Meaning

of Life

History

Gods

Various
prophethealing
churches
founded
since c.1918,
West Nigeria.

Generally
monotheist
ic; a mix of
Anglican,
Pentecostal
and
traditional
African
beliefs.

Strong
emphasis
Not
on healing
emphasized;
and
views vary.
salvation
in this life.

Revival of
Norse and
Germanic
paganism,
1970s
Scandinavia
and USA.

Polytheisti
c, Norse
gods and
goddesses,
Norse
creation
myths.

Salvation
or
redemptio
n not
emphasize
d.
Fatalistic
outlook.

Founded by
Bah'u'llh,
1863, Tehran,
Iran.

Indigenous
religion of
Tibet.

Based on
teachings of
Siddharta
Gautama (the
Buddha) in c.
520 BC, NE
India.

The soul is
One God, eternal and
who has
essentially
revealed
good.
himself
Purpose of
progressive life is to
ly through develop
major
spiritually
world
and draw
religions. closer to
God.
Nontheistic
Buddhism,
but
Purpose is
meditation
to gain
on
enlighten
peaceful
ment.
and
wrathful
deities.
Varies:
Avoid
Theravada suffering
atheistic; and gain
Mahayana enlighten
more
ment and
polytheisti release
c. Buddha from cycle
taught
of rebirth,
nothing is or at least
permanent. attain a
better
rebirth by
gaining
merit.

Afterlife

Valhalla
(heaven) for
death in
battle; Hel
(peaceful
place) for
most; Hifhel
(hell) for the
very evil.
Soul
separates
from the body
and begins a
journey
towards or
away from
God. Heaven
and hell are
states of
being.

Practices

Texts

Spiritual healing is central. Mix

of Anglican and African rituals;
none
a prophet plays a prominent
role.

Sacrifice of food or drink, toast

to the gods, shamanism (less
Eddas (Norse epics);
frequently), celebration of
the Havamal (proverbs
solstice holidays. Nine Noble
attributed to Odin)
Virtues is moral code.

Daily prayer, avoidance of

Writings of Bah'u'llh
intoxicants, scripture reading,
and other Bah'
hard work, education, work for
leaders.
social justice and equality.

Reincarnation Meditation on mandalas and

until gain
Tibetan deities, astrology,
enlightenment monastic life.

Bonpo canon

The Buddha Meditation, mantras, devotion to Tripitaka (Pali Canon);

said of death: deities (in some sects), mandalas Mahayana sutras like
Life is a
(Tibetan)
the Lotus Sutra; others.
journey.
Death is a
return to
earth. The
universe is
like an inn.
The passing
years are like
dust. Regard
this phantom
world As a
star at dawn,
a bubble in a
stream, A
flash of
lightning in a
summer

History

Gods

Meaning
of Life

Afterlife

Practices

Texts

cloud, A
flickering
lamp - a
phantom and a dream

Founded in
1926,
Vietnam by
Ngo Van
Chieu and
others based
on a sance.

Indigenous
folk religion
of China.

based on life
and teachings
of Jesus of
Nazareth
(born c. 4
BCE), a Jew
from
Palestine
under Roman
rule

Founded by
Confucius
(551479
BC), China

10

Founded by
Al-Darazi in
11th century,
Cairo, Egypt.
Roots in the

God
represented
Goal is
by Divine
peace and
Eye.
harmony
Founders
in each
of
person and
Buddhism,
in the
Taoism,
world.
Hinduism,
Salvation
Islam, and
by
Christianit
"cultivatin
y
g self and
venerated,
finding
and saints
God in
including
self."
Victor
Hugo.
A
favorable
Dualistic life and
yin and
peaceful
yang;
afterlife,
mythologic attained
al beings through
and folk
rituals and
deities.
honoring
of
ancestors.
All have
sinned and
are
Holy
thereby
Trinity = separated
God the
from God.
Father +
Salvation
God the
is through
Son + God faith in
the Holy Christ and,
Spirit
for some,
sacraments
and good
works.
To fulfill
one's role
in society
Not
with
addressed
propriety,
honor, and
loyalty.
Universal Live a
Intelligenc good life
e (al-Aql for a
al-Kulli) or favorable
Divine
reincarnati

Hierarchy similar to Roman

reincarnation
Catholicism. Daily prayer.
until
Meditation. Communication
Caodai canon
Nirvana/Heav
with spirit world (now outlawed
en
in Vietnam).

Ancestor worship, prayer,

longevity practices, divination,
reincarnation
prophecy and astrology, feng
shui.

none

Eternal
heaven or hell
(most
Prayer, Bible study, baptism,
Bible (Hebrew Bible +
denomination Eucharist (Communion), church
New Testament)
s); temporary on Sundays, numerous holidays.
purgatory
(Catholicism)

Honesty, politeness, propriety,

humaneness, perform correct
Analects
role in society, loyalty to family,
nation
Reincarnation
. Heaven is a
spiritual
existence
when one has

Modest lifestyles, fasting before

Eid al-Adha. Beliefs and
practices are hidden for
protection from persecution.
Special group of initiates called

Al-Naqd al-Khafi
(Copy of the Secret);
Al-Juz'al-Awwal
(Essence of the First)

History

Isma'iliyya
sect of Shia
Islam.

Gods

Essence
(akin to
Neoplatoni
sm), of
which alHakim is
believed to
be an
incarnation
.

11

Founded by
Paul
Twitchell in
Las Vegas,
1965

12

A deistic
sort of
Based on the
polytheism
teachings of
: the gods
Epicurus, c.
exist, but
300 BCE,
take no
Athens.
notice of
humans.

13

14

Li Hongzhi
in 1992 in
China

The Divine
Spirit,
called
"ECK."

Countless
gods and
spiritual
beings.
Demonic
aliens.

Various
The
teachers
supreme
including
God is
Valentinus, unknowabl
1st-2nd cents. e; the

Meaning
of Life
on. Await
the reappearanc
e of alHakim (a
Fatimid
caliph who
disappeare
d in 1021),
who will
usher in a
Golden
Age for
true
believers.
"Each of
us is Soul,
a spark of
God sent
to this
world to
gain
spiritual
experience
."
Salvation
is
liberation
and Godrealization
.
Materialis
m:
everything
is made of
atoms,
including
gods and
the soul.
The Falun
(wheel) is
an energy
source
located in
the navel.
Goal is
spritual
transcende
nce,
achieved
by
practicing
Falun
Gong.
Humans
can return
to the
spiritual
world

Afterlife

Practices

Texts

escaped
reincarnation.
Hell is
distance from uqqal.
God in
lifetime after
lifetime.

Reincarnation
. The Soul is
eternal by
nature and on
a spiritual
journey.
Liberation
possible in a
single
lifetime.

Spiritual Exercises of ECK:

mantras, meditation, and
dreams. These enable Soul
travel and spiritual growth.

No afterlife.
The soul
dissolves
when the
body dies.

Pursue the highest pleasures

Letters and Principal
(friendship and tranquility) and
Doctrines of Epicurus
avoid pain.

Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad
and books by Harold
Klemp.

Five exercises to strengthen the

Falun. Cultivation of
Zhuan Falun and other
Not addressed truthfulness, benevolence and
writings by Master Li
forbearance. Meat eating
discouraged.

Return to the Asceticism, celibacy

spiritual
world.

Gnostic scriptures
including various
Gospels and Acts
attributed to apostles.

History

AD

Gods
creator god
is evil and
matter is
evil.

15

Various
indigenous
religions of
the ancient
Greeks and
Romans, c.
500 BCE to
400 CE.

Olympic
pantheon
(Zeus, etc.)
mixed with
eastern
deities like
Isis and
Cybele

16

Bhaktivedant
a Swami
Prabhupada,
1966, USA
(with roots in
15th-century
Hindu
movement)

Krishna is
the
Supreme
God.

17

One
Supreme
Indigenous
Reality
religion of
(Brahman)
India as
manifested
developed to
in many
present day.
gods and
goddesses

18

Based on
teachings of
the Prophet
Muhammad;
founded 622
CE in Mecca,
Saudi Arabia.

19

Founded by

One God
(Allah in
Arabic);
the same
God
revealed
(imperfectl
y) in the
Jewish and
Christian
Bibles
The

Meaning
of Life
through
secret
knowledge
of the
universe.
Human
life is
subject to
the whim
of the gods
and to
Fate; these
can be
controlled
through
sacrifice
and
divination.
Salvation
from this
Age of
Kali is by
a return to
Godhead,
accomplis
hed
through
KrishnaConscious
ness.
Humans
are in
bondage to
ignorance
and
illusion,
but are
able to
escape.
Purpose is
to gain
release
from
rebirth, or
at least a
better
rebirth.

Afterlife

Beliefs varied
from no
afterlife to
shadowy
existence in
the
underworld to
a paradiselike afterlife
(mainly in
mystery
religions).

Texts

Animal sacrifice, harvest

offerings, festivals, games,
processions, dance, plays, in
Epic poems of Homer
honor of the gods. Secret
and Hesiod.
initiations and rituals in mystery
religions.

Reincarnation
Chanting, dancing, evangelism,
until unite
The Bhagavad-Gita As
vegetarianism, temple worship,
with the
It Is
monastic-style living
Godhead.

Yoga, meditation, worship

Reincarnation
(puja), devotion to a god or
until gain
goddess, pilgrimage to holy
enlightenment
cities, live according to one's
.
dharma (purpose/ role).

Humans
must
submit
(islam) to
the will of Paradise or
God to
Hell.
gain
Paradise
after
death.
Gain

Practices

The Vedas,
Upanishads, Bhagavad
Gita, Ramayana, etc.

Five Pillars: Faith, Prayer, Alms,

Pilgrimage, Fasting. Mosque
services on Fridays. Ablutions Qur'an (sacred text);
before prayer. No alcohol or
Hadith (tradition)
pork. Holidays related to the
pilgrimage and fast of Ramadan.

Reincarnation Monasticism under the Five

The teachings of

History

Gods

universe is
eternal;
many gods
exist.
Gods,
Mahavira, c. humans
550 BCE,
and all
eastern India living
things are
classified
in a
complex
hierarchy.

20

One God:
Jehovah.
Founded by No Trinity.
Charles Taze Christ is
Russell,
the first
1879,
creation of
Pittsburgh
God; the
Holy Spirit
is a force.

21

The religion
of the
Hebrews (c.
1300 BC),
One God:
especially
Yahweh
after the
(YHVH)
destruction of
the Second
Temple in 70
AD.

22

Many
gods,
Began c.250 including
CE (rise of Itzamn,
the Mayan
Kukulcn,
civilization) Bolon
Tzacab,
and Chac

23

Founded by
Joseph
Smith, 1830,
New York.

God the
Father, the
Son Jesus
Christ, and
the Holy
Ghost are
three
separate
individual
beings

Meaning
Afterlife
of Life
liberation
from cycle
of rebirth,
by
avoiding
all bad
until
karma,
liberation.
especially
by causing
no harm to
any
sentient
being.
Heaven for
Salvation
144,000
is through
chosen
faith in
Witnesses,
Christ and
eternity on
obeying
new earth for
Jehovah's
other
laws. The
Witnesses.
End of the
All others
World is
annihilated.
soon.
No hell.
Not
Obey
historically
God's
emphasized.
command Beliefs vary
ments, live from no
ethically. afterlife to
Focus is shadowy
more on existence to
this life
the World to
than the
Come
next.
(similar to
heaven).
The soul
journeys
Appease
through dark
and
and
nourish
threatening
the gods;
underworld;
determine
but sacrificial
luckiest
victims and
dates for
women who
various
die in
activities.
childbirth go
to heaven.
Return to All return to
God by
spirit world
faith in
for period of
Christ,
instruction
good
before
works,
resurrection.
ordinances Mormons to
, and
heaven with
evangelis God and
m.
families;
others

Practices

Texts

Great Vows (Non-Violence,

Truth, Celibacy, Non-Stealing,
Mahavira in various
Non-Possessiveness); worship at
collections.
temples and at home. Meditation
and mantras.

No blood transfusions, no
celebration of holidays, no use
of crosses or religious images. New World Translation
Baptism, Sunday service at
of the Scriptures
Kingdom Hall, strong emphasis
on evangelism.

Circumcision at birth, bar/bat

mitzvah at adulthood.
Synagogue services on
Saturdays. No pork or other
non-kosher foods. Holidays
related to historical events.

Hebrew Bible
(Tanakh); Talmud

Astronomy, divination, human

sacrifice, elaborate burial for
royalty, worship in stone
pyramid-temples

Dresden Codex;
Madrid Codex; Paris
codex; Books of
Chilam Balam; Popol
Vuh; The Ritual of the
Bacabs

Abstinence from alcohol,

tobacco, coffee and tea; baptism
for the dead; eternal marriage;
temple garments under daily
clothes; active evangelism.

Christian Bible, Book

of Mormon, Doctrine
and Covenants, and
Pearl of Great Price

History

Gods

Meaning
of Life

Afterlife

Practices

Texts

rewarded but
not with God;
hell for those
who reject
God after
death.

24

25

26

"One God
whose
proper
name is
Allah."
Founded by
Wallace
Wallace Fard
Fard
Muhammad,
Muhamma
1930,
d became
Detroit,
the divine
USA.
messiah
and
incarnation
of Allah in
1930.

Helena
Petrovna
Blavatsky
and Annie
Besant in the
19th C, Alice
A. Bailey
(1880-1949),
flourished in
1970s and
80s

Phineas
Parkhurst
Quimby
(1802-66)
and others,
late 19th
century,
USA.

The Divine
is an
impersonal
life force
that
pervades
all things

Generally
monism
(all is
One), but
members
might be
theists,
pantheists
or
panentheist
s. God is
immanent;

"The
Blackman
is the
original
man."
Live
righteousl
y and
worship
Allah.

Mental
resurrection
of the
righteous.
Black people
will be
mentally
resurrected
first.

Dawning
of a New
Age of
heightened
consciousn
ess and
internation
al peace.
Individual
s can
obtain a
foretaste
of the New
Age
Reincarnation
through
spiritual
transforma
tion
("Ascensio
n"). More
emphasis
on the
latter now.
Evil
comes
from
ignorance.
Man is
"Life is
divine,
eternal in the
essentially invisible
spirit, and kingdom of
has
God."
infinite
possibility.
Mind can
control the
body. Sin
and
sickness

Prayer five times a day. Work

for the equality of the African
race. Respect laws of the land,
don't carry arms, don't make
war. Healthy living and
abstinence from alcohol,
smoking and substance abuse.
Modest dress.

Qur'an and "Scriptures

of all the Prophets of
God" are holy texts.
Influential writings
include Elijah
Muhammad's Message
to the Blackman in
America (1965)

Astrology; mysticism; use of

crystals; yoga; tarot readings;
holistic medicine; psychic
abilities; angelic
communications; channeling;
amulets; fortune-telling

Works of a variety of
New Age writers

Emphasis on spiritual and

mental healing, but without
rejection of modern medicine.
Worship services; prayer for the
sick; discussion of New
Thought authors and ideas.

Writings of Quimby
(such as the The
Quimby Manuscripts)
and other New
Thought authors

Meaning
of Life
caused by
incorrect
thinking.
Man can
the
live in
universe is oneness
essentially with God
spiritual. in love,
truth,
peace,
health, and
prosperity.
Mostly
unknown
due to lack
of written
records.
unknown,
Many gods but art
represented indicates
in art,
importanc
including e of
the Olmec fertility
Dragon,
(rain, corn,
Maize
etc.)
Deity, Bird
Monster,
and WereJaguar.
Humans
God is Jah, are
who
temples of
became
Jah.
Founded by incarnate Salvation
Marcus
in Jesus
is
Garvey in the (who was primarily
slums of
black);
in this
Jamaica in
Ethiopian world and
the 1920s and Emperor consists of
30s
Haile
liberation
Selassie I from
was
oppression
messiah. and return
to Africa.
Human
consists of
body,
mind and
God(s) not
thetan;
Founded by specified;
capable of
L. Ron
reality
great
Hubbard,
explained
things.
1954,
in the
Gain
California
Eight
spiritual
Dynamics
freedom
by ridding
mind of
engrams.
Rooted in
(same as Live in
Millerite
Christianit accordanc
History

27

28

29

30

Gods

Afterlife

Some Rastas
will
experience
"everliving"
(physical
immortality).
Heaven is a
return to
Eden, which
is in Africa.

Practices

Texts

sacrifices, large sculptures of

human heads, cave rituals,
pilgrimages, ball-courts,
pyramids

none

Many practices based on Jewish

biblical Law. Abstinence from
most or all meat, artificial foods,
and alcohol. Use of marijuana in
religious rituals and for
medicine. Wearing of
dreadlocks.

Holy Piby (the

"Blackman's Bible").
The Ethiopian epic
Kebra Negast also
revered.

Auditing, progressing up
various levels until "clear".
Reincarnation
Focus on education and drug
recovery programs.

Writings of Hubbard,
such as Dianetics and
Scientology

A "peaceful
pause" after

Christian Bible;
writings of Ellen G.

24-hour Sabbath observance

starting Friday at sunset; adult

History

Gods

movement;
founded 1863
in New
England;
early leaders:
Ellen White,
Hiram Edson
and Joseph
Bates

y); Ellen
G. White
considered
a prophet

31

Indigenous
religion of
Japan

kami:
ancient
gods or
spirits

32

Founded by
Guru Nanak,
one God:
c. 1500,
Ik Onkar
Punjab,
India.

33

Generally
based in a
Modern
Christian
movement: worldview.
c.1850, USA, Main focus
UK, France is spirits of
deceased
humans.

34

Pantheism
- the Tao
Based on
pervades
teachings of
all. YinLao-Tzu, c.
yang 550 BC,
opposites
China.
make up a
unity.

35

Founded by
Sun Myung

Monotheis
m, with the

Meaning
of Life
e with the
Bible,
including
the Old
Testament.
The
Second
Coming
will
happen
soon.
Humans
are pure
by nature
and can
keep away
evil
through
purificatio
n rituals
and attain
good
things by
calling on
the kami.
Overcome
the self,
align life
with will
of God,
and
become a
"saint
soldier,"
fighting
for good.
Body and
spirit are
separate
entities.
Morality
and
contact
with
spirits
affect
afterlife.
Inner
harmony,
peace, and
longevity.
Acheived
by living
in
accordanc
e with the
Tao.
True love
and world

Afterlife

Practices

Texts

death until the

coming of
Christ, then
resurrection
to judgment, baptism by immersion; church
followed by services emphasizing sermon
eternity in
heaven or
nonexistence.
No hell.

White as helpful
supplement

Death is bad
and impure. Worship and offerings to kami
Some humans at shrines and at home.
become kami Purification rituals.
after death.

Kojiki (Records of
Ancient Matters);
Nihon-gi (Chronicles
of Japan)

Reincarnation
until resolve
karma and
merge with
God.

Prayer and meditation on God's

name, services at temple
(gurdwara), turban and five Ks. Adi Granth (Sri Guru
Balance work, worship, and
Granth Sahib)
charity. No monasticism or
asceticism.

A spiritual
existence
with access to
the living.
Sunday services. Seances and
Condition
other communication with
depends on
departed spirits. Spirit healing.
morality of
life and
advancement
is possible.

No authoritative texts.
Doctrine learned from
spirit guides (advanced
departed spirits).

Revert back
to state of
non-being,
which is
simply the
other side of
being.

Kojiki (Records of
Ancient Matters);
Nihon-gi (Chronicles
of Japan)

General attitude of detachment

and non-struggle, "go with the
flow" of the Tao. Tai-chi,
acupuncture, and alchemy to
help longevity.

Eternal life in Blessing Ceremony

a spirit world.

The Divine Principle

(1954) by Rev. Moon.

Meaning
of Life
peace
instead of
selfish
duality of love. True
God (esp. love and
masculine the
Moon, 1954, and
kingdom
South Korea. feminine) of God on
emphasize earth will
d. No
be restored
Trinity.
by the
creation of
"true
families."
Polytheism
Based on
, centered
ancient pagan
on the
beliefs, but
Goddess
modern form
"If it
and God,
founded early
harms
each in
1900s.
none, do
various
Founder
what you
forms; also
generally
will."
a belief in
said to be
a Supreme
Gerald
Being over
Gardner.
all
Based on
teachings of One God,
Zoroaster in Ahura
6th cent.
Mazda, but
Humans
BCE Persia. a dualistic
are free to
Official
worldview
do good or
religion of
in which
evil, must
ancient
an evil
choose the
Persia. May spirit,
side of
have
Angra
good.
influenced
Mainyu, is
Judaism and almost as
Vedic
powerful.
religion.
History

36

37

Gods

Afterlife

Practices

Texts

Prayer, casting a circle, Drawing

reincarnation
Down the Moon, reciting spells,
until reach the
dancing, singing, sharing cakes
Summerland
and wine or beer

No sacred text;
foundational texts
include The Witch Cult
in Western Europe and
The God of the
Witches

Judgment
followed by
heaven or
hell. Hell is
temporary
Good deeds, charity, equality,
until final
hard work.
purgation and
return to
Ahura
Mazda.

Zend Avesta

Crer sa religion pour un JdR

Souvent, les guides dcrivant les univers pour JdR donnent des divinits prtablies mais
rarement des rgles pour crer de nouvelles divinits pour son univers mdivalfantastique.
Certains univers connaissent des visions diffrentes de l'intervention divine tout comme de
l'irruption de nouvelles religions. Je vais d'abord proposer quelques principes qui, je
pense, peuvent ajouter de la saveur de tels univers.
Je vais partir du principe que chaque culte ou religion correspond une divinit.
Certes, il sera loisible au MdJ d'tablir ensuite des panthons entre ces diverses divinits
s'il le souhaite. Ceci pose la question de la divinit , du divin dans notre univers
fantastique. Dans notre monde rel, pour les athes, la question ne se pose pas.
Scientifiquement, personne n'a dmontr l'existence de Dieu (ou des Dieux ). Ceci
dit, la science n'explique pas tout, notamment d'o est partie la cration du monde (avant
le Big Bang , si on suit cette thorie). D'autres sceptiques pourraient dire que les
conceptions fort diffrentes que les hommes ont du divin (monothisme ou polythiste,
diffrences thologiques, sans parler des crimes prtendument commis au nom du divin)
montrent que ce n'est pas un concept universel comme le soleil , la pluie ou le
rire , ce qui amne douter de sa ralit.
Cette dernire question pourrait aussi se poser dans un monde fantastique o la magie
est une ralit. En effet, un monde dvelopp aura trs certainement des civilisations
diffrentes et donc des religions galement trs diffrentes, polythistes ou monothistes,
tolrantes ou pas, et puis aussi des changements historiques. Pour avoir l'air raliste, un
univers fantastique ne sera pas statique. Il pourra y avoir des changements de religion, et
tout simplement, il faut se poser la question : Avant les espces intelligentes, y avait-il des
Dieux puisqu'il n'y avait pas de culte ? Dans un JdR, cette question est rendue plus
cruciale par le fait que souvent, il n'y a qu'une seule classe de personnages qui sont
Prtres alors qu'il peut y avoir plusieurs systmes religieux. Donc la foi est
diffrente de la Divinit prcise adore. Et un MdJ pensera peut-tre des aventures ou
campagnes o les vnements principaux sont provoqus par l'irruption d'un nouveau
Dieu , ou bien d'un schisme dans un culte.
Les JdR s'intressent peu ou pas l'origine du divin . Le Manuel des Campagnes
de Rolemaster voque brivement le Crateur ou groupe de Crateurs = Pouvoir
Primaire tandis que le Pouvoir Secondaire est celui des demi-dieux et autres . On
peut esquisser une comparaison avec les Terres du Milieu, o figurent les Valar (divinits
proprement dites, qui, l'poque de la Guerre de l'Anneau, n'interviennent plus
directement) et les Maiar (des tres quasi divins, trs puissants, souvent leurs serviteurs
comme Gandalf ou Sauron dans des camps opposs, ce dernier ayant t le serviteur de
Melkor le Valar dchu, ou non comme Tom Bombadil).
Cette vision permet d'tablir la source du divin , que l'on appelera la Cration ,
laquelle les Hommes n'ont pas de contact direct, et leurs intermdiaires, qui pourront tre
des anges, des dmons, d'autres cratures magiques, voire mme des Humains promus
en raison de leur niveau de foi . Pour paraphraser un dicton de notre Monde, on pourra
dire que les Hommes faonnent la Cration leurs images . Ceci peut expliquer que la
classe des prtres soit une, et que les religions puissent venir et aller. Cette difficult
de contact entre les Hommes et la Cration explique que ceux-ci lui donnent une multitude
de visages.
Avant d'aller plus loin, il convient de s'assurer que le systme de JdR qu'on utilise est

compatible avec cette vision globale de mdiatet , sinon il faut oprer quelques
modifications.
Par exemple, le systme que j'ai tendance favoriser est celui de Warhammer 1 dition
(franaise). Dans ce systme, il y a deux catgories de Prtres : les Clercs, qui vnrent
chacun une divinit prcise, et les Druides, adeptes de la Foi Antique.
Je peux tout d'abord exclure les Druides du cadre des Religions avec Dieux . Les
Druides qui seraient certainement des Animistes ou des Shamans dans des cultures
non-occidentales tirent leur pouvoir de la vnration de la nature, de la Terre, tandis que
les Dieux sont, tymologiquement parlant, en proto-indo-europen, les Clestes . Dans
la mesure o le paragraphe de Warhammer sur les Druides est trs bien dtaill, cette
exclusion peut se faire sans problme.
Pour les Clercs (ceux qui rvrent des Dieux ), le problme est que selon les rgles, ils
obtiennent leurs sorts de magie directement en priant leurs Dieux (sachant qu'il y a des
diffrences de magies selon les Dieux). Pour adapter notre systme ces rgles, il
convient de modifier en disant que les Clercs obtiendront leurs sorts comme les
Magiciens, c'est--dire principalement par l'tude, ou d'autres moyens terrestres (ex :
grimoires). Dans le systme de Warhammer, l'obtention de sorts par un Dieu implique que
celui-ci peut retirer l'usage des sorts si le Clerc change de religion, et la cration d'une
nouvelle religion n'est pas mme pas envisage. Selon notre nouveau systme, l'tendue
des sorts que le Clerc peut utiliser ou simplement sera limite par ce que lui imposera sa
Foi, c'est--dire sa vision de la Cration . Par exemple, un Clerc bon avec des sorts du
type gurison et qui, plus tard, finirait par devenir mauvais, pourrait certes toujours se
souvenir de ces sorts mais ne plus pouvoir les utiliser, simplement parce que sa
Volont a chang et ne lui donne plus envie de soigner les autres. En revanche, des
sorts destructeurs , qui lui taient auparavant interdits, pourraient lui tre prsent
ouverts.
Pour dmarrer ensuite la conception d'une divinit, il faut se rfrer son alignement car
beaucoup de JdR fonctionnent avec un tel systme, et une fois que l'alignement est
dtermine, il suffit de trouver un concept particulier dans la description de l'alignement
donn par ce JdR. Et mme quand le JdR n'a pas d'alignement, l'orientation du monde
ou de la campagne permet de dgager souvent une opposition entre deux camps
( bien et mal ). Sinon, on peut se rabattre sur les proccupations de groupes
d'humains ( lutter contre la faim , avoir du travail , faire l'amour ) pour dgager
des concepts qui seront faonns en divinits. On remarque ainsi que ce systme peut
aussi tre utilis pour un monde sans magie (ex: une Terre post-apocalyptique, o
pulluleraient de nouvelles sectes).
Presque toutes les tables plus bas sont en anglais, car je les ai reprises de matriels
pars disponibles librement sur Internet. Pour expliquer comment on peut s'en servir, je
vais tout simplement me servir d'un exemple en direct .
Ma cit imaginaire de Nigolskend voit s'opposer deux camps principaux, l'un mauvais et
l'autre loyal (selon l'alignement de Warhammer). J'ai dj une desse pour le camp
mauvais (Waurga, desse de l'oppression) pas encore pour les loyaux. Ma seule ide est
qu'il s'agira d'une divinit solaire puisque l'ide de lumire ou soleil est bien
compatible avec le ct loyal (opposition aux tnbres du mal, lumire qui nous permet de
voir la libert, ternit du soleil).

Pour ce qui est du contenu thologique de la religion, du bla-bla religieux, je vais

avoir recours la grande table de la fin. Reprise d'un site spcialis, elle explique les
caractristiques des principales religions terrestres (dont j'ai supprim le nom...). Il y a 37
entres, il suffit de lancer un D40, d'inventer ce qui manque et de rafistoler le tout. (Nota :
je traduis et rsume directement les rsultats).
Pour histoire , j'obtiens 21. Bien sr, a correspond au judasme du monde rel. En
l'occurence, la religion solaire aurait environ 3300 ans d'existence et viendrait d'une
rgion correspondant au Proche-Orient. Ca colle bien, il faut beau l haut et le soleil est
trs ancien lui aussi.
Pour dieu , j'obtiens 12. Je paraphrase en disant que le soleil existe, c'est un fait, mais
n'intervient pas directement pour les Hommes (c'est normal, sinon, il les cramerait...)
Pour signification de la vie , j'obtiens 36 : Fais ce que tu veux tant que cela ne fait pas
de mal . On peut imaginer Tous sont gaux sous le soleil .
Pour l'au-del , 32 m'indique la croyance en la rincarnation. Ca peut expliquer
l'impratif kantien de la ligne juste avnant.
Pour les pratiques (qui ne sont obligatoires que pour les dvts , c'est--dire, dans
mon systme de JdR, ceux qui ont la comptence thologie ), j'obtiens 24 : Prier cinq
fois par jour (soit : lever, znith, coucher et les 2 points entre ces trois moments de la
journe). Respect les lois du pays (de la cit), ne pas porter d'armes, ne pas faire la
guerre. Vivre sainement, sans alcool ni drogue. S'habiller de faon simple.
Pour critures (sacres), je tire 38 , soit hors de la table. Ou bien il n'y a pas
d'critures saintes (mais 'aurait pu tre indiqu dans la table), ou plus certainement, il n'y
pas d'criture de base (comme la Bible pour les Juifs ou les Chrtiens), mais des crits
thologiques ultrieurs.
Je vais essayer de meubler l'apparence des rituels grce la table en bas de page 2.
Ce qui est port (41) : des effigies. Assez logique, ce seront des effigies du soleil.
L'habit (70) est trs classique : une robe. On peut imaginer qu'elle sera jaune vif.
L'accessoire (69) est un masque couvrant tout le visage. J'imagine bien un masque
souriant de soleil en or.
La musique sacr est (99)... des pleurs. Ca ne colle pas trop, je prfre abandonner.
La date de crmonie est (10) le dbut d'une nouvelle phase astronomique. Pour cette
divinit, ce sera videmment le Prihlie (date o la Terre est la plus proche du soleil) soit
le 4 janvier (approximativement).
Page 6, je dtermine le type de btiment correspondant leurs temples : 64, j'obtiens
spirale . On peut imaginer une sorte de Tour de Babel en forme de cylindre, avec
un escalier (dont les degrs correspondent des positions astronomiques du Soleil)
s'enroulant autour. En gros un mlange de Stonehenge et de Tour de Babel...
Dans la mesure o la religion est trs ancienne et correspond un concept universel et

ternel, je ne chercherai pas d'autres symboles.

Je vais cependant dterminer le sexe (bas de page 1) de la divinit. 2 indique
masculin. C'est intressant, en franais, c'est vident, c'est le soleil. Mais ce n'est pas
ainsi dans d'autres langues. Je ferai en sorte, si j'utilise d'autres langues, de marquer la
diffrence.
Mme si le Soleil est un nom commun universel et que cette religion n'a pas d'critures
sacres, je peux essayer de fixer un nom standard pour faciliter la reconnaissance
entre les fidles de langues diffrentes. Je peux utiliser la table suivante : (D6 + D8) - 1
1 = Proto-indo-europen :
https://fr.scribd.com/doc/76418163/swerxme
n-jeriom-grammaire-d-indo-europeenreconstruit-et-extrapole-avec-lexique

8 = Hbreu

2 = Egyptien ancien

9 = Persan (ancien de prfrence)

3 = Sumrien

10 = Grec Ancien

4 = Akkadien

11 = Latin

5 = Hittite

12 = Sanskrit

6 = Arabe
7 = Aramen

13 = Elko ( http://bergheim.noip.biz/elkodico/index.php/Accueil )

En l'occurence, j'obtiens 7 pour l'aramen (syriaque), et je trouve Shimsho .

Je peux complter la religion en puisant dans des ouvrages de mythologie compare,
indo-europenne ou non. Deux autres ouvrages, de psychologie, peuvent tre trs utiles :
Paul Diel, Le symbolisme dans la mythologie grecque. Ouvrage assez difficile
trouver, mais trs utile.
Carl Gustav Jung, Mtamorphose de l'me et ses symboles, Le Livre de Poche,
1993. Livre extrmement fourni.
A partir de l, il devient facile de complter, chacun selon son systme de rgles, les
interdits, les comptences et les sorts dont disposeront les prtres de chaque religion.
Sur l'organisation et la puissance relative de chaque religion, voir Secrets of Skelos, d.
Mongoose (srie de RPG Conan). Le Ultimate Campaign de Pathfinder RPG (Paizo)
fournit des tables pour la gestion quotidienne d'un Temple ou d'un Culte.