Ōkuninushi — Lord of Izumo and the Unseen Realm
Japanese Pantheon · Lord of Izumo and the Unseen Realm
Before heavenly rule is established, Ōkuninushi helps make the inhabited land fit for life. His story contains more than a surrender of power: it asks what becomes of the people and spirits when one sovereign yields the visible world to another.
Ōkuninushi at a Glance
Tradition
Japanese kami
Divine Standing
Divine Rank 17 · Epic CR 35 (custom campaign rules)
Portfolio
Land, sovereignty, medicine, binding communities and the unseen realm
Sacred Attributes
ritual vessel holding earth, roots and medicines
Mythic Role
Ruler of the Central Land of Reed Plains in the Izumo mythic cycle; later strongly associated with Izumo Taisha and with the care of the hidden world.
Worship in the Present World
At Izumo a dispute over fields may also be a dispute over ancestral duties. A family can own the tax receipt and still be accused of neglecting the local kami. The shrine’s judgement concerns how people live with the land, not only who has the strongest seal.
Ōkuninushi’s cult can serve healers, those forging lasting relationships and people with claims to old territory. It should not reduce every marriage, illness or border treaty to an automatic divine blessing.
What Ōkuninushi Is Doing Now
The shrine at Izumo is receiving envoys from districts whose old land charters no longer agree with the ruling court’s maps. Ōkuninushi protects the right to be heard but will not simply reverse the transfer of the visible land. Pilgrims carrying soil from disputed fields ask whether a promise to the dead binds their living descendants.
Cleric Domains and Spell Access
Each edition panel now includes the deity’s complete personal Divine Spellcasting repertoire for this encounter. The separately linked cleric-domain guides contain the spells and subclass features granted to worshippers; those are not the deity’s own spell list. Original campaign conversions require GM approval.
- Earth Domain — Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e.
- Community Domain — Site-original modern conversion, Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e.
- Protection Domain — Site-original modern conversion, Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e.
- Travel Domain — Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e.
Edition access: a 2014 or 2024 Cleric obtains the always-prepared spells of their actual, supported subclass at the printed Cleric levels. Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e Clerics generally select two appropriate domains and use one additional domain spell slot per spell level they can cast. None of these traditions grants every spell from every associated domain automatically.
Divine Mechanics
The following are original epic campaign stat blocks rather than official published deity rules. Challenge ratings above 30 use custom epic benchmarks; do not treat them as ordinary 2014 encounter-building values.
Ōkuninushi — D&D 2024
Medium celestial (deity), neutral good
Armour Class 29 (divine protection) · Hit Points 760 · Speed 40 ft., fly 90 ft. (hover)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 (+7) | 28 (+9) | 34 (+12) | 26 (+8) | 34 (+12) | 30 (+10) |
Saving Throws Dex +21, Wis +23, Cha +22; Skills Insight +23, Perception +23, Religion +21; Damage Resistances cold, psychic; Condition Immunities charmed, frightened; Senses truesight 180 ft., passive Perception 43; Languages all, telepathy 180 ft.; Challenge 35 (original epic campaign benchmark).
Traits
Legendary Resistance (5/Day). On a failed saving throw, the deity may succeed instead.
Magic Resistance. Advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects.
Claim of the Earth’s Vigilance. Ōkuninushi senses the position of creatures touching natural ground within 120 feet, even when obstacles conceal them.
Divine Spellcasting — D&D 2024 (complete personal repertoire)
Ōkuninushi’s own magic — original epic campaign rules, not an official published god. Wisdom, spell save DC 30, +22. Spell levels 0–5: at will. Levels 6–7: 3/day for each individual spell. Levels 8–9: 1/day for each individual spell. No spell slots or preparation limit. Cast using this edition’s ordinary actions, ranges, durations, level and Concentration limits; verbal/somatic components are waived, but consumed expensive materials must still be provided. One Concentration spell at a time. All 112 spells listed below belong to this encounter statblock; they combine broad divine magic with distinct Ōkuninushi portfolio spells. These portfolio options are original, not automatically on the normal Cleric list or granted to worshippers. Spell entries from other books/editions need explicit GM-approved conversion. Existing legendary, mythic and supernatural powers remain separate abilities with their original usage limits.
| Spell level | Ōkuninushi’s full personal repertoire |
|---|---|
| Cantrips | Druidcraft; Guidance; Light; Mending; Resistance; Sacred Flame; Spare the Dying; Thaumaturgy |
| 1 | Bane; Bless; Command; Create or Destroy Water; Cure Wounds; Detect Evil and Good; Detect Magic; Detect Poison and Disease; Entangle; Guiding Bolt; Healing Word; Inflict Wounds; Protection from Evil and Good; Purify Food and Drink; Sanctuary; Shield of Faith |
| 2 | Aid; Augury; Blindness/Deafness; Calm Emotions; Continual Flame; Enhance Ability; Find Traps; Gentle Repose; Hold Person; Lesser Restoration; Locate Object; Prayer of Healing; Protection from Poison; Silence; Spiritual Weapon; Warding Bond; Zone of Truth |
| 3 | Animate Dead; Beacon of Hope; Bestow Curse; Clairvoyance; Create Food and Water; Daylight; Dispel Magic; Glyph of Warding; Magic Circle; Mass Healing Word; Meld into Stone; Plant Growth; Protection from Energy; Remove Curse; Revivify; Sending; Speak with Dead; Spirit Guardians; Tongues; Water Walk |
| 4 | Aura of Life; Banishment; Control Water; Death Ward; Divination; Freedom of Movement; Guardian of Faith; Locate Creature; Stone Shape |
| 5 | Commune; Contagion; Dispel Evil and Good; Flame Strike; Geas; Greater Restoration; Hallow; Insect Plague; Legend Lore; Mass Cure Wounds; Planar Binding; Raise Dead; Scrying; Wall of Stone |
| 6 | Blade Barrier; Create Undead; Find the Path; Forbiddance; Harm; Heal; Heroes’ Feast; Planar Ally; True Seeing; Word of Recall |
| 7 | Conjure Celestial; Divine Word; Etherealness; Fire Storm; Plane Shift; Regenerate; Resurrection; Symbol |
| 8 | Antimagic Field; Control Weather; Earthquake; Holy Aura |
| 9 | Astral Projection; Foresight; Gate; Mass Heal; Power Word Heal; True Resurrection |
Actions
Multiattack. Three Reed-Plain Verdict attacks.
Reed-Plain Verdict. Ranged Spell Attack: +22 to hit, range 180 ft., one target. Hit: 45 (6d10 + 12) force damage.
Claim of the Earth (Recharge 5–6). Up to three hostile creatures standing on natural ground within 120 feet make a Strength saving throw; on failure each is Restrained until the end of its next turn as roots and earth take hold. The saving throw DC is 30.
House of the Unseen (3/Day). Ōkuninushi designates a 60-foot-radius area within 180 feet where creatures cannot teleport or cross planes for one round unless he permits it.
Reactions
Protection of the Land. When an ally within 60 feet is struck while standing on natural ground, reduce that damage by 30.
Legendary Actions
Three legendary actions, one at the end of another creature’s turn; regain spent actions at the start of this deity’s turn.
- Move. Move up to half speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
- Reed-Plain Verdict. Make one Reed-Plain Verdict attack.
- Divine Reprieve (Costs 2). One ally within 60 feet ends the charmed or frightened condition and gains 15 temporary hit points.
Ōkuninushi — D&D 2014
Medium celestial (deity), neutral good
Armour Class 29 (divine protection) · Hit Points 760 · Speed 40 ft., fly 90 ft. (hover)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 (+7) | 28 (+9) | 34 (+12) | 26 (+8) | 34 (+12) | 30 (+10) |
Saving Throws Dex +21, Wis +23, Cha +22; Skills Insight +23, Perception +23, Religion +21; Damage Resistances cold, psychic; Condition Immunities charmed, frightened; Senses truesight 180 ft., passive Perception 43; Languages all, telepathy 180 ft.; Challenge 35 (original epic campaign benchmark).
Traits
Legendary Resistance (5/Day). On a failed saving throw, the deity may succeed instead.
Magic Resistance. Advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects.
Claim of the Earth’s Vigilance. Ōkuninushi senses the position of creatures touching natural ground within 120 feet, even when obstacles conceal them.
Divine Spellcasting — D&D 2014 (complete personal repertoire)
Ōkuninushi’s own magic — original epic campaign rules, not an official published god. Wisdom, spell save DC 30, +22. Spell levels 0–5: at will. Levels 6–7: 3/day for each individual spell. Levels 8–9: 1/day for each individual spell. No spell slots or preparation limit. Cast using this edition’s ordinary actions, ranges, durations, level and Concentration limits; verbal/somatic components are waived, but consumed expensive materials must still be provided. One Concentration spell at a time. All 111 spells listed below belong to this encounter statblock; they combine broad divine magic with distinct Ōkuninushi portfolio spells. These portfolio options are original, not automatically on the normal Cleric list or granted to worshippers. Spell entries from other books/editions need explicit GM-approved conversion. Existing legendary, mythic and supernatural powers remain separate abilities with their original usage limits.
| Spell level | Ōkuninushi’s full personal repertoire |
|---|---|
| Cantrips | Druidcraft; Guidance; Light; Mending; Resistance; Sacred Flame; Spare the Dying; Thaumaturgy |
| 1 | Bane; Bless; Command; Create or Destroy Water; Cure Wounds; Detect Evil and Good; Detect Magic; Detect Poison and Disease; Entangle; Guiding Bolt; Healing Word; Inflict Wounds; Protection from Evil and Good; Purify Food and Drink; Sanctuary; Shield of Faith |
| 2 | Aid; Augury; Blindness/Deafness; Calm Emotions; Continual Flame; Enhance Ability; Find Traps; Gentle Repose; Hold Person; Lesser Restoration; Locate Object; Prayer of Healing; Protection from Poison; Silence; Spiritual Weapon; Warding Bond; Zone of Truth |
| 3 | Animate Dead; Beacon of Hope; Bestow Curse; Clairvoyance; Create Food and Water; Daylight; Dispel Magic; Glyph of Warding; Magic Circle; Mass Healing Word; Meld into Stone; Plant Growth; Protection from Energy; Remove Curse; Revivify; Sending; Speak with Dead; Spirit Guardians; Tongues; Water Walk |
| 4 | Banishment; Control Water; Death Ward; Divination; Freedom of Movement; Guardian of Faith; Locate Creature; Stone Shape |
| 5 | Commune; Contagion; Dispel Evil and Good; Flame Strike; Geas; Greater Restoration; Hallow; Insect Plague; Legend Lore; Mass Cure Wounds; Planar Binding; Raise Dead; Scrying; Wall of Stone |
| 6 | Blade Barrier; Create Undead; Find the Path; Forbiddance; Harm; Heal; Heroes’ Feast; Planar Ally; True Seeing; Word of Recall |
| 7 | Conjure Celestial; Divine Word; Etherealness; Fire Storm; Plane Shift; Regenerate; Resurrection; Symbol |
| 8 | Antimagic Field; Control Weather; Earthquake; Holy Aura |
| 9 | Astral Projection; Foresight; Gate; Mass Heal; Power Word Heal; True Resurrection |
Actions
Multiattack. Three Reed-Plain Verdict attacks.
Reed-Plain Verdict. Ranged Spell Attack: +22 to hit, range 180 ft., one target. Hit: 45 (6d10 + 12) force damage.
Claim of the Earth (Recharge 5–6). Up to three hostile creatures standing on natural ground within 120 feet make a Strength saving throw; on failure each is Restrained until the end of its next turn as roots and earth take hold. The saving throw DC is 30.
House of the Unseen (3/Day). Ōkuninushi designates a 60-foot-radius area within 180 feet where creatures cannot teleport or cross planes for one round unless he permits it.
Reactions
Protection of the Land. When an ally within 60 feet is struck while standing on natural ground, reduce that damage by 30.
Legendary Actions
Three legendary actions, one at the end of another creature’s turn; regain spent actions at the start of this deity’s turn.
- Move. Move up to half speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
- Reed-Plain Verdict. Make one Reed-Plain Verdict attack.
- Divine Reprieve (Costs 2). One ally within 60 feet ends the charmed or frightened condition and gains 15 temporary hit points.
Ōkuninushi — Pathfinder 1e
Medium outsider (deity, mythic), neutral good; CR 35, mythic rank 10 (original epic campaign creature)
Init +13; Senses true seeing 180 ft., Perception +44; AC 45, touch 30, flat-footed 36; hp 760; Fort +38, Ref +39, Will +41; DR 15/epic; SR 46; Speed 40 ft., fly 90 ft. (perfect).
Str 24, Dex 28, Con 34, Int 26, Wis 34, Cha 30; Base Atk +38; Melee divine weapon +46/+41/+36/+31 (Reed-Plain Verdict: 4d8+7 plus 4d6 elemental damage); Ranged Reed-Plain Verdict +45 touch (10d6 force, 180 ft.).
Skills Knowledge (religion) +46, Perception +44, Sense Motive +45; Feats Improved Initiative, Combat Casting, Iron Will.
Mythic Power (Su) 23/day; Surge +1d12: as an immediate action after a d20 roll, expend one use to add the surge die. This encounter’s divine abilities extend Pathfinder mythic monster rules as an original campaign adaptation, not published Paizo statistics.
Claim of the Earth (Su). Up to three hostile creatures standing on natural ground within 120 feet make a Strength saving throw; on failure each is Restrained until the end of its next turn as roots and earth take hold. Will DC 34; a one-round duration; three uses per day.
House of the Unseen (Su). Ōkuninushi designates a 60-foot-radius area within 180 feet where creatures cannot teleport or cross planes for one round unless he permits it. Three uses daily.
Divine Spellcasting — Pathfinder 1e (complete personal repertoire)
Ōkuninushi’s own magic — original epic campaign rules, not an official published god. Wisdom, caster level 35, saving throw DC 22 + spell level (original mythic/epic spell-like ability rules). Spell levels 0–5: at will. Levels 6–7: 3/day for each individual spell. Levels 8–9: 1/day for each individual spell. No conventional spell slots. Spell-like abilities generally use a standard action unless the source requires longer; use Pathfinder 1e rules for range, duration, spell resistance, concentration and caster-level scaling. Costly consumed material components remain required for major magic. All 121 spells listed below belong to this encounter statblock; they combine broad divine magic with distinct Ōkuninushi portfolio spells. These portfolio options are original, not automatically on the normal Cleric list or granted to worshippers. Spell entries from other books/editions need explicit GM-approved conversion. Existing legendary, mythic and supernatural powers remain separate abilities with their original usage limits.
| Spell level | Ōkuninushi’s full personal repertoire |
|---|---|
| Orisons (0) | Create Water; Cure Minor Wounds; Detect Magic; Detect Poison; Guidance; Light; Mending; Purify Food and Drink; Read Magic; Resistance; Stabilize; Virtue |
| 1 | Bane; Bless; Command; Comprehend Languages; Cure Light Wounds; Detect Evil; Detect Undead; Divine Favor; Doom; Endure Elements; Entangle; Obscuring Mist; Protection from Evil; Remove Fear; Sanctuary; Shield of Faith |
| 2 | Aid; Augury; Barkskin; Calm Emotions; Cure Moderate Wounds; Delay Poison; Detect Thoughts; Enthrall; Gentle Repose; Hold Person; Lesser Restoration; Resist Energy; Shield Other; Silence; Sound Burst; Spiritual Weapon; Status; Suggestion; Zone of Truth |
| 3 | Bestow Curse; Blindness/Deafness; Contagion; Cure Serious Wounds; Daylight; Dispel Magic; Magic Circle against Evil; Plant Growth; Prayer; Protection from Energy; Remove Curse; Remove Disease; Speak with Dead; Stone Shape |
| 4 | Air Walk; Cure Critical Wounds; Death Ward; Dimensional Anchor; Dismissal; Divination; Freedom of Movement; Neutralize Poison; Restoration; Sending; Tongues |
| 5 | Atonement; Break Enchantment; Breath of Life; Commune; Flame Strike; Greater Command; Hallow; Mass Cure Light Wounds; Raise Dead; Righteous Might; Scrying; True Seeing; Wall of Stone |
| 6 | Blade Barrier; Find the Path; Forbiddance; Greater Dispel Magic; Harm; Heal; Heroes’ Feast; Mass Cure Moderate Wounds; Planar Ally; Undeath to Death; Word of Recall |
| 7 | Destruction; Ethereal Jaunt; Greater Restoration; Greater Scrying; Holy Word; Legend Lore; Mass Cure Serious Wounds; Regenerate; Resurrection |
| 8 | Discern Location; Earthquake; Fire Storm; Greater Planar Ally; Holy Aura; Mass Cure Critical Wounds; Shield of Law |
| 9 | Etherealness; Foresight; Gate; Mass Heal; Miracle; Prismatic Sphere; Storm of Vengeance; Summon Monster IX; True Resurrection |
Ōkuninushi — D&D 3.5e
Medium outsider (deity), neutral good, Divine Rank 17; Epic Encounter Level 35 is a campaign benchmark, not a sourcebook stat block.
Hit Dice 35d8 + 350 (507 hp, campaign average); Initiative +13; Speed 40 ft., fly 90 ft. (perfect); AC 56, touch 30, flat-footed 47; Base Attack +35; Grapple +59; Melee divine weapon +59 (4d8+7 plus 4d6 divine energy); Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft..
Fort +64, Ref +61, Will +64; Str 24, Dex 28, Con 34, Int 26, Wis 34, Cha 30; Skills Knowledge (religion) +60, Sense Motive +64, Spot +64; Feats Combat Casting, Improved Initiative, Iron Will.
Divine Aura up to 1700 ft.; Will DC 37 to resist awe or dread. Divine Fast Healing 37 hp/round (Con 34 qualifies). Divine Shield and Rejuvenation follow the SRD’s rank limits and requirements. Claim of the Earth (Su): original campaign ability; Up to three hostile creatures standing on natural ground within 120 feet make a Strength saving throw; on failure each is Restrained until the end of its next turn as roots and earth take hold. Will DC 39.
These combat bonuses extend basic divine-rank conventions for a campaign deity encounter. Audit all epic arithmetic and opposing CRs before introducing the deity to play.
Divine Spellcasting — D&D 3.5e (complete personal repertoire)
Ōkuninushi’s own magic — original epic campaign rules, not an official published god. Wisdom, caster level 35, saving throw DC 22 + spell level (original mythic/epic spell-like ability rules). Spell levels 0–5: at will. Levels 6–7: 3/day for each individual spell. Levels 8–9: 1/day for each individual spell. No conventional spell slots. Spell-like abilities generally use a standard action unless the source requires longer; use D&D 3.5e rules for range, duration, spell resistance, concentration and caster-level scaling. Costly consumed material components remain required for major magic. All 129 spells listed below belong to this encounter statblock; they combine broad divine magic with distinct Ōkuninushi portfolio spells. These portfolio options are original, not automatically on the normal Cleric list or granted to worshippers. Spell entries from other books/editions need explicit GM-approved conversion. Existing legendary, mythic and supernatural powers remain separate abilities with their original usage limits.
| Spell level | Ōkuninushi’s full personal repertoire |
|---|---|
| Orisons (0) | Create Water; Cure Minor Wounds; Detect Magic; Detect Poison; Guidance; Inflict Minor Wounds; Light; Mending; Purify Food and Drink; Read Magic; Resistance; Virtue |
| 1 | Bane; Bless; Bless Water; Cause Fear; Command; Comprehend Languages; Cure Light Wounds; Detect Evil; Detect Secret Doors; Detect Undead; Divine Favor; Doom; Endure Elements; Entangle; Entropic Shield; Obscuring Mist; Protection from Evil; Remove Fear; Sanctuary; Shield of Faith |
| 2 | Aid; Augury; Barkskin; Calm Emotions; Cure Moderate Wounds; Delay Poison; Detect Thoughts; Enthrall; Gentle Repose; Hold Person; Lesser Restoration; Owl’s Wisdom; Resist Energy; Shield Other; Silence; Sound Burst; Spiritual Weapon; Status; Suggestion; Zone of Truth |
| 3 | Bestow Curse; Blindness/Deafness; Clairaudience/Clairvoyance; Contagion; Cure Serious Wounds; Daylight; Dispel Magic; Glyph of Warding; Magic Circle against Evil; Plant Growth; Prayer; Protection from Energy; Remove Curse; Remove Disease; Speak with Dead; Stone Shape |
| 4 | Air Walk; Cure Critical Wounds; Death Ward; Dimensional Anchor; Dismissal; Divination; Freedom of Movement; Neutralize Poison; Restoration; Sending; Spell Immunity; Tongues |
| 5 | Atonement; Break Enchantment; Commune; Flame Strike; Greater Command; Hallow; Mass Cure Light Wounds; Raise Dead; Righteous Might; Scrying; True Seeing; Wall of Stone |
| 6 | Blade Barrier; Find the Path; Forbiddance; Geas/Quest; Harm; Heal; Heroes’ Feast; Mass Cure Moderate Wounds; Planar Ally; Undeath to Death; Wind Walk; Word of Recall |
| 7 | Destruction; Ethereal Jaunt; Greater Restoration; Greater Scrying; Holy Word; Legend Lore; Mass Cure Serious Wounds; Regenerate; Resurrection |
| 8 | Discern Location; Earthquake; Fire Storm; Greater Planar Ally; Holy Aura; Mass Cure Critical Wounds; Shield of Law |
| 9 | Astral Projection; Etherealness; Foresight; Gate; Mass Heal; Miracle; Prismatic Sphere; Storm of Vengeance; True Resurrection |
Relationships and Divine Politics
In the mythic sequence Ōkuninushi survives the schemes of his brothers and, with Sukunahikona, helps complete and develop the land. When the heavenly kami press for a transfer of sovereignty, messengers fail and Takemikazuchi eventually confronts Ōkuninushi. His son Kotoshironushi consents, while Takeminakata resists. Ōkuninushi accepts the transfer and withdraws into an unseen realm. This story is an ideal foundation for political negotiations that have a real cost even when no sword is drawn.
Where Worship Is Found
Izumo Taisha is a natural centre. Delegates from great houses, distant hamlets and disputing shrine lineages can come to Izumo seeking a ruling that makes ancient claims compatible with current necessity.
Omens and Adventures
- The border of the reed plain. Two villages trace ownership to different branches of a sacred family. Their old maps agree, but the river has moved. The party must settle access to irrigation before armed retainers arrive.
- A messenger who stayed. A heavenly envoy sent to announce the transfer of a tract of land has taken the local lord’s side. The court demands the envoy’s return; the shrine fears the bargain being offered is false.
- The absent healer. A shrine physician using recipes credited to Sukunahikona vanishes after treating a lord. Stolen medicine and political accusations threaten a district already short of food.
Mythological and Historical Context
The Izumo cycle gives Ōkuninushi a wide kinship network and different stages of sovereignty. The kuniyuzuri episode concerns the transfer of control of the visible land to heavenly descendants and the god’s withdrawal to the unseen realm. The historical association with Daikokuten develops later, through a syncretic identification; the two names are not simply interchangeable in every early account.
Sources and Licensing
- Kokugakuin University, Encyclopedia of Shinto — Ōkuninushi
- Transfer of the land (kuniyuzuri)
- D&D 3.5e divine SRD
- Pathfinder 1e Mythic creatures
Edition-specific divine statistics and supernatural abilities are original SpiralWorlds campaign conversions. Pathfinder and D&D 3.5e SRD links are provided for reference to their rules; no claim is made that these gods have official four-edition stat blocks.
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