Lore24 Mar 18: Umnar the Slumbering King

Umnar is an Underworld deity, ruler of the Slumbering Wastes, where primordial beasts were imprisoned long ago, forever asleep, their dreams sometimes manifesting to help or hinder the unfortunate souls who wander there. He is said to be dreaming when awake, and conscious when he’s asleep. He often speaks in riddles, or in nonsensical statements which can only make sense in a dream.

He is depicted as an old man of indeterminable origins with three faces, and three eyes on each of those three faces. He also carries a gnarled staff with a bell on it, the tolling of which puts men, monsters and deities alike to sleep. His symbols are a closed eye, a bell and the jerboa.

To his champions Umnar grants the ability to put people and animals to sleep, or afflict them with a quiet sort of madness, where they lose themselves in imaginary worlds. The champions might also see into the past in their dreams. While asleep they might also venture into the Underworld to speak with the spirits of the dead, though this is a very dangerous undertaking, as it is easy to get stuck down there.

Umnar’s holy days are the three longest days of summer, when people sleep even during the day to escape the scorching heat. At night then, Umnar is celebrated with wine and singing, as well as the sacrifice of a domestic animal found ownerless.