Religion

Religion in the world of Arora is a complex tapestry of beliefs, traditions, and practices that shape the lives of its inhabitants. Although it is undeniable that a great power flows through the veins of the world, the people of Arora know little to nothing of true divine magic. Therefore, religious figures within Arora maintain their positions not through displays of divine power, but largely through the support of their local communities, or other mechanisms of political power. Priests cannot simply cast powerful divine spells to demonstrate their gods' favour. Instead, they either work within the religious hierarchy or compete with each other for the support of the faithful. The chaotic nature of a synthesist's craft makes it difficult for a priest to rely upon them. After all, a simple mistake in a spell might signal that the gods are displeased with their priests.   Religious organizations may curry favour among the populace by supporting a certain warlord or forming their own domain. Theocracies arise to compete with monarchies as omens foreshadow a great doom, and the commoners flock to the priests who provide the most satisfying answers. The leaders of some cults take pains to shroud themselves in secrecy, and some sects exist solely to line the priests' pockets or have even more sinister aims. A cult might seek to overthrow the governments in a particular region and establish an empire. It could serve otherworldly creatures that care nothing for humanity but merely hunger for sacrifices.   Despite the absence of direct intervention by divine beings, people of Arora hold fast to their beliefs, shaped by faith, hunches, and cultural preferences. Your character's religion may range from informal ancestor worship to membership in a faith that spans a continent. She may have prayed in a small cave near her tribe's winter camp, or she could worship at a great cathedral. Whether her beliefs encompass an elaborate code of conduct or a set of simple principles, her religion shapes her life and her view of the world around her.   In this world of great diversity, you can exercise the same level of creativity in your character's religion as in the rest of her makeup. There are a variety of major religions to choose from (see list of major religions, below), or you can create a minor local religion that your character follows. She might even disdain the gods, like the Abandonist, standing out as an atheist in a world of magic and terrible monsters. The world of Arora is your playground, and your character's religion is just one of the many threads in its rich tapestry.