Difference between revisions of "Religions"

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==Introduction==
Religions in Asmythe are not abstract as they are on Earth, but physical beings with demonstrable power, Elder Dragons, in eternal slumber whose dreams create reality. Asmythe also has real beings, Ilthura and outsiders, of immense power that appear to be gods.


Religions in Asmythe are not based on a misunderstanding of nature, as they are on Earth, but on beings with demonstrable power. Asmythe has real beings, Ilthids and outsiders, of immense power that appear to be gods. And there are Elder Dragons in eternal slumber whose dreams create reality.
Religious practice in Asmythe is based on the power of self and the development of physical and mental discipline.  


Despite this, religion in Asmythe is based on the power of self and the development of physical and mental discipline. Even within the Dragon Priests, who traditions are founded on the Elder Dragons.
Each of the Elder Dragons is associated with a set of emotions and manifest in the world through these emotions. Dragon Priests claim to gain power from the Elder Dragons when they experience these emotions.  
 
Note: In game terms, cleric magic manifests like psionic powers. Clerics have power of mind and living things but not over inanimate objects. Telekinesis is not a mental power, it is a physical power.
 
===Pre History===
In the beginning there were only the Elder Dragons and the Ilthids who served them.
 
===The First Era===
In the first era the races of Asmythe served only the Ilthids. There were no priests or clerics because the gods were ever-present in the lives and minds of the creatures of Asmythe.
 
===The Second Era===
In the second era the Ilthids disappeared and the races of the world adapted and build their own cultures. Though the Elves and Dwarves each had real experience with outsiders they continued to build religious traditions based on the remembered teachings of the Ilthids and especially Elder Dragons lore. Elder Dragon based religion arose mostly independently among all the Elven and Dwarven nations.
 
The Elves and Dwarves learned that the Elder Dragons continued to shape the world as they slept and built traditions revering the dragons, learning about them, attempting to mimic them, and/or claiming to work for them. There are many dragons, and even more Dragon Priests.
 
===The Current Era===
Although the dragon priests persisted and gained strength through the second era their influence waned in the third era with the arrival of the Humans and Orcs. The monotheistic religion of the human empire, The Priests of Sol, gained some popularity but was tempered by the savagery of the goblins and their ancestral gods.
 
==The Elder Dragons==
The Elder Dragons are a manifestation of the Sorge, given shape by emotion; or is the Sorge the dreams of the Elder Dragons? Each of the Elder Dragons is associated with a set of emotions and manifest in the world through these emotions. Dragon Priests claim to gain power from the Elder Dragons when they experience these emotions.  


The Elder Dragon manifestations are ethereal and shapeless; they have no physical form or ego of their own. Yet through the thoughts and actions of the Dragon Priests they have acquired physical appearances. These physical metaphors vary as greatly as the Elder Dragons themselves; some are human or humanoid, some are animal, some are elemental, and most are a combination of each. The priests don't agree if these manifestations are facets of the Elder Dragons themselves, or apparitions created by the minds of the priest attempting to understand the ineffable.
The Elder Dragon manifestations are ethereal and shapeless; they have no physical form or ego of their own. Yet through the thoughts and actions of the Dragon Priests they have acquired physical appearances. These physical metaphors vary as greatly as the Elder Dragons themselves; some are human or humanoid, some are animal, some are elemental, and most are a combination of each. The priests don't agree if these manifestations are facets of the Elder Dragons themselves, or apparitions created by the minds of the priest attempting to understand the ineffable.


Although Elder Dragons are universal they tend to attract disciples of a particular race, nation, of disposition. The Elder Dragons themselves aren't particular about race or nation but the races and nations are particular about their Elder Dragons. Each nation usually gives patronage to one of the six families of Dragon, the "cosmos". These cosmos are, in turn, aligned against each other.
Although Elder Dragons are universal they tend to attract disciples of a particular race, nation, of disposition. The Elder Dragons themselves aren't particular about race or nation but the races and nations are particular about their Elder Dragons. Each nation usually gives patronage to one of the six families of Dragon, the "cosmos". These cosmos are, in turn, aligned against each other.
Note: What most fantasy role-playing games call deities would be considered outsiders in Asmythe. The Elder Dragons ("gods") of Asmythe are for more primal and abstract in their affects on the world.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Deity!!Alignment!!Influence
|-
|Acedia||NN||''Apathy'',Boredom,Depression,Indifference
|-
|Ankou||CN||''Despair'',Anguish,Dread
|-
|Arwenna||LG||''Awe'',Wonder
|-
|Erida||CE||''Hatred'',Loathing,Rage,Fear
|-
|Eros||CG||''Passion'',Arousal,Desire,Lust
|-
|G'Kar||LN||''Disappointment'',Annoyance,Frustration
|-
|Hotei||NG||''Happiness'',Contentment,Gratitude,Satisfaction
|-
|Hybris||LN||''Boldness'',Fearlessness,Pride
|-
|Irae||LE||''Contempt'',Disgust,Pity
|-
|Laetitia||CG||''Joy'',Ecstasy,Euphoria,Pleasure
|-
|Lyssa||CN||''Panic'',Anxiety,Hysteria,Worry
|-
|Malu||LE||''Shame'',Regret,Remorse,Embarrassment
|-
|Nedolya||NE||''Sadness'',Sorrow,Suffering
|-
|Penthos||NE||''Grief'',Guilt,Misery
|-
|Rus'Ker||CE||''Terror'',Shock,Surprise,Horror
|-
|Sekhmet||NE||''Anger'',Angst,Hostility
|-
|Sirona||LG||''Love'',Affection,Hope
|-
|Vor||NG||''Curiosity'',Interest,Excitement
|-
|Zelos||NN||''Envy'',Jealousy,Shyness,Loneliness
|-
|}


==Cosmos==
==Cosmos==
The six families of Elder Dragons, the Cosmos, are aligned in three oppositions. Elder Dragons and clerics of each cosmos are eternally fighting against the Elder Dragons and clerics of the opposed cosmos. Only Acedia is neutral.
The six families of Elder Dragons, the Cosmos, are aligned in three oppositions. Elder Dragons and clerics of each cosmos are eternally in conflict with the Elder Dragons and clerics of the opposed cosmos. Only Acedia is neutral.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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===Health Cosmos===
===Health Cosmos===
The Elder Dragon of the health cosmos are aligned to promote the health, welfare, and propagation of life.
Characters following this cosmos promote health, welfare, and propagation of life.


===Pain Cosmos===
===Pain Cosmos===
The Elder Dragon of pain kill and destroy.
Characters following this cosmos inflict pain, kill, and destroy life.


===Selfless Cosmos===
===Selfless Cosmos===
The Elder Dragon of selflessness are those of nature and learning.
Characters following this cosmos put nature and the happiness of others above their own. They help all people, even those they don't agree with and expect no reward for their actions. Followers of the selfless cosmos are often teachers, public servants, and such.


===Selfish Cosmos===
===Selfish Cosmos===
The goal of the selfish cosmos is personal gain and attainment, often at the expense of others.
Characters following this cosmos strive to become the best person they can, the richest, smartest, strongest, and most powerful. They will gladly help others, when the reward outweighs the effort.


===Fate Cosmos===
===Fate Cosmos===
The Elder Dragon of fate believe in the togetherness of the universe, and that individuals have but a small part to play in the whole.
Characters following this cosmos believe in the one-ness of the universe, and that individuals have but a small part to play in the whole. There are no coincidences and nothing is random. Followers of the fate cosmos "go with the flow" and will actively support and encourage the natural flow of the world. "A river should not be stopped, but if a rock blocks the path then fate has chosen for it to change direction."


===Fanatic Cosmos===
===Fanatic Cosmos===
Fanatics are dedicated to a single purpose at the expense of all else and, usually, the prosecution of those not aligned to the purpose. The specific purpose varies greatly by god and cleric but is always something "greater" than the clerics themselves.
Characters following this cosmos are dedicated to a single purpose at the expense of all else and, usually, the prosecution of those not aligned to the purpose. The specific purpose will vary greatly by but is always something "greater" than the clerics themselves.  


==Descriptions==
==Elder Dragons==
The power of each Elder Dragon is to instill specific feelings and emotions in people.  
The elder dragons are each infinitely powerful and also have a tendency toward specific aspects of thought and influence.
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Dragon!!Alignment!!Influence!!Color
|-
|Acedia||NN||''Apathy'',Boredom,Depression,Indifference||Gray
|-
|Ankou||CN||''Despair'',Anguish,Dread||Teal
|-
|Arwenna||LG||''Awe'',Wonder||White
|-
|Erida||CE||''Hatred'',Loathing,Rage,Fear||Red
|-
|Eros||CG||''Passion'',Arousal,Desire,Lust||Pink
|-
|G'Kar||LN||''Disappointment'',Annoyance,Frustration||Lime
|-
|Hotei||NG||''Happiness'',Contentment,Gratitude,Satisfaction||Green
|-
|Hybris||LN||''Boldness'',Fearlessness,Pride||Orange
|-
|Irae||LE||''Contempt'',Disgust,Pity||Brown
|-
|Laetitia||CG||''Joy'',Ecstasy,Euphoria,Pleasure||Yellow
|-
|Lyssa||CN||''Panic'',Anxiety,Hysteria,Worry||Violet
|-
|Malu||LE||''Shame'',Regret,Remorse,Embarrassment|Tan
|-
|Nedolya||NE||''Sadness'',Sorrow,Suffering||Blue
|-
|Penthos||NE||''Grief'',Guilt,Misery||Purple
|-
|Rus'Ker||CE||''Terror'',Shock,Surprise,Horror||Black
|-
|Sekhmet||NE||''Anger'',Angst,Hostility||Red
|-
|Sirona||LG||''Love'',Affection,Hope||Yellow
|-
|Vor||NG||''Curiosity'',Interest,Excitement||Silver
|-
|Zelos||NN||''Envy'',Jealousy,Shyness,Loneliness||Green
|-
|}


===Acedia===
===Acedia===
NN -- ''Apathy'',Boredom,Depression,Indifference
''Apathy'',Boredom,Depression,Indifference


Avatar
True Neutral,


Symbol
Symbol
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===Ankou===
===Ankou===
CN -- ''Despair'',Anguish,Dread
CN -- ''Despair'',Anguish,Dread
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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Arwenna represents the manifestation of magic and the Forge and a connection to the other realms. She is the highest and most pure realization of knowledge and magical prowess.
Arwenna represents the manifestation of magic and the Forge and a connection to the other realms. She is the highest and most pure realization of knowledge and magical prowess.
Avatar -- Arwenna takes the form of a glowing orb of warm light that pierces all shadows and stirs the air with a pleasant spring breeze. This manifestation has no physical form but can be felt with all senses.


Symbol -- Arwenna's symbol is a twelve-point star-burst in gold and silver.
Symbol -- Arwenna's symbol is a twelve-point star-burst in gold and silver.


===Erida===
===Erida===
CE -- ''Hatred'',Loathing,Rage,Fear
''Hatred'',Loathing,Rage,Fear


Avatar
Chaotic Evil, Black, Darkness
 
Symbol


===Eros===
===Eros===
CG -- ''Passion'',Arousal,Desire,Lust
CG -- ''Passion'',Arousal,Desire,Lust
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===G'Kar===
===G'Kar===
LN -- ''Disappointment'',Annoyance,Frustration
LN -- ''Disappointment'',Annoyance,Frustration
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Hotei===
===Hotei===
NG -- ''Happiness'',Contentment,Gratitude,Satisfaction
NG -- ''Happiness'',Contentment,Gratitude,Satisfaction
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Hybris===
===Hybris===
LN -- ''Boldness'',Fearlessness,Pride
LN -- ''Boldness'',Fearlessness,Pride
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol


===Irae===
===Irae===
LE -- ''Contempt'',Disgust,Pity
''Contempt'',Disgust,Pity


Avatar
Lawful Evil, Blue, Lihtning


Symbol
Symbol
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===Laetitia===
===Laetitia===
CG -- ''Joy'',Ecstasy,Euphoria,Pleasure
CG -- ''Joy'',Ecstasy,Euphoria,Pleasure
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Lyssa===
===Lyssa===
CN -- ''Panic'',Anxiety,Hysteria,Worry
CN -- ''Panic'',Anxiety,Hysteria,Worry
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Malu===
===Malu===
LE -- ''Shame'',Regret,Remorse,Embarrassment
LE -- ''Shame'',Regret,Remorse,Embarrassment
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Nedolya===
===Nedolya===
NE -- ''Sadness'',Sorrow,Suffering
NE -- ''Sadness'',Sorrow,Suffering
Avatar -- A frail old hag who lurks in the shadows.


Symbol --  
Symbol --  
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===Penthos===
===Penthos===
NE -- ''Grief'',Guilt,Loneliness,Misery
NE -- ''Grief'',Guilt,Loneliness,Misery
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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Rus'Ker is often associated with death and dying, especially in a gruesome and unexpected way. Disciples of Rus'Ker also defile the dead and more than any other priests make use of undead minions.
Rus'Ker is often associated with death and dying, especially in a gruesome and unexpected way. Disciples of Rus'Ker also defile the dead and more than any other priests make use of undead minions.
Avatar -- Rus'Ker takes the form of a hulking skinless golem of bone and muscle. His appearance is horrifying to see with broken bones and torn flesh formed in unnatural ways. He moves supernaturally fast and can change his shape to resemble any creature or person, especially somebody familiar.


Symbol -- Rus'Ker's followers identify themselves with the image of a cracked skull painted red on a black background, the eyes are starbursts of pure white.
Symbol -- Rus'Ker's followers identify themselves with the image of a cracked skull painted red on a black background, the eyes are starbursts of pure white.
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===Sekhmet===
===Sekhmet===
NE -- ''Anger'',Angst,Hostility
NE -- ''Anger'',Angst,Hostility
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Sirona===
===Sirona===
LG -- ''Love'',Affection,Hope
LG -- ''Love'',Affection,Hope
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Vor===
===Vor===
NG -- ''Curiosity'',Interest,Excitement
NG -- ''Curiosity'',Interest,Excitement
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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===Zelos===
===Zelos===
NN -- ''Envy'',Jealousy,Shyness
NN -- ''Envy'',Jealousy,Shyness
Avatar


Symbol
Symbol
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See also: [[Almanac#Cosmology|Cosmology]]
See also: [[Almanac#Cosmology|Cosmology]]


An outsider is any create from any plane other than Asmythe. Usually Dragon Priests don't have the power to summon outsiders, except from some conceptual planes. But since most outsiders are sentient they can be affected by dragon magic.
An outsider is any create from any plane other than Asmythe. Usually Dragon Priests don't have the power to summon outsiders, except from some conceptual planes. But since most outsiders are sentient they can be affected by dream magic.

Revision as of 19:09, 20 October 2021

Introduction

Religions in Asmythe are not abstract as they are on Earth, but physical beings with demonstrable power, Elder Dragons, in eternal slumber whose dreams create reality. Asmythe also has real beings, Ilthura and outsiders, of immense power that appear to be gods.

Religious practice in Asmythe is based on the power of self and the development of physical and mental discipline.

Each of the Elder Dragons is associated with a set of emotions and manifest in the world through these emotions. Dragon Priests claim to gain power from the Elder Dragons when they experience these emotions.

The Elder Dragon manifestations are ethereal and shapeless; they have no physical form or ego of their own. Yet through the thoughts and actions of the Dragon Priests they have acquired physical appearances. These physical metaphors vary as greatly as the Elder Dragons themselves; some are human or humanoid, some are animal, some are elemental, and most are a combination of each. The priests don't agree if these manifestations are facets of the Elder Dragons themselves, or apparitions created by the minds of the priest attempting to understand the ineffable.

Although Elder Dragons are universal they tend to attract disciples of a particular race, nation, of disposition. The Elder Dragons themselves aren't particular about race or nation but the races and nations are particular about their Elder Dragons. Each nation usually gives patronage to one of the six families of Dragon, the "cosmos". These cosmos are, in turn, aligned against each other.

Cosmos

The six families of Elder Dragons, the Cosmos, are aligned in three oppositions. Elder Dragons and clerics of each cosmos are eternally in conflict with the Elder Dragons and clerics of the opposed cosmos. Only Acedia is neutral.

Health vs. Pain
Health Cosmos Pain Cosmos
  • Eros
  • Hotei
  • Laetitia
  • Nedolya
  • Penthos
  • Rus'Ker
Selfless vs. Selfish
Selfless Cosmos Selfish Cosmos
  • Arwenna
  • Vor
  • Sirona
  • Malu
  • Zelos
  • Irae
Fate vs. Fanatic
Fate Cosmos Fanatic Cosmos
  • G'Kar
  • Ankou
  • Lyssa
  • Sekhmet
  • Erida
  • Hybris

Health Cosmos

Characters following this cosmos promote health, welfare, and propagation of life.

Pain Cosmos

Characters following this cosmos inflict pain, kill, and destroy life.

Selfless Cosmos

Characters following this cosmos put nature and the happiness of others above their own. They help all people, even those they don't agree with and expect no reward for their actions. Followers of the selfless cosmos are often teachers, public servants, and such.

Selfish Cosmos

Characters following this cosmos strive to become the best person they can, the richest, smartest, strongest, and most powerful. They will gladly help others, when the reward outweighs the effort.

Fate Cosmos

Characters following this cosmos believe in the one-ness of the universe, and that individuals have but a small part to play in the whole. There are no coincidences and nothing is random. Followers of the fate cosmos "go with the flow" and will actively support and encourage the natural flow of the world. "A river should not be stopped, but if a rock blocks the path then fate has chosen for it to change direction."

Fanatic Cosmos

Characters following this cosmos are dedicated to a single purpose at the expense of all else and, usually, the prosecution of those not aligned to the purpose. The specific purpose will vary greatly by but is always something "greater" than the clerics themselves.

Elder Dragons

The elder dragons are each infinitely powerful and also have a tendency toward specific aspects of thought and influence.

Dragon Alignment Influence Color
Acedia NN Apathy,Boredom,Depression,Indifference Gray
Ankou CN Despair,Anguish,Dread Teal
Arwenna LG Awe,Wonder White
Erida CE Hatred,Loathing,Rage,Fear Red
Eros CG Passion,Arousal,Desire,Lust Pink
G'Kar LN Disappointment,Annoyance,Frustration Lime
Hotei NG Happiness,Contentment,Gratitude,Satisfaction Green
Hybris LN Boldness,Fearlessness,Pride Orange
Irae LE Contempt,Disgust,Pity Brown
Laetitia CG Joy,Ecstasy,Euphoria,Pleasure Yellow
Lyssa CN Panic,Anxiety,Hysteria,Worry Violet
Malu LE Tan
Nedolya NE Sadness,Sorrow,Suffering Blue
Penthos NE Grief,Guilt,Misery Purple
Rus'Ker CE Terror,Shock,Surprise,Horror Black
Sekhmet NE Anger,Angst,Hostility Red
Sirona LG Love,Affection,Hope Yellow
Vor NG Curiosity,Interest,Excitement Silver
Zelos NN Envy,Jealousy,Shyness,Loneliness Green

Acedia

Apathy,Boredom,Depression,Indifference

True Neutral,

Symbol

Ankou

CN -- Despair,Anguish,Dread

Symbol

Arwenna

LG -- Awe,Wonder

Arwenna represents the manifestation of magic and the Forge and a connection to the other realms. She is the highest and most pure realization of knowledge and magical prowess.

Symbol -- Arwenna's symbol is a twelve-point star-burst in gold and silver.

Erida

Hatred,Loathing,Rage,Fear

Chaotic Evil, Black, Darkness

Eros

CG -- Passion,Arousal,Desire,Lust

Symbol

G'Kar

LN -- Disappointment,Annoyance,Frustration

Symbol

Hotei

NG -- Happiness,Contentment,Gratitude,Satisfaction

Symbol

Hybris

LN -- Boldness,Fearlessness,Pride

Symbol

Irae

Contempt,Disgust,Pity

Lawful Evil, Blue, Lihtning

Symbol

Laetitia

CG -- Joy,Ecstasy,Euphoria,Pleasure

Symbol

Lyssa

CN -- Panic,Anxiety,Hysteria,Worry

Symbol

Malu

LE -- Shame,Regret,Remorse,Embarrassment

Symbol

Nedolya

NE -- Sadness,Sorrow,Suffering

Symbol --

Penthos

NE -- Grief,Guilt,Loneliness,Misery

Symbol

Rus'Ker

CE -- Terror,Shock,Surprise,Horror

Rus'Ker is often associated with death and dying, especially in a gruesome and unexpected way. Disciples of Rus'Ker also defile the dead and more than any other priests make use of undead minions.

Symbol -- Rus'Ker's followers identify themselves with the image of a cracked skull painted red on a black background, the eyes are starbursts of pure white.

Sekhmet

NE -- Anger,Angst,Hostility

Symbol

Sirona

LG -- Love,Affection,Hope

Symbol

Vor

NG -- Curiosity,Interest,Excitement

Symbol

Zelos

NN -- Envy,Jealousy,Shyness

Symbol

Outsiders

See also: Cosmology

An outsider is any create from any plane other than Asmythe. Usually Dragon Priests don't have the power to summon outsiders, except from some conceptual planes. But since most outsiders are sentient they can be affected by dream magic.