Ranald

Ranald is the fictional trickster god in the Warhammer Fantasy setting, similar to real trickster gods such as Loki or Hermes.

Background

Ranald is described as the god of cunning, sharp dealing, luck, traders, lesser merchants, thieves, gamblers, non-violent criminals, and all those who live by their wits. The god is presented as a popular deity despite a lack of official support and general disapproval by authority. As a trickster and criminal god, Ranald is opposed to traditional authority, law, and dedicated to overturning natural social order.

He is portrayed as a charming rogue with a wicked smile, always ready to take advantage of a situation. Unlike most of the Warhammer setting deities, Ranald is described as a god who may actually intervene in the lives of characters, for good or ill. Unusually for the Warhammer setting, Ranald is asserted to be a non-violent deity who finds murder and assault disgusting. He is accordingly not given much attention in the highly combat oriented Warhammer games, outside the role-playing game.

ymbols

Ranald is symbolized by crossed fingers, the mark “X”, the crow, the cat, and other symbols of luck. Anyone who wishes Ranald’s favor (good luck) might wear a charm with an X on it, and this is described as so common that it is not suspicious.

Areas of Worship

Ranald is apparently worshipped throughout the Old World, mainly by the lower classes and those who wish to get lucky and improve their situation.

The cult of Ranald is highly decentralized, with no main temple and no structured organization. The few temples that exist are described as careful to emphasize Ranald’s role as a patron of trade. A large temple to Ranald is in the city of Marienburg, but most Ranald worship is organized around local shrine clubs. Priests of Ranald are often mobile, and train initiates on an ad hoc basis. The cult has no formal orders.

Ascension into godhood

Much like Sigmar, Ranald was not born a god but managed to become one himself. While Sigmar did so by proving himself worthy of this spectacular honor to his patron god Ulric, Ranald became immortal through great thinking, lies and trickery. His means of ascension into the pantheon of deities provides his followers with an excellent example of his ideology. He tricked Shallya, the Maiden of Mercy, to let him drink of her tears, thereby deifying himself. Ranald wishes all his followers to lie, trick and rise against authorities and laws, and what greater authority to circumvent than that of a god? Though generally regarded as impertinent and disrespectful of authority, Ranald is not known to dislike the older gods nor think badly of them.

The afterlife

Though Ranald is not generally regarded as a deity focused on the afterlife, but instead seems focused on the activities of life itself, he still offers an afterlife. If one is favored by Ranald he will, after death, be escorted by Morr to a large city, enraptured in never-ending celebration. Potent spirits and food of all kinds are distributed liberally in an eternal feast. Entertainers of all kinds roam the streets plying their trade to the delight of everyone. Here rogues and lairs of all sorts may indulge themselves freely. There are endless things to be stolen and people to be tricked. Guards are present and attempt to keep order, but mainly in the interest of having something against which to rebel. There are no prison, penalties or courts. A captured thief is at once set free in the great festival to try again, or to attempt another trickery, gambit or theft. All the positive aspects of adventuring and living as an outlaw, trickster and rebel are emphasized and celebrated without fear of the unpleasant consequences. Ranald's afterlife is a paradise for those who love life itself and all its pleasures.

ource

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, Second Edition, 2005