Dieties, Demigods, and Worship

[doktorstick]

Howdy. I have a couple of questions relating to dieties, demigods and their worship. I would like to understand how they work in a nutshell without a) purchasing another sourcebook; and b) can be used with the core books.

From my understanding, their are typically many levels of godhood--demigods, lesser gods, intermediate gods, and greater gods. Their power (and "levels") vary accordingly. The worship of their followers translates, somehow, into power for them. What is the property of the god that allows them to receive power from worship? Is that the same property that allows them to bestow spells to their clerics? "Divine" is a trite answer but may be sufficient given the explanation for my next question.

New gods are presumable demigods although I know of any reason why they couldn't come in as more powerful. A level 20 player may wish to retire her character and become a god. How is this ascension achieved such that worshippers fuel the new god and that he can bestow divine power to his followers? I imagine that other gods are quite select about allowing another "demigod" to play in their pool.

Thanks.
/ds

 

[Xeriar]

Nothing in the Deities and Demigods relates power to worshippers. IIRC it does apply to Forgotten Realms, but this wasn't always the case.

You are left to make your own rules, here. Upper Krust has a setup for his upcoming Immortal's Handbook, but that's about the only thing that deals with it.