Post by Elliot Kane on Feb 14, 2006 3:28:31 GMT
This is taken from a game manual I started writing for a D&D campaign I had ideas for, but which ultimately never got off the ground. I burned out on RPGs before I ever finished, but this might give you some idea of the direction I was heading in.
I'm just throwing this in for general interest, and because I was rather pleased with it
'The Shattered Realm' is the name of the campaign world. All else should, I hope, be self explanatory...
***
Introduction
The prime servants of the Deities of the Shattered Realm are their Clerics - who preach the doctrines of their Deity, preach sermons and generally minister to the faithful, and their Paladins, who are the martial arm, entrusted with promoting the Deity's interests in the world and dealing with any problems that might arise.
Please note the word 'Paladin' is NOT used in the Shattered Realm in the way it is in most Role-Playing Games (RPGs) to describe a warrior who is good, noble and just. A Paladin is a champion of his deity who seeks to exemplify the virtues and vices his or her Deity favours.
Such Paladins may vary widely in their doctrinal interpretations, alignments, and interactions with others. A Paladin of Aylena, Goddess Of Death, for example, may consider it his duty to kill all living things (rare and usually suicidal, but it does happen sometimes...), while another may involve himself in every conflict and adventuring group around, taking no prisoners. One may swear to celibacy, believing the creation of new life to be a sin, while the other may simply take precautions (such as killing everyone he sleeps with). No two Paladins of the same Deity are likely to be identical. Indeed, it is not unknown for Paladins of the same Deity to kill each other over a point of difference in doctrinal interpretation.
As may be imagined, Paladins are feared, respected, and most often avoided by those who have no reason to deal with them.
The Clergy of each faith are recruited by the Clergy themselves. Promising youngsters are recruited and trained in the tenets of the faith, moving up through Acolyte to Priest and finally to Bishop or Archbishop if they are lucky. There is one Archbishop in every city-state, though no religion has an overall leader except for their Deity.
Paladins are individuals who have petitioned their Deity directly with their offer of service. Not everyone is accepted, of course, although it is not always clear to mortal observers why an individual petitioner is accepted or rejected. Obviously each Deity has their own criteria, and they do not share these with mortals. A Paladin is answerable only to himself and his Deity.
Sometimes Paladins will hear the voice of their Deity directing them. Or so they say. Many observers put this down to an excess of zeal or total insanity (or both) but a Paladin knows what he knows, and his faith is unshakeable.
The majority of Paladins are male, although this seems to be primarily due to a lack of female interest rather than deliberate policy on the part of the Deities.
I'm just throwing this in for general interest, and because I was rather pleased with it
'The Shattered Realm' is the name of the campaign world. All else should, I hope, be self explanatory...
***
Introduction
The prime servants of the Deities of the Shattered Realm are their Clerics - who preach the doctrines of their Deity, preach sermons and generally minister to the faithful, and their Paladins, who are the martial arm, entrusted with promoting the Deity's interests in the world and dealing with any problems that might arise.
Please note the word 'Paladin' is NOT used in the Shattered Realm in the way it is in most Role-Playing Games (RPGs) to describe a warrior who is good, noble and just. A Paladin is a champion of his deity who seeks to exemplify the virtues and vices his or her Deity favours.
Such Paladins may vary widely in their doctrinal interpretations, alignments, and interactions with others. A Paladin of Aylena, Goddess Of Death, for example, may consider it his duty to kill all living things (rare and usually suicidal, but it does happen sometimes...), while another may involve himself in every conflict and adventuring group around, taking no prisoners. One may swear to celibacy, believing the creation of new life to be a sin, while the other may simply take precautions (such as killing everyone he sleeps with). No two Paladins of the same Deity are likely to be identical. Indeed, it is not unknown for Paladins of the same Deity to kill each other over a point of difference in doctrinal interpretation.
As may be imagined, Paladins are feared, respected, and most often avoided by those who have no reason to deal with them.
The Clergy of each faith are recruited by the Clergy themselves. Promising youngsters are recruited and trained in the tenets of the faith, moving up through Acolyte to Priest and finally to Bishop or Archbishop if they are lucky. There is one Archbishop in every city-state, though no religion has an overall leader except for their Deity.
Paladins are individuals who have petitioned their Deity directly with their offer of service. Not everyone is accepted, of course, although it is not always clear to mortal observers why an individual petitioner is accepted or rejected. Obviously each Deity has their own criteria, and they do not share these with mortals. A Paladin is answerable only to himself and his Deity.
Sometimes Paladins will hear the voice of their Deity directing them. Or so they say. Many observers put this down to an excess of zeal or total insanity (or both) but a Paladin knows what he knows, and his faith is unshakeable.
The majority of Paladins are male, although this seems to be primarily due to a lack of female interest rather than deliberate policy on the part of the Deities.
