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Manannan mac Lir, God of the Sea and Protector of Ireland

Manannan mac Lir
Midjourney

Manannan mac Lir is a mythological figure in Irish folklore and a god associated with the sea and the Otherworld.

  • Pantheon: Irish Mythology
  • Deity Title: Manannan mac Lir, God of the Sea and Guardian of the Otherworld
  • Deity Symbol: A trident, waves, a ship or a cloak of invisibility
  • Home Plane: The Otherworld
  • Deity Level: Greater Deity
  • Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
  • Aliases: Manannan, Manawydan
  • Superior: None
  • Traditional Allies: The Tuatha Dé Danann, Bran the Blessed, Lugh
  • Traditional Foes: Fomorians, Balor, Cailleach
  • Divine Artifact: Wave Sweeper, a magical sword capable of controlling the sea.
  • Servants: Mermaids, sea serpents, and selkies
  • Servitor Creatures: Kelpies, sea horses, and water elementals
  • Sacred Animal: The crane and the seagull
  • Manifestations: A wizened old man, a young boy, a bird, a fish or a wave
  • Signs of Favor: Calm seas, abundance of fish, sudden sea fog, and sudden gusts of wind
  • Worshipers: Fishermen, sailors, sea traders, and those seeking to visit the Otherworld
  • Cleric Alignments: Chaotic Neutral, Chaotic Good, Neutral Good
  • Specialty Priests: Sea Witch, Sea Druid, Sailor
  • Holy Days: Midsummer, Samhain
  • Portfolio: Sea, Navigation, Weather, Magic, Poetry, and the Otherworld
  • Domains: Tempest, Trickery, Magic, Nature, War
  • Favored Weapon: Trident
  • Favored Class: Bard
  • Favored Race: Sea Elves
  • Duties of the Priesthood: Protecting seafarers and guiding them safely to their destination, performing rituals for the Otherworld and overseeing the natural balance of the sea.
  • Major Cult/Temple Sites: The Isle of Man, Tír na nÓg
  • Benefits: Clerics and followers of Manannan are granted the ability to breathe underwater, can summon sea creatures, and are blessed with luck and favorable winds while sailing. They can also call upon the power of the Otherworld to cast powerful spells or gain knowledge beyond the mortal realm.
Manannan mac Lir
John Duncan depicting Manannan and his wife Fand.

Manannan mac Lir is a complex and enigmatic figure in Irish mythology, embodying the power and mystery of the sea and the Otherworld. As a god, he commands the forces of nature, including the winds, the tides, and the storms, and he uses his immense power to guide and protect the people of Ireland.

As a character, Manannan mac Lir is a master of disguise, often appearing in different forms to test and challenge those who seek his favor. He is a skilled magician and trickster, using his wits and cunning to outsmart his enemies and manipulate the course of events.

Despite his playful and mischievous nature, Manannan mac Lir is also a deeply spiritual figure, with a profound understanding of the mysteries of life and death. He is the gatekeeper of the Otherworld, a realm of beauty and wonder that exists beyond the mortal world, and he has the power to guide the souls of the dead to their final resting place.

Above all, Manannan mac Lir is driven by a deep sense of purpose and duty. He sees himself as a guardian and protector of the natural world, and he is fiercely dedicated to preserving the balance between the land and the sea. He believes that the people of Ireland can only thrive if they live in harmony with the natural world, and he works tirelessly to ensure that they remain connected to the land and the sea that sustain them.

Manannan mac Lir is a huge, imposing figure with rippling muscles and flawless, radiant skin. He has piercing blue eyes that seem to see through everything, and a commanding presence that makes him seem larger than life. He wears a suit of divine armor that glows with a soft, pulsing light, and carries a magical spear and sword at his side. When he moves, he glides effortlessly through the air, his long hair and beard flowing behind him like waves on the sea. He exudes an air of power and confidence, and his very presence commands respect and awe from all who behold him.

In his quest to achieve his goals, Manannan mac Lir is not afraid to take risks or make sacrifices. He is a visionary and a leader, with a deep understanding of the world and the forces that shape it. His ultimate goal is to create a world where all living beings can coexist in peace and harmony, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to make that vision a reality.

Manannan mac Lir, God of the Sea and Protector of Ireland

Manannan mac Lir, God of the Sea and Protector of Ireland
Midjourney

Huge deity, chaotic neutral

StatisticStrDexConIntWisCha
Score30 (+10)30 (+10)30 (+10)30 (+10)30 (+10)30 (+10)

Armor Class: 40 (Divine Armor)

Hit Points: 2,000 (200d10 + 1000)

Speed: 120 ft. (hover)

Skills: Perception +30, Stealth +30, Survival +30

Senses: Truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 40

Languages: All

Divine Traits:

  • Immune to exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
  • Resistance to all damage types
  • Cannot be charmed or frightened
  • Cannot be killed by non-divine means

Actions:

  • Multiattack: Manannan can make 4 attacks per round, choosing from any of the following options:
  • Divine Strike: Melee weapon attack: +30 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 100 (10d10 + 10) slashing damage plus 100 (10d10 + 10) radiant damage.
  • Wave: Ranged spell attack: +30 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 150 (20d10) bludgeoning damage.
  • Tsunami: Manannan unleashes a massive wave of water, causing a massive tidal wave. All creatures within 120 ft. must make a DC 30 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone and take 200 (20d10 + 10) bludgeoning damage.
  • Tempest: Manannan creates a violent storm, causing lightning bolts to strike randomly around him. All creatures within 120 ft. must make a DC 30 Dexterity saving throw or take 150 (20d10) lightning damage.

Legendary Actions:

  • Manannan can take 3 legendary actions per round, choosing from any of the following options:
  • Call of the Sea: Manannan summons a massive wave of water, engulfing all creatures within 120 ft. of him. All creatures must make a DC 30 Strength saving throw or take 200 (20d10 + 10) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.
  • Sea of Illusions: Manannan creates an illusory sea, causing all creatures within 120 ft. to become disoriented and confused. All creatures must make a DC 30 Intelligence saving throw or be confused for 1 minute.
  • Storm of Fury: Manannan calls down a massive lightning storm, causing all creatures within 120 ft. to take 200 (20d10) lightning damage. All creatures must make a DC 30 Dexterity saving throw or take full damage.

Divine Artifacts:

  • Gae Assail: This magical spear was said to have been wielded by Manannan in battle. It has the ability to control the seas and storms.
  • Fragarach: This magical sword was said to be Manannan’s personal weapon. It can cut through anything and has the ability to dispel magic.

Divine Domains:

  • Tempest. Control over the seas, storms, and weather.
  • Trickery. Deception, illusions, and misdirection.
  • War. Strategy, tactics, and martial power.

Lair Actions:

  • When fighting in his lair, Manannan can take the following actions at the end of another creature’s turn:
  • Wave of Destruction: Manannan unleashes a massive wave of water, causing all creatures within 120 ft. to make a DC 30 Dexterity saving throw or take 150 (20d10) bludgeoning damage. Thunderous Roar: Manannan lets out a deafening roar, causing all creatures within 120 ft. to make a DC 30 Constitution saving throw or be stunned for 1 minute.

Legendary Resistance: Manannan can choose to succeed on any saving throw he fails.

Regional Effects:

The region where Manannan resides is constantly affected by his divine presence, which creates the following effects:

  • Storms and turbulent waters are more common in the area, making it dangerous for ships to navigate.
  • Creatures associated with the sea, such as dolphins and whales, become more numerous and are often seen near the coast.
  • Illusions and trickery are more prevalent in the area, making it difficult to discern what is real and what is not.
  • The influence of Manannan causes people in the area to become more unpredictable, leading to sudden changes in behavior and moods.

Challenge Rating: 35 (265,000 XP)

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