The Divine Traditions of Khassid
Cleric Domains and the Sacred Paths of the Faithful
Every god of Khassid touches the world in many ways, but no single priest can embody the fullness of their power. Instead, the faithful walk distinct paths — cleric domains — each a sacred tradition that reflects one facet of a deity’s truth.
A cleric of Morgdhav may call the storm with the Skybreaker Domain, while another within the same faith tends rivers and harbors through the Tide Domain. A devotee of Naelis may heal the sick through the Life Domain, or guard hearth and harvest with the Community or Harvest Domains.
These sacred paths do not divide a faith; they reveal its depth, allowing mortals to serve the gods through many voices and many callings.
How Domains Work in a Faith
Domains are not “power bars” that measure how mighty a god is. Instead, they show the different ways mortals can connect to the divine. Each faith has strong traditions and weak ones, sects that flourish and sects that barely survive.
Think of it like this:
- Dominant Domains – The main way a god’s faithful serve. These sects are numerous, visible, and shape the public face of the church.
- Minor Domains – Smaller factions, often respected but less common.
- Rare Domains – Tiny sects, sometimes seen as eccentric, fringe, or only found in remote regions.
- Peripheral Associations – Powers the god touches but does not openly bless; usually heretical cults or corrupt offshoots.
Example: Kaemir
- Dominant: Despair, Torment, Cunning
- Minor: Control (feared, mostly among cult leaders)
- Rare: Faith (paradoxical devotion to betrayal itself)
- Peripheral: Torment (bleeds into torment, not his mainline clergy)
Even though Kaemir “has” six domains, most of his faithful gather around just two or three of them. This keeps him a Lesser God without stripping away the richness of his influence.
Primal Forces
“The raw forces of creation — storm, flame, tide, and sky.”
War & Dominion
“The divine mandate to protect, punish, and uphold law or vengeance.”
Knowledge & Creation
“The sacred bonds of community, culture, craft, and knowledge.”
Mystery & Beyond
“The mysteries of dream, fate, time, and hidden truths.”
Passion & Will
“The fire of ideals — faith, zeal, fortune, and the will to endure.”
Cycles & Thresholds
“The darker powers — corruption, tyranny, death, and despair.”