v50 Steam/Premium information for editors
  • v50 information can now be added to pages in the main namespace. v0.47 information can still be found in the DF2014 namespace. See here for more details on the new versioning policy.
  • Use this page to report any issues related to the migration.
This notice may be cached—the current version can be found here.

Difference between revisions of "Deity"

From Dwarf Fortress Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Replaced images.)
 
(53 intermediate revisions by 24 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{av}}{{Quality|Fine}}
+
{{Quality|Exceptional|17:53, 26 February 2023 (CST)}}
A '''deity''' {{Tile|Å|6:1}} is the object of worship chosen by a creature. Deities are randomly generated during [[World generation|worldgen]], and assigned different [[sphere]]s (the objects, creatures, concepts, etc. they are associated with).
+
{{av}}
 +
[[File:deity_icon_preview.png|200px|right]]A '''deity''' is a supernatural being or force of nature in the mythology of a world. Deities are randomly generated during [[World generation|worldgen]], along with their corresponding [[divine metal]] and assigned different [[sphere]]s (the objects, creatures, concepts, etc. they are associated with). [[Religion|Religious]] [[creature]]s may worship one or more deities. Though deities remain unseen in standard gameplay, they are powerful, influential overarching forces behind a large amount of factors in the game.
  
Worship and deities differ among races: [[Dwarves]] and [[Human]]s worship multiple deities, most of which are often depicted as their own race, though on occasion they may worship a deity that is depicted as an [[animal]] or [[vermin]]. An [[Elf]] does not worship a deity, but believes in a single force that permeates the forests.
+
Worship of deities is denoted by what [[civilization]] a creature belongs to. [[Dwarf|Dwarven]] and [[human]] civilizations worship multiple deities, most of which are often depicted as being of their own race, though, on occasion, they may worship a deity that is depicted as an [[animal]] or [[vermin]]. [[Elf|Elven]] civilizations do not worship deities, and instead believe in a particular [[force]] amongst multiple such that permeate the forests. [[Goblin]]s and [[kobold]]s, meanwhile, do not worship anything by default. Because worship is denoted by civilization, it is possible for elves, goblins or [[animal people]] who have joined a religious civilization to worship their deities.
 +
 
 +
Note that despite his meta importance, [[Armok]] is not a deity, as he doesn't actually exist in-game.
  
 
==Fortress mode==
 
==Fortress mode==
Each dwarf and many other creatures have one or more deities listed among their [[relationship]]s. Almost all dwarves believe in at least one deity. Most believe in two, and some three. In the case of your dwarves, you can see the degree of belief they profess (''"faithful worshipper"'', ''"casual worshipper"'', etc.).
+
Each dwarf, and many other creatures ([INTELLIGENT]/[CAN_LEARN+CAN_SPEAK] ''at least, such was presumably the intent''), have one or more deities listed among their [[relationship]]s. Almost all dwarves believe in at least one deity; most believe in two, and some three. In the case of your dwarves, you can see the degree of belief they profess (''"faithful worshipper"'', ''"casual worshipper"'', etc.). Praying to deities is one of the most common ways a dwarf can fulfill their [[need]]s.
  
[[Fortress mode]] includes [[temples]] (but not priests) that can be dedicated to individual deities. Dwarven deities are also represented in [[statue]]s, [[engraving]]s and [[figurine]]s.
+
[[Fortress mode]] includes [[temples]] that can be dedicated to individual deities. The deities are also represented in [[statue]]s, [[engraving]]s and [[figurine]]s.
  
 
==Adventurer mode==
 
==Adventurer mode==
In [[Adventurer mode]], Human towns may include [[temple]]s of various designs inhabited by [[Priest]]s dedicated to a deity. If the conversation option ''"Service"'' is used with any Priest, the deity will be added as an object of worship to the character's record,{{verify}} and it becomes possible to speak to the deity from any location, though the deity will not respond.
+
Adventurers can select a deity or religion to follow during character creation, and choosing for them to be more than a casual worshipper will add the [[need]] to pray, which can be satisfied by [[talking]] to them. There is currently no way to add a followed deity, religion, or prayer need to an adventurer during play (other than [[DFHack]]). In [[adventurer mode]], [[site]]s such as monasteries, fortresses, and human towns may contain [[temple]]s of various designs possibly inhabited by [[priest]]s dedicated to a deity - if a worshipper of that deity were to desecrate a statue at that temple there may be consequences. [[Shrine]]s may also be found at those and other types of sites where [[dice]] can be found, which can be rolled to maybe gain a boon or curse.
  
 
==Interaction in the world==
 
==Interaction in the world==
Deities occasionally influence events during world generation.  Gods of death can create stone slabs from which [[necromancer]]s learn the secrets of life and death. Furthermore, civilized creatures that profane a temple incur the wrath of its deity, turning into a [[vampire]] or a [[werebeast]] as punishment (even though being immortal is not really a punishment to some).
+
Deities occasionally influence events during world generation.  Gods of death can create slabs, from which [[necromancer]]s learn the secrets of life and death. Furthermore, civilized creatures that profane a temple of the deity they worship incur the wrath of their former patron, being turned into a [[vampire]] or [[werebeast]] as punishment (even though being immortal is not really a punishment to some).
  
{{minorspoiler}}
+
{{Spoiler}}
  
Certain [[demon]]s which escape from the Underworld during world generation will impersonate a deity in order to take over [[Human]] civilizations, at which point they act as a [[diplomat]] and visit your fortress. They will be non-hostile and have the "deity" title. Depending on the demon, [[Fun]] may be had.
+
Deities may occasionally collaborate with a [[demon]], raising it up from the underworld with a ritual conducted by an [[artifact]] [[slab]]. This is, in fact, exactly how said demons escape the [[Underworld]] and gain status in the mortal world. What demon in question is summoned, as well as the reason for this, appears to be linked to the god's particular [[sphere]]. For example, gods of death may summon demons "that more may die"; war-gods conduct the ritual "that war may rage forever" or "that great fortresses be raised and tested in siege". Gods of bravery and valor, meanwhile, do the same "that great acts of heroism may be performed." (Admittedly, anyone who can navigate a demonic site and come out alive should rightfully be called more than a great hero!)
  
{{Spoiler}}
+
Deities are served by [[angel]]s, randomized creatures who may wield equipment made of impossibly strong [[divine metal]] created by the deity. Angels are best known for guarding the contents of [[vault]]s, the treasure-houses of allied [[demon]]s; they may be the most exceedingly powerful and dangerous creatures in ''Dwarf Fortress'', more so than even demons. Successfully raiding a vault is a feat on par with conquering the Underworld—you may use the knowledge on the vault's slab all you want, but it's a tiny reward compared to vanquishing ''the forces of Heaven itself''.
 +
 
 +
== A world without deities ==
 +
{{mod}}
 +
Deities can be removed from the game through [[Entity token|modding entity raws]], by making all civilizations become areligious. In such a world, demonic leaders thrust the spire of slade by themselves, and place the slab in a vault created on their own. The vault is then left unguarded, since no [[angel]]s can exist without deities.
  
Deities may occasionally collaborate with a [[demon]], raising it up from the underworld with a ritual conducted by an [[artifact]] [[slab]].  This is, in fact, exactly how said demons escape [[Hell]] and gain status in the mortal world.  What demon in question is summoned, as well as the reason for this, appears to be linked to the god's particular [[sphere]].  For example, gods of death may summon demons "that more may die";  war-gods conduct the ritual "that war may rage forever" or "that great fortresses be raised and tested in siege".  Gods of bravery and valour, meanwhile, do the same "that great acts of heroism may be performed." (Admittedly, anyone who can navigate a demonic site and come out alive should rightfully be called more than a great hero!)
+
Removing deities makes [[vampire]]s, [[werebeast]]s, and [[necromancer]]s never spawn, as these can (currently) only be created through divine intervention.
  
Deities are served by [[angel]]s, randomised creatures who may wield equipment made of impossibly strong [[divine metal]] created by the deity.  Angels are best known for guarding the contents of [[vault]]s, the treasure-houses of allied [[demon]]s; they may be the most exceedingly powerful and dangerous creatures in Dwarf Fortress, more so than even demons. Successfully raiding a vault is a feat on par with conquering [[Hell]] — you may use the knowledge in the vault's slab all you want, but it's a tiny reward compared to vanquishing ''the forces of Heaven itself''.
+
== Physically summoning deities into the world ==
  
Occasionally, under the pretense of [[human]] [[diplomat|diplomacy]], your fortress may be visited by a creature which claims to actually be a deity. Such a creature is, in fact, a [[demon]] impersonating said deity in order to control that particular human civilization. [[Fun|It may or may not fill your fortress with flesh-eating toxins.]]
+
{{mod}}
  
 +
Deities don't usually manifest themselves physically in vanilla DF, but they can be helped with a [http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=164123.msg8361144#msg8361144 DFHack script]. The script doesn't just create a unit that 'looks' like the deity, it actually pulls the [[historical figure]] info from the deity and creates a [[nemesis]] record to link it to the newly created unit. Use with caution.
 +
[[File:deity3_preview.png|thumb|300px|center|This is Cintra, the goddess of [[cave-in]]s. With enough worship, enemy caves just collapse without warning.]]
 
{{Translation
 
{{Translation
 
| dwarven = mishar
 
| dwarven = mishar
Line 33: Line 42:
 
| human  = ahang
 
| human  = ahang
 
}}
 
}}
 
 
{{Category|World}}
 
{{Category|World}}
 
{{Category|Relationships}}
 
{{Category|Relationships}}
 +
{{Category|Religion}}
 +
[[ru:Deity]]

Latest revision as of 23:24, 17 July 2024

This article is about the current version of DF.
Note that some content may still need to be updated.

Deity icon preview.png

A deity is a supernatural being or force of nature in the mythology of a world. Deities are randomly generated during worldgen, along with their corresponding divine metal and assigned different spheres (the objects, creatures, concepts, etc. they are associated with). Religious creatures may worship one or more deities. Though deities remain unseen in standard gameplay, they are powerful, influential overarching forces behind a large amount of factors in the game.

Worship of deities is denoted by what civilization a creature belongs to. Dwarven and human civilizations worship multiple deities, most of which are often depicted as being of their own race, though, on occasion, they may worship a deity that is depicted as an animal or vermin. Elven civilizations do not worship deities, and instead believe in a particular force amongst multiple such that permeate the forests. Goblins and kobolds, meanwhile, do not worship anything by default. Because worship is denoted by civilization, it is possible for elves, goblins or animal people who have joined a religious civilization to worship their deities.

Note that despite his meta importance, Armok is not a deity, as he doesn't actually exist in-game.

Fortress mode[edit]

Each dwarf, and many other creatures ([INTELLIGENT]/[CAN_LEARN+CAN_SPEAK] at least, such was presumably the intent), have one or more deities listed among their relationships. Almost all dwarves believe in at least one deity; most believe in two, and some three. In the case of your dwarves, you can see the degree of belief they profess ("faithful worshipper", "casual worshipper", etc.). Praying to deities is one of the most common ways a dwarf can fulfill their needs.

Fortress mode includes temples that can be dedicated to individual deities. The deities are also represented in statues, engravings and figurines.

Adventurer mode[edit]

Adventurers can select a deity or religion to follow during character creation, and choosing for them to be more than a casual worshipper will add the need to pray, which can be satisfied by talking to them. There is currently no way to add a followed deity, religion, or prayer need to an adventurer during play (other than DFHack). In adventurer mode, sites such as monasteries, fortresses, and human towns may contain temples of various designs possibly inhabited by priests dedicated to a deity - if a worshipper of that deity were to desecrate a statue at that temple there may be consequences. Shrines may also be found at those and other types of sites where dice can be found, which can be rolled to maybe gain a boon or curse.

Interaction in the world[edit]

Deities occasionally influence events during world generation. Gods of death can create slabs, from which necromancers learn the secrets of life and death. Furthermore, civilized creatures that profane a temple of the deity they worship incur the wrath of their former patron, being turned into a vampire or werebeast as punishment (even though being immortal is not really a punishment to some).

Spoiler2010.png This article contains massive spoilers. If you do not wish to have your game experience spoiled, do not scroll down!

Deities may occasionally collaborate with a demon, raising it up from the underworld with a ritual conducted by an artifact slab. This is, in fact, exactly how said demons escape the Underworld and gain status in the mortal world. What demon in question is summoned, as well as the reason for this, appears to be linked to the god's particular sphere. For example, gods of death may summon demons "that more may die"; war-gods conduct the ritual "that war may rage forever" or "that great fortresses be raised and tested in siege". Gods of bravery and valor, meanwhile, do the same "that great acts of heroism may be performed." (Admittedly, anyone who can navigate a demonic site and come out alive should rightfully be called more than a great hero!)

Deities are served by angels, randomized creatures who may wield equipment made of impossibly strong divine metal created by the deity. Angels are best known for guarding the contents of vaults, the treasure-houses of allied demons; they may be the most exceedingly powerful and dangerous creatures in Dwarf Fortress, more so than even demons. Successfully raiding a vault is a feat on par with conquering the Underworld—you may use the knowledge on the vault's slab all you want, but it's a tiny reward compared to vanquishing the forces of Heaven itself.

A world without deities[edit]

Deities can be removed from the game through modding entity raws, by making all civilizations become areligious. In such a world, demonic leaders thrust the spire of slade by themselves, and place the slab in a vault created on their own. The vault is then left unguarded, since no angels can exist without deities.

Removing deities makes vampires, werebeasts, and necromancers never spawn, as these can (currently) only be created through divine intervention.

Physically summoning deities into the world[edit]

Deities don't usually manifest themselves physically in vanilla DF, but they can be helped with a DFHack script. The script doesn't just create a unit that 'looks' like the deity, it actually pulls the historical figure info from the deity and creates a nemesis record to link it to the newly created unit. Use with caution.

This is Cintra, the goddess of cave-ins. With enough worship, enemy caves just collapse without warning.
"Deity" in other Languages Books-aj.svg aj ashton 01.svg
Dwarven: mishar
Elven: ricafa
Goblin: alsmust
Human: ahang