Dark Ages computer game: Encyclopedia II - Dark Ages computer game - Religion

Dark Ages computer game - Religion

Dark Ages was given two unique gifts amongst the "Legend of Darkness"-based games by David Kennerly. The first is religion. The game sports eight different Temples, each run entirely by a clergy made up of the players. In addition, five of the gods are meant to represent the dominant attribute of one of the five paths in the game.

Dark Ages computer game - Gods

Deoch is a God torn between Light and Dark. His history is, for the most part, shrouded in mystery. It's widely believed that Deoch was actually once a soldier, and was later found studying the Dark Arts, eventually to become Chadul's right-hand man. However, Deoch fell in love with Danaan while she worked on the Aisling. After Danaan sacraficed herself to stop Chadul, Deoch continued and finished Danaan's work on the Aisling. The Temuairian calendar is dated in his name for this. His allies are Sgrios and Glioca. His enemies are Luathas and Fiosachd. His Temple is in the town of Suomi.

Luathas is the God of Gnosis. He was originally of the Aosda society, but was made into a God by Danaan. His allies are Cail and Gramail. His enemies are Deoch and Ceannlaidir. His Temple is in the town of Rucesion.

Ceannlaidir is the God of War. He was formed by the strife of later Hy-brasyl. His allies are Fiosachd and Sgrios. His enemies are Luathas and Glioca. His Temple is in the town of Piet. He would be favorable to Warriors.

Glioca is the Goddess of Compassion, and the daughter of Danaan. Her allies are Cail and Deoch. Her enemies are Ceannlaidir and Gramail. Her Temple is in the town of Mileth. She would be favorable to Priests. Her opposite in allignment is Sgrios.

Gramail is the God of Law. He was originally of the Aosda society, but was made into a God by Danaan. His allies are Fiosachd and Luathas. His enemies are Glioca and Sgrios. His Temple is in the city of Loures.

Sgrios is the God of Death. He was created by Chadul as the Guardian to the Underworld. His allies are Deoch and Ceannlaidir. His enemies are Gramail and Cail. His Temple is hidden in the Dubhaimid Castle. His opposite in allignment is Glioca.

Cail is the God of Harmony. He is the son of Glioca and Ceannlaidir. His allies are Luathas and Glioca. His enemies are Sgrios and Fiosachd. His Temple is in the town of Undine. He would be favorable to Monks.

Fiosachd is the God of Luck. He was originally of the Aosda society, but was made into a God by Danaan. His allies are Ceannlaidir and Gramail. His enemies are Cail and Deoch. His Temple is in the town of Abel. He would be favorable to Rogues.

There are also the beings called the Other Gods, but they do not have Temples, and knowledge of them is entirely by the players. The two most well-known Other Gods are Danaan and Chadul, but others exist in player-written history and lore.

Dark Ages computer game - Clergy

Each Temple has a clergy made entirely of players. Players may hold any of the following ranks:

Probate is the rank of initiated, unregistered players. It is also the rank of any Priest who has been the target of a heresy action. These people have the ability to pray when in the Temple of their God.

Worshipper is the rank of initiated, registered players. These people have the ability to pray in the Temple of their God or when elsewhere, by use of their Prayer Necklace. They may also be sent on religious geasea by any Priest or higher of their Temple.

Acolyte is the rank of Clergy-Helper. These people must be appointed by a person of rank Priest or higher. They have all the abilities of a Worshipper, as well as the ability to summon creatures of their God. They may also receive Holy Symbols of their God from a Cleric or higher. If a Priest or a Wizard, they may also receive a Holy or Magus staff of their God. Acolytes also have the ability to remove an enemy God's blessing from an item. Acolytes are also the only people who may begin a heresy action, which removes a Priest or higher from power.

Priest is the lowest rank of the actual Clergy, and is obtainable only by members of the Priest class. To become a Priest, you must have been an Acolyte for two double-moons (two weeks). Priests have the ability to initiate new worshippers, banish people from the Temple, and consecrate items (adding their God's touch to the item). They may also invite unregistered people into the Temple. Priests have the ability to hold a Mass, which gives all present worshippers of the Trinity 50k experience. Priests can also destroy items if they are touched by an enemy God, or may simply remove the enemy God's touch. Priests are also able to send Worshippers or higher on Geasea.

Cleric is obtainable only by those who have won a rank of "Clave" or above in any contest. They must have initiated at least 40 people in order to obtain Cleric alone, or 20 people if assisted by a Minister or higher. Clerics have all the abilities of a Priest, and may also create Holy Symbols, Holy Staves of their God, and Magus Staves of their God.

Minister is obtainable only by those who have won a rank of "Village" or above in any contest. They must have initiated at least 40 people in order to obtain Minister alone, or 80 people if assisted by a High Priest. Ministers have all the abilities of a Cleric.

High Priest is obtainable also by those who have won a rank of "Village" or above in any contest. They must have initiated at least 160 people into their Temple. High Priests have all the abilities of a Minister, and may also excommunicate members. This act will cause the High Priest to lose ten initiations, lose all of his faith, and will forcibly remove any member of the Fellowship from the Fellowship.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Religion", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki