Anyone else buying the Dieties & Demigods even though they won't use the stats?

[Desdichado]

You guys are aware, are you not (because the scoop is old news) that it doesn't just stat the "gods?" That it also stats a lot of "pantheon specific" creatures? Probably stuff like Valkyries for the Norse pantheon, cyclops for the Greek pantheon, etc.?

Even if it didn't have that (and probably illoed by Wayne Reynolds to boot!) I'd buy it just to read. Same as Manual of the Planes. Heck, if it's as good as that book, it'll inspire me to try and find a way to use it...

 

[Davelozzi]

I'm planning on buying it to read, and just to have it, although chances are very slim that I'll ever use the god's stats. Even though it sounds like they will take up a large portion of the book, I'm still hoping that there'll be enough material about the religions, creating your own pantheon, etc. to be worthwhile.

On the other hand, there's been a few other WotC hardcovers that I was definately planning on buying but didn't, mostly due to the expense. (although I'm not trying to start that whole discussion again here -- just explaining my likelihood of purchase).

 

[Darkness]

... I think portraying gods as physical, destroyable manifestations (no matter how difficult it may be) is something rather ludicrous.

That's what angels, demons, devils and spirits are for. I think the idea of a god having an avatar at all kind of nullifies the whole concept of a "god," but I'm open to suggestions.

Your point is valid only in a monotheistic pantheon - i.e., if you only have one omnipotent god (like in today's major faiths). However, in a polytheistic pantheon like the old Greek, Norse, or Egyptian pantheons, things are decidedly different. And it's these pantheons that D&D has always emulated. Thus, it makes a lot of sense for D&D to stat deities.

 

[TalonComics]

I'm just old school so that's the only excuse I need to get Deities & Demigods. Heck, if there were a Fiend Folio D20 book I would buy it for the same reasons.

I won't use the gods' stats but I am interested in the other stuff that will be in the book.

Of course I sell the dang thing too: www.taloncomics.com/d&dcorebooks.html

~Derek

 

[Glyfair]

Re: Stats for Dieties!

If you look at Classic mythology, the gods frequently intervened in the affairs of mortals. Zeus had many sexual encounters with mortal women, during the trojan war many gods and demi-gods took sides.

One of my favorite panels from "The Cartoon History of the Universe" tried to explain why there were so many byblows of Zeus in the mythologies. It had a woman apparently caught with a goose. She's crying "It's Zeus. It's Zeus." The theory being was a really good scapegoat for "impossible" pregnancies. Plus it's a lot better to be cuckolded by Zeus than the guy down the street.

As a more on topic comment. I think some of the general hatred toward stats for deities stems from the Monty Haul games in the early days of D&D (and some in the not-so-early days) where some characters would have Mjolnir because he killed Thor, and the like. Some of it comes from being raised in a monotheistic culture where the deity is considered untouchable and unfathomable, etc.

I see a major difference between "Stats for Deities have no place in my campaign/game/world" and "Stats for Deities are absurd, why would you do something stupid like that."

Personally, I intend for the characters to interact with the deities at some point. I don't want the Gods to be just abstract concepts to explain why clerics have spells. I'd like that part of my campaign to have a flavor somewhere between the Greek myths where the gods were meddling everywhere and Glorantha, where the gods are felt, but somewhat kept apart until you become a hero.

Glyfair of Glamis

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

I'm not saying the Gods will never interact with my PC's. But the concept of stating out lesser and higher Gods is silly. Maybe I would use the full stats of the Greyhawk gods as their avatars or something.

 

[JerryLove]

I'm 100% with you in that I think portraying gods as physical, destroyable manifestations (no matter how difficult it may be) is something rather ludicrous.

Your point is valid only in a monotheistic pantheon - i.e., if you only have one omnipotent god (like in today's major faiths). However, in a polytheistic pantheon like the old Greek, Norse, or Egyptian pantheons, things are decidedly different. And it's these pantheons that D&D has always emulated. Thus, it makes a lot of sense for D&D to stat deities.

Actually, even in monotheism.. For example, in Genesis 32, Jacob defeats God in a wretling match.

 

[UD]

Your point is valid only in a monotheistic pantheon - i.e., if you only have one omnipotent god (like in today's major faiths). However, in a polytheistic pantheon like the old Greek, Norse, or Egyptian pantheons, things are decidedly different. And it's these pantheons that D&D has always emulated. Thus, it makes a lot of sense for D&D to stat deities.

God appears several times in the bible.
And Jesus is God so... Hmmm.

 

[Darkness]

Heh. It's been a while since the last time that I read even part of the bible, I have to admit... It shows, though, neh?

Thanks for pointing that out, guys!

 

[UD]

Heh. It's been a while since the last time that I read even part of the bible, I have to admit... It shows, though, neh?

Thanks for pointing that out, guys!

Its amazing just how many of the cleric spells can be found in the Bible. From pillars of fire to raising the dead.