MY Palladium world

[Game Master]

For simplicity even though I have made my own world for Palladium I have decided to use the normal game world as we all know it with a few tidbits added in. You can go to my home rules section to get greater details on game mechanics but here I will give you a brief history and description of the world you will all be playing in.

The main differences from the Palladium universe are GODS. While the 'Old Ones' history remain the same, the pantheon of Gods has changed drasticly. In THIS universe there are only three known Gods commonly worshipped by all races. While some native tribes or obscure cultures as well as Druids, Warlocks and Wiches may worship a veriety of godlike beings including the Old Ones, the following three Gods are worshipped world wide as a group or individually.

#1 The Lord of Light

#2 The Prince of Darkness

#3 Mistress Death

In a nut shell most beings in my world worship some combination of these three Deities.

The History of the Gods.
It is written that The Lord of Light, the Holy Creator, Keeper of Peace, Lover of Harmony, ruler of the day and Commander of Justice was the father of our world. A huge man with the head of a Lion he holds his sceptor of truth in his left hand and the sword of the ages in his right. He created all the creatures of light to live together in love and happiness as a gift to his brother. His Brother was the Prince of Darkness, the Great Manipulator, Embodiment of War, Encarnate of Chaos, Ruler of the Night and bringer of Inequity. The Prince looked upon his Brothers gifts with jelousy for he himself had not the power of creation. One by one he used his manipulative powers to warp and change Elf, Dwarf and Man into Orc, Goblin and Ogre. For every wondrous creature The Lord of Light put on this world the Prince changed half the population into something wicked and corrupt. The Brother of love pleaded with his darker sibling to stop abusing his gift but the Prince wouldn't listen. The Prince curled his tail and rubbed his horns as the Ram headed brother played with his toys. For centuries the Lord of Light created creature after creature hoping his Brother would find just one so wonderous that he would not feel compelled to change it.

It was then that a new Diety was discovered by the two Brothers. Mistress Death had come into existance upon the first death of the very first creature created by the Lord of Light. She was far younger then the two brothers but had slowly gained in power with each passing of life the Lord had created. She fed off of the dead souls and hungered for more. Her exotic, raven black hair and bone white skin enthralled the Brothers with desire. Each wanted her as his Bride and the Mistress of death used this to her advantage. At first she had the brothers angry with eachother and soon after had them fighting one another. For the first time Brother attacked Brother with intent to destroy. Death watched on eager to take the power from whom should fall. Centuries past but neither God could best the other for long. Upset at the inabillity of the Gods to finish the fight she tried a different approach. Getting them to stop battling eachother she convinced the two love struck Gods to fight eachother through proxy champions. Namely all the creations and manipulations they had made over the years. Agreeing the Brothers used their minions for good and evil against eachother to see who would win the hand of Mistress Death. Meanwhile she bides her time as she gains power slowly through each mortals death. To this day the beings of the world fight for one of the three gods. At the end of the world however all things must die.

[acebrimstone]

Does this religious view point extend to all of the races. Are there more racial deities?

[Game Master]

Good point. Actually it is the same yet different for every race. These three Deities are worshipped by all races but each race has different names for them as well as different story arcs. The one above is for humans and the most accurate.

The Dwarf Religon for instance Names the Trinity by the following: Lord of the Twelve Tribes (light), Prince of the Undermountains (dark) and The Eternal Mother (Death). The story differs as well in that the Dwarven version has the Lord of the Twelve Tribes attacking his evil brother ONLY after the Prince warps some of the Lords favorite of races (Dwarfs) into Goblins. The Eternal Mother has a more maternal aspect to her as she attempts to maintain ballance between the warring Brothers by accepting the lost souls of the dead into her bosom and giving them a 'rebirth' into the world again. *Note that 12 is a lucky number for Dwarves and the Eternal Mother has a larger following among Dwarves do to her more benign attributes.

Elves again have the Three Deities but call them, The Sun Lord, The Prince of Stars and The Tree of Life. In their view, The two Brothers created Elves as the first and most beloved of the races and Destined to rule the world in their Gods image. Both Brothers are Elven in appearance and so beautiful that no one may look upon them directly or die from awe. They hide behind the Sun and the stars of the night for that reason. Statues of the Brothers are always faceless with Elven jaw lines and ears. The Tree of Life was once a female Elf who looked upon the Brothers. Because she was Immortal however she did not die from Awe but turned into a Huge, lush, Redwood tree of unspeakable beauty. Her roots grew to the very core of the earth connecting her to all living things. It is said that for every new leaf she grows, a life is born unto the world and for every leaf that falls from her branches represents a death.

All the races have stories unique to them but with odd simularities such as two male Brother Deities and a female Deity. There is always love of some type between Death and the Brothers and they are always in some way connected to Light, Dark and Death.

The oddest has to be the Halflings. Their three Deities have many names like humans. They are colorful and cheery though and tend to focus on food, such as Lord of Bounty, good harvest and Pale Ale. Or Prince of Nightly Parties and moonshine and of course Mother of Milk and Preservative.

The Gnome Gods tend to be more practical and reserved. There is the Lord of the littleFolk, Prince of Destruction and Lady Death. There story differs in that the Gnome race were NOT favored by the Gods and therefor allowed to be almost wiped out in the Elven and Dwarf wars. Because of this, most Gnomes tend to be fearful of the Gods and worship them to keep the Gods happy instead of for favors or guidance. Many gnomes are seen writing protective wards in the air before them or whispering quick prayers anytime something is amiss.

[acebrimstone]

Could I please get a little more detailed Pantheon for the Halflings?

[Game Master]

The Lord of Bounty, good harvest and Pale Ale is a male Halfling with a huge potbelly, an ale mug in his left hand and a pipe in his right. He is kind and responsible for all things plentiful to a halflings family. Most halflings pray to him just before planting season and again after a good harvest. His name is spoken in toast anytime a pale ale 'the Lords token drink' is partaken and most donations to halfling churchas are given in food or ale.

The Prince of Nightly Parties and moonshine is seen as more of a mischievious god then evil. He brings hangovers and encourages overindulgiance in all things luxurious. He is portrayed as a handsome halfling male with very small horns (almost nubs) protruding from his hair line. A small prehensile tail is often depicted as well. Followers of the Prince tend to be gluttons and care free and excess in pleasures.

The Mother of Milk and Preservative is a Goddess reveared and feared equally by most halflings. Even non-followers pay respects when a church is crossed or whenever seems apprpriate to do so. This childlike halfling Goddess is small even for a Halfling, usually depicted at around 2 and a half feet tall. She is blonde haired and always smiling. She is known most for her terrible mood swings. She will bless you with well preserved food one day and spoil a whole crop the next. She is the goddess of Birth and any pregnent Halfling female is considered partially possessed by the Goddess because it is only then that they seem to share her traits. No matter what a female halflings worshipping habbits are normally they all become devout followers of Mistress Milk during pregnancy to ensure a safe delivery.

[Game Master]

Druidic Faith:

In my world is just like any other. The followers belive in a Mother or Father Earth and Nature is respected and they believe all things must stay in ballance with the Earth. Druids believe in animal totums and every follower will pick or be picked by an animal Totum they feel most connected with.
Eagle: Celestial forms
Goose: Alertness and Watchfulness
Raven: Darkness, Death, Destruction and Prophecy
Bull: Strength, ferocity and Virility
Boar: Hunting and War, feasting and hospitality
Bear: Force of Nature, unpredictable
Dog: Hunting, healing, death by combat
Hare/rabbit: Gods and spirits of the underworld, death, undead, sped and luck
Stag: Virility, speed, aggression and forces of nature

The only way to become a druid is to study under one. The lessons take from 10-25 years and many fall to the wayside well before 'true' druid status is achieved. Even failed druids have a deep respect for nature and will continue to practice the faith. Druids and their followers believe heavily in animal sacrifices and rituals to Mother/father Earth inorder to please her and keep the world in harmony.

[acebrimstone]

Well let's say a "lay person" practices the Druid Faith, do they still get a totem or do they just have a strong respect for Mother Earth and attend the feasts and holy days?

[Game Master]

acebrimstone said:

Well let's say a "lay person" practices the Druid Faith, do they still get a totem or do they just have a strong respect for Mother Earth and attend the feasts and holy days?

Lay person? I'm not sure what that is but anyone who follows the Druidic Faith picks a Totum animal. It won't get you anything other then some Roleplay material to use though. PM me with your choice.

[acebrimstone]

admin said:

acebrimstone said:

Well let's say a "lay person" practices the Druid Faith, do they still get a totem or do they just have a strong respect for Mother Earth and attend the feasts and holy days?

Lay person? I'm not sure what that is but anyone who follows the Druidic Faith picks a Totum animal. It won't get you anything other then some Roleplay material to use though. PM me with your choice.

A "lay person" is one not of the clergy or not a druid just one of the faithful.