by Owen S. Kerr
Art by Pat Morrissey
Religion, historically, has been perhaps the single most important aspect of human society. Expressions of faith, from beautiful works of art to declarations of war in God's name, have shaped and shaken the world, and continue to do so. In a roleplaying game, a game that attempts in some way to mimic life (or, at least, some aspects of it), religion and faith should be a dynamic and vital part of game-world life . . . as much if not more so than bigger weapons, tougher armor, and more hit points.
Religion is not always given nearly enough emphasis in many roleplaying games. This is not to say that there aren't any gods. In the High Fantasy genre, the gods are a very real and meaningful presence in the world. Priests of every stripe bop around, curing the sick and the lame or, conversely, carving up virgins in the name of the Dark One, and everyone else just goes about their business. Fantasy religion is certainly run like a business ญญ worshipping a god or gods isn't seen as a issue of faith as much as a matter of common sense. When the great God X will heal your sick child upon request, and the terrible God Y can level your village if he gets upset, it's only rational to fervently pray to the one and to energetically appease the other. Faith isn't an issue, since (to paraphrase Terry Pratchett) the gods have a habit of popping by an atheist's house to throw rocks through his windows.
In stock Fantasy, . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.
Article publication date: December 1, 2000
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