© Daniel S. Wall, April 11, 2026.

***

“It is said that the god, Ogath Skull-Gritter, is the first born of the orc kindred. It is also said that the memory of his birth tortures the soul of every orc to this very day.”

– Shen Kilsidore, Story-Teller.

***

It is said that Ogath was born a little after his sister, Effinthistle the Goddess of the Woods. He was born a little before his brother, who having been born dead, remains ever nameless. There is little doubt but that their deceased brother was killed in the womb. Whether it was Ogath or Effinthistle that killed him remains a topic of great debate within the halls of the Library Philosophic. Elves and orcs fight over the same question all across the forests and the wastelands. It is of course quite possible that the Ogath and Effinthistle together slew their younger brother. Whether the death of their brother was an act of self-defense or outright murder is also a topic of great dispute. In either event, neither Ogath nor Effinthisle have ever spoken a word about it, but their hatred for each other was evident from the moment of their birth, and by all accounts, the demise of their brother is the source of their enmity.

Whatever the truth of his origin, Ogath and his kind have never held the respect of any but the most wretched creatures of this world. Ogath is regarded with great distaste by all other gods, most of whom regard him and all of his kindred as a curse upon the world itself. For his own part, Ogath has little but hatred to give others. That hatred is of course reflected in the actions of his followers, and particularly, those of other orcs. The first instinct of an orc is violence, as is their last. If they possess any other qualities of character, few will ever see it. This is exactly as Ogath would have it.

***

Religion: Followers of Ogath are almost always violent and cruel, but they often possess a kind of honesty. Many lack the guile necessary to concoct effective lies, and others simply prefer to let their enemies know what is coming. It is an article of faith among believers in Ogath that telling a lie to someone is to submit to her authority. The followers of sundry wizards and sorcerers must frequently deceive to their masters. The followers of Ogath tell all as it is. And in most cases, the first act of a new convert to the cult of Ogath is a sudden willingness to come clean to all whom he has previously told lies …often just before killing them.

A small sect of Ogath’s followers remains devoted to the memory of his dead sibling. It is said that the beauty and kindness of orcs died with Ogath’s brother. Needless to say, adherents to this cult blame Effinthistle for the death of that brother.

***

Domains: Orcs, Wastelands.

Symbol: The symbol of Ogath is a broken wizard’s staff, symbolizing the destruction of forces enslaving his people. Those showing veneration to his siblings will add a symbol of one or two gravestones, depending on their devotion to one or both of the dead twins.

Favored Offerings: Ogath’s favored offerings include Souvenirs of War and anything captured in battle.