Wrath of God behind Israel bird flu? (Reuters 3/21/06)

Scientific thought has its roots deeply seeded in ancient philosophy. However, even to this day, outside intellectual circles, many events are attributed to mystical forces beyond our control. Biorhythms, astrology, lunar cycles, eclipses, epidemics, droughts, earthquakes, wars---all have connections to religious and/or superstitious beliefs.

In pseudo-medieval/gothic times—where most fantasy adventures are loosely staged, these impulses would be even stronger. Fantasy adds the additional twist that players experience regular evidence of realized superstition. If an old gypsy curses your character, you have every reason to believe that it contributed to your horse panicking in combat two days later.

In the vacuum of scientific explanation, the loudest and most aggressive fill the void. This is most often advocates of religion. Even when magical divination is used, absolute truth is elusive. Revelation is tainted by the particular ideology and goals of the revealing God. Magic reveals itself as a reflection of the caster—instilled with her interpretations of the world around her.

This conflict is ripe with plot-tension possibilities for any RPG. What is really causing the disease that is sweeping the kingdom? Is it an act of God, as the clerics suggest? Might other religious view it differently? (A purging, calling the elect home, end of the world, fulfillment of prophecy, etc.) Military leaders might assume neighboring orc-lands are poisoning the water supply. The guild of Wizards might argue that the disease is the work of dark magic, and launch a quest to retrieve components for an antidote. Common folk might see this as a “convenient opportunity” for the government to relieve the load off their welfare coffers. To sages, this might be part of a 1000 year-long cycle, that will inevitably pass in a few weeks. Each of these groups would push their own “solutions” to the problem, often coming into conflict with each other. Players might adhere to one, or be trapped between several.