The Campaign Builder's Guild

This thread is about the Host, one of the religions found in Science Fiction Theater. Main thread here: http://www.thecbg.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?27243.last

The Host is one of many religions common on the moons in this setting. Like other religions, it has its history, its miracles, its dogma. However, the Host has secrets, for those willing to probe deep.

[spoiler=Creed]The Host maintain that far into the distant past, all life lived as gods, able to accomplish anything they wanted and immune from death. But mortals fell into decadence, and lost their godlike state by their lack of will. They see life as a chance at redemption and the exercise of power as the greatest good. Striving for material gain for its own sake and acting in ways that are harmful to others are seen as the origins of the decadence, and are discouraged.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Elect]The Host has a holy order at its heart dedicated to the more godly members, namely psychics.More later.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Ancient]You do not have clearance to access this information. If you feel you have recieved this message in error, please discuss with your local Elect.[/spoiler]

Prettied up. Spoilerized into bitesized chunks. Some stuff taken out. Will be put back in more organizedly when I'm not as tired.

I would like to see or hear more about the Miracles and Dogma you mention. Since life and using your power is the greatest good on the path to redemption what are some examples? Using power that is harmful to others is seen as the path of decadence. But the use of any power almost always has some side effect of being harmful to others. Where/what is the line.

"The needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few." philosophy?

What is the Host's history that brought it to this point?

Quote from: RavenspathI would like to see or hear more about the Miracles and Dogma you mention. Since life and using your power is the greatest good on the path to redemption what are some examples? Using power that is harmful to others is seen as the path of decadence. But the use of any power almost always has some side effect of being harmful to others. Where/what is the line.

"The needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few." philosophy?[/quote]What is the Host's history that brought it to this point?
[/quote]

Not as fleshed out as I'd like it to be, to be honest. They claim that the creed has been carried since we fell from the heavens, and is obscure even in its claims concerning authorship. There are stories of a golden age wherein we coexisted with gods who taught us. Like Prometheus or the Nephilim in Earth's myths.

Anyway, I have more fleshed out in terms of one or two extremist factions and mystic orders in the ranks. I was hoping to flesh out more of the ground level stuff... so... good questions!

Quote from: RavenspathI would like to see or hear more about the Miracles and Dogma you mention. Since life and using your power is the greatest good on the path to redemption what are some examples? Using power that is harmful to others is seen as the path of decadence. But the use of any power almost always has some side effect of being harmful to others. Where/what is the line.

"The needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few." philosophy?[/quote]What is the Host's history that brought it to this point?
[/quote]

Not as fleshed out as I'd like it to be, to be honest. They claim that the creed has been carried since we fell from the heavens, and is obscure even in its claims concerning authorship. There are stories of a golden age wherein we coexisted with gods who taught us. Like Prometheus or the Nephilim in Earth's myths.

Anyway, I have more fleshed out in terms of one or two extremist factions and mystic orders in the ranks. I was hoping to flesh out more of the ground level stuff... so... good questions!

QuoteIn terms of the mundane "obtaining and using power" can mean very basic things. Moving up in your job. Starting a family. Being well-connected socially. Working out. Continuing education. The idea is that these things are good for you.
 
In terms of the "consequences" it gets more complicated. Opinions vary in any church or faith or school of thought. Darwinists don't necessarily support social Darwinism. The Quaran condemns those who manipulate religion to their own ends, but many politicians choose to even so. On the same note, depending on who you ask in this religion, different things are justified by power. There are those who believe that action needs no justification beyond the capacity to carry out the act.

Miracles and dogma? Let me see... In terms of "Miracles" the scripture and what have you is vague. Maybe intentionally so. They simply mention that the abilities once shared by all intelligent life will resurface in the virtuous and the fated and what have you.[/quote]

Do they know what these powers are then? I would find it hard to follow a 'religion' that says. "You will be rewarded with great abilities! But we aren't going to tell you what they are. Trust us."

Not on your life or mine.

On the latter part, you might believe it if you encounter such a person. Miracles, as in many religions, serve more to inspire than as something you expect to happen to you. But with this particular religion, a patrom for psions, you might be able to witness the occasional miracle.

As for the warped morality, they are in the minority. Sort of a "means justify the ends" wierdness going on.