Any suggestions for a good pantheon background for a RP game?

[waylander2]

I've got the basics down for the deities (names, spell lists for clerics etc) i'm happy with them. What i need is an easy way to come up with a story for them.

I'm not prepared to spend lots of time on it, so i was wondering if anyone had a good suggestion for a pantheon background? by this i mean novels you've read. Something i can google easy. I don't want to buy a book just for the background either.

My group know the LotR background very well, so that's not an option. They also know the forgotten realms and greyhawk deities very well.



To give you some idea my deities are split into 3 categories;
The Protectors;
Varn (the just)
Tarahir (our lady of the forest)
Selant (the dawnmaker)

The Independant Deities;
Rygar (the red knight)
Orius (keeper of knowledge)
Karroth (queen of the depths)

The Traitors;
Nekralis (lord of the dead)
Sithrill (the frost maiden)
Morallik (prince of lies)

[LAZtheinfamous]

Let me see if I understand what you are meaning by Pantheon Background, do you mean where the Pantheon came from? There's a number of really good backgrounds that you can use, traditional even.

1. The Greek, Egyptian, etc. Way. There was a creator species (titans, etc) that created everything and then the gods came and conquered them. I personally like the one where the creator dies and the gods spring up from portions of his corpse. Leads to fun side conversations about which god is the todger.
2. The 'Small Gods' method. Gods are powered by belief and sprang from belief. This is a fun one, because it also leads to a lot of active gods trying to do things to strengthen their own belief and weaken other gods belief. So it creates a very dynamic type of mythology. Seen in Terry Prachett's Small Gods. AN excellent book, and it really shows how gods work in a fantasy setting.
3. Foundling method. The Gods came from outside, and found the world without gods and stepped in to take over. The gods brought their old rivalries and things with them.
4. Elevated Mortals. This is kinda traditional D&D fair. The gods who were once mortal and became gods from getting tons of power, either magical or dynastic. Much like ancestor worship of several cultures like some asian religions, native american, and the egyptian pharaohs fit under this as well.

One thing that you are missing though, is a god of agriculture. In a psuedomedieval setting that would be the most important god to the common people.

Now, if I misunderstood and you are meaning how the gods interact, that's a whole different story. That would take some thinking. However, most of the pantheon backgrounds lead to more stories.

[waylander2]

do you mean where the Pantheon came from?

how the gods interact
Bit of both of those really



1. The Greek, Egyptian, etc. Way. There was a creator species (titans, etc) that created everything and then the gods came and conquered them. I personally like the one where the creator dies and the gods spring up from portions of his corpse. Leads to fun side conversations about which god is the todger.
Oh i like this idea. I'm a big fan of huge catastrophic events that shake the world. For example, in my background there's going to be a few races that have been wiped out. Areas won't remain static, there's a chance they'll be conquered and the PC's might have to become partizans.

I'm liking the titan idea, might use that. I could even use some other creature. I prefer titans to "dragons once ruled", that's been done to death.
At first all the Gods are fighting together, then greed/lust for power means some of them turn traitor, starting a Gods War.





4. Elevated Mortals. The gods who were once mortal and became gods from getting tons of power, either magical or dynastic.
This one is okay, but never been keen on the idea of mortals achieving God-like status. I'd like them to feel beyond anything the PC's can achieve. (think the D&D one is Cyric? stabs a God with a magic sword and takes his place) It's ok, but not my style



One thing that you are missing though, is a god of agriculture.
I'm using Tarahir as the Goddess of Nature and Agriculture. I should have put their spheres of influence next to my summary.


Thanks for the help Laz. :grin: Given me some good ideas there. Rep

[LAZtheinfamous]

No problem, I've done this plenty. Gimme a week or so to work on some interpersonal relationships for you. However, why are there gods that are 'traitors' is it just because they are evil or did something happen?

[waylander2]

No problem, I've done this plenty. Gimme a week or so to work on some interpersonal relationships for you. However, why are there gods that are 'traitors' is it just because they are evil or did something happen?

Well if we run with the titan idea...... off the top of my head;

When the (current) Gods first battled against the Titans they were on the same side, then after the Titans were defeated some of Gods turned traitor for some reason. Maybe the lust for power. Could have some Gods die as well.

I'd also like one of the elder races (elves/dwarfs) to remember the Titans, or have a history with them. In my setting some of the elves are a bit darker and care little for humans, a bit like wood elves in Warhammer. They also have a dark secret. They are in a constant battle with daemons.
My idea is the Titans ruled with an iron fist and the elves were their slaves. When the God v Titan battle started the elves joined the Gods. To help them the elves either summoned or created demons (maybe they were originally elves)