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Gods of Your World

Alacrity Fantasy, A TTRPG by Adam J.. McKee and James G. Walker, Jr.

Few elements shape the feel and function of a fantasy world more profoundly than the nature of its gods and the role of faith. Are deities distant myths, active players in mortal affairs, or something stranger entirely? How does divinity manifest, and what does belief mean for the average person – and, crucially, for the adventurers? Defining the divine landscape is a core part of establishing your world’s Big Picture, directly influencing its tone, themes, the nature of supernatural power, and the viability of character concepts like Clerics and Paladins.

In Alacrity, where all supernatural abilities are channeled through the unified Magic skill system, the source and flavor of that power are defined by the setting and the character’s Narrative Anchor. For characters drawing power from faith, their relationship with the divine is that anchor. This section explores the spectrum of possibilities for divinity in your world, offering guidance on designing pantheons, religions, and integrating faith into your game mechanics.

How Present Are the Gods?

Not all fantasy worlds treat gods the same way. The level of divine presence and interaction dramatically alters the setting’s feel. Consider where your world falls on this spectrum:

1. Absent or Silent Gods

In these worlds, gods might be figures of myth and legend, long-dead entities from a prior age, philosophical concepts, or simply non-existent. Organized religion might still exist, perhaps venerating historical figures, ancestors, natural forces, or abstract ideals (like Justice or Knowledge), but direct divine intervention is unheard of or dismissed as superstition.

Implications for Magic: Divine Effects, as traditionally understood (miracles granted by a deity), likely don’t exist. Characters seeking such powers might need a different Narrative Anchor:

Worldview: Societies might be more secular, focus on ancestor worship, or develop complex philosophical systems. Morality might be derived from societal codes or philosophical principles rather than divine decree. Temples might be historical monuments, community centers, or philosophical schools.

Tone: Often lends itself to Low Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, or settings exploring themes of existentialism, humanism, or the loss of faith.

2. Distant or Indirect Gods

This is a common approach in many fantasy settings. Gods demonstrably exist (or are widely believed to exist with credible evidence), possess significant power, and have defined portfolios, but they rarely intervene directly in the mortal world. Their influence is felt through:

Implications for Magic: The standard Alacrity magic system works perfectly here. Clerics and Paladins initiate the Magic skill via their faith and learn divine Effects (healing, smiting, protection) fueled by MP. The power feels real but mediated through the worshipper.

Worldview: Religion is likely a significant social and political force. Temples exist, priesthoods hold influence, and faith is a common aspect of daily life for many. Questions might arise about why the gods don’t intervene more directly, leading to theological debates or crises of faith.

Tone: Fits well with most standard fantasy tones, from Heroic Fantasy (where gods empower champions) to Low Fantasy (where divine power is real but perhaps subtle or costly).

3. Active and Interventionist Gods

In these worlds, the gods are major characters in the ongoing drama. They might walk the earth in mortal guises, speak directly to their followers, manifest powerful avatars, wage wars amongst themselves using mortal pawns, or frequently unleash unambiguous miracles or curses upon the world.

Implications for Magic: Divine power is potent and potentially dramatic. Effects granted to followers might be stronger, have lower MP costs, or recharge more easily (GM discretion). The GM might allow truly epic, world-altering Effects achievable through direct divine favor (perhaps requiring quests or great sacrifices beyond standard MP costs). The Magic skill still governs the channeling, but the source feels much closer and more responsive. Direct communication with a deity might grant knowledge or bypass the need for certain Lore checks.

Worldview: Religion is central and undeniable. Temples are likely centers of immense power, both spiritual and temporal. The actions of the gods directly shape history and daily life. Mortals might feel like pawns in divine games. Atheism might be seen as sheer lunacy or dangerous heresy.

Tone: Strongly leans towards High Fantasy, Mythic Fantasy, or Epic Fantasy. Adventures often involve direct service to a god, thwarting the plans of rival deities, or dealing with the fallout of divine conflicts. Player characters might even have divine heritage.

4. Antagonistic or Ambiguous Gods

Not all gods are benevolent forces for good. Some settings feature deities who are capricious, cruel, demanding, indifferent, alien, or whose morality is utterly incomprehensible to mortals. They might grant power, but often at a terrible price or for inscrutable purposes.

Implications for Magic: Divine Effects might come with drawbacks, risks of corruption, or demand unpleasant sacrifices (literal or ethical). Clerics might struggle with the morality of wielding their god’s power. Effects might be destructive, manipulative, or focused on control. The Narrative Anchor might involve appeasement or fear rather than devotion. Backlash (critical failures on Magic rolls) might have particularly thematic and nasty consequences.

Worldview: Faith might be driven by fear, pragmatism, or desperation rather than love or aspiration. Religions might be oppressive, secretive, or focused on placating dangerous entities. Hope might be scarce, and cynicism common. Temples could be places of dread or bloody sacrifice.

Tone: Excellently suited for Dark Fantasy, Grimdark, or Cosmic Horror settings. Explores themes of faith vs. pragmatism, the nature of evil, and the insignificance of mortals before uncaring or malevolent powers.

5. No Gods, Just Powerful Entities

Some settings replace traditional deities with other sources of immense power that might inspire worship or grant abilities. These could include:

Implications for Magic: The Magic skill and Effect system still function, but the Narrative Anchor and the flavor of the Effects change. A “Cleric” might be a “Veridian Keeper” drawing power from a forest spirit, learning Effects related to plants and beasts. A “Paladin” might be an “Agent of the Balance” drawing on cosmic forces of Order and Law.

Worldview: Depends heavily on the nature of the entities. Worship might be less centralized, more philosophical, or focused on specific locations or natural phenomena.

Tone: Can fit almost any tone depending on the nature of the powerful entities involved.

Choosing where your world sits on this spectrum is a foundational decision that informs all subsequent choices about religion and divine power.

Designing Pantheons: Who Are the Gods?

Once you know the level of divine presence, you can start defining who the gods (or god-like entities) are. This involves considering their number, structure, domains, relationships, and individual characteristics.

Number and Structure of the Pantheon

How many divine beings hold significant sway?

Domains and Portfolios

What aspects of existence do the gods govern or represent? Defining these helps clarify their influence and the likely powers of their followers. Common domains include: Sun, Moon, Stars, Sky, Sea, Earth, Underworld, Fire, Storms, Wind, Water, Plants, Animals, Life, Death, Healing, Disease, War, Peace, Justice, Law, Chaos, Trickery, Travel, Trade, Craftsmanship (specific types like Forge, Weaving), Knowledge, Magic, Secrets, Love, Beauty, Fertility, Strength, Protection, Darkness, Light, Fate, Time, Dreams, Madness.

Consider if domains are exclusive or if multiple deities share influence, perhaps leading to rivalry. A clear portfolio helps determine which Effects a cleric might learn (a Sea God’s follower learns water-based Effects, a Forge God’s follower learns Effects related to fire, metal, and creation).

Divine Relationships

How do the gods interact with each other?

Alignment and Ethos

Beyond simple good/evil labels, what are the core values, personality traits, and motivations of your deities?

Creating Individual Gods

When detailing a specific deity for your world, consider these key elements:

Starting Simple: You don’t need a fully fleshed-out pantheon with complex family trees before session one. Start by detailing the one or two gods most relevant to the player characters’ backgrounds or the initial adventure location. Introduce others as needed. Let the pantheon grow organically as the campaign progresses.

Religion and Worship in the World

How do mortals interact with the divine (or the lack thereof)? The nature of religious practice significantly impacts society, culture, and politics.

Organized Religion

Does faith manifest in large, hierarchical institutions with established traditions?

Folk Religion & Animism

Often existing alongside or instead of organized faiths, these practices focus on local or less structured beliefs:

Cults

Secretive or marginalized groups often dedicated to unconventional or forbidden powers:

Atheism & Agnosticism

In a world where divine power might be demonstrably real (e.g., clerics performing miracles), how are those who don’t believe, actively doubt, or follow purely secular philosophies viewed?

Divine Intervention and Miracles

How often and how directly do the gods (or other powerful entities) make their presence known beyond empowering their followers?

Integrating Gods into Alacrity Mechanics

Alacrity’s unified system handles divine power seamlessly:

Conclusion: Faith as a Foundation

Defining the gods, pantheons, and religious practices of your world is a vital part of worldbuilding. It establishes the cosmic order (or lack thereof), provides powerful motivations and conflicts, informs the nature of magic and supernatural power, and gives context and depth to characters who draw strength from faith or interact with religious institutions. By carefully considering the spectrum of divinity, designing believable (or terrifying) pantheons and modes of worship, and integrating these elements with Alacrity’s core mechanics, you can create a divine landscape that feels integral to your setting and provides fertile ground for compelling adventures. Whether gods are silent observers or active players on the world stage, their presence—or absence—will profoundly shape the stories you and your players tell together.

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File Created: 05/07/2025
Last Modified: 05/07/2025