Smaller Cults
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.
Gameplay:
Clerics, paladins, warlocks, and druids class characters are open to players who want to play as a member of a small cult. There is a lot of freedom for the player to design their character’s beliefs and religion. Perhaps she is involved with a break away sect of Unity, or she has been given prophetic dreams by a celestial being and follows its path. Perhaps she is involved in worshipping one of the minor Old Gods that is important to her home city, or she seeks secret knowledge and power by devoting herself to an ancient elder primordial with terrible purpose. Work with your DM to design your character’s religion.
Note:
The word “cult” is being used in an older sense. In this sense, a cult is a small group of worshippers with a set of religious beliefs and practices related to a particular being (deity, saint, hero, etc). For example, a small group of elves who gather to worship a particular celestial being, could be considered a cult. This older usage does not have the sinister connotations that the modern usage has.
Followers:
Known as: Followers of...
Insulted as: Cultists
Beliefs:
There are a plethora of small cults with a variety of beliefs on The Sword Coast that worship a variety of beings; gods, goddesses, spirits, celestial and infernal beings, deified heroes, and forces of nature. Each focuses their worship on one particular being. Some cults believe their deity to be the supreme deity. Others worship one of many deities to gain special favor or power; everything from bountiful crops to the power to raise armies of the undead. A few are state sponsored groups that worship national heroes such as deified kings.
Religion and Politics:
The place of these smaller cults in society varies depending on the cult and the culture. Some are persecuted minorities struggling to survive. Others are officially endorsed by the ruler of the land. Most are ignored.
Places of Worship:
The places of worship vary sharply from cult to cult. Some have small temples. Most meet in private residences. Some cults that worship dark powers meet in secluded and abandoned places of ancient evil.
Manner of Worship:
This too varies from cult to cult, there is no one standard way to worship.
Views on Other Religions:
A few cults see themselves as the one true faith, particularly those that have started as breakaway sects from The Teachings of Chantrel and Unity. But, most cults have far more open attitudes to other religions
Entry for WorldEmber 2019
