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Message: <blockquote data-quote="SableWyvern" data-source="post: 915604" data-attributes="member: 1008">The following is an excerpt from my current Rolemaster world setting.COSMOLOGY & AN OVERVIEW OF THE GODSThe Nature of the UniverseKalharun is part of a solar system that mirrors our own, with Kalharun itself in the same position as the Earth. All the bodies within the solar system are real, physical entities analogous with those from the Real World.Beyond the solar system, however, distant objects are as much metaphysical as real. Stars, galaxies and planets outside of the solar system do not necessarily follow the same physical laws. Some are devoid of life, while others contain entities ranging from insignificant through to powerful beyond imagining. In general, the further from Kalharun one goes, the older and more potent the beings that are found. Agothu, Pale Demons, Chaos Demons, Ancient Gods and beings of unimaginable power dwell in distant realms. It is the faint emanations of some of these beings that mortals call Essence.The Nature of KalharunThe Kalharun solar system, to the casual observer, appears perfectly mundane by Real World standards. It is, however, made up of several distinct realities, with the Prime Reality (that in which mortals dwell) being the point at which all others merge.The Elemental RealitiesThe Elemental Realties form the basic building blocks of physical matter in Kalharun. Everything in the Prime Reality is formed of one or more of the basic six elements, earth, fire, water, light, air and ice.The Spirit WorldThe Spirit World coexists with physical reality. It provides the basic spiritual energy that makes life and conscious thought possible. Without the Spirit World, there would be only dead, unchanging, physical matter.The Realm of the DeadThe Realm of the Dead is technically part of the Prime Reality, but is more heavily influenced by the Spirit World than the Elemental Realities. While it exists physically, deep beneath the earth, it does not support the presence of consciousness in a physical body. Any living thing with true physical form that remains for long in the Realm of the Dead will soon find its soul separating from the physical self (ie, dying). Souls of the dead dwell here eternally, watching the world and sometimes interacting with each other. Generally, a soul in the Realm of the Dead is at peace, and has no desire to return to the world of the living. Even if it wishes to return, however, this is quite difficult (this matter will be discussed later).The Nature of the GodsThe essential nature of religion in this world setting differs from the standard found in many RPG settings. The gods do not gain power from worshipers. They have no real agendas amongst men, and thus do not require followers to carry out tasks for them. They are, however, a proud and arrogant lot; so much so that they gain a great sense of their own importance when they are worshipped.Essentially, the gods grant magic to true believers to help encourage mortals to stroke their egos. They rarely have any true feelings of love or compassion for their followers, nor is there any true need for worshipers, beyond that created by their egos.The Coming of the GodsWhy the gods originally came to Kalharun is as unknown as where they came from. Certainly, they originated from some distant star or galaxy, but only they know from which one, and why it was they left. Perhaps they fled from enemies, or a dying reality. Perhaps they were explorers, and perhaps even there are more who will eventually follow them.They arrived when the peoples of Kalharun where young; before men, elves or dwarves had formed true societies. It is for this reason that some now-days believe that the gods were creators, for few natives of Kalharun realise that there was a time before the coming of the gods.There are eleven known gods that arrived in the solar system and decided for their own reasons to settle there. Each god found an astral body that suited its basic mentality, and took up residence upon that body.The following list shows each astral body of relevance, its Real World equivalent, and the spheres of influence of its resident god.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Asular (Sun): Sun, Fire[/*]</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Marculan (Mercury): Smith, Metalcraft, Stonecraft[/*]</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Levulas (Venus): Love, Fertility[/*]</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Kasdas* (Earth): Sea, Disease, Revenge, (Insects)[/*]</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Kalurusa (Moon): Genius, Fortune, Trickery[/*]</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Narom (Mars): War[/*]</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Dumere (Jupiter): Justice, Order[/*]</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Tarasis (Saturn): Wisdom, Fate, Time[/*]</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Tulura (Uranus): Nature, Chaos, Hunting (Horses)[/*] </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Depter (Neptune): Water, Sleep, Dreams[/*]</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Geilas (Pluto): Cold, Dark, Death[/*]</li> </ul>*Kasdas is the only god whose name is not the same as his planet.It is entirely possible, even probable, that lesser planetary bodies, such as moons other than Kalurusa, are also home to gods; however, if this is the case, they seem to have little interest in Kalharun. It is supposed by some that lesser cults, such as those of the Snake and Spider, may take their power from such lesser-known gods.Gods Through the Eyes of the PeopleThe preceding information is truth – but it is also a well-veiled truth. Each culture has its own view on who and what the gods are. Very few people understand their true nature. Instead, individuals and societies have formed their own frameworks and belief structures around their circumstances. When a particular belief finds similes with the actual nature of a god, that entity has generally made his presence known to the believers, accepted their actions as worship, directed its newfound followers, and provided the most devout with magic.Thus Kalharun has myriad of cults and pantheons, often worshipping various aspects of one god, but identifying that god in a different fashion, and usually with differing trappings.</blockquote>

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