How to Create Pantheons for Your OC's World

Looking to create different pantheons for your OC’s world? We can help! Pantheons and mythology are great ways to make a world feel more alive. So how do you go about creating some for your OC’s world? Let’s talk about it!

Why Pantheons Matter to OCs

First off, why are pantheons important in an OC world? A pantheon gives your OC a force to believe in or reject. If the OC adheres to it, it can also give them a set of rules or traditions to follow. A pantheon can be the source of a character’s goals, hopes, worries, and more! It can demonstrate the values of an OC, as well as the world they exist in. Mythology can also be an interesting addition to the worldbuilding of a story and help create a world that feels real and lived in. Some ideas on how pantheons might affect OCs:

• The character is a member of the pantheon and being part of it gives them a sense of belonging
• The character is skeptical of the pantheon's ethics and they become isolated as they leave the followers of it
• The character is an outsider who wants to learn more about the mythology
• The character feels guilt when they have to go against the customs of the pantheon

For some more ideas on how to create groups for an OC’s world, check out our article on developing factions for an OC story.

Domains of a Pantheon

Now, it’s time to develop the mythology! It’s important to think about who makes up each pantheon and what the deities govern. Some might be in charge of different concepts like ethics or customs, while others might govern an aspect of nature. They could also govern multiple aspects, or the deities might have some domains that overlap. For example, you might know the Greek god Poseidon as the god of the ocean, but he’s also the god of horses! While Poseidon governs the sea, there’s also Pontus – a deity that is the very personification of the sea. Different divine entities could govern similar forces. If you need some fantasy god ideas, here’s some to get your creativity flowing:

• A deity who has domain over flowers as well as the concept of love
• A pair of divine entities who govern wisdom and knowledge
• A deity who rules over the season of autumn as well as rain and storms
• A group of different divine entities who all share domain over nature and the forest

Divine Relationships and Hierarchies

Another aspect of pantheons to think about is how each interacts with one another. Some deities may have a higher ranking than others, while others could be lesser and have less influence. You could also think about the familial relations of the pantheons and whether the divine entities are allies or rivals. Some pantheons may be enemies, with the followers at war with each other. For some ideas on how hierarchies and relationships may work between pantheons, here’s some to consider:

• A family of deities who each have power over a different type of plant
• A set of rival pantheons, one who follows the deity of fire while the other follows the deity of water
• A pair of divine entities who have domain over snow and ice who are also lovers
• A lesser wind deity who answers to a powerful air entity

How Mortals Engage With Deities

Next up, it’s important to think about how mortals interact with the divine entities of the world, if at all. How the mortals engage with the pantheons can demonstrate how important they might be, as well as how the mythology impacts the culture and societies. If pantheons are widespread, the customs and traditions might influence several different areas of the world. Mortals might have specific ways of worship, or they could have specific holidays they celebrate. If the followers of a specific divine entity are lesser known, their customs and ideals might not have a huge impact on the world around them. Some ideas for worldbuilding pantheons:

• A holiday dedicated to giving people food as part of the customs of a civilization that follows a deity of kindness
• A tradition of planting a specific flower at the start of each month for people who follow a nature entity
• A group that dresses in bright coral-like colors because they follow a sea deity
• A civilization that prioritizes strength and honor because they follow a divine entity that governs war

Where Your OC Fits

Now, it’s time to decide where your OC fits in! A character might be a follower of a specific pantheon that fits their values, or they might avoid divine entities altogether. It all depends on the story and the character. The goals of the OC might look different depending on how they feel about the deities of the world, as well as their values and ideals. Some ideas for how an OC could fit in with the pantheons:

• An OC who’s a devout follower of a set of deities
• An OC who avoids the divine entities of the world and their followers
• An OC who is descended from a deity and has to follow in their footsteps
• An OC who is indifferent to the pantheons and doesn’t worry about them

Using Real-World Mythology

Finally, it’s important to think about how to use mythology from real life as inspiration for your stories – while also making sure to do so respectfully. There’s lots of different types of mythology around the world, each with a unique set of customs and beliefs. If you use a specific one for story inspiration, be sure to do your research and be respectful! If you plan on using mythology for a culture that isn’t your own, it’s important to do extensive research so that you know what can be used and what can’t. Here’s some questions to get you thinking while starting research:

• Is there mythology that’s similar to the story?
• What are the deities like, and what do they do?
• Are there taboos of the culture to avoid using?
• Are there any myths from your own culture that you find interesting?

For a more extensive guide on exploring mythology, check out our article on using mythology for OC inspiration.

Give Your OC’s World Divine Influence

By creating roles, hierarchies, and using real-world mythology, you can create a set of unique pantheons that will make your story stand out.

Once you’ve developed your story’s mythology, tell us all about it on Unvale. We’d love to hear what you’ve come up with!