The Singing Pickle sings "Santa Claus (I Still Believe in You)" by Alabama

Below is the longest animation endeavor I've ever accomplished! When I was 12 years old, I was messing around in front of the camera when my family was decorating the Christmas tree and I made a pickle sing one of the carols that was playing in the background. Thus began a weird tradition of "the Singing Pickle" that made an appearance each Christmas season. And today, for the first time, he makes an appearance in animated form as part of my family Christmas Eve talent show. Enjoy!

Deities of Hearth: Artifacts

Among the legendary magic items of Hearth, none are more renowned than the possessions of the gods themselves. These artifacts embody divine will and the power of the Pentatheon. Where they appear, these weapons change the tide of wars and the course of history.

Typically a deity bestows their weapon only on a favored champion or devotee. Depending on the champion’s piety score, the mortal can tap into hidden properties of the weapon. Alternatively, those who don’t worship the weapon’s divine owner often find themselves cursed for their lack of proper devotion.

EDIT 2023: AI art illustrations added!

Deities of Hearth: Lawbringer

Lawbringer

God of Order

Lawbringer is an ambiguous, androgynous god of absolute order, the deity of cities, civilization, technology, crafting, and nobility. Lawbringer does not care for mercy or circumstance: only justice and equality. Lawbringer is the patron god of judges, kings, and those who crave justice, or sometimes even vengeance, and are sometimes called even to settle disputes among the gods or devils. Lawbringer finds beauty only in straight lines and hard angles, never in shades of gray or in wavering. Lawbringer is also the god of fire, which refines metals and turns the wood of the wilds into warmth and light for civilization.

Lawbringer is depicted as a bald, androgynous being with brassy skin holding scales in one hand and a hammer in the other, wearing a robe with geometric symbols across it.

Deities of Hearth: Deepwarden

Deepwarden

God of Death

Deepwarden is the god of the ocean, darkness, treasures beneath the earth, secrets, and death. He is the overseer of dying souls who pass through the underworld, the patron god of underground peoples and monsters in dark places, and the merciless deity who stirs up nations to war against each other. Warriors on both sides of battles pray to him for guidance, and he often favors those who sacrifice to him or who have secrets of their own to share with him or tribute to pay his churches.

Deepwarden is depicted as a stern man with ashen skin, eyes that glow like blue embers, and golden armor studded with diamonds. He is often shown holding two black swords or riding his giant skeletal dragon, Kalsedne.

Deities of Hearth: Moondancer

Moondancer

Goddess of the Wilds

Moondancer is the daughter of Skyfather and Hearthmatron and the goddess of animals, the chaos of the wilds, the moon, and the hunt. She is the patron goddess of hunters, herders, rangers, and those who live far away from civilization. She is also the goddess of revelry, lust, and wine, as well as the patron goddess of thieves, who pray to her when sneaking about by moonlight.

She is depicted as a beautiful elven woman with pale skin covered with markings of many colors across her body, wearing a suit of skins and holding a bow and arrow. Her pet, Silversong, is said to be able to take any bestial shape, but is most often a silvery falcon, leopard, stag, or zebra.

Deities of Hearth: Hearthmatron

 

Hearthmatron

Goddess of Life

Hearthmatron is the mother of all living, the soul of Hearth itself. She is the patron goddess of midwives, farmers, and families, and the force of unselfish good in the world. Peasants pray to her for fertility, both in themselves and in their crops, and all those who are sick beseech her healing powers. Of all the gods, Hearthmatron has the most clerics, all of whom wander the land ridding it of disease and purging it of undead. 

Wise and even-tempered, Hearthmatron values community, stability, and the balance of nature. She is the god of maternity, family, orphans, domestication, and agriculture, as well as defense of the home and territory.

Hearthmatron is depicted as a pregnant, middle-aged woman wearing green robes and flowers in her hair.

Deities of Hearth: Skyfather

Skyfather

God of the Skies

Skyfather is the embodiment of the uncaring elements from above. Sunlight, snow, lightning, wind, and rain do not distinguish between law and chaos. They merely exist to run their course, and so does Skyfather.

Pride and self-assurance radiate from Skyfather as light floods from the sun. He is cheerful and sociable, forming bonds easily with those who prove themselves strong and honorable. His friendship can be as easily lost, though, turning him from ally to enemy as the consequence of a single misstep or perceived betrayal.

He is often depicted as a strong, bronze-skinned warrior with clouds for a beard, eyes as bright as the sun, and wielding a spear of lightning and a swirling shield of wind.