Comments on: Religion in Fantasy Worlds

By: Fitz

Fitz — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:39:39 +0000

@Mark – Alignment is sooooo much fun. I’ve had that debate before. We’ve gone to using a mix of alignment and allegiances in the D&D 3.5e game we’re playing, but I have to say I’m not a fan of the “good vs. evil” thing myself. I find myself squarely in the gray… somewhere.

I like putting good characters in bad situations from time to time myself, so I certainly get that aspect. Roleplaying. [gasp] What a concept.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:09:56 +0000

As for the malevolent vs. benevolent… that’s where people get hung up on the crazy idea of an Alignment being all inclusive. Another topic for another time but suffice to say even the most law abiding, generous individuals can be pushed into action they would never consider under the right circumstances. Nudging a character into choosing actions outside of their view of morality could happen easily in such a world. Doing so would invoke the RP in RPG. It has the potential to be a thing of beauty.

By: Fitz

Fitz — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:00:54 +0000

@Mark – No worries at all. I like it when topics raise my interest.

I think a game with active gods would be very interesting. I toyed with the idea of a world where gods walk among the people and mortal cities clamor to be a “Godcity” where a god once lived… Imagine the destruction that would result if some of these wandering gods had armies of followers and fought repeatedly over the millennia.

As for malevolent vs. benevolent – that’s an interesting point. I’ll have to ponder that one.

By: Fitz

Fitz — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:58:32 +0000

@Zzarchov – I have to say Miracles are one of the areas I’m struggling a bit with in my own system. Rules for miracles are tough to balance with the rest of things. How do you adjust the rules to make this work in your games?

By: Fitz

Fitz — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:57:30 +0000

@Sean Holland – Though I’ve understood the motivations of many priestly NPCs with strong convictions, I’ve never played one myself. I tend to shy away towards exploring the faithful side of things with my own tendency towards agnosticism/atheism. But I can say without a doubt that the NPCs are fun. I think having a strong vision of the character makes a huge difference.

I’m definitely with you on not pushing the religion aspect on the PCs. In the Immortals Wake world, I have to say it’s a bit more front and center than some might like. But the gray area Church members inhabit in the world is what gives it the ever-present potential for conflict – which is fun to GM and play.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:53:13 +0000

First off, thanks for the comment and ping back over at KORE RPG.

As for playability, I agree that the general notion of playing the benevolent side of clerics or paladins isn’t a very fulfilling role. One can only garner a limited amount of play out helping the sick and the dying. After a few game sessions, during the down times, it’ll just be accepted that’s what the character is going to do. Something overt in the campaign needs to be in the game to make it a note worthy task.

Apparently, I’m of an opinion on the topic that isn’t common. A game with active, vying gods could catapult the game play of the religious oriented classes upward. Consider a world where gods derive power, in part, from the number of believers and followers. Now battles will ensue to convert the unbelievers, destroy the opposing god’s followers, etc. If one god could eliminate another through the actions of his devoted and gain additional power, what would happen?

I can see a few of my players being on the malevolent side in such a setting. Yet its not uncommon for the benevolent to become malevolent when their faith, power and lives are stake.

By: Zzarchov

Zzarchov — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:48:45 +0000

In my case I make religion a bigger deal, but the rules for miracles were substantially altered to make focusing on priestly duties (not mobile mash) the default behaviour.

http://zzarchov.blogspot.com/2009/06/there-is-candy-at-bottom-of-this-post.html
.-= Zzarchov´s last blog ..Project Xenophon =-.

By: Sean Holland

Sean Holland — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:19:10 +0000

I have to have a really clear idea of a faithful character (cleric/paladin/whatever) before I am comfortable playing such a character. But when I have a strong vision of such a character, they have been a lot of fun to play. It depends on what the players want out of a campaign. While religion is always a subtext to my campaign worlds, it usually only plays a major role if the players want it too. .-= Sean Holland´s last blog ..Through the Lens of History 3 – Winter Festivals of Old Europe =-.