I created the Märchenweltgrenze without creating a religion. I figured that the best way to avoid unpleasantness at the table regarding conservatives of every religion is to let the DM and players create their religion at the table. However, on reflection, I realized that I needed to create a religion for certain plot points to make sense. So here is my homebrew dnd religion for my campaign setting. I took the elements I liked from the Abrahamic religions and Zoroastrianism and fused them.

The Divine Duality

In my setting, there are two gods the Worldshaper and the Ruinbringer locked in a constant struggle over creation. The Worldshaper is a god of light, knowledge, and creation. The Ruinbringer is a god of darkness, ignorance, and destruction. Since the beginning, these two entities and their armies of servants have opposed each other and have fought over the fate of creation itself.

In the Beginning

In the beginning, before time and space found their form, the universe existed as a swirling abyss of opposing forces. Two celestial beings, the Worldshaper, and the Ruinbringer, manifested as nebulous spiritual masses, their essence defined by the stark contrast of light and shadow.

As the Worldshaper and Ruinbringer came into existence, their inherent nature led to an immediate clash. They were the embodiment of opposites, and their collision birthed the primordial universe. It was a chaotic dance of light and darkness, a cosmic struggle that set the stage for the shaping of reality.

In the wake of this initial clash, the Worldshaper, driven by an inquisitive spirit, found the nascent universe simultaneously fascinating and lacking. It was little more than rock and dust floating in the void devoid of all life. In response, he embarked on a quest to bring order and beauty to the chaos. His first creation was the celestial realm, where benevolent angels emerged as his loyal helpers.

With the angels by his side, the Worldshaper began the grand work of creation. He fashioned the heavens, the seas, and the lands. Mountains rose, forests flourished, and rivers meandered through the pristine landscapes. The Worldshaper, in his wisdom, breathed life into the universe, crafting creatures of pure goodness to inhabit his celestial realm.

Yet, as the Worldshaper shaped a world of harmony, the Ruinbringer observed with growing discontent. Fueled by a desire for destruction and chaos, the malevolent deity began to weave the tapestry of malevolence. He introduced darkness, disease, and decay into the fabric of existence, culminating in the creation of malevolent entities that thrived on suffering.

The actions of the Worldshaper and Ruinbringer set the stage for the inevitable clash of their creations. A second great conflict erupted, threatening to unravel the very fabric of the universe. Light clashed with shadow, creation collided with destruction, and the cosmos trembled under the weight of their opposing forces.

In a cosmic stalemate, neither deity could claim complete victory. Realizing the perilous balance between them, the Worldshaper and the Ruinbringer withdrew to their respective realms, leaving the mortal world to bear witness to the remnants of their cosmic struggle.

The Worldshaper’s Light:

In the radiant embrace of the Worldshaper, the faithful find solace and guidance. Prophets, chosen vessels of divine wisdom, emerge over the years, delivering teachings reminiscent of commandments and moral guidelines found in Abrahamic religions. Their words echo through grand churches adorned with symbols of purity and grace.

Prophets and Messengers: These chosen few act as conduits of the Worldshaper’s will, delivering messages of love, justice, and compassion. Their guidance forms the moral compass for the faithful, shaping a community that aspires to embody these virtues.

Angelic Servants: Benevolent angels, emissaries of the Worldshaper, watch over the mortal realm. These celestial beings occasionally intervene in times of great need, extending their radiant wings to protect the righteous and guide them toward the path of virtue.

Places of Worship: Churches dedicated to the Worldshaper stand tall with awe-inspiring architecture, inviting the faithful to partake in serenity and reflection. Stained glass windows depict scenes of benevolence, and congregations gather for prayer, worship, and communal support.

Holidays and Rituals:

1. Yule (Winter Solstice – Triumph of Light):
   • Celebrated during the winter solstice, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.
   • Festivities include lighting bonfires and candles to represent the returning of the sun and the promise of longer days.
   • Communities exchange gifts as a symbol of goodwill and hope, reflecting the benevolence of the Worldshaper.
   • Churches and temples are adorned with evergreen decorations, symbolizing the enduring nature of life and the Worldshaper’s eternal light.
2. Worldshaper’s Dawn (Spring Equinox):
   • Occurs during the spring equinox, symbolizing the awakening of life and the triumph of light as days become longer.
   • Festivities include planting ceremonies, where communities come together to sow the first seeds of the season.
   • Churches and temples are adorned with vibrant flowers and symbols of rebirth.
3. Radiant Jubilee (Midsummer Celebration):
   • Takes place during the peak of summer when the sun is at its zenith.
   • Celebrates the abundance of light and warmth, highlighting the Worldshaper’s influence on nature and the flourishing of crops.
   • Festivities include grand feasts, music, and communal dances in open fields.
4. Worldshaper’s Remembrance (Autumn Equinox – All Souls’ Day):
   • Celebrated during the autumn equinox, a time of balance between light and darkness.
   • Focuses on remembrance and honoring the departed souls who have journeyed beyond the mortal realm.
   • Commemorations include candlelit vigils, where believers light candles to guide the spirits of the departed and express gratitude for their contributions to the community.
   • Communities come together in churches and temples to share stories and memories of those who have passed, fostering a sense of unity and continuity between the living and the deceased.

Moral Code:

Worldshaper’s Virtues: The moral code emphasizes virtues such as love, kindness, justice, and humility. The faithful are encouraged to resist temptation and strive for a harmonious existence.

Dominion – The Celestial Realm: The Celestial Realm is a realm of pure light, order, and benevolence. It is the domain of the Worldshaper, where the forces of creation and goodness reign supreme.

Characteristics:

• Heavenly Realms: The Celestial Realm consists of heavenly planes, where radiant cities and ethereal landscapes embody the pinnacle of beauty and harmony.
• Angelic Hierarchy: Benevolent angels, the celestial servants of the Worldshaper, reside in the Celestial Realm. They serve as guardians, messengers, and agents of divine will.
• Eternal Joy: In the Celestial Realm, there is an eternal sense of joy and fulfillment. The inhabitants experience a harmonious existence, and every being is aligned with the principles of goodness and virtue.

Inhabitants:

• Angels and celestial beings.
• Souls of the virtuous and benevolent mortals.

The Nine Archangels

Among the host of the world shapers angels are the nine archangels, the dukes among the lesser angels. Each one is associated with one of the 9 divine domains and commands legions of lesser angels. It is common for churches to be dedicated to one of the 9 archangels.

1. Knowledge: Archangel Aureon
   • Aureon is associated with wisdom, knowledge, and enlightenment. In your world, Aureon guides clerics of the Knowledge domain, offering insights and divine revelations.
2. Life: Archangel Verdantia
   • Verdantia is traditionally linked to healing and protection. In your pantheon, she oversees the Life domain, guiding clerics who seek to preserve and restore life.
3. Light: Archangel Solarion
   • Solarion is a powerful archangel often associated with light, righteousness, and the defeat of darkness. He aligns with the Light domain, empowering clerics to banish shadows and uphold truth.
4. Nature: Archangel Sylvanus
   • Sylvanus is sometimes associated with nature and the harmony of the cosmos. In your world, he oversees the Nature domain, guiding clerics who revere the balance of the natural world.
5. Tempest: Archangel Stormcaller
   • Stormcaller, known as a messenger and herald of tempests, aligns with the Tempest domain. In your pantheon, Stormcaller commands storms and natural forces, guiding clerics who embrace the tempest’s power.
6. Trickery: Archangel Illusionara
   • Illusionara is sometimes associated with cunning and cleverness. In your world, she oversees the Trickery domain, guiding clerics who employ illusions and subtle tactics.
7. War: Archangel Valoron
   • Valoron, often associated with bravery and martial prowess, aligns with the War domain. In your pantheon, Valoron guides clerics who seek righteous and disciplined warfare.
8. Forge: Archangel Artificon
   • Artificon is sometimes associated with craftsmanship and creative expression. In your world, he oversees the Forge domain, guiding clerics who are skilled artisans and creators.
9. Grave: Archangel Ethernalis
   • Ethernalis is traditionally linked to the transition of souls. In your pantheon, Ethernalis oversees the Grave domain, guiding clerics who navigate the realms of the afterlife.

The Ruinbringer’s Shadows:

In stark contrast, the Ruinbringer’s influence weaves a dark tapestry of secrecy, temptation, and forbidden knowledge. Cultists, drawn to the allure of chaos and destruction, create their dark texts, shrouded in mystery and peril. The Ruinbringer’s devils, cunning and malevolent, offer dark pacts to those seeking power at any cost.

Cultists and Forbidden Texts: Followers of the Ruinbringer operate in secrecy, creating dark texts filled with forbidden rituals and twisted moral justifications. These texts, forbidden to the faithful, serve as a roadmap to forbidden knowledge and power.

Devil Servants: Devils, loyal servants of the Ruinbringer, tempt mortals to succumb to their darker desires. These malevolent entities offer dark pacts, leading individuals down a path of self-destruction and chaos.

Places of Worship: Hidden in desolate locations, Ruinbringer temples stand as ominous monuments to darkness. Candlelit chambers host secret rites, where cultists invoke the power of their malevolent deity, seeking favor in the shadows.

Dominion – The Pits of Ruin The Pits of Ruin is a dark and chaotic realm, a twisted reflection of the celestial beauty found in the Celestial Realm. It is the domain of the Ruinbringer, where the forces of destruction and malevolence hold sway.

Characteristics:

• Hellish Landscapes: The Pits of Ruin is a realm of desolation and torment, featuring landscapes of perpetual darkness, fiery pits, and jagged, inhospitable terrain.
• Legions of the Damned: Demons and devils, malevolent servants of the Ruinbringer, roam the Pits of Ruin, seeking to spread chaos and sow discord in the mortal realm.
• Endless Torment: The Pits of Ruin is a place of eternal suffering, where the damned souls of the wicked endure torment and despair.

Inhabitants:

• Demons, devils, and malevolent spirits.
• Souls of the wicked and malevolent mortals.

The dukes of hell

Foremost among the legions of the ruinbringer are the dukes of ruin. They rule vast domains within the pits of ruin and are associated with the most alluring of sins.

1. Duke Asmodeon of Wrath:
   • Asmodeon embodies the sin of Wrath. He is a fiery and relentless force, driving mortals to acts of anger and vengeance. His domain in Hell is a realm of eternal conflict and violence.
2. Duke Belialon of Greed:
   • Belialon is the embodiment of Greed. In Hell, he hoards wealth and tempts mortals with insatiable desires for material riches. His domain is a realm of treacherous bargains and unquenchable avarice.
3. Duke Mammonar of Envy:
   • Mammonar personifies Envy. He thrives on the jealousy and resentment that festers among the damned. His domain is a place of perpetual comparison and coveting.
4. Duke Beelzara of Sloth:
   • Beelzara embodies the sin of Sloth. In Hell, he lures souls into a state of lethargy and apathy, condemning them to a realm of eternal inaction and torpor.
5. Duke Leviathrax of Lust:
   • Leviathrax is the embodiment of Lust. In Hell, he entices mortals with sensual pleasures and drives them to indulge in their basest desires. His domain is a seductive and alluring pit of temptation.
6. Duke Gluttonos of Gluttony:
   • Gluttonos personifies the sin of Gluttony. In Hell, he oversees a realm of insatiable hunger and excess, where the damned are eternally consumed by their voracious appetites.
7. Duke Acedion of Pride:
   • Acedion is the embodiment of Pride. In Hell, he rules over a realm where the damned are compelled to see themselves as superior, leading to perpetual conflicts and a sense of self-righteousness.
8. Duke Belphegoros of Apathy:
   • Belphegoros embodies the sin of Apathy. In Hell, he fosters a sense of indifference and lack of care, leading the damned to an eternity of neglect and ignorance.
9. Duke Malphagon of Deceit:
   • Malphagon personifies the sin of Deceit. In Hell, he is the master of lies and illusions, manipulating the damned into betraying one another. His domain is a realm of perpetual deception and betrayal.