Ogun — Yoruba Orisha of Iron, Roads and War

Ogun, Yoruba orisha of iron, smithing, war and roads, standing at a sacred forge — Ogun at the forge and the opened road: iron as tool, weapon, oath and the power to make passage where none existed.

Yoruba tradition · Iron · Smithing · Roads · Hunting · War · Oaths

Ogun is the Yoruba orisha of iron and the power that opens the road. He is smith, hunter, warrior and civilising force at once: the same iron that clears fields and forges tools can become the blade that kills. In the campaign world, Ogun is not a mere patron of weapons. He is the divine fact that iron changes what people are capable of doing.

Ogun at a Glance

Tradition: Yoruba
Divine standing: Major orisha
Campaign alignment: Chaotic Neutral, with powerful codes of oath, loyalty and direct action
Portfolio: Iron, forging, tools, hunting, roads, clearing, warfare, labour and sworn truth
Sacred places: Forges, smithies, forest paths, gates, roads, battlefields and places where iron is used to swear an oath
Primary emblem: Iron blade, machete, anvil, hammer and worked iron
Favoured weapon: Machete, sword, spear or hammer
Closest divine ties: Eshu at the opened road, Oshosi in the hunt, and other Yoruba powers whose rites depend on forged iron
Campaign present: Active wherever iron transforms wilderness, labour, warfare or law

Divine Mechanics

Encounter role: Brute/striker. Balance: the printed CR assumes the deity uses its full Legendary Actions each round. Sacred Site Actions are additional encounter pressure and are not included in the base CR.

Ogun is a god. His statistics deliberately exceed ordinary mortal and monster assumptions; CR 30 and ability score 30 are not ceilings.

D&D 5.5e
Pathfinder 1e
D&D 3.5e

Ogun

Medium Celestial (Deity), Chaotic Neutral

Epic CR 35 (campaign-scale; PB +11)

AC 27 · HP 984 (48d12 + 672) · Speed 50 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
40 (+15)	24 (+7)	38 (+14)	26 (+8)	32 (+11)	30 (+10)

Saving Throws Str +26, Dex +18, Con +25, Wis +22

Skills Athletics +26, Insight +22, Perception +22, Smith’s Tools +33, Survival +22

Damage Immunities fire, poison; bludgeoning, piercing and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities Exhaustion, Frightened, Poisoned

Senses Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 32

Languages all; telepathy 120 ft.

Traits

Legendary Resistance (5/Day). If Ogun fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Resistance. Ogun has Advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects.

Sovereign of Iron. Ogun knows the location of every nonartifact iron or steel object within 300 feet. As a Bonus Action, he can call one unattended iron object of Huge size or smaller to his hand or to an unoccupied space he can see.

Pathbreaker. Ogun ignores difficult terrain and can move through nonmagical vegetation, rubble and worked earth without being slowed. The first time he crosses such terrain, he can leave behind a stable 10-foot-wide path.

Unbreakable Forge. Ogun’s weapon attacks ignore Resistance to Slashing, Bludgeoning and Force damage. Nonartifact weapons that strike him cannot be broken, but he instantly knows their maker and whether the weapon has ever been used to murder a helpless creature.

Divine Spellcasting. Wisdom is Ogun’s spellcasting ability (save DC 30, +22 to hit). At will: Heat Metal, Magic Weapon, Spiritual Weapon, Stone Shape. 3/day each: Blade Barrier, Fabricate, Wall of Iron. 1/day each: Earthquake, Gate.

Actions

Multiattack. Ogun makes three First Machete attacks.

First Machete. Melee Weapon Attack: +26 to hit, reach 15 ft. Hit: 41 (4d12 + 15) Slashing plus 22 (4d10) Force damage. Against Constructs and objects the attack deals maximum damage.

Hammer of the First Forge. Melee Weapon Attack: +26 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 47 (5d12 + 15) Bludgeoning plus 27 (6d8) Thunder damage. A Huge or smaller target must succeed on a DC 34 Strength save or fall Prone and be pushed 30 feet.

Open the Road (Recharge 5–6). Ogun carves a 120-foot-long, 20-foot-wide line through terrain. Creatures in the line make a DC 34 Dexterity save, taking 88 (16d10) Force damage on a failure or half on success. Nonartifact barriers and mundane fortifications in the line are severed or opened.

Bonus Actions

Call the Iron. One creature wearing or carrying substantial iron within 60 feet makes a DC 34 Strength save. On a failure Ogun pulls it up to 30 feet toward him or disarms one iron weapon it carries.

Reactions

Oathbreaker. When a creature Ogun can see breaks a sworn promise during the encounter, Ogun marks it. Until the end of his next turn, Ogun has Advantage on attacks against it and those attacks deal an extra 22 (4d10) Force damage.

Legendary Actions

Stride. Ogun moves up to half his speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks.
Iron Strike. Ogun makes one First Machete attack.
Forge Burst (Costs 2). Creatures within 20 feet make a DC 34 Constitution save or take 27 (6d8) Fire damage and become Blinded until the start of their next turn.
Make a Way (Costs 3). Ogun teleports to a point on a road, path, gate or worked-metal threshold he can see within 120 feet and makes one Hammer of the First Forge attack.

Sacred Site Actions

At initiative count 20 in a forge, smithy, battlefield shrine or consecrated road, Ogun can take one sacred-site action:

Anvil Shock. A 30-foot-radius area erupts in thunder; enemies take 36 (8d8) Thunder damage, Constitution DC 34 for half.
Iron Oath. One creature that knowingly lies before Ogun takes 45 (10d8) Psychic damage and cannot speak another deliberate lie until initiative count 20 next round.
The Road Opens. Ogun creates a doorway through one nonartifact wall, gate or barrier within 120 feet. The opening lasts until he dismisses it.

Ogun — Pathfinder 1e

CR 35; CN Medium outsider (chaotic, divine, extraplanar)

Init +12; Senses darkvision 120 ft., true seeing; Perception +48; Aura forge-heat (30 ft.)

AC 57, touch 33, flat-footed 49; hp 825

Fort +38, Ref +31, Will +34; DR 25/epic and lawful; SR 46; immune fire, poison, fear; resist acid 20, cold 20, electricity 20

Speed 50 ft.

Melee +6 divine machete +57/+52/+47/+42 (4d6+28/17–20 plus 4d6 force) or +6 adamantine warhammer +57/+52/+47/+42 (4d8+28/×3 plus 4d6 sonic)

Space 5 ft.; Reach 10 ft.

Special Attacks open the road, oathbreaker, iron sovereignty, spell-like abilities

Special Abilities

Iron Sovereignty (Su). Ogun knows the location of every unattended iron or steel object within 300 feet. As a swift action he can call a Huge or smaller unattended iron object to his hand or to an open square he can see.

Open the Road (Su) 1d4 rounds. Ogun cuts a 120-foot line through terrain. Creatures in the line take 20d10 force damage, Reflex DC 39 half. Nonartifact barriers of hardness 40 or less are breached.

Oathbreaker (Su). A creature within 120 feet that knowingly breaks a solemn oath is marked for 1 minute. Ogun gains +6 on attacks against it and deals +6d6 force damage.

Divine Smith (Ex). Ogun automatically succeeds at nonartifact Craft checks involving iron or steel and can complete one day of mundane smithing in 1 hour.

Spell-Like Abilities

CL 35th; concentration +45. Constant—freedom of movement, true seeing. At will—greater dispel magic, keen edge, magic weapon, stone shape. 3/day—blade barrier, earthquake, wall of iron. 1/day—miracle. Save DC 20 + spell level.

Statistics

Str 42, Dex 26, Con 38, Int 28, Wis 34, Cha 30

Base Atk +35; CMB +51; CMD 69

Feats Combat Reflexes, Critical Focus, Greater Weapon Focus (machete), Greater Weapon Specialization (machete), Improved Critical (machete), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Power Attack, Quicken Spell-Like Ability, Toughness

Skills Craft (armor) +55, Craft (weapons) +55, Intimidate +48, Knowledge (engineering) +47, Knowledge (religion) +47, Perception +48, Sense Motive +47, Survival +48

Languages all; telepathy 1 mile

Ogun — D&D 3.5e

Greater Deity; Divine Rank 12; CN Medium Outsider (Chaotic, Extraplanar)

CR 35; Init +12; Senses true seeing, darkvision 120 ft.; Listen +50, Spot +50

Hit Dice 45d8+630 (832 hp)

Speed 50 ft.

AC 58, touch 34, flat-footed 50

Base Attack/Grapple +45/+62

Attack +6 divine machete +68 melee (4d6+30/17–20 plus 4d6 force)

Full Attack +6 divine machete +68/+63/+58/+53 melee

Space/Reach 5 ft./10 ft.

Special Attacks alter reality, open the road, oathbreaker, salient divine abilities, spell-like abilities

Special Qualities DR 25/epic and lawful, divine immunities, fast healing 20, fire immunity, SR 47, true seeing, iron sovereignty

Saves Fort +40, Ref +34, Will +37

Abilities Str 44, Dex 26, Con 38, Int 28, Wis 34, Cha 30

Skills Craft (armorsmithing) +58, Craft (weaponsmithing) +58, Intimidate +53, Knowledge (architecture and engineering) +50, Knowledge (religion) +50, Listen +50, Sense Motive +50, Spot +50, Survival +50

Feats Combat Reflexes, Epic Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Specialization, Improved Critical, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Power Attack, Quicken Spell-Like Ability, Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization

Divine Abilities

Iron Sovereignty. Ogun senses and manipulates nonartifact iron within 300 feet as a free action once per round.

Open the Road (Su). Every 1d4 rounds Ogun cuts a 120-foot line through creatures and nonartifact barriers, dealing 20d10 force damage (Reflex DC 40 half) and breaching hardness 40 or less.

Salient Divine Abilities. Alter Reality, Battlesense, Divine Blast, Divine Weapon Focus, Irresistible Blows, Power of Nature, Supreme Initiative.

Spell-Like Abilities. At will—greater dispel magic, keen edge, magic weapon, stone shape; 3/day—blade barrier, earthquake, wall of iron; 1/day—miracle. Caster level 35th.

Languages all; telepathy 1 mile

Use Ogun Tonight

The Oath on the Anvil

A ruler swore peace over a consecrated anvil and broke the promise. Every iron tool in the royal compound now carries a hairline crack. The weapons will fail next.

The Road That Refuses to Close

A war ends, but the sacred road Ogun opened through an old forest will not grow over. Something on the far side is still using it.

The Silent Forge

Every blacksmith in a market town finds the same cold iron object on the anvil at dawn. None remembers forging it, and none can melt it.

The Hunter’s Iron

A famous hunter’s blade cuts no living flesh but severs enchantments, bindings and hidden paths. Three factions claim Ogun gave it to them first.

Mythic Identity

The Metropolitan Museum of Art describes Ogun as the god of iron and credits him in regional traditions with introducing iron, becoming the first hunter and warrior, opening roads, clearing fields and founding dynasties. The same source stresses iron’s double character: tools and weapons, civilising power and aggressive force.

This duality is essential. Ogun is not “the war god” with smithing added as decoration. A hoe and a sword begin in the same forge. A road can carry food, pilgrims and trade; it can also carry an army. The blacksmith who creates both is respected because the work stands near dangerous power.

In the campaign present, Ogun’s priests do not preach that every new device is automatically sacred. What matters is mastery, labour, courage and responsibility. Iron that is badly made, used dishonourably or sworn upon falsely becomes a spiritual problem as well as a practical one.

Iron, Oaths and the Open Road

Across Yoruba and neighbouring traditions, iron can carry ritual force beyond its usefulness as metal. The forge is therefore more than a workplace. It can function as shrine, sanctuary and place of oath. An anvil witnesses what is said over it. A blade remembers the hand that raised it. A road cut through wilderness creates obligations to the people and powers displaced by the cutting.

Ogun’s road-opening role makes him one of the strongest divine links between wilderness and settlement. He does not erase the wild. He creates passage through it. Hunters, messengers, armies and builders all follow the consequences.

What Is Ogun Doing Right Now?

Ogun is watching iron become more politically decisive. Stronger tools alter agriculture. Better weapons alter warfare. Fortifications demand nails, hinges, gates, chains and armour. A kingdom with reliable ironworkers possesses power that cannot be separated from the people who know the craft.

He is especially active where rulers try to control smiths without honouring them, where roads are driven through sacred land without negotiation, and where oath-breaking turns iron into a witness against authority. His favour tends to manifest through useful work: a blade that does not break, a road found through impossible country, a forge that stays hot through rain, or a smith who knows exactly where an unseen flaw lies.

Regional Effects

When Ogun establishes a divine presence in a region, iron and roads begin to answer him. These effects are campaign phenomena, not historical claims about Yoruba practice.

Iron Remembers. Within 6 miles, forged iron gives a faint ringing note when held by someone who knowingly broke a sworn oath made over iron.
No Rust on Honest Work. Tools used for necessary labour do not rust while Ogun’s presence endures. Weapons used for murder or betrayal gain no such protection.
The Road Appears. Tracks through forest, scrub or ruined ground become easier to follow. Travellers who have a legitimate destination reduce travel time by one quarter.
Forges Burn Hot. Smithies within 1 mile can reach extraordinary working heat with less fuel. Masterwork and magical forging checks gain the edition-appropriate divine bonus.
Broken Iron Speaks. A smith examining a failed iron object can determine whether it broke through poor workmanship, supernatural interference or deliberate sabotage.

If Ogun withdraws, these effects fade over 1d10 days. A road physically cut under his influence remains.

Domain Spells and Divine Gifts

Ogun’s clerics favour Forge, War, Strength, Travel and Protection themes. Suitable spells include Magic Weapon, Heat Metal, Spiritual Weapon, Elemental Weapon, Fabricate, Blade Barrier, Wall of Iron, Earthquake and Gate, using edition-equivalent options where necessary.

Gift: Iron Does Not Betray

Once per long rest, a devotee can cause one nonartifact metal weapon, tool or piece of armour to become impossible to break for 1 hour.

Gift: Find the Road

While travelling toward a named destination, the devotee can always identify the safest physically passable route through natural terrain within one mile.

Relics

The First Machete

A divine iron blade that can cut wood, stone, magical barriers and even an oath-binding if Ogun judges the path behind it should exist.

The Anvil of Witness

No creature can knowingly swear a false oath while touching this anvil. Attempting to do so brands the liar’s palm with a cold iron mark visible to any smith.

The Road Nail

A massive iron spike driven into earth. For one day and one night, every traveller who sincerely seeks the same destination can find the road to it from the nail.

Related Paths

Historical and Cultural Sources

The Metropolitan Museum of Art — The Age of Iron in West Africa, on Ogun, ironworking, roads, hunting, warfare and the ritual power of the forge.
Smithsonian National Museum of African Art Archives, including documentation of Odun Ogun and Yoruba ritual life.

Rules Compatibility & Licensing

The game statistics on this page are original campaign mechanics written for compatibility with the listed systems. The deity’s cultural identity is drawn from Yoruba traditions and museum scholarship; the divine combat mechanics and campaign events are setting material.

Rules terms and edition-specific mechanics are used for compatibility with the named game systems. Any third-party rules material remains subject to its original licence and attribution; original campaign text, encounter design and setting additions remain original material.