Fitting the Mythology to the World

[NoOneofConsequence]

It depends on whether or not gods were truly created first or whether worship somehow created them.

I like the way real pantheons address real human needs, and people don't pick a single god to worship, but respect them all... just perhaps favouring one of them.


I think that it's better than coming up with a bunch of deities who meet the needs of evil cultists and a few adventurers, but don't meet the desires of the common people.

I agree with your second sentiment completely. The vast majority of deities should deal with mundane aspects of life. However, even where pantheons are available, individuals (and families) tend to pick a particular god to worship - they venerate all of them sort of but they have their personal patron too.

In terms of how myths infulence life and how translates to a game world, I cannot reccommend too highly any of the following - Cults of Prax, Gods of Glorantha or Cults of Terror - All of these were published for second and third edition Runequest in the early and mid eighties. They're brilliant. Every religion is detailed with its god's origin, what they did during the time of the gods, the dark age and then since the coming of time. All this mythology and history explains the god's role in their respective pantheon and why they favour certain races or grant specific divine abilities. Absolutely top notch stuff. Also, every cult had specific "spirits of retribution". Break the cult's laws and these creatures came and punished you directly - no abstract alignment penalties, just some seriously tough spirits (read: demons/devils/celestials) to deal with.

Anyway, I digress. I'm finding this thread fascinating - a lot of my own ideas are crystalising.

And Tonguez, thanks for the compliment.

 

[CCamfield]

Re: Re: Re: Fitting the Mythology to the World

Or if the nature of the gods influenced/formed humans perceptions about the world.

That's how I've always assumed it happenned.

That could be a scary thought. If there was a violent war god who takes delight in death in battle, might he have influenced perceptions of warfare as glorious so that more carnage would occur?