Exploring mythology, religion, and folklore in worldbuilding through discussions on creation myths, flawed gods, afterlife beliefs, cultural values of good and evil, diverse religious settings, crafting fictional worlds and gods, powerful beings in storytelling, ambiguity, and incorporating history and religion into worldbuilding.
Utilize mythology in worldbuilding to enhance storytelling with creation myths and flawed deities.
Religious beliefs shape cultural values and societal structures, showcasing diversity and influencing worldviews.
Incorporate human flaws in divine beings to add depth, complexity, and relatability to fictional religions.
Deep dives
Exploring Mythology, Religion, and Folklore in Worldbuilding
The discussion delves into the importance of mythology, religion, and folklore in worldbuilding. Different participants share insights on the aspects of mythology that inspire them the most, such as creation myths and stories of flawed gods or divine entities.
Religion's Role in Society and Cultural Values
The conversation transitions to the role of religion in shaping societies and cultural values. Participants discuss how diverse beliefs about the afterlife across different religions showcase cultural diversity and values, providing insights into the importance of religious beliefs in understanding a culture.
Implications of Godhood and Apotheosis in Worldbuilding
The topic of apotheosis and mortal ascension to godhood in worldbuilding is explored. Views on incorporating apotheosis vary, with some favoring its presence as a thematic motif, while others express reservations about power dynamics and the impact on the narrative and player experience in tabletop gaming settings.
The Importance of Human Flaws in Religion
In the podcast episode, the discussion revolves around the concept of incorporating human flaws into religion, emphasizing that even when beings ascend to godhood, they retain human imperfections. An example is shared where a god's belief that selfishness is humanity's main issue leads to problems when those devoted to a higher purpose gain access to powerful magic items, showcasing the repercussions of human biases in divine realms.
Establishing Theogony and Origin Stories
Another focal point is the significance of establishing theogony and origin stories for gods in worldbuilding. Theogony is described as organizing the creation of gods, determining their relationships, and defining their powers. Emphasizing the need to detail the origin of the initial gods before expanding on mortal ascension to divinity, the podcast highlights how these foundational narratives provide a lens for developing religions within fictional worlds.
Join Dino (Tyler), Chris, Hexarch, Red and Imachinate as they discuss using mythology and religions in our world, to help you better construct your own.
This episode was edited by Anna Hannon.
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