Your favourite 'real world' Pantheons/Mythologies

[Dinkeldog]

I put Celtic, Egyptian and Amerind. Of the three that get taught regularly in the states (Norse, Greek, and Egyptian), I think the Egyptian is the most interesting. Norse could be a decent choice, since you essentially have a few families with a lot of adventuring going on. Amerind could get difficult because of variations from one region to another. I stayed away from Hindu because of the number involved.

Something that could be very useful is treatments of the oriental religions, since Oriental Adventures was a little sparse there.

 

[Schmoe]

I put my votes in for Egyptian, Norse, and Amerindian.

Wow, you read my mind! Those were my choices exactly.

 

[Pazu]

I put in a vote for "Other", since I find many of the Buddhist traditions fascinating (especially the early stories, and the regional variants). Plus, it's a family thing!

<snip>

Something that could be very useful is treatments of the oriental religions, since Oriental Adventures was a little sparse there.

The story of the coming of Buddhism to China is an excellent starting point. The various treatments of the Monkey King story (Arthur Waley did one, I believe, called _Dear Monkey_) are decent introductions, but if you can get ahold of the entire _Journey to the West_, it's worth the read. Anthony Yu produced a four-volume translation of the entire epic, which was published by the University of Chicago; I don't know if it's still in print, though.

I've started the Rig Veda (Hindu), but due to various life issues, I haven't gotten very far at all, so I haven't much of an impression yet one way or the other.

-- Pazu

 

[Gez]

*Bump*

And vote Celt !

 

[Enforcer]

I voted Greco-Roman and Norse from the list. Though I only like Norse mythology because of the gods...I find the actual myths somewhat lacking.

And I could definitely see Old Testament mythology, back in the good ol' days when God was a kill-your-son, have a flood, demanding person, who nevertheless loved his people enough to kick the bejeezus outta the Egyptians. Plus, I think the Old Testament characters are more "mythological," at least in terms of unexplained powers and foibles. Take Samson and Moses for instance. Jacob is also pretty wily--almost Loki or Hermes. (Note, no offense meant to Christians...I just like the Old Testament.)