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Message: <blockquote data-quote="EzekielRaiden" data-source="post: 9547727" data-attributes="member: 6790260">Almost every pantheon or pantheon-like structure tends to have the following (note, I am using "god" without gender):1. At least one sky-god, who may or may not also be the storm-god or the sun-god but not both2. At least one earth-god, who may or may not also be the fertility-god3. At least one death-god, who may pull double duty in any other category4. At least one war-god, ironically more often than not separate from the death-god5. At least one "wilderness" god, whether embodying, hunting, or guarding nature6. At least one "civilization" god, which may or may not also be associated with healing and/or skill7. Usually, but not always, a deity associated with light (who may or may not be a solar deity)8. Usually, but not always, a deity associated with the dark depths of the earth9. Usually, but not always, a deity linked to madness, chaos, or otherwise rule-breaking things10. Usually, but not always, a deity of wealth and (often) the power that comes with itProbably a few more I'm leaving out, but this is enough for now.Instead of having a good/neutral/evil split, I think I'm going to have a sky/earth/depths split. The celestial, terrestrial, and abyssal division is a pretty popular cosmological structure in human religion, and serves a useful purpose here.Lawful Celestial: Civilization-god, either cosmic ruler, civilization-promoter, or healerNeutral Celestial: Sun-god, either ruler of the cosmos, "observer" of the world(s), or healer (if not taken by previous)Chaotic Celestial: Storm-god, associated with the untamed wrath of the heavens (and, rarely, ruler of the cosmos)Lawful Terrestrial: Wealth-god, keeper of accounts, seeker of truth, arbiter of fateNeutral Terrestrial: Fertility-god, bringer of both bountiful harvests and famine alikeChaotic Terrestrial: War-god, deity of violence and bloodshed but also valor and tenacityLawful Abyssal: Death-god, judge of the dead and keeper of their dwelling-placesNeutral Abyssal: Night-god or trickster-god, who breaks the powerful and exalts the cleverChaotic Abyssal: Madness-god, breaker of chains, one who reveals secrets and unleashes creativityThis seems like a pretty functional generic pantheon, at least for European and East Asian deity-figures. What little I know of African mythologies also seems to work with this, though I'm not sure how well it would work with mythologies from the Americas, Oceania, or the Middle East.</blockquote>

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