In an earlier post, I talked about why you should include religion in your campaign, and reviewed Eventyr Games’ publication “Devotion and Divinity”, and in my last post, I described the Mystara canon, and what I took from it when developing my first 5e campaign based in the Grand Duchy of Karameikos.
Since then, that campaign has ended and a new one has now been running for about 18 months. So far I have established that the temple of Khoronus is based in Akorros, and added a wing to the temple dedicated to Chardastes the healer. The paladin and now a new cleric worship Ixion the sun god. But I’ve been feeling something was missing, and after reading Eventyr Games’ publication “Devotion and Divinity” (reviewed in the earlier post), and reviewing what I did for my first campaign, I have realised I need to know the local pantheon better. So this is me fleshing it out for me and my players, and offering it to you as another worked example.
Again, a lot of this has effectively been inherited from the BECMI ruleset and the gazetteers, since my campaigns are based on the Mystara world described there. I have changed other rules to fit in with 5E, but this Immortal setup works well for me.
Religion in Darokin
GAZ 11 The Republic of Darokin has minimal discussion of religion. In fact, it’s short enough to quote here in its entirety:
Darokin is a land of diversity. Its history is one of many different peoples and races coming to the “Land of Leftovers” from many different realms. Even today, Darokin traders go throughout the Known World, and merchants from all across the Known World visit the Republic. This incredible mixing of cultural influences has led to a great tolerance of religious diversity in Darokin. As a result, nearly every religion known to intelligent life in the Known World is practiced in Darokin.
Thus there is obviously no “state” religion in Darokin. Religious preference is an intensely personal subject and business associates may work together for years without knowing each other’s religion. And just as individuals respect each others’ choice of religion, so do the religions themselves. There are no rivalries, crusades, or holy wars between religions in Darokin.
Of course, some religions are more discreet in their practices than others, especially those that follow evil deities. While some lawful evil religions (the charming, non-violent ones) operate in public, the darker, more violent ones remain underground. As long as their activities are not too blatant, the authorities tend to look the other way.
GAZ 11 The Republic of Darokin, DM’s Guide p30
So that gives me nothing other than free reign…
I established early in my development of Akorros that Khoronus was the patron immortal of the city, and I also established that a wing of the temple had been given to the healers of Chardastes and acted as the main hospital for the city, although there are smaller clinics spread throughout the poorer areas of Akorros, marked by a bell with no clapper fixed above the door.
One of the founder characters of the new Akorros campaign was a cleric of Chardastes, and another was a paladin of Ixion, the sun god. The cleric has now “returned to the church to progress her studies” (i.e. the player had to leave), but the paladin continues, and we have just acquired a new cleric of Ixion. The party have also just stumbled across an old, deserted, probably desecrated, shrine to Ixion a few days travel out of town – serendipity; one of Heroic Maps’ awesome battlemaps had a symbol that resembled the sun emblem of Ixion. I’m curious to find how this develops through the campaign…
Here’s what I have developed for my players.
Religion in Akorros
That said, there are several religions with a greater presence in Akorros, and here’s a highlight of the more known.
Asterius
Asterius is the most important immortal in Darokin. He is the patron of Darokin City and the most widely worshipped immortal in the nation. Asterius is the god of wealth, of commerce, communication and travel, all the ideals that our nation is known for. Asterius is also god of the moon, and patron of thieves. His temples are found all over the nation with the most impressive one in the capital city.
In addition to the temples, small altars to Asterius are found alongside the major roads in the country; they can be recognised by the crescent moon behind an offering bowl. Prayers to Asterius are made before any business transaction or before and after a caravan journey. It is said that thieves utter a silent prayer to Asterius before picking a lock, but this isn’t a certain fact. The dominance of the church of Asterius is the reason that thievery is not considered a major crime in Darokin.
In Akorros, the temple of Asterius is in a prime position half-way down Toney Plaza, with an imposing pillared entrance, leading to a courtyard where a fountain is enchanted so the water droplets spraying into the air appear as daros and tentrids, splashing back down into a moon-shaped pool. The main hall, overlooked by a 15’-tall platinum crescent moon on the wall behind the altar, is large enough to seat a couple of hundred people for the Soladain services. Asterius is said to appear as a corpulent middle-aged man in ancient robes; his adherents enthusiastically adopt this look.
Khoronus
Khoronus, or Father Time, as he is known to most people, is the patron of Akorros. Khoronus is the god of time, knowledge, history, education and rulership and to some extent of the changing seasons. He is worshipped by scholars and rulers, historians and students. Khoronus’ priests are often charged with the rituals of birth and burial, which bestows to them great influence on the populace.
The most impressive temple of Khoronus is found in Akorros, on the tip of Khoronus Island directly in view across the inlet from Toney Plaza. The massive hourglass behind its altar marks off the minutes and turns itself every hour; this also moves the single hand of a clock marking the hours which stands high on the front of the temple in full view of the harbour and Toney Plaza. The Church of Khoronus teaches patience, wisdom and farsightedness in all dealings, recognising that the best decisions are made calmly once all aspects have been considered, for a decision made in haste without full knowledge of the situation can only be optimal by chance.
It promotes knowledge and education for all, for a solid understanding is the underpinning of good choices, and it encourages study of history, to learn from both the successes and mistakes of the past to inform better decisions for the future. To this end, the Temple of Khoronus houses one of the largest libraries on the continent, drawing rich and poor alike to study in its tomes.
Priests of the Church of Khoronus see themselves more as teachers than shepherds. It is not their place to make decisions for their supplicants. The priest doesn’t know the innermost details of the supplicant’s life and desires. The priest’s place is to provide the supplicants with the information they need so that they can make and own their own decisions. As they say, “a priest may advise, but never gives advice.”
Khoronus is said to appear as a tall, stately man with long flowing white hair and white beard, dressed in white robes which can appear almost insignificant, or shine so brightly they dazzle.
Ixion
Ixion, otherwise known as the Sun Prince, is also a very important immortal in Darokin. Ixion drives the sun across the sky, giving warmth and life whilst banishing darkness. Large temples of Ixion can be found in all major cities; the temple in Akorros is on the northern side of Redcliffe Market, just to the south of Toney Rock. Small towns and villages have small altars in which sacrifices can be made to Ixion. Farmers usually sacrifice some of their first crops to Ixion as thanks for the sunlight that helped grow the crops. During the Spring Equinox (Nuwmont 2nd) the priests of Ixion organize great feasts and dances to hasten the arrival of spring.
Ixion is interested in knowledge for its own sake, and dictates a simple ethical code to his followers: seek peace but be harsh in war; deny aid to the forces of Entropy; and give Ixion (under whatever name) his due. The lintel of his temple and the imposing double doors of the entrance bear the image of a flaming sun, and his priests and adherents also wear this symbol on their robes, shields and surplices.
Ixion is said to appear with golden hair so bright that it is hard to look at, flaming eye-sockets, and glowing golden skin. He dresses in light robes of bright-glowing golden silk. He carries a flaming warhammer as his symbol of power.
The local Akorros chapter is led by Raimon Castel, a bull of a man in his 40s, the effect emphasised by bushy dark brown hair which curls round his ears almost like horns. Raimon stands proud at 6’1 and 18 stone (150kg, 250lb), his muscles bulking under his white Ixian robes. When expecting trouble, he dons chain mail and wields a massive mace double-handed. He has dedicated his church to the Watchers, guarding against the incursions of the forces of entropy, and in particular to followers of Thanatos, Ixion’s sworn enemy.
Chardastes
The Church of Khoronus concentrates on learning and education, and teaches the rhythm of the seasons, the cycle of life and death, respect for life, and acceptance of death when it comes. While its clerics, naturally, enjoy and employ healing magic to aid people who might otherwise die prematurely, healing is not the primary focus of the church. And so it may be considered surprising to find a whole wing of the Temple of Khoronus dedicated to healing and to the study of maintaining and restoring health and life.
The patron Immortal of healers is Chardastes. He (or she) was a magic user from the former Traladara (now The Grand Duchy of Karameikos ) who studied the use of herbs, plants and natural ingredients in curing ailments and disease, and founded the Healing Order for others to study the same. He became an Immortal of the Sphere of Time, and used his new position to fight diseases which could harm mortal races. He charges his followers to offer their services to anyone, and not to accept payment in return.
The Chardastes wing was founded by Celia Rebello, a minor member of the Toney family who was nursed back to health by the Healing Order of Chardastes after a severe beating, and became ordained as a fully-fledged cleric of Chardastes. Returning to her home town of Akorros, she was determined to do something for the afflications of the poorer people of Akorros, but because of her oath, she needed some way to survive while doing so. Under the guidance of Chardastes, she approached the Archbishop of Khoronus, who (under guidance from Khoronus) gave her the use of a wing of the temple.
A plague came upon Akorros and people were dying in droves. Celia, under guidance of Chardastes, developed a cure which saved the population of the city, particularly the poor. In recognition of this, the archbishop made over the whole west wing of the temple for her use, dedicated to the service of Chardastes, and provided living for her and all those who joined her in her endeavours, on condition that she treat or train anyone who asked, and that she build a library devoted to healing within the wing.
Now the wing has fourteen trained disciples of Chardastes, with several hundred who have trained over the years and moved out as itinerant healers. It has three main treatment rooms, plus two wards with beds for up to thirty and various smaller rooms for consultations. Many people over the years have been “taken under the Wing of Chardastes”. There are also twenty small clinics spread throughout the poorer areas of Akorros, marked by a bell with no clapper affixed above the door.
Meistria, The Queen of the Streets
While many beggars pay lip service to Asterius, there is a class of the streetliving community who follow The Queen of the Streets, and are often known by the sobriquet “Mistress (or Master) of the Streets”. They are far from honest, but her believers hold themselves to a higher ethical standard than common thugs – they won’t kill for money, they don’t steal from the very poor or the vulnerable. The pride themselves on individual skill at the trade as opposed to organised crime, which they see as less ‘clean’ than pickpocketing, cat burglaring, or running a good old fashioned swindle on those who can afford to lose the money.
The Queen of the Streets is said to appear in dark alleyways, either as a black cat with blood-red eyes, or as an ebony-skinned woman covered in a black cloak and hood with a deep cowl. In both representations she slinks silently and stealthily through the city. Shrines are often disguised among graffiti-covered walls, always with a stylised representation of a black cat, and adherents will spend a few moments in silent reflection in front of such an image.
Some researchers speculate that she is actually an aspect of Korotiku the Spider, but no-one has definitely proved the connection. However, this would fit with his goal in Immortality: to shake up the lives of the complacent, to make the pompous look silly, to shatter illusions, to reward the clever and self-sufficient. These traits are all related to his Sphere, Thought: every time he shatters an illusion, he forces someone to think about his or her beliefs; every time he makes someone look silly, he forces that individual to reconsider his or her values; every time he startles the calm, he shocks that person out of a non-thinking state. His true goal is to trick or convince every sentient thing to think about everything as much as possible; he simply prefers to manifest his goal through seemingly-random pranks and mischief.
Tarastia
Tarastia is the patroness of Justice and Revenge. Usually depicted holding up scales in her right hand and with a grounded sword in her left hand (representing the two aspects), the Church of Karameikos is dedicated to her. She is associated with the colour blue – a rich blue like the blue of the sky on a summer day, and the main church of Karameikos in Specularum has an 8-foot statue of her carved in marble with her robes magically stained blue. It is one of the tourist sights of the capital. She is also said to appear as a blue-barred raven from time to time, and is associated with the lily – flower of fragrance and funerals.
She always looks imposing and imperious. Her teaching are those of the Church of Karameikos. Her clerics can call on her for assistance in impartial judgement of cases and commensurate penances and punishments, which they are expected to then carry out and enforce. They are also expected to look out for and deal with injustices in society.
Although there is no temple to Tarastia as such in Akorros, the major law courts on Toney Plaza have her likeness above the door, and her wisdom is invoked before any hearing.
Halav
The worship of this immortal came from Traladara in ancient times. Since than Halav has become the most important god of war in Darokin. He is patron of heroes and soldiers and all that wield a sword. Halav is the slayer of trolls, orcs and all that is savage. Halav is the Patron of the warlike city of Corunglain, and also has a large temple in the capital and Selenica.
Halav was a fighter in his former life, now an Immortal of the Sphere of Thought. His favourite aspect is as a 7’ muscular man with generous (but not long) curly golden-brown beard, shoulder-length hair and a huge battleaxe. He has a golden aura. He is also said to appear as a huge golden eagle or an enormous golden-haired bear. He inspires his followers to understand and better themselves, and to bring meaning to their lives with a greater purpose – with a slant towards bringing purpose to Traladara and restoring the fabled golden age. While not overtly belligerent, he encourages people to stand up for themselves and their family and friends, and to stand against injustice. He watches over and inspires the warriors of the land, teaches continual tests of military prowess – competitions, bouts, war games, and his favour is invoked in martial ceremonies and before contests and battles.
There is a shrine to Halav in the Adventurer’s Guild on Toney Plaza, and many an adventurer will pray to him for success before heading out on a commission.
Djaea
Djaea is the earth mother, Goddess of wildlife of plant and animal life, protector of farmers and patron of druids. Djaea is the incarnation of nature in Darokin.
Farmers across the nation erect altars for her in their fields. Djaea has no formal temples and no formal church. Instead, her loyal druids travel the countryside helping the farmers and protecting nature. These druids are well treated by the peasants and farm owners, often offered food and shelter.
6th Eirmont, Harvest Day, is a great celebration across Darokin in praise of Djaea and the (hopefully) bountiful harvest which the rich fields have offered. Everyone across the land, from the labourers in the docks to the artisans in the workshops, the sailors on the lake and even the richest nobles, dresses up as farmers, and every city, town or village will have a harvest fair to sample the bounties which have been reaped.
Stalls will sell beer, cider, mulled wine (it is heading into winter, the equivalent of our November), and in Akorros, of course, quindamettla, the local cherry brandy, along with assorted spiced heated fruit juice mixtures.. Alongside the breads and stalls of vegetables, stalls will be piled high with cheeses, jams, cakes, pies and pastries and many other foodstuffs. Bakers will compete for the most elaborate bread sculpture, with flowing braids a traditional component of the design, and there will be vats of stew in every marketplace, sold to market goers by the bowlful
Competitions abound. As well as the displays of baking, prime vegetables, flower arrangements and beautifully decorated farm vehicles, there are more energetic challenges like tug of war, log dragging, barrel lifting and wrestling. Catching the greased piglets is always popular, particularly when the pigs manage to escape the cordon of would-be capturers and head off among the stalls.
As the light dims and the darkness falls, bonfires are lit in street squares across the land, the stalls are cleared away and replaced by tables and benches, and the feast begins. The musicians will tune up, and the people will dance by the lights of torches and braziers spread around the square. The festivities will continue long into the night, but eventually by ones and twos people will straggle away until only a few drunken sots will be left snoring under the benches.
Valerias
Valerias is the patroness of love and the girder-on of weapons. She promotes love and romance – particularly fiery, passionate romance. Very much associated with pale pink, her favourite aspect is as a stunningly beautiful black woman enveloped in yards of diaphanous pink gauze so fine it merges into her aura. Where Tarastia is stern and serious, Valerias is smiling, cheerful, laughing, often even giggly. Often accompanied by showers of rose petals which give out a rich calming fragrance (calming, but also inspiring of romantic feelings). She is also said to appear as a rose bush with pale pink roses, or to be drawn to bless such plants, so single rose bushes standing on their own often have gifts and wishes for romantic success, and rose petals are a staple ingredient in love philtres.
Valerias is worshipped all over the land , particularly in the buildings of The Companionable Guild of Negotiable Affection, but organized temples exist only in Darokin City and in Selenica.
Kagyar
Known as Kagyar the Artisan, or Kagyar the Dwarf, this deity is the patron of crafts, arts and the entire dwarvish race. It is a custom to have a prayer to Kagyar before setting the first stone of a building in order to bless the construction process.
Sacrifices to Kagyar are normally small works of art. Kagyar has no large temples, but small stone temples exist in every city and town of the republic. These temples are always made of stone and always very beautiful. The temple in Akorros is on Perestral Square in the artisan quarter, to the north of Toney Plaza, and is surrounded by the shops, workshops, banks and living quarters of the artisans, jewellers and moneylenders. Kagyar is Patron of The Dexterous Guild of Jewellers, Goldsmiths, Silversmiths, Gemsmiths and Toymakers, The Trustworthy Guild of Moneylenders, Valuers, Moneychangers and Bankers and The Constructive Guild of Carpenters, Roofers, Bricklayers, Masons, Plasterers, Tilers and Thatchers.
Thanatos
Thanatos is a death-loving Immortal who hates all life. His followers are underground sects of clerics who would betray their race for personal power. Often depicted as a hunch-backed ugly man swathed in dirty sack-cloth, he is used by the general population as a bogey-man to scare kids with and as a curse.
Worship of Thanatos is outlawed, but there may still be a few disciples among the thieves, beggars and low-lives of Akorros.
Religion in other lands
Glantri
The magic-users of Glantri are deeply suspicious of religious magic and religion in general. Not that they doubt the immortals exist – there’s plenty of evidence that they do – but why worship them? As well worship an elephant or a dragon or a vampire, or a river or mountain, for that matter.
Also – magic that you get from an other-worldly being? Deeply suspect. You don’t know where it’s coming from, and so you have no guarantee that it will do what you expect. Far better to use proper magic, which you have studied and pinned down in your spell book. You’re following a recipe, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Ylaruam
Most people from Ylaruam follow The Eternal Truth of Al-Kalim.
The Eternal Truth of Al-Kalim, as elaborated in the Nahmeh and as accepted by all True Believers, is that a man must have Faith and Trust in the Immortal Guardians, the honour of his fellow man, and in the wisdom that is obtained through reason and contemplation. The Nahmeh directs men on the proper ways to show respect and honor to the Immortal Guardians and to other men, and praises those who seek to understand the world around them through scholarship and study.
More details on request (or from GAZ2 The Emirates of Ylaruam)
References
Previous blog posts:
I am again thankful to Wrath of the Immortals and Dawn of the Emperors, and in particular to the database of all characters, locations and immortals in Mystara, collated by Michael Diehm and available on Pandius, which lists 172 immortals. This is far too many for them all to be relevant in any one campaign or location, but means there are plenty to choose from.
