Difference between revisions of "Dithmenos"

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[[File:Dithmenos altar.png]] ''"Spread the eternal night."''
 
[[File:Dithmenos altar.png]] ''"Spread the eternal night."''
  
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{{flavour|Dithmenos the Shadowed desires all to be darkness. Followers of Dithmenos gain a strange and otherworldly affinity to the shadows of their environment. This god despises the physical world and constantly seeks to encroach on it. Dithmenos therefore rewards those who wield death and destruction while gradually consuming them with darkness.
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{{flavour|Dithmenos is the god of night and of things half-seen in flickering torchlight. Worshipped by actors as often as thieves, followers of Dithmenos can learn to control their own shadow as if it were an extension of their body - misdirecting onlookers and acting upon the world with force as tangible as anything that has ever been imagined lurking in the dark.
  
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Followers of Dithmenos are constantly surrounded in an aura of shadow, the extent of which is reflective of their level of devotion. Dithmenos grants followers the ability to instantly step into the shadow of nearby creatures, provided the shadow is still enough to do so. Dithmenos protects followers by occasionally shrouding those struck by attacks in dark smoke. Sufficiently pious followers of Dithmenos will find their own shadow will begin to attack on its own, and eventually gain the ability to assume the form of a shadow themself.
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Followers of Dithmenos are surrounded by an unnatural quiet, which helps the sounds they make go unnoticed. As they rise in devotion, they will find their own shadow begins to imitate some of their actions, attacking when they attack and even casting shadowy magics that mimic the form - if not the substance - of
 +
whichever schools of magic they had been utilising.
  
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Dithmenos likes it when you kill living beings, you destroy the undead, you kill demons, you kill holy beings, and you destroy nonliving beings.}}
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More devout worshippers additionally gain the ability to swap places with their shadow to mislead enemies, grasp other beings' shadows to unleash their magic on the worshipper's behalf, and finally call down a night so dark that it hides all denizens of the dungeon from each other.
 +
 
 +
Dithmenos likes it when you explore the world.}}
  
 
==Racial Restrictions==
 
==Racial Restrictions==
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==Appreciates==
 
==Appreciates==
−
*Killing [[natural]], [[undead]], [[demonic]], [[holy]], or [[nonliving]] creatures.
+
*Exploration.
  
 
==Deprecates==
 
==Deprecates==
−
*Inactivity: You lose 1 piety per 340 turns, on average (1/17 chance every 20 turns).
+
*Inactivity: You lose 1 piety per 700 turns, on average.
 
*Abandonment. (Penance)
 
*Abandonment. (Penance)
  
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*No granted abilities.
 
*No granted abilities.
 
'''Piety level (*):''' “Darkened”
 
'''Piety level (*):''' “Darkened”
−
*'''Umbra''' - You are surrounded by an [[Aura#Umbra|umbra]] which expands with piety. This aura cancels out halo, increases your [[stealth]], and decreases melee/ranged [[accuracy]] of most creatures by 1+1d4. Dithmenos makes you and your allies immune to the accuracy penalty.
+
*'''Noise suppression''' - All [[noise]] within your [[line of sight]] is halved.
 
'''Piety level (**):''' “Extinguished”
 
'''Piety level (**):''' “Extinguished”
−
*'''Shadow Step''' - Blink to a space within your umbra and adjacent to a target creature. The target must not be [[invisible]]. (4 MP, 8% max HP, 4-6 piety)
+
*'''Shadow Mimic''' - Whenever you attack a monster, there is a chance for your '''shadow''' to appear, a stationary monster that will attack when you attack. The location the shadow spawns, and its stats, depend on the attack; in particular, different spell schools will result in the shadow being able to cast different spells - see below.
 +
:The strength of the shadow is increased with Invocations skill, and the chance to spawn increases from 10% at 2* piety to 20% at 6*.
 
'''Piety level (***):''' “Caliginous”
 
'''Piety level (***):''' “Caliginous”
−
*'''Bleed Smoke''' - The player occasionally bleeds smoke on taking sufficient damage. The cloud always triggers on a 50% maximum HP attack. The lower bound goes down linearly, to 0 damage at 200 piety.
+
*'''Shadowslip''' - Instantly swap places with your shadow, and misleads all enemies in sight into attacking the shadow instead of you. Also temporarily boosts the HP of your shadow. (4 MP, 6% HP, 2-3 piety, instant)
 
'''Piety level (****):''' “Umbral”
 
'''Piety level (****):''' “Umbral”
−
*'''Shadow Mimic''' - The player's shadow sometimes mimics melee and ranged attacks (excluding [[dart]]s and [[net]]s) and targeted spells (so long as they're not self-targeted). This happens from 10% of the time at 4*, to 50% at full piety. Its accuracy is based on the average of your Fighting and respective Weapon skill; its spell power is based on the spell level (capped at your XL/3).
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*'''Aphotic Marionette''' - Causes the targeted monster to cast 3-6 of their spells (increasing with Invocations skill) at once at other enemies as if they were allied to you. These attacks will never hurt you. In most cases, using this ability requires the presence of a second monster. (5 MP, 3-5 piety)
 +
:*Buff spells such as [[Haste]], [[Invisibility]] and [[Berserker Rage]] will result in the buff being applied to you, and these spells do not need another monster present to be cast as a marionette. These are indicated with a '''*''' on the '''xv''' examine monster screen.
 +
:*Some monster spells cannot be cast via Aphotic Marionette. These are indicated with a '''!''' on the '''xv''' screen.
 
'''Piety level (*****):''' “Hand of Shadow”
 
'''Piety level (*****):''' “Hand of Shadow”
−
*'''[[Shadow Form]]''' - Turns you into a mass of shadows. Grants invisibility, immunity to poison, draining, and torment, infinite willpower, and you aren't revealed by [[halo]]s, [[Corona]], etc. Reduces all damage taken by 50%, but weapon/unarmed damage is halved and spell power is reduced. Also, you bleed smoke on every incoming attack, but doing so further drains your HP. Unlike [[shadow]] enemies, Shadow Form does not [[fly]].
+
*'''Primordial Nightfall''' - Immediately reduces your [[line of sight]] to zero for a few turns. Your line of sight then gradually returns to normal over several turns. If you have less than 100 [[stealth]], sets your stealth to 100. (8 MP, 13-20 piety)
−
:The higher your [[Invocations]] skill, the longer this ability will last. This ability works even if you are [[undead]] ([[Ghoul]], [[Mummy]], bloodless [[Vampire]]). (9 MP, 10-15 piety, Drain)
+
:*It is not possible to fire targeted spells or abilities, or use ranged attacks, while your line of sight is zero. Melee attacks are still possible, as if you attempt to move into a tile with a monster, you will attack that monster. However, an invisibility penalty applies to both players and monsters attacking each other while your line of sight is zero.
 
'''Piety level (******):''' “Eternal Night”
 
'''Piety level (******):''' “Eternal Night”
 
*No new abilities.
 
*No new abilities.
 +
 +
==Shadow Spells==
 +
If your shadow appears on casting a spell, the shadow's spell depends on the school of the spell you cast:
 +
****[[Fire Magic]]: Shadowball (like [[Fireball]], but irresistible)
 +
****[[Ice Magic]]: Creeping Shadow (like [[Creeping Frost]], but irresistible and with less range)
 +
****[[Earth Magic]]: Shadow Shard (single target, high damage projectile)
 +
****[[Air Magic]]: Shadow Tempest (targets 30-50% of all visible enemies + 1 with smite-targeted damage that can be dodged)
 +
****[[Alchemy]]: Shadow Prism (like [[Fulminant Prism]], but is harder to hit and doesn't damage allies)
 +
****[[Conjurations]]: Shadow Beam (penetrating beam)
 +
****[[Necromancy]]: Shadow Draining (3x3 explosion centered on the shadow that ignores AC)
 +
****[[Summoning]]: Shadow Puppet (summons an ally with swoop/flank/constricting attacks; damage scales with spellpower; summon cap of 3)
 +
****[[Hexes]]: Shadow Torpor (penetrating beam that applies irresistible slow; duration increases with spellpower and decreases with enemy HD)
 +
****[[Translocations]]: Shadow Bind (applies a bind effect to a random number of enemies in LOS, preventing them from moving for a short duration)
  
 
==Punishments==
 
==Punishments==
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While under penance, Dithmenos will sometimes punish you with one of the following forms of [[divine retribution]]:
 
While under penance, Dithmenos will sometimes punish you with one of the following forms of [[divine retribution]]:
−
*25% chance: Dithmenos summons [[shadow]]s, [[shadow demon]]s, or a [[Tzitzimitl]]. Note that these will be [[durably summoned]]. Tzitzimimeh are possible only if your [[XL|experience level]] is greater than 13.
+
*25% chance: Dithmenos summons shadows around you, and with a 50% chance also slows you for 10-20 turns.
−
*25% chance: Dithmenos casts [[Shadow Creatures]] near you. The strength of these summons appears to scale with your current [[XL]], and it tends to spawn dragons and trolls. Unlike most summons created by [[divine retribution]], these are ''not'' [[durably summoned]], and can be escaped fairly easily through stairs or other means.
+
*25% chance: Dithmenos creates a hostile version of your shadow mimic to fight you
 
*25% chance: You are put to [[sleep]] for 6 turns.
 
*25% chance: You are put to [[sleep]] for 6 turns.
 
*25% chance: You are afflicted with a [[Sentinel's Mark]] for about 50 turns. This can be removed with a [[potion of cancellation]] as normal.
 
*25% chance: You are afflicted with a [[Sentinel's Mark]] for about 50 turns. This can be removed with a [[potion of cancellation]] as normal.
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
−
Dithmenos is a god of stealth, but not exclusive to "stealthy" species like [[Spriggan]]s or [[Vampire]]s. In fact, these species often have a very high Stealth skill aptitude, and don't necessarily need a god to improve that. Conversely, many of Dithmenos' tools are useful even to the loudest of worshippers. The umbra is a minor reduction to enemy accuracy, Shadow Mimic increases your raw damage output, and Shadow Form remains a good escape option. Shadow Mimic in particular makes Dithmenos useful to characters who may rely on stealth early on, but use a louder form of killing later.
+
Dithmenos is a trickster god, designed to allow you to do clever things to manipulate monsters.  
  
−
Of course, the extra stealth is useful; for a good while, it's all you will get. Dithmenos' "universal" abilities come late, and aren't much better than other gods' options. Even if you aren't a [[stab]]ber per-se, stealth can be useful for avoiding troublesome enemies when exploring or regenerating. [[Enchanter]]-style builds appreciate the extra stealth options and Shadow Mimic giving a second, weaker chance to apply a hex.
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Your shadow wields your base weapon type, without any enchantment or brand. Therefore, for example, a [[hydra]]'s head cut off by the shadow will result in the growth of two more heads, even if you have a [[flaming]]-branded weapon. This also means that upgrading to heavier weapons earlier than usual may be beneficial.
−
 
−
Dithmenos is also the god of choice for low-[[XL]] runs, as stealth helps you grab [[rune]]s and the [[Orb of Zot|Orb]] without actually killing much.
 
  
−
===Tips & Tricks===
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The shadow has particular synergy with [[short blades]] (as your shadow will allow you to get distraction stabs on your enemies) and [[ranged weapons]] (as the shadow is stationary, but does not need to move to attack with ranged weapons).
−
*Bleeding smoke (with or without shadow form) can create large areas filled with smoke reducing sight to 2 spaces for a short time. This can give you the edge you need to escape from or close in on ranged attackers or casters. (Almost all opponents require sight to cast spells, healing being a notable exception.) The downside is that you have to get hurt for the effect to trigger, but at high piety the effect will trigger reliably on nearly any hit.
+
 
−
*The shadow's actions come without the weapon brand of the player. Therefore, for example, a [[hydra]]'s head cut off by the shadow will result in the growth of two more heads, even if the player wields a [[flaming]]-branded weapon.
+
Primordial Nightfall is a strong escape ability, as it temporarily prevents all incoming damage from range, and reduces the chance for enemies to hit you in melee. If you have high stealth.
−
*[[Kobold]]s have a reduced LOS, but their umbra will only fill their LOS at 6* piety, so the growth of the umbra decreases accordingly. This doesn't mean that Kobolds are bad worshippers, though. Kobolds naturally benefit from stealth; they'll need to walk less in order to initiate a stab.
 
  
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
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==History==
 
==History==
−
{{CBA|0.32|Dithmenos will be reworked:}}
+
*Prior to [[0.32]], Dithmenos was considered an [[evil]] god. Instead of noise suppression, Dithmenos gave an [[umbra]] with radius increasing with piety. In place of the current abilities, Dithmenos instead gave Shadow Step at 2*, allowing you to instantly move adjacent to a creature within your umbra; you would bleed smoke on taking damage at 3*; and [[Shadow Form]] at 5*. Shadow Mimic was given at 4*, and simply tried to mimic your attacks rather than summoning an actual shadow monster. Additionally, Dithmenos' wrath could summon shadows, shadow wraiths or Tzitzimimeh instead of shadow puppets or your own shadow.
−
**At 1*, the umbra will be replaced with noise dampening, a passive that will reduce the intensity of all [[noise]]s in [[LOS]] by 50%.
 
−
**Shadow Mimic will be moved from 4* to 2*, and it will be overhauled. The shadow will appear as a monster when it's triggered and will stay for a few turns. The player and shadow can fire through each other.
 
−
***The shadow will gain extra damage based on XL when mimicking a melee or ranged attack.
 
−
***When a spell triggers Shadow Mimic, the shadow will cast a shadow spell depending on the school of spell was cast. If the spell has multiple schools, one will be chosen at random. Spellpower depends on XL and spell level (each spell level is equivalent to 4 XLs). Shadow spells are all non-elemental (if damaging) or irresistible.
 
−
****[[Fire Magic]]: Shadowball (like [[Fireball]], but irresistible)
 
−
****[[Ice Magic]]: Creeping Shadow (like [[Creeping Frost]], but irresistible and with less range)
 
−
****[[Earth Magic]]: Shadow Shard (single target, high damage projectile)
 
−
****[[Air Magic]]: Shadow Tempest (targets 30-50% of all visible enemies + 1 with smite-targeted damage that can be dodged)
 
−
****[[Alchemy]]: Shadow Prism (like [[Fulminant Prism]], but is harder to hit and doesn't damage allies)
 
−
****[[Conjurations]]: Shadow Beam (penetrating beam)
 
−
****[[Necromancy]]: Shadow Draining (3x3 explosion centered on the shadow that ignores AC)
 
−
****[[Summoning]]: Shadow Puppet (summons an ally with swoop/flank/constricting attacks; damage scales with spellpower; summon cap of 3)
 
−
****[[Hexes]]: Shadow Torpor (penetrating beam that applies irresistible slow; duration increases with spellpower and decreases with enemy HD)
 
−
****[[Translocations]]: Shadow Bind (applies a bind effect to a random number of enemies in LOS, preventing them from moving for a short duration)
 
−
**Shadow Step, Bleed Smoke, and Shadow Form will be removed.
 
−
**'''Shadowslip''' will be added at 3*, allowing the player to swap places with the shadow. This is an instant ability that misleads all enemies in LOS into thinking the shadow is the player, forcing them to target the shadow for the next few turns or until it dies.
 
−
**'''Aphotic Marionette''' will be added at 4*, allowing the player to choose a spellcasting enemy in LOS and cast 3-6 of that enemy's spells as if the player was the caster. Targeted spells will target random enemies, creatures summoned this way will belong to the player, and buffs spells will be applied to the player. Spells cast this way cannot damage the player. The number of spells cast depends on [[Invocations]].
 
−
**'''Primordial Nightfall''' will be added at 5*. When activated, it reduces [[LOS]] range to 0 and sets your minimum [[stealth]] to 100. The LOS range will slowly be restored to normal, and Primordial Nightfall can't be activated again until LOS is back to normal.
 
−
**Dithmenos will no longer be considered evil.
 
−
**Undead and demon summoning from wrath will be replaced by shadow puppets, which will have damage scaling with XL and a chance to slow the player. Dithmenos will also be able to summon a hostile player shadow as a wrath effect. A hostile player shadow will know a random shadow spell.
 
 
*Prior to [[0.22]], Dithmenos hated fire and appreciated the killing of fiery things, but was not evil. Also, Shadow Step didn't cost HP, but could only be used on immobile creatures.
 
*Prior to [[0.22]], Dithmenos hated fire and appreciated the killing of fiery things, but was not evil. Also, Shadow Step didn't cost HP, but could only be used on immobile creatures.
 
*Prior to [[0.16]], Dithmenos disapproved use of the [[Corona]] spell and the unrandart [[Mace of Brilliance]].
 
*Prior to [[0.16]], Dithmenos disapproved use of the [[Corona]] spell and the unrandart [[Mace of Brilliance]].

Revision as of 19:15, 30 August 2024

Version 0.31: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.
Dithmenos altar.png "Spread the eternal night."
Dithmenos is the god of night and of things half-seen in flickering torchlight. Worshipped by actors as often as thieves, followers of Dithmenos can learn to control their own shadow as if it were an extension of their body - misdirecting onlookers and acting upon the world with force as tangible as anything that has ever been imagined lurking in the dark.

Followers of Dithmenos are surrounded by an unnatural quiet, which helps the sounds they make go unnoticed. As they rise in devotion, they will find their own shadow begins to imitate some of their actions, attacking when they attack and even casting shadowy magics that mimic the form - if not the substance - of whichever schools of magic they had been utilising.

More devout worshippers additionally gain the ability to swap places with their shadow to mislead enemies, grasp other beings' shadows to unleash their magic on the worshipper's behalf, and finally call down a night so dark that it hides all denizens of the dungeon from each other.

Dithmenos likes it when you explore the world.

Racial Restrictions

Demigods cannot worship Dithmenos (or any other god).

Appreciates

  • Exploration.

Deprecates

  • Inactivity: You lose 1 piety per 700 turns, on average.
  • Abandonment. (Penance)

Given Abilities

Piety level (-): “Gloomy”

  • No granted abilities.

Piety level (*): “Darkened”

Piety level (**): “Extinguished”

  • Shadow Mimic - Whenever you attack a monster, there is a chance for your shadow to appear, a stationary monster that will attack when you attack. The location the shadow spawns, and its stats, depend on the attack; in particular, different spell schools will result in the shadow being able to cast different spells - see below.
The strength of the shadow is increased with Invocations skill, and the chance to spawn increases from 10% at 2* piety to 20% at 6*.

Piety level (***): “Caliginous”

  • Shadowslip - Instantly swap places with your shadow, and misleads all enemies in sight into attacking the shadow instead of you. Also temporarily boosts the HP of your shadow. (4 MP, 6% HP, 2-3 piety, instant)

Piety level (****): “Umbral”

  • Aphotic Marionette - Causes the targeted monster to cast 3-6 of their spells (increasing with Invocations skill) at once at other enemies as if they were allied to you. These attacks will never hurt you. In most cases, using this ability requires the presence of a second monster. (5 MP, 3-5 piety)
  • Buff spells such as Haste, Invisibility and Berserker Rage will result in the buff being applied to you, and these spells do not need another monster present to be cast as a marionette. These are indicated with a * on the xv examine monster screen.
  • Some monster spells cannot be cast via Aphotic Marionette. These are indicated with a ! on the xv screen.

Piety level (*****): “Hand of Shadow”

  • Primordial Nightfall - Immediately reduces your line of sight to zero for a few turns. Your line of sight then gradually returns to normal over several turns. If you have less than 100 stealth, sets your stealth to 100. (8 MP, 13-20 piety)
  • It is not possible to fire targeted spells or abilities, or use ranged attacks, while your line of sight is zero. Melee attacks are still possible, as if you attempt to move into a tile with a monster, you will attack that monster. However, an invisibility penalty applies to both players and monsters attacking each other while your line of sight is zero.

Piety level (******): “Eternal Night”

  • No new abilities.

Shadow Spells

If your shadow appears on casting a spell, the shadow's spell depends on the school of the spell you cast:

        • Fire Magic: Shadowball (like Fireball, but irresistible)
        • Ice Magic: Creeping Shadow (like Creeping Frost, but irresistible and with less range)
        • Earth Magic: Shadow Shard (single target, high damage projectile)
        • Air Magic: Shadow Tempest (targets 30-50% of all visible enemies + 1 with smite-targeted damage that can be dodged)
        • Alchemy: Shadow Prism (like Fulminant Prism, but is harder to hit and doesn't damage allies)
        • Conjurations: Shadow Beam (penetrating beam)
        • Necromancy: Shadow Draining (3x3 explosion centered on the shadow that ignores AC)
        • Summoning: Shadow Puppet (summons an ally with swoop/flank/constricting attacks; damage scales with spellpower; summon cap of 3)
        • Hexes: Shadow Torpor (penetrating beam that applies irresistible slow; duration increases with spellpower and decreases with enemy HD)
        • Translocations: Shadow Bind (applies a bind effect to a random number of enemies in LOS, preventing them from moving for a short duration)

Punishments

Dithmenos does not appreciate abandonment, and will call down fearful punishments on disloyal followers!

When angered, Dithmenos turns the shadows against victims. Monsters emerge from the darkness, both illusions woven from shadow and the very shadow themselves turning against sinners. Dithmenos's subtle punishments are, if anything, more dangerous: victims find the shadows ripped away from them, hunted with nowhere to hide; or find themselves smothered in shadow and sleeping, perhaps forever.

While under penance, Dithmenos will sometimes punish you with one of the following forms of divine retribution:

  • 25% chance: Dithmenos summons shadows around you, and with a 50% chance also slows you for 10-20 turns.
  • 25% chance: Dithmenos creates a hostile version of your shadow mimic to fight you
  • 25% chance: You are put to sleep for 6 turns.
  • 25% chance: You are afflicted with a Sentinel's Mark for about 50 turns. This can be removed with a potion of cancellation as normal.

Strategy

Dithmenos is a trickster god, designed to allow you to do clever things to manipulate monsters.

Your shadow wields your base weapon type, without any enchantment or brand. Therefore, for example, a hydra's head cut off by the shadow will result in the growth of two more heads, even if you have a flaming-branded weapon. This also means that upgrading to heavier weapons earlier than usual may be beneficial.

The shadow has particular synergy with short blades (as your shadow will allow you to get distraction stabs on your enemies) and ranged weapons (as the shadow is stationary, but does not need to move to attack with ranged weapons).

Primordial Nightfall is a strong escape ability, as it temporarily prevents all incoming damage from range, and reduces the chance for enemies to hit you in melee. If you have high stealth.

Trivia

Initially, this god was called "Dithmengos" which is an anagram for "Dsomething", an early placeholder name for the new deity.

History

  • Prior to 0.32, Dithmenos was considered an evil god. Instead of noise suppression, Dithmenos gave an umbra with radius increasing with piety. In place of the current abilities, Dithmenos instead gave Shadow Step at 2*, allowing you to instantly move adjacent to a creature within your umbra; you would bleed smoke on taking damage at 3*; and Shadow Form at 5*. Shadow Mimic was given at 4*, and simply tried to mimic your attacks rather than summoning an actual shadow monster. Additionally, Dithmenos' wrath could summon shadows, shadow wraiths or Tzitzimimeh instead of shadow puppets or your own shadow.
  • Prior to 0.22, Dithmenos hated fire and appreciated the killing of fiery things, but was not evil. Also, Shadow Step didn't cost HP, but could only be used on immobile creatures.
  • Prior to 0.16, Dithmenos disapproved use of the Corona spell and the unrandart Mace of Brilliance.
  • Dithmenos was added in 0.14.
Gods
Good Elyvilon • Zin • The Shining One
Neutral Ashenzari • Cheibriados • Dithmenos • Fedhas Madash • Gozag Ym Sagoz • Hepliaklqana • Ignis • Okawaru • Qazlal • Ru • Sif Muna • Trog • Uskayaw • Vehumet • Wu Jian
Chaotic Jiyva • Nemelex Xobeh • Xom
Evil Beogh • Kikubaaqudgha • Lugonu * • Makhleb * • Yredelemnul
* Chaotic & Evil
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