Module: Faith and Oaths
Faith and Oaths module (on by default). In it the powers are real and favor can be measured.
Your pantheon
Define your setting's faiths before play. The book names none. Each faith is a Faith file with:
- favor (−100 to +100);
- status: outlawed, tolerated, favored, established or heretical;
- its doctrine and its rites.
One faith is the realm's established faith. Faith archetypes and a sample pantheon of eight patrons are in Cultures and Faiths; use them, rename them or replace them.
The established faith: each Temple dedicated to it tithes 100 gp × size rank per season, plus 1 Food for rites. Every 2 Temples give +1 realm Stability (max +3). Clergy pop with a Temple gives +1 local Stability per 5 pop; without one, −1 per 5 pop.
Other faiths: tolerated faiths pay double for rites, cap their favor at +50, and can hold holdings up to T2. Any faith that falls to −50 favor, or is caught with secret T3+ temples, starts a heresy thread (0–6). At 4 or higher, it can be taken to a Trial (DC 12 + the thread's clock).
Rites
| Rite | Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Blessing | 100 gp × size rank | +1 to one battle or Trial roll |
| Tithe Feast | 1 luxury stock | +1 local Stability that season; −5 unrest |
| Funeral rites | 50 gp | the dead rest (denies necromancy) |
| Pilgrim escort | 1 Authority | +5 favor; trade +10% that season |
| Great rite | 1,000 gp × rank tier, once per year | +2 Legitimacy, +5 favor |
Patron powers (Oaths)
If your setting has powers that choose mortals, define up to eight. A sworn mortal earns Favor:
- Earned (0–100): permanent.
- Spendable: buys gifts. 1 is a reroll; 3 is an omen answer; 5 is a boon; 10 is an intervention; 25 is a miracle.
Each power has a nature; deeds that fit it earn Favor (Characters at Court). The established faith may welcome some patrons' chosen and call others heretics.
Omens
Before a battle or Trial, a High Chaplain (Experienced or better, DC 13, 25 gp) or 3 Spendable Favor buys one question. The power answers it in its own way. Heed the answer and the coming roll is +1; ignore it and it is −1.
Module units and holdings
| Unit | Base Power | Upkeep | Requires | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temple guard | 6 | 260 gp | Temple + Barracks | +2 vs fear |
| Battle priests | 4 (7 vs undead) | 300 gp + tithe | Cathedral | heal aura: the winner's losses −5% |
| Oathsworn blades | 8 | 500 gp | Palace or War-college | bodyguard; assassination against their charge −4 |
Faith also unlocks the High Chaplain post and the holy cause casus belli.
Example: Sera's city Temple hosts a Blessing (100 gp × 4 = 400 gp) and an omen (3 Favor). Her archers go into the Millfield fight at +2.