Faolyn
(she/her)
So over in the "Running List of potential problematic issues in TSR era Dnd" thread, I made the following comment (regarding people not having singular patron deities, and how it's kinda difficult to figuring out the relationships between all the gods):
And apparently, a few people liked the idea. So why not actually actually make some tables to reflect what the gods are actually doing nowadays, instead of in the ancient past. So let's start!
(BTW, mods, if you feel that this is better suited for the D&D Suggestions forum, either move it there or tell me and I'll remake it there.)
There wouldn't be the Table 1 from above, because that would be dependent on each setting's pantheon. But for the other tables and what's in them, what do think should be in there?
The basic format, at the moment, would be
Deity 1
I have Table 2 as the Godly Action table. Deity 1 has done/will be doing:
I have Table 3 as the Emotions table, because gods are all about the emotions. Deity is feeling...
I called Table 7 mostly for amusement's sake, like clearly there's been four other tables I just skipped in that example, so just say it's Table 4: the Random Item/Animal table.
Table X, because this is probably at the end of the list, is the Earthly Results Table. What effects do these gods' actions have on the mortal plane?
Meteor shower.
Earthquake.
Famine or drought.
A stupendous growing season.
Constant rain.
The weather suddenly changes to a season very unlike the current one.
A body of water drying up or a new one appearing.
The sudden appearance of a mountain, island, or island chain.
A volcanic eruption.
A new type of monster, animal, or sentient being appears.
What else?
And what other tables might this need?
This is even doubly difficult if you have a "living" pantheon where the gods are still getting up to their shenanigans, as opposed the typical D&D pantheon where those deeds all happened in the distant past.
...Now I'm picturing a series of tables.
DM, plotting out the deity's actions for the next few sessions: so... <rolls on table 1> so the goddess of wine is going to... <rolls on table 2> steal something important from... <rolls on table 1 again> the god of the forge because she's... <rolls on table 3> jealous of the forge god's... <rolls on table 4> relationship with... <rolls on table 1> the god of wolves. OK, so, maybe that means that wolves are now going to have advantage on attack rolls made against people who favor the goddess of wine. At least until she apologies. And the thing she stole from the forge god is... <rolls on table 7> his fire so... she stole the coals from his forge and flung them to the ground. Meteor shower time!
And apparently, a few people liked the idea. So why not actually actually make some tables to reflect what the gods are actually doing nowadays, instead of in the ancient past. So let's start!
(BTW, mods, if you feel that this is better suited for the D&D Suggestions forum, either move it there or tell me and I'll remake it there.)
There wouldn't be the Table 1 from above, because that would be dependent on each setting's pantheon. But for the other tables and what's in them, what do think should be in there?
The basic format, at the moment, would be
Deity 1
I have Table 2 as the Godly Action table. Deity 1 has done/will be doing:
- Has stolen something from (Deity table)
- Has willingly turned into a (random Item/Animal table) and may have to be convinced to change back.
- Has been turned into a (random Item/Animal table) or Imprisoned by (Deity table).
- Has kidnapped (Deity table or Lesser Mythical Being table?)
- Has impregnated/given birth to (Deity table or Lesser Mythical Being table?)
- Has created a (random Item/Animal table?)
- Has played a trick on/made a fool out of (Deity table or Lesser Mythical Being table)
- Has cheated (Deity table, Lesser Mythical Being table?) in a game of skill or chance.
- Is feeling a strong emotion (Emotion Table) because (Deity table) did (Godly Action table)
- Has entered a relationship with (Deity table or Lesser Mythical Being table)
- Has been slain by (Deity table), although this may or may not be permanent.
I have Table 3 as the Emotions table, because gods are all about the emotions. Deity is feeling...
- Lust
- Wrath
- Jealousy
- Existential Ennui
- Ecstasy
- Serious Annoyance
- In a Fey Mood (for all those Dorf deities out there )
I called Table 7 mostly for amusement's sake, like clearly there's been four other tables I just skipped in that example, so just say it's Table 4: the Random Item/Animal table.
- Mighty steed made of nonliving materials like wood or steel.
- A golem servant
- A golem child
- A hideous monster
- Songbird made of living music.
- A weapon capable of killing (Deity table or Lesser Mythical Being table)
- An animal with precious metal for fur, horn, teeth, whatever.
Table X, because this is probably at the end of the list, is the Earthly Results Table. What effects do these gods' actions have on the mortal plane?
Meteor shower.
Earthquake.
Famine or drought.
A stupendous growing season.
Constant rain.
The weather suddenly changes to a season very unlike the current one.
A body of water drying up or a new one appearing.
The sudden appearance of a mountain, island, or island chain.
A volcanic eruption.
A new type of monster, animal, or sentient being appears.
What else?
And what other tables might this need?