Modern Gods

[Ashtagon]

Edit:

Primary version of this idea is archived here:

http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3422&start=0

This pantheon is loosely inspired by the novel American Gods. Except for the Kid and Media, none of them are developed meaningfully within that book in terms of their role as gods.

A bit of reading around, and I came up with the following 'pantheon'. Cleric domains are taken from 3.5e PHB and Spell Compendium.

Media: goddess of broadcast information, fame, vanity, radio, and television.
* Alignment: Neutral. Nothing else matters except mememe.
* Domains: Charm, Domination, Envy, Luck, Lust, Nobility, Trickery.
* Favoured Weapon: rapier (rapiers are the sexy sword :smallcool: )
* Symbol: ?
* Common Followers: Bards

The Kid: God of the internet, communication, hacking, imagination, gaming, and information.
* Alignment: CN.
* Domains: Dream, Force, Illusion, Knowledge, Luck, Mind, Oracle.
* Favoured Weapon: none
* Symbol: A monitor and a keyboard.
* Common Followers: Sorcerers, wizards, rogues

World: God of diplomacy, politics, subtlety, fraudulence, and deception.
* Alignment: N.
* Domains: Knowledge, Mind, Trade, Trickery, Wealth.
* Favoured Weapon: dagger (subtle weapons are best)
* Symbol: A stylised image of the world seen from space. The exact geography represented varies depending on the home country of the cleric.
* Common Followers: Bards, Rogues, national politicians, spies, diplomats, burglars, white-collar criminals

Town: God of community, civic pride, the family, and the welfare state.
* Alignment: LG.
* Domains: City*, Community, Family, Protection, Trade.
* Favoured Weapon: club (police truncheon)
* Symbol: ?
* Common Followers: Fighters, monks, paladins, police officers, town councillors

Road: God of trade, work, transportation, vehicles, and travel.
* Alignment: LN.
* Domains: Celerity, Earth, Trade, Travel.
* Favoured Weapon: none.
* Symbol: A stylised steering wheel, which forms the centre of a universal currency symbol (¤).
* Common Followers: Businessmen, shop-keepers, merchants, drivers, navigators, pilots

Wood: Goddess of nature, wild animals, and sunlight.
* Alignment: CG.
* Domains: Air, Animal, Earth, Plant, Sun, Water.
* Favoured Weapon: quarterstaff (nearest thing larpers get to a real weapon)
* A stylised pine tree.
* Common Followers: Barbarians, druids, rangers, ecologists, botanists, 'green energy' researchers, environmental campaigners

Stone: Dispassionate god of war, the military, and destruction from afar. Stone is not about personal melee combat so much as using the most advanced technology available to kill or destroy without risking personal danger. This isn't seen as cowardice so much as pragmatic common sense.
* Alignment: N.
* Domains: Competition, Destruction, Fate, Retribution, War.
* Favoured Weapon: crossbow, musket, or rifle (depending on campaign tech level; think 'point and click' destruction)
* Symbol: A circle with a cross and a smaller circle inside it.
* Common Followers: Fighters, rangers, arms manufacturers, guerillas (aka. freedom fighters or terrorists, depending on which side they are on), mercenaries, soldiers

Avatar: God self-discipline, perfection, the ideal self, academic study, and athleticism.
* Alignment: LN.
* Domains: Competition, Courage, Knowledge, Protection, Strength
* Favoured Weapon: long sword
* Symbol: Vitruvian man (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitruvian_Man). Depending on the cleric, this may be stylised in many different ways.
* Common Followers: Fighters, monks, wizards, academics, athletes, martial artists, scientists, teachers, transhumanists

The Man: god of power, conspiracies, oppression, employee oppression, and inefficient industry.
* Alignment: LE
* Domains: Commerce, Domination, Inquisition, Knowledge, Planning, Trade, Trickery, Tyrant.
* Favoured Weapon: Heavy mace.
* Symbol: A faceless man wearing sunglasses and a dark suit.
* Common Followers: Fighters, monks, rogues, businessmen, managers, government officials

The Artist , goddess of music, art, poetry, edgy graphic novels, creativity, drugs, literature.
* Alignment: CN
* Domains: Craft, Dream, Illusion, Luck, Madness.
* Favoured Weapon: none.
* Symbol: ?
* Common Followers: Bards, rogues, sorcerers, wizards, artists, writers, society drop-outs

Bug, god of clueless & witless workers, laziness, malfunctions and breakdowns, computer viruses, and dereliction of duty.
* Alignment: CE
* Domains: Destruction, Greed, Liberation, Luck, Sloth, Trickery.
* Favoured Weapon: light mace (spanner).
* Symbol: A stylised cockroach.
* Common Followers: Barbarians, fighters, rogues, sorcerers, wizards, lazy employees, muggers, petty criminals

El-Five, god of rocket science, space exploration, and SETI.
* Alignment: LN
* Domains: Fire, Force, Knowledge, Moon, Sun.
* Favoured Weapon: none.
* Symbol: ?
* Common Followers: Sorcerers, wizards, astronauts, elite jet fighter pilots, rocket scientists, astronomers

The Doctor This deity has two distinct aspects. He the god of medicine, protection, and healing on one hand, and the god of conspiracies, secrets, and hidden aid on the other hand. Some say The Doctor is actually two entirely different deities who just happen to have the same name. Both aspects studiously refuse to clear up the question. The healer dismisses the question as irrelevant, and the conspirator enjoys the ambiguity.
* Alignment: NG (healer aspect); CG (conspirator aspect).
* Domains: Community, Healing, Protection, Purification (healer aspect); Knowledge, Liberation, Oracle, Time, Travel, Trickery (conspirator aspect).
* Favoured Weapon: none (both aspects)
* Symbol: A red cross (healer aspect); a question mark (conspirator aspect).
* Common Followers: biochemists, doctors, nurses, surgeons (healer aspect); Bards, rogues, sorcerers, wizards (conspirator aspect)

Concept Notes and New Rules

Some deities have "favoured weapon: none". Deities that have such a listing cannot grant any spell that specifically relies on having a favoured weapon (such as spiritual weapon). Additionally, any domain granted power (such as the War domain) that relies on a favoured weapon is not granted, and nothing replaces it.

This is an intentional nerf, as modern gods are not generally martial in nature, even for their most strident advocates. This does not stop such clerics from actually using weapons traditionally associated with that field; they simply do not gain any mechanical benefit from it. Even though weapon X may be the weapon most closely associated with their field, they are still so disinterested in combat prowess that they don't offer a mechanical benefit with that weapon.

Edit history:

* Added a couple of favoured weapons.
* Town's City domain is from Races of Destiny.
* Copied Avatar over to top post.
* The Man (thank you Telonius), sap changed to club (not giving non-lethal favoured weapons as a general design/balance principle here; no alignment domains for same reason; Force domain doesn't quite fit).
* Added The Artist.
* Added symbols for some deities.
* Added Bug, El-Five, The Doctor.
* Added common followers for all gods listed.
* Added favoured weapon: none concept.

[Lord Vukodlak]

You forgot money.

[ApeofLight]

Nice, very nice.

And I think money falls under Media or World Vukodlak.

I think media's weapon would be like long sword or something.

Wood would probably be unarmed.

[Temotei]

Going for the name, a sling might work with stone.

For the god of World, definitely make the favored weapon the whip.

[Ashtagon]

The source material didn't have a character called Money, so I didn't include one in this pantheon.

Depending on one's methods for acquiring money, a money-grubber might be dedicated to any of Media, World, or Road.

[Zexion]

So, are these for modern-world clerics? Because if that's so, Money should be on the list.

[Lord Vukodlak]

You see it to Zexion,
Money needs its own god under what you purpose.

[Temotei]

So, are these for modern-world clerics? Because if that's so, Money should be on the list.
The source material didn't have a character called Money, so I didn't include one in this pantheon.

Depending on one's methods for acquiring money, a money-grubber might be dedicated to any of Media, World, or Road.

Just in case.

[Zexion]

Just in case.

I saw all that, but this still needs a Money god.

[herbe]

Agree there must(or shouldnt?) be a money god

[Ashtagon]

The setting is more interesting without a specific money god anyway. Without a unifying force, all those money-grubbers are divided against each other, competing mercilessly.

A businessman might follow Road. A nubile gold-digger wanting to marry an elderly millionaire - Media. A thief, World. Industrial espionage specialist? That's World again. Mom and Pop shopkeeper with ambitions to run a nationwide chain? They're following Road.

It all depends on your method.

[Temotei]

I don't think there should be a money god. :smallcool:

[Jack of Spades]

The setting is more interesting without a specific money god anyway. Without a unifying force, all those money-grubbers are divided against each other, competing mercilessly.

But if I were a god, that's almost definitely how I would run things :smallwink:

Road's weapon could be the exotic weapon of the cleric's choice (emphasis on exotic), or possibly the whip (for the lulz, and because of the whole horse-and-buggy thing).

For the Kid, you could say he favors poisons, or better yet, that he favors evocations in general (imagination=magic) for the interesting implications of that. Side note: based on what I just thought, said deity would probably fit with the Magic domain.

[Ashtagon]

Road's weapon could be the exotic weapon of the cleric's choice (emphasis on exotic), or possibly the whip (for the lulz, and because of the whole horse-and-buggy thing).

For the Kid, you could say he favors poisons, or better yet, that he favors evocations in general (imagination=magic) for the interesting implications of that. Side note: based on what I just thought, said deity would probably fit with the Magic domain.

Problem is that the favoured weapon rule is primarily there to handle certain clerical spells (such as spiritual weapon). This pretty much requires that the favoured weapon be an actual weapon.

I'm also trying to avoid non-lethal weapons, since that acts as a serious nerfbat. Otherwise, I'd have given Town the sap (a, um, literal nerfbat). Right now, I'm considering dagger for the Kid, and rapier for Road.

Actually, rapier probably makes more sense for Media too.

I know the Kid could be justified as a god of magic, but since these are *modern* gods, a god of magic doesn't really fit with the overall theme.

[Shyftir]

Kid's favorite weapon should be a katana because everybody knows that is the internet's favorite weapon.

[Deca]

I don't think there should be a money god. :smallcool:

I always thought that the 'Forgotten God' was the god of wealth in American Gods. Anyway, there wasn't a money God in the Modern Gods anyway.

What about adding the Car Gods? They weren't really in the story but they were mentioned.

[Ashtagon]

I kind of subsumed the car gods into Road.

I have a feeling a Vehicle domain should be homebrewed at some point in this project.

[The Mentalist]

Great project. Thank you for making it.

[Eldan]

And here I thought the Rapier was because of the rapier wit :smallbiggrin:

[herbe]

God as a christian ???

[Ashtagon]

God as a christian ???

For obvious reasons, I studiously avoided describing any real-world religions. Not least of which because that one is off-topic for this forum. There are other reasons too, but elaborating would also be off-topic.

[Ashtagon]

One more...

Avatar: God self-discipline, perfection, the ideal self, academic study, and athleticism.

* Alignment: LN.
* Domains: Competition, Courage, Knowledge, Strength
* Favoured Weapon: short sword

[imp_fireball]

What about lesser gods like the god of conspiracy theories (CE/CN), music (CG), edgy graphic novels (CN), employee oppression (LE), the mean streets (CE), welfare (TN), fraudulence (NE), aesop (LN), work necessity (LN), drugs (CN), Inefficient Industries (NE), or societal tradition (LN)?

Or the mightiest of evil gods, the god of ignorance (LE) or stupidity (NE)? :smalltongue:

Needs some more evil gods, I'd say.

Based on real life, obviously a lot of this stuff will be undoubtedly neutral unless clearly non-subjective.


For obvious reasons, I studiously avoided describing any real-world religions. Not least of which because that one is off-topic for this forum. There are other reasons too, but elaborating would also be off-topic.

Well clearly all the prophets would be 'good' while the actual god entity itself is decidedly neutral, according to the different books. The traitors and the labeled enemy in each (ie. satan) are mostly chaotic evil.

Speaking of which, someone should stat out Lucipher. The books already officially did Asmodeus, who is not the same guy (but they treat him like he is the same guy; even though I think asmo is LE).


I kind of subsumed the car gods into Road.

I have a feeling a Vehicle domain should be homebrewed at some point in this project.

God of Road Rage? (CE)

What about a demigod in the form of terrible insurance policy? (CE!!!!)

[Telonius]

I always thought Neil Gaiman missed a pretty big one...

The Man: god of power, conspiracies, and oppression
Alignment: LE
Domains: Commerce, Domination, Force, Inquisition, Law, Planning, Trade, Tyrant
Favored Weapon: Truncheon (statted as a sap)
Symbol: A faceless man wearing sunglasses and a dark suit.

[Ashtagon]

What about lesser gods like the god of conspiracy theories (CE/CN), music (CG), edgy graphic novels (CN), employee oppression (LE), the mean streets (CE), welfare (TN), fraudulence (NE), aesop (LN), work necessity (LN), drugs (CN), Inefficient Industries (NE), or societal tradition (LN)?

Or the mightiest of evil gods, the god of ignorance (LE) or stupidity (NE)? :smalltongue:

Needs some more evil gods, I'd say.

Based on real life, obviously a lot of this stuff will be undoubtedly neutral unless clearly non-subjective.

The Artist (CN), goddess of music, art, poetry, edgy graphic novels, creativity, drugs, literature.

* employee oppression is an aspect of The Man.
* welfare would be an aspect of Town. I personally see the concept (helping the needy in society through an orderly system) as LG rather than neutral.
* fraudulence is an aspect of World, albeit one of his darker sides. World is very much about whatever scheme is necessary to get the job done, whether above-board or black-ops.
* work necessity would be an aspect of Road in his guise as god of trade.
* inefficient industries, where it is intentional, would be an aspect of The Man. Accidentally, it isn't something people aspire to, so doesn't get a god.

The mean streets and aesop - not sure what you mean by these two.






Well clearly all the prophets would be 'good' while the actual god entity itself is decidedly neutral, according to the different books. The traitors and the labeled enemy in each (ie. satan) are mostly chaotic evil.

Speaking of which, someone should stat out Lucipher. The books already officially did Asmodeus, who is not the same guy (but they treat him like he is the same guy; even though I think asmo is LE).

Not touching this. It's not really within the scope of this pantheon, and it is also specifically noted as off-topic for this website.


God of Road Rage? (CE)

What about a demigod in the form of terrible insurance policy? (CE!!!!)

As a general principle, the Modern Gods represent of concepts that people aspire towards or hope to be deeply involved in, rather than concepts that people hate, fear, or wish to placate or avoid. This tends to exclude most (but not all) 'evil' concepts.



I always thought Neil Gaiman missed a pretty big one...

The Man: god of power, conspiracies, and oppression
Alignment: LE
Domains: Commerce, Domination, Force, Inquisition, Law, Planning, Trade, Tyrant
Favored Weapon: Truncheon (statted as a sap)
Symbol: A faceless man wearing sunglasses and a dark suit.

This is brilliant. Added (with some slight changes).

[Murdim]

You forgot money.
Money clearly doesn't belong to this pantheon. I'd see It more as the metaphysical concept upon which is based the whole universe, including the gods themselves. Like Good, Evil, Law and Chaos, only... It is alone and unopposed.

Alternatively, Money could be the local Overgod. That could work, too, I guess.

[Zexion]

Money clearly doesn't belong to this pantheon. I'd see It more as the metaphysical concept upon which is based the whole universe, including the gods themselves. Like Good, Evil, Law and Chaos, only... It is alone and unopposed.

Alternatively, Money could be the local Overgod. That could work, too, I guess.

Overgod? YES! That's perfect!

[Ashtagon]

Money as overgod works for me. Money does make the world go round, after all...

[Zexion]

Money as overgod works for me. Money does make the world go round, after all...

DONF,LI

Dancing On The Floor, Logical Impossibility
LOL.

[Jack of Spades]

Time for a torrent of random thoughts! Woo!

I second the Overgod idea. Kinda like the Hindu idea of Brahmin, but more sinister

Love the idea of the Doctor, it's not something we see often outside of Hindu.

My suggestion for El-Five's weapon would be either the mace/morningstar (both usually associated with astrology), or the repeating crossbow (or its equivalent, whatever the high-tech weapon is at the time).

With that in mind, it seems like Stone having the point-and-kill weapons as favored isn't very fitting: something like a flail or maul would fit more with the god of destruction theme.

To avoid repetitiveness, I'd say the Man's weapon could easily be a poleaxe/longspear (long arm of the law, and all).

Possible symbol for the Road: A circle. Representing the endless journey, the profile of a traveler's staff, the simplicity of life on the road, whatever you like. Also, what symbol is easier and at the same time more unmistakable when scratched into the side of the road? That's why so many "Indian signs" or hobo sign language elements involved them in the 16th through the early 20th centuries.

Domains for El-Five should probably include: fire (the original science), plant (botany is one of the more important forms of biology), water and air (most of those spells could be explained as chemistry tricks), and law (domains usually follow alignment).

Other domain suggestions, while I have my 3.5 book out:
Media: Trickery
Kid: Chaos, luck (one of the more vital components of internet power is dumb luck)
World: War (a big part of all politics), law (not a part of his alignments but definitely a tool of diplomacy)
Town: Law, good, protection (primary function of the police/public authority, who Town seems to symbolize)
Road: Law, luck (travelers get about on their wits)
Wood: Chaos, good
Stone: Strength
Avatar: Law, protection
Man: Law, evil, strength, knowledge (hand-in-hand with planning), trickery (conspiracy)
Artist: Chaos, knowledge
Bug: Chaos, evil, luck (specifically, bad luck)
Doctor: Good for both aspects, chaos for the conspirator

Take them or leave them, tis only my brain-spew

[Ashtagon]

Time for a torrent of random thoughts! Woo!

I second the Overgod idea. Kinda like the Hindu idea of Brahmin, but more sinister

Love the idea of the Doctor, it's not something we see often outside of Hindu.

Actually, he is part blatant pop culture reference, and part a symbol of people's faith in modern medicine. No Hindu inspiration there at all.


My suggestion for El-Five's weapon would be either the mace/morningstar (both usually associated with astrology), or the repeating crossbow (or its equivalent, whatever the high-tech weapon is at the time).

El-Five isn't just the god of science. He is a bit more specific than that. He is the god of space exploration and rocket science. Hence the name (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagrangian_point#L4_and_L5) :smallwink:


With that in mind, it seems like Stone having the point-and-kill weapons as favored isn't very fitting: something like a flail or maul would fit more with the god of destruction theme.

Stone isn't the god of destruction (although he does destroy). he is the god of modern, impersonal, warfare. There's no anger or rage in his portfolio. He is the god of the guys whose fingers are on the big red button. As such, melee weapons aren't appropriate for him.


To avoid repetitiveness, I'd say the Man's weapon could easily be a poleaxe/longspear (long arm of the law, and all).

Possible symbol for the Road: A circle. Representing the endless journey, the profile of a traveler's staff, the simplicity of life on the road, whatever you like. Also, what symbol is easier and at the same time more unmistakable when scratched into the side of the road? That's why so many "Indian signs" or hobo sign language elements involved them in the 16th through the early 20th centuries.

Hmm, maybe a stylised steering wheel, somehow merged with the "universal currency symbol" (that's a "¤", btw).

Regarding favoured weapons, generally, I'm trying to avoid overtly "useful" weapons, unless the deity is actually a martial deity of some sort. That's why most deities are ending up with clubs or daggers. That said, The Man probably could use something meatier.


Domains for El-Five should probably include: fire (the original science), plant (botany is one of the more important forms of biology), water and air (most of those spells could be explained as chemistry tricks), and law (domains usually follow alignment).

Other domain suggestions, while I have my 3.5 book out:
Media: Trickery
Kid: Chaos, luck (one of the more vital components of internet power is dumb luck)
World: War (a big part of all politics), law (not a part of his alignments but definitely a tool of diplomacy)
Town: Law, good, protection (primary function of the police/public authority, who Town seems to symbolize)
Road: Law, luck (travelers get about on their wits)
Wood: Chaos, good
Stone: Strength
Avatar: Law, protection
Man: Law, evil, strength, knowledge (hand-in-hand with planning), trickery (conspiracy)
Artist: Chaos, knowledge
Bug: Chaos, evil, luck (specifically, bad luck)
Doctor: Good for both aspects, chaos for the conspirator

Take them or leave them, tis only my brain-spew

I'm intentionally avoiding alignment domains. It's easy enough to add them in if you wish (in which case, don't forget balance domain for the true neutrals). For my homebrew rules-set, I'm trying to eliminate alignment entirely as a concept. It barely works for modern concepts anyway.

That said...

* El-Five: Adding Fire.
* Media: Trickery makes sense.
* The Kid: I guess Luck works.
* World: Not adding War; World is about covert action, not brute force.
* Town: Protection makes sense.
* Road: Luck seem to work, except as a lawful deity at heart, he'd be more about planning. He's not about individual travellers so much as mass transport.
* Wood: cf alignment domain note.
* Stone: Not adding Strength. He is the god of impersonal warfare, not close and personal warfare.
* Avatar: protection makes sense.
* The Man: Strength not so much, since he is very much a behind-the-scenes evil mastermind rather than the muscle. Knowledge and Trickery seem to work.
* The Artist: Knowledge doesn't really work for this concept. There's a long history of a rift between the arts and the sciences, after all.
* Bug: Luck seems to work.
* The Doctor: cf alignment domain note.

[NothingButCake]

Town, Road, Wood, Stone were not individual gods, actually, but the Men In Black. They are the secret conspiratorial agency that exists because people are convinced it must.

Also, Jesus is mentioned and exists in-universe.

[Jack of Spades]

El-Five isn't just the god of science. He is a bit more specific than that. He is the god of space exploration and rocket science.

Given this, I'd like to take a moment to re-nominate the morningstar, for its being a symbol of the sun/ stars/ Venus-(if taken literally)


Stone: Dispassionate god of war, the military, and destruction.

Stone isn't the god of destruction (although he does destroy).

I'll just let you look at those. :smallbiggrin:


He is the god of the guys whose fingers are on the big red button. As such, melee weapons aren't appropriate for him.

This is actually what I was thinking about with the flail. The Flail was created to allow the user to do minimal work and still make a big dent in his opponent's armor. Without going into (insert weapon with reach here), that's about as close as you can get to having both the massive force of war and the detached, let-the-machine-work-for-me ideal represented. But that's just my thoughts, go ahead and ignore them and I should have them back in their boxes soon enough :smallwink:


Also, Jesus is mentioned and exists in-universe.

Inappropriate Topics
The following topics are always off-limits on these forums, no matter what (hence, Inappropriate Topics). Any posts including these topics will be edited, and any threads started to discuss these topics will be locked. Please note that, as specifically stated below, these topics remain off-limits even where they intersect with gaming or other activities discussed on these forums, and that putting an alert for “Adult” or “Mature” content on the thread does not allow circumvention of this rule.

* Real-world religions (including religious reactions to gaming)

He already said no Lucifer, Jesus probably isn't likely.

[Ashtagon]

El-Five isn't just the god of science. He is a bit more specific than that. He is the god of space exploration and rocket science.

Given this, I'd like to take a moment to re-nominate the morningstar, for its being a symbol of the sun/ stars/ Venus-(if taken literally)

Good point here.


Stone: Dispassionate god of war, the military, and destruction.

Stone isn't the god of destruction (although he does destroy).

I'll just let you look at those.

My intention was that Stone is a god of impersonal destruction. Mass destruction, if you will. Sorry that wasn't clear. he really isn't about personally stepping in and breaking stuff with muscle. Sorry that wasn't clear.


He is the god of the guys whose fingers are on the big red button. As such, melee weapons aren't appropriate for him.

This is actually what I was thinking about with the flail. The Flail was created to allow the user to do minimal work and still make a big dent in his opponent's armor. Without going into (insert weapon with reach here), that's about as close as you can get to having both the massive force of war and the detached, let-the-machine-work-for-me ideal represented. But that's just my thoughts, go ahead and ignore them and I should have them back in their boxes soon enough

I have to disagree both with your choice of favoured weapon for Stone and with your analysis of the flail. Any melee weapon, out of necessity, requires the user to have a decent strength - bludgeoning weapons even more so. The flail wasn't created for 'weak soldiers' so much as a development of an agricultural tool.

The crossbow didn't get called "deathly and hateful to god", and even get banned in wars between Christian nations, for no reason. It was literally death from afar, even for armoured knights.

As you confirmed, anything to do with Christianity, whether god, saints, devils, or demons, is almost certainly against the forum's rules. I wouldn't add them to this project in any case, even on a different site. Their core concept doesn't match the flavour of the pantheon. It would be like trying to add the Roman gods to a campaign set in ancient Babylon or mediaeval Europe, because the Roman Empire controlled that area at one time.

[Ashtagon]

It occurred to me that the idea of favoured weapons pre-assumes that the deities are, at least to some extent, martial in nature. That may be generally true of the classical gods of real world mythology (although even there some exceptions exist), but isn't really true at all for many modern concepts, especially in a society which actively discourages violence as a way to resolve conflict. Hence, a new concept in favoured weapons...



Some deities have "favoured weapon: none". Deities that have such a listing cannot grant any spell that specifically relies on having a favoured weapon (such as spiritual weapon). Additionally, any domain granted power (such as the War domain) that relies on a favoured weapon is not granted, and nothing replaces it.

This is an intentional nerf, as modern gods are not generally martial in nature, even for their most strident advocates. This does not stop such clerics from actually using weapons traditionally associated with that field; they simply do not gain any mechanical benefit from it. Even though weapon X may be the weapon most closely associated with their field, they are still so disinterested in combat prowess that they don't offer a mechanical benefit with that weapon.

[imp_fireball]

The mean streets and aesop - not sure what you mean by these two.

The mean streets would be like the opposite of avatar. Big and strong, and a bully. Could reflect on the tendency to be 'mean' as being 'hip'.

Also for aesop, check out TV tropes. It's overprotectiveness. Moral guardians. Very up front in its attempts to control media. Kind of like how the population responds to fear that media fills people with.

[Ashtagon]

The mean streets would be like the opposite of avatar. Big and strong, and a bully. Could reflect on the tendency to be 'mean' as being 'hip'.

I'm not so sure mean streets is that far opposite from Avatar. Avatar itself is lawful neutral, and doesn't care whether that self-improvement is used for good or evil, as long as that self is actually improved. Throw in a little "might makes right" along with cyberpunk "improvements", and you have quite a dangerous street gang there. Lawful evil, and perfectly in-keeping with Avatar's core philosophies.

Remember, Avatar doesn't have to be hip. He just has to be better than you.

And really, a different name might be called for, as the unfortunate similarity to a certain film means that people may assume he was inspired by the film. He has nothing to do with the film; the name was picked for its more ancient meaning.

Perhaps Apotheon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apotheosis) would be a better name?


Also for aesop, check out TV tropes. It's overprotectiveness. Moral guardians. Very up front in its attempts to control media. Kind of like how the population responds to fear that media fills people with.

Reading over aesop, it seems to me that the trope could be best explained as an aspect of Town, especially the overprotective "nanny state" some people complain about.

[Taffeta]

While I have not yet covered the thread in detail (which I apologize for), my interest is sparked, and I have a burning need to highlight that The Kid doesn't have Freedom as a domain yet. And that is terribly, terribly wrong.

[Ashtagon]

I welcome additional comments, but please note that the main copy of the pantheon is now on a different site (http://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3422&start=0). That link is also present on the top post of this thread; the greyed-out text in the top post of this thread is out-of-date. I just don't want to have to find myself updating multiple versions of this idea across several different forums.

As for The Kid and the Freedom domain, the Freedom domain struck me as being more about bodily freedom and not being physically enslaved (in the traditional meaning of the word enslavement). The Kid is more about the freedom of the mind to explore ideas, which isn't really the same concept.

I'm also getting a little concerned that some of these deities have a rather large number of domains. More than six domains, and they start getting really unfocused to the point that it's almost hard to find two clerics with a pair of domains in common. I'd really want to drop a domain before I add a seventh domain, or else really good justifications for keeping all of the domains.