labour are delivered at shrines, helping to maintain and 
  enhance them.
  stRictuRes
  It is almost impossible to distinguish between strictures imposed by a river deity and superstitions followed by 
  riverfolk. Here are a few of the most common observances.
   
  0
  When setting out on a journey, and when moving from one river to another, drop a copper penny in the water 
  to show respect and as a prayer for a safe journey.
   
  0
  Do not whistle aboard a boat, as this may summon up a dangerous wind.
   
  0
  To locate something (or someone) lost in a river, speak the name of the item or person while driving a nail into 
  a loaf of bread. Drop the bread into the river, and it will be drawn to the spot where the object of the search lies.
   
  0
  Never blow out a lantern or candle aboard a boat; snuff it out instead. Blown flames anger the river gods, and 
  your boat may catch fire.
   
  0
  When stopping for the night, the first drop of everyone’s first drink must be poured into the water. The deity 
  has worked just as hard as you have, and deserves a drink just as much as you do.
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  IX
  DEVELOPER DIARY
  WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLEPL AY
  blessinGs oF the RiveR Gods
  Characters who have the Bless Talent and follow one of the river deities above gain the Blessings of Breath, 
  Conscience, Courage, Fortune, Hardiness, and Healing. See pages 220–1 of the WFRP rulebook for more information 
  on Blessings.
  MiRacles
  These miracles are common to the most favoured 
  followers of many river gods. Replace the word 
  'Rivergod' with your Character's chosen deity.
  Rivergod’s Wisdom
  Range: You
  Target: You
  Duration: 1 Hour
  You implore the god to guide you, and your 
  mind fills with an intimate knowledge of the river 
  and its hazards. Every Row or Sail Test you make 
  gains one additional SL while this Miracle is active.
  Calm River
  Range: Initiative Bonus Miles
  Target: One boat on which you are embarked.
  Duration: 1 Hour
  Theologians disagree over this Miracle. Some claim 
  it is Fair Winds, the Miracle of Manann (WFRP, 
  page 222), while others maintain that it is a 
  separate and unique Miracle granted only by river 
  gods. While this Miracle is active, the boat has a 
  tailwind (see Death on the Reik Companion) and 
  the river’s current is steady and free of debris.
  Lower Flood
  Range: Willpower Bonus Miles
  Target: Area of Effect
  Duration: 1 Day
  You implore the river god to show mercy, and 
  raging waters begin to subside. Within a few 
  minutes the river is back within its banks, or does 
  not rise above them. This Miracle is equally 
  effective against natural and magically-created floods.
  Rivergod’s Protection
  Range: You
  Target: Area of Effect
  Duration: 1 Hour
  You claim protection in the name of the river god, 
  and the creatures of the river take heed. While this 
  Miracle is active, no aquatic creature can come within 
  Willpower Bonus Yards of you or do anything to 
  attack you.
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  DEVELOPER DIARY
  WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLEPL AY
  Priests of the river gods are less numerous than those of 
  many other deities, and although lay followers may acquire 
  some of the Skills and Traits of priesthood as mentioned 
  above, they are most often invoked by those who are not 
  Blessed. The box Little Prayers on page 204 of the WFRP 
  rulebook offers some ideas for dealing with this eventuality.
  LITTLE PRAYERS
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  Rivergod's Blessing
  Range: You
  Target: One boat on which you are embarked
  Duration: 1 Hour
  You call on the river god to grant you passage 
  through 
  their 
  domain. 
  You 
  can 
  ignore 
  the 
  debilitating effect of wearing trappings while 
  swimming in a river (within reason, as dictated by 
  the GM). Furthermore, you gain a +20 bonus to 
  Swim 
  Tests, 
  and 
  instead 
  of 
  halving 
  your 
  Movement 
  Characteristic 
  to 
  determine 
  your 
  swimming speed, you use your Strength Bonus.
  Rivergod’s Bounty
  Range: Willpower Yards
  Target: Area of Effect
  Duration: 1 Day
  You implore the river god for generosity, and the river 
  around you fills up with fish. Everyone within the 
  area of effect gains the Fisherman Trait (WFRP, page 
  138) at maximum level (i.e. Initiative Bonus) while the 
  Miracle is active. Anyone who already has the 
  Fisherman Trait adds their Initiative Bonus to the 
  level, ignoring the normal maximum.
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SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Warhammer/Fantasy Roleplay/4e (C7)/Cato Contribution/Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay/4th Edition/Enemy Within Developer Diaries/The Enemy Within - Developer Diary #9.pdf