Hadad, “God of storms, thunder, and fertility”

Hadad is a deity in ancient Mesopotamian and Canaanite mythology associated with storms, thunder, and fertility.

• Pantheon: Mesopotamian and Canaanite pantheons
• Deity Title: Hadad (also known as Ba’al, Adad, or Ishkur)
• Deity Symbol: Lightning bolt
• Home Plane: The skies above the earth
• Deity Level: Intermediate deity
• Alignment: Chaotic Good
• Aliases: Ba’al, Adad, Ishkur
• Superior: None
• Traditional Allies: Anat, Ashtart, Baal-Hamon, Dagon, El, Resheph
• Traditional Foes: Yam, Mot, Leviathan, Tiamat
• Divine Artifact: The horned helmet of the storm god, which grants the wearer control over the weather
• Servants: The anunnaki, a group of lesser deities who serve Hadad
• Servitor Creatures: Winged lions and bulls
• Sacred Animal: The bull
• Manifestations: Thunderstorms, lightning strikes, rainbows
• Signs of Favor: Clear skies after a thunderstorm, bountiful harvests, healthy livestock
• Worshipers: Farmers, shepherds, sailors, and anyone who relies on the weather for their livelihood
• Cleric Alignments: Chaotic Good, Neutral Good, Chaotic Neutral
• Specialty Priests: Rainmakers, storm chasers, healers
• Holy Days: The summer and winter solstices, the spring and fall equinoxes
• Portfolio: Storms, rain, fertility, agriculture
• Domains: Air, Earth, Plant, Water, Weather
• Favored Weapon: The spear
• Favored Class: Druid
• Favored Race: Humans and half-elves
• Duties of the Priesthood: Conducting rituals to appease Hadad and ensure favorable weather, healing the sick and injured, protecting the community from storms and other natural disasters
• Major Cult/Temple Sites: The temple of Ba’al at Ugarit, the temple of Adad at Assur
• Benefits: The ability to control the weather, heal the sick and injured, commune with the spirits of nature, and protect the community from natural disasters.

Hadad is a powerful deity revered by the ancient Mesopotamian and Canaanite civilizations. As the god of storms, thunder, and fertility, he commands the forces of nature and wields immense power over the world.

As a character, Hadad is often depicted as a fierce warrior, wielding a lightning bolt as his weapon of choice. He is also known for his close association with bulls, which symbolize his strength and virility. Hadad’s primary goal is to ensure the prosperity of his people, and he is willing to use his powers to achieve this end.

To achieve his goals, Hadad frequently engages in battles with other deities who threaten his people’s well-being. His legendary battles against the sea god Yam and the serpent god Lotan are some of the most famous tales from Mesopotamian mythology. Despite his formidable power, however, Hadad is not invincible, and he occasionally suffers setbacks in his struggles against other gods.

Hadad is often depicted as a muscular and imposing figure with a bearded face and piercing eyes. He is typically shown wearing a horned helmet, a long robe, and holding a lightning bolt in one hand. His physique exudes strength and virility, while his fierce expression suggests a powerful and determined personality.

Despite his occasional defeats, Hadad remains a beloved figure among his followers, who continue to worship him to this day. His association with fertility also makes him a popular figure among farmers and agriculturalists, who rely on his blessings to ensure bountiful harvests. Overall, Hadad is a complex and dynamic character whose power and influence have left an indelible mark on ancient Mesopotamian and Canaanite mythology.

Hadad, The Storm God

Intermediate Deity Chaotic Good

Armor Class: 28 Hit Points: 660 (40d20 + 280) Speed: 60 ft.

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
30 (+10)	14 (+2)	30 (+10)	26 (+8)	30 (+10)	28 (+9)

Skills: Persuasion +9, Nature +10 Senses: Truesight 120 ft., Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 20 Languages: All

Damage Resistances: Lightning, Thunder Condition Immunities: Frightened, Paralyzed Saving Throws: Wisdom +17, Charisma +16

Divine Awareness: Hadad is aware of events within a radius of 1,000 miles.

Divine Aura: Hadad exudes an aura of inspiring presence. Friendly creatures within 60 feet gain advantage on saving throws against being frightened, and their speed cannot be reduced. Hostile creatures within the aura have their speed halved.

Divine Realm: His realm is the skies above the earth. In this realm, he controls the weather, conjuring storms and rains.

ACTIONS Multiattack: Hadad makes three attacks: one with his divine spear and two with his lightning bolts.

Divine Spear: Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 35 (1d10 + 10) piercing damage.

Lightning Bolt: Ranged Spell Attack: +16 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 48 (12d6) lightning damage. If the target is in metal armor or holding metal objects, they take additional damage.

Thunderstrike (Recharge 5-6): Hadad slams his spear into the ground, causing a thunderstrike. All creatures within 60 feet must make a DC 25 Constitution saving throw or take 70 (10d12) thunder damage and be stunned for one minute. On a successful save, they take half damage and aren’t stunned.

LEGENDARY ACTIONS The deity 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. The deity regains spent legendary actions at the start of their turn.

Divine Strike: Hadad makes a divine spear attack. Stormcall: Hadad conjures a bolt of lightning, targeting one creature within 120 feet. Thunderous Roar (Costs 2 Actions): Hadad lets out a thunderous roar, each creature of his choice within 60 feet must make a DC 25 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for one minute.

SPELLS Hadad has access to all spells in the Air, Earth, Plant, Water, and Weather domains.

DIVINE ARTIFACT The Horned Helmet of the Storm God: This helmet grants the wearer control over the weather. While wearing the helmet, the wearer can summon storms, rain, and lightning at will.

LAIR ACTIONS In Hadad’s divine realm, storms rage uncontrollably, and he can use this power to his advantage. When battling in his realm, Hadad can use the following lair actions:

• Storm Surge: Hadad summons a massive storm surge. All creatures within 120 feet must make a DC 25 Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 60 feet away and knocked prone.
• Thunderclap: Hadad creates a deafening thunderclap. All creatures within 60 feet must make a DC 25 Constitution saving throw or become deafened for one minute.
• Rain of Lightning: Hadad calls forth a rain of lightning bolts. All creatures within 60 feet must make a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw or take 45 (9d8) lightning damage.

REGIONAL EFFECTS Hadad’s influence over the weather extends far beyond his realm. When Hadad is present, the following effects occur in a 10-mile radius:

• Clear Skies After the Storm: Clear and sunny weather returns after a storm, benefiting the land with fertile soil and healthy crops.
• Abundant Harvests: Crops flourish, and livestock thrives, ensuring bountiful harvests.
• Healing Rain: Hadad’s rains have healing properties. Any creature caught in the rain regains 10 hit points at the start of their turn.

Currently

In the 1450s, Hadad is a deity still worshiped by a small group of followers in the ancient Near East. Though his power has waned over the centuries, he remains a potent symbol of strength and fertility to those who call upon him in times of need.

As the world around him changes, Hadad remains a steadfast presence, watching as empires rise and fall, and humanity struggles to understand the forces that govern the world. Though he rarely intervenes directly in the affairs of mortals, he is always present, his power lurking just below the surface of the natural world.

Despite the passage of time, Hadad’s goals have remained largely unchanged. He seeks to protect his people and ensure their prosperity, using his powers to guide the weather and ensure bountiful harvests. At the same time, he is always on guard against those who would challenge his authority, be they other deities or mortal rulers.

As the 1450s progress, Hadad watches as the world around him grows ever more chaotic. In Europe, the Hundred Years’ War rages on, while in the Middle East, the Ottoman Empire begins to rise to power. Meanwhile, in the Americas, the Aztecs and Incas build vast empires of their own, while European explorers begin to set sail across the Atlantic.

For Hadad, these events are both a cause for concern and an opportunity to assert his power. He watches as the Ottomans expand their influence, seeking to ensure that they do not encroach on the territories of his followers. At the same time, he sends forth thunderstorms and floods to protect his people from marauding armies and natural disasters.

As the world continues to change, Hadad remains a constant presence, his power and authority as potent as ever. Though the form of his worship may change over time, his underlying goals remain unchanged, and his followers continue to look to him for guidance and protection.