Son of the Serpent
Pupil
Over deities obviously dont require worshipers. There are other ecamples but thats the most obvious one.I was with you up until the text I quoted here but Im not sure what you were trying to say?
I cant remember which 2E book its in but I think that its either Faiths & Avatars or On Hallowed Ground where it states that a gods existence is directly related to its worshippers. Most likely F&A. Depending on the pantheon, game edition, campaign setting and DM, all will determine how dieties, religions and their clergy work in their game.
Further even without overdeities what you say has never been without exception even in editions with less obvious examples. Consider this - some gods are born. BORN. Those ones dont start out with worshipers.