Spheres of influence (characters becoming gods)

[Abraxis]

I'm about to start running a game where the pcs gain spheres of influence like the forgotten realms gods. However, I'd like to draw from a list bigger than just the domains. Also have it less vague than "good" more like "redemption" and "heroism".

Any ideas?

[Gildedragon]

I'm about to start running a game where the pcs gain spheres of influence like the forgotten realms gods. However, I'd like to draw from a list bigger than just the domains. Also have it less vague than "good" more like "redemption" and "heroism".

Any ideas?

that'd be their Portfolio: the deity's raison d'etre and can have as many elements in it as they are aligned to.
Domains are loosely tied to the Portfolio but aren't directed by it, they are more of a result of Divine Rank.
For portfolio element ideas Deities and Demigods pages 30-31 has pretty long list with stuff like: Husbands, watchfulness, good dragons, and drama.

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As to how to do it: Ask the players to pick 2-3 things their characters are good at, 2-3 things that describe them and 2-3 things they care for. Those would be their spheres of influence. Their power is low (Divine Rank 0) but as they advance they get more divine ranks, domains that they can bestow to their clerics, salient divine abilities, and if they get great at something else, really devoted to it, or care deeply for it then they can add it to their portfolio. Their influence on it may be minimal at first, but as they pay attention to those things and gain belief, then they gain more influence.

[Red Fel]

that'd be their Portfolio: the deity's raison d'etre and can have as many elements in it as they are aligned to.
Domains are loosely tied to the Portfolio but aren't directed by it, they are more of a result of Divine Rank.
For portfolio element ideas Deities and Demigods pages 30-31 has pretty long list with stuff like: Husbands, watchfulness, good dragons, and drama.

--

As to how to do it: Ask the players to pick 2-3 things their characters are good at, 2-3 things that describe them and 2-3 things they care for. Those would be their spheres of influence. Their power is low (Divine Rank 0) but as they advance they get more divine ranks, domains that they can bestow to their clerics, salient divine abilities, and if they get great at something else, really devoted to it, or care deeply for it then they can add it to their portfolio. Their influence on it may be minimal at first, but as they pay attention to those things and gain belief, then they gain more influence.

This, very much. The "domains" are those fundamental concepts of the universe - Good, Evil, Chaos, Law, Protection, War, and so forth - that flow through all things, and are embodied in various deities. Many deities have domains in common. What distinguishes them is their portfolios. For example, Nerull and Wee Jas share the Death domain, as they are both gods of death, but their portfolios are very different. Nerull's concern is ending all life; he's a reaper who enjoys his job. Wee Jas, by contrast, is more interested in preserving the legacy of that which has passed, preserving knowledge, which is how she comes by her Death domain.

The first step is establishing their domains. That shouldn't be too hard; usually, there's at least one alignment domain, maybe two, then something thematic like War or Magic, then an element like Fire or Water or something similar like Nature. From there, go into the portfolio. And while Guigarci recommends a good way to choose the characters' portfolios, I would take a different method. Because, in my mind, the gods don't choose their portfolios, at least not actively. The portfolio is more than just what occupies your mind and your time - it's what a god is, it's that way in which their Domain is intrinsic to their nature. For example, Nerull's portfolio contains things like death, darkness, underworld and murder. Not just because he likes death and darkness, but because that's who he is - he's a hidden, wicked being who loves abrupt ends to beautiful things. He takes pleasure in snuffing light and life. By contrast, Wee Jas' portfolios include vanity - an odd choice, until you realize that, again, that's who and what she is. Not just vanity about her appearance, but vanity about preserving great things - legacies.

So step back, and figure out not just what your characters like, but who they are. Is your gnome an inventor? He might have portfolio items like curiosity, innovation, inspiration, or accidents. Is your druid withdrawn and quiet? That creates portfolio elements like serenity, peace, calm, and introspection.

Note also that, in many cases, you may be taking that authority from an existing god. Expect them to fight for their power. Alternatively, if you kill gods to gain their power, expect to take on their responsibilities - and expect them to change the PCs accordingly.