Buy me a coffeeDomnu, goddess of the deep sea and mother of the Fomorians
Domnu is the forgotten sea goddess who birthed a race of monsters—and she might be older than the gods themselves.
- Pantheon: Irish Mythology
- Deity Title: Goddess of the Deep Sea and Mother of the Fomorians
- Deity Symbol: A sea serpent, coiled and rising from crashing waves
- Home Plane: The Abyssal Depths (primordial, oceanic underworld)
- Deity Level: Lesser Deity
- Alignment: Neutral Evil or Chaotic Neutral (depending on interpretation—Domnu embodies the impartial cruelty and chaos of the deep)
- Aliases: Domnu (distinct from Danu), Dôn, Don, Danann
- Superior: None (primordial being predating more structured pantheons)
- Traditional Allies: Fomorians, sea gods, storm spirits, ancient primal forces
- Traditional Foes: The Tuatha Dé Danann, land and sky deities, gods of civilization and light
- Divine Artifact: The Cauldron of Abyssal Rebirth — a vessel of life, death, and transformation
- Servants: Merrow, evil-aligned merfolk, Fomorian prophets, deep-sea oracles
- Servitor Creatures: Water elementals, sea serpents, kraken-like beasts, abyssal oozes
- Sacred Animal: Sea Serpent — symbol of endless depth, change, and danger
- Manifestations: Gigantic sea serpent form, or a tide-shrouded humanoid with storm-filled eyes and serpents for hair
- Signs of Favor: Unexpected calm after storms, bountiful sea harvests, visions in saltwater
- Worshipers: Fomorians, coastal cults, drowned seers, storm-witches, sea-bound necromancers
- Cleric Alignments: True Neutral, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Evil, Chaotic Evil
- Specialty Priests: Sea Witches, Abyssal Druids, Stormcallers, Cultic Navigators
- Holy Days: Winter Solstice (deepest dark), Summer Solstice (sea’s fury), Feast of the Drowned (honoring lost sailors)
- Portfolio: The ocean, storms, destruction, sea serpents, the Fomorians, abyssal secrets
- Domains: Water, Weather, Destruction, Death, Chaos
- Favored Weapon: Trident or Barbed Harpoon
- Favored Class: Druid, Warlock (Great Old One-style), Cleric (Tempest or Death Domain)
- Favored Race: Fomorians, evil Merfolk, Merrow, sea hags, deep-dwelling monstrosities
- Duties of the Priesthood: Defend sea-bound sacred places, stir rebellion against land powers, guide or doom sea voyages, protect the Fomorians, expand the reach of oceanic chaos
- Major Cult/Temple Sites: Abyssal trenches, drowned ruins, storm-scarred cliffs, deep-sea trenches, coastal altars only visible at low tide
- Benefits: Clerics can breathe underwater, summon and command sea creatures, manipulate storms and tides, and invoke the Cauldron of Abyssal Rebirth to resurrect or transform the dead into oceanic servitors.
Domnu manifests as a colossal, serpentine entity with shimmering blue-green scales that reflect the light of the sun on the water’s surface. Her eyes are deep and mysterious, hinting at the unfathomable depths of the ocean she presides over. She may also appear as a regal mermaid with flowing hair the color of the sea, exuding a sense of power and majesty that inspires both fear and reverence in those who behold her.
Domnu 5e
Domnu, Pathfinder
Domnu, Abyssal Mother of the Fomorians
Lesser Deity (Neutral Evil), CR 28
Colossal Celestial (Deity), Primordial Sea Serpent Form or Large Celestial (Deity), Mermaid Form
Armor Class 25 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 835 (38d20 + 380)
Speed 60 ft., swim 120 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 (+13) | 18 (+4) | 30 (+10) | 25 (+7) | 28 (+9) | 32 (+11) |
Saving Throws STR +21, CON +18, WIS +17, CHA +19
Skills Perception +17, Insight +17, Arcana +15, Nature +15
Damage Resistances Cold, Lightning, Necrotic; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Damage Immunities Poison, Psychic
Condition Immunities Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Petrified, Poisoned
Senses Truesight 120 ft., Darkvision 300 ft., Passive Perception 27
Languages Primordial, Abyssal, Aquan, Telepathy 500 ft.
Challenge 28 (120,000 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +9
Divine Traits
Amphibious Majesty. Domnu can breathe air and water. She suffers no penalties for extreme depth, pressure, or underwater environments.
Mother of the Deep. Aquatic creatures within 120 ft. of Domnu are friendly to her and her allies unless magically compelled otherwise. She may cast Dominate Monster (save DC 27) on any sea creature as a bonus action, without requiring concentration.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Domnu fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.
Mythic Nature. If Domnu is reduced to 0 hit points, she doesn’t die or fall unconscious. Instead, she returns to her humanoid form (Mermaid Form – Large), gains 400 HP, and her Cauldron of Abyssal Rebirth becomes active. This phase can occur once per long rest.
Mother of Monsters. Once per long rest, Domnu may summon 1d4 Fomorian champions to fight at her side. These beings emerge from whirlpools or rifts in the seafloor and remain for 1 hour. All Fomorians within 1 mile of Domnu gain +2 AC, resistance to radiant damage, and advantage on attacks against any creature that harmed Domnu the previous round.
Primordial Legacy. Fomorians that complete a long rest within 1 mile of Domnu may be blessed with temporary boons:
- Amphibious Adaptation: Gain swim speed and water breathing for 24 hours.
- Tideborn Wrath: Gain the Tidal Wave spell once per day.
- Abyssal Eyes: Gain 120 ft. darkvision and advantage on Perception checks for 24 hours.
Innate Spellcasting (Deity Form)
Domnu’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 27, +19 to hit). She can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:
- At Will: Control Water, Water Breathing, Detect Thoughts, Tidal Wave, Gust of Wind
- 3/Day Each: Maelstrom, Chain Lightning, Earthquake, Finger of Death, Tsunami, True Seeing
- 1/Day Each: Storm of Vengeance, Foresight, Plane Shift, Shapechange
Actions
Multiattack. Domnu makes three attacks: one with her Bite and two with her Tail or Serpent Lash.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +21 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target.
Hit: 72 (10d10 + 13) piercing damage + 18 (4d8) cold damage.
Tail Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +21 to hit, reach 30 ft., one target.
Hit: 64 (8d10 + 13) bludgeoning damage. Target must succeed on a DC 25 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone and pushed 20 ft.
Serpent Lash (Recharge 5–6). Domnu lashes out with sea serpent energy in a 60-foot cone.
Each creature in the area: must make a DC 27 Dexterity saving throw, taking 90 (20d8) lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success.
Call the Deep (1/Day). Domnu summons 2d4 Water Elementals or 1 Kraken (CR 23, under her control for 1 hour). Creatures appear in whirlpools or storm columns.
Legendary Actions
Domnu can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Domnu regains spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.
- Detect. Domnu makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
- Tail Sweep. Domnu makes one tail attack.
- Abyssal Surge (Costs 2 Actions). Domnu releases a burst of seawater in a 30-foot radius. Each creature must succeed a DC 25 Strength saving throw or be pushed 30 ft. and knocked prone.
- Invoke the Deep (Costs 3 Actions). Domnu casts Tsunami or Maelstrom without expending a spell slot.
Lair Actions (Underwater Temple, Abyssal Trench)
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Domnu takes a lair action. She can’t use the same one twice in a row:
- Cauldron’s Blessing. One ally regains 50 HP and removes all conditions.
- Surge of the Abyss. Sea water crashes in a 120-ft. cone. Creatures in the area must make a DC 25 Strength saving throw or be restrained by tidal pressure.
- Tempest Veil. A 60-ft. storm cloud shrouds her, granting Domnu full cover and making ranged attacks against her have disadvantage until initiative 20 next round.
Artifacts
Cauldron of Abyssal Rebirth
A divine artifact, this cauldron rests in Domnu’s sanctum. Once per long rest, Domnu or a priest may:
- Resurrect a creature that died within the last 24 hours (no limit on spell slot level).
- Transform a dead body into a sea-bound servitor (e.g., sea hag, merrow, deep spawn, or a newly-created Fomorian variant).
Mythological Role
Domnu is the primordial sea goddess and mother of the Fomorians, the chaotic first children of the world. She predates the pantheon of order and civilization, embodying the ocean’s destructive beauty, ancient wisdom, and terrifying power. Though not malevolent by nature, her fury is vast, and her patience is abyssal.
Her ultimate ambition is to restore the old order, when the sea ruled the land and the Fomorians walked unchallenged. She seeks to awaken sleeping Fomorian titans and flood the land, using her Cauldron to resurrect and transform champions into abyssal warriors. Her worship is common among coastal cults, drowned prophets, and sea monsters.
Domnu’s presence is both an omen and a test: will mortals learn to live in balance with nature, or drown beneath her rising tide?
Alternate Form: Mermaid Avatar (Large)
In her mermaid form, Domnu appears as a breathtakingly beautiful sea deity with cascading black-blue hair, shimmering scales, and eyes like abyssal pearls. This form focuses on enchantment, divine speech, and healing over physical might.
- Armor Class: 20 (Divine Grace)
- Speed: 30 ft., swim 90 ft.
- Special Abilities: Charm Monster, Healing Word (9th), Control Emotions, Mass Suggestion
- Aura of the Deep: Friendly creatures within 30 feet gain water breathing and advantage on Wisdom saves.
This form is used primarily in diplomacy, temptation, or divine visions sent to followers.
Domnu, Abyssal Mother of the Fomorians
Lesser Deity (Neutral Evil), CR 28
Colossal Celestial (Deity), Primordial Sea Serpent Form or Large Celestial (Deity), Mermaid Form
Domnu
XP 614,400
Female primordial sea deity (Colossal outsider [chaotic, evil, aquatic, deity])
Init +8; Senses truesight 120 ft., darkvision 300 ft., blindsense 60 ft.; Perception +45
Aura overwhelming evil, aura of the deep (30 ft.), storm shroud (30 ft., ranged attacks have 50% miss chance)
DEFENSE
AC 52, touch 12, flat-footed 48 (+4 Dex, +40 natural, -2 size)
hp 835 (38d20+380); regeneration 30 (epic and good weapons)
Fort +34, Ref +26, Will +32
Defensive Abilities divine traits (lesser deity), DR 20/epic and good, immunity to ability damage, ability drain, acid, death effects, energy drain, petrification, polymorph; SR 48
OFFENSE
Speed 60 ft., swim 120 ft.
Melee bite +49 (10d10+19 plus 4d8 cold), tail slap +47 (8d10+19), or serpent lash (reach 60 ft., 20d8 lightning, DC 38 Reflex half)
Space 30 ft.; Reach 30 ft. (60 ft. with lash)
Special Attacks abyssal surge, breath of the deep (1/day, tsunami), call the deep, mother of monsters, mythic nature, stormcall (3/day), spell-like abilities
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 30th; concentration +42)
At will—control water, detect thoughts, dominate monster (aquatic only), tidal wave (DC 30)
3/day—maelstrom (DC 31), earthquake (DC 33), tsunami (DC 32), true seeing, finger of death (DC 31), chain lightning (DC 30)
1/day—storm of vengeance (DC 34), foresight, shapechange, plane shift (self only)
STATISTICS
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 (+13) | 18 (+4) | 30 (+10) | 25 (+7) | 28 (+9) | 32 (+11) |
Base Atk +38; CMB +57; CMD 69
Feats Awesome Blow, Cleave, Great Cleave, Greater Vital Strike, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (bite), Iron Will
Skills Knowledge (arcana, nature, religion) +45, Perception +45, Spellcraft +42, Swim +62
Languages Abyssal, Aquan, Celestial, Common, Draconic; telepathy 500 ft.
SQ amphibious majesty, mother of the deep, cauldron of abyssal rebirth, seaform (mermaid)
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Amphibious Majesty (Ex): Domnu can breathe both air and water and suffers no penalties for operating at any depth.
Aura of the Deep (Su): Allies within 30 ft. of Domnu gain water breathing and +2 morale bonus on attack rolls while submerged.
Cauldron of Abyssal Rebirth (Su): Once per day, Domnu can resurrect a creature that died within the last 24 hours or convert it into a sea-bound servant under her control (as create undead, but sea hags, deep spawn, etc.).
Call the Deep (Sp): Once per day, Domnu can summon 2d4 advanced water elementals or 1 advanced kraken. Duration 1 hour.
Mother of Monsters (Su): Once per day, Domnu may summon 1d4+1 advanced Fomorian titans (treat as advanced cloud giants with deformity and chaos templates). Fomorians within 1 mile of Domnu gain fast healing 5 and +2 to all attacks and saving throws.
Mythic Nature (Su): Upon reaching 0 hp, Domnu transforms into her mermaid form (Large), gains 400 hp, and her regeneration resets. Usable once per day.
Seaform (Su): As a standard action, Domnu can change between her sea serpent and mermaid form.
Stormcall (Su): As a swift action, Domnu can cause localized storms. Area within 100 ft. is affected by control weather for 1 minute.
Primordial Legacy (Su): Fomorians resting within Domnu’s aura gain one of the following for 24 hours: swim speed, water breathing, tidal wave 1/day, or 120-ft. darkvision.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
Domnu can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn.
- Detect. Domnu makes a Perception check.
- Tail Sweep. Domnu makes one tail slap attack.
- Abyssal Surge (2 actions). Burst of seawater in 30 ft. radius; creatures must succeed DC 34 Strength save or be pushed 30 ft. and knocked prone.
- Invoke the Deep (3 actions). Cast tsunami or maelstrom without expending a spell slot.
LAIR ACTIONS (Underwater Temple, Abyssal Trench)
On initiative count 20 (losing ties), Domnu uses one lair action:
- Cauldron’s Blessing: Heal one ally 50 hp, remove all conditions.
- Surge of the Abyss: Cone 120 ft., DC 34 Strength save or be restrained.
- Tempest Veil: Storm cloud grants Domnu full cover and imposes disadvantage on ranged attacks.
Mythological Role
Domnu is the primordial sea goddess and mother of the Fomorians, ancient beings of chaos and sea. She seeks to restore the ancient order before land-dwellers rose to power. Her draconic Oilliphéist form symbolizes primordial depth, while her mermaid form seduces and speaks to the drowned world. Her cults promise salvation through storm and transformation, believing she will flood the world and birth a new Fomorian age.
Lore
In the ancient Irish mythological cycles, Domnu is acknowledged as the mother of Indech, a Fomorian king, and is considered the progenitor of the Fomorian race. Her maternal role underscores her significance as a creator deity, albeit one associated with the darker, more chaotic elements of existence. The Fomorians, often portrayed as hostile and monstrous beings, are her children, and she is fiercely protective of them.
Domnu’s name is believed to derive from the Proto-Celtic dumno-, meaning “deep” or “world,” reflecting her association with the abyssal depths of the sea. She embodies the vast, mysterious, and often treacherous aspects of the ocean, representing the untamed forces of nature and the primal chaos that existed before the world’s formation.
Role and Purpose
Domnu’s purpose as a deity is to embody the untamed, destructive potential of nature, particularly the sea. She represents the primal chaos that existed before the world was shaped, and her domain encompasses the deep and dark waters that evoke both awe and fear. Unlike deities associated with fertility and creation, Domnu embodies the destructive and mysterious aspects of water, reflecting the Celtic understanding of the need for balance between order and chaos.
Her actions are driven by the desire to maintain the delicate balance of the natural world. As the mother of the Fomorians, she seeks to preserve the ancient forces of nature that existed before the rise of civilization. Domnu’s influence is felt in the unpredictable and often destructive power of the sea, reminding mortals of the ever-present forces beyond their control.
Legends and Myths
Domnu is a powerful figure in Irish mythology, often associated with the mysterious and chaotic forces of the universe. As the goddess of the deep sea and the mother of the Fomorians, she is revered and feared in equal measure. With her shimmering blue-green scales and sinuous tail, she is a captivating and intimidating presence.
Although little is known about Domnu’s past, it is believed that she emerged from the depths of the ocean at the beginning of time. Since then, she has been a constant presence in the world, watching over the ebb and flow of life with a watchful eye. While some believe that she is a force of darkness and destruction, others see her as a symbol of renewal and rebirth.
Despite her fearsome reputation, Domnu is not a malevolent deity. Rather, she seeks to maintain the delicate balance of the natural world, ensuring that life continues to thrive. To achieve this goal, she is willing to take drastic measures, using her vast powers to shape the world as she sees fit.
At the core of Domnu’s being is a fierce desire to protect her children, the Fomorians. Although they are often reviled and feared by other beings, she loves them fiercely and will do anything to keep them safe. It is this maternal instinct that drives much of her behavior, whether she is defending her offspring from attackers or manipulating the elements to create a more hospitable environment for them.
What she’s doing in the Current World
In the shadowed depths of the primordial sea, where sunlight dares not reach, Domnu stirs. She is the ancient goddess of the deep, mother of the Fomorians, and embodiment of chaos and the unknown. Her realm is one of mystery and transformation, where the boundaries between life and death blur, and the currents of time flow in unpredictable eddies.
Domnu’s essence is woven into the very fabric of the ocean’s abyss, a place teeming with secrets and untold power. She is not merely a deity of destruction but a force of balance, ensuring that the world’s order does not become stagnant. Her actions are driven by a desire to maintain the equilibrium between creation and annihilation, light and darkness.
Throughout history, Domnu has watched civilizations rise and fall, their fates often tied to their relationship with the sea. In the 15th century, as the Age of Exploration dawns, she observes the Portuguese navigators venturing into uncharted waters. Intrigued by their audacity and the potential for new knowledge, she subtly guides them, calming storms and revealing hidden currents to aid their journeys.
Domnu’s motivations are complex. She seeks to challenge the hubris of mortals who believe they can conquer nature without consequence. Yet, she also desires to share the ocean’s wisdom with those who approach it with respect and humility. Her ultimate goal is to foster a deeper understanding of the natural world’s duality, encouraging harmony between humanity and the elemental forces that shape existence.
As the world continues to evolve, Domnu remains a silent guardian of the deep, her influence felt in the tides and tempests, the discoveries and disasters. She is a reminder of the ocean’s majesty and menace, a deity whose presence ensures that the balance between order and chaos is never forgotten.
In Your Campaign
Domnu can serve as a complex deity in your campaign, embodying the duality of creation and destruction. Her followers might be coastal druids striving to maintain the balance between land and sea, or sea witches invoking her power to protect their communities. As a patron, she offers both formidable power and profound mystery, challenging her followers to embrace the unknown depths within themselves and the world around them.