I've been thinking about deities in Pathfinder and I have a few questions. Let's use the ever-popular Iomedae as an example. She is the deity of valor, justice, and honor.
(1) But what does it mean to embody those concepts?
(2) How did she come to embody those concepts?
(3) How can someone who doesn't follow Iomedae, or even who specifically rebukes Iomedae, still be honorable or act with Justice? Do the deities have a monopoly on the virtues they embody? And if not, what's the point?
(4) Does a deity become more powerful simply be people worshiping that deity? For example, does Iomedae become more powerful the more followers she gains?
(5) Relatedly, does anytime a person is honorable in the world, whether or not they worship Iomedae, make iomedae more powerful since they are contributing to "honor"?
(6) If someone were to slay Iomedae, what would happen? Would they literally rip control over those domaind and those virtus from Iomedae and grab control of them? What if a dishonorable person with no valor slayed her?
(7) If she died, and no one took control of those virtues/domains, would honor/justice/etc. still exist in this world?
(8) have i been smoking too much pot?
(1) But what does it mean to embody those concepts?
She would literally be the epitome of those concepts almost to a fault (this of course assumes you don't play your deities like the Greek Gods who were more messed up than humans).
(2) How did she come to embody those concepts?
I have always played my gods (I don't use the book gods; I feel it gives me more freedom for my world) as if some were completely alien beings and the others were "born" to them or bestowed god-power as a reward for being that epitome of something or being entertaining to the alien gods.
(3) How can someone who doesn't follow Iomedae, or even who specifically rebukes Iomedae, still be honorable or act with Justice? Do the deities have a monopoly on the virtues they embody? And if not, what's the point?
I would assume it is one of those "I don't believe in God, but He believes in me" situations. All aspects are available everyone. Otherwise the god would limit their influence in the world and would cut themselves out of potential power. Every god gives a bit of the aspect to all the beings in the world in hopes to sway them to them. Even those that are on the "wrong" path. In addition, in my game I have minor deities that share in some of those influences, so no single god has full domain over anything (more of a balance thing).
(4) Does a deity become more powerful simply be people worshiping that deity? For example, does Iomedae become more powerful the more followers she gains?
I think this really depends on how you want to run your game. I have played it either way, depending on the plot, and I have changed it over the decades I have been playing. My guess is somewhat, worshiping has to affect gods or again "what's the point?". However, my gods will never die or weaken to the point of being vulnerable to mortals due to lack of worshipers. Plus, this way you can a deity that no one worships "come back" and reek havoc.
(5) Relatedly, does anytime a person is honorable in the world, whether or not they worship Iomedae, make iomedae more powerful since they are contributing to "honor"?
I would say just the opposite (see #3 above). Think of it like Reddit. Someone being honorable gives Iomedae a karma point, but it really doesn't mean much in the "real world", just bragging rights mainly. It is Iomedae's influence that helps that person be honorable.
(6) If someone were to slay Iomedae, what would happen? Would they literally rip control over those domain and those virtues from Iomedae and grab control of them? What if a dishonorable person with no valor slayed her?
I think again, this depends on how you want to run your game and how your plot fixes in. My games, when a god dies, someone else takes their place, but it is really pointless, because when they choose to accept that position, they are filled with those virtues and for all intents and purposes become that former god. Just with slight modifications to appearance and personality. But again, that is just my game.
(7) If she died, and no one took control of those virtues/domains, would honor/justice/etc. still exist in this world?
Again, it may depend on your game. In my game, someone would take over, or possibly forced to take over, or other deities would fill in. But of course people could still make use of those traits, in fact, I would say that the person who exhibited those traits most would be asked (or forced) to become that deity.
(8) have i been smoking too much pot?
Perhaps, but I don't think that is such a bad thing. :)
I've been thinking about deities in Pathfinder and I have a few questions. Let's use the ever-popular Iomedae as an example. She is the deity of valor, justice, and honor.
(1) But what does it mean to embody those concepts?
That she's really valorous, honorable, and likes justice.
(2) How did she come to embody those concepts?
By being valorous, honorable, and liking justice.
(3) How can someone who doesn't follow Iomedae, or even who specifically rebukes Iomedae, still be honorable or act with Justice? Do the deities have a monopoly on the virtues they embody? And if not, what's the point?
Yes they can. Just because I don't like KFC doesn't mean I can't like fried chicken. Just because Iomedae is the epitome of honor, justice, and valor doesn't mean I can't be valorous, honorable, and like justice.
The point is that she's a goddess who epitomizes those virtues, whereas lesser mortals can only strive to reach her level of valor, honor, and justice.
(4) Does a deity become more powerful simply be people worshiping that deity? For example, does Iomedae become more powerful the more followers she gains?
No.
(5) Relatedly, does anytime a person is honorable in the world, whether or not they worship Iomedae, make Iomedae more powerful since they are contributing to "honor"?
No. Just like somebody doesn't put money into the KFC Corporation's pocket every time they make and/or eat fried chicken not from KFC.
(6) If someone were to slay Iomedae, what would happen? Would they literally rip control over those domaind and those virtus from Iomedae and grab control of them? What if a dishonorable person with no valor slayed her?
No, but they'd probably be thrown into the 9th circle of hell to be gangbanged for all eternity by the other good gods. I hear most of them kind of like her.
(7) If she died, and no one took control of those virtues/domains, would honor/justice/etc. still exist in this world?
Yes. Just like if KFC went out of business fried chicken would still exist.
(8) have i been smoking too much pot?
Since this didn't end on a [10], you probably haven't smoked enough yet.
TIL that justice is fried chicken and God is colonel sanders.