Hey guys!
It's Sly
I need some help with a religion
The people of the planet Apate were visited by a demon, who called himself Ater. He performed wondrous works and they proclaimed him their god.
He's the main Antagonist of my story and a truly awful being
I need some help developing the religion the people used to worship him
Well, what kind of things would Ater demand from worshippers? What about him do the people venerate?
His power, mostly. He's also very deceptive, so he could trick them into thinking he's good?
Depends. What he like? Stoic and cunning? A total diva?
Stoic and cunning, but can change his personality to flatter people and seduce them
Okay then. I'd say he'd definitely play the 'Tricking people into thinking I'm good and/or a savior' card. Maybe he saved them from some catastrophic event or whatever knowing that these people would be eternally grateful. Especially if it's really complex
OOooo yeah that's good
Alright now I just need help with ways to worship
Well, you mentioned power, so maybe there's a monthly (or yearly) powwow where everyone gets together and do some dark and/or painful test of their individual strength and power to show Ater they are like him.
Whoa nice
Maybe he saved them from some catastrophic event or whatever knowing that these people would be eternally grateful.
Maybe he created that catastrophic event in the first place, but his worshippers don't know this.
Like, if you wanted to go REALLY dark, it could be thing that are bodily torture and mutilation in everything but name.
OKay that works!
Excellent idea @Riorlyne
Does he still interact in their lives? Or did he skive off somewhere and they're just left with their religion?
Because if he's still around he could manipulate the people into giving him things that he wants in exchange for wondrous deeds for them (like, he'll heal your son if you consecrate your daughter to temple service, etc.)
He used to do that
He eventually lost all his power when the sun of the system went supernova and wiped out life on Apate
So where does his power source from then?
I meant his power over the people
Mortal power
Oh okee!