In my homebrew setting, anyone (or anything) that is worshipped by sentient beings receives divine power.

For example, when a dwarven civilisation began worshipping a smithing hammer as an icon of craftdwarfship, it slowly began accumulating divine power until it gained sentience and, in time, godhood. It is now the main god of craft, can aid anyone holding it in making whatever they (or it) desires, and can transform into any tool, etc. Gods can shape their form and abilities through worship, but they are also influenced by it against their will.

Most of the major deities made a divine concorde centuries ago, where they would divide the aspects of worship between them, and guide their followers to destroy any new divine beings threatening their power.

I feel that a system like this allows for more interesting situations than a traditional pantheon would have. Gods now need use their power to maintain control and faith, rather than only acting on morality. There are also a myriad of opportunities for backstabbing and other fun politics at a layer above nations.

My questions to @DnD are:

  • Do you see any potential pitfalls in D&D a system like this might have?

  • Do you have any good ideas, suggestions, or interesting aspects to your pantheons which might benefit a system like this?

  • mrmagpie
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    1 year ago

    I really like the idea of the divine concorde. Lots of room for ideas of old religious wars over encroachments on aspects. Secretive cults take on more importance. Sects of religious zealots who root out cults and believers of new gods. Sounds fun :D.