Religions and Philosophies

Each Character in Brune can, on creation, choose a personal Religion and Philosophy. Both choices provide a small bonus that subtly effects the experience of that character. Characters can be converted to a different Religion or Philosophy by interacting with players who hold the beliefs they wish to absorb.

Each Religion and Philosophy provide a unique personal bonus. Settlements can also choose a national Religion, and gain a bonus for that choice.

Religions:

Protestant

"...and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and  to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one."

Thessalonians 4:11-12

     Protestants define themselves in this time with austerity in contrast to Catholic extravagance. The careful and self-controlled Protestant character gains more Research from each session spent in study. Protestant settlements devote themselves to industry and gain a bonus to Prosperity buildings.

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Orthodox

" Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
Ephesians 5:25-26

     The Eastern Orthodox religion stems from the split between Greek and Latin speaking Christians. This Greek/Christian tradition does not recognize the supreme/holy authority of the Pope. Characters who follow the Eastern Orthodox faith gain an Action Point bonus every 10 levels. Orthodox settlements can recruit Cavalry faster than usual.

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Jewish

" As for Me, behold My covenant is with you, and you shall become the father of a multitude of nations.
And your name shall no longer be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations."
Bereishit 17:4

     The stem of all Abarahamic religions, the Jewish faith is the father of formidable children. The hebrew people have endured much hardship and worked hard to see it through. Jewish characters are especially resistant to melee damage and Settlements who practice national Judaism perform all constructions slightly faster.

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Shia

"And for all, We have made heirs to what is left by parents and relatives. And to those whom your oaths have bound [to you] - give them their share. Indeed Allah is ever, over all things, a Witness."
Qur'an 4:33

     Those who follow the Shia branch of the Islamic faith believe strongly in family and tradition. Their position in the schism is that the Prophet's leadership should have fallen to the shoulders of a reltaive. This focus on family and loyalty allows characters of the Shia faith to cost less Fealty from their Lieges. Shia settlements gain a bonus to all Faith buildings.

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Sunni

"And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend."
Qur'an 4:125

     Those of the Sunni branch of the Islamic faith believe in spiritual rather than linneage inheritance of religious leadership. Their position in the schism was that the Prophet's second-in-command should be allowed to inherit the leadership left vacant by Mohammed's death. This strong devotion to their community allows Sunni characters a bonus to importance gain. Citizens of a Nationally Sunni settlement require less Security to remain happy.

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Buddhist

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."
Buddah

     Buddhists devote themselves to following the Eightfold Path. Following this path is said to eliminate suffering and help the follower on their way to enlightenment. Buddhist characters, practiced in denying physical pleasures, take only half penalties for Starvation. Settlements that lead their people into Buddhism do not suffer from Unhappiness scenarios.

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Hindu

"Always paying homage to the Supreme Lord Krishna, the ultimate shelter of all living entities, who always bestows His causeless mercy upon those living entities surrendered to Him, a fathomless ocean of compassion..."

     Hindu is a vast and inclusive religion. Devotion to goodness in this life will lead to reward in the next, until the soul is perfectly pure and good. The accepting nature of Hindu Characters grant them a bonus to Parley actions. Settlements that practice National Hinduism never suffer from the troublesome "Heretic" population type.

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Catholic

" And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

      And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

     The child of Ancient Rome and Christianity and the greatest power in the western world. Every Catholic character gains more from their meal bonuses. Settlements that adhere to National Catholicism will benefit from the ancient political secrets this giant church structure possesses. These Catholic cities will pay lower Diplomacy costs for all their Diplomatic Relationships.

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Animist

     The Animists core belief is that everything on earth is alive and has experiences. Further that the spirits of animals can achieve a state similar to Gods in power and wisdom. Often Animists will ask these god-like spirits for help and guidance. This connection to their surroundings allows the Animist character to gain more reward from actions. Animist Settlements care for their land with spiritual tenderness and gain more from each Harvest.

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Celtic Pagan

"Without distinction to descerning Ireland,
Without ships, a ruthless course
the truth was not known beneath the sky of stars,
whether they were of heaven or of earth."

     The Celtic Pagan myths focus on the People of the Goddess Danu, the "Tuathe De Danann". Their arrival in Ireland was met with a battle against the Fir Bolg and struggles for Leadership. Their story may represent the earliest recorded battle for Irish soil. Those who follow the Celtic Pagan faith are dedicated to the magic-rich traditions of the Misty Isles and believe in mischievous nature spirits with cares unknown to mortals. Celtic characters gain more Magic per level and Nationally Celtic settlements are unusually healthy.

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Greco-Roman Pagan

"Thus did they converse, but King Apollo said to Mercury, "Messenger Mercury, giver of good things, you would not care how strong the chains were, would you, if you could sleep with Venus?"

"King Apollo," answered Mercury, "I only wish I might get the chance, though there were three times as many chains—and you might look on, all of you, gods and goddesses, but would sleep with her if I could.""

     Romans and Greeks were both very practical about Gods and Religion. Most observable and social phenomena can be represented and overseen by a god. Two Gods of similar purpose were equally welcome. Greco-Roman Pagans usually have room for a few more statues in their temples. This sensible approach to the supernatural allows these pagans to use their magic more efficiently in combat. Settlements practicing this religious form of administration gain greater output from each Farm.

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Norse

"Fólkvangr 't is called, | where Freyja rules
    Degrees of seats in the hall;
Half the kill | she keepeth each day,
    And half Odin hath."
Gylfanginning, The Prose Edda

     The glorious worship of Odin and his mighty kin. The Norse believe that when they die in battle, beautiful winged Valkyrie will bear them up to drink and prepare for the Final Battle with all their noble ancestors. This fearless faith causes it's followers to gain Health with every level. The people in Nationally Norse settlements are honored to die in battle. Infantry units recruit faster than in less violently spiritual cities.

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Agnostic

"The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble by us; and I for one must be content to remain an agnostic."
Charles Darwin

     Is there a God if we can't see Him? Why not multiples? Or maybe nothing at all. The Agnostic only knows that they can't know for sure. This constant inherent skepticism grants them an natural Magic resistance. Settlements who don't approach spirituality as if they have all the answers inspire greater Education in all their buildings of learning. Their civilians want to know the answers, lacking the surety of a National belief.

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Atheist

"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?"
Epicurus

     The Atheist believes that there is nothing. There is no soul or life after death or other dimensions full of happy aliens. This belief saves a small fortune on religious paraphernalia, causing the Athiest a discount in Personal Upkeep. When a Settlement adopts National Atheism, their people require significantly lower Faith maintenance. They know that praying for what they want will do no good and don't need as many places to do it.

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Zoroastrian

" Ahura Mazda 1 spake unto Spitama  Zarathustra, saying:
I have made every land dear to its dwellers, even though it had no charms whatever in it had I not made every land dear to its dwellers, even though it had no charms whatever in it, then the whole living world would have invaded the Airyana Vaêgô"
The Zend Avesta

     The Zoroastrian dedication to fire magic has granted them a bonus to Magical damage in combat. Settlements that openly practice Zoroastrianism have more effective Security Buildings.

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Other

     Characters are welcome to choose no Faith at all. There are no penalties for a non-choice, but there are no special bonuses either. A Settlement with no National Faith may seem appealing but will lack a bonus most other Settlements possess.

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Philosophies:

Stoic

     The stoic draws personal strength from personal and emotional control. Their choice to avoid expression of pain or complaint was an early display of human will-power. By removing emotion from their decisions, they seek sage-like wisdom. Stoics speak rarely, believing that actions were more important than words. This careful life, free from grandiose expressions and excessive lifestyle provides them additional Health as they progress in level.

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Empiricist

      If they can't hear, see, touch, smell, and measure it the Empricist isn't going to admit it exists. They devote themselves to the novel idea that that which exists can be detected, experienced, and tested. Empricism specifically counters Idealism, focusing on the reality as a world of solid things rather than ideas. The Scientific Method is based on empirical data collection. Trying to get the Empricist to believe in your magical assault is somewhat challenging.

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Gnostic

     There are many Gnostics. What they all have in common is strong connection to their own bodies and their connection to the world. Some Gnostics take on poverty, abstinence, and charity but these sacrifices are not necessary. Gnostics find it easier to find energy within themselves and feel their connection with the greater world. This connection to their internal energies provides them with additional Magic points each level.

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Fundamentalist

     Fundamentalist have deeply internalized their set of beliefs. Whether based on a religious book social tradition, they follow their convictions without wavering. Temptations that stray from their chosen paths are ignored in pursuit of the goals and ideals they hold most dear. Their concrete disbelief in anything outside their beliefs gives them a special resistance to magical attacks.

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Iconoclast

     Iconoclasts refuse to be tempted or reduced by images and propaganda. They have occurred in many cultures and religions as a group of people who form feelings against the current images in circulation. This strong personal feeling against decorative influence has gained them a bad reputation as universal enemies of established systems. Their un-moving personal conviction makes them resistant to the effects of negative Importance.

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Solipsist

     The Solipsist is only certain that their mind and observation exists. Each person in fact can only be sure of their own mind, especially since the mind is capable of creating sensations with no physical source. Trying to convince them they've taken physical damage is challenging, giving them an effective melee damage resistance.

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Epicurean

     The Epicurians are a moderate form of Hedonist. They believe that Pleasure is the greatest good, but that simplicity and absence of pain is the path to greatest pleasure. Epicureans seek to find the best meal, that provides both exquisite flavor and perfect nutrition. This honed appreciation of the body allows Epicureans to benefit more from every meal bonus.

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Utilitarian

     Utilitarians believe that the most moral thing to do is the solution with the greatest utility. This concept of Utility includes both function and quality of pleasure. Therefore the most functional and most enjoyable thing becomes the most moral choice. What a great bridge from logic to hedonism. Utilitarians are always trying to do things the best way. Every 10 levels, the Utilitarian's efficiency will provide additional Action Points.

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Existentialist

     Existentialists believe inherently that the world is there for humans to experience. Both the response and responsibility of each person is emphasized, as the experiences of those humans around them are included in this meaning of life. Existentialists live in the moment. This deeper kind immersion in their actions causes them to gain experience faster than those of other philosophies.

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Nihilist

     Nihilists have come to the conclusion that life is meaningless. Some take this disbelief farther than others, claiming that there is no morality as well as no meaning of life. Many face the great mysteries by claiming the answers are simply not there to be found. Nihilists just don't care if you hit them. Every Nihilist gains a resistance to Melee damage.

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Absurdist

     Absurdists have had enough of searches for meaning and purpose. They have seen much and concluded that there is no reason,but unlike the nihilists they are more often amused than depressed by the meaninglessness. Things just happen, and they're often pretty silly when you think about it. Once you stop looking for something more, it's much easier to enjoy what there is. Absurdists don't take anything seriously, including negative attention. They are less likely to be suffer from negative Importance.

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Objectivist

      The Objectivist stretches their mind to see beyond their individual struggles. They know that issue has many faces and that to make truly wise decisions, one must be able to see it from all sides. The concerns of a single person, family or even settlement may be too narrow for the Objectivist. An Objectivist's perspective allows them to get more output from their buildings.

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Humanist

      Humanists are focused on the power of Human will and ability, both individually and in groups. Rather than praising the animal nature or the will of mysterious spirits, the Humanist faces every problem as something a Human must be able to face. They show greatest respect to the struggles and solutions that their fellow humans have experienced. A Humanist character's ability to relate to all people improves their chances with Parley actions.

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Positivist

     Positivists are like logical optimists. They hold that every event and phenomena has a scientific explanation that can eventually be discovered by human beings. In a highly religious land full of 'the ineffable', this is a dangerous if cheery outlook to hold. Positivist characters go-getter attitude increases the overall Happiness where they live.

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Determinist

     Every event in the life of a Determinist is the only way it could have been. All events before brought things to that point, and all events after will be just as inevitable. They accept the world as they find it, knowing that any decision they make, they were always going to make that way. Characters with a firm belief in Determinism are able to accept greater pledges of Fealty.

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Reductionist

     The Reductionst believes that all matters on earth can be reduced to simpler, more easily understood concepts. Every large, complicated issue can be broken down into it's most basic parts, then solved from that perspective. They believe that simplifying the work of another is not replacement, but refinement of the earlier concepts. Characters who live a Reductionist lifestyle require less personal Upkeep.

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Scholastic

     Those shape their life around Scholasticism devote their efforts to study and their beliefs in what has been written before. This adherence to written knowledge helped teach the rigors of critical thought and learning to early generations of university students. The Scholastic path and Academia are inherently connected and many Academics still enjoy this dogmatic approach to knowledge. Scholastically focused characters will gain extra Research Points from time spent in study.