Anu — High God of Heaven, Divine Authority & Kingship
Anu—An in Sumerian, Anu in Akkadian—is the high god of heaven and one of the oldest supreme powers of Mesopotamia. He embodies senior divine authority: the power to assign functions to other gods, confer kingship upon mortals and issue decisions whose weight survives even when younger gods rise to greater political prominence.
At a Glance
Mesopotamian — Sumerian An / Akkadian Anu
Greater Deity
Lawful Neutral
High God of Heaven; Father of the Gods; Source of Kingship
Heaven, divine authority, kingship, judgement, seniority, cosmic order and the allotment of divine offices
Uruk, especially in later periods
Antu in important Akkadian and later traditions
The High Heaven above Celestial Uruk
What Is Anu Doing Right Now?
Anu is adjudicating rank among gods and kings who have grown accustomed to acting without remembering who once granted their offices. New temples do not interest him as much as old claims: a recovered royal title, a priesthood asserting precedence, a god demanding recognition as supreme in a city where another deity once held that place.
His interventions are rare and therefore alarming. When Anu appears in a dream, it is seldom to offer comfort. It is to ask who authorised an action, which oath created an office or why someone has taken a power that was never allotted to them.
Appearance & Manner
Anu appears as an elder horn-crowned king clothed in deep blue and black robes patterned like the night sky. He is distant without being absent-minded. Mortals often feel that he is looking not only at them but at the office, ancestry, oath and consequences standing behind them.
Heaven, Kingship & the Senior Divine Order
Anu belongs to the oldest generation of the Mesopotamian gods and was once the supreme deity of the pantheon. His defining functions are authority, decision and progenitorship. He allots roles to other gods, can elevate their standing and confers kingship on earth.
Later theology gives more active supremacy to Enlil and, in Babylon, Marduk, but Anu never becomes irrelevant. His seniority survives because divine hierarchy is not only about who acts most often; it is also about who possesses the authority from which other offices descend.
Divine Relationships
Enlil. A younger supreme power whose active authority over decree and kingship eventually surpasses Anu’s in many traditions without erasing Anu’s seniority.
Enki/Ea. Another member of the highest divine order, governing wisdom, magic and the subterranean sweet waters.
Inanna/Ishtar. Her traditions repeatedly place her in close relation to Anu’s authority; she can seek, receive or challenge powers within the divine hierarchy rather than existing beneath it passively.
Papsukkal. In later tradition, Papsukkal serves as Anu’s minister and gatekeeper, controlling access to the high god’s court.
Worship & the Court of Heaven
Anu’s cult attracts rulers, senior priests, judges, astronomers and officials concerned with legitimacy. His temples are places of precedence: who enters first, whose seal outranks whose, who may speak in council and which title is older than another.
Uruk is especially important to his worship. In later periods Anu’s cult there flourishes again with elaborate temple institutions and astral learning, reinforcing his identity as a high celestial authority even after centuries in which other gods dominated imperial theology.
Omens, Favour & Displeasure
Anu’s favour appears as a horned crown seen in a dream, an old title recognised by rival courts, a star remaining visible through cloud or a dispute ending because everyone suddenly remembers the correct order of precedence. He dislikes usurpation without responsibility, fraudulent titles, forged appointments and lesser powers claiming authority they were never given.
Encounters & Adventure Use
The Falling Star of Uruk
A white star falls behind the ruined terraces of Uruk. Beneath the temple precinct, priestess Iltani finds a shard from Anu’s throne piercing the prison of a sky-born prisoner. If the heroes return the shard, the captive remains bound; if they free it, an older celestial vow may be broken. The choice determines whether Uruk gains a powerful guardian or an angry stranger.
Antu’s Empty Seat
During a night vigil, a pale queen sits on the vacant ceremonial throne of Antu and begins answering prayers no mortal should hear. An astronomer insists the visitor came through a crack in the heavens. The party can discover her name in the fallen star records, petition Papsukkal for safe passage or confront the power in the hall before its followers carry her beyond the temple.
The Door Behind the Sky
At Anu’s high court, Papsukkal bars the only way home. A stolen bronze key now opens passages into mortal skies, releasing strange lights over farms below. Recover the key from a wandering star-spirit, persuade it to surrender its freedom, or offer another passage that leaves the mortal world unharmed.
Anu in Play
Anu can appoint a guardian, deny a tyrant passage into heaven or remind a lesser god that the sky remembers every delegation of power. Defeating his manifestation does not annul his divine office. The following four campaign interpretations are unofficial and unplaytested epic encounters, not official monster or XP tables.
Anu — D&D 5.5e / 2024
Anu, the Vault Above Heaven
Huge Celestial (Greater Deity), Lawful Neutral. CR 40 (unofficial epic campaign estimate; no official XP), campaign PB +12.
Armor Class 32 (divine firmament); Hit Points 1,230 (60d12 + 840); Speed 40 ft., fly 120 ft. (hover).
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 (+12) | 24 (+7) | 38 (+14) | 36 (+13) | 40 (+15) | 38 (+14) |
Saving Throws Str +24, Dex +19, Con +26, Int +25, Wis +27, Cha +26. Skills Arcana +25, Insight +27, Perception +27, Persuasion +26, Religion +25. Resistances cold, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing and slashing. Immunities poison, radiant. Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned. Senses truesight 300 ft., passive Perception 37. Languages all; telepathy 2 miles.
Divine Traits
Senior God. Anu does not need air, food, drink or sleep and cannot be unwillingly shapechanged. His manifestation can be defeated; divine office and essence endure.
Legendary Resistance (5/Day). Anu may turn a failed save into success. Magic Resistance. Advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects.
Allotment of Power. At the start of each of Anu’s turns, one willing ally he can see within 180 feet gains one of: +3 AC; Advantage on all saving throws; an additional Reaction usable before Anu’s next turn; or +2d8 Radiant damage on the first weapon attack it hits with before Anu’s next turn. The benefit lasts until the start of Anu’s next turn and cannot stack with itself.
Personal Divine Spellcasting
Wisdom is Anu’s casting ability, spell save DC 35 (8 +12 PB +15 Wis), +27 spell attacks. His spells use the 2024 casting time, range, duration, targeting and Concentration; he needs no Material components, but still speaks and gestures when required. Only one Concentration spell can be active. Limited uses return at dawn. These are Anu’s own magic, not the spells of every worshipper.
| Level | Anu’s personal spells | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Cantrips | Guidance, Light, Thaumaturgy | At will |
| 1st | Command, Guiding Bolt, Shield of Faith | 4/day each |
| 2nd | Augury, Lesser Restoration, Zone of Truth | 4/day each |
| 3rd | Clairvoyance, Dispel Magic, Sending | 3/day each |
| 4th | Divination, Freedom of Movement | 3/day each |
| 5th | Commune, Geas, Scrying | 3/day each |
| 6th | Forbiddance, Heal, True Seeing | 2/day each |
| 7th | Plane Shift, Resurrection, Symbol | 2/day each |
| 8th | Holy Aura, Sunburst | 1/day each |
| 9th | Foresight, Gate, Wish | 1/day each |
Actions
Multiattack. Two Sceptre of the Firmament attacks.
Sceptre of the Firmament. Melee Weapon Attack: +28 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 36 (4d10 +14) Bludgeoning damage plus 36 (8d8) Radiant damage.
Sentence of Heaven (Recharge 5–6). A creature Anu can see within 180 feet makes a DC 35 Charisma saving throw. Failure: 72 (16d8) Force damage, and it cannot teleport or move to another plane until the end of its next turn. Success: half damage and no restriction. This does not remove another deity’s identity or rank.
Open the Firmament (1/Day). A 60-foot-radius, 120-foot-high cylinder within 300 feet descends. Enemies in the area make DC 35 Dexterity saves, taking 88 (16d10) Radiant damage plus 44 (8d10) Force damage on failure, or half on success. Allies Anu chooses instead regain 45 Hit Points. The space is brightly lit until the start of his next turn.
Bonus Action
Heavenly Step. Anu teleports up to 60 feet into an unoccupied space he sees. The destination cannot be inside solid matter.
Reaction
Revoke Privilege (3/Day). When a creature within 120 feet gains Resistance or Immunity from a spell, Anu can force a DC 35 Charisma save. On failure, that benefit is suppressed until the end of the creature’s next turn; the underlying spell remains active.
Legendary Actions (4 Uses)
After another creature’s turn, Anu may spend uses on one option, regaining four at the start of his turn; none while Incapacitated.
- Move the Stars (1). Anu moves 30 feet without provoking Opportunity Attacks.
- Sceptre (1). Make one Sceptre attack.
- Appoint Guardian (2). One willing ally within 120 feet immediately moves half its Speed and can take the Help action.
- Final Judgement (3). One visible creature within 120 feet makes DC 35 Wisdom saving throw or is Stunned until the end of its next turn; a creature succeeding is immune to this action for 24 hours.
High Heaven — Estate Action
At initiative count 20 (losing ties) in Anu’s celestial audience hall he chooses one: a visible 40-foot square becomes Difficult Terrain until the next count; one ally regains 30 Hit Points; or a 60-foot-radius dome of starlight blocks teleportation until the next count. The same choice cannot be repeated twice in a row.
Clerics & Domain Spells — 2024
Anu’s worshippers may choose a campaign Order Domain for the 2024 cleric; this is not a claim that Order belongs to the four official 2024 core domains. Its additional prepared spell pairs are gained at cleric levels 3 (1st and 2nd level), 5 (3rd), 7 (4th) and 9 (5th): Command / Sanctuary; Zone of Truth / Hold Person; Clairvoyance / Dispel Magic; Divination / Guardian of Faith; Commune / Geas. These grants are distinct from Anu’s personal list.
The Crown of the High Heaven — 2024
Relic rules for 2024
Artifact wondrous item (crown), requires Attunement from Anu. Its bearer gains +2 to Wisdom saving throws. It has 3 charges and recovers 1d3 at dawn. As a Magic action, expend one charge to cast Zone of Truth (DC 21; normal duration and Concentration) centred on the bearer, or two charges to cast Command at 5th level (DC 21). The crown reveals a dishonest oath but cannot declare a mortal ruler rightful on its own.
Anu — D&D 5e / 2014
Anu, Elder of the Divine Assembly
Huge celestial (greater deity), lawful neutral; challenge 38 (unofficial epic estimate; no official XP), campaign proficiency +11.
Armor Class 30 (divine regalia); Hit Points 1,092 (56d12 + 728); Speed 40 ft., fly 120 ft. (hover).
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 (+11) | 22 (+6) | 36 (+13) | 34 (+12) | 38 (+14) | 36 (+13) |
Saving Throws Str +22, Dex +17, Con +24, Int +23, Wis +25, Cha +24. Skills Arcana +23, Insight +25, Perception +25, Persuasion +24, Religion +23. Resistances cold, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing and slashing from nonmagical weapons. Immunities poison, radiant. Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned. Senses truesight 300 ft., passive Perception 35. Languages all; telepathy 2 miles.
Traits
Divine Nature. Anu requires neither air, food, drink nor sleep. His manifestation can be destroyed; divine authority persists.
Legendary Resistance (5/Day). A failed save becomes success. Magic Resistance. Advantage on saves against spells and magical effects.
House of Heaven. Allies Anu chooses within 60 feet have advantage on saves against being charmed or frightened.
Innate Spellcasting
Wisdom is his casting ability (save DC 33; +25 spell attacks). The following spells use their printed 2014 casting times, range, verbal/somatic components and Concentration, with no material components. Anu can concentrate on only one spell at a time. Limited uses return at dawn.
| Level | Anu’s personal spells | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Cantrips | Guidance, Light, Thaumaturgy | At will |
| 1st | Command, Guiding Bolt, Sanctuary | 4/day each |
| 2nd | Augury, Hold Person, Zone of Truth | 4/day each |
| 3rd | Clairvoyance, Dispel Magic, Sending | 3/day each |
| 4th | Divination, Guardian of Faith | 3/day each |
| 5th | Commune, Geas, Scrying | 3/day each |
| 6th | Forbiddance, Heal, True Seeing | 2/day each |
| 7th | Plane Shift, Resurrection, Symbol | 2/day each |
| 8th | Holy Aura, Sunburst | 1/day each |
| 9th | Foresight, Gate, True Resurrection | 1/day each |
Actions
Multiattack. Anu makes two Sceptre of High Heaven attacks.
Sceptre of High Heaven. Melee Weapon Attack: +26 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 33 (4d10 +11) bludgeoning damage plus 31 (7d8) radiant damage.
Enforce Decree (Recharge 5–6). A creature within 180 feet makes DC 33 Charisma saving throw, taking 66 (12d10) force damage on a failure and becoming restrained by celestial bonds until the end of its next turn; on success it takes half damage and is not restrained. The bonds end if Anu becomes incapacitated.
Reign of Starlight (1/Day). Creatures Anu chooses in a 50-foot-radius sphere within 240 feet make a DC 33 Dexterity save or take 110 (20d10) radiant damage and be blinded until the end of their next turn. Success halves the damage and prevents blindness.
Bonus Action
Heavenly Passage. Teleport up to 40 feet to an unoccupied space he can see.
Reaction
Ruling of the Sky (3/Day). When a visible ally within 90 feet fails a saving throw, Anu can add +5 to the result, potentially changing it into a success. He uses only one reaction per round.
Legendary Actions (4/round)
One option at the end of another creature’s turn; four actions replenish at the start of Anu’s turn. None while incapacitated.
- Passing of the Stars (1). Move 30 ft. without provoking opportunity attacks.
- Sceptre (1). Make one Sceptre of High Heaven attack.
- Grant Office (2). One visible willing ally within 120 ft. immediately takes the Help action.
- Seal the Court (3). A visible enemy within 90 ft. must succeed on a DC 33 Wisdom save or be unable to take reactions until the end of its next turn and have disadvantage on its next attack roll.
Clerics & Domain Spells — 2014
Knowledge is Anu’s established cleric domain for the 2014 edition. The Knowledge Domain spells at cleric levels 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 are Command, Identify; Augury, Suggestion; Nondetection, Speak with Dead; Arcane Eye, Confusion; Legend Lore, Scrying. Campaign Order can instead be used for his judgements. His own innate spells are not automatically known to followers.
The Crown of the High Heaven — 2014
Relic rules for 2014
Artifact wondrous item, requires attunement. Grants +2 to Wisdom saving throws. Three charges, recovering 1d3 at dawn. One charge casts Zone of Truth (DC 20) centred on the bearer, two charges cast Command at 5th level (DC 20), each as an action and following normal duration and concentration. The crown cannot compel a true heir to appear or create a legal right.
Anu — Pathfinder 1e
Anu, Lord of the Upper Heavens
CR 40 (unofficial divine campaign opponent; no core XP value); Huge outsider (lawful, divine, extraplanar); LN.
Init +11; Senses true seeing 300 ft., Perception +84; Aura authority of the high heaven (120 ft.); AC 68, touch 30, flat-footed 61 (–2 size, +7 Dex, +15 deflection, +38 natural); hp 1,170 (60d10 + 840); Fort +46, Ref +39, Will +47; DR 25/epic and chaotic; SR 55; immune poison and mind-affecting effects; Speed 40 ft., fly 120 ft. (perfect).
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 (+12) | 24 (+7) | 38 (+14) | 36 (+13) | 40 (+15) | 38 (+14) |
Base Atk +60; CMB +74; CMD 91; Melee +4 heavy mace +74/+69/+64/+59 (3d8+22 plus 6d6 force); Space/Reach 15 ft./15 ft.; Special Attacks Celestial Sentence, Allot Divine Function and spell-like abilities.
Skills Diplomacy +77, Knowledge (arcana) +76, Knowledge (nobility) +76, Knowledge (planes) +76, Knowledge (religion) +76, Perception +84, Sense Motive +78, Spellcraft +76. Feats (30) Ability Focus (Celestial Sentence), Alertness, Blind-Fight, Combat Casting, Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Critical Focus, Dodge, Great Fortitude, Greater Spell Focus (evocation), Improved Bull Rush, Improved Critical (heavy mace), Improved Initiative, Improved Iron Will, Improved Lightning Reflexes, Improved Vital Strike, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Mobility, Power Attack, Quicken Spell-Like Ability (plane shift), Skill Focus (Perception), Spell Focus (evocation), Vital Strike, Greater Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (heavy mace), Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Disarm, Greater Disarm.
Special Abilities
Authority of the High Heaven (Su). Creatures Anu chooses within 120 feet gain a +4 sacred bonus to Will saves against charm and compulsion and may see through magical darkness.
Celestial Sentence (Su; 3/day). Standard action against one creature Anu sees within 180 feet. A DC 56 Will save halves 20d6 force damage and negates 1 round of staggered; failure deals full damage and staggers for 1 round. The DC is 10 + half 60 HD (30) + Charisma 14 + 2 Ability Focus.
Allot Divine Function (Su). Swift action: one willing ally within 180 feet gains +4 sacred AC or +4 sacred saving throws or an immediate move action until Anu’s next turn. The same option cannot be stacked with itself.
Spell-Like Abilities
CL 60th; Charisma-based save DC 24 + spell level. Uses renew at dawn. Spell-like abilities follow native Pathfinder action, range and duration, without verbal, somatic or material components and provoking attacks of opportunity when applicable.
| Level | Anu’s personal spells | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Detect Magic, Light, Read Magic | At will |
| 1 | Command, Protection from Chaos, Sanctuary | At will |
| 2 | Augury, Detect Thoughts, See Invisibility | At will |
| 3 | Daylight, Dispel Magic, Sending | At will |
| 4 | Divination, Freedom of Movement, Scrying | 3/day each |
| 5 | Commune, Plane Shift (self and willing allies only) | 3/day each |
| 6 | Forbiddance, Heal, True Seeing | 2/day each |
| 7 | Greater Scrying, Holy Word, Repulsion | 2/day each |
| 8 | Holy Aura, Sunburst | 1/day each |
| 9 | Gate, Miracle | 1/day each |
Domains & Spells Granted to Clerics — Pathfinder 1e
Anu’s clerics choose Air, Knowledge, Law, Nobility or Weather. The first five Knowledge domain spells are Comprehend Languages, Detect Thoughts, Speak with Dead, Divination, True Seeing; the first five Law domain spells are Protection from Chaos, Align Weapon (law only), Magic Circle against Chaos, Order’s Wrath, Dispel Chaos. These are follower domain slots, not Anu’s personal spell-like abilities.
The Crown of the High Heaven — Pathfinder 1e
Relic rules for Pathfinder 1e
Major artifact (head slot), not craftable or saleable. The wearer gains +4 sacred on Will saves against compulsion. Three charges, regaining 1d3 at dawn. A standard action expends one charge to cast Zone of Truth at caster level 20 (Will DC 25), or two charges to cast Geas/Quest on one willing person who has accepted a sworn office (CL20; normal spell duration and save). It does not confer a rank without Anu’s assent.
Anu — D&D 3.5e
Anu, Great Sovereign of Heaven
Greater deity, divine rank 18, Huge outsider 20 / cleric 30, lawful neutral; CR 57 (unofficial epic campaign rating; no standard XP).
Init +11; Speed 40 ft., fly 120 ft. (perfect); AC 79, touch 47, flat-footed 72 (–2 size, +7 Dex, +14 deflection, +18 divine, +32 natural); hp 1,100 (50d8 maximised divine Hit Dice + 700 Con); Fort +41, Ref +34, Will +42; DR 30/epic; SR 60; Space/Reach 15 ft./15 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 (+12) | 24 (+7) | 38 (+14) | 36 (+13) | 40 (+15) | 38 (+14) |
Base attack +20 (outsider 20); epic attack bonus +15 for character levels 21–50, when later cleric levels no longer increase ordinary BAB; grapple +55 (+20 BAB +15 epic attack +12 Str +8 Huge size modifier); full attack +4 heavy mace +49/+44/+39/+34 (3d8+22 plus 6d6 force). Divine aura up to 18 miles; CL 30 cleric, 50 spell-like.
Skills Concentration +67, Diplomacy +67, Knowledge (religion) +66, Knowledge (the planes) +66, Listen +68, Sense Motive +68, Spellcraft +66, Spot +68. General feats (17) Alertness, Combat Casting, Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Great Fortitude, Improved Critical (heavy mace), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Quicken Spell, Skill Focus (Spellcraft), Spell Focus (evocation), Greater Spell Focus (evocation), Weapon Focus (heavy mace), Extend Spell. Epic cleric bonus feats (3) Epic Spellcasting, Improved Spell Capacity, Great Wisdom (campaign selections; Great Wisdom is reflected in the stated Wisdom 40). Improved Spell Capacity provides one additional 10th-level slot for a metamagic-adjusted spell, not an invented 10th-level cleric spell; it is separate from the level 0–9 table.
Salient Divine Abilities
Divine Rank 18. He may communicate across his portfolio and is immune to ordinary magical death by mortal weapons. His creature statistics and salient abilities are a campaign interpretation of greater deity status.
Heaven’s Decree (Su; 3/day). Standard action, 180-ft. range: one enemy must succeed at DC 57 Will save or take 20d6 force damage and be dazed for 1 round; success halves the damage, no daze. DC uses 10 + half 50 HD 25 + Wis 15 + divine rank factor 7 (campaign divine overlay).
Alter Reality. Once per day Anu may duplicate a cleric spell of 9th level or lower as a salient divine action without xp or material components; it uses that spell’s ordinary action and does not grant at-will wish.
Cleric 30 Personal Spellcasting
Wisdom 40 gives save DC 25 + spell level; CL 30. The cleric’s base 20th-level slots continue into epic levels, with Wisdom bonus slots and a separate domain slot of each spell level 1–9. Nondomain preparation examples: 0 guidance, light; 1 command, shield of faith; 2 augury, zone of truth; 3 dispel magic, daylight; 4 divination, freedom of movement; 5 commune, true seeing; 6 heal, forbiddance; 7 holy word, greater restoration; 8 holy aura, sunburst; 9 gate, miracle. He prepares from the cleric list after rest and may cast spells in remaining slots according to 3.5e casting time, components and concentration checks.
| Spell level | Base slots | Wisdom / domain | Total prepared |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 6 | — | 6 |
| 1 | 5 | 4 +1 domain | 9 +1 |
| 2 | 5 | 4 +1 domain | 9 +1 |
| 3 | 5 | 4 +1 domain | 9 +1 |
| 4 | 5 | 3 +1 domain | 8 +1 |
| 5 | 5 | 3 +1 domain | 8 +1 |
| 6 | 4 | 3 +1 domain | 7 +1 |
| 7 | 4 | 3 +1 domain | 7 +1 |
| 8 | 4 | 2 +1 domain | 6 +1 |
| 9 | 4 | 2 +1 domain | 6 +1 |
Actions
Sceptre. Full attack as above; divine rank 18 grants extraordinary awareness but not unlimited extra turns. Revoke Writ (Su; 3/day). Immediate action to require a creature within 120 feet to succeed on a DC 57 Will save or lose one spell-granted immunity until the start of its next turn. The underlying spell remains in effect.
Spell-Like Abilities
CL 50, save DC 24 + spell level (Charisma-based), 3/day each unless noted: detect magic and see invisibility at will; command, augury, clairvoyance, divination, plane shift, greater scrying, holy word, sunburst 3/day each; gate once per day. These are separate from cleric slots and require no verbal, somatic or material components.
Cleric Domains & Spells — 3.5e
Anu grants Air, Knowledge, Law, and the campaign-approved Nobility and Weather traditions. The Knowledge domain grants detect secret doors, detect thoughts, clairaudience/clairvoyance, divination, true seeing at spell levels 1–5, with Knowledge skills as class skills; Law grants protection from chaos, calm emotions, magic circle against chaos, order’s wrath, dispel chaos. His personal spells above are not automatic domain grants.
The Crown of the High Heaven — D&D 3.5e
Relic rules for D&D 3.5e
Major artifact, crown slot; not craftable by ordinary feats. +4 sacred bonus on Will saves against compulsion. Three charges, 1d3 regained at dawn. As a standard action spend one charge for zone of truth at CL20 (Will DC 25), or two charges to cast geas/quest on a willing sworn official at CL20 with its standard duration. The crown witnesses an oath but does not decide a throne’s owner.
Divine Realm — The High Heaven
Anu’s realm stands above Celestial Uruk as an immense court of star-dark stone, open terraces and audience halls whose ceilings cannot be seen. The closer a visitor approaches the central throne, the more every title, oath and office they hold becomes visible as light around them.
Relics & Sacred Objects
The Crown of the High Heaven. It cannot make an unworthy creature king, but it reveals every oath of office the wearer has broken.
The Tablet of Allotment. A divine record naming the rightful holder of one office, temple duty or sacred title. Ordinary magic cannot alter it.
The Seal of Anu. When pressed into clay, it records the exact identity and authority of every witness present.
Historical & Mythological Context
An/Anu is the Mesopotamian sky god and one of the supreme deities. ORACC describes him as belonging to the oldest divine generation, originally occupying the highest place in the pantheon and functioning as authority figure, decision-maker and progenitor. He confers kingship and assigns roles to other gods. Later Enlil and Marduk rise to more active supremacy, but Anu retains exceptional status.
The direct divine statistics, relics, current activity and detailed heavenly realm above are campaign adaptations.
Sources & Licensing
Historical foundation: ORACC — An/Anu. Game mechanics and campaign material are original adaptation. See the Mesopotamian Pantheon for the wider divine hierarchy.
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