Deity Poll

[Xillix Queen of Fools]

The worry is that polytheism would just muddy the waters.

Just like atheism, polytheism would be too easy an answer. I can tell you we want to see characters arguing matters of faith between the deities, we want people to occupy places of faith, we are counting on players to make something of the game world.

Why can't people embrace the roles we are trying to provide for them?

I am not saying do nothing else, but what seems to be happening now is "anything but what is proscribed"

[Phinehas]

Well, I suppose it's your responsibility as the Settings Team to decide whether people are just being annoying and whining like they do about everything, or if they actually have a valid point. I think part of the problem is that in "real life" while there are religions with one god, or religions with many gods, there are few, if any religions where there are many gods but you only supposed to worship one, period.

[Jeraphon]

I think part of the problem is that in "real life" while there are religions with one god, or religions with many gods, there are few, if any religions where there are many gods but you only supposed to worship one, period.

You're right: in real life, religions tend to be either monotheistic or polytheistic. But you're making an assumption that in Yliakum, having several gods and only being supposed to worship one is only one religion. I would say that it's several. Also, it becomes much less clear when gods reveal themselves and are known in this non-real fantasy universe.

The answer lies somewhere in the middle between (or maybe even on the fringes just outside of) the real life systems of religion and the way the D&D pantheon is set up with its revealed gods and people generally pick one as a patron but are not unheard of praying to others. Yes, our system is something of a unique one - it's definitely unfamiliar. But the question is, can you rise to the challenge and play it as written? Rather than reject it, give it a try, and if you start encountering RP problems as a result, maybe THEN we can do some tweakage. Cool?

[Phinehas]

Hey, I'm not the one you have to convince here. Phinehas hates each of the gods equally... And not because it's a cop-out.

My question to you, in return, would be, if people give it a try(which I'm not saying everyone will, but they should) and it's not working out, will you, the devs, be willing to change it then? I'm all for trying out new ideas and systems, just so long as devs aren't as defensive about their systems as RPers get about their chars.

[Suno_Regin]

One problem is that every race has a "feeling" on something. Klyros is a popular race, and so are Diaboli, along with any others that, in the settings history itself, don't believe in any of the Gods. So you're calling them lazy?

Now, in real life, I call myself a Christian, but I never go to church or anything of the sort. I simply believe, that's all. Does that make me an atheist? Probably, but that doesn't mean religions in here necessarily have to have you praise and worship them to believe in them. Feelings like this develop, and until a miracle happens that may make them believe further, there's really no point in them believing in the religion to begin with.

[Jeraphon]

will you, the devs, be willing to change it then? I'm all for trying out new ideas and systems, just so long as devs aren't as defensive about their systems as RPers get about their chars.

I think there's wiggle room, personally. We are still in development. I can't speak for the whole team, but I'd be a lot more willing to change if people said "okay, I tried RPing according to this this and this actions/tried playing atheism as written and here's the problems I encountered, what do you think?" as opposed to "I'll just RP against settings. It's easier." Don't expect radical changes, naturally, but I think if we can iron out nuance, then playtest the settings just like you'd playtest the mechanics. That'll help us.

I've already discussed klyroses and diabolis. Please read.

Regarding praise and worship vs. belief - that's partly what I'm getting at. I think I summed up the beliefs of each religion nicely and briefly. If your character just believes, they'd act according to that belief, even if it means they don't go to the temple of Talad. You can still be kind and generous, revere nature, or make your death meaningful through life...and some think worship/prayers/services will help them remember that and take it to heart. Laanx believers might feel more impelled to worship, for "Laanx demands no less."

[Xillix Queen of Fools]

Phinehas, do you even have to ask?

We have already changed so much.

Suno the klyros and diaboli are two of the least chosen races according to my stats. If i need to rewrite their histories to get you to stop copping out NP.

The klyros are specifically resistant to being FORCED to comply to deities, not gravitating toward them over time.

The diaboli are now moving toward Xiosia as a less judgmental deity who allows for who they are naturally.

Obviously you like arguing for the sake of it, if you cannot see the overarching point about roleplaying options being ignored ok.

[Earl_Listbard]

Phinehas, do you even have to ask?

We have already changed so much.

Suno the klyros and diaboli are two of the least chosen races according to my stats. If i need to rewrite their histories to get you to stop copping out NP.

I'd have to disagree, and say xacha, and lemur are the fewest races chosen.

Not to add drama or anything to this already drama filled area.

But this is just coming from a simple player, what would I know?

[Xillix Queen of Fools]

I have user stats and db dumps listy.

[Suno_Regin]

Obviously you like arguing for the sake of it, if you cannot see the overarching point about roleplaying options being ignored ok.

No, Xillix, you're just getting pissed off, that's all there is to it. That was a logical statement, and if you're calling people lazy for not going toward a religion, even though the race is written in history not to (history, not your post), and there's even an atheism choice in character creation, I don't see what makes us so lazy according to you. It's a choice, so don't start getting pissy at people for choosing it.

[Phinehas]

And even if there were less Lemurs than anyone else, we count for several of any other race because frankly, we're that good.

[Xillix Queen of Fools]

Suno, I am not angry.

One can see from the poll data that people are not taking the "options" and what is written of them seriously in character creation.

[Earl_Listbard]

Suno, I am not angry.

One can see from the poll data that some people are not taking the "options" and what is written of them seriously in character creation.

Edited January 21 2008  By Earl_Listbard

Most of the players whom voted actually picked a god, and not none or all. Though you guys need to chill, I'm 100% for informing players that atheism is stupid in PS, but don't get so stressed out with stuff...

Its a game... Really! 

[zorbels]

I choose Laanx. This is who Zorbels chooses to follow. Why? Because Talad and Laanx were the only religions that had enough info for me to feel I could roleplay with it and not be over stepping settings. Also because I found the story of Laanx to be interesting and my character can relate to laanx.

[Jeraphon]

I choose Laanx. This is who Zorbels chooses to follow. Why? Because Talad and Laanx were the only religions that had enough info for me to feel I could roleplay with it and not be over stepping settings. Also because I found the story of Laanx to be interesting and my character can relate to laanx.

Fair enough. Good answer.

We're working on getting more info out there. It's only logical that there isn't much info existing about newer deities. Still, it's pleasing to see that Xiosia and Dakkru are already gaining followings. I wasn't expecting numbers that high.