"Manann is our blessing, our patron, the one that brings food to our table. He’s also the one that drags our sons to the bottom of his watery home, the bringer of storms, and the crushing waves. He is the Sea and he is eternal."
- —Ingrid Höelstaff, Wife of Captain Höelstaff of the Redoubt[3a]
A depiction of Manann, the god of the sea, his symbol of a crown with five tines, and a priest of the Cult of Manann.
Manann, also known as the "Lord of the Seas", "Lord of the Oceans", "King of the Sea", "Summoner of Storms", "King of Storms", and "Master of the Maelstroms," is the god of the sea, oceans, and tides in the Old World Pantheon.[1a][4a]
Tileans call him Mathann, similar to the name for the Elven god Mathlann.[6a]
Manann is the chief god of the former Imperial province of the Wasteland and its great commercial capital Marienburg, who call him Manaan. The sea god also holds sway over the Empire of Man's northern coasts and its rivers as far as the tide can be felt. The Cult of Manann administrates his worship.[1a][6a]
Manann, like the oceans he rules, is volatile and unpredictable. He is powerful, wilful, and ferocious, but capable of acts of great beneficence, tenderness, and even playfulness -- providing sustenance for his worshippers and bringing them safe to port. When his mood shifts, his jealousy and rage can be ruinous. The priests of the Cult of Manann admire their god for his strength and revere him to placate his moods, but none love Manann as they do Shallya, Sigmar, or the other gods in the Old World Pantheon.[6a]
Legends[]
In divine myth, Manann is the son of the gods of nature Taal and Rhya.[4a]
The legend of Mannslieb tells that Manann fell in love with a woman, Lileath, the goddess of the moon, who was always out of his reach, floating high in the sky, so he had to admire her from afar. Each night, the woman appeared and Manann reached out to her, but she remained aloof and oblivious to the sea god's love. Manann's rages are born from this entirely unrequited adoration.[6a]
Another ancient Estalian legend tells of how an act of cannibalism among the survivors of a shipwreck led to them being cursed by the sea god Manann and transformed into rats.[5]
Omens of Manann[]
Manann is said to call the spring tide by clenching the twin moons of the world of Mallus, Mannslieb and Morrslieb, in his fist.[1a]
The albatross is the iconic sign of Manann's presence in the mortal world. The appearance of an albatross can be a portent of good or ill equally and is therefore difficult to interpret. It is usually seen flying high in the sky above a ship far from land. It is one of the most famous divine omens in the Old World. Because of its importance, the bird is considered sacred by all Manannites. A dead albatross is always a bad omen.[2a]
Example visions that a priest of Manann might receive include a stormy sea, signifying change and conflict, or a ship, usually telling of good fortune, riches, or an impending visitor. Other images in visions from Manann might be fish, sea monsters, sunken wrecks, and perilous rocks.[2a]
One vision always interpreted by priests of Manann as a dire warning and a need to change one's ways is the drowning man, especially if the priest imagines it is himself that is drowning.[2a]
Trivia[]
Manann may take his name from "Manannán mac Lir" (or simply Manann), the Irish god of the sea and guardian of the Underworld, while his design is quite similar to that of Poseidṑn, the ancient Greek god of the sea. Both gods also wield a trident.
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Sigmar's Heirs (RPG)
- 1a: pg. 35
- 2: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd Edition: Signs of Faith (RPG)
- 2a: pg. 33
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Tome of Salvation (RPG)
- 3a: pg. 30
- 4: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Core Rulebook (RPG)
- 4a: pg. 205
- 5:The Loathsome Ratmen and All Their Vile Kin (Background Book)
- 6: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Sea of Claws (RPG)
- 6a: pg. 80