Religions of the Realm

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A brief outline of the religions of a home-made D&D campaign setting using the major deities from the 3.5 source-books.

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Imperial Cities and lawful good peoples of various Indepedant Baronies
Light of Pelor
Religion Type: polytheism (very patriarchal)
Direction: inwards
Focus: freedom from the darkness of sin and disorder
Ruling Deities: Pelor: God of the un ! "ictory and t# $uth%ert: &ringer of 'aw ! Punishment
'esser Deities: (ee )as: Godess of *ssassins+ ,erull: God of "engeance ! -vil+ .eironeous !
.e/tor: &rothers of (ar+ and Fharlanghn: God of 0issionaries ! $rossroads
Divine interaction is in response to a chosen few+ granting divine spells which are referred to as
1miracles1
2nvolves strict rules enforced %y state laws
The afterlife is a peaceful place for the good and cannot %e reached while alive
*rcane 0agic and the upernatural are considered witchcraft and potential heresy or sin
(orship consists of 3oyous group prayer+ mostly on holidays
.olidays are very few
.olidays $ele%rate heroes+ saints+ the harvest
0a3or .olidays involve great feasts
$lergy: Paladins are traditionally males only4 $lerics are %oth male and female+ %ut males are
usually %attle priests and law%ringers while female priestesses are healers and soothsayers
Function as missionaries+ 3udges+ front5line medics+ healers of the sick+ soothsayers
'ifestyle is average (lvl 6 7 8) to opulent (lvl 9 7 :) depending on rank (*colyte+ Priest+
'aw%ringer+ &attle Priest+ .igh Priest)
Familes are encouraged %y divine mandate+ so most are somewhat large
$hosen via divine revelation (%y priests)
Distinguished %y a special dietary code+ they eat no meat of wild (not domesticated) %easts+
which is encouraged %ut not strictly mandated to the community of %elievers#
The main holy sym%ol is a representation of the firey mane of a lion surrounding the face of a
strong5featured man
.oly $olors are yellow and white
Passed down via one holy %ook+ the &ook of the un+ with much commentary in the divine tomes
of the saints
$reation myth envolves emergence from conflu/ of the ancient Gods; essences+ shaped %y
cosmic warfare and divine intervention
0ortals; origin was accidental as a result of elemental reactions+ %esides certain saints who are
physical incarnations of a diety;s will
0a3or myths and themes are %etrayal %y once5%enign magics+ the sacrifice %y fire of a homeland+
and the 3ourney to lush new lands
Deadly sins are pride+ self5in3ury+ selfishness+ irresponsi%ility+ and neglect
*ssociated artform is instrumental music and chanted group prayers
$oming of *ge: 6< years old for males and females+ who %egin training in a craft+ apprenticing for
a trade+ or serving at a temple# *t 6: males may legally marry with writ of %lessing
from the local temple+ %e conscripted+ have de%t+ and own property
*t 6: years old females may legally marry with writ of consent from a temple+ and
face much socio5religious pressure to do so+ however+ a significant num%er of
women in the 2mperial $ities run %usinesses or work in other professions#
$oming of age rite inolves cleansing in ceremonial waters at the local temple
0arriage usually involves a transfer of wealth from the %ride;s father to the groom
0arriage rites involve lengthy prayers and e/otic animal sacrifices
Death rites last up to a week and included a time of prayer for the deceased;s spirit;s safe travel
across the planes
0a3or ta%oo is heresy+ punisha%le %y imprisonments and hefty fines
Prevalence: %elieved %y many
=utsiders and non%elievers are forced to keep a low profile+ %oth evil and chaotic groups are
forced into hiding
Hafling Towns
Yondalla's Gift
Religion Type: monotheism
Direction: outwards
Focus: neigh%orly love and compassion
Ruling Deities: >ondalla the Provider+ Goddess of &lessed .arvests
*dditionally+ many halflings that live in the forests or especially close to elves tend to
show deference and even offer songs and poems of worship to -hlonna+ the goddess of the
woodlands#
Divine interaction is usually su%tle and climate5related on the %ehalf of the halfling people+
supernaturally ensuring healthy seasons and %ountiful harvests throughout the area of >ondalla;s
influence
2nvolves loose guidelines for fair and compassionate dealing with others+ and encourages charity
and %eneficience
The afterlife is a %eautiful endless sunlit meadow overflowing with nature;s %ounty and free of all
pain and discord
*rcane 0agic and the upernatural are somewhat common in low5level forms+ while e/otic
magics are the realm of children;s5tales
(orship consists of folk songs and poems passed down from generation to generation+ and is
spontaneous and voluntary
.olidays are common+ at least ten in a month
.olidays cele%rate folk heroes+ historical and fictional events+ agricultural seasons+ and the
alignments of certain constellations
0a3or .olidays involve %oisterous family gatherings and reunions+ fueled %y hearty food and
copious amounts of alchohol
$lergy: &oth genders 5 Paladins are rare+ and $lerics tend to stay close to halfling lands where
they can minister to their people
Function as teachers and mentors in the community+ inspiring young halflings with fa%les on
morality and ethics+ as well as healers
'ifestyle is average and unassuming+ like most halflings
Familes are the %ack%one of halfling culture+ so most are massive and convoluted+ %ut the family
trees are carefully recorded
$hosen and ordained %y elders in the local community
Distinguished %y a wreath of fresh produce handwoven+ from a simple circlet of woven grape
stems to ela%orate headresses full of fruits and vegeta%les
The main holy sym%ol is a cornucopia+ or horn or plenty+ filled and overflowing with lush+ healthy
produce
.oly $olors are green and yellow
Passed down via oral tradtions involving poetry and folk songs
$reation myth envolves the shaping of an immense %asin inside of which the land has %een
layered and crafted %y >ondalla;s hands
0ortals; origins are different from species to species+ with the halflings %eing formed from the
earth %y >ondalla+ while elves come from the trees+ dwarves and gnomes from the rock+ and
humans are thought of as once halflings who escewed the lands of their origin in search of
glory and wealth
0a3or myths and themes are strength of united community+ protection of the weak+ and provision
for the needy
Deadly sins are selfishness+ cruelty+ arrogance+ and wastefulness
*ssociated artform is spoken poetry and folk songs
$oming of *ge: <? years for %oth males and females+ at which point they are considered fully
responsi%le adults
$oming of age rite inolves a large family cele%ration and a song or poem composed and
presented %y the young person
0arriage usually involves many couples on the same holy day in a massive festival that attracts
the surrounding countryside
0arriage rites involve the entire community showering the assem%led newlyweds with various
gifts %oth personal and practical
Death rites last up to 9@ hours and involve an overnight vigil to sym%olically protect the %ody of
the deceased from wild %easts+ %efore it is returned to the land via unmarked %urial+ usually in an
%eautiful open field of wild grass
0a3or ta%oo is knowingly %ringing harm to the halfling community as a whole+ or one;s family
especially
Prevalence: %elieved %y almost all halflings+ %ut more of a cutural phenomena than a set of
dogma
=utsiders and non%elievers are treated with courtesy and are welcome+ so long as they cause no
harm or discord
Elven Groves of the High Elves
Silvered a!est" of Corellon Larethian the Prote#tor
Religion Type: polytheism
Direction: inwards
Focus: emulation of the diety through meditation and constant serenity
Ruling Deities: $orellon 'arethian the Ruler of *ll -lves
'esser Deities: each great ruler of the elves is considered to have ascended to diety after death+
and is revered with prayers
Divine interaction is only in response to the most dire of circumstances+ or granted as favors to
great leaders or powerful clerics
2nvolves the possi%ility of e/communication and %anishment from all high5elf communities+
including those in the ne/t world+ at the decree of a ruler or high cleric#
The afterlife is a massive silver city on the edge of a glassy sea+ where serenity and peaceful
contemplation are perpetual+ and can %e reached without physically dying through mental and
spiritual transcendance
*rcane 0agic and the upernatural are studied and sought to %e understood in the hope that
they may %ring a more complete understanding of the cosmos and perhaps a way to
transcend the %arrier %etween this life and the one %eyond
(orship is solemn group prayer on holidays+ while each elf meditates nightly and often uses this
as time to commune with their diety
.olidays are very rare+ not often tied to a yearly calendar+ %ut rather a cosmic calendar which
cylces every few decades
.olidays cele%rate historical events and great rulers or academics
0a3or .olidays are very solemn times+ and sometimes involve pilgrimages to certain holy sites
$lergy: &oth genders
Function as instructors and role models for younger mem%ers of the community+ often mediates
disputes with outsiders+ researchers
'ifestyle is stately and serenely elegant
Familes are rare among the clergy even %y elf standards+ their dedication to dispassion and
serenity often precludes romance
They are not so much chosen+ %ut more so they commit themselves to this lifestyle as they
mature
Distinguished %y special clothing+ made almost e/clusively from a silver cloth woven under
moonlight
The main holy sym%ol is a moon entwined %y leafy vines
.oly $olor is silver
Passed down via written record compiled+ clarified+ and safegaurded %y generations of sages
$reation myths of other races are regarded as fairy5tales+ the elves claim that the lands and
cosmos have e/isted since long %efore the first creature ever sprang forth
0ortals; origins are a result of cosmic war+ in which several armies of devine and infernal %eings
used the lifeless realm as a %attlefield+ their %lood infusing the earth and spawning all types
of creatures and plants
0a3or myths+ or more acurately+ ancient records descri%e an enormous elven empire spanning
doAens of islands across a vast icy sea+ that was o%literated in the %link of eye %y a series of
massive tidal waves which flooded the entire plane+ leaving the few survivors to float or fly in
search of a new land to settle
Deadly sins are materialism and e/treme emotion
.igh virtues are knowledge and serenity
*ssociated artform is the written word in the form of tomes upon tomes of records
$oming of *ge: 6?? years old
$oming of age rite involves a rigorous test of knowledge and mental a%ilities
0arriage is uncommon among high elves+ %ut is arranged %y community elders if they deem it
%eneficial
0arriage rites are solemn and ceremonial
Death rites reBuire the deceased;s closest friends setting the shrouded %ody off to %e %uried at
sea in a small %oat+ while those that reach the limit of their natural lifespan usually simply
dissapate into moonlight and transcend into the ne/t world
0a3or ta%oo is mental disa%ility+ which is regarded as a crippling condition that strips an elf of their
chance at trancedence
Prevalence: %elieved %y virtually all high elves
=utsiders and non%elievers are more often ignored than anything else+ wood elves are scorned
and ridiculed %ehind their %acks
Elven Groves of the $ood Elves
Ehlonna's Path
Religion Type: polytheism (slightly matriarchal)
Direction: outwards
Focus: harmony with the woodlands and its creatures
Ruling Deities: -hlonna of the Forests
'esser Deities: $ertain celestial %easts which are referred to as 1god1 of their respective species
Divine interaction is part of most rituals and is common wherever a Druid+ $leric+ or Paladin of
-hlonna is near
2nvolves the conveyance of messages and guidance through visons or dreams which are often
cryptic and must %e interpreted
The afterlife for worshippers of -hlonna is specific+ cannot %e reach while alive+ and
consists of an endless forest+ %ursting with life and perfect in its harmony+ where all those
separated in life will %e reunited
*rcane 0agic and the upernatural are considered dangerous and are often treated with
suspicion and distrust
(orship is solemn individual sacrifices+ which reBuires a token amount of any resource claimed
from the land to %e returned to it as repayment+ and can mean going hungry to feed the cu%
of a creature slain even in self5defense
.olidays are fairly common+ at least twice a month
.olidays cele%rate phases of the moon or sun+ and seasonal changes
0a3or .olidays include e/changes of gifts+ e/tending to woodland creatures in the area+ who are
often divinely inspired to do likewise
$lergy: &oth genders %ut favors females
Function as teachers and caretakers of the young+ gaurdians and maintainers of shrines+
protectors of forests and their inha%itants
'ifestyle is simple and in harmony with nature+ living off the forests and alongside its creatures
Familes are rare+ and the few children are raised %y the community as a whole+ %eing taught
survival skills from a young age
They are not so much chosen+ %ut more so they commit themselves to this lifestyle as they
mature
Distinguished %y their location+ which is e/clusively woodland areas+ they dislike to stray far from
the trees which they love
The main holy sym%ol a white unicorn
.oly $olor is white and green
Passed down from one generation to the ne/t through stories and %allads
$reation myths is that the universe sprang out of endless chaos in a flash and powerful spirits
shaped it and took up dominion over certain areas+ creating life in their images
0ortals; origins are a result of chaotic divine e/perimentation with life and the %reeding of various
su%seBuent creatures
0a3or myths involve an endless series of para%les and %allads descri%ing how and why different
creatures %ehave the way they do+ what the origins and effects of different plants and her%s
are+ fantastic tales a%out fey+ and the origins and adventures of the celestial %easts#
Deadly sins are wastefulness+ cruelty+ unfairness+ and disregard for life
.igh virtues are resourcefulness+ mercy+ fairness+ loyalty+ and %ravery
*ssociated artform is woodworking+ focusing on ornate shrines+ treehouses+ and masterwork
arms
$oming of *ge: @? years old
$oming of age rite involves personal meditation and the completion of a Buest
0arriage is seen as unnecessary
0ating rites are somewhat informal
Death rites involve dividing the deceased;s property up among those close to him or her+ with a
certain portion %eing returned to the forest from which it came+ %efore %urying the remains in
the forest of his or her %irth
0a3or ta%oo is unecessary killing
Prevalence: %elieved %y all wood elves and many other woodland inha%itants
=utsiders and non%elievers are feared and often driven away+ with e/ceptions for other elves+
druids+ some half5elves and halflings
%warven Halls
oradin& The 'll()ather
Religion Type: monotheism (slightly patriarchal)
Direction: outwards
Focus: great deeds
Ruling Deities: Dwarffather 0oradin the oulforger
Divine interaction is an everyday occurence in dwarven templeforges+ where holy fire %urns
incessantly through divine power
2nvolves many sects relating to different aspects of the diety+ usually focusing on a particular type
of stone+ metal+ or gem work
The afterlife is a special hall for heroes and can %e reached %y the living with great difficulty
upernatural and the *rcane are regarded as completely natural and to %e e/pected from the
endless variety of 0oradin forge
(orship consists of 3oyous individual daily prayers+ preffera%ly in a temple of their own sect
.olidays are few+ three or four per decade
.olidays cele%rate the greatest of dwarves+ %e they rulers+ priests+ warriors+ craftsmen+ or
enchanters+ on the mellinium anniversary of their %irth
0a3or .olidays feature solemn ceremonies during the day+ %ut are followed %y an evening of
riotous cele%ration and parties that sometimes last for up to a week
$lergy: &oth genders+ favor males
Function as community and sect leaders+ tend the templeforges+ settle disputes+ and act as
commanders in %attle
'ifestyle is average %ut comes with a great deal of respect
Familes are small+ %ut strongly knit and often with impressive lineages
Divine calling appoints certain family lines to the clergy
Distinguished %y a prominently displayed holy sym%ol and their weapon of choice+ the
warhammer
The main holy sym%ol is a hammer and anvil
.oly $olors are %rown+ grey+ gold+ and silver
Passed down on large stone ta%lets displayed prominently in templeforges
$reation myth envolves 0oradin cutting away and shaping his very flesh into the rocks and earth+
%uilding the entirety of e/istence as a forge in which to craft his ultimate invention+ the
soul
0ortals; origins is divine+ each creature %eing crafted after its kind in 0oradin;s forge+ some gifted
with heroic souls
0a3or myths and themes are oneness with the universe through common origin+ the eternal
nature of %oth the mortal and immortal realms+ self5sacrifice for the greater good+ and heroic
deeds %eing rewarded in kind# The dwarves also hold that the central mountain range which
they inha%it is a construst fashioned %y 0oradin in his likeness after their homelands were
destroyed %y dragonfire+ floods+ and the tectonic shifting of the very earth
Deadly sins are cowardice+ greed+ unrelia%ility
Great virtues include creativity+ %ravery+ self5sacrifice
*ssociated artforms are intricate and masterful stone and metal work
$oming of *ge: 9? years for %oth males and females+ at which point they are considered fully
responsi%le adults
$oming of age rite inolves the culmination of a crafting pro3ect the young dwarf will have %een
preparing for nearly <? years
0arriage is an honor and a privilage won %y completing some great task or Buest put forth %y the
clan leaders
0arriage rites involve much gift5giving %etween the family mem%ers on %oth sides+ and features a
formal temple ceremony
Death rites include %urial inside of rock+ %e it a carved tom% or a pile of stones+ with the
deceased;s priAed possesions alongside
0a3or ta%oo is dishonor of family or clan+ which usually results in disownment and
e/communication
Prevalence: %elieved %y virtually all dwarves
,on%eliever dwarves are few and do %est to keep their opinions hidden lest their communities
find out and punish the heresy
=utsiders are treated with courtesy and are heartily welcomed to the trade halls and taverns+ %ut
kept away from most aspects of life
Gnome Holds
Garl Glittergold of the Spar*ling $it
Religion Type: monotheism
Direction: inwards
Focus: %ettering oneself
Ruling Deities: Garl Glittergold the )oker
Divine interaction is through signs and supernatural messengers
2nvolves different levels of initiation+ each %ringing with it knowledge of new powers and increased
status
The afterlife is spread throughout several different planes+ one;s destination depending on the
status and alignment of one;s spirit
upernatural and the *rcane are studied closely and used to %etter the gnomes as individuals
and a culture
(orship consists of 3oyous group prayers at shrines
.olidays are fairly rarely+ once every other month or so
.olidays cele%rate past heroes+ important historical events+ and legendary practical 3okes
0a3or .olidays are week5long affairs spent rela/ing+ consuming copious amount of food and
wine+ and the planning and e/ecution of ela%orate practical 3okes
$lergy: &oth genders+ though few females gravitate towards this field+ and almostl e/clusively
$lerics rather than Paladins
Function as inBuisitors against evil magic+ referees during the potentially disruptive holiday
pranks+ and healers to the in3ured
'ifestyle ranges depending on status within the clerical heirarchy+ %ut is usually slightly a%ove5
average
Familes are for%idden to the clergy+ as it is deemed a potential source of %ias in thier 3udgements
$hosen via divine revelation+ %ut voluntary
Distinguished %y special clothes featuring hanging tassels with small mineral and precious stones
sewn on their ends
The main holy sym%ol is a lump of fool;s gold
.oly $olors are gold and teal
Passed down via a few holy %ooks which outline the laws+ roles+ and responsi%ilities of gnome
society
$reation myth envolves the alchemical separation of the various elements into layers of earth+ air+
water+ and fire
The gnomes hold that Garl himeslf discovered the first gnomes as a lifeless rocks+ and infused
his own %lood with the stones to %ring them to life+ then lead them out of the deepest caverns
and up to the shallow depths where they still reside
0a3or myths and themes involve the clockwork perfection of stars and the work of gnome
alchemists and inventors throughout the ages to capture or duplicate that perfection+ and
the cosmic pranks Garl has wrought upon the dieties of other races
Deadly sins are sloth+ stupidity+ apathy
Great virtues include wit+ creativity+ confidence+ intelligence
*ssociated artforms are chanting and intricate magical illusions
$oming of *ge: 8? years for %oth males and females+ at which point they are considered fully
responsi%le adults
$oming of age rite inolves leading a pu%lic ceremony while gracefully enduring a %arrage of
practical 3okes and good5natured 3i%es
0arriage is usually caused %y pregnancy
0arriage rites involve long speeches and toasts given %y progressively higher5ranking family
mem%ers
Death rites are very private+ usually restricted to immediate family+ and last one day %efore the
%ody is %urnt and crushed to dust
0a3or ta%oos are pu%lic displays of affection+ poor hygiene+ laAiness
Prevalence: %elieved %y most gnomes
,on%elievers are pranked more cruelly in gnome communities+ especially on holidays
=utsiders are tolerated for the tradegoods and knowledge they %ring+ %ut may find themselves
%eing unapologetically taken advantage of %y the typically sly and crafty gnomes
+ntamed Lands

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