Levistus's_Leviathan
5e Freelancer
Okay, this is kind of a strange topic, but I find it interesting. Basically, earlier today I got thinking about how most religions (both in D&D and the real world) have a sort of "if you obey these rules/this faith, a higher power will reward you", typically with that higher power being a deity and the reward for following the religion's rules/faith being a "Heaven" of some sorts. In D&D and other fantasy TTRPGs, deities can literally deny their followers access to their religion's reward if they decide that they're not worthy. However, not all D&D religions have to be like this, and there are D&D worlds that don't have explicitly real gods (if they have them at all), like Eberron and Ravnica.
Now, the idea that inspired this thread is of a religion that's main divine reward/"Heaven Promise" isn't actually decided by the deity or whatever thing the religion is worshipping/venerating, instead it's decided by the community as a whole that is a member of that religion. The only example I can think of that sort of embodies this concept are the Elves from Aerenal in Eberron, where the "Heaven Promise" is becoming one of the Undying, and the people that decide if you become one of the Undying is the Aereni elven community as a whole, instead of just a deity or demigod. It doesn't quite embody exactly what I was thinking of, but is the best example from the top of my head of an official religion from D&D that fits this description. The Kryn Dynasty from Exandria also has similar themes to this, but doesn't quite fit, IMO.
So, are there any other examples of this concept in D&D? Are there any from other TTRPGs or fantasy sources?
Now, the idea that inspired this thread is of a religion that's main divine reward/"Heaven Promise" isn't actually decided by the deity or whatever thing the religion is worshipping/venerating, instead it's decided by the community as a whole that is a member of that religion. The only example I can think of that sort of embodies this concept are the Elves from Aerenal in Eberron, where the "Heaven Promise" is becoming one of the Undying, and the people that decide if you become one of the Undying is the Aereni elven community as a whole, instead of just a deity or demigod. It doesn't quite embody exactly what I was thinking of, but is the best example from the top of my head of an official religion from D&D that fits this description. The Kryn Dynasty from Exandria also has similar themes to this, but doesn't quite fit, IMO.
So, are there any other examples of this concept in D&D? Are there any from other TTRPGs or fantasy sources?