What would you want in a Deities sourcebook?

[Buttercup]

You missed out on one thing I'd prefer to see - a thoughtful and detailed workup not of the deities and powers, but on the priesthoods, their structures, politics and so on. Give me a good look into polytheism and the impact it has on the culture, and so on.

In other words, don't give me a book about deities. Give me a book on religions.

This is the book I'm looking for as well. Tell me about the concepts behind polytheism, and then give me the tools to construct my own pantheon, including an overview of creation myths, priesthoods, rituals, church politics and so forth. Maybe include some God Templates, so for example, let's say I want to create a god of valor, I can look up a template, select a few domains, give him or her a name and insert the god into my pantheon. Cut and paste dieties, that's what I want.

And I agree that stat-blocks are totally unnecessary.

 

[Buttercup]

Actually, the forthcoming Lore of the Gods from Bastion has a lot of what everyone listed as important. So there just might be a book out there that meets your needs to one degree or another.

In which case, tell the folks at BC&T to reserve a copy for me! (Sigh. I'll never have spare cash laying around if this keeps up.)

 

[diaglo]

no statistics for the deities.

but more information on the deities influence. religious holidays, rites, unique holy symbols or magic items tied to deity. example temple/holy site. and example cleric/abbot/priest/leader of service. specifics on who worships, why they worship, what they worship, when they do it, where they do it, how they do it. how they gain converts. the costs/price of keeping the faith. who are their allies. who are their enemies. who are the offspring of the deity. myths, legends, backstory for the faithful. maybe an example of text or manual for the deity.

 

[Arnwyn]

You missed out on one thing I'd prefer to see - a thoughtful and detailed workup not of the deities and powers, but on the priesthoods, their structures, politics and so on. Give me a good look into polytheism and the impact it has on the culture, and so on.

In other words, don't give me a book about deities. Give me a book on religions.

Ditto on that (and I was quite a bit surprised to not see those options in the poll). [Oh, and it looks like a whole whack of other posters have said the same thing.]

From the above poll, I chose avatar stats (not deity stats, which are useless to me) and sample temples... that's it. Needless to say, the last thing I want to see are new feats, PrCs, spells, and magic items. I actively avoid books that focus on those topics.

(Thankfully, I have the 2e FR books F&A, P&P, and DD. All I'll ever need for deity books.)

 

[JoeGKushner]

Actually, the forthcoming Lore of the Gods from Bastion has a lot of what everyone listed as important. So there just might be a book out there that meets your needs to one degree or another.

Could you elaborate on that? It's been a while since I've heard about this project but last time I remember, and I could be completely wrong, is that this was an updated and expanded book that combined the various real-world religions with avatars for the gods done up ala character stats as opposed to the super stats in some of the various books being discussed here.

Some good monsters, magic items and other chrunch bits mind you but not super heavy on detail.

 

[Grodd JoJoJo]

"Say there was a sourcebook detailing a pantheon of gods for a campaign setting. What elements would help convince you to buy it? (Assume the basics are included, like each deity's description, alignment, domains, and favored weapon.)"

I agree with everyone who says no stats - I don't want my characters being able to take on gods, no matter how tough the characters are.

Definitely extensive material on creating your own gods - basic building blocks for omens and signs and suggested omens for different coming events, extra materials on worship, more attention paid to real-world pantheons and the structures of them (the D&D pantheons are WAY too haphazard), methods for developing myths - basically more information derived from the useful aspects of religions.

Of course, extensive write-ups on bare-breasted pain goddesses are always welcome

 

[Grodd JoJoJo]

Shoot...I forgot. How about pictures of suggested vestments and adventuring gear? WoTC art is always good.

 

[Psion]

You missed out on one thing I'd prefer to see - a thoughtful and detailed workup not of the deities and powers, but on the priesthoods, their structures, politics and so on. Give me a good look into polytheism and the impact it has on the culture, and so on.

In other words, don't give me a book about deities. Give me a book on religions.

Umbran has my vote!