Distant Gods

In the world of Drakkenheim, the gods are silent and distant. Gods do not manifest physically nor speak with worshipers, and do not interfere in earthly matters. Rather than follow a pantheon of gods who communicate clearly with their worshipers, prophets and priests have established the world’s religions based on interpretations of divine forces, signs, and omens. Alignment, cosmology, and religion are nebulous concepts, and in Drakkenheim, prophecies fail as often as they are fulfilled.

Divine spellcasting powers are not granted by gods directly. Instead, clerics, druids, and paladins learn to cast spells by channeling the supernatural forces of light and shadow which underscore the cosmos. In theory, divine spellcasting is attainable by anyone, but in practice only exceptionally gifted individuals master even the lowest-level divine spells. Many view divine spellcasting as a disciplined and sacred technique attainable only by those with sufficient will and devotion, and only after years of meditation and training. Its practitioners are not considered mageborn

Violating one’s religious tenets does not cause a cleric, druid, or paladin to lose their powers. However, a personal crisis of faith brought on by some discordant change in behavior and morality could cause an individual to lose their divine spellcasting powers. More often, a cleric, druid, or paladin who commits grave transgressions against their gods is shunned, excommunicated, and made to face retribution from other members of their faith.

Faith of the Sacred Flame

Across the continent, a single faith has emerged as the dominant religion: the Faith of the Sacred Flame. The tenets of the religion speak a message of truth and justice inspired by the righteous sacrifice of a noble paladin. The leader of the faith is the Divine Matriarch Mercy V, who keeps Saint Tarna’s Cathedral in the Holy City of Lumen.

Old Gods and Primal Magic

The magic of druids is sometimes referred to as primal magic due to its connection to nature, earth, life, and death. However, the gods of the Old Faiths are said to represent such forces, and many druids are worshipers of these ancient deities. Thus, primal magic can be considered a form of divine magic. Even certain warlocks might consider their magic primal depending on their otherworldly patrons.