Are the Gods real?

Unlike some other fantasy settings, there is no divine intervention in Pax Thumanus. In fact, it is not even clear that "Gods" really exist or, rather, if they are some trick of the priests. It may even be the case that the beings worshipped as gods are just extermely powerful and possibly alien beings of a prehistoric era.

Some of the More Common Gods

Cults dedicated to new gods spring up with regularity in Pax Thumanus, so a full listing of gods worshipped is not possible. What follows is a listing of some of the more common and stable gods worshipped. Although, the entries list the primary cultures that worship each deity, it should be kept in mind that religions spread rapidly and widely in the Aegean area and, thus it is possible to find temples dedicated to a variety of gods in most urban areas.

The entries also list the powers available to those who have taken the Benefit (priest) feat. Unlike sorcerous societies, these powers generally do not have to be taken in a regimented order. However, priesthoods typically have less access to powers than do sorcerous societies.

Apollo: Primarily Worshipped By: Hellenites, Thumans
Powers Known to Priests: Astrological Prediction, Dreams of Wisdom, Find Vulnerability, Object Reading, Scrying, True Seeing, Truth Reading, Ward
Prerequisites for Priesthood: Knowledge (current events) 6, Gather Information 6, Bluff 6
Description: The light of reason and wisdom, Apollo is the chief diety of the Hellenites and has gained a considerable following in other areas as well. His priests are renowned for their divination abilities.
Dagon: Primarily Worshipped By: Ashemites, Dracians, some Medians
Powers Known to Priests: Curses, Dreams of Wisdom, Harm, Drain Ability, Heart Shaping, Pain
Prerequisites for Priesthood: Ritual Sacrifice
Description: Dagon is an ancient and dark Ashemite god.
Hamuna: Primarily Worshipped By: Ashemites, Kushites
Powers Known to Priests: Beast Link, Body Control, Curse, Enhance Ability, Harm, Heart Shaping, Nature Reading, Pain, Self Shaping
Prerequisites for Priesthood: Handle Animal 4, Ritual Sacrifice
Description: Hamuna is the ape god. It is said that his dreadful fanes are guarded by gargantuan white apes who obey the commands of the priests.
Ishtar: Primarily Worshipped By: Ashemites, Medians
Powers Known to Priests: Bliss, Dominate, Heart Shaping, Mind Touch, Suggestion
Prerequisites for Priesthood: Attractive, Bluff 6
Description: Ishtar is one of the more popular of the numerous Ashemite dieties. She symbolizes fertility and prosperity. Her temples are renowned the world over for the skill of their temple whores.
Isis: Primarily Worshipped By: Khemi
Powers Known to Priests: Astrological Prediction, Dominate, Dreams of Wisdom, Mind Touch, Scrying, Sorcerous News, Suggestion, Ward
Prerequisites for Priesthood: Knowledge (supernatural) 6
Description: The eternal enemy of Set, Isis is an ancient Khemi god. Cults dedicated to Isis have sprung up throughout the Aegean.
Mithras: Primarily Worshipped By: Thumans, Hellenites, Ashemites, Medians
Powers Known to Priests: Find Vulnerability, Master Words-and-Signs, Ward
Prerequisites for Priesthood: May not be corrupted
Description: Mithras is the most popular god in Thuma and has substantial followings elsewhere. Largely a god of peace and prosperity, the priests of Mithras have little in the way of sorcerous power or even divination.
The Rat God: Primarily Worshipped By: Ashemites and assorted nefarious cults
Powers Known to Priests: Body Control, Curses, Beast Link, Flesh-Shaping, Summon Animal, Self-Shaping, Harm, Heart Shaping, Plague
Prerequisites for Priesthood: Ritual Sacrifice, Handle Animal 4
Description: Though frowned upon by anyone of standing, the Rat God is worshipped by the down and out in many an urban center. Typically, Rat God fanes and altars lie in dismal, secret places beneath the city.
Set: Primarily Worshipped By: Khemi, Ashemites
Powers Known to Priests: Astrological Prediction, Dominate, Drain Life, Drain Vitality, Dreams of Wisdom, Enhance Ability, Find Vulnerability, Flesh-Shaping, Harm, Heart Shaping, Illusion, Light Shaping, Manipulate Object, Master Words-and-Signs, Mind Touch, Move Object, Object Reading, Pain, Scrying, Second Sight, Severance, Sorcerous News, Suggestion, Ward, Plague, Summon Demon
Prerequisites for Priesthood: Knowledge (supernatural) 6, Ritual Sacrifice
Description: Set the great serpent is an ancient diety long venerated by the Khemi. At the heart of each of his temples resides a giant serpent to whom, it is said, grisly sacrifices are made in the dark of the night. The priests of Set have long been practicioners of the dark arts and thus have a highly expanded power list from which to choose. Becoming a priest of Set does have costs however. It automatically gains the character one level of corruption. In addition, priests of Set have a -1 penalty to all social interaction skills when dealing with all others except worshippers of Set and the Khemi.