Codex of Domains

On the Nature of Domains

Domains are not merely territories of worship or divine influence — they are fundamental forces, the conceptual pillars upon which the mortal and immortal worlds are built. Each is vast enough to be interpreted in countless ways, allowing multiple gods, demons, and other powers to lay claim to the same Domain while fighting endlessly over its meaning.

A Domain is not a single act or element — it is a spectrum of ideas, emotions, and manifestations. Mortals rarely understand the entirety of a Domain; they grasp only the facet that touches their lives. For the divine, however, each Domain is a source of power, shaped and fed by belief, ritual, and the events of the mortal world.

It is said that before the dawn of mortal tongues, the Domains were pure truths, indivisible. But when the first gods quarreled, they shattered the primal forces into facets — each shard becoming a different interpretation, motive, or right to claim the same power.

The Great Domains and Their Facets

Below is the canonical structure accepted by most scholars and priests of the current age. Each Domain is accompanied by its recognized facets, though regional interpretations may differ.

Domain of Life

The animating spark and sanctity of existence, the force that resists stillness.

The Domain of Life often overlaps with Nature, Order, and even Light, as these forces amplify or safeguard the vitality of the living. Practitioners who draw upon this domain are as much healers and nurturers as they are stewards of the natural world, embodying the principle that life itself is sacred.

Domain of Death

The final breath, the inevitable end, and the shadow that haunts life’s flame.

“Death is a mountain with many paths; some lead to rest, some to ruin.”

The Domain of Death is both feared and revered. Gods, archfiends, and archangels who claim this domain embody the duality of endings: natural and violent, just and arbitrary. While death is often seen as a destroyer, it is also an essential part of the cycle of existence. Deities of this domain are often intertwined with war, disease, judgment, and cosmic balance, influencing mortals’ lives both subtly and catastrophically.

Domain of Undeath

The twilight between life and death, a rebellion against the natural cycle, where souls linger and corpses rise.

The Domain of Death is both feared and revered. Gods, archfiends, and archangels who claim this domain embody the duality of endings: natural and violent, just and arbitrary. While death is often seen as a destroyer, it is also an essential part of the cycle of existence. Deities of this domain are often intertwined with war, disease, judgment, and cosmic balance, influencing mortals’ lives both subtly and catastrophically.

Domain of Knowledge

The spark of understanding that illuminates the unknown, guiding mortals and immortals alike.

The Domain of Knowledge transcends mortal and divine concerns alike. Gods and entities of this domain govern the unseen patterns of the world, rewarding study, discovery, and cunning, while punishing ignorance and arrogance. Knowledge is both a tool and a weapon; the same insight that builds civilizations can unravel them. This domain often overlaps with Order, Arcana, and even Time, as the understanding of reality itself is a force for shaping destiny.

Domain of War

The clash of steel, the roar of battle, and the strategy that turns mortal struggle into legend.

The Domain of War is as much about the mind as it is the body. Its gods and entities govern not only the fury of combat but also the strategies that shape campaigns and nations. Worshippers often seek blessing for courage, skill, and victory, while adversaries invoke the same domain to sow chaos and destruction. War as a divine domain overlaps with aspects of Death, Valor, and Order, as the end of life and the maintenance of societal hierarchies are inexorably tied to the art of battle.

Domain of Darkness

The absence of light, the hidden truths, and the primal fears that dwell in shadow.

The Domain of Darkness governs both external and internal shadows, influencing mortals, gods, and the mortal psyche alike. It often overlaps with Death, Chaos, and Knowledge, as hidden truths, fear, and decay can destroy or enlighten. Those who invoke this domain may seek secrecy, vengeance, or power over fear itself, but such power carries the risk of being consumed by the darkness one commands.

Domain of Light

The brilliance that illuminates the world, dispels shadow, and inspires hope in the hearts of mortals.

The Domain of Light complements and opposes the Domain of Darkness, representing clarity, hope, and moral guidance. Its deities often champion truth, justice, and enlightenment, granting their followers courage, foresight, and protection. Light can burn away shadow, but it also inspires; it nurtures as much as it reveals. Followers of this domain strive to embody virtue, guide others toward growth, and illuminate the unseen paths of destiny.

Domain of Arcana

The hidden energies that bind the cosmos, the laws of magic, and the mysteries beyond mortal understanding.

The Domain of Arcana governs both practical and theoretical magic, encompassing all forms of mystical practice. Its deities attract scholars, mages, and seekers of forbidden knowledge. While arcane power can create and protect, it is also dangerous and corruptible; mastery demands discipline, study, and respect for the unseen forces that flow through the world. This domain often overlaps with Knowledge, Chaos, and even Light or Darkness, depending on the nature of the magic employed..

Domain of Chaos

The untamed, destructive force that shatters order, revels in cruelty, and tests the limits of existence.

The Domain of Chaos embodies both creative and destructive impulses. Its deities often glorify rebellion, cruelty, and upheaval, rewarding cunning, ruthlessness, and audacity. Followers may be anarchists, conquerors, or tricksters who thrive in disorder. While chaos can spark innovation or transformation, it is inherently unstable; the power of this domain threatens both the wielder and the world. Often opposed by Order or balanced against Life and Light, Chaos is the primal counterforce that ensures the cosmos is never stagnant.

Domain of Nature

The primal rhythms and cycles that govern life, growth, and the elements of the world..

The Domain of Nature embodies the interwoven forces that sustain the world and its inhabitants. Deities of this domain are both nurturing and indifferent, capable of fostering life or unleashing primal fury. Followers are often druids, rangers, and guardians of the wild, dedicated to understanding and preserving the balance of ecosystems. Nature’s domain can clash with Civilization, Chaos, or even Life, depending on whether the focus is growth, survival, or raw elemental force.

Domain of Change

The ceaseless flux that reshapes reality, destiny, and the minds of mortals.

The Domain of Change is the force of evolution, mutability, and the unforeseen. Its deities are often unpredictable, rewarding flexibility and cunning, punishing rigidity. Followers may be agents of adaptation, revolution, or transformation, whether through personal growth, magic, or social upheaval. While allied at times with Chaos, Nature, or Arcana, Change is its own force—neutral, inevitable, and impossible to fully control.

Domain of Time

The unyielding current that binds past, present, and future, shaping destiny and order.

Deities of Time oversee the natural order, destiny, and the consequences of actions. They are often impartial arbiters, enforcing the inevitability of cycles and the weight of choices. Followers may be historians, seers, or guardians of knowledge and law, striving to align their actions with the currents of fate. Though their power intersects with Change, Knowledge, and Nature, Time remains the ultimate regulator of all things mortal and divine.

Domain of Madness

The unbridled chaos of the mind, where reason unravels and hidden truths emerge..

The Domain of Madness thrives where order and reason falter. Its deities may inspire creativity, revelation, or destruction, often in equal measure. Followers are seers, prophets, anarchists, or those driven by inner demons, seeking truths that lie beyond the mind’s normal limits. While it intersects with Darkness, Change, and Chaos, Madness remains uniquely unpredictable—its influence both seductive and dangerous.

Domain of Order

The framework that binds chaos, shapes destiny, and ensures balance in all things.

Deities of Order maintain cosmic and mortal balance, enforcing law, structure, and predictability. Their influence is seen in governance, justice, and the natural cycles of the world. Followers often act as magistrates, guardians, and planners, working to prevent chaos from overwhelming society. Though it intersects with Time, Knowledge, and War, Order is the stabilizing counterweight, ensuring that progress, fate, and growth remain coherent and sustainable.

Domain of Forges

The crucible of creation and mastery, where fire and iron are shaped into instruments of strength, skill, and war.

The Domain of Forges is relatively young, primarily venerated by artisans, smiths, warriors, and inventors rather than entire civilizations. Its deities are fewer than those of War or Knowledge, but its influence is widespread, inspiring mortal innovation and martial excellence. Forges overlaps naturally with War—providing weapons and battle techniques—and Knowledge—encouraging invention, study, and tactical mastery. Its followers often serve as smiths, tacticians, and martial instructors, seeing creation itself as a sacred act of power and discipline.

Domain of Emotions

The storm within the soul, where the heart’s whispers can roar louder than reason..

The Domain of Emotions is among the most volatile of all, unpredictable in its blessings and curses. It is said to have been born from the fevered prayers and blood sacrifices of the first great fanatics, whose devotion was so consuming that it birthed a divine presence unto itself. Fiends, demons, and wayward spirits are drawn to excesses of emotion like moths to flame—feeding, corrupting, and manipulating until their victims serve their will. While often feared for its instability, the Domain’s power is undeniable: it can forge unbreakable bonds, inspire civilizations, or ignite wars that burn continents..