Crom Cruach

**Crom Cruach** is a Celtic God of Fertility.

## **Background**

**Crom Cruach** (Old Irish: *Cromm Crúaich* [ˈkɾˠɔmˠ ˈkɾˠuəç]) was a Celtic god of pre-Christian Ireland. According to Christian writers, he was propitiated with human sacrifice and his worship was ended by Saint Patrick.

Prior to the arrival of Christianity, ancient Ireland was ruled by the old Celtic gods, one of which was the fertility god known as Crom Cruach. He offered good yields of milk and grain to its worshipers in exchange of first-born child sacrifices, and is said to have been worshiped since the time of Érimón, which is around 1287–1286 BC.

Crom Cruach's dark reign meets its end upon the arrival of St. Patrick in his campaign against the pagan gods. In his confrontation against the Saint who located his cult, Crom Cruach emerged with its true demonic form from its gold and silver figure, causing twelve smaller bronze figures to sink into ground.

## **Personality**

Even before the arrival of Christianity, Crom Cruach was feared by the Celtic pagans, Crom was a very cruel and monstrous god who thrived in bloodshed and is an example of a truly malevolent god. An early example of Crom Cruach's cruelty was the death of the early High King, Tigernmas, along with three quarters of his army, died while worshiping Crom on Samhain eve, leaving Ireland without a High King for nearly seven years after the incident. Even so, the worship of the continued regardless across the ages.

## **Appearance**

Crom Cruach was originally envisioned as a wizened god hidden by mists, represented as a gold figure surrounded by twelve stone or bronze figures. However his true form is that of a demonic snake or monstrous worm.

## **Known Powers and Abilities**

Being a god, Crom Cruach is omnipotent, however the true extent of his powers are vastly unknown as he only uses them in exchange for sacrifices.

* **Super Strength**- Crom Cruach possesses unlimited levels of physical strength, however his strength has never been shown.
* **Super Stamina**- Due to his deity physiology, Crom cannot tire or feel fatigued, he doesn't require sleep to maintain himself.
* **Immortality**- As a god, Crom Cruach is immortal and cannot die. He is thousands of years old and has been around at least since before the early inhabitants of Ireland.
* **Nigh Invulnerability** - He is completely invulnerable to all forms of physical harm and death. However he can be seriously injured and depowered by other gods or divine weapons.
* **Nigh Indestructibility** - Crom Cruach is indestructible, however his physical form can be seriously damaged that it will take an extremely long time to recover from it.
* **Weather Manipulation** - In exchange for human sacrifices, Crom Cruach will make the weather suitable for a good harvest.
* **Biokinesis**- As long as he receives sacrifices, Crom will grant fertility in plant and animal life, allowing for his worshipers to harvest the food.
* **Terrakinesis**- Crom Cruach will make the soil and earth fertile and suitable for growing different kinds of plant crops.
* **Shapeshifting** - He is able to take on different forms at will, however his most preferred form is that of a wizened man.

## **Weaknesses**

* **Other Deities** - Other gods are able to overpower and harm Crom Cruach.
* **Divine Weaponry** - A weapon made or wielded by another god can seriously harm Crom Cruach.