Religion & Theology
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In the multiverse of Metanoia Engine, religion is not exactly a clear-cut construct, various beliefs and religions exist in this universe, with people making up their own interpretations or following what they believe is correct. Religions are also known as Ideologies, Morals, Orders and have various different names, not all people have a religion, but almost everyone has an idea of an ideology that they follow as a person.
Making a Religion
Making a religion is a simple process that happens below, and typically requires a few things, such as a sacred symbol, a sacred text and a philosophy that the people of the religion follow. Religions don’t need to have all of these things, but should have at least one of them. All religions at the very least have one domain.
Philosophy and Morality
Philosophies and Moralities make up the most important parts of each religion, usually showing the basis of what the religion relies on for its practices and beliefs, its goal and mindset that most people will take. There may be multiple philosophies or moralities that one religion has, or there may be no concrete or clear one. A philosophy or morality allows the follower of the religion to follow behaviours to match their religions beliefs and systems
To gain more ranks in your religion, use the rules for Reputation & Contacts.
Nihilism
(not done)
Existentialism
(not done)
Rationalism
(not done)
Idealism
(not done)
Materialism
(not done)
Anti-Materialism
(not done)
Hedonism
(not done)
Dolorism
(not done)
Altruism
(not done)
Egoism
(not done)
Individualism
(not done)
Collectivism
(not done)
Stoicism
(not done)
Divine Laws
Divine Laws (Also known as Tenets), are important in the way that they are all the conditions one must follow while following the religion. Breaking a divine law is usually deemed as irreversible, and upon breaking without good reason, people of the religion and their faith to that religion falters, causing them to lose touch with said religion.
Divine Laws are usually listed with the religion. Breaking a Divine Law may cause you to lose a Rank in said religion. Some Examples of Divine Laws are:
- No consuming alcohol
- Be kind to all you meet
- Do not desecrate graves
- You must get revenge against those that have wronged you
Domains
Domains are what to be considered the core beliefs and values of the religion, while Divine Laws are the rules you follow, Domains are used as a way of describing the kind of person that is defined as an upstanding follower of the religion and what their values should be.
Domains grant extra added effects to Divine Powers, whilst not all Divine Powers have an added effect by certain domains, At least one domain affects every single Divine Power. You can choose whether to add a domain onto a Divine Power when casting it.
Honour
Religions with the Honour Domain tend to be focused on gaining high respect and esteem, prestige of some kind.
Luck
Religions with the Luck Domain tend to focus on those who are more inclined to good luck and revere those who are blessed with it.
Protection
Religions with the Protection Domain prioritise protecting those from everything around them and defending others from those that would attack them.
Community
Religions with the Community Domain prioritise Community and communion, being one with your fellow man.
Greed
Religions with the Greed Domain prioritise hoarding various items and gaining mass amounts of an item, as they believe that item is equal to power
Time
Religions with the Time Domain focus on those who are older as they revere those with the experiences.
Love
Religions with the Love Domain revere those who manage to find love with someone else, believing that love triumphs all.
Information
Religions with the Information Domain favour those who are intelligent and are typically more knowledgeable, they love education and various information.
Beauty
Religions with the Beauty Domain prioritise those who are beautiful and tend to find beauty in even the littlest of things.
Devotion
Religions with the Devotion Domain tend to reward those who work hard, and work very efficiently and well.
Life
Religions with the Life Domain respect and love all that is living, they love preserving and maintaining life.
Prophecy
Religions with the Prophecy Domain follow a Prophecy that they personally believe will be fufilled, and dictate that their life is controlled by fate.
Death
Religions with the Death Domain respect those who die, and feel the joy of death as it brings meaning to their life.
Bliss
Religions with the Bliss Domain tend to focus on more hedonistic desires in getting what you want.
Pain
Religions with the Pain Domain believe that feeling pain is a gift and reward and all those around them should feel as well.
Chaos
Religions with the Chaos Domain believe in the cosmos and its chaotic tendencies, that everything is done by chance, and insanity is a byproduct of understanding the truth.
Nature
Religions with the Nature Domain respect and love nature as it was created and formed for a reason. Those who are most in tune with the natural aspects of life are those who will prosper in their eyes
Technology
Religions with the Technology domain strive for innovation and technological advances to see their future continue to save others.
Justice
Religions with the Justice Domain demand the truth from all, injustices must be squandered to everyone must live equally in those with the Justice Domain.
Strength
Religions with the Strength Domain favour the strong over the weak, if you are strong, you mean everything to the betterment of their religion.
Divine Powers
Divine Powers are an intense form of casting that uses the energy of the world around it for a certain religions purpose. Intentions must be set before performing rituals to grant these powers
Requirements
To be able to cast a ritual, one must spend time casting and have the sufficient costs available to cast. One must also follow the religion and requirements of casting, and be dedicated to a religion, at least performing a prayer or showing devotion atleast once per day.
Sacrifices
Sacrifices are mandatory for certain rituals, a ritual can require a certain amount of sacrifices ontop of the ones already performed. Only a medium sized corpse can count as a sacrifice for the purpose of rituals. You require double the amount of corpses for a small sized target, and double for each sacrificed target below the category.
If you use sacrifices for a ritual that is double or more of the required sacrificial amount, you gain another use of the ritual which either can stack or target another person. If you use a sacrifice on a ritual without needing one, it follows the rules above (1 sacrifice is 2 casts, 2 is 4 casts, 4 is 8 casts… and so on).
Souls also may be used as a form of sacrifice, if the user can contain the soul from a medium sized target or higher.
Breaking Religion
When a follower of a religion breaks the divine laws of a religion, they are considered a “sinner” of the religion, and have to find a way to atone for their “sin”, They lose access to all domains associated with their religion and cannot use any rituals. Any rituals that were in effect before this is broken are no longer in effect.
Consequences
(not done)
List of Religions
These are some pre-made religions that your character can choose to follow, however, it is recommended that you make your own religion or philosophy that tailors specifically to your character.
Great Lorian
Philosophy:
Domains:
Great Lorian Divine Laws
Corruptisian
Philosophy:
Domains:
Corruptisian Divine Laws
Baal’s Fallow
Philosophy:
Domains:
Baal’s Fallow Divine Laws
Deosism
Philosophy:
Domains:
Deosism Divine Laws
Sivilism
Philosophy:
Domains:
Sivilism Divine Laws
Believers of The Old Dream
Philosophy:
Domains:
Believers of The Old Dream Divine Laws
Penitusium
Philosophy:
Domains:
Penitusium Divine Laws
Ophranism
Philosophy:
Domains:
Ophranism Divine Laws
Capitalism
Philosophy:
Domains:
Capitalism Divine Laws
Cadaverism
Philosophy:
Domains:
Cadaverism Divine Laws
Ry’leth’s Hand
Philosophy:
Domains:
Ry’leth’s Hand Divine Laws
Etrisism
Philosophy:
Domains:
Etrisism Divine Laws
Wanders of the Black Hand
Philosophy:
Domains: