Hypnos, “God of Sleep”
“Unleashing Hypnos, the God of Dreams – Discover the Secrets of Eternal Slumber!”
- Pantheon: Greek Pantheon
- Deity Title: God of Sleep
- Deity Symbol: Poppy flower or branch
- Home Plane: Mount Olympus
- Deity Level: Major God
- Alignment: Lawful Neutral
- Aliases: Somnus (in Roman mythology)
- Superior: None
- Traditional Allies: Morpheus, the god of dreams
- Traditional Foes: The Furies, goddesses of vengeance
- Divine Artifact: Hypnos’ throne
- Servants: The Oneiroi (gods of dreams) and the Somnia (personifications of sleep)
- Servitor Creatures: None specified
- Sacred Animal: None specified
- Manifestations: Appearing in dreams, causing drowsiness, or bringing peaceful sleep
- Signs of Favor: Deep and restful sleep, pleasant dreams
- Worshipers: Those seeking peaceful and restful sleep, those who suffer from insomnia or nightmares
- Cleric Alignments: Lawful Neutral, True Neutral, Neutral Good
- Specialty Priests: Dream interpreters, insomnia healers, nightmare banishers
- Holy Days: None specified, but Hypnophoria was a festival celebrated in Athens in honor of Hypnos and his mother, Nyx (goddess of night).
- Portfolio: Sleep, dreams, rest, relaxation
- Domains: Dream, Healing, Protection
- Favored Weapon: None specified
- Favored Class: Cleric
- Favored Race: None specified
- Duties of the Priesthood: Providing guidance and assistance to those seeking peaceful sleep, performing sleep-inducing rituals and prayers
- Major Cult/Temple Sites: None specified
- Benefits: Clerics of Hypnos gain the ability to cast sleep spells and gain bonuses to healing spells cast on sleeping creatures. They are also granted a deep and restful sleep each night.
Hypnos is a powerful and enigmatic being, known throughout mythology as the god of sleep and dreams. As the son of Nyx, the goddess of night, and Erebus, the personification of darkness, Hypnos possesses an otherworldly aura that draws mortals and gods alike into his realm of dreams.
Despite his revered status, Hypnos is a solitary being who prefers to keep to himself. He spends most of his time in his palace, hidden deep within the underworld, where he weaves intricate dreams and delivers them to mortals in their sleep. Though he has the power to shape reality in the dream world, he rarely interferes with the lives of those who dream.
Hypnos has a calm and serene demeanor, often appearing to be in a state of trance himself. He is not a malicious deity, but he does have a mischievous streak, sometimes causing nightmares or manipulating dreams for his own amusement. Despite this, he is respected and feared by both mortals and gods alike, as his power over sleep and dreams is absolute.
Hypnos is a tall and slender figure with pale, almost ghostly skin. He has long, flowing hair that cascades down his back in silvery waves. His eyes are deep-set and appear to be constantly drooping, lending him a perpetually drowsy expression. Hypnos moves with a fluid, almost otherworldly grace, and his movements seem almost effortless, as if he were gliding rather than walking. He wears a long, flowing robe made of a shimmering fabric that seems to change color depending on the angle of the light. Overall, he exudes an air of quiet mystery and a sense that he is always on the cusp of drifting off into a dreamlike state.
Hypnos is driven by a desire to maintain the balance between waking life and the world of dreams. He sees himself as a guardian of the boundary between the two, ensuring that one does not encroach upon the other. His ultimate goal is to maintain this balance for eternity, even if it means being forever alone in his palace.
Hypnos, God of Sleep
Medium humanoid (deity), lawful neutral
- Armor Class 30 (Divine Armor)
- Hit Points 900 (60d20 + 600)
- Speed 60 ft., Fly 120 ft.
Strength | Dexterity | Constitution | Intelligence | Wisdom | Charisma |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
30 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 30 |
+10 | +8 | +9 | +9 | +10 | +10 |
Skills Insight +22, Persuasion +24
Senses Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 30
Saving Throws Dex +18, Con +19, Wis +22, Cha +24
Damage Resistances Necrotic, Psychic
Damage Immunities Radiant, Poison
Condition Immunities Charmed, Frightened, Poisoned
Languages All, Telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 38 (200,000 XP)
Divine Traits
- Immortal: Hypnos is an immortal deity immune to aging and natural death.
- Divine Presence: Creatures within 120 feet of Hypnos have disadvantage on saving throws against being put to sleep.
Divine Domains
Hypnos has access to all spells in the Dream and Sleep domains. (This includes a wide range of sleep-related and illusion magic.)
Actions
Multiattack. Hypnos makes three attacks: two with his divine fists and one with his celestial rapier.
Name | Weapon Attack | Damage | Range |
---|---|---|---|
Divine Fists. | +20 to hit | 4d12+10 bludgeoning | Melee |
Divine Fists (2nd attack). | +20 to hit | 4d12+10 bludgeoning | Melee |
Celestial Rapier. | +22 to hit | 2d10+12 piercing | Melee |
Sleeping Dust (Recharge 5-6). Hypnos releases magical dust in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 28 Wisdom saving throw or fall unconscious for 1 minute. A creature awakens if it takes damage or another creature uses an action to wake it.
Divine Dreamwalker. Hypnos teleports up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space he can see.
Legendary Actions
Hypnos 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. Hypnos regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
- Divine Slumber. Hypnos targets a creature within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 30 Wisdom saving throw or fall into an enchanted slumber for 1 minute. While asleep, the target is incapacitated.
- Reality Distortion. Hypnos casts an illusion spell from his Divine Domains without expending a spell slot.
- Divine Resilience. Hypnos regains 50 hit points.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Hypnos takes a lair action. The actions can be used only in a location associated with dreams or sleep.
- Nightmare Vision. Creatures within 120 feet must succeed on a DC 28 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute.
- Dreamweaver’s Veil. Hypnos summons illusions that obscure vision. All creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks within 60 feet.
- Eternal Slumber. Creatures within 60 feet fall unconscious and begin to dream vividly. They must succeed on a DC 28 Wisdom saving throw or be incapacitated for 1 minute.
Regional Effects
The region within 6 miles of Hypnos’ presence is affected by his divine magic, creating dream-like phenomena. These effects can vary depending on the nature of the area but typically involve heightened dream activity, vivid illusions, and instances of sleepwalking or talking in one’s sleep.
Keep in mind that this is a highly powerful deity, and including it in a game requires careful consideration and balancing. The CR level provided reflects the immense power of Hypnos and the challenge it poses to players.
Divine Artifacts
Hypnos possesses a number of divine artifacts, including:
- Somnusphere. This enchanted object enables Hypnos to ensnare the dreams of beings within a 30-foot perimeter. The captured dreams can be accessed at will and utilized to obtain insights into the creature’s psyche or to manipulate its actions.
- The Sleep Crown. This ornate crown allows him to induce sleep in all creatures within a 60-foot radius of him. The duration of the sleep is determined by Hypnos and can range from a few minutes to several hours.
- The Pillow of Dreams. This plush pillow allows Hypnos to enter the dreams of any creature that sleeps on it. While inside the dream, Hypnos can communicate with the creature and manipulate the dream’s environment.
Note: All divine artifacts are immune to damage and cannot be destroyed by mortal means. They are also only usable by Hypnos and cannot be wielded by other creatures.
Currently in the World
In the ethereal realm of Mount Olympus, where ancient gods reign, Hypnos, the deity of sleep and dreams, drifts amidst the whispers of slumbering mortals. His realm, veiled in the realm of dreams, is a surreal tapestry of vivid fantasies and haunting nightmares. From his celestial throne, he observes the world of men, the ebb and flow of human history, and the grand tapestry of destinies interwoven through time.
Throughout the ages, Hypnos has been both a gentle comforter and a fearsome enigma. He has been there to grant peaceful dreams to the weary, embracing them in the warm embrace of a restful night. He has also been the harbinger of unsettling visions, haunting those who bear the weight of guilt or premonitions. Mortal tales speak of his soft touch, lulling mighty heroes to sleep before epic battles, ensuring that even the mightiest are not immune to the pull of his tranquil embrace.
As history unfolds, Hypnos weaves his influence through key events, subtly guiding the course of destiny. In times of war, he grants dreams of valor to inspire soldiers to greatness. During tumultuous periods of change, he stirs visions of unity, guiding leaders to forge alliances and peace. In the shadows, he whispers to prophets and seers, imparting cryptic visions of future trials and triumphs.
Yet, with the passing centuries, the world of men evolves, and their dreams grow more complex and multifaceted. The rise of the Renaissance in the 15th century introduces new heights of human creativity and exploration. Hypnos, ever observant, finds himself intrigued by this period of enlightenment and artistic fervor.
In the 1450s, while the Renaissance blooms, Hypnos’ influence subtly shifts. No longer content to merely observe, he seeks to inspire the artists, thinkers, and explorers of this age. He weaves dreams of breathtaking beauty and surreal wonder, igniting the imaginations of painters, sculptors, and writers, urging them to bring forth works of art that transcend the mundane. His ethereal whispers also reach the minds of scholars and adventurers, driving them to explore uncharted territories and unearth forgotten wisdom.
In this era, Hypnos desires to leave an indelible mark on human culture and society, ensuring that his influence is remembered through the masterpieces of Renaissance art and the discoveries of the Age of Exploration. His motivation lies in fostering the blossoming of human potential, as mortals awaken to new possibilities and unlock the realms of knowledge.
As the 1450s unfold, Hypnos becomes an integral part of this transformative period. From the shadows of dreams, he nurtures the spark of human ingenuity, molding the course of history as mankind awakens to the wonders of the world and the vastness of the cosmos, all while remaining an enigmatic figure, ever present, yet forever beyond mortal comprehension.