Cosmology, Magic and Religion

Exploring the Interwoven Tapestry of Creation Myths, Arcane Arts, and Spiritual Beliefs in your world.

Step 3: Cosmology, Magic, and Religion

In the world of RPGs, cosmology, magic and religion form the backbone of any universe, determining how everything from creation myths to magical systems work together. AI can play a significant role in helping Game Masters build out these intricate layers, offering suggestions for gods, planes of existence, and powerful artifacts.

When crafting your RPG world, cosmology answers the question of how the universe came into being and how its divine or primordial forces interact with mortals.
Magic systems, on the other hand, set the rules for who wields power, how it’s accessed, and the consequences of its use.
Religion shapes the beliefs, rituals, and societal structures of cultures, influencing character motivations and plot developments.

Advice: Be cautious when creating new cosmology and magic systems, as it can quickly become overwhelming. Instead of reinventing the wheel, consider starting with existing pantheons or worldviews and making adjustments to fit your unique setting. There is a wealth of established material out there that can provide a solid foundation and save you time. Similarly, while it can be tempting to craft an entirely original magic system, this can become an all-consuming task. Tweaking or combining elements from existing systems can offer a balanced way to introduce novelty without risking overcomplexity.

In this step we will cover:

Thinking through the cosmology of your world
Determine how magic fits into your world
Identify key religions and beliefs of those cultures in your world

Outcomes

Update your world overview document with outputs from this prompting session
Determine cosmology and pantheons in your world
Fleshed out the religions of your world
Determine your magic system
Determine important magical elements such as, items, locations, feelings

Creation Myths

Creation myths provide the foundation for a world's cosmology, often explaining the origin of the universe, gods, and mortals. Consider multiple creation myths resulting from different cultures and/or regions.

The Song of Creation (Music of the Ainur) – From Tolkien’s Silmarillion, the Ainur, primordial spirits, sing the world into existence under the guidance of Eru Ilúvatar. Each spirit's contribution to the song helps shape the world.
The World Tree (Yggdrasil) – In Norse mythology, the world exists around Yggdrasil, a massive tree that connects the heavens, earth, and underworld. Gods, giants, and all creatures live within this structure.
The Cosmic Egg – In many mythologies (e.g., Hindu and Chinese), the universe is born from a primordial egg. The egg splits into heaven and earth, and from it emerge the gods and the first beings.
The Battle of Primordial Forces – In Mesopotamian mythology, Tiamat (chaos) and Marduk (order) battle, with Marduk defeating Tiamat and using her body to form the heavens and earth.
Creation from the Void – In Greek mythology, Chaos, the void, is the origin. From Chaos came Gaia (earth), Tartarus (underworld), and Eros (love), laying the foundation for the birth of the gods and the world.

How did your world begin?

Questions

Questions to Consider

What origin stories does your world have?
How did the world come to be?
How many different races are there?
Does each of them have a different origin story?
What are the other races called?
How long have there been people on this world?
Are the people of this culture religious or nonreligious?
What are the major religious groups in the region?
What are some of their core doctrines, dogmas, beliefs and practices?
What is the overall cosmology and eschatology in religious terms?
Is religion a cause of dissatisfaction, dissension or hostility in the region?
Are religious traditions and any scriptures oral or written in nature or a combination?
More Questions >>

Origin Story Prompts

Please read the following content [Insert World Overview Document], reply with “Ready to chat” when done.

Persona: "Pretend you are a GM building a world where the creation myth is not just a past event but also foretells the world's end."
Context: "The [Prophets of the End] interpret the creation myth as a cycle, meaning the world will eventually return to chaos. Their belief in the impending apocalypse has begun spreading, leading to panic across the [Kingdom of Elysia]."
Task: "Generate 5 unique ideas for how this apocalyptic interpretation of the creation myth could create tension between the prophets and the ruling class, as well as between different social groups."
Example: "Ideas might involve mass hysteria, the government trying to silence the prophets, or cults forming to prepare for the end."
Tone: "The tone should feel apocalyptic and desperate, with widespread fear and societal collapse looming as the myth becomes prophecy."

Persona: "Imagine you are a Game Master who is building a new world called [Insert name], for an RPG campaign and looking to create unique origin stories for your world."
Context: "You want to develop several different creation myths, each with its own flavor, to explain how the universe, gods, and mortals came into being. These myths should reflect different cultures, religious beliefs, or natural phenomena in your world."
Task: "Generate a list of 5 different creation worldview myths that each represent a unique way your world or its inhabitants were created. These worldview myths should provide diversity in origin stories, ranging from divine interventions to natural cosmic events or even mysterious, forgotten origins."
Example: "Consider myths involving a [cosmic battle between gods, the universe being sung into existence, the world emerging from the body of a slain primordial, or an ancient force shaping reality from chaos]."
Tone: "The tone should be [imaginative and mythic], with each myth feeling grand and epic, capable of inspiring the different cultures and religions within your world."

Persona: "Pretend you are a Game Master working on a world where multiple creation myths compete for dominance."
Context: "The [Order of the Flame] believes their god created the world through fire and light, while the [Followers of the Abyss] claim their deity birthed the world from the depths of darkness. Tensions are growing between the two groups over which creation myth is the truth."
Task: "Generate 5 unique ideas for how these conflicting creation myths could lead to religious or cultural tensions, potentially sparking conflict."
Example: "Ideas might involve religious artifacts proving one story, sacred sites becoming battlegrounds, or social unrest as common folk question their faith."
Tone: "The tone should feel volatile and charged, with tensions between the two groups threatening to boil over into war."

Gods and Religions

Pantheons or divine beings shape a world’s spiritual and cultural structures, influencing mortals through direct intervention or passive guidance.

The Twelve Olympians – Greek mythology’s pantheon of gods, each governing an aspect of life or nature (e.g., Zeus as king of the gods, Poseidon ruling the seas, and Athena presiding over wisdom and warfare).
The Tribunal – In The Elder Scrolls universe, the Tribunal consists of three god-kings (Almalexia, Sotha Sil, and Vivec) who ascend to divine status through powerful artifacts, shaping Morrowind's religious and political landscape.
The Raven Queen – In D&D lore, the Raven Queen is a mysterious deity of death, memories, and fate. Mortals revere her to guide souls into the afterlife and protect the dead.
The Seven-Fold Pantheon – A world might have a pantheon divided into seven spheres of influence: life, death, nature, chaos, order, magic, and the void. These gods are in constant flux, representing balance or imbalance within the world.
The Primordials and Deities – In the Forgotten Realms, primordials, powerful beings of creation, precede the gods. The gods eventually rise to power, shaping the realms of mortals while the primordials are imprisoned or banished.

Please read the following content [Insert World Overview Document], reply with “Ready to chat” when done.

5 questions to ask your religion

What are the core beliefs and values of the religion?
- This includes understanding what the religion teaches about the nature of existence, morality, the afterlife, and the purpose of life. Are they focused on harmony with nature, the pursuit of knowledge, or perhaps appeasing powerful deities?
Who or what is worshipped, and what is the nature of these divine or spiritual beings?
- Determine whether the religion revolves around gods, spirits, natural elements, or abstract concepts. Do these beings interact directly with followers, or are they more distant and unknowable?
What are the main rituals, ceremonies, and practices of the religion?
- Identify key rituals or practices, such as prayer, offerings, festivals, or pilgrimages. What do followers do to show devotion, and are there specific rites of passage or holy days?
How does the religion influence the daily lives of its followers and the culture at large?
- Consider how the religion shapes cultural norms, laws, family structures, and social behaviors. Does it have a strong political influence, and are there religious leaders who hold significant power?
What are the religion’s views on other religions or beliefs, and how does it interact with them?
- This includes whether the religion is inclusive or exclusive, tolerant or intolerant of other beliefs. Are there historical rivalries or alliances with other faiths, and how do these relationships affect the wider world?

Persona: "Imagine you are a Game Master building a new world called [Insert name], for an RPG campaign, and you're looking to create unique religions that shape the beliefs and practices of various cultures."

Context: "You want to develop religions that reflect [this worldview] and align with the diverse cultures, natural phenomena, or metaphysical concepts within your world. These religions should influence the daily lives, traditions, and values of the inhabitants."

Task: "Generate a list of 5 different religions that embody distinct aspects of your world. Each religion should represent unique beliefs and practices, from worshiping natural forces and ancestors to revering gods of abstract concepts like time or destiny. They should reflect the [worldview] and align with how different cultures interpret existence, morality, and the unknown."

Example: "Consider religions that involve [ancestor worship with rituals to honor the spirits, a faith built around celestial bodies as divine entities, a doctrine focused on the cyclical nature of life and reincarnation, or a sect that believes in elemental spirits as guardians of nature]."

Tone: "The tone should be [thought-provoking and reverent], with each religion feeling deeply rooted and capable of inspiring devotion, cultural practices, and even conflicts among the different inhabitants of your world."

Persona: "Imagine you are a Game Master building a new world called [Insert name], for an RPG campaign and looking to create a unique pantheon for this world."

Context: "You want to develop a new pantheon around [this worldview]. This pantheon should reflect the various cultures, religious beliefs, or natural phenomena within your world."

Task: "Generate a list of 5 different pantheons that embody distinct aspects of your world. Each pantheon should represent diverse divine archetypes, ranging from deities of nature and elemental forces to gods of abstract concepts like fate or chaos. They should reflect the [worldview] and align with how different cultures understand existence and creation."

Example: "Consider myths involving [a cosmic battle between gods, the universe being woven by an ancient spinner, the world being shaped from the dreams of slumbering titans, or deities emerging from primal elements like fire, water, or shadow]."

Tone: "The tone should be [imaginative and mythic], with each pantheon feeling grand and epic, capable of inspiring awe and reverence among the different cultures and religions within your world."

Planes of Existence

Planes of existence allow for alternate realities, realms of magic, and the homes of gods or otherworldly beings.

The Material Plane and Shadowfell (D&D) – The Material Plane is the world of mortals, while the Shadowfell represents a darker, twisted reflection of reality where shadows and necrotic forces thrive.
The Nine Realms (Norse Mythology) – Connected by Yggdrasil, the Nine Realms include Asgard (home of the gods), Midgard (earth), and Helheim (realm of the dead), among others.
The Astral Sea and Elemental Chaos (D&D) – The Astral Sea is a plane of endless thought and spirit, where deities and souls exist, while the Elemental Chaos is a swirling realm of raw, untamed elemental energy.
The Feywild – A parallel dimension in many fantasy worlds where nature and magic run wild. It’s often portrayed as a mirror of the Material Plane, but more vibrant, chaotic, and unpredictable.
Mount Celestia and the Abyss (Planescape) – In D&D’s Planescape, Mount Celestia is the plane of ultimate lawful good, while the Abyss is an infinite realm of chaotic evil. These planes reflect the moral spectrum of the cosmos.

How many planes does your world have?

Please read the following content [Insert World Overview Document], reply with “Ready to chat” when done.

Persona: "Imagine you are a Game Master building a new world called [Insert name] for an RPG campaign, and you're looking to create unique planes of existence for this world."

Context: "You want to develop distinct planes of existence that fit into the [worldview] of your world. These planes should reflect various aspects like elements, spiritual beliefs, or magical phenomena, and offer unique environments or rules that differ from the Material Plane."

Task: "Generate a list of 5 different planes of existence that embody diverse aspects of the universe. Consider questions like:

What is the primary nature or theme of the plane? (Is it elemental, spiritual, or something else entirely?)

Who inhabits this plane? (Are there specific creatures, spirits, or deities tied to it?)

What unique physical or magical laws govern the plane? (Does time flow differently, or are there distinct elemental or magical forces?)

How can characters access this plane, and what challenges or benefits might they encounter there?"

Example: "You might consider a plane of eternal fire that’s home to fire spirits and ruled by a phoenix deity, where the heat is so intense that only fire-resistant creatures can survive. Or, a plane of shadows that distorts time and space, inhabited by elusive beings that thrive on fear and darkness."

Tone: "The tone should be [mysterious and otherworldly], with each plane evoking a sense of awe and wonder, as well as danger, that influences the inhabitants and cultures within your world."

Tools of the Trade

These are the key tools that I use to create, manage, and run my RPG sessions

Cosmology, Magic and Religion

Step 3: Cosmology, Magic, and Religion

Creation Myths

Questions to Consider

Origin Story Prompts

Gods and Religions

Planes of Existence

Tools of the Trade

ChatGPT

Midjourney

Game Master Platform