Conduct Before a Deity

Most people know to conduct themselves with the proper respect and awe in the presence a deity. However, for the sake of those who are unfamiliar with such etiquette or who have need of a memory refresher, we provide these simple, easy to follow guidelines. If you follow this outline, it should keep you out of unnecessary trouble with offended deitiess and perhaps even enhance their view of your roleplaying.

Initial Contact with an Deity

Think...what would you do if the head deity of your religion in real life suddenly manifested before you? Would you yawn? Would you say, "Heya, God, how are things?" Would you take no notice? In reality, after you finished wetting your leggings, you would most likely be paralyzed by a combination of fear, awe, and joy. Roleplay this. Bowing to an immortal is not enough, especially if you have never been in his or her presence before. Kneeling is good, and prostrating yourself before the deity is also acceptable. Note that this is not just before the deity that you follow or wish to follow, but also before ANY deity, whether you respect their sphere of influence or not. It is also common practice to ask permission before looking directly at any immortal. A deity like Cyric would like to see you grovel in the dirt but one like Mystra would prefer that you kneel.

Subsequent Contact with Deities

It is up to each immortal how casual you may become in his or her presence. Sune for instance would like you to appreciate her beauty, Cyric would like to see you utterly terrified, Tyr would like to see you bow in respect. At all times, however, mortals must remain appropriately respectful. One must always ask leave of the deity when one needs to leave their presence--simply walking out of the room is disrespectful and could get you summoned by divine hands back to the deity. One must remain vigilant about maintaining a posture of respect--deitiess can be unreliable in their moods and be easily offended.

Contact with Members of Other Religions

In your contact with members of other religions, remember that the deity you follow has both friends and enemies amongst his or her counterparts. Be informed about your deites's standing with the other members of the pantheon, and you will avoid great misfortunes--it is considered blasphemy to have too much of an affection for members of a religion whose immortal being is out of favor with the one you follow. Being raised from the dead or resurrected by a priest of an opposing religion is particularly repugnant to the gods, and they may react accordingly.

The Powers of the Deities

When you ask to be accepted by an deity, you are placing your life in his or her hands. If accepted, from then on, you are at their mercy. If you displease the one you follow, they may choose to punish you in any in- character manner that they see fit. This includes slaying, energy draining, cursing, revoking your membership in their religion, or a combination of the above. They may not, however, spam you, verbally harass you, or attempt to punish you in any out of character way. Should this occur, please try to document it and then email a higher immortal. Gods are more restricted in meting out punishments to those who do not follow them, but beware-- sometimes immortals give each other permission to do what they will with a follower who has fallen out of favor.