Religion Before the CleansingBefore the Cleansing, we all knew our Gods. The All-Father provided security, Freyja sought justice, Leoflyn knew all of our songs. Even though he was feared as the reaper of souls, the demon Akyshigal was known, and he had his place.
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Contemporary ReligionNow we look to anything that seems to provide answers. Our efforts vary widely in approach, results, and acceptance, and no one agrees on any of these things. Everyone seeks what they think benefits them. The three main beliefs - not considering the numerous cults - Are the Watchers of the Sky, The Temple of Veneration, and the Oracles of Fate.
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Watchers of the Sky |
Temple of Veneration |
Oracles of Fate |
This group of astrologers and astromancers are a reclusive bunch, staring through telescopes at the night sky, compiling charts, and consulting ancient scrolls of star lore. They rely on the movements of the heavens to determine the correct course. Occasionally one will set out on a grand adventure to fulfill or thwart a prophecy.
Most Watchers of the Sky have a telescope, star charts, and a staff with a small astrolabe on the end. They also have observatories where they keep even more astronomical and astrological instruments: it might be a grand tower atop a mountain peak, or the attic of a run-down cottage. |
The Temple of Veneration raises some heroes to sainthood and venerate them long after they have left the world. The Temple is dedicated to remembering the saints and emulating them. They don't seek to tell the future; they try to learn from the past. The temple is part religious movement, part support network for those who wish to follow in the footsteps of past heroes.
Most members of the Temple of Veneration have a copy of Valet’s Acta Sanctorum, a holy symbol (or even a collection of tiny holy symbols on a necklace or wristband), a club studded with holy symbols, and a weapon with a holy symbol built into it. |
The Oracles of Fate are a tight-knit group of seers and soothsayers. Originally a group of Troll mystics, the Oracles of Fate have expanded their membership to farseers of all races and nations. The group has forseen that they will somehow help to shape a coming age of the world, but as yet are unsure of the details.
Oracles of Fate probably carry a pen, ink and parchment to write prophecies down, a scrying glass or crystal ball to peer into, and a divination tool such as a deck of cards or tea-making equipment (to read the leaves with). Some simply rely on the patterns that blood or water makes on the ground. They also carry a walking staff to help them on your travels (and to hit bandits with when they foresee their ambush). |
Game Mechanics
Watchers of the Sky choose either Heaven-Led or Lunar Guidance
Heaven-Led: Once per day, when trying to find your way, you may roll 2d20 and keep the higher roll. If both are 11+, you gain a benefit appropriate to your situation. (For instance, If you're lost you may find an even quicker path that makes up for lost time.) Lunar Guidance: Once per day, before you roll, you can choose to have the moon guide your hand. There are two effects of this, one if you miss, and one if you hit.
If you choose the Watchers of the Sky as your faction, you gain access to the following spell list:
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Temple of Veneration members choose either Remembrance or Followed Footsteps
Remembrance: Once per day, when making a save, you may either gain +5 to your roll, or become immune to the next non-damage effect that targets the same defense that the current effect targeted. Followed Footsteps: Just as you try to follow the example of those who came before, so others may follow your example. Once per day, when you make a successful attack, choose one ally. That ally may use your roll for this attack for their next action as well, as long as that action includes your target. If you choose the Temple of Veneration as your faction, you gain access to the following spell list:
Oracles of Fate choose either Look Ahead or Fate-Crossed
Look ahead: Once per day, you may choose a target creature that you have obtained something from. This could be hair you've pulled out in a fight, or a dog's favorite toy. If you're not in combat, you can see where to find your target sometime later that day. If you're in combat, you can see your target's next action. The GM selects the target's next action immediately when you use this power. Your target must try to perform the selected action on it's initiative as long as it's still a valid action. If it's not a valid action, the target is dazed, normal save ends. Fate-crossed: When you roll any relationship dice, you may change one of them to a 6. If you do this, you must change your next 6 to a 5. If you choose the Oracles of Fate as your faction, you gain access to the following spell list:
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