Hephaestus spent his formative years on a prime material world, before being reconciled with his parents and returning to Mount Olympus. Hephaestus is married to Aphrodite, but is secretly in love with Athena, who either hasn't noticed or prefers not to acknowledge his affections.
Overview
Hephaestus is the god of blacksmithing, fire and crafts, and is the patron of artisans, craftsmen, and mechanics. Since his return to Olympus, Hephaestus is highly honored among the Olympians, and serves as their armorer and smith, and is known to have fashioned golden palaces, intricate machines, and beautiful armor for his fellow gods.
Description
Hephaestus typically appears as tall, dark man with some kind of deformity. His true form is a tall, bearded giant with a club foot and a hunchback.
Holy symbol
Hephaestus's symbol is a hammer and an anvil.
Favored weapon
Hephaestus wields an enormous nine foot (2.7 meter) long warhammer that can knock any foe unconscious with a single blow.
Realm
Great Wheel cosmology
In the Great Wheel cosmology, Hephaestus resides within the planar realm of Olympus, which is located on Arvandor (also known as Olympus), the first layer of the Olympian Glades of Arborea. Hephaestus was born with a disability, and was hurled from the heavens, either by his mother Hera (for being disfigured), or by Zeus himself (for being born at all). Hephaestus spent his formative years on a prime material world, working within the heart of a volcanic mountain. He was aided by his uncles, the Cyclopes, and a variety of fire elementals and efreet; and the tunnel leading into his workshop was guarded by an ancient red dragon. When he was reconciled with his parents, he returned to Mount Olympus and established his realm in a volcanically active region, and now lives and works in the very heart of an active volcano.
Olympian cosmology
In the Olympian cosmology, Hephaestus resides within the outer planar realm of Olympus, a great mountain which stands at the center of the world. This mighty peak rises so high above the world, that its heights form a distinct planar realm. It serves as home to the majority of the Olympian deities, not including Hades, and each deity maintains their own personal domain within this realm.
Worship
Hephaestus is generally a benevolent god, though he is extremely touchy about his deformity. Before accepting any person as a priest, Hephaestus arranges a test where he watches how they treat a person with a disability or a deformity. If they are kind, they are accepted. Priests of Hephaestus are charged with maintaining civic life, and perform a wide range of public ceremonies, most importantly welcoming children into family and community. They are also responsible for educating the young, especially the training of apprentice smiths and other craftworkers. Because he has so few worshipers, Hephaestus often makes gifts of adamant weapons, shields, and armor to those that serve him especially well.
Omens from Hephaestus often appear in the flames of forges.
In Spelljammer
The inhabitants of Greatspace revere the gods and goddesses of the Greek pantheon, especially Zeus, meaning that Hephaestus can be considered a native deity.
Appendix
External Links
- Hephaestus article at the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from 2nd edition AD&D.