Religion in Larp

I think you're right. In my experience, having different religions not getting along with each other usually generates more role play than having a pantheon that's one big happy family. Most religions benefit from having some sort of antagonist - either another deity, or possibly some sort of demonic counterpart.

I guess a question might be, though, whether the persecution by law is neccessary to sustain this, or if "social repercussions" (you won't get served in the tavern, prices for everything will be inexplicably higher for you, every good person shuns you, etc.) might already be enough. It could lead to more opportunities for interesting role play (since any worshipper of an evil god is not just attacked on sight)...or maybe to more PvP, because the evil worshippers will stop being secretive and start being "out there", basically painting a big target on themselves.

I couldn't possibly tell, of course.

In practice the Evil Clergy are not persecuted in KR as you describe. Back in the game's history that was another story, executions, witch hunts (not figurative, literal) and the like were once the norm. One group is pretty much brought up as single handedly being responsible for it, but in truth the situation of the game at the time was as much responsible for it as they were. The Light Church once had an Inquisition actively hunting down dark worshipers, demons, and all manner of supernaturals. That was ended several years ago to prevent the impact on roleplay for those wanting to play Dark characters.

Now in KR, Writs serve as legal amnesty for dark clergy, to include use of prayers. The Light Church of course hates this, but is unable to do anything about it. PvP between Light and Dark is not physical anymore but social, theological. There are rare encounters between the two sides, and with the plot being what it is, we are forced to work together. This is not to say that we are no longer persecuting NPCs, PvE against the Dark Clergy NPCs continues, as does PvE against Light Clergy NPCs. There is still the sense of being at War. But, Players are a different matter, by design and for the reasons we have outlined. Role Play would suffer if that were not so.

Templar Aldric wrote: If all Deities were allowed to be worshiped, it may water down the experience. If there were no negative aspects to be a Dark Clergy, that may lose players who have no way then to explore the forbidden? On the other hand, if there were no downsides to being a Dark Clergy, who would want to place themselves under the much more rigorous rules that the Light Clergy must adhere to. The Dark Clergy would go from being a close knit community of rebels to having to deal with a much greater breadth of players, for good and especially for ill. I am not sure the Dark side would be made better for it.

It is a struggle now to get people interested in the Divine roleplay, think of what may happen when the essential struggle between Good and Evil is no longer a thing. I am concerned that Religion would lose its power for drama and conflict and Clergy would become just another casting class.

And this is precisely what gets me into Religion in KR. There are legitimate reasons to worship every God IG... Well, most (F Malyc Complex). At least for now, anyway. There is a clear temptation from the Dark, but not just a temptation. Galmachis, for example, governs the sanctity of the body, and thus demands respect in funeral rites. Aguara has recently been hailed as the harbinger of life's greatest lessons: the ones we learn through mistakes, through pain, and through suffering. And Glomm teaches us that all men and all women can be swayed; no matter how stubborn or otherwise disposed they may be, there is always some way to win them over in favor of a better option.

And I think that's precisely WHY the Dark pantheon should continue to be looked down upon, to be illicit, to be misunderstood. Because the challenge the Dark Clergy must continue to take on is to prove the merit of the Dark Gods. To carry the mantle. To polarize. To oppose and To offer balance.

In a way, we already have a Greco-Roman Pantheon. The only difference is that PCs can respect many gods, but can only commit themselves to one cult. Whereas Greeks and Romans could openly praise and call upon the favors of any and all of the gods, even in the course of a single day.

Honestly, at first, I didn't like the fact that you had to choose. But after seeing how it worked out in-game, I now prefer the Servant and Follower model. Because you really can respect all of the gods in their own right, even gods opposing your own. But you can align with the God idealizing the Aspects your character most cares about. And that is wonderful.

DennisS wrote:

Templar Aldric wrote: It is a struggle now to get people interested in the Divine roleplay, think of what may happen when the essential struggle between Good and Evil is no longer a thing. I am concerned that Religion would lose its power for drama and conflict and Clergy would become just another casting class.

This might be a stupid question - but shouldn't the fact that these beings run the universe (or the world, at least) warrant worship in any case - no matter whether they are in a struggle with their evil counterparts or not? To, you know, ask them to make the crops grow, to not die in battle and to find love and all that?

Also, keep in mind (you wouldn't necessarily know this, as a new player) The Gods don't really run the world, in any way. At all. If anyone does, that is down by beings far above, or even far below the Gods. The Gods, however, serve as Idols to aspire to. They have ascended to their place as embodiments of the elemental Aspects of the world. They personify those aspects, and interact accordingly, opposing and supporting one another accordingly.

That is not to say that one cannot call upon Gaia for a good harvest. One can do so. But it is more by the action of praying to Gaia that a good harvest is attained, rather than by Gaia's action herself. Even then, a Druid would probably ensure a good harvest in the absence of Gaia's help, better than would an Average Joe praying to Gaia.

Ah, I see.

Just out of interest (unless it's FOIG): What being, or thing, or place is it that provides the "energy" for a prayer like this to work (making the plants grow better)? Is it the gods or something else?

It's background stuff, so no problem. Druids have a specific prayer called Germinate that does that. That is the thing about including Druids and Gods, they have to split things up. Gaians come closer to what you describe though they focus on Life itself.