Do you think it is a good idea to create a fantasy religion?

[Kupotepo]

I am a little paranoia and unsure about the creation of a fantasy religion. I think it would be a cool idea to have a priest or priestess of each element. So I can customs and holidays. I hope it should live up the town. Do you think it would be too overwhelming for a player? Another purpose is to make a town and a story become more immersion. Thank you for sharing your experience with me.

For an example: Luka
http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Luka_(Brave_Exvius)

Another thing is that I plane to create an antagonist; the darkness cult which tries to summon a demon lord. So you get more clear.

 

[Andar]

Most games do that, only differing in how much detail they put into such things.
Just check the sourcebooks for PnP-RPG-games like D&D, they're usually full of pseudo-religions to have the players interested in playing clerics choose from.

 

[Kupotepo]

@Andar, thank you for let me know. I am going into detail because of its part of world-building for me. Of course, I am not going to infodump at a player. The second parts are more concern with a light fantasy religion vs. a dark fantasy religion. You see I take into another step. Both of the sides are very cruel about its methods.

 

[MushroomCake28]

It definitely adds to the immersion, but it's also a lot of work. If you're ready to put the time, and it fits well with your game, then I would highly encourage you to do it. Everything that contributes to the lore of your game is good. If there's too much content, you can always make the excessive amount optional.

 

[Wavelength]

It's fine to do so. Our own world was shaped heavily by religion, so there's a lot of real-world intrigue that can serve as inspiration, and it tends to be a good world-building element. I would recommend trying to be "fair" about not painting religion in too good or especially too bad a light, unless it ties into the core message of your game.

 

[Paladin-Cleric of Awesome]

I love making fantasy religions. Not much of them go into my games but I have entire creation myths, holidays, etc created for my game world. (It’s werid I guess because in the real world I find religon fascinating, but ultimately dividing and uncalled for. Humans make up enough reasons to kill each other with religion throughout the ages ordering them to do so)

Probably why most of my religions in games and books work alongside each other. Ah well. Lol.

I would say go for it, whatever makes the world feel more alive for you.

 

[artoni]

It's absolutely a common theme and not a bad idea. Unless, of course, you make it one by adding poor themes.

My project doesn't have organized religions but there's some shamanistic aspects here and there; it doesn't have a huge place in the story so as-is it's pretty underdeveloped. That doesn't mean I might not add some flavor with it as time goes on- only that it's not a priority for me.

 

[M.I.A.]

Why not?

I tend to create "religions" in my projects, but I only ever allude to them. They aren't entirely fleshed out ideas with backstories and lore. Just hints here and there. I certainly never create entire story driven plots around them.

"Thank the Undine you made it safely across the ocean!" would be a line that's spoken by an NPC.
"Those Fey, such mischievous little creatures.. there's a good reason they were kicked out of The Garden." would be another.

But do I ever formulate an entire religion? Nah. Just enough to allow the player to create their own vision of the world for themselves.

Hope you find this helpful!
-MIA

 

[Kupotepo]

@MushroomCake28, thank you for your input. I am going to work hard. lol

@Wavelength, I am very heavy hand on the rationalization of why people doing of what they are doing. Desire for power, desire acquire wealth, desire to be love, desire to control, desire to belong. I will be fair about logic and lower my bias.

@Paladin-Celeric, the creation myth is hard on to create. I plan to explore an institution and I agree with you that people do not do things without motive(s).

@artoni, I agree it is hard make into a theme. Shamanic aspects are very comment because many people like a beautiful nature. I plan to make both fantasy centralize religion and fantasy decentralized religion. Cult vs. Religion Authoritarian vs. Free Will

@M.I.A., thank you for helping me.
I plan for the main characters to be in the middle of a fantasy religious wars. Fight fantasy inquisitions, covert agents, assassins, religious order warriors Both front door and back door story.

 

[Marquise*]

If you plan a demon and have nothing to counter balance it... Does that mean your game world was created by demons? Or that demon? That would make those heroes ... errr villains from beating it up ? (It would feel a wee bit a soulless world to me)

 

[artoni]

I mean, generally if you have demons you have something to counterbalance them - even if it's just a set of more positive spirits, not necessarily angels.

I'm thinking of Lois McMaster Bujold's Chalion series in particular; there's five Gods (one of which is supposedly a 'redeemed' demon) and countless demons. Good reads, if you're looking for fantasy!

 

[Kupotepo]

@Marquise*, the fanatic cult makes only a contract with demons. The fantasy religions have their own deities. Sorry of the misunderstand. The heroes believes in another religion: the more naturalistic reglions. Good and Evil needs each other.

@artoni Yes, I have something counter the demons. gods and goddesses, sorry for you telling you. Thank you for your information.

 

[Marquise*]

@Kupotepo Yes but within the lack of deity what is left is the demons and it means it is their world in that case. As you put it in the end for balance. Any vacuum left just makes the higher power in that place calling itself good even if it is evil and it leads or keep the world into chaos. So yeah, that world is in need of a god that needs to keep evil from getting on top.

 

[Lornsteyn]

I dont see why you should not.
And please stop thinking you could overhelm players, most people are really into this Lore stuff etc, there is no reason to simplify such things.
We got so many simplifyed mediocore games nowadays filled with unnececary tutorials, because it seems developers think the majority of the players are stupid.
If you really want your created religion in your game, then I say do it, no matter what other people say.

 

[Kupotepo]

@marquise *, do you create a demon homeworld and do you create an angel homeworld? I think world of Warcraft did that. The next sentence about authority and power is a very educational hypothesis, indeed. The funny thing is not about a deity or a demon. It is about humanity which their actions are moving back and forth between good and evil. Being smart is not related to morality, but it is direct to survival and get out the situation.

@Lornsteyn, thank you for your supportive words. I agree with you that Lores are interested that why I will put into my game library which people can read if they want too anytime. It is more interactive because sometimes heroes need to fight those people too because some of the fantasy religious officials are a side with the villains.

 

[JDevain]

Made up religions? As a DM, this is where I live. It's probably my favorite creative thing to do when coming up with a new world.

It's also a practical neccesity. If your world doesn't have fleshed out belief systems, then it's missing a basic ingredient that exists in all societies, real or imagined. Think about Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones. So many cults, religions, and supernatural belief systems in play. And it's not just there for decoration, it has real meaning within the story. Just as it does in real life.

Oh, and if you're worried about people getting offended, trust me, they won't. The kind of people who get offended by such things don't participate in RPGs.

 

[mobiusclimber]

It's important to consider what kind of world you're creating and tailor certain things to that. This includes religions, customs, and industry, and should be thought of both regionally and globally. Not all games need to include these things, but it helps with mapping, NPC interaction, etc etc. and creates a sense of immersion, even when it's not a focal point. What is the history of the world? What are the politics?

 

[Kupotepo]

@JDevain, thank you for your rational confirmation that I am not delusion. Without, conflicts into a story would be so boring and silly for players.

@mobiusclimber, it is design part and mapping for me. If every characters play nice and clean, a game story would be silly and make nonsense.

 

[mobiusclimber]

What I'm saying is, regardless of whether religion or politics or industry or history are part of your storyline or not, you should think about those things when building the world, and have it reflected in some way.

 

[Kupotepo]

@mobiusclimber, I agree with you, sorry if you are misunderstanding with my wording.

@trouble time, thank you for your input, I am just asking people around because I am very receptive to other opinions plus I do not what is going to turn out to be.