[Pathfinder] Judeo-Christianity in Pathfinder
I was going through older files I'd put together years ago for a home game, and came across my Religion document. I was going to have quite a few real-world religions, represented in a fictionalized context in a sort of "multiversal collision."
Anyway, among the religions was an interpretation of the Judeo-Christian church. I had been inspired by this thread on the Paizo boards as well as a series of discussions on the HârnForum on adding early Christianity to fantasy games. I never ended up running the campaign, which is just as well. I'm more interested in theological navel-gazing than anyone else I play with, and the extra effort to make something plausible would have been wasted. In fact, it is wasted just sitting on my hard drive, so here you go.
Jave
Greater God (Lawful Neutral)
Jave is the god of a fierce desert tribe. He is one aspect of a three-part deity (along with Yshu and Ruch), being the creator of the world. He is a strict deity who provided his followers with laws covering all aspects of life: community relations, social contracts, dietary restrictions, and the like.
His dictates have been delivered through a series of prophets. He first sent a prophet to inform his chosen people of their status. When his people were enslaved by a foreign empire, he sent a prophet to lead them from slavery to a promised land of plenty. They have followed a series of occasional prophets ever since.
Symbol: Star.
Portfolio: The universe, law, society.
Domains: Glory, Law, Nobility, Strength, War.
Favored Weapon: Longsword.
Cleric Training: Clerics of Jahve see to the needs of their communities. They learn the many laws Jave has given his people to follow, and act as interpreters of the law and judges of the accused.
Quests: Typical quests for Jahve include converting a community of unbelievers, leading a group of faithful out of an ambush by marauding orcs, and constructing a church in the Desert Wastes.
Prayers: Prayers to Jahve ask him to grant the worshiper the strength to endure hardship.
Temples: Jave, Yshu and Ruch are almost always worshipped in one temple. These churches are usually large stone structures, with many stained-glass windows and a high tower.
Rites: Normal services are held one day a week, with day and evening ceremonies performed. Specific rituals are held for special events: births and deaths, or to commemorate a community boon or tragedy.
Herald and Allies: Jahve's herald is a solar angel. Allies are celestial astral devas and planetar angels.
Yshu
Intermediate God (Neutral Good)
Yshu was a mortal of some mystery. He preached to the desert people until he was executed by the reigning empire who saw him as a threat to their dominance in the region. Many believe he was one of the prophets of Jave, come to inspire and lead the people while in a time of tribulation. A subset of the faithful believe he incarnated Jave's power in the world, and redeemed it through his death.
He counseled fellowship and understanding between people, and some say he performed many miracles during his ministry.
Symbol: Cross.
Portfolio: Community, fellowship, redemption.
Domains: Community, Glory, Good, Healing, Protection.
Favored Weapon: Mace.
Cleric Training: Clerics of Yshu learn to be intercessors between the faithful and the divine, counseling the flock to lead good lives. They typically perform charity for the less fortunate, and many are accomplished healers.
Quests: Typical quests for Yshu include bringing supplies to a remote settlement in the midst of a famine, preaching mercy and restraint to a tyrant, and enduring a series of punishments in the stead of a guilty man.
Prayers: Prayers to Yshu ask him for assistance in time of need, or call for his mercy when things are dire.
Temples: Jave, Yshu and Ruch are almost always worshipped in one temple. These churches are usually large stone structures, with many stained-glass windows and a high tower.
Rites: Normal services are held one day a week, with day and evening ceremonies performed. Specific rituals are held for special events: births and deaths, or to commemorate a community boon or tragedy.
Herald and Allies: Yshu's herald is a 20th-level human cleric. Allies are celestial astral devas and planetar angels.
Anyway, among the religions was an interpretation of the Judeo-Christian church. I had been inspired by this thread on the Paizo boards as well as a series of discussions on the HârnForum on adding early Christianity to fantasy games. I never ended up running the campaign, which is just as well. I'm more interested in theological navel-gazing than anyone else I play with, and the extra effort to make something plausible would have been wasted. In fact, it is wasted just sitting on my hard drive, so here you go.
Jave
Greater God (Lawful Neutral)
Jave is the god of a fierce desert tribe. He is one aspect of a three-part deity (along with Yshu and Ruch), being the creator of the world. He is a strict deity who provided his followers with laws covering all aspects of life: community relations, social contracts, dietary restrictions, and the like.
His dictates have been delivered through a series of prophets. He first sent a prophet to inform his chosen people of their status. When his people were enslaved by a foreign empire, he sent a prophet to lead them from slavery to a promised land of plenty. They have followed a series of occasional prophets ever since.
Symbol: Star.
Portfolio: The universe, law, society.
Domains: Glory, Law, Nobility, Strength, War.
Favored Weapon: Longsword.
Cleric Training: Clerics of Jahve see to the needs of their communities. They learn the many laws Jave has given his people to follow, and act as interpreters of the law and judges of the accused.
Quests: Typical quests for Jahve include converting a community of unbelievers, leading a group of faithful out of an ambush by marauding orcs, and constructing a church in the Desert Wastes.
Prayers: Prayers to Jahve ask him to grant the worshiper the strength to endure hardship.
Temples: Jave, Yshu and Ruch are almost always worshipped in one temple. These churches are usually large stone structures, with many stained-glass windows and a high tower.
Rites: Normal services are held one day a week, with day and evening ceremonies performed. Specific rituals are held for special events: births and deaths, or to commemorate a community boon or tragedy.
Herald and Allies: Jahve's herald is a solar angel. Allies are celestial astral devas and planetar angels.
Yshu
Intermediate God (Neutral Good)
Yshu was a mortal of some mystery. He preached to the desert people until he was executed by the reigning empire who saw him as a threat to their dominance in the region. Many believe he was one of the prophets of Jave, come to inspire and lead the people while in a time of tribulation. A subset of the faithful believe he incarnated Jave's power in the world, and redeemed it through his death.
He counseled fellowship and understanding between people, and some say he performed many miracles during his ministry.
Symbol: Cross.
Portfolio: Community, fellowship, redemption.
Domains: Community, Glory, Good, Healing, Protection.
Favored Weapon: Mace.
Cleric Training: Clerics of Yshu learn to be intercessors between the faithful and the divine, counseling the flock to lead good lives. They typically perform charity for the less fortunate, and many are accomplished healers.
Quests: Typical quests for Yshu include bringing supplies to a remote settlement in the midst of a famine, preaching mercy and restraint to a tyrant, and enduring a series of punishments in the stead of a guilty man.
Prayers: Prayers to Yshu ask him for assistance in time of need, or call for his mercy when things are dire.
Temples: Jave, Yshu and Ruch are almost always worshipped in one temple. These churches are usually large stone structures, with many stained-glass windows and a high tower.
Rites: Normal services are held one day a week, with day and evening ceremonies performed. Specific rituals are held for special events: births and deaths, or to commemorate a community boon or tragedy.
Herald and Allies: Yshu's herald is a 20th-level human cleric. Allies are celestial astral devas and planetar angels.
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