Editing Wilderlands of High Fantasy (section)

== '''Alignment and Religion''' ==


In this Wilderlands campaign there are lots of gods. Lots of monotheisms, pantheisms, polytheisms, cults, and petty gods everywhere you look. All of them are more or less equal in power, but their sphere of influence in the Wilderlands depends on where, how and by how many people they are worshipped. A god or gods, worshipped with daily prayer in many cities, and kingdoms will have a lot of influence. A monkey god worshiped in one rural village will only have influence in that village. A god of a cult with just a few sects may have a greater reach than expected due to the vile sacrifices carried out by its worshippers. A long forgotten diety with a single moss covered shrine might be nothing more than laughter on the wind.

The different gods want different things from their worshippers. '''Lawful''' gods want obedience, and single minded worship, devotion and adherence to strict rules. In return they offer safety and security. The '''Chaotic''' gods think of mortals and their world as playthings, they like to fuck with (often literally) mortals for shits and giggles. In return for worship they offer excitement (although read the small print excitement is sometimes fatal) along with the promise of riches and glory. '''Neutral''' gods gift to their worshippers is freedom from divine interference. Worship they offer protection from the outrages of the other gods.

'''God War'''
Some of the lawful gods have started gaming the system so to speak. They aim to have their followers goose-step roughshod over all the other religions creating more and more worldly influence for themselves. The Neutral gods find this offensive and oppose them. The gods of Chaos enjoy turning into giant swans to impregnate mortal maidens (or handsome youths because gods can do that shit), or going on three month benders with kings and pirates. They also enjoy pouring oil on the little bonfire the forces of Law and Neutrality have started.

For any class other than Clerics choosing an alignment means to some extent or other you're down with one of the factions agendas. How devout you're towards specific god/gods is up to you roleplay-wise, but if you choose an alignment you best at least pay in-game lip service to one of the religions.

If your not interested in any of that '''Unaligned''' is an option. For '''Clerics''' Unaligned isn't an option. Pick a god, or Pantheon, or host of gods to worship. You can make up your own, pick a D&D god, gods from the real world and mythology, or ask me to cook something up. If you play a Cleric expect to actively pursue a divine agenda. Some '''Magic Items''', Miracles, Spells, etc. will only work for certain Alignments, or even religions, so their is a mechanical aspect. There are no '''Alignment Languages''', but on a Wis ability check you might get a feel for someones vibe.