Rough Deity notes for Awakening

[Elliot Kane]

It's fast reaching the point where I can't just ignore religion anymore, try as I might. It's taking up far too much of your interest to coompletely ignore, so I figure I'll post my thoughts so far for discussion, destruction, and other criticism.

Please note that NONE of this is yet fixed in stone, and if anyone has any better ideas I am more than happy to steal them ;D

My first thinking is that each deity will have dual or triple aspects, and that those aspects will not necessarily be part of the same thing. The deitis themselves are complex beings and not to be understood very easily by mortals.

General notations:

Servants are the priests of their god and often their martial arm also. You can become a servant in two ways - by directly petitioning the god or by being taught by other servants.

Please note that a Servant transgressing against their god is not likely to get off very easily. Where a mere worshipper could be ignored - and likely would be - a Servant will be punished.

This is not just a list of cool available bonuses. You have been warned.


Deities so far:

'The Great Mana' - true name unknown. God of Justice, Magic and the Sun. His true name is known only to his servants, The Knights Of The Orb.

Symbol: a Sun disc called 'The Orb'.

Servant power: Holy Sword: causes a single weapon to burn with Holy Fire (+5 dam vrs evil & undead) for the duration of a single combat. Costs 10 Mana.

Religion: think the medieval Christian 'Church Militant'. Murder is a sin, but killing in combat as part of a righteous struggle is something else entirely.


Agron The Merciless - Death & Destruction is not a kindly god. His pristesses, the Sisters Of Serenity, are tasked with culling the living on a regular basis. He has a few male servants, the Brothers Of Serenity, but prefers his Servants to be female.

Symbol: a Scythe.

Servant power: Death Touch. Kills a single creature on less than 10 Health outright. Requires physical contact, but not a blow as such. Costs 10 Mana.


Kristinna - goddess of Love & War. Goddess of the Moon.

Symbol: a silver Moon disc.


Valesh - god of Industry, Agriculture & Trade. Twin brother of Valesha.

Symbol: a golden coin.


Valesha - goddess of Life & Nature. Twin sister of Valesh.

Symbol: a standing deer turning its head to look at the observer.

***

As you can see, these are brief starter notes. Seemed worth doing, though

[SilvaShado]

hmm... I find it interesting that you have twins, one covering Life & Nature while the other covers Industry, Agriculture & Trade. I just never would have thought of it like that. I guess I'm used to the trinity in natural magic - maiden, mother and crone. But I like have a duality instead. That one covers the unbridled world of nature while the other covers the cultivation of nature.

Some thoughts:

Most would worship one or the other, but would any worship both? Since nature, in my opinion, is a lot about balance, some would want to create balance by worshipping both. Sow and reap.

Also worship to either may not be as organized as some other religions. I'm just thinking that some who worship either Valesh or Valesha or both would do so on their own with thier own rituals, or maybe rituals and practices passed down in their family.

I like the concept of servant rather than Priest. Someone who is submitting themselves to the will of their deity and wanting to do as commanded. This can, though not always, create a more humble person. Maybe one who doesn't see themselves as higher than anyone else, or not that different than others.

A few ideas for powers, just off the top of my head.

Valesh:
Haggling: You are able to get better prices for buying and selling.
Technology: improve techniques and machinery used.

Valesha:
Growth: able to enhance the growth of plants. Faster and healthier growth.
Commune: able to commune with nature spirits. May divide it into fire, water, earth and air spirits.

that's it for now, but I'll keep thinking. ^_^

[Elliot Kane]

In most polytheistic religions exclusive worship is a preserve of the priests only. I would think that many if not most of the ordinary people might favour one or more deities over others, but would seek help from the most appropriate to their situation, as it were

[Will (Property of Silva)]

How about a god that represents Knowledge, Balance and the Seas? The god or goddess would represent knowledge for the most part. The aspect of balance shows that it needs to be in control, though the aspect of the seas proves that its an irresistible force. The apsects of the god/goddess also may be interpreted as man's direct oposition to nature. or vice versa. Balance is a very important aspect since it indicates that none of the interpretations could mutually exclusive. Balance also shows that though the pursuit of knowledge is important, the application of knowledge is equally important. Finally, if you focus on the aspect of the seas, it can show that nature, if not approached cautiously, can destroy man, upsetting the balance no matter how much knowledge he possesses.

[Gray Lensman]

Some thoughts regarding the Great Mana and his worship. The GM may take them, leave them, or tell me they're ridiculous at his discretion. ;D

I like the idea of the Great Mana having the aspect of a sun god. This can easily be incorporated into my own plans for Rasidar. As I presently see it, the worshippers of the Great Mana believe that the sun is the source of magic as it is the source of light. They also believe the light of the sun is holy, and to them, vampires burn in the light of day because they see it as the wrath of the Great Mana. (None of this may necessarily be true, but I think it would be interesting if this is what they've been taught to believe. )

The Knights of the Orb are regarded as sort of Prometheus figures. They believe their god has brought Holy Fire down from the sun to deliver the people of Davor from injustice. I'm thinking that there is a legend of a First Servant, who undertook a great quest to learn the true name of the Great Mana and claim the Holy Fire to save Davor. It was the First Servant who founded the Order and became the first Grand Master of the Knighthood. While I am thinking the legend is based in truth and there was a First Servant, the legend may be rather exaggerated... though it might be the Knights (and Rasidar) know the truth of it.

The Great Mana has a priesthood, the Clerics of the Orb, but they perform services only and exist to support the Knights, who are the true Servants. In addition to religious services, I think the majority of their work lies in healing, in study (especially magical study), in teaching, and in performing acts of charity. I figure both men and women can be Clerics... however, I see the Clerics being predominantly female, where the Knights tend to be predominantly male. (A balanced distribution... the Knights fight the battles, the Clerics support, heal, and study.) They Knights and the Clerics are equal but separate orders, but all fall under the direction of the Grand Master of the Knighthood. The Knighthood would have kept the Clerics honest and on task, but given them autonomy otherwise.

Mind, all of the above would have been true during Rasidar's time. Since the fall of the Knighthood, things may have changed. It may have been the Clerics of the Orb who have spread the legend of the Last Knight to bring hope and attract followers without the true Servants to protect and inspire the people. I would personally think the Clerics still exist, trying their best to defend the faith until the Last Knight returns to fulfill the prophecy... but all this is of course subject to GM discretion.

Of course, these are all idle musings, and may or may not be used as needed.

[Misty]

Twin gods are use a lot when speaking of multi-gods. One usually a female dealing with more feminine aspect and then the male covering the more masculine aspect or like Apollo and Artemis who represent opposite elements.

I like it the Kristinna much like Ishtar is a strong goddess that doesn’t just cover love but war. Hopefully we have another kindly war goddess not like some of the psycho woman that has held the title.

All religion has sacrifice, with it being anything time (for prayers, praising their name and rituals), money, food or life. What sacrifices are looking good to out blessed deities? I imagine Argon looks favorably on human sacrifice because that’s how he rolls…

[LaFille]

How about including travel/voyages as an aspect of a god; instinctively, I find that it would go well with Valesh... A thought just thrown like that.

Apart from that, not much more... perhaps adding chaos to Aragon the Merciless? Add balance/order to Valesha/Valesh and you get opposites...

[SilvaShado]

I was also wondering about a deity of thieves and assassins, of things done in the shadows... or would that go under Agron?

[Will (Property of Silva)]

Here's a thought for the Great Mana.

Considering there is a legend of a knight returning it sounds like there were no other knighhoods.

This would mean from the time the knights were gone till now could be looked upon as the Dark Times.

The time in which Davor was bereft of moral military figures.