Hellenic Kingdoms

[snakefing]

Well, I've been holding off on the religions stuff a bit, because I'm trying to work out details on how I want magic in Axa to work, especially divine magic.

That said, no matter how it ends up working, I divine "domains" of some sort or another have a place. A couple of reasons for this:

Once you have a good selection of domains available, it is easier to specify how a particular deity works mechanically. Just describe and add domains.

Even if the list of domains is incomplete, they serve as a pattern for creating new ones. The balance of new domains is more easily judged by comparing with other things that are similar.

So I'm thinking that each domain could specify some types of magic that spell-casting priests of that deity would have access to. Also some granted powers (similar to what domains already have, but more of them) that can be chosen by both casting and non-casting priests. These granted powers would take the place of things like turning undead.

As far as Apollo goes, I have thought a bit about the Oracle. Not sure if I want to have one famous one, like in classic Greece, or just many lesser ones. The Divination/Seeing domain matches up pretty well with the Sensitivity branch of spirit magic - especially precog. But it could also be some kind of familiar magic - the oracles aren't seeing the future for themselves, they are channeling the abilities of a deific spirit. Both things to consider.

If I do have a major oracle (and I'm kind of leaning that way) I'd put it in one of the free cities, to insulate it somewhat from the politics and rivalries of the kingdoms.

[snakefing]

Adding a bit on Esep, the smallest of the kingdoms and most influenced by the Oupun.

[spoiler=Esep]
Esep was a colony in the early period of Hellenic history, even before the Empire was established. It sits at the mouth of the Dimetrios River, which rushes down from the mountains to the west, then winds across a coastal plateau before tumbling over a series of small cataracts to the sea. Esep itself sits below the cataracts and spreads out along the sea shore.

When the Empire collapsed, the Oupun general Amat led a large force of infantry and ships up the coast to assault Esep. Through numerous battles, Amat was turned back at heavy cost to both sides. Key to the victory was the inability of the Oupun to bring their heavy chariots to bear, and the harassing tactics of the Hellenes' Scouts. Eventually the Hellenes defeated the Oupun naval forces, and with naval supremacy restored, Esep was never seriously threatened again.

Esep claims territory running along about 10 leagues of sea coast and inland about 30 leagues to the mountains. Dense tropical rain forest covers most of the inland area and laps up against the rocky foothills of the mountains. The population lives mainly in fishing villages along the coast and a cluster of farming communities upriver of the capital.

Although the people of Esep bear primarily Hellenic features, there is a strong influence of the Oupun, making lighter skin and straight hair more common here than the other kingdoms.

The present relationship between the Hellenes and the Oupun can always be judged by visiting Esep and her sister city across the border, Nin-den-ili. When relations are frosty, military forces build up and merchant traffic drops off. When relations thaw once again, forces back off and merchant ships or caravans are welcomed.
[/spoiler]

[Deadhand]

I have a cult of Apollo in my current campaign as well. As the patron of music, healers and seers I figured it for an extensive influence on society. There is an oracle and a shrine devoted to that as well as tutelage of musicians and singers, and a healing school. The priests and priestesses of Apollo oversee all this and the rites necessary to maintain good relations with the deity. There is a main Temple which oversees other shrines and temples in the country.

[snakefing]

More details on religions.

I have to stress that you shouldn't think of these as being exact parallels to the historical deities. Although I obviously take the historical culture as a basis, I've modified things a bit to fit the history and geography as I see the need.

Important differences: No Athena, because there's no Athens. Also, Hera and Hestia have been kind of wadded up into a single deity - still called Hera but with a mixture of characteristics.

I'm tweaking the domains a bit. Largely I need new domains, but I only have access to the SRD ones, so at some point I'll probably revisit this in my Axa Crunch thread.

Furthermore, although I'm working on an alternate magic system, I'm going to describe this in terms of basic SRD spellcasters as much as possible.

[spoiler=Zeus]
Being the ruler of the gods, Zeus has always been associated with the ruling class of Hellenes as well. In the time of the Empire, the priesthood came into an official role as the state religion. This religion maintains a prominent role even now, and the priests are often found serving as advisers and functionaries. As symbols of the state and of the Hellenic people, they often preside over important civic ceremonies and celebrations.

The common folk really don't have much use for the temples of Zeus in their day-to-day lives. They do look on his temples as a visible symbol of their prominence and Zeus' protection over them.

Zeus' symbol is the thunderbolt. His primary domain would be Rulership. This includes a mix of commanding and law spells.  For a granted power, it will be something like a minor thunderbolt, and the ability to commandeer the granted powers of any other deity in the pantheon. Details to be worked out.

The second domain is Protection, which is probably well enough described by the SRD version.
[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Artemis]
Artemis is the virgin queen and huntress. In her role as huntress, she is the ruler of the wild rain forests. She is frequently worshipped by hunters, woodsmen, and any who have reason to enter the forests. These folk seek protection from wild animals, permission to take the fruits of the forest, good luck in hunting, or other such boons. Her priestesses often wander the wild lands near their base temple to protect and guard the animals and plants. Those that focus on this area often take a more druidic outlook rather than the traditional divine spellcaster. Rangers are common allies.

In her role as the virgin queen, she is the patron of maidens and protector of women's virtue. Her priestesses are often involved in instructing girls and young women in morals, proper behavior, and a variety of practical crafts. However, they also have a well-known dark side as the deadly avengers of crimes against women. Their mark is the black-shafted arrow with green fletching, which can be used as a warning or an instrument of sudden death.

Her symbols are a silver crescent moon, a spear, or bow and arrow. Her domains are Animal and Plant, although I probably need a new domain for Women/Protectress.
[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Demeter]
Demeter is a major goddess, though only popular on the island of Katros where they have extensive grain fields. Her symbol is a stylized bee. Her domains are Earth and Plant. More to come.
[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Hera]
Hera is another important deity, as the patron of marriage, motherhood, and the home. (In this sense, she combines facets of the classical Greek deities Hera and Hestia.) As the wife of Zeus, she symbolizes the proper authority of the elder women over all manner of domestic affairs.

Hera is very important in day to day life, probably more so than in the official political affairs. Her rituals are also important as part of childbirth and christening. She is very frequently invoked to protect the home, to bless marriage vows, or to insure the health and well-being of the household.

When the affairs of the household and those of the business and political world collide, there is often some friction between Hera's priestesses and those of Zeus. When the priestesses of Hera are displeased, somehow things have a way of going wrong until they are appeased. One might also think of Lysistrata here.

The symbols of Hera are the peacock and a stylized burning hearth. Her primary domain is Community. Rumor has it that there is a second domain devoted to the cursing of enemies and/or wayward husbands.
[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Poseidon]
Given the importance of fishing and sea travel to the Hellenes, it is only natural that Poseidon would be an important god. As in classical myth, Poseidon is a capricious but powerful god, who requires frequent sacrifices to propitiate him. Fishermen, sailors, and sea traders can often be found praying for fair skies, calm seas, and a bountiful catch. It is often said that Poseidon is served by a race of undersea merlings, though no one in living memory has seen one.

Poseidon is the official god of Lepharion, having displaced Zeus there since the fall of the empire.

The symbols of Poseidon are the trident and, interestingly enough, the horse. His domains are Sea and Air/Weather/Storm. This latter domain needs to be concocted a bit. For some reason, despite the predominance of storm gods in historical mythology, there's nothing really good here in the SRD.
[/spoiler]

[spoiler]
Apollo rounds out the major deities. He is the god of beautiful things --- art, danse, verse, and the like. He is also associated with knowledge and divination, and with healing. His worship is probably not one of the most popular, but having a temple to Apollo is what proves that a city has attained a certain level of wealth and culture.

The priests of Apollo often include athletes, bards and poets. At any rate, his temples often provide a gathering place for artists of all kinds, and there is often a small marketplace or theater nearby for artistic exhibitions.

Aesclepius is a demigod associated with Apollo, devoted to the arts of healing.

As the god of knowledge, Apollo is also associated with divination. Most temples provide oracular services, but the main Oracle is at Neia, one of the free cities.

Apollo's symbol is the lyre. His domains are Music, Healing, Knowledge, and Light/Glory.
[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Others]
Hephaestos, Ares, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Hecate TBD
[/spoiler]