Deities & Demi-Gods

## Gods & Devils and their Angels and Demons

In D&D Gods, Devils, Angels, and Demons are all different things, Devils and Demons are opposed and war against each other, and the Gods are off doing their own things. In this world Gods and Devils are the same things, Devils are nothing more, but Dark Gods, Angels and Demons are the Souls of Mortal followers reborn as servants of their gods, as these are reincarnation perks for following a God or Dark God. Most mortals do not get this honor and are after a period of reward or punishment reborn as mortals with no memories of their past lives.

Note: If you follow a Dark God, you are still bound by the rules of the Pantheon that the Dark God is a member of, so unless you are found worthy to being reborn a demon, you will still go through the punishment/reward and rebirth cycle as normal, same with followers of good deities. In fact, Gods and Dark Gods are forbidden from explaining the specific rules for being reborn as servants of the gods. The rules for such a rebirth have to be followed naturally and without intent. And most Dark Gods are not looking for those who had lived evil lives.

## Birth of Gods and Devils

Taking a page from Terry Pratchett, the Gods of this world are Born from the Beliefs of Mortals, it’s a bit more Complex than Terry Pratchett wrote, but the Idea works that there are Deities with no followers waiting for Mortals with a Belief, these Gods and Devils are empowered and shaped by the Beliefs of their followers. It should be noted that ALL deities had a Mortal existence at one point. And are worthy souls who have transcended the mortal existence in one of many ways be they great heroes or great tyrants once they have passed through the punishment/reward part of the afterlife they can be given the option of rebirth as a rank 0 deity, you manage to kill a god or devil you will inherit one portfolio of the god or demigod and start as a rank 0 deity (in the case of a party no more than 5 will transcend, and only the one with the killing blow will get the portfolio, or an exceptional individual using the hidden “cultivation” method can transcend to a rank 0 deity. There are other methods, but these are the most common.

Once a mortal soul transcends to a rank 0 deity they cannot be killed or reborn as a mortal, their soul if they are defeated will always respawn as a rank 0 deity after 100 years. In fact, if you kill a god or devil the god or devil will respawn as a rank 0 deity with the same portfolio they had before minus what was taken from them.

If a Rank 0 deity has no portfolio, either from transcendence, or from losing them. They can earn portfolios, by empowering mortal clergy, or by defeating other divine beings and taking them. To this end, there are complicated rules preventing overlap in portfolios, the exceptions are built on pantheons having a full unique set of portfolios and for some divine beings holding subservient positions under more powerful deities. i.e. Hades, the Greek god of death has his own pantheon, so Hel the Norse goddess of death can have her own identical portfolios. While Japanese Death Gods, aka the hundreds of Shinigami all share a portfolio under Yama the King of the Underworld.

## Deities and Pantheons

From our world the Earth all Religions besides the big Two (Christianity & Islam) have been brought to this world throughout our History, and each time this happens when a Human believes in a God or a Pantheon that hasn’t been seen before, then a new God or Pantheon is born.

## Piety

The Gods of this world have always been a bit more hands on than they are in forgotten realms, and it is not unusual for the Avatar of a God to just walk the streets in this world. As such, I have always included a direct rewards system involving the gods. Back in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and d20 I used the 1st edition Faith system, which was a d100 applied to a faith stat, in 5th edition it is done differently and works more fluid. The system is known as piety, and was first described in the DMG, but was expanded for the “MYTHIC ODYSSEYS OF THEROS” setting. In this game, we will be using it, but it will be used for Clerics until the Illithid invasion, when it will become used for all players. I will have a tracking system to keep a 1 through 50 score, with perks added with inspiration.

Additionally, people might ask but what if I’m an atheist, and yes, I understand, IRL I’m an atheist myself, in a world where gods can have a beer with you, disbelief in gods is like being a flat earther, however the agnostic point of view is very common is a Post-Modern fantasy world. The agnostic point of view kind of works like this, you know that guy you had a beer with is a god, and yes, he’s powerful, divine even, but is he really anything more than some guy who found great power, so much that he can share it to clerics now? It’s still a very rational point of view to strive to find such power, and not bow down to beings who claim to be greater than you. One could say it’s only human to try and become more than human.

As it is, once the party is noticed by any god, the gods will start betting on the power of the party, giving perks and boons when they see something they like, and they will give “black marks” to those who displeasure them.

-“Black Marks” are the way to gain favors from the dark and evil gods.

Popular pantheons in this setting:

**Chinese and Japanese Buddhism, Hinduism, Meso American and South American, South American** (A mix of various beliefs of Native Americans)**, Sub Saharan African, Ancient Egyptian, Ancient Persian, World Specific Pantheon, Other D&D Settings, Dragons, Norse, and Greco-Roman.**

#### *Supreme Deity*

Divine rank greater than 21, usually only one per reality ~~server~~. These entities are beyond the ken of mortals and care nothing for worshipers. They do not grant spells, do not answer prayers, and do not respond to queries.

* *In nomine vinctum (In the Name, Bound)*– Maker of this reality AO is the D&D Equivalent.

#### *Greater Deity*

Divine rank 16 or greater, these entities may have millions of mortal worshipers, and they command respect even among other deities. The most powerful of greater deities’ rule over other deities just as mortal sovereigns’ rule over commoners.

The first Two Deities are both the equivalent of Asgorath in the Traditional D&D settings.

* *Xenon Kroman* – Greater Dragon Deity Platinum God Dragon
	+ (Unknown to Humans)
* *Willowleaf Bismuth -* Greater Dragon Deity Multicolor goddess, mother of dragons
	+ (Unknown to Humans)

*The third deity of note is the World tree. Which takes the place of Classical D&D’s World Serpent.*

* *Etz Chaim* – The World Tree Source of ALL Magic in this “universe”, counts as a greater god of Creation, no self-identity, is “programed” by Xenon and Willowleaf, which is a full-time job with no benefits.  True Neutral
	+ (Partially known by all races, but the truth of the world tree and its actual nature is unknown to mortals)

* *Kace’endra* - Dragon Goddess, prophecies, protector of cities, protector of the Human Race, sometimes shown as a beautiful woman, The Rainbow is her symbol, patron god of LGBTQAI+, mythology says she is Transgender and Bisexual.  (Similar to Bahamut in other settings, a favorite of Paladins) She is the daughter of Xenon and Willowleaf. She shows herself as a Human Woman with dragon wings and a dragon tail. Her colors are Rainbow, her worn colors are pink, blue, and white.

#### *Intermediate Deity*

Divine Rank 11 or greater. They have hundreds of thousands of mortal worshipers and control larger godly realms than demigods or lesser deities.

* *Mah’gec* - Neutral Gender Deity of Peace, Sun Elves (Traditional High Elves), and Wizards. Symbol is the orange Sun.
* *Ikiteiru Hoshii* – Sun Goddess, also Goddess of Horsemen, and survival.
* *Chel’lardi* – Moon Goddess, also Goddess of Moon Elves (Type of High Elf that guards the Tree of Life), Also note Ikiteiru Hoshii and Chel’lardi are Lesbian Lovers who chase each other across the sky, worshipers celebrate Eclipses as this is when the lovers get together.

#### *Lesser Deity*

Divine rank 6 or greater, these entities grant spells and can perform more powerful deeds than demigods an. Lesser deities have anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of worshipers and control larger godly realms than demigods. They also have keener senses where their portfolios are concerned.

* *Oh’gilun* – God of Iron, God of Dwarves
* *Ghur'zeel* – God of War, God of Bulls, God of Minotaur
* *Ghua'yiodha* – Arch Devil, God of Warlocks, symbol of a Black Dog, Lives in a Volcano.
* *Arkhi’mhian* – God of the Sky, God of Dragons, God of Sorcery, Symbol a Blue Dragon flying.
* *Achuwu'cainhac* – God of Rain, the Old Man, god of Shaman
* *Char'xiaxi* – Goddess of the Night, Goddess of Sailors, symbol a ships Keel, or a sailing ship.
* *Th’orq* – God of Orcs, God of Barbarians, and Glorious Battle.
* *Brad’rhab* – God of Thieves, God of Halflings, symbol a Lazy Rabbit.
* *Vara’told* – God of Sciences, Illusions, and Gnomes
* *Lord Yo’han’whor’fin* – God of Explosions, God of Recklessness, God of All Goblinoids. Some say he is a Devil. His color is Red, his home is called the 10th Dimension. He hates Humans ‘Monkey Boy’.
* *Arah’chi’nia* (Loth) – Goddess of Spiders, weavers, and Dark Elves (Drow). Not necessarily Evil, but not Really nice either.
* *Az’moh’deus* – Dark god of Hell, God of Dark Intelligence, God of Quests, God of Punishment, God of Vigilantes.
* *Ah’jah* – Goddess of Nature, Goddess of Wood Elves and Druids.
* *Arub’una* & *Lah’poina* – God and Goddess of the Oceans, and Sea Elves, Mermaids, and other Intelligent Sea Creatures.
* *Swee’gin* –Goddess of Rivers, Lakes, amphibians and Kappa.
* *Dhad'Mhoraiz* – God of Winter, also Father Winter, God of Hunters, think Santa Claus but more vicious.
* *Jhar’y’low* – God of Spring, Rebirth, and Sex.
* *In’yan’nia* – Goddess of Summer, Sex Workers, Beauty, Love, and Witchcraft.
* *She’lu* – Goddess of the Harvest, Autumn, Dancing, and Farming.
* *Bierz’sal* – God of Alcohol, Bartending, House Spirits, Kobolds, and lesser Dragons.
* *Leh’via’the* – Evil Dragon god of the Sea
* *Ohzha’dada* – Evil Dragon God
* *Zoik’hak* – Dragon God of Greed, wealth, and politicians.
* *Ez’hue* – neutral gender deity of undeath, and Necromancers.
* *Coyote* - Trickster deity.  Genderfluid, trans man.

#### *Demigod*

These are either the children of the gods, or great heroes who transcended the mortal realm to achieve a divine rank of 1 or greater; they can grant clerics spells. A demigod can grant spells and perform a few deeds that are beyond mortal limits. A demigod has anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand devoted mortal worshipers and may receive veneration or respect from many more. A demigod controls a small godly realm and has minor control over a portfolio that includes one or more aspects of mortal existence. A demigod might be very accomplished in a single skill or a group of related skills, gain combat advantages in special circumstances, or be able to bring about minor changes in reality itself related to the portfolio.

Deities of these ranks fall into regional deities and racial deities. The God of a city or the god of a tribe of Goblins would count in this group. There are millions of 1 through 15 divine rank gods. This is where most monotheistic deities fall as well, as these beliefs tend to be only found in specific regions and tend to not be as popular as the usual polytheistic pantheons.

* *Gitblizbox* – god of the Amesorkop Goblin Tribe
* *Athene* – god of the city Novagraecus (in the UDE)
* *Jay*/*John*/*Jane* – monotheistic faith in The Wanderer whose name can never be agreed upon, centered in the Golden Sands Desert region of Dracoterra.
* *Dawn-Feather and Wild-Maiden* – The two gods of inland Aarakocra. The Aarakocra being creatures of daylight and nature they worship the sun up in the sky and nature almost exclusively. They believe all life was made by these two deities.
	+ *Dawn-Feather* – Neutral Good, Symbol a Shield of Sun, portfolio: Light, Life, Sky, Aarakocra. He represents everything above the sky.
	+ *Wild-Maiden* – Chaotic Neutral, Symbol a Wreath or stylized nest, Portfolio: Nature, Life, Earth, Aarakocra. She represents everything below the sky.

#### *Quasideity*

These are Heroes, or player characters who achieve great renown, they have no ability to grant powers to clerics, but they are known by enough people to have a divine rank of 0.

Besides Dungeon Cores (explained below) this is a status reserved for your heroes, and adventurers who transcend mortal bounds.

#### *Dungeon Cores*

These are the lowest beings with a divine rank, they are equal to a player character with divine rank 0. They can never evolve into a proper deity, they are always limited to their dungeon, they start out with one dungeon floor but can grow as many floors as they have the power for, they earn power the same way all deities do. However, they can only earn worship by having people doing stuff inside their dungeon. They can do impressive feats of design inside their dungeons, and they can eventually have Avatars that can leave the dungeon, but their place in the world is a fixed location even if the dungeons interior is actually inside a pocket dimension.