The Celephais Campaign:
Religion

Greater Religions

These religions are known on the three continents but not be worshipped everywhere.

The Olympians

The worship of the twelve olympian deities along with numerous lesser deities, demigods, spirits and nymphs. The Priests of the Olympic Gods are Clerics, save for one order of Neutral Good Druids of Demeter. Worship of the Olympians is the state religion of the League. Animal sacrifice and athletic events are common while human sacrifice is anethema. Olypmpian Clerics may either have a patron Diety and use their patrons domains, or they may worship the Pantheon and choose two domains. The domains are listed in the Dieties and Demigods book. Only one type of Druids is allowed - a Neutral Good Druid of Demeter.

The Old Faith

Worship of the Titans and Protogenoi (First Gods). The Priests of the Old Faith are Druids. In the Arcadian League, the Old Faith is proscribed or outlawed. The old faith engages in occasional human sacrifice, typically during times of famine or plague. Druids and their followers are seen as foes of civilization and looked down upon by Clerics.

Eleusian Mysteries

A mystery cult devoted to the renewal aspect of Persephone, Hades and Demeter. The Eleusian Mysteries has members of every race and species. The outer mystery reinacts the capture of Persephone, her marriage to Hades, the first Winter, and the first Spring. Rumors say that the inner mystery reveals the powers of reincarnation. Clerics of the Eleusian Mysteries can gain the Renewel Domain.

Mithraism

A Monotheistic cult, generally composed of Monks and Paladins. They acknowledge other deities but will not worship them. They feel that only cosmic good, or Mithraism, is worthy of worship. The Mithraides are greatly favored by the Celestials and have close ties with the Weapons of Nemesis. Mithraism is the state religion of Oriab. The Domains of Mithraism are Good, Law, Sun, Protection and Summoning.

The Mantees

A Cult that worships Hypnos, god of Dreams and Divination. They travel the Overworld and Underworld seeking lost history and prophecies. Their symbol is a preying mantis. The State Religion of Thorobon, the City of Horn and Ivory. Outsiders see this religion as simply an excuse to imbibe drugs and engage in indolent, possibly self-destructive behavior. The Domains of the Mantees are Divination, Madness, Luck, and Travel.

Diabolism

The worship of the Infernal beings. Many Infernal beings, cast out of the Celestial ranks, have become engorged by pride and power and desire worship. Their worshippers are often deluded but all must appease their dark "deities". Diabolism is mostly an underground and cult activity centered around a charismatic individual. The Domains of Diabolists are Evil, Law, Devils, Trickery and Fire.

Demonology

Demonologists do not worship Demons, they use their dark knowledge to control them and use them and in turn are used by the very Demons they call forth. Demonologists are loners by nature and need. The premier demonologists of Gaia are the ancient Tcho people who live on the barren windswept Plateau of Leng. The Domains of Demonologists are Evil, Chaos, Travel, Destruction and Darkness.

Lesser Cults and Mysteries

These relgions, mysteries, faiths, philosophies and cults are typically local in scope or have limited membership.

The Hidden Masters

The Hidden Masters are ancient Monks that have ascended and become Outsiders that reside in a timeless pocket realm. The Hidden Masters are not worshipped, but are given respect by their followers. Those that worship the Masters are mystics that believe in a personal relationship with the divine, which they view as a cosmic order greater than any Deity. This is the state religion of Yuth. Their are no Clerics, Druids, or Paladins of the Hidden Masters. They do not grant divine spells but inspires monks, and will reveal secrets to them via monk prestige classes.

Weapons of Nemesis

Nemesis is a force of righteousness that the Olympians deities must obey. This force seems to choose mortals as vessels of its power. These mortals are driven to become Paladins. They might still worship appropriate deities, as in a Paladin may still worship Apollo, but are driven by "higher" powers. The greatest of all the creatures of Nemesis are The Kindly Ones (The Furies) who bring fear even to Gods.

Thanatos Cult

This cult appeases the God Thanatos, the god of nonviolent death. Thanatos conveys those that died by non-violent ways to Charon who ferries them to the underworld and their Judgment. However, rites used by the cult can substitute another victim in their place and turn the Cult member into an ageless undead. These undead are pacifists for good reason - their pact with Thanatos does not apply to violent death. Since Hades abhors undead, the undead members of the Cult value their existence above all else. Members are made hairless by alchemical means since Thanatos uses a lock of hair to convey the soul of the departed. While the Cult as individuals are pacifists, they will hire out non Cult members to engage in violence against their foes. Use the "Corpse Thing" template from the Book of Vile Darkness. Most members of the cult are Adepts are even full Clerics. Their domains are Death, Knowledge, Magic, and Protection.

The Bacchae

A species of Outsiders that enter the material world, conduct revels in the name of Dionysos, and convert others to their species. See Monster Manual II for the specifics on Bacchae.

The Corybantes (kor-ree-BAN-tees)

Divinely inspired people, subject to frenzy, and inspiring terror at the celebration of the sacred rites by means of war-dances, noise, cymbals, drums, and arms. Barbarians all, they use have no need of god talkers (Clerics, Druids) since they feel their gods with them and worship with deeds. Wizards, Bards, and Sorcerers are despised as spells and lore mean nothing compared to deeds and fancy lies. Rogues that live by stealth and nimbleness are really dishonorable weaklings and should be killed. Monks can contemplate the universe by joining it without their bodies or heads. The Corbantes are a bogey man of civilizations.

The Telchines (tel-KIN-ayes)

Telchines to be malignant sorcerers, aligned with Demonic or Infernal powers. They are master craftsmen and have won a strange pact with Poseidon to not be subject to his power over the sea. They build soul-less constructs to guard them and attack their enemies.

Cult of Iris

Iris is the Winged Goddess of the rainbow and the messenger of the Olympian Gods. Her outer mystery is one of joy but considered shallow. Her inner mystery is of planer travel, especially to the Celestials. Her cult has the Domains of Travel, Good, and Illusion.

Cult of Keres

Keres is the brother of Thanatos and Goddess of violent death. Her minions take the souls of the murder victims and soldiers in battle. Secretly, this demigod has sponsored a Cult that engages in human sacrifice to further her power. His cult has the domains of Death, Travel, Trickery, and Destruction

Individual Deities

to be continued...