World of Aletheia
Nature of the Gods
The gods are widely accepted as part of the world. Their existence is known through tradition, ritual, prayer, and the powers granted to their servants. While stories differ about their origins and relationships, few people doubt that the gods exist.
The gods are understood as a pantheon. Each god governs certain aspects of life, but none exist in isolation. Worship of one god does not deny the others, and respect for the pantheon as a whole is expected.
Divine Authority and Power
The gods rarely act directly in the world. Instead, they influence events through:
· Priests and clergy
· Champions and holy warriors
· Chosen agents
· Signs, visions, and omens
Stories of gods appearing in person are treated as legends or events from a distant age. Such appearances are believed to signal times of great danger or change.
Worship and Devotion
Worship is situational and practical.
A single person may honour many gods over the course of their life. That same person might pray to a god of protection before travel, seek aid from a god of healing during illness, and honour a god of law when dealing with disputes.
Most people have one primary patron god, often connected to their work, lifestyle, or values. Even so, praying to other gods when the need arises is normal. Attending services, giving offerings, and supporting multiple temples over time is expected.
Clerics, paladins, and similar figures serve one primary god, but they still honour the pantheon as a whole. Serving more than one god directly is possible, but uncommon.
Clergy, Champions, and Authority
Religious authority comes from both tradition and calling.
Temples and religious orders train clergy, preserve teachings, and guide public worship. They also play major roles in law, healing, education, and government.
Many priests and champions believe they were personally called to serve their god. This belief is widely accepted and respected. Most religious servants understand their role as both a sacred calling and a social duty.
Religion in Daily Life
Religion is part of everyday life. People may not see themselves as especially devout, but prayer, holy days, and small rituals are common.
Temples often serve as centres for:
· Worship
· Healing
· Mediation and dispute resolution
· Community leadership
Following religious custom is as much a social expectation as an act of faith.
Heresy and Transgression
Heresy is defined by action and consequence, not by private belief.
A person’s faith becomes a problem only when it causes harm, disorder, or open rejection of the pantheon. Responses vary by situation and may include:
· Loss of trust or social standing
· Rejection by temples or religious orders
· Loss of divine support
· Intervention by religious or civic authorities
The Gods, The Lattice, and the Cataclysm
Long ago, the world suffered a great Cataclysm. Civilizations fell, knowledge was lost, and the forces that shape magic were damaged. Many ancient wonders come from this earlier age, when magic was stronger and less restrained.
Magic is understood to flow through an unseen structure often called the Lattice. Most people know the term only vaguely, if at all. Educated individuals recognize it as the underlying structure that magic depends on.
Religious teaching holds that the gods are closely connected to the Lattice. They are believed to guide, shape, and stabilize divine power so that it can be used safely. Miracles and divine magic are trusted because they are thought to be governed by divine wisdom rather than mortal will.
The Cataclysm is remembered as a time of imbalance and excess. Religious tradition emphasizes restraint, balance, and continuity as lessons drawn from that age.