Ralishaz, the Unlooked For, is a god of chance, misfortune, randomness and insanity from the crystal sphere known as Greyspace.
"Order does not exist, only randomness and chance, and the odds are stacked against you. While you may have a good run against the odds, eventually the universe will balance itself out against you. Randomness and insanity go hand in hand, and sometimes those who are the most insane are the ones who are closest to the true nature of the universe. Kindness and prosperity are illusions, as misfortune comes to all sooner or later."
- Doctrine of the Church of Ralishaz.
Overview
Ralishaz is the god of ill-luck and misfortune who causes unforeseen events to occur which more often bring tribulation and misery than reward. He is also the god of chance and randomness, and as such is considered a patron of gamblers and risk takers (though it must be said that no one actively seeks his attention). As a god of madness, there is some debate as to whether his seemingly fickle nature and appearance are truly random, or a result of his insanity.
Description
Ralishaz's appearance is fluid and ever changing, ranging from the horrific to the beautiful, but he typically appears as an oddly dressed beggar of either gender. Occasionally, he will appear as a jester.
Abilities
Ralishaz can cause anyone to fall asleep merely by gazing upon them. He can also curse a person at will or cause them to age with a touch.
Holy symbol
Ralishaz's symbol are three sticks of bone, derived from divination tools and gambling paraphernalia.
Favored weapon
Ralishaz typically wields his quarterstaff, but will use whatever weapon is at hand as long as it's made of wood.
Realm
In the Great Wheel cosmology, Ralishaz resides within his realm known as the Kiss of Luck, located within the Ever Changing Chaos of Limbo.
Worship
Ralishaz is not widely worshipped, though there are a few small shrines and temples in large cities and out-of-the-way places. The priests of Ralishaz evince a strange combination of fatalism and recklessness, or stoicism and wild endeavour, depending on how they feel about their place in the world at any one moment. They live charmed lives and don't appear to suffer from misfortune of ill-luck - unless it is very, very bad indeed. They usually preside over gambling establishments, though most patrons are unsure whether their presence wards off bad luck or draws it in. They make decisions or travel at the roll of a die, and are often mean-spirited and cruel as they see no point in being kind to those who will eventually be cursed with bad luck.
In Spelljammer
Ralishaz is a member of the Greyhawk pantheon and is native to Greyspace. Due to their apparent connection with chaotic environments, the priests of Ralishaz can receive and cast spells without limitation within the atmosphere of any planet within Greyspace. In particularly chaotic regions. such as the Grinder, Borka or Greela, their spells are slightly more powerful. Within the Grinder, priests of Ralishaz actually receive an additional spell at their highest level. However, within wildspace, any spells they cast are slightly less powerful. Within the chaotic environment of the Flow, priest of Ralishaz do not lose access to their spells. However, they can only regain mid-to-high level spells when they return to Greyspace.