40: Loopholes and Pantheons

The next morning there was a lot of rumors. The fact that Shade was openly wearing Angel Wings let everyone know that at least some of them were true.

Felinia had a very serious look when she entered the hall that day.

She told them “Today we cover the Rules in finder details, including potential loopholes. Yes, there are loopholes to everything, even to loopholes.

“Firstly I will just go over the rules again, because I know that some of you would have forgotten.

* A Deity must act in the furtherance of their own Domains, or risk losing them.

* A Deity cannot act where it has no followers.

* They are not allowed to act as Deities in worlds where they are not officially recognized as such.

* They can’t mess around in areas they have no claim.

* In each Pantheon, no two Deities can have too similar Domains

* Demi-Gods are limited to a single Domain

“This seems simple, but there are many loopholes.

“For example, acting in furtherance of their Domains is open to interpretation. A Deity of Healing would normally go around healing people, as would their followers. However, if the local king of an area relies on this to keep his people healthy while making them work in bad condition, the Healer may decide that it would be best to stop healing and let a better person invade and return when they take care of the people. A Deity of Justice may withdraw his followers from an area and let the criminally inclined go wild, and then when they have exposed themselves destroy all the evil people.

“A Deity can’t act where it has no followers also seems simple. This is why it is great to spread word of your faith far and wide.

“A Deity is forbidden to act as one in a world where they are not recognized as such. Getting caught doing this can get you into trouble. However, it is perfectly fine for your followers in that world to be granted prayers by a local deity pretending to be you. This may actually allow you to build up a following there and be recognized as a local Deity.

“They can’t mess around where they have no claim. Well, this is why it is good to keep track of things. Oh, that empire opposes my Domain? I have no followers there. What is this? The Emperor’s crown contains a jewel I blessed 4000 years ago and had in pride of place in a temple that was overrun by barbarians 3000 years ago? Have the church send some people to retrieve the jewel. If they pick some who won’t hesitate to kill the Emperor, then that is their choice.

“In each Pantheon you can’t have 2 or more Deities with too similar Domains. Different focuses can be allowed, and Demi-Gods can take over a sub-Domain. However, what if the Pantheons do not fully merge? Say a coastal area has some Pantheons merging there into a large one. Most would say this rule applies. However, what if the original Pantheons of the other faiths keep their followers elsewhere. And then there are the different races that only overlap due to interbreeding. You might have a few different gods of the same Domains worshiped by different people in the same area. Each Pantheon remains whole.

“As long as the people do not merge as a whole, and retain their distinctive identities, this can be held off even more. In this case something called ‘Cultural Appropriation’ can be a very bad thing as it helps merge the people, and thus the Pantheons.

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“Lastly, Demi-Gods are limited to one Domain each. This in itself is full of loopholes. What if a Demi-God in one Pantheon is accepted as a full God in another Pantheon? That would mean the rule no longer applies. However, it does not mean they can use those other Domains in their original Pantheon.

“There is also the matter of sub-Domains. For example, Someone with the Domain of Undeath would have Summoning, binding and banishing. So they could be useful in banishing undead, or raising them to protect areas, This could actually lead them to get a claim on the Dead, if it was available, or a better sub-Domain. Necromancy is different from Undeath, but it they shifted to necromancy, they could get other powers they could use. They might focus on other things, like Wraiths for Vengeance, or some other thing.

“In trying to make the most of your Domain, study it, all the things associated with it, its history, even where the term came from. Imagine being able to claim something unexpected just because the same word was used for two things centuries ago.

“Then there is a nasty trick. Become a Power, but not a Deity, with control over quite a few things. However, only become a Deity when you can by-pass being a Demi-Deity. This will allow you to keep all the Domains instead of being stuck with just one

“Yes people, there are loopholes! It is your job to find them! When you find them, don’t tell anyone, but exploit the every loving fuck out of them if you need to, or keep them hidden until it is time!”

Smiling at them Felinia added, “And the lesson has actually only started!

“I am adding another rule because I know you will cause me a lot of trouble if I don’t! Of all Deities, only Demi-Deities are allowed to make their residence in the Prime Material Plane. I don’t want you lot causing me a lot of problems as you fight over who gets to live with their followers and thus influence them the most!”

There was some grumbling at that.

Felinia added “And since the term Pantheon was used a fair bit there, I better explain it to you lot! A Pantheon is a group of Deities. They can either be organized with a hierarchy and new members only being allowed with permission from the leader, or they could be loose and just whoever is worshiped by people living in an area.

“The first one, or a Close Pantheon, helps maintain the Pantheons identity and slows down if not stops merging with other ones. The second one, or an Open Pantheon, is very easy for new members to join and disrupt the current order, but they may cover Domains the Close Pantheon does not.

“The size of a Pantheon should be determined by what the followers deem to be important enough to worship a Deity of, and how large the worshipper base is. Most Pantheons eventually merge and you end up with minor Deities that serve more powerful ones, but are not really needed. Imagine having over 2000 Deities for a people, and most just give lip service while praying to them as a whole. Of course, if you pare it down too far, they don’t cover all the essential things.

“Any questions?”

Someone called out “Is there any Deity all Pantheons need?”

Felinia paused. “Since your people’s children are the future of them, and thus you, I would recommend someone who protects them. Maybe a protective mother, or a God of Protectors or Guardians.

“I have no doubt that some would probably seek to steal the children to make them worship them, or kill them otherwise.

“I also recommend a Deity of those who reject the way the others follow. It could be someone to strive against, or someone who just has a different set of values. For example, a warrior people might honor a Deity of tricksters and outcasts because he may provide a service they need while the main pantheon can’t, he is still of the Pantheon

She looked around and told them “Consider the Pantheon you start with well. This will shape you chances to survive, and how your followers will turn out.

“Chose poorly, and you and your people will be totally screwed up!

“If you are unsure about the group you want to start with, find someone you trust and who knows what they are doing, and ask them what they think.”

Thinking for a moment she added “Most Pantheons start off sharing the same Residence because they share the same followers. While this happens the people don’t have to worry about where their soul goes if they don’t pick one above the others.”