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Chapter 4: Religion
Deital Powers The
Deities section lists the eighty-six deities of Feyworld along with
their associated spheres of influence. Each deity is then detailed
in its own entry. This section concerns itself with those entries,
defining each category in turn.
Name and
Sphere of Control: The most popular name of the deity
appears at the top of each entry, followed by their most significant
sphere of control. To the right of this lies a picture of one of the
deity's symbols, most often the symbol used for that deity in the
Empire.
Gender:
All deities are either male or female in their primary aspect,
though their gender may be different in lesser aspects. Gender isn't
as significant to deities as it is to mortals, and most have little
issue with appearing as a member of the opposite sex if it serves
their purposes.
Rank:
The rank of the deity is a measure of its power within the hierarchy
of the gods as well as a measure of its influence over the mortal
world.
Deity Rank and Power Table
|
Rank |
Class or Type(s) |
Max Spell Level |
| Greatest |
Only Lord Ptharos and
Dagon |
9 |
| Greater |
Triadic and Inimicures
|
9 |
| Major |
Baelthoric, Betshaban, Ptharosian, Dagonian, Maelphegorian,
Taltosian, Enosian |
9 |
|
Intermediate |
Iuvenes,
Rulers of the Tuatha, Darcingetorix |
8 |
| Lesser |
Members of the original
Tuatha not also Rulers, the King of the Elven Deities |
7 |
| Minor |
Some of the more
significant members of the Tuatha and the Dukes of the Elven
pantheon |
6 |
| Demigod |
Some of
the most recently ascended members of the Tuatha, significant
members of the Elven pantheon |
5 |
|
Quasideity |
Most
members of the Elven pantheon |
4 |
| Potency |
The most
recently ascended members of the Elven pantheon |
3 |
Explanation of the
Deity Rank and Power Table:
Rank:
This is a listing of the ranks of the deities, in descending
order.
Class or
Type(s): A listing of the Class (in the case of Imperial
deities) or Type of deity typically associated with the
appropriate Rank. Exceptions do exist.
Manifest:
Distance from a Temple or consecrated area in which a deity can
manifest in an Avatar. At over twice this distance, the maximum
Casting Grade available for priests is halved. Over four times
this distance, and Priests cannot use Priestcraft Castings at
all.
Max Spell
Level: This is the maximum spell level available to
clerics of that Rank of deity. Regardless of their level, they
can never obtain spells of a higher spell level. |
Avatars:
This entry names the most significant Avatars of the deity, along
with any titles significant to those Avatars. Most Avatars also
serve as aliases for the deity in lands where their true name is
unknown.
Ethos: This
category describes the general bent of the ethical bent of the
deity, whether Baneful, Malign, Agathocacological, Benign or
Benevolent. Baneful deities are the darkest, by far, and tend to be
more interested in hate and destruction than anything else. Malign
deities are dark and have a tendency to be anti-social, but they
also tend to obey a moral code of conduct which is not completely at
odds with society. Agathocacological deities are either uninterested
in the contest between Good and Evil or pursue a balance between
them. Benign deities have an interest in helping others, but are
either too selfish to give of themselves fully or generally
disinterested in fighting the forces of Darkness. Benevolent deities
are opposed to the very existence of Evil and seek to stamp it out
wherever it lay; these sorts of deities generally wish to see the
world prosperous and happy.
Nature: A
general description of the deity's way of thinking and teachings,
whether Ordered, Harmonious, Intermediate, Chaotic and Anarchistic.
Ordered deities generally have strict rules of conduct and dictate
exactly how they wish their followers to act. Harmonious deities
leave more room for personal initiative and interpretation but still
have a vested interest in having their followers work together.
Intermediate deities are either disinterested in the conflict
between social and individual constructs or believe that a balanced
mix of the two is the best way to accomplish things. Chaotic deities
tend to promote individual heroics and individual freedom, though
they recognize the need of societies and laws to govern those
societies. Anarchistic deities are interested only in the freedom of
the individual, and tend to oppose governments, laws and anything
else that constricts personal freedom.
Principle
Creative/Concern Attribute: The major concept, idea, or creative
interest of the deity. With the exception of Earth, Air and Water,
each deity has an individual attribute distinct from those of other
deities in the pantheon.
Other Concerns:
Associated ideas and attributes over which the deity has power.
Other Concerns may overlap between deities, each having a slightly
different spin on the same or similar concepts.
Allies:
Significant alliances that the deity observes with other deities and
the Churches of those deities. If the listed deity is directly
related to the deity being detailed (grandparent, parent, sibling or
child), that information is provided as well.
Foes: Those
deities and Churches that are diametrically opposed to the deity
listed. This can manifest itself as simple distrust or may represent
all out war between the Churches.
Other Data
Dwelling Place:
The abode and center of rulership for the deity and the plane of
existence upon which this abode lies.
Weapons: Any
weapons associated with the deity, along with their names and
powers, if necessary.
Armor: Any
protective items the deity wears or owns, along with the names and
powers of each, if necessary.
Attendants:
This entry describes the major Deital and supernatural powers which
are often associated with or serve the deity listed. Often, these
are sainted or damned individuals who have been granted a special
place at the side of their deity, but important Archangels, Devils
and other Supernatural beings who serve the deity are also listed.
If the Church recognizes a specific title for individuals who are
blessed with Supernatural power in the afterlife, these titles are
listed with the individual's name.
Descriptive and
Miscellaneous Information: This category describes the typical
way in which the deity appears to his followers and in art
associated with that deity. In the case of major avatars,
descriptions of those are made available here as well.
Priesthood/Worship
Requirements for
Priesthood: This section not only details what Attributes and
Skills are necessary to take a Vow of Priestcraft, but also what is
required of those seeking a Vow of Service. Furthermore, it details
the requirements of any significant Sects or Orders dedicated to the
Deity.
Customs: This
catch-all category describes the habits, rules and guidelines of the
followers of the Deity, often focusing on the Priesthood (who
usually have more strict guidelines to follow).
Restrictions/Taboos:
Sins, proscribed activities and other religious offenses are
described here, along with their associated punishments.
Symbols: This
entry describes the holy symbol of the deity and any known
variations of the symbol for different Sects and Orders.
Furthermore, it details any gems, stones, metals and herbs sacred to
the Deity or often used in practices of the Church. Numbers
significant to the Deity are also covered here.
Important Holy
Days: This section details the most significant Holy Days of the
Deity, including the responsibilities and traditions that must be
obeyed by the Priesthood and followers of the Deity.
Garments and
Adornments: This category focuses on the clothing and apparel of
the Priesthood, but may also detail what is appropriate for the
worshipper to wear as well.
Laity: The
sorts of people often found in a typical congregation of the Deity,
including professions, gender, size and anything else significant
about the lay-people who worship the Deity as their patron.
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