In an earlier post, I talked about why you should include religion in your campaign, and reviewed Eventyr Games’ publication “Devotion and Divinity”, and then in the next two posts I described two different sets of religion notes I prepared for my campaigns, first my Karameikos campaign, and then my current campaign in Akorros.
Having now developed my Akorros pantheon for my current campaign, I have had the chance to try to use it in practice. If you’ve forgotten what I developed, see my previous post.
My experience with the pantheon
Having tried to use it, it needs tweaks.
Before I get onto the tweaks, a summary of what happened in the last session, and how it played in.
The party were on the road back to Akorros, returning from a (successful) rescue mission for Gareth’s aunt. They were heading back to try to make it in time for the Harvest Festival in honour of Djaea, because they had a hint that someone might be killed at the festival and they want to try to thwart it.
They had just discovered a corpse in the snow by the side of the road of a bit character (introduced for colour) they met on the way out, and ended up cremating them after a discussion of whether to cut off their head to prevent them coming back to undeath as a coldlight walker (one of which they had met on their way out).
They got back into town after a short detour to some hot pools and mud/lava mephitis, arriving in the evening as it was getting dark. There was bustle in the streets, and the meat market place was being cleared for the Harvest Festival the next day and set up with decorations and stalls, plus a stage and dancing area.
Some gang members hanging about the square got drawn into an ambush and attacked by demons summoned through portal-bombs (current theme of the campaign), so the party stepped in to clear up and close the portals before going on their way, stopping off at the Adventurer’s Guild (where Gareth stays) before taking his aunt (who had had to cut off her leg to escape from being trapped under a wagon by an ambush) to the Chardastes Wing of the Temple of Khoronus – effectively the Akorros hospital.
So, how did the religion play into this?
The hustle and bustle and backdrop of the Harvest Festival was lifted straight out of the Djaea reference. I had already seeded the festival and the possible killing a while ago, so I was already aware I was going to need more detail, and I found myself writing it for the Djaea entry. So far, so good. Although they weren’t particularly interested in the descriptions of the preparations and were more focused on what they were trying to achieve.
However, I wanted to drop in a couple of references – a roadside shrine and the graffiti dedication to Meistria – and I couldn’t remember enough detail. And skimming through the wall of text was just too difficult to pick out these details.
It has been useful doing the research and finding and developing appropriate Immortals for the campaign, but having done so, the presentation is more suited to reading offline for storyline inspiration than for use at the table.
Making the presentation more useful
I thought about what I actually wanted at the table, and I realised that I need something more focussed and succinct, where my eye can jump quickly to the bit I need for the current description.
I started rewriting it as bullet points, but that still didn’t feel sufficiently guided, so I started putting headings. I thought about the sort of thing I might need to know quickly, and I found myself breaking down the blocks of text into the following headings:
- Domain – what the Immortal is known for
- Appearance – how they are said to appear when they manifest
- Teachings – what they stand for and what their church (if any) promotes
- Symbol – the symbol that is used by their followers to represent them
- Temple – place(s) of worship, both generally and the Akorros chapter (if any)
- Festivities – any particular celebrations
- Observances – how their followers acknowledge them, any observances the followers make
I also found it very useful to come up with some sayings which represent the church’s attitudes, although I didn’t go into this level of detail for all.
I had hoped to be able to condense the text into two sheets which I could print A5 and have as a single-sheet reference, but in the end I only managed to condense to four pages.
Does this work? I will need to see in practice, but I can certainly find the information more easily, and it also got me thinking about how I might bring them into the story, and how I might use them. The headings also served as a checklist, getting me thinking about different aspects which I hadn’t covered, and helping me refine my thinking.
My revised summaries
So with that, here are the revised summaries I have come up with. I haven’t gone into the full detail for all the Immortals, but it has certainly helped me think things through.
Asterius
Patron of Darokin City and the most widely worshipped immortal in the nation.
Domain: God of wealth, of commerce, communication and travel, god of the moon, patron of thieves.
Appearance: a corpulent middle-aged man in ancient robes; his adherents enthusiastically adopt this look.
Temples: Temples are all over the nation with the most impressive one in the capital city. Small altars to Asterius are found alongside the major roads in the country; crescent moon behind an offering bowl
Symbol: crescent moon
Observances: 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.
Sayings:
- A daro is a daro [wherever it comes from]
- A fool and his money are easily parted
- Remember the golden rule: he who has the gold makes the rules
Akorros temple: 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.
Khoronus, Father Time
Domain: Patron of Akorros, god of time, knowledge, history, education and rulership and to some extent of the changing seasons; worshipped by scholars and rulers, historians and students
Appearance: 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
Teachings: patience, wisdom and farsightedness in all dealings, knowledge and education for all, balance in all; teaches the rhythm of the seasons, the cycle of life and death, respect for life, and acceptance of death when it comes
Symbol: hourglass, sometimes with scythe
Temple: 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 temple houses one of the largest libraries on the continent, drawing rich and poor alike to study in its tomes.
Festivities: 1 Nuwmont – the new year. Followers of Khoronus are encouraged to reflect on the previous year and make plans for the future. It is traditional to write hopes for the year ahead on a sheet of paper and fold it into a boat, then launch it in a nearby stream or river representing the flow of time and watch it float off into the distance. In Akorros, the pool at the top of Toney Plaza is a popular place for this, with the boats (hopefully) floating down the stream which runs down the centre of the plaza and out into the harbour. Of course, there are plenty of enterprising merchants selling pre-made boats of waxed paper or other materials “guaranteed to last all the way down the hill”…
Sayings:
- a decision made in haste without full knowledge of the situation can only be optimal by chance
- learn from the successes and mistakes of the past to inform better decisions for the future
- a priest may advise, but never gives advice
Ixion, the Sun Prince
Ixion drives the sun across the sky, giving warmth and life whilst banishing darkness
Appearance: golden hair so bright that it is hard to look at, flaming eye-sockets, and glowing golden skin. Dresses in light robes of bright-glowing golden silk. He carries a flaming warhammer as his symbol of power.
Teachings: 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
Temples: Large temples of Ixion can be found in all major cities; small towns and villages have small altars in which sacrifices can be made
Symbol: flaming sun
Festivities: During the Spring Equinox (Nuwmont 2nd) the priests of Ixion organize great feasts and dances to hasten the arrival of spring. Farmers usually sacrifice some of their first crops to Ixion as thanks for the sunlight that helped grow the crops.
Observances: TBD
Sayings:
- Share freely like the sun shares its warmth
- Don’t look for trouble – but be ready when it inevitably comes
- Guard the borders of reality!
Akorros Temple: temple in Akorros is on the northern side of Redcliffe Market, just to the south of Toney Rock.. 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. Small towns and villages have small altars in which sacrifices can be made to Ixion.
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 (treat as warhammer). 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 patron Immortal of healers
Domain: healing, and the prevention and treatment of illness and injury
Appearance: a humble itinerant wrapped in robes, hood and trousers of off-white linen with sandals laced to the knee over the trousers and a plain oaken staff. Looks humble, but can turn piercing blue eyes that seem to see through you
Teachings: offer your services to anyone, and accept no payment in return
Symbol: a bell with no clapper
Akorros Temple: The Chardastes Wing of the the Temple of Khoronus was donated to Celia Rebello by the then Arch-Bishop of Khoronus, on condition she train anyone who asks and treats anyone who needs. It 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
A class of the streetliving community follows 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.
Appearance: 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.
Teachings: Don’t kill for money, don’t steal from those who can’t afford it. Whatever you do, do it well and with pride, whether that’s picking pockets, cat burglaring or a good old-fashioned swindle (on someone who can afford it)
Temple: None. Shrines 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.
Symbol: a stylised black cat
Tarastia
Domain: Justice and Revenge
Appearance: Usually depicted holding up scales in her right hand and with a grounded sword in her left hand (representing the two aspects). Associated with the colour blue – a rich blue like the blue of the sky on a summer day. Also said to appear as a blue-barred raven, and associated with the lily – flower of fragrance and funerals
Teachings: The Church of Karameikos believes in the philosophy of the unstained spirit: Sins stain the spirit of the doer and these stains require acts of purification to cleanse from the spirit. The individual’s role in the afterlife will be determined by the amount of stain remaining on their spirit.
Sins according to the Church of Karameikos include assault, abuse, murder, theft, lying, adultery and living together without the sanctity of matrimony. Also, an unwillingness to undergo purification is itself a sin punishable by being thrown out of the Church, the eventual result of which is that their spirit becomes so stained they can never be redeemed.
Temple: 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.
Symbol: An imposing, imperious woman in blue holding scales in her right hand and a grounded sword in her left.
Halav
Domain: War and battle – patron of soldiers and heroes and all those who wield a sword. Slayer of trolls, orcs and all that is savage. Patron of Corunglain.
Appearance: 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.
Teachings: understand and better yourself, bring meaning to your life with a greater purpose. Stand up for yourself and your families and friends, and stand against injustice.
Temple: 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.
Symbol:
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.
Djaea
Domain: 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.
Appearance: a bountiful mature woman with braided hair and emerald green eyes, but also said to appear in multiple different animal forms, always with emerald green eyes which seem to glow
Teachings: respect and nurture the natural life and it will grow and nourish you in return
Temple: 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.
Symbol: an ample mother figure with braids and child-bearing hips and breasts; often the whole head is covered in suggestions of braids, with no visible face
Worship: 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.
Valerias
Domain: Valerias is the patroness of love and the girder-on of weapons. She promotes love and romance – particularly fiery, passionate romance.
Appearance: 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.
Symbol: a pink rose
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 the Artisan, or Kagyar the Dwarf
Domain: patron of crafts, arts and the entire dwarvish race
Appearance: a burly dwarf with masses of curly black hair, tightly curled black beard, black eyes and a prominent potato nose, brown (weatherbeaten/forgeburnt) skin thickly covered in black hair
Teachings: with care comes quality
Temple: 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.
Symbol: a crossed mining pick and jeweller’s hammer
Akorros Temple: 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
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 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, and also secretly among some of the more corrupt rich who covet power and riches and aren’t afraid to sell their soul to get them.
References
Previous blog posts:
- Factions in Akorros (including religions)
- Khoronus and Chardastes
- Why you should bring religion into your D&D campaign
- Immortals in Mystara, and my Karameikos pantheon
- My Akorros pantheon, take 1
Publications:
- I am again thankful to Wrath of the Immortals and Dawn of the Emperors
- GAZ 11 – the Republic of Darokin has also been useful for some of the observances and holidays
- And once again, 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.
- Thanks also to the Mystara Reborn Facebook group for input and suggestions.
