Scenario: The year 2015, The post-modern age has come to maturity. Atheism and Nihilism of the 20th Century has given way to New Age ideas of spirituality, liberalism and tolerance. The world is a ripe breeding ground for New Gods, and opportunities abound for those who would make them. We are the seed of one such God that wants to come into being.
All men are Gods. And when men pour forth their strength in unity and worship, a God of the group-mind is created, with its own individuality, consciousness and power. It is a separate entity from its creators, though drawing its life-force from them. Consciousness in the most basic sense is the ability to react. But in many cases, the egregores built by mankind are sentient and intelligent. Most are at least capable of acting in self-preservation. Egregores or the Gods are also a focussing point of the spiritual energies of the group, and through its worship or feeding can accumulate power that can be brought objectively into manifestation.
Thus when men build a religion, it often matters not what truth or "real" entities there are behind it. As men believe, thus it is so.
Qualities of our religion:
Alignment/ideology: For or Against God? All out for ourselves? Any affiliations with existing ideologies? What is the purpose or goals of our religion? Do we seek world peace? World destruction? Salvation of all men? Health and wealth? Going to heaven? World Domination?
Hierarchy: How are the priesthood and the ordinary followers organised? Are there systems of advancements or graduated levels of attainment?
e.g. brothers < deacons < elders // novices < lay priests < priests < bishops < primates/archbishops/patriarchs < cardinals < the Pope
Another example: Entered Apprentices < Fellowcrafts < Master Masons < Royal Arch Masons, etc.
Funding: Many Modern religions recieve tithes from their followers. But it was not uncommon for religions to recieve entire estates or even cities for their use.
Demographics: Does the religion appeal to certain types of men? The rich the poor? The adventurous? The well educated?
Any other notes for our doctrines and practices:
Priest Stats:
Assumptions - Initiates are well versed in every field of knowledge known to mankind. While specialization isn't necessary, one ought to know the outline of each discipline and their method of study. The initiate should be able to find any piece of information he needs that he doesn't already have.
Characters are also expected to be in prime physical health and fitness if they have made any progress in combatives or sorcery.
Oratory - Speaking skills and charisma. Used to charm the masses and just about anybody. Resistance to oratory skills may increase with intelligence and magickal strength. At the higher levels, this includes the finer points of social etiquette and the ability to move comfortably in high places.
Combatives - "Why use the force when a lightsaber is much faster." Advanced skills and knowledge on the use of violent force in the physical plane. Bonuses to both personal combat and to the combat effectiveness of any troops under the character's direct control.
Bureaucracy - Organizational and management skills. Buffs any businesses under the character's direct control. Also affects skills at implementing top-down policies and directives to subordinates.
Ceremonial Magick (High Magick) - The art of ritual or ceremonial magick. Mostly through the techniques of invocation and evocation. A real-world religion example of ceremonial magick would be the Eucharist and other Christian sacraments.
Sorcery ("Low" Magick) - The art and science of directly manipulating lower astral, etheric and physical energies. Working with lower elemental entities is still classified as "low" magick. The average untrained human generates about 20 watts of power. It is one thing to direct 20 watts to rapidly seal a wound, and another to throw fireballs out of your arse. Skill at low magick also allows one to defend against its techniques. Some real world examples include things like Chi-Kung and energy-based martial arts. In the western tradition, the practice of deep hypnosis, and mental suggestion can be heavily augmented with "lower" energies.
Factions we may face in the game:
Political forces: Anyone with any disagreement with what our created religion believes in. Liberal ideologies will piss off conservatives. Ideologies that urge for charity towards the poor will offend the proud. If you stand for anything, you will make enemies.
Religious groups: Established and entrenched religions will resist any new kids on the block. Some religions are exclusive, and will persecute anyone who is not them, regardless of any similarities in beliefs. Many mainstream religions have their own secret orders of magicians, who if pressed, may build up inquisitorial forces against us.
Occult orders: Groups of white or black magicians who, if you make enough waves, may take notice of you. Some may be packing powerful inquisitorial orders.
Hidden fun stuff: *Higher-Order* Non-human entities who decide to take an interest in you, for better or worse.
Character creation: Distribute 5 points linearly into
Oratory
Combatives
Bureaucracy
Ceremonial Magick
Sorcery
Each starting stat can't be more than 3 or less than -3. You can take negative levels to boost other areas. There are no level ups unless your priest dies. Then he/she *may* be reborn with more stats.
Assets: You start with nothing except for what you can wear, carry or stuff in your pockets. Your character has volunteered to leave everything behind and become a full-time priest of whatever mickey mouse outfit of a religion we're creating.
If you claim to be a billionaire of sorts in your mundane life, you can carry up to 10,000 dollars of cash in small bills in your pockets. Just don't get mugged on your way out.
Weapons, property and other items can be acquired at real world prices or at blackmarket prices in weapon-restricted countries.
Whoever writes the best character backstory gets to be the first prophet of the religion! The other players and spectators can still give suggestions for his decisions.
I'll take unlimited characters at this point. Aiming for about 20.
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Topic: Egregore: Religion Builder [SG + RTD] Now recruiting Priests! (Read 2815 times)