Rites of the God of Knowledge

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

One half of my Midwood campaign is heading to Freeport, where they will be going through a highly Ptolusized version of the Freeport Trilogy (the trilogy happens to touch on the themes of Ptolus pretty nicely, with a minor change to having the cultists focused on the Galchutt).

The unnamed God of Knowledge (who will be replaced with Locharit IMC) plays a big part in the trilogy, and I'm trying to put some more flesh on those bones, specifically by making the religion seem plausible and a little unsettling, just to set the mood.

I'm reading through the (frankly, underwhelming) religion write-ups in Complete Champion and will likely steal some of the Boccob stuff for Locharit, but I was wondering if anyone had any good ideas for a religion built around the god of knowledge and literacy.

Suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[Warren Okuma]

I need more information.

 

[Rechan]

God of knowledge rituals?

A Read-in. Seriously. Just 'Come, bring a book on a topic that interests you, and read'. Or even 'Come, we'll give you a book to expand your knowledge.' There could be drugs that allow altered states of consciousness - allowing the brain to remember more of what it reads, reduce the need to use the bathroom, etc.

Given that Freeport seems pretty medieval, maybe the Church teaches literacy - a ritual of someone graduating from a reading program.

A "Learning of the Ages" ritual - sort've a "Pre-Funeral". Someone who's really old and knows they're about to die is invited to basically sit and tell people about their lives. About the old days, their experiences, and the wisdoms they have gained. This way, the memories of this person is not lost when they die.

"Uncovering the Unfavored" - books are banned all the time. So perhaps the Church makes a note of recognizing information that has been banned (perhaps in neighboring countries, perhaps books banned in Freeport in the past). It might even be a secret ritual, harboring books that are CURRENTLY banned for whatever purpose.

An Educational Lecture or a seminar that teaches an otherwise dead language/information. The church sees it as a way of keeping information alive that otherwise might disappear because no one else uses it these days.

 

[CanadienneBacon]

Priests of a deity of knowledge are required to write and publish rhetoric according to a demanding schedule not dissimilar from the manner in which modern-day tenured professors at universities are required to publish papers, textbooks, or other works of (non)fiction.

These works will be catalogued and shelved by the greater and lesser libraries within the setting, with the librarians themselves often serving as cloistered clergy of the deity.

 

[CanadienneBacon]

If you plan to include knowledge as a tiered structure with higher ups having attained great learning and "enlightenment," then I suggest you do a look up on gnosticism and consider implementing it in your game. In the two hundred years following Christ's life, there existed a group or group of folks who claimed that salvation for one's soul (and thus eternal life) could only be gained through knowledge; the more you knew, the better "saved" you were. This, of course, was considered heresy to Christians who believe that only Christ could/can offer salvation.

I feel it's somewhat well-established on these boards that I myself am a devout Christian. I mention this or the ideas above NOT to start a religious crapwar but because often piety and knowledge have been historical archenemies. An interested DM could certainly get a lot of mileage out of a theological war between a god of knowledge and, say, Pelor.

YMMV, of course.

 

[Clavis]

Make the religion into an initiatory mystery cult, with segregated male and female groups who are named after letters of the alphabet. New initiates should be made to perform humiliating tasks and be the victims of practical jokes. Perhaps the cult is also noted for often playing pranks on the community at large, especially on the deity's holy day.

Perhaps the deity is particularly found of sacrifices of womens' undergarments. Her cultists might often go on "raids" of a sort to find them...

 

[Tonguez]

Look up (and adapt) the Kriat HaTorah (ritual Reading of the Torah) as a likely rite

Another annual rite could be the ritual recitation (chant) of the History of the World with any new events being added in and recorded by the clergy. This means that the official history of the world is what the Clergy say it is.

The ritual lighting of torches/lamps would be a quaint rite representing the light of knowledge.

Looking up the Freemasons Research Lodges could also be a source of inspiration (IMC it inspired me to include Artisanry under the Knowledge Portfolio meaning Masons, Blacksmiths and all such crafts are open to Clergy of the god of Knowledge)

IMC the God of Knowledge is served by the Erudite Order, who have the role of collecting, maintaining and disseminating knowledge. The Erudite order runs research universities, libraries and schools, and includes alchemist and arcane spellcasters (Acolytes) in its ranks

I have a major NPC modelled after Indiana Jones who is a member of The Erudite Order. Lukatus is official keeper of the National Archives (Library and Museum) and organises an annual expedition to known ruins (ie an adventure hook).

In one adventure Lukatus and the PCs uncovered evidence of an anceint pre-humanoid civilisation, however this was suppressed by Church Authorities and Lukatus ordered not to pursue it further (of course the PCs went back to find out more)

Every night Lukatus lights a lamp before saying his prayers

 

[freyar]

If you have it, you could check the entries for Deneir and Oghma in the 2e FR accessory Faiths & Avatars. The writeups there generally have lots of rituals.

 

[Dross]

To butcher a quote from Solomon Short: A religion is only as good as it's cliche's. Have common sayings like : Light the way, burn the darkness away, illuminate me.

And to use some real world examples (although only some are ceremonies):

For ceremonies everything is read from a book, by those low in the heirachy, for them to learn.

baptisms require the child's forhead to be written on (rather than washed).

coming of age means that you can now "legally" sign your name

the creation of paper etc could be a sacred duty

gifts of books (empty or full) and or writting impliments for all impoprtant occasions.

Clergy should have a part time job, to learn about a business, trade, skill and then teach others

I strikes me that any teaching would be a ceremony of sorts, imparting the knowledge "provided" by their god.


I don't know enough, but is this God of Knowledge also a Deity of Wisdom? The difference between the two is subtle but important.

 

[CanadienneBacon]

Or you could regard writing as bad luck. Writing "steals" words from your head that you can never get back. Mystics of a deity devoted to knowledge would have to memorize tracts and would be forbidden to write anything ever.