Religion & the Gods

Religion in the Kagoma System has experienced a steady decline in prominence as Magitech and AI rose to dominance, shifting society’s focus from divine worship to technological and arcane mastery. While the gods are still revered, they are often seen more as symbols than active participants in mortal affairs. The Chantry enforces their relevance as a means to justify the Eternal Empire’s rule, but true devotion remains strong only among outliers such as Indents, rebels, and Wildlands factions. This tension between faith, magic, and technology defines much of the Empire’s culture and conflicts.

Major Gods in the Kagoma System

The gods are recognized as divine patrons of the universe, each embodying aspects of creation, destruction, and mortal existence. They are often worshipped as benefactors of specific societal roles or revered for their influence over natural and magical phenomena.

Mystra (Goddess of Magic)

Mystra is central to the Empire’s theology, worshipped widely as the keeper of all magic. She is often depicted as a benevolent but stern overseer of the arcane arts. The Empire credits her with bestowing the ley lines and the magical gifts that drive their society.

Lathander (God of Renewal and Dawn)

Lathander symbolizes hope, prosperity, and the Empire’s continual expansion. He is celebrated during rituals of renewal and is a popular deity among the common folk and Indents, offering a glimmer of hope amidst hardship.

Tyr (God of Justice)

Tyr is revered as the enforcer of divine and imperial law. His followers within the Empire include judges, military officers, and Inquisitors who seek to ensure order through strict adherence to law and discipline.

Bane (God of Tyranny)

Bane is honored by the Empire’s upper echelons as the patron of control and power. Though not openly worshipped by all, his doctrine of conquest and domination resonates with the Empire’s rulers and military elite - as well as some of the more radical rebel factions.

Kelemvor (God of Death)

Kelemvor is a neutral figure in the pantheon, overseeing the passage of souls. His temples provide solace for the grieving but are also used by the Empire to reinforce the inevitability of servitude in life and judgment in death. The Empire asserts that Kelemvor ensures that those who live justly are rewarded in the afterlife, while heretics and rebels face eternal torment.

Selûne (Goddess of the Moon and Change)

Revered among rebels, travelers, and those who seek freedom, Selûne is seen as a counterbalance to the Empire’s rigidity. Her worship is banned in most Imperial territories but flourishes in secret. Seen as a beacon of hope for those in bondage, Selûne’s followers believe she opposes tyranny and champions personal freedom. Her worship is widespread among Indents and Wildlands rebels.

Tymora (Goddess of Luck)

Tymora is favored by smugglers, thieves, and those navigating the black market. Her worship is less organized but thrives in secret gatherings where fortune-seekers pray for her blessing.

Lolth (Goddess of Chaos and Shadows)

In secret, some worship Lolth as a symbol of rebellion against the Empire’s rigid hierarchy. While her methods are harsh, her followers see her as a necessary force for disruption and change.

Core Beliefs of the Chantry

Enforcers of Faith

The Chantry is the Empire’s religious institution, tasked with maintaining the spiritual and magical order. It teaches that the gods are the rightful rulers of the cosmos and that the Empire, through its control of the ley lines and magic on Avalon, acts as their chosen enforcers.

Magic as a Divine Gift

Magic flows from the gods, channeled through the ley lines of Avalon. The Empire is the steward of this gift, responsible for using it to maintain order and prosperity.

Obedience as Virtue

The gods demand loyalty, discipline, and submission to the divine order, which the Empire claims to embody.

Worship

For most citizens, worship revolves around:

• Temples and Festivals: Temples are grand structures maintained by the Chantry, where citizens attend regular services. Festivals honoring gods like Lathander and Tyr are often used as propaganda to reinforce imperial values.

• Personal Shrines: Many Indents and free citizens keep small shrines at home, offering prayers for strength, luck, or protection.

• Rebel Rites: Hidden shrines and secret rituals dedicated to Selûne, Lolth, and Tymora exist in the Wildlands and among rebellious Indents.