In a world where daemons are real and Chaos Gods actively plot humanity's downfall, religion isn't just faith—it's survival. The gods of the Old World are distant, demanding, and only occasionally helpful. Think of them as cosmic middle managers: they might help if you file the proper prayers in triplicate.
graph TD
A[Religion in the Old World] --> B[Human Gods]
A --> C[Elder Race Gods]
A --> D[Chaos Gods]
A --> E[Other Powers]
B --> F[Empire Pantheon]
B --> G[Regional Deities]
C --> H[Dwarf Ancestor Gods]
C --> I[Elf Gods]
D --> J[The Four]
D --> K[DON'T WORSHIP]
E --> L[Old Faith]
E --> M[Foreign Gods]
The Imperial Pantheon: Your Divine Insurance Policy
Divine Magic: Miracles with Fine Print
Unlike arcane magic that channels raw Chaos, divine magic channels the power of the gods. It's safer (usually), more reliable (sometimes), and comes with moral obligations (always). Think of priests as customer service representatives for deities.
Blessings and Miracles: Divine Customer Service
Holy Warriors: When Prayers Need Backup
graph LR
A[Religious Careers] --> B[Initiate]
B --> C[Priest]
C --> D[High Priest]
B --> E[Warrior Priest]
E --> F[Priest Captain]
B --> G[Zealot]
G --> H[Flagellant]
H --> I[Prophet of Doom]
C --> J[Can cast Blessings]
E --> K[Blessings + Combat]
I --> L[Probably insane]
Strictures: The Divine Terms of Service
Every god has rules. Break them, and you lose divine favor faster than you can say "heresy." These strictures aren't suggestions—they're cosmic employment contracts.
Cults and Heresies: When Faith Goes Wrong
Divine Intervention: When the Gods Actually Care
Sometimes, very rarely, the gods intervene directly. This usually happens at dramatically appropriate moments and always comes with a price.
Examples of Divine Intervention:
Sigmar's Hammer: Weapon glows with holy light, +20 to hit Chaos
Shallya's Tears: Dying character miraculously stabilizes
Morr's Dream: Warning vision of impending doom
Ulric's Fury: Berserker strength in desperate battle
Ranald's Luck: Impossible escape route appears
Verena's Insight: Hidden truth suddenly revealed
Note: These are plot devices, not player abilities. GM discretion required!
Playing a Religious Character
Tips for Faith-Based Characters:
Choose your god wisely: Their strictures will define your character
Faith is action: Don't just pray, live your faith
Conflict is drama: Strictures create interesting dilemmas
Doubt is human: Even priests question their faith
Miracles are rare: Most prayers go unanswered
Community matters: Find fellow believers (or convert them)
Heresy is everywhere: Stay vigilant, stay paranoid
Religious Conflicts: When Gods Disagree
The gods don't always get along, and neither do their followers. Religious conflict provides excellent roleplaying opportunities and usually ends in someone being burned at the stake.
Common Religious Tensions:
Sigmarites vs Ulricans: Who's the better war god?
Morrites vs Necromancers: Death should be permanent
Shallyans vs Everyone: "Stop stabbing people!"
Verenans vs Ranaldites: Law versus chaos
Everyone vs Chaos: The one thing they agree on
"I prayed to Sigmar for strength, Shallya for healing,
Ranald for luck, and Morr for a peaceful death.
Only Morr answered."
- Last words of Brother Wilhelm, Warrior Priest