Fictional religions for Traveller (OTU, ATU, whatever)

[atpollard]

Would it be wrong to worship moose for their anti-tank ability in T5?
[duck, run for cover]
[snicker]

 

[Quint]

There was, FWIW, an old Dragon magazine article (probably when there Ares was a subsection) that had a "Clergy" profession with a handful of examples. It might be worth looking up...

Personally I tend to use RW examples, or fictional examples - so things like Dune's "Orange Catholic Bible" come up - as well as various iterations of the Bene Gesserit and Honored Matres. A notable one I used was Mercerism from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, it creeped the players out quite well. There was a scifi novel a few back with "The Brotherhood" in it, which was a latter-day version on the Freemasons. I've also had the Cyclan as well as the Church of Universal Brotherhood from the Dumarest society show up, as well as the Christoforos from Darkover.

Come to think of it, versions of the Original People have showed up as well.

Versions of the 40K Machine Cult have been popular at times also, along with various permutations of cargo cults. I also used the Amal from Herbert's The Godmakers at one point.

Lots of room to play with if you simply draw from fiction.

D.

 

[aramis]

Spica's career books include multiple clerical careers.

 

[Otto Harkaman]

I really enjoyed the Dumarest novels with the Cyclan and the Church of Universal Brotherhood. Dumarest Wiki

Church of Universal Brotherhood
The Church of Universal Brotherhood is a decentralized humanitarian organization whose “monks” roam the galaxy giving comfort and alleviating suffering wherever they can. While they do not believe suffering holds intrinsic merit - they refuse to enjoy luxury or privilege of station above what is available to the most lowly of those to whom they minister. Although this appearance is not intended to deceive, it occasionally blinds those who disparage or underestimate them to the fact that each monk is a highly educated, highly trained agent of the central Church.

 

[SanDragon]

Practical Darwinism.

The gist of which is, "I don't have to outrun the canids, I just have to outrun you."

From the Brain & Brawn series by Anne McCaffrey. Specifically, the novel, Partnership

 

[Blue Ghost]

Shameless blog plug

Here are my blog entries with some fictional religions, for those of you who missed my previous edit of my last post in this thread;

The False God; http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Blogs/viewblog.php?entry=845

The Flavian Option; http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Blogs/viewblog.php?entry=848

Stone of Fire; http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Blogs/viewblog.php?entry=849

 

[The Pakkrat]

Vargr Fictional Religion

http://wiki.travellerrpg.com/Runetha_Saetedz

Runetha Saetedz (817–866) was a legendary Vargr adventurer/pirate/scout whose exploits are bedtime reading for young Vargr throughout Regina Subsector, Uthe Subsector, and Dirgir Subsector. Dying from old internal wounds, he managed to lead his band to a heroic victory on Menorb (Spinward Marches 1803), but died soon after.

Soon after his death, his followers founded the Runetha Society to keep alive his memory and his philosophy. As his fame grew, they built the Greater Thatho Temple in the Dro-Zhemm Hills (on Menorb), and spread his philosophy throughout the region.

The Temple is the central site of the Runetha religion, now run by the High Runetha Federation of Holy Adventurers. The temple itself is a circular building, of about 25 m length, 5 m in height, with a concave roof. Of strong interest is what's above the temple: a large, floating, glowing yellow ball, of about 30 m diameter. It is quite bright (one cannot look at it directly within 50 meters), and can easily be mistaken for a second sun.

The religion itself is strongly focused on heroic endeavors, felt to be the way of a True Life here and a glorious afterlife. Study of Runetha's history – and the history of other heroes, Vargr and Human – is a required tenet of the religion, as is the Aiding of all True Heroes, the pursuit of at least one Quest in your life, and the support of the Runetha Brotherhood above all worldly loves.


The religion, IMTU, is slowly spreading into Ksits Usathu Odzuetarug <Free Spirits Subsector> of Gvurrdon, most quickly into the Dzen Aeng Kho <Society of Equals> and the Thoengling Empire as more 'heroes' rise to the occasion or develop quests of their own.

For Net-7 News, this is the Pakkrat.

 

[BwapTED]

http://wiki.travellerrpg.com/Runetha_Saetedz

Runetha Saetedz (817–866) was a legendary Vargr adventurer/pirate/scout whose exploits are bedtime reading for young Vargr throughout Regina Subsector, Uthe Subsector, and Dirgir Subsector. Dying from old internal wounds, he managed to lead his band to a heroic victory on Menorb (Spinward Marches 1803), but died soon after.

Soon after his death, his followers founded the Runetha Society to keep alive his memory and his philosophy. As his fame grew, they built the Greater Thatho Temple in the Dro-Zhemm Hills (on Menorb), and spread his philosophy throughout the region.

The Temple is the central site of the Runetha religion, now run by the High Runetha Federation of Holy Adventurers. The temple itself is a circular building, of about 25 m length, 5 m in height, with a concave roof. Of strong interest is what's above the temple: a large, floating, glowing yellow ball, of about 30 m diameter. It is quite bright (one cannot look at it directly within 50 meters), and can easily be mistaken for a second sun.

The religion itself is strongly focused on heroic endeavors, felt to be the way of a True Life here and a glorious afterlife. Study of Runetha's history – and the history of other heroes, Vargr and Human – is a required tenet of the religion, as is the Aiding of all True Heroes, the pursuit of at least one Quest in your life, and the support of the Runetha Brotherhood above all worldly loves.


The religion, IMTU, is slowly spreading into Ksits Usathu Odzuetarug <Free Spirits Subsector> of Gvurrdon, most quickly into the Dzen Aeng Kho <Society of Equals> and the Thoengling Empire as more 'heroes' rise to the occasion or develop quests of their own.

For Net-7 News, this is the Pakkrat.

I like it.

It seems plausible, well designed, and appropriate for the Vargr.

The glowing ball seems like a nice touch.

Cool.

 

[Hemdian]

What sort of fictional religions, alien or human, have people created for Traveller?

Inspired by a description I once heard of a "polytheistic religion with a monotheistic structure," I tried to create something similar for Yori (Spin 2110). This was achieved by creating a simple monotheistic and then declaring (every ten to thirty years or so of game time) a new god, with a new agenda, had become ascendant.

I used this to explain why Yori's TL dropped from 'D' in 1105 (cf. Supplement 3, et al) to 'A' in 1107 (cf. Spinward Marches Campaign) ... and then in the Regency Sourcebook it went from 'A' in 1117, back up to 'D' by 1202. It also throws a curve ball at my players when the realise that the local government, which presents as a feudal technocracy, is actually a theocracy (with things like engineer monks and scientist bishops, etc.).

Right now I'm running a group of players unfamiliar with Traveller in a D&D campaign set in Yori's past. I’m trying to generate some additional mythology.

Meanwhile:

Yorian religion has a 'crude' understanding of star systems: Dectura is heaven. Surrounded by walls to keep the unrighteous out. Thus Yori circles heaven as a penitent circles a temple. But across the vastness of space lies the slave pits of Korsu ... hell!

The gods of Dectura all take turns guarding the entrance to Dectura. And they all have different ideas on what makes a person worthy. The role of the Advisors is to help the people navigate these conflicting agendas. Tino is also a god but he has been banished from paradise. Like Yori, he too circles Dectura, trying to get in. He may someday succeed, so appeasing him is also prudent.

To modern day Yorians, Dectura is a gas giant, to be sure, but only physically. On the spiritual plane it is still a paradise. Thus the spiritual plane can be seen as a sort of parallel dimension in which the paradise Dectura is co-located with the gas giant Dectura. Further, the physical world is a metaphor for (or created by) the spiritual world. Some Yorian theologians describe the physical world as the 'dreamlands' of the gods.

As Yori passes through the plan of Dectura, the rings (Skyline) that surround Dectura as a wall vanish for a moment. This is when any funeral services are performed: the walls to heaven are down and the soul can enter (assuming it is judged worthy). There are also unsubstantiated claims of rare momentary reflections off the ring edge … that people seeing these experience religious visions.

Fifty years ago the ascendant god was Tricore. Tricore promoted growth, of building a better future, of trade and prosperity.

Then the ascendant god was Chaarni. Chaarni promoted enlightenment … enlightenment through exploration and the pursuit of truth.

But now Zelodeous is in charge: he is a reaction to the decadence and complacency that comes from over-reliance on technology, a reminder that no matter how powerful the people become (through technology) they must still honour the gods. Zelodeous promotes piety … through the virtues of self-reliance, anti-materialism, hard work, and self-sacrifice for the good of the community.

But Zelodeous is linked to Tino. Tino is all about the self: the importance of pleasure as part of a balanced existence, and of sometimes putting one's own needs ahead of the needs of others.

If Tino doesn't follow Zelodeous then the next god (or godess) will probably be Ampora. Ampora's agenda is about protecting the people from external threat through a superior military. It is not fair to call her a godess of war as that would falsely imply a certain level of aggression. While the best defence is sometimes a good offence, Ampora has no goals other than defence.

Zelodeous has decided that Tino and Ampora must battle to the death to be his successor. He has decreed that the pious must seek out a weapon capable of killing a god for this battle … the "Lance of Zelodeous".

 

[Blue Ghost]

http://wiki.travellerrpg.com/Runetha_Saetedz

Runetha Saetedz (817–866) was a legendary Vargr adventurer/pirate/scout whose exploits are bedtime reading for young Vargr throughout Regina Subsector, Uthe Subsector, and Dirgir Subsector. Dying from old internal wounds, he managed to lead his band to a heroic victory on Menorb (Spinward Marches 1803), but died soon after.

*snip*

The Star Fleet Battles "Vargr" equivalent was the Carnivon, and for those who like to borrow, the write up for the Carnivons had them worshipping a pantheon of minor deities and spirits. I think a lot of them seemed to be associate with natural surroundings. That's kind of how I always pictured Vargr religions.

 

[Ulsyus]

Soon after his death, his followers...got to do certain things to win the sim/game.

 

[BwapTED]

So when does a philosophy change into a religion?

Something like Stoicism is a philosophical basis for behaviour, but what would it take in somewhere like the OTU or YTU for it to evolve into a full-blown religious institution, possibly with organised worship structures?

An alternative to all that was proposed in one of Iain M Banks novels (can't remember which one) founded on the idea that we're all playing in a VR, that we can't prove that we are, but that we've got to do certain things to win the sim/game.

I don't think a hard line can easily be drawn between philosophy and religion, but I would say that the formalization of a philosophical school and development of attendant rituals would tend toward development of a religion.
(Or an ersatz religion, if we are looking at modern political ideologies.)
But I cannot discuss how that relates to Stoicism, because of the ban on RW religions. Nor can I give the more straightforward examples. Same reason.

That VR idea sounds fun.

 

[The Pakkrat]

Don't Demonize Me, Bro

To me... and on average, the majority of canon and non-canon religions of Traveller seem to demonize their followers and officiators to the audience, the players of the game.

I found only three religions in the entire Vargr race:

Faarzgaen (Mongoose, et al)
Church Of The Chosen Ones (multiple sources)
Runetha Saetedz (I found it on the wiki)

Of the three, the third religion (or philosophy if you prefer) of Runetha Saetedz appealed to my character, Senior Scout Gevaudan Cannagrrh though his elder sister did not take up the same lifepath when she trailed him Rimward from the Society of Equals into the Spinward Marches just prior to the Fifth Frontier War. It seemed the only religion that enables a character to be heroic without demanding a total morals overhaul. Gev attended the last pilgrimage gathering on Menorb, just before joining the Artemis Mercenary Corporation, (later Artemis Group). Then the Outworlds Coalition kicked off the 5FW.

Writers' request: More lifepaths and religions that don't make their faithful look like monsters or idiots.

Fromt the Editor's desk at Serue (Knoellighz 1221), this is the Pakkrat for Net-7 News

 

[aramis]

I don't think a hard line can easily be drawn between philosophy and religion, but I would say that the formalization of a philosophical school and development of attendant rituals would tend toward development of a religion.
(Or an ersatz religion, if we are looking at modern political ideologies.)
But I cannot discuss how that relates to Stoicism, because of the ban on RW religions. Nor can I give the more straightforward examples. Same reason.

That VR idea sounds fun.

Traditionally, in the social sciences, there is an easy line to draw the distinction: Ritual. Religions have it, Philosophical systems do not.

 

[coliver988]

Traditionally, in the social sciences, there is an easy line to draw the distinction: Ritual. Religions have it, Philosophical systems do not.

What about yoga - if you consider the poses as ritual? But don't let me derail this interesting thread...need to re-read some books: for my masters I know I did some philosophy of religions classes that may have given ways to separate them.

(some people had a hard time understanding that the theory and philosophy of the religion was not the religion itself, but more like meta-gaming: what does it mean behind the meanings sort of thing? Where did it come from? I miss those classes!)

 

[aramis]

What about yoga - if you consider the poses as ritual? But don't let me derail this interesting thread...need to re-read some books: for my masters I know I did some philosophy of religions classes that may have given ways to separate them.

(some people had a hard time understanding that the theory and philosophy of the religion was not the religion itself, but more like meta-gaming: what does it mean behind the meanings sort of thing? Where did it come from? I miss those classes!)

Cases like Yoga are interesting... but explicating why would cross the "no real world religion outside the pit" line.

So, I'm going to answer this inside the pit.

 

[ovka]

I was in my basement earlier looking through a box of Traveller books and ran across my copy of BITS 101 Religions. See if you can dig that one up. That might give you (the OP) what you are looking for.

Cheers,

Baron Ovka

 

[ovka]

I also ran across my old copy of DGP's Grand Census. This had information on a creating a "Religious Profile" in the format of XXXXXX-X where the values represent

God View, Spiritual Aim, Devotion Required, Organization Structure, Liturgical Formality, Missionary Fervor, and Number of Adherents.

Cheers,

Baron Ovka

 

[FreeTrav]

There are some adventures at Freelance Traveller that touch on religion; while they don't generally give a complete look at the religion, they do describe an aspect of a religion that's relevant to the adventure.

Apotheosis - http://www.freelancetraveller.com/features/advents/apotheosis.html
In the Name of the Dead - http://www.freelancetraveller.com/features/advents/nameofdead.html
Rites of Passage - http://www.freelancetraveller.com/features/advents/rites.html
Sex and the Single Vargr - http://www.freelancetraveller.com/features/advents/singlevargr.html
The Color of Monks' Robes - http://www.freelancetraveller.com/features/advents/gotg/monksrobes.html
Reliquary - http://www.freelancetraveller.com/features/advents/gotg/reliquary.html