And thus, the basic gist of it. This is a setting where the primary conflict is not between Good and Evil, or even the (supposedly) more edgy Law and Chaos. This is a conflict between the Titans, creators of the universe, and the Gods, the children of the Titans. The Titans want to keep the universe the way they designed it, harsh but fair, where all life struggles, but they claim becomes the stronger and better for it. The Gods, on the other hand, reject this world and the methods of the Titans as flawed, and seek perfection, remaking the world in their image.
In this setting, cooperation between disparate alignments that might otherwise be in constant conflict is commonplace, and the difficult questions, like how a Paladin should respond when meeting another Paladin on the field of battle, are not so clear-cut. A Chaotic Good Sorcerer might find themselves in the temporary service of a Lawful Evil Titan while their normal patron is otherwise occupied, and a Paladin might find themselves choosing between fighting a fellow Paladin or allying with a Blackguard.
Some general themes:
To the Gods, mortals are at best viewed as beloved servants, and at worst as pawns to be manipulated and discarded. To the Titans, mortals are at best viewed as grandchildren and part of a vast family of creation, and at worst as no more worthwhile than pond scum or a rock, things to be defended on principle only, and not for any practical value.
The ultimate goal of the Gods is to make the universe perfect and have all mortals emulate them in vast eternal cities ruled over by the divine. The ultimate goal of the Titans is to allow mortal life to develop on it's own, and choose it's own fate in a world that is balanced and enriched both spiritually and elementally. The Gods wish to rule directly, and are hands-on. The Titans are content to live apart and observe, and are hands-off.
Both Titans and Gods walk amongst mortals. Both Titans and Gods can be slain.
In regards to the classes, Godservants tend to prefer classes that are academically based and involve institutions of learning. Contrawise, Titanfollowers tend to prefer classes that can be learned on their own through intuition and experience, and do not require a reliance on outside resources.
In accordance with this:
Wizards and Clerics are most likely to be Godservants.
Sorcerers and Druids are most likely to be Titanfollowers.
Monks are split evenly between Godservants and Titanfollowers.
Fighters are very inclined towards Godserving.
Barbarians are very inclined towards Titanfollowing.
Bards choose based on personal individual taste, and as a group, have no preference.
Paladins, true to their ideals first, are equally split between the Good Gods and the Good Titans.
All Alignment-centric classes and prestige classes have roughly equal representation between the Gods and the Titans.
Classes that favor intuition, instinct, and self-improvement tend to be Titanfollowing.
Classes that favor education, instruction, and strict discipline tend to be Godserving.
Examples of characters that might occur in this setting:
An order of Monks who choose to emulate the great dragons that sprang from the blood of the Titans and were chained by the Gods, developing draconic martial styles that harness the elements, such as Northern Serpent Fist, and Drakestrike Battle Meditation.
A knighthood of Paladins dedicated to persuading the Evil Gods to reform and killing those who do not, so as to convince the Titanfollowing Paladins that the Godserving path is for the greatest good.
A Barbarian who greatly admires the Hekatonkhires methods of fighting, and combines furious speed to emulate the effect of possessing one hundred hands with a high proficiency in throwing weapons.
A Fighter who seeks to attain physical and martial perfection, and worships all martial deities as exemplars of what he hopes to eventually become.
Thoughts?
In this setting, cooperation between disparate alignments that might otherwise be in constant conflict is commonplace, and the difficult questions, like how a Paladin should respond when meeting another Paladin on the field of battle, are not so clear-cut. A Chaotic Good Sorcerer might find themselves in the temporary service of a Lawful Evil Titan while their normal patron is otherwise occupied, and a Paladin might find themselves choosing between fighting a fellow Paladin or allying with a Blackguard.
Some general themes:
To the Gods, mortals are at best viewed as beloved servants, and at worst as pawns to be manipulated and discarded. To the Titans, mortals are at best viewed as grandchildren and part of a vast family of creation, and at worst as no more worthwhile than pond scum or a rock, things to be defended on principle only, and not for any practical value.
The ultimate goal of the Gods is to make the universe perfect and have all mortals emulate them in vast eternal cities ruled over by the divine. The ultimate goal of the Titans is to allow mortal life to develop on it's own, and choose it's own fate in a world that is balanced and enriched both spiritually and elementally. The Gods wish to rule directly, and are hands-on. The Titans are content to live apart and observe, and are hands-off.
Both Titans and Gods walk amongst mortals. Both Titans and Gods can be slain.
In regards to the classes, Godservants tend to prefer classes that are academically based and involve institutions of learning. Contrawise, Titanfollowers tend to prefer classes that can be learned on their own through intuition and experience, and do not require a reliance on outside resources.
In accordance with this:
Wizards and Clerics are most likely to be Godservants.
Sorcerers and Druids are most likely to be Titanfollowers.
Monks are split evenly between Godservants and Titanfollowers.
Fighters are very inclined towards Godserving.
Barbarians are very inclined towards Titanfollowing.
Bards choose based on personal individual taste, and as a group, have no preference.
Paladins, true to their ideals first, are equally split between the Good Gods and the Good Titans.
All Alignment-centric classes and prestige classes have roughly equal representation between the Gods and the Titans.
Classes that favor intuition, instinct, and self-improvement tend to be Titanfollowing.
Classes that favor education, instruction, and strict discipline tend to be Godserving.
Examples of characters that might occur in this setting:
An order of Monks who choose to emulate the great dragons that sprang from the blood of the Titans and were chained by the Gods, developing draconic martial styles that harness the elements, such as Northern Serpent Fist, and Drakestrike Battle Meditation.
A knighthood of Paladins dedicated to persuading the Evil Gods to reform and killing those who do not, so as to convince the Titanfollowing Paladins that the Godserving path is for the greatest good.
A Barbarian who greatly admires the Hekatonkhires methods of fighting, and combines furious speed to emulate the effect of possessing one hundred hands with a high proficiency in throwing weapons.
A Fighter who seeks to attain physical and martial perfection, and worships all martial deities as exemplars of what he hopes to eventually become.
Thoughts?
