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Sobek, God of Crocodiles, Nile River, and Fertility

Sobek is an ancient Egyptian deity associated with the Nile crocodile, fertility, and military prowess.

Sobek, God of Crocodiles, Nile River, and Fertility
Midjourney
  • Pantheon: Egyptian Pantheon
  • Deity Title: Sobek, God of Crocodiles, Nile River, and Fertility
  • Deity Symbol: Crocodile or crocodile-headed human
  • Home Plane: Duat, the Egyptian underworld
  • Deity Level: Intermediate deity
  • Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
  • Aliases: Sebek, Sochet, Suchos
  • Superior: None
  • Traditional Allies: Ra, Horus, Thoth, Isis
  • Traditional Foes: Set, Apophis
  • Divine Artifact: The Crown of Sobek, a headdress representing the god’s authority over the Nile
  • Servants: Sobek’s priests and priestesses
  • Servitor Creatures: Giant crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and other animals associated with the Nile
  • Sacred Animal: Crocodile
  • Manifestations: Sobek often manifests as a giant crocodile or a crocodile-headed human, accompanied by a retinue of other Nile animals.
  • Signs of Favor: Blessings of fertility and prosperity, safe passage on the Nile, protection from crocodile attacks
  • Worshipers: Farmers, fishermen, sailors, soldiers, and anyone who depends on the Nile for their livelihood.
  • Cleric Alignments: Chaotic Good, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral, Lawful Evil
  • Specialty Priests: Crocodile priests who undergo ritual scarring to emulate the scaly skin of their deity
  • Holy Days: The Feast of Sobek, celebrated annually in the month of Payni
  • Portfolio: Crocodiles, Nile River, fertility, protection, strength, military prowess
  • Domains: Animal, Earth, Protection, Strength, Water
  • Favored Weapon: Kukri
  • Favored Class: Ranger
  • Favored Race: Lizardfolk
  • Duties of the Priesthood: Maintain the temples of Sobek, perform daily offerings and rituals, protect the Nile and its inhabitants
  • Major Cult/Temple Sites: The Temple of Kom Ombo, the Crocodile Temple at Madinet Madi, the Sobek Temple at Shedet
  • Benefits: Sobek’s followers gain access to divine spells, protection from crocodile attacks, and blessings of fertility and prosperity. His priests gain the ability to transform into crocodiles and other Nile animals, as well as the ability to command these creatures to do their bidding.

Sobek towers over mortal beings, standing at a height of 9 feet. His muscular form is covered in shimmering green scales that glint in the sunlight. His eyes, like that of a crocodile, are golden and slit-pupiled. A long snout and a mouth full of sharp teeth jut out from his face. His arms and legs end in clawed digits, and his tail is powerful, ending in a sharp point. He carries himself with a regal grace, every movement purposeful and calculated.

As the god of crocodiles, Nile River, and fertility, Sobek holds immense power and strength. His presence can fill one with a mix of awe and fear. His scales seem to glow in the sun, and his eyes hold an unblinking, unyielding stare. He is known for his ferocity and his ability to protect his followers fiercely. Those who incur his wrath often face a swift and brutal punishment.

Sobek’s story is rooted in ancient Egyptian mythology, where he was revered as a powerful deity who controlled the Nile River’s waters and the crocodiles that lived in it. He was also associated with fertility, as the Nile’s annual floods brought life-giving water to the fields, allowing crops to grow and thrive.

According to mythology, Sobek was created by the god of creation, Ptah, to protect the sun god Ra from his enemies. He was also seen as a protector of the pharaohs, whose power was believed to be derived from the gods. Sobek was often depicted in ancient Egyptian art as a man with a crocodile head, holding a staff with a solar disk and two feathers.

Today, Sobek is still worshipped by some people who revere the ancient Egyptian gods. He is seen as a symbol of strength, fertility, and protection, and many believe that he can offer blessings to his followers, such as a bountiful harvest or protection from crocodile attacks. Despite the passing of time, Sobek’s legend continues to inspire awe and reverence in those who encounter his story.

Sobek, God of Crocodiles, Nile River, and Fertility

Sobek, God of Crocodiles, Nile River, and Fertility 5e Stat Block
Midjourney
STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
30 (+10)20 (+5)30 (+10)20 (+5)30 (+10)25 (+7)

Armor Class: 35 (divine scales)

Hit Points: 900 (50d20 + 500)

Speed: 60 ft., swim 60 ft.

Skills: Athletics +30, Perception +30, Religion +25

Senses: truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 40

Languages: all

Damage Immunities: poison, psychic

Condition Immunities: charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned

Divine Blessings: Sobek can grant his followers fertility, a boon in hunting, and immunity to crocodile attacks.

Actions

Multiattack: Sobek can use his Frightful Presence. He then makes three attacks: one with his bite and two with his claws.

  • Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +30 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 70 (10d10 + 20) piercing damage.
  • Claw: Melee Weapon Attack: +30 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 50 (10d6 + 20) slashing damage.
  • Tail Swipe: Melee Weapon Attack: +30 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 60 (10d8 + 20) bludgeoning damage.
  • Frightful Presence: Each creature of Sobek’s choice within 120 feet of him and aware of him must succeed on a DC 25 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to Sobek’s Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Divine Spells: Sobek has access to all spells in the Life and Nature domains, as well as the following spells:

  • Summon Crocodile: Sobek can summon a crocodile from the river to fight for him. The crocodile is under his control and will remain until dismissed or destroyed.
  • Nile Surge: Sobek causes a surge of water to sweep over the land, dealing damage to creatures in the area and causing the land to become difficult terrain.
  • Fertile Ground: Sobek blesses an area, causing crops to grow abundantly and animals to thrive.

Legendary Actions

Sobek 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. Sobek regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

  • Attack: Sobek makes one attack with his bite or claw.
  • Tail Sweep (Costs 2 Actions): Sobek makes a tail swipe attack.
  • Roar (Costs 3 Actions): Sobek lets out a mighty roar, causing all creatures within 120 feet of him to make a DC 25 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Sobek takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects:

  • Water Manipulation: Sobek can manipulate water within 1 mile of his lair, creating whirlpools or waves that cause difficult terrain and deal damage to creatures in the area.
  • Crocodile Summoning: Sobek can summon 1d4 giant crocodiles to fight for him. The crocodiles are under his control and will remain until dismissed or destroyed.
  • Fertility Blessing: Sobek blesses the land within 1 mile of his lair, causing crops to grow abundantly and animals to thrive.

Regional Effects

The region where Sobek lairs is warped by his divine presence, which creates the following effects:

  • Crocodile Blessing: Crocodiles in the region become stronger and more numerous, and will not attack followers of Sobek.
  • Abundant Waters: Rivers and lakes in the region become more fertile, providing abundant fish and crops for those who live near them.
  • Fertility Boon: Followers of Sobek gain a boon in hunting and fertility, leading to more successful hunts and bountiful harvests.

Sobek

Originally Posted by Tebryn14 of the Wizards Community forums.

On this Thread

Sobek
ranger 20/fighter 10/druid 10
Medium-Size outsider (Evil, Extraplanar, Water)
Divine Rank5
Hit Dice20d8+220 (outsider) plus 20d8+220 (ranger) plus 10d10+110 (fighter) plus 10d8+110 (druid) (1160 hp)
Initiative+14 (+10 Dexterity, +4 Improved Initiative)
Speed60 ft, Swim 60 ft.
AC50 (+10 Dexterity, +5 divine, +18 natural, +7 deflection) touch 31, flat-footed 40
Base Attack/Grapple+40/+61
Attack+5 keen unholy frost keen wounding shortspear +69 melee; or spell +61 melee touch or +55 ranged touch.
Full Attack+5 keen unholy frost keen wounding shortspear+69/+64/+59/+54 melee; or spell +61 melee touch or +55 ranged touch
Damage+5 keen unholy frost keen wounding shortspear 1d8+35; or by spell.
Face/Reach5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
Special AttacksDomain powers, salient divine abilities, spell-like abilities, favored enemies (+5 humans/+4 animals/+3 fey/+2 elves/+1 abberations).
Special QualitiesDivine immunities, DR 15/epic, fire resistance 10, understand, speak, and read all languages and speak directly to all beings within 5 miles, remote communication 5 miles, godly realm, greater teleport at will, plane shift at will, SR 37, divine aura (50 ft., DC 22), evasion, hide in plain sight, combat style (archery), improved combat style, combat style mastery, woodland stride, swift tracker, camouflage, nature sense, trackless step, resist nature’s lure, venom immunity, wild shape (4/day; large), wild empathy+42.
SavesFort +48, Ref +47, Will +44
AbilitiesStrength 42, Dexterity 30, Constitution 32, Intelligence 24, Wisdom 24, Charisma 24
SkillsBalance +28, Bluff +22, Climb +71, Concentration +61, Handle Animal +82, Hide +33, Intimidate +42, Jump +71, Knowledge (Arcana) +37 Knowledge (history) +27, Knowledge (nature) +64, Knowledge (planes) +32, Knowledge (religion) +37, Listen +69, Move Silently +33, Ride (Dexterity)+54, Search +32, Spellcraft +44, Spot +69, Survival +74.
FeatsAlertness, Awesome Blow, Bane Of Enemies, Blind-Fight, Cleave, Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Death Of Enemies, Deflect Arrows, Dodge, Endurance, Epic Skill Focus (Survival), Epic Skill Focus (Handle Animal), Epic Weapon Focus (Short Spear), Epic Weapon Specialization (shortspear), Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Initiative, Improved Precise Shot , Manyshot, Mobility , Mounted Combat, Quick Draw, Power Attack, Rapid Shot, Snatch Arrows , Spring Attack , Sunder, Track , Weapon Focus (shortspear), Weapon Specialization (shortspear), Whirlwind Attack.
Divine ImmunitiesAbility damage, ability drain, acid, cold, death effects, disease, disintegration, electricity, energy drain, mind-affecting effects, Paralysis, poison, sleep, stunning, transmutation.
Salient Divine AbilitiesAlter Form, Alter Size, Call Creatures (up to 5 reptiles, each with up to 5 HD serving simultaneously), Extra Domain (Water), Mind of the Beast, Power of Nature (5 miles).
Domain PowersCast animal friendship 1/day; cast evil spells at +1 caster level; rebuke reptiles 10/day, as 5th level cleric; rebuke water elementals or turn fire elementals 10/day, as 5th level cleric.
Spell-like AbilitiesSebek uses these abilities as an 15th level caster, except for evil spells, which he uses as a 16th level caster. The save DCs are 22 + spell level. Calm Animals, Hold Animal, Dominate, Repel Vermin, Commune with Nature, Antilife Shell, Animal Shapes, Creeping Doom, Shapechange, Protection from Good, Desecrate, Magic Circle against Good, unholy blight, Dispel Good, Creature Undead, blasphemy, unholy aura, summon monster IX, magic fang, animal trance, greater magic fang, Poison, animal growth, eyebite, obscuring mist, fog cloud, water breathing, control water, ice storm, cone of cold, Acid, horrid wilting, Elemental Swarm.
druid Spells/Day6/6/6/5/4/3; base DC=17+spell level.
ranger Spells/Day5/5/5/2; base DC=17+spell level.

Possessions: Sebek carries a +5 frost wounding keen unholy shortspear, called the Sorrowful Spear.

Other Divine Powers 

As a demipower, Sebek treats a 1 on an attack roll or saving throw normally and not as an automatic failure. He is immortal

Senses: Sebek can see, hear, touch, and smell at a distance of 5 mile. As a standard action, he can perceive anything within 5 miles of his worshipers, holy sites, objects, or any location where one of his titles or name was spoken in the last hour. He can extend his senses to up to 2 locations at once. He can block the sensing power of deities of his rank or lower at up to two remote locations at once for 1 hour.

Portfolio sense: Sebek is aware of any river hazard or flood that affects at least 1,000 people.

Automatic actions: Sebek can use Survival or Knowledge (nature) as a free action as long as the DC is 15 or lower. He can perform up to 2 such free actions each round.

Create Magic Items: Sebek can create magic items relating to water or reptiles as long as the market price does not exceed 4,500 gp.

Currently in the World

Sobek, the Egyptian crocodile god, was born at the dawn of creation. From the moment he emerged from the swirling waters of the Nile, he knew that his purpose was to protect and preserve the natural order of things.

In the early years of the world, Sobek wandered the land, keeping a watchful eye on the creatures that roamed the earth. He ensured that the balance between predator and prey was maintained, and that the cycles of life and death were respected. As time passed, he took a special interest in the humans who had begun to settle along the banks of the Nile.

Sobek was fascinated by these strange, fragile creatures. He watched as they built their homes and cultivated their crops, and he marveled at their ingenuity and resilience. But he also saw their flaws and weaknesses, and he knew that they would need his protection if they were to survive in a world that could be harsh and unforgiving.

Over the centuries, Sobek established himself as a powerful and respected deity. His presence was felt in every corner of Egypt, and his worshippers offered him sacrifices and prayers in gratitude for his protection and guidance.

In the 1450s, Sobek’s attention was drawn to the tumultuous events unfolding in the world beyond Egypt. He saw the rise of powerful empires and the fall of once-great civilizations. He witnessed wars and plagues and natural disasters that threatened to upset the delicate balance of the world.

Sobek knew that his role as protector had never been more important. He began to reach out to other gods, forging alliances and partnerships to ensure that the natural order was maintained. He dispatched his loyal crocodile minions to the far corners of the earth, seeking out threats and dangers before they could grow too powerful.

As the world continued to change and evolve, Sobek remained a constant, steadfast presence. His motivations were simple: to ensure that reptilian life continued to thrive.

Historically

Sobek is a powerful and feared god in Egyptian mythology, often depicted as a man with the head of a crocodile or as a full crocodile. He is associated with the Nile River, fertility, and protection, and was often invoked during the annual Nile flooding season to bring abundant crops and ward off any dangerous creatures that may inhabit the waters.

As a deity of water and fertility, Sobek played an important role in the agricultural prosperity of Egypt, and his worshippers believed that he had the power to protect them from harm. He was also believed to have healing powers and was often called upon to cure illness and other afflictions.

Despite his protective and beneficial aspects, Sobek was also feared for his ferocity and unpredictability. He was known to attack humans who ventured too close to the Nile or to his territory, and his aggressive nature was often seen as a manifestation of the dangerous and unpredictable forces of nature.

Sobek is often depicted as a powerful deity with control over water and crocodiles. His followers may be rangers, druids, or other classes that align with his domains of nature, protection, and strength. Sobek may be invoked to aid in battles against dangerous creatures or to bring abundance and fertility to crops and livestock.

Adventurers may encounter worshippers of Sobek in their travels, and may even be called upon to help protect their temple or to retrieve a sacred artifact associated with the god. Alternatively, players may take on the role of a follower of Sobek and embark on quests to prove their devotion and gain favor with the deity.

Overall, Sobek’s unique combination of protective and ferocious qualities make him a fascinating figure in mythology and a powerful addition to any fantasy setting.

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