Polytheistic Worship Rules (3.5)

[unosarta]

Polytheism Rules

The idea behind this thread is that there definitely should be rules for a character who does not worship a single deity, but many deities. Pretty much every D&D setting ever has at least two or three deities, and it doesn't make sense to limit a character to just one, especially not when it doesn't make an sense for their character concept.

The execution of said rules is very simple. Instead of being forced to worship one god, or take the worship of one god over other gods, a character may instead worship a pantheon of gods, chosen as the character chooses. This doesn't really affect non-cleric characters very much, but it can be important for character concepts and certain class abilities.

If a prestige class requires that a character worship a specific god, and that god is found within that character's pantheon, it counts as if that character worships that god.

Polytheistic Worship

For cleric characters who worship a pantheon, they have a special rule. Instead of gaining specific domains for worshipping one god, the Cleric gains two domains, chosen from the domains of each god in said clerics pantheon. Alternatively, the Cleric can choose a Pantheon domain, which includes spells and abilities based on the entire pantheon.

For example, let us create a Cleric. We will name him Jormung. Jormung worships a pantheon of four gods, Thor, Loki, Odin and Frigg. He is a War Priest, who leads the hordes to Valhalla. Thus, he chooses the War domain. However, he was also a worshiper of the One-Eyed Father from birth, raised so by his devout mother. Thus, he venerates the Father in all ways, and seeks to be like him. Thus, he takes the Knowledge domain. Alternatively, he could have Chosen the Healing domain from Frigg, or the Trickery domain from Loki.

Pantheon Domains

In addition, there are such things as Pantheon domains. A Pantheon domain is devoted to a specific pantheon of gods that are typically worshiped together. For instance, there could be a 12 Gods Domain, from the Twelve Gods found in Rich Burlew's fantastic webcomic.

Pantheon domains grant two or three spells for each level, and also grant two or three special abilities. The number of spells and special abilities depends on the number of gods within the pantheon. Pantheon domains take up every available cleric domain when chosen at the clerics first level, and count as two domains if they grant two spells per level, or three domains if they grant three.
{table=head]Number of Gods|Number of Spells/Special Abilities

10 or less|

2

11 or more|

3

[/table]

For Example:

Dwarf Pantheon

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Morndinsamman
The Mordinsamman are the Dwarf gods, of iron and metal and family and community. They represent the ideals that a Dwarf looks up to.

Special: Once per day, the Cleric may gain a bonus to a single Craft check equal to his Caster level.

Special: Once per day, the Cleric may grant all allies within 30 feet a bonus to their Armor Class equal to his Wisdom modifier for 3 rounds.

Morndinsamman Domain Spells
{table=head]Spell Level|Spell Name

1

|Burning Hands, Bless

2

|Heat Metal, Status

3

|Produce Flame, Prayer

4

|Minor Creation, Tongues

5

|Fabricate, Rary's Telepathic Bond

6

|Major Creation, Heroes Feast

7

|Fire Storm, Refuge

8

|True Creation, Magnificent Mansion

9

|Forcecage, Mass Heal
[/table]

Greek Pantheon

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Hellenic Pantheon
The Hellenic pantheon focuses on lust, power, and greed especially.

Special: Once per day as a free action, the Cleric may gain an enhancement bonus to his Charisma modifier for 3 rounds.

Special: The Cleric gains a +2 competence bonus on Appraise, Search, and Sleight of Hand checks.

Special: Whenever the Cleric rolls a one on a saving throw, he may automatically reroll that save. He must take the second roll, even if it is a 1.

Hellenic Pantheon Domain Spells
{table=head]Spell Level|Spell Name

1

|Hypnotism, Charm Person, Spiritual Weapon

2

|Eagle's Splendor, Invisibility, Magic Vestment

3

|Heroism, Clairaudiance/Clairvoyance, Knock

4

|Divine Power, Lesser Planar Ally, Fire Trap

5

|Mass Reduce Person, Scrying, Fabricate

6

|Forbiddance, Symbol of Persuasion, Guards and Wards

7

|Greater Heroism, Refuge, Teleport Object

8

|Greater Spell Immunity, Sympathy, Power Word Stun

9

|Mass Charm Monster, Trap the Soul, Power Word Kill[/table]

Norse Pantheon

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Asgardian Pantheon
The Asgardian deities are tied to War, Trickery, and Foresight.

Special: Once per day, the Cleric may, as an immediate action, make an attack against a target that has attacked him and dealt damage. He must do so immediately. He makes a melee attack roll against that target. The target must be within melee range. If he hits, he deals an extra amount of damage equal to the damage that he took from the attack that triggered this attack.

Special: The Cleric gains a +2 bonus to all Hide, Move Silently, and Bluff checks, and adds those skills to his skill list.

Special: The Cleric gains a +2 bonus to all Knowledge checks.

{table=head]Spell level|Spell Name

1

|Magic Weapon, Disguise Self, Identify

2

|Spiritual Weapon, Invisibility, Augury

3

|Magic Vestment, Nondetection, Cure Serious Wounds

4

|Divine Power, Confusion, Scrying

5

|Flame Strike, False Vision, Commune with Nature

6

|Blade Barrier, Mislead, Heal

7

|Power Word Blind, Screen, Greater Scrying

8

|Polymorph Any Object, Discern Location, Control Plants

9

|Mass Heal, Time Stop, Foresight[/table]

Goblin Pantheon

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Goblin Pantheon
The Goblin deities are associated with hate, oppression, goblins, and cooperation.

Special: The Cleric gains a +4 Competency bonus to all Diplomacy, Intimidate, Bluff, and Sense Motive checks while interacting with Goblins.

Special: Once per day, the Cleric may make a melee attack against a single opponent. If he hits, that opponent must make a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 Caster level + Casting ability score modifier) or become Nauseated for 2 rounds.

Special: All creatures within 30 feet of the Cleric gain a +2 bonus to their Armor Class.

Domain Spells
{table=head]Spell Level|Spell Name

1

|Doom, Command

2

|Scare, Enthrall

3

|Bestow Curse, Discern Lies

4

|Rage, Fear

5

|Righteous Might, Greater Command

6

|Forbiddance, Geas/Quest

7

|Blasphemy, Bigby’s Grasping Hand

8

|Antipathy, Mass Charm Monster

9

|Wail of the Banshee, Dominate Monster
[/table]

Gnome Pantheon Domain

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Lords of the Golden Hills
The Lords of the Golden Hills are associated with nature, healing, earth, gnomes, and illusion.

Special: Once per day, as a standard action, the Cleric may heal a target within 30 feet for a number of damage equal to his Wisdom modifier in d6.

Special: The Cleric’s caster level for Illusion and Enchantment effects increases by 2.

Special: All plant, animal, and fey creatures, as well as creatures with the [Earth] subtype, that are within 30 feet of the Cleric and are allied with him gain Fast Healing equal to half of his Wisdom modifier.

Domain Spells
{table=head]Spell Level|Spell Name

1

|Silent Image, Magic Stone, Calm Animals

2

|Cure Moderate Wounds, Summon Nature’s Ally II**, Barkskin

3

|Stone Shape, Minor Image, Dominate Animal

4

|Cure Critical Wounds, Commune with Nature, Command Plants

5

|Wall of Stone, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Wall of Thorns

6

|Heal, Summon Nature’s Ally VI**, Repel Wood

7

|Project Image, Earthquake, Animate Plants

8

|Mass Cure Critical Wounds, Animal Shapes, Control Plants

9

|Elemental Swarm*, Shambler, Shapechange
[/table]
*Earth elemental swarm only.
**Can only be used to summon animals.

Elf Pantheon Domain

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Tel’Sindarine
The Tel’Sindarine are associated with elves, nature, knowledge, the arts, and trickery.

Special: The Cleric gains a +4 Competency bonus to all Diplomacy, Intimidate, Bluff, and Sense Motive checks while interacting with Elves.

Special: The Cleric gains a +2 bonus to all Knowledge skills.

Special: Once per day, the Cleric may gain an Insight bonus to all attack and damage rolls made with bows equal to her Wisdom modifier for 3 rounds, as a swift action.

Domain Spells
{table=head]Spell Level|Spell Name

1

|True Strike, Detect Secret Doors, Disguise Self

2

|Cat’s Grace, Detect Thoughts, Invisibility

3

|Snare, Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, Nondetection

4

|Tree Stride, Divination, Minor Creation

5

|Commune with Nature, True Seeing, Major Creation

6

|Find the Path, Heroes’ Feast, Mislead

7

|Liveoak, Legend Lore, Screen

8

|Sunburst, Discern Location, True Creation

9

|Antipathy, Foresight, Time Stop
[/table]

Bugbear Pantheon

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Bugbear
The Bugbear pantheon is associated with violence, combat, fear, and hunting.

Special: Once per day, the Cleric may gain proficiency with all weapons until the end of the encounter, and may treat improvised weapons as if they were manufactured, ignoring the penalty to attacks with them.

Special: The Cleric gains a +2 bonus to Intimidate, and Survival checks.

Domain Spells
{table=head]Spell Level|Spell Name

1

|Magic Weapon, Cause Fear

2

|Spiritual Weapon, Doom

3

|Magic Vestment, Bestow Curse

4

|Divine Power, Fear

5

|Flame Strike, Righteous Might

6

|Blade Barrier, Symbol of Fear

7

|Power Word Blind, Blasphemy

8

|Discern Location, Antipathy

9

|Wail of the Banshee, Foresight
[/table]

Giant Pantheon

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Giant
The Giant pantheon is associated with magic, knowledge, hunting, combat, trickery, and weather, as well as the elements.

Special: The Cleric gains a +2 bonus to all Knowledge and Spellcraft checks.

Special: Once per day, the Cleric may gain the effects of the Endure Elements spell for a number of hours equal to her Wisdom modifier.

Special: The Cleric gains a +2 bonus to Survival checks made to track an opponent, and to attack rolls.

Domain Spells
{table=head]Spell Level|Spell Name

1

|Nystul’s Magic Aura, Obscuring Mist, Magic Weapon

2

|Identify, Invisibility, Spiritual Weapon

3

|Dispel Magic, Water Breathing, Magic Vestment

4

|Imbue with Spell Ability, Sleet Storm, Divine Power

5

|Spell Resistance, Call Lightning Storm, True Seeing

6

|Antimagic Field, Control Winds, Find the Path

7

|Spell Turning, Fire Storm, Legend Lore

8

|Protection From Spells, Incendiary Cloud, Discern Location

9

|Mordenkainen’s Disjunction, Foresight, Elemental Swarm
[/table]

Saurial Pantheon

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The Protantora
The Protantora ("Preservers of Nature") is the pantheon of the Saurials, composed of seven deities. The Protantora are composed of opposites; one side represents the calmness and gentleness of nature, while the other represents its wilderness, passion, and danger.

Special: Clerics may remain under the effect of a sanctuary spell for a number of minutes equal to their Wisdom modifier every day. This time need not be continuous. The Cleric may instead use the power to effect an ally instead.

Special: Clerics have a +2 bonus to all Knowledge (Nature) and Survival checks.

Domain Spells
{table=head]Spell Level|Spell Name

1

|Summon Nature's Ally I*, Bane

2

|Aid, Bull's Endurance

3

|Create Food/Water, Contagion

4

|Summon Nature's Ally IV*, Freedom of Movement

5

|Mass Cure Light Wounds, Insect Plague

6

|Heal, Harm

7

|Refuge, Regenerate

8

|Animal Shapes*, Earthquake

9

|Summon Monster IX*, Storm of Vengeance[/table]
*Reptiles only

Orcish Pantheon

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Orcish Pantheon
The Orcish Pantheon is associated with strength, combat, orcs, hatred, darkness, death, disease, and fertility.

Special: The Cleric gains a +4 Competency bonus to all Diplomacy, Intimidate, Bluff, and Sense Motive checks while interacting with Orcs.

Special: Once per day, as a swift action, the Cleric may grant all Orc allies within 30 feet a sacred bonus to their Strength score equal to the Cleric’s Wisdom modifier, for 3 rounds.

Domain Spells
{table=head]Spell Level|Spell Name

1

|Cause Fear, Magic Weapon

2

|Produce Flame, Darkness

3

|Prayer, Magic Vestment

4

|Divine Power, Rage

5

|Prying Eyes, Shadow Evocation

6

|Eyebite, Blade Barrier

7

|Blasphemy*/Holy Word**, Destruction

8

|Cloak of Chaos, Antipathy

9

|Wail of the Banshee, Shades
[/table]
*If the Cleric is evil.
**If the Cleric is good.
If the Cleric is neutral, the Cleric may choose which spell to prepare upon preparing spells.

Pharaonic Pantheon

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Pharaonic Pantheon
The Pharaonic Pantheon is most closely associated with law, community, ancestors, weather, and judgment.

Special: The Cleric gains a +2 bonus to Survival and Diplomacy checks.

Special: The Cleric gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls against creatures that have committed a crime in the eyes of the Cleric’s home country’s laws.
DM Note

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Alternatively, if you don’t want to have to deal with the sort of bureaucratic ambiguity that having specific laws entails, the Cleric gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls against creature’s that have dealt damage to an ally of the Cleric, or the Cleric himself.

Special: The Cleric may, once per day, communicate with his ancestors. He may make a single untrained Knowledge check, with a bonus equal to his Wisdom modifier plus his Caster level.

Domain Spells
{table=head]Spell Level|Spell Name

1

|Protection From Chaos, Bless, Deathwatch

2

|Calm Emotions, Fog Cloud, Gentle Repose

3

|Magic Circle Against Chaos, Searing Light

4

|Order’s Wrath, Sleet Storm, Death Ward

5

|Dispel Chaos, Call Lightning Storm, Flame Strike

6

|Hold Monster, Control Winds, Undeath to Death

7

|Dictum, Refuge, Destruction

8

|Shield of Law, Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mansion, Surelife

9

|Summon Monster IX*, Storm of Vengeance, Mass Heal
[/table]
*Lawful creature only.

Template For Pantheon Domains:

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[b][size=3]Name[/size][/b]
Description of what the Pantheon is most commonly associated with.

[b]Special:[/b] A passive ability.

[b]Special:[/b] Another passive ability.

[b]Special:[/b] An ability usable once per day.

[b]Domain Spells[/b]
{table=head][b]Spell Level[/b]|[b]Spell Name[/b]

[center]1[/center]|

[center]2[/center]|

[center]3[/center]|

[center]4[/center]|

[center]5[/center]|

[center]6[/center]|

[center]7[/center]|

[center]8[/center]|

[center]9[/center]|
[/table]

I added the template for creating Pantheon Domains, in case anyone else wants to try their hand. Any pantheon at all can be done, as long as you can figure out the way they work together. After critiquing your work, I will include it in the first post, if you agree to it.

[Welknair]

Seems pretty straightforward. Would a Pantheon Domain take up multiple Domain slots, based upon the number of spells/special abilities present in it?

[unosarta]

Seems pretty straightforward. Would a Pantheon Domain take up multiple Domain slots, based upon the number of spells/special abilities present in it?

Ah, yes, forgot to put that in.

A Pantheon domain takes up all of your domain slots if it is chosen as a cleric, and counts as two domains if it grants two spells per level, or three domains if it grants three. I will edit that in. Thanks!

[LOTRfan]

Wow, this is pretty neat. I especially like the Pantheon Domain rules, it makes the mechanics of worshiping huge amounts of gods very simple.

[unosarta]

Wow, this is pretty neat. I especially like the Pantheon Domain rules, it makes the mechanics of worshiping huge amounts of gods very simple.

It becomes fairly complicated once you get to having to worship a pantheon that includes a god of death and a god of life, unfortunately.

For that, one must essentially just think about what aspect of the pantheon is very prominent, or what themes are especially strong (like how the theme of craftsmanship and community are strong within the Dwarf pantheon, and Dwarf culture).

Alternatively, you can break the pantheons into two parts, similar to how Eberron has a set of evil deities and a set of good ones, allowing you to write up the spells and abilities much more easily.

[Welknair]

Fine work, as always. Hmm. I wonder if there's room for a feat or two to build on this idea...

This makes me want to post my Half-Blood bloodline...

[unosarta]

Fine work, as always. Hmm. I wonder if there's room for a feat or two to build on this idea...

This makes me want to post my Half-Blood bloodline...

Probably. I am thinking of adding a clause that only allows a character one Pantheon domain, unless multiple are granted by a class or feat.

Go ahead! I love bloodlines. Is it in some way related to this, or was it just a thought that came to you?

[Welknair]

Given that Pantheon Domains take 2 or 3 slots, I don't see how you'd get to having multiple. For clerics they fill all of your domains (As a Planar Domain does). Besides that, the only ways to gain domains are the Extra Domain feat, Arcane Disciple, and likely one or two others. Since none of those give you multiple domains, I don't think you'd be able to gain a Pantheon Domain that way anyways.

I've had the Half-Blood bloodline statted up for a while now, but never got around to posting it. This reminded me of it. We don't see many homebrew bloodlines, do we?

[unosarta]

Given that Pantheon Domains take 2 or 3 slots, I don't see how you'd get to having multiple. For clerics they fill all of your domains (As a Planar Domain does). Besides that, the only ways to gain domains are the Extra Domain feat, Arcane Disciple, and likely one or two others. Since none of those give you multiple domains, I don't think you'd be able to gain a Pantheon Domain that way anyways.

Good point. MammonAzrael's entrant to this month's Prestige Class competition was a full casting (with 9 spell levels, like the Ur-Priest) PrC whose spell list was entirely based on the domains they got. They chose two at first level. That is the only other example I can think of.

I've had the Half-Blood bloodline statted up for a while now, but never got around to posting it. This reminded me of it. We don't see many homebrew bloodlines, do we?

Not any that I can remember.

[Welknair]

Made my thread for it here. Sorry for derailing a bit. And before you ask, the domains you pick must be single domains, so sadly your Pantheon Domains would not be eligible for this bloodline. Not to mention no one wants to think about how that would have resulted...

[unosarta]

Made my thread for it here. Sorry for derailing a bit. And before you ask, the domains you pick must be single domains, so sadly your Pantheon Domains would not be eligible for this bloodline. Not to mention no one wants to think about how that would have resulted...

Oh gods. Well, that would kind of work for the Greek pantheon, and maybe some of the more lustful pantheons. But yeah, no.

[Welknair]

Oh gods. Well, that would kind of work for the Greek pantheon, and maybe some of the more lustful pantheons. But yeah, no.

The most the Greeks did that I know of was three parents at once... Then again, I'm not all that well-read on the subject. Yeah, no.

[unosarta]

The most the Greeks did that I know of was three parents at once... Then again, I'm not all that well-read on the subject. Yeah, no.

Yeesh. Anyway...

I might be making more Pantheon domains, if anyone has any requests.

[Welknair]

Greek.

[unosarta]

Greek.

Oooh. That could be hard/interesting. There are definitely a lot of focuses that the pantheon holds, such as lust, greed, power, deceit, and more lust.

This could be hard.

[Edit]: Done!

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Hellenic Pantheon
The Hellenic pantheon focuses on lust, power, and greed especially.

Special: Once per day as a free action, the Cleric may gain an enhancement bonus to his Charisma modifier for 3 rounds.

Special: The Cleric gains a +2 competence bonus on Appraise, Search, and Sleight of Hand checks.

Special: Whenever the Cleric rolls a one on a saving throw, he may automatically reroll that save. He must take the second roll, even if it is a 1.

Hellenic Pantheon Domain Spells
{table=head]Spell Level|Spell Name

1

|Hypnotism, Charm Person, Spiritual Weapon

2

|Eagle's Splendor, Invisibility, Magic Vestment

3

|Heroism, Clairaudiance/Clairvoyance, Knock

4

|Divine Power, Lesser Planar Ally, Fire Trap

5

|Mass Reduce Person, Scrying, Fabricate

6

|Forbiddance, Symbol of Persuasion, Guards and Wards

7

|Greater Heroism, Refuge, Teleport Object

8

|Greater Spell Immunity, Sympathy, Power Word Stun

9

|Mass Charm Monster, Trap the Soul, Power Word Kill[/table]

It is surprising how many spells from the Lust/Greed/War/Pride domains really fit in with the Greek deities.

[Welknair]

Looks nice. I always wondered what they intended players to do with the Cha bonus from the Lust domain. "So, I got a moderate Cha bonus for 6 seconds. What can I do in 6 seconds?" At least yours lasts for three rounds. Though I still see it being utilized more often as a bonus to Diplomacy and Bluff, rather than... other stuff.

Nice work. Asgardian Pantheon might be a bit tougher since most people are less familiar with it...

[unosarta]

Looks nice. I always wondered what they intended players to do with the Cha bonus from the Lust domain. "So, I got a moderate Cha bonus for 6 seconds. What can I do in 6 seconds?" At least yours lasts for three rounds. Though I still see it being utilized more often as a bonus to Diplomacy and Bluff, rather than... other stuff.

Nice work. Asgardian Pantheon might be a bit tougher since most people are less familiar with it...

Yeah, one check sort of works, but one round for something like that, especially when it isn't tied to casting and doesn't do anything, is kinda worthless.

I could do Asgard. Would be a little harder. They have a very strong emphasis on War and Trickery, maybe some on wisdom and sacrifice.

[Welknair]

Does anyone know the Pharonic Pantheon? I haven't read anything about it at all... Hellenic's got all the tragedies and Asgard's got the best fights and the whole Ragnarok thing.

May I suggest you include the Hellenic Pantheon Domain in your first post?

[unosarta]

Does anyone know the Pharonic Pantheon? I haven't read anything about it at all... Hellenic's got all the tragedies and Asgard's got the best fights and the whole Ragnarok thing.

May I suggest you include the Hellenic Pantheon Domain in your first post?

I know some of it. Certainly, it has probably enough gods that I can split it in two. Hm, according to Deities and Demigods, it actually only has 6 or so. That should make it much easier.

Done with the Asgardian Pantheon.

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Asgardian Pantheon
The Asgardian deities are tied to War, Trickery, and Foresight.

Special: Once per day, the Cleric may, as an immediate action, make an attack against a target that has attacked him and dealt damage. He must do so immediately. He makes a melee attack roll against that target. The target must be within melee range. If he hits, he deals an extra amount of damage equal to the damage that he took from the attack that triggered this attack.

Special: The Cleric gains a +2 bonus to all Hide, Move Silently, and Bluff checks, and adds those skills to his skill list.

Special: The Cleric gains a +2 bonus to all Knowledge checks.

{table=head]Spell level|Spell Name

1

|Magic Weapon, Disguise Self, Identify

2

|Spiritual Weapon, Invisibility, Augury

3

|Magic Vestment, Nondetection, Cure Serious Wounds

4

|Divine Power, Confusion, Scrying

5

|Flame Strike, False Vision, Commune with Nature

6

|Blade Barrier, Mislead, Heal

7

|Power Word Blind, Screen, Greater Scrying

8

|Polymorph Any Object, Discern Location, Control Plants

9

|Mass Heal, Time Stop, Foresight[/table]

[Edit]: and all of the Domains are edited into the first post.

[Ashtagon]

The "take what you like from any deity in the pantheon" pantheon rules exist in Eberron, and the "amalgamation of several deities domain" exists as planar domains.

So, it's not original, but it is definitely an idea whose time has come, and which was needed.

Now as it happened historically, while common citizens (and even many priests) would generally give offerings to whichever deity is in charge of the activity du jour, priests who presided over religious affairs did specialise in a single deity, in almost every religion that I have looked deep into (admittedly not a great number). Shinto and other animist religions being the exception, possibly due to the sheer number of powers worshipped in that case. So, historically (and in my campaign world), this idea isn't need, but your campaign world may vary.

[Mayhem]

I really like it, especially the pantheon domains! I'm definately going to try including pantheon domains into my campaign setting.

I'm a fan of the Asgardian and Pharaonic pantheons. I'm not sure what the pharaonic pantheon represents most though so I can't help you on that one. Also, I'd like to see Aesir and Vanir minor pantheons to go along with your major Asgardian pantheon, I might give it a shot making them.

I suppose the cloistered cleric is the only one with 3 domain slots?

EDIT: I forgot to mention, I got the japanese reference .

[unosarta]

The "take what you like from any deity in the pantheon" pantheon rules exist in Eberron, and the "amalgamation of several deities domain" exists as planar domains.

So, it's not original, but it is definitely an idea whose time has come, and which was needed.

Now as it happened historically, while common citizens (and even many priests) would generally give offerings to whichever deity is in charge of the activity du jour, priests who presided over religious affairs did specialise in a single deity, in almost every religion that I have looked deep into (admittedly not a great number). Shinto and other animist religions being the exception, possibly due to the sheer number of powers worshipped in that case. So, historically (and in my campaign world), this idea isn't needed, but your campaign world may vary.

Ah. Well, A) the Eberron religion rules are open to anyone who has the book, which is probably a growing minority, and B) Considering the fact that I have done quite a bit of work in 3.5 and never heard of a Planar domain, it probably isn't a very well known option.

Also, this option isn't really for a priest who worships only one deity. This option is for the priest who is trying to represent the whole pantheon, and cannot truly do it for lack of rules that allow that. Just because most only worship one doesn't mean everyone should have to.

I really like it, especially the pantheon domains! I'm definately going to try including pantheon domains into my campaign setting.

I'm a fan of the Asgardian and Pharaonic pantheons. I'm not sure what the pharaonic pantheon represents most though so I can't help you on that one. Also, I'd like to see Aesir and Vanir minor pantheons to go along with your major Asgardian pantheon, I might give it a shot making them.

I suppose the cloistered cleric is the only one with 3 domain slots?

EDIT: I forgot to mention, I got the japanese reference .

The pantheon domains can be taken by anyone who has more than one domain granted to them at a single time.

Go ahead! I would love to see an Aesir or Vanir domain.

[Cardea]

Reading through it right now. But I saw the title and couldn't help but smile.

[Ashtagon]

Actually, speaking of "pantheons", one of my pet projects for a while was to interpret TORG in 3e terms.

In that game system, various religions are treated as separate, but this doesn't go down to the individual deity level (except for monotheistic religions, of course). The Norse gods are treated collectively as a single religion, as are the Pharaonic pantheon, Shintoism and its many gods, and Hinduism each being a single entity for game purposes (and that is as far as I will go in mentioning that those more modern religions were even involved in any game system).

At this level of game definition, the exact deity the cleric worships could be treated as campaign fluff, with the crunch being provided at the pantheon level. A set of domains would then be defined for each pantheon, and the cleric would then simply pick two of those domains and their associated power.

In effect, you go from being "I am a cleric of Thor, and fluff-wise, I have a special interest in thunderbolts" to being "I am a cleric of the Norse pantheon, and fluff-wise, I have a special interest in Thor's thunderbolts".

[Welknair]

Ah. Well, A) the Eberron religion rules are open to anyone who has the book, which is probably a growing minority, and B) Considering the fact that I have done quite a bit of work in 3.5 and never heard of a Planar domain, it probably isn't a very well known option.

Planar Domains take up two Domain Slots and are presented at the back of the Spell Compendium (One of my favorite books). Either way, I still haven't seen anything quite like this. And it does open up some World-Building options...

Go ahead! I would love to see an Aesir or Vanir domain.

I think he was saying that he'd like you to make said domains...

[Serpentine]

Pretty much every D&D setting ever has at least two or three deities, and it doesn't make sense to limit a character to just one, especially not when it doesn't make an sense for their character concept.

No comment on the idea, but I feel lke pointing out that, historically, members of polytheistic societies have tended to have a patron deity or a god upon whom they focused most of their private worship. So at least in that regard, it does make sense for characters to do that... But nothing against characters not doing so, for sure. Neat idea, anyways.

[Set]

Does anyone know the Pharonic Pantheon? I haven't read anything about it at all

Hamunaptra has a really good write-up of a version of the Ennead for D&D.

With the concept of Ma'at so prominent, I'd be tempted to include aspects of the Law, Community, Glory, etc. domains. The tomb/death/ancestor focus, I'd probably pillage aspects from Repose.

Sun seemed at first like a 'gimme,' but the goddess of Night and the god of Darkness are both in the Ennead, so perhaps not quite so much. A weather spell option might fit better, as there are gods of the sun, the night, the earth, the sky, and the waters tucked away in there. Weather at least touches lightly on all of them, to some degree.

Spells relating to judgement, like lesser geas, bestow curse and / or zone of truth might make sense.

[unosarta]

Planar Domains take up two Domain Slots and are presented at the back of the Spell Compendium (One of my favorite books). Either way, I still haven't seen anything quite like this. And it does open up some World-Building options...



I think he was saying that he'd like you to make said domains...

Oh. It seemed like he was saying he was going to take a shot at it. I don't really have the time for it right now, but I will get on it tomorrow.

No comment on the idea, but I feel lke pointing out that, historically, members of polytheistic societies have tended to have a patron deity or a god upon whom they focused most of their private worship. So at least in that regard, it does make sense for characters to do that... But nothing against characters not doing so, for sure. Neat idea, anyways.

That is true, and a good point. And for those characters, having domains that are devoted specifically to the patron god makes sense. However, they can still worship a Pantheon of gods, and hold one god in higher esteem than others, taking only that god's domains, effectively modeling both situations.

Hamunaptra has a really good write-up of a version of the Ennead for D&D.

With the concept of Ma'at so prominent, I'd be tempted to include aspects of the Law, Community, Glory, etc. domains. The tomb/death/ancestor focus, I'd probably pillage aspects from Repose.

Sun seemed at first like a 'gimme,' but the goddess of Night and the god of Darkness are both in the Ennead, so perhaps not quite so much. A weather spell option might fit better, as there are gods of the sun, the night, the earth, the sky, and the waters tucked away in there. Weather at least touches lightly on all of them, to some degree.

Spells relating to judgement, like lesser geas, bestow curse and / or zone of truth might make sense.

This looks like a very good summary of the pantheon. Water, indeed, seems like it would be a minor, but still important, aspect of the pantheon.

And weather also ties into the origins of the pantheon and the nation that founded it.

[Welknair]

Hey, what about a Pantheon domain for the Greyhawk gods? That'd be interesting, given how far-spread they are... They're a deal looser-knit than the other pantheons given in Deities and Demigods.

I think there might even be room for a Cleric PrC that's focused around worshiping all gods, in fear that any of them could smite you if you don't pay proper respect to each in turn.

[Mayhem]

I said I'd try making Aesir and Vanir domains, but that I make no promises. Alright, I have some free time so I'll give it a shot now.

Yeah, Greyhawk pantheons would be a great idea. Gives people who aren't interested in gods some more options to play with without getting deep into trying to find one that fits. Would work especially well for tribal monstrous humanoids I think.