Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 seeker_of_truth_02 May 04, 2011 15:49:39	If you're a player in my game you should leave this thread or risk being subjected to spoilers. spoiler I'm looking for a diety with sacrifice as a theme.  A google search came up with Zaltec from the old maztican pantheon, and maybe I can make that work but It seems pretty obscure in a post spellplague game.  I can work with any alignment of deity but ideally the sacrifices practiced by the religion should be actually giving up something (sacrificing enemies is not a sacrifice). I'm pretty ignorant of large areas of realm lore so if there's an obvious choice don't assume I've rejected it.  It doesn't really need to be a god I suppose, but should be an entity in who's name a temple has been created.
#2 Stigger May 04, 2011 16:07:01	Well, from what I've gathered over the years, most deities involve some sort of sacrifice within their religious rituals, usually of things rather than beings, at least for the non-evil sorts.  The answer kinda depends on what sort of sacrifice we're talking about, whether you want something that's just part of religious observance, which could be just about any of them, or whether their portfolio and religious doctrine require sacrifice and treats it as a core tenet.  If its the latter, I'd suggest someone like Eldath, with the forsaking of violence which could be seen as a sacrifice of a more ephemeral, esoteric nature.  Depending on your view on Mask, his faith could also be seen as requiring a sacrifice, if perhaps the worshippers must tithe to the church.  Previously Torm required his clergy to perform penance to atone for some misdeeds of theirs pre-ToT, so that too could be viewed as a sacrifice as well.  Auril requiring her followers to sacrifice their warmth on certain days could work pretty well too.  Almost any deity could be made to work really, but it very much depends on how you're choosing to define sacrifice.
#3 meldread May 04, 2011 16:22:11	Seeker of Truth - As Stigger said most deities ask their followers to sacrifice something.  However, I'm getting the feeling that you're talking about something along the lines of sacrificing for the sake of others and the greater good.  Not, say, giving up certain gemstones and fasting on certain holy days. Based on the limited information you've given, I would suggest using Ilmater.  He is known as the Crying God, the Lord on the Rack, the One Who Endures, the Broken God.  His main theme is that of suffering - suffering for the sake of others.  One of his main portfolio's is martyrdom. His faithful are charged with the following dogma:  "Persevere in the face of pain. Heal the sick, the wounded, and the diseased. Comfort the dying, the griefstricken, and the heartsick. Take on the burdens and the pain of others. Champion the causes of the oppressed and unjustly treated, and give shelter and kind counsel to the lonely, the lost, and the ruined. Pursue the service of Ilmater, and he will provide - leave gross riches and the acquisition of all but medicines to others. Take up the tasks no others dare."
#4 seeker_of_truth_02 May 04, 2011 18:04:29	Thanks for the responses I'll look into all those suggestions and see if I can make them work. Here's a very rough outline of what I'm trying to place into my adventure.  The PCs venture into a long abandoned temple where they find amond other things, a path designed to be a final test for the initiated before becoming a full priest.  There's a corpse in the room and some writing on the wall explaining how the petitioner couldn't figure out the answer but he was going to try "option 3" and hoped that if he was wrong that at least future petitioners could benefit from his mistake. There are several skill checks and other things the PCs can do to get more clues, but ultimately the "correct" answer is any of the above so long as you first write your answer down for future petitioners. There's really a good deal of flexibility and I'll read up on those suggestions here. Thanks again.
#5 sfdragon May 04, 2011 18:41:19	I second Ilmater
#6 morandir62 May 04, 2011 18:42:40	Zaltec The chaotic evil god of war in Maztica.  He is also known as Bringer of War and the Eater of Hearts.  The latter title says what he demands of his followers. The cult of Zaltec was brought to the extremes by the Nexalan people. He was their patron deity and they thanked him consequently for their victorious conquests of Maztica.  His priests had to give him human sacrifices in high quantities.  The highest sacrifice was a fresh heart presented on an altar of a holy pyramid.  But he also loved those sacrifices who were given to him during a battle.  His worshipers believed that he favored them if they made war in his name.  Ironically the Nexalan used the so called "feathered wars" (named after the peaceful brother of Zaltec, the god Qotal) and waged them in Zaltec's name to procure sufficient sacrifices during times of peace. His priests had minor access to the spheres of hishna, sun, combat and charm but major access to influence.
#7 seeker_of_truth_02 May 04, 2011 18:48:43	I think Ilmater is just what I'm looking for.  It didn't occure to me to use martyrdom as a keyword.  I still have more to read up on, but I'm pretty sure it'll work great.
#8 meldread May 04, 2011 21:43:20	Seeker of Truth - Awesome, I'm glad I could help you.  You can read a nice write up about Ilmater here on this website.  Depending on what version of the Realms or year you've set your game, some of the information may be out of date.  Regardless, the bulk of it is still good and it gives you a great deal of flavor and understanding of the deity, his faithful, and his church. Good luck!  Also, please keep us updated on how your campaign goes, and don't hesitate to ask for more assistance.