Theocracy

Main > Rules > World Statistics > World Tags > Theocracy

The planet is ruled by the priesthood of the predominant religion or ideology. The rest of the locals may or may not be terribly pious, but the clergy have the necessary military strength, popular support or control of resources to maintain their rule. Alternative faiths or incompatible ideologies are likely to be both illegal and socially unacceptable.

Leaders:
^{Who might be encountered while conducting business}

• Overfed priest-bureaucrat with very secular concerns
• Underpriestess looking to make a vacancy above her
• Purely nominal cleric-official concerned only with the social forms
• Leader of a persecuted sect interested in offworld allies

Enemies:
^{Who might be encountered who opposes the group}

Decadent priest-ruler

Zealous inquisitor

Relentless proselytizer

True Believer

Extremely militant heretic

Xenophobic zealot bent on purging offworlder corruption

Offworld cultural saboteur seeking to cripple the world's society on a rival's behalf

Far trader trying to move forbidden goods on the world

Friends:
^{Who might offer the group services or missions}

Heretic

Offworld theologian

Atheistic merchant

Desperate commoner

Complications:
^{How might the situation on the world be more complicated}

The theocracy actually works well

The theocracy is decadent and hated by the common folk

The theocracy is divided into mutually hostile sects

The theocracy is led by aliens

The local theocracy is a substantial improvement on what went before

The clergy secretly war with each other over obscure doctrinal differences

The theocracy is decadent but the locals can imagine no other life

The theocracy is in the midst of upheaval and the commoners are divided

Things:
^{What items might be found on the world}

Precious holy text

Martyr’s bones

Secret church records

Ancient church treasures

Beautiful religious artwork

Technology sacred to the faith

Priceless relics of the religion

Stores of religious tithes that went missing

Places:
^{What locations might be found on the world}

Glorious temple

Austere monastery

Academy for ideological indoctrination

Decadent pleasure-cathedral

Things:
^{What regulations might complicate things}

Offworlders are required to participate in potentially repugnant local rites

A valuable commodity is forbidden by religious law

Trade must be sanctified by permission from a querulous religious leader

Painfully stiff tithing requirements are on all trade

Tags: Lopop,Politics, Trade