Spirit Axiom

Jasyn Jones
1 Title
Spirit Axiom
Game Design: Jasyn Jones
Design and Commentary: Ks. Jim Ogle
Commentary: Dave Haynes
Editing, Layout & Graphic Design: Jasyn Jones

Copyright © 2001-2007 by Jasyn Jones. All rights reserved. (See the copyright section
for Creative Commons licensing terms.)

Produced under license from West End Games.

These are original rules, intended for use with TORG: Roleplaying the Possibility Wars.
The most recent version of these rules (and other TORG resources) can be found on the
STORM KNIGHTS website:

http://darleyconsulting.com/games/stormknights/

TORG is ®, TM, & © 2007 by Purgatory Publishing, Inc. (See the copyright section for
more information.)

Updated: July 5, 2007

Introduction
When originally published, the TORG role-
playing game included charts for the four
axioms- Magic, Social, Spirit, and Tech.
These charts covered the general path of
advancement for the axioms, but were in-
complete. This is a revised and completed
Spirit axiom.

Spiritual Axiom
”The Spirit axiom defines the level of spiritual energies available for those pow-
ers commonly thought of as belonging to ‘the gods’, such as miracles. This spiri-
tual energy exists even if the axiom level is very low; the axiom merely indicates
how easily the beings of the reality can call upon their ‘gods’ for miraculous ef-
fects and the type of effects that are possible.”
(The Revised and Expanded TORG Rulebook, pg. 142)

0- The world is devoid spiritually and
faith is not rewarded. There are no con-
cepts of higher beings or afterlife.
1- Beings may begin to profess belief in
religious systems or concepts, including
spiritual agencies (higher being or beings)
and mythic regions (such as a spirit world
or an afterlife). Atheism, the belief in the
nonexistence of the preceding, is also pos-
sible.
No evidence of the truth of such beliefs
exists, including inspiration, communica-
tion with the divine, or prophecy.
Religious rites may be devised, but
such rites have no effect. (Religious rites
can incorporate magical or psionic effects,

1 Spirit Axiom
if the other axioms are high enough.)
Religious communities can form, al-
though individuals often differ greatly on
the doctrine or tenets of a faith. Religious
hierarchies may develop, depending on
the Social axiom. The faith skill is possi-
ble.
2- Miracles work only for the truly
faithful, who must all have the focus and
faith skills. Even then it takes a lifetime of
study and prayer to cause even the most
minor of miracles; such miracles are only
possible in the presence of a substantial
number of the faithful. The focus skill be-
comes possible.
3- Spiritual energy is so low that rites
take years in order to get even the slightest
effect. Miracles may be invoked with a
large number of faithful present.
4- Rites may now be effected in months
instead of years.
Prophecies (predictions of future
events) become available, although they
are often obscure and difficult to interpret;
most commonly, prophecies are under-
stood only in hindsight. Prophesying can
simply give inaccurate or incorrect results
as well.
5- An “extended” community is possi-
ble in which characters with faith but not
focus may participate in miracles per-
formed by a character with the focus skill.
Rites are still extremely difficult and
lengthy though.
Direct invocation of divine power be-
comes possible, but is extremely unlikely.
Even if successful, the effect will never be
a visible and direct confirmation of divine
agency.
Enough spiritual energies exist to infuse
life-forms with a permanent essence (a
“spirit” or “soul”). Such spirits can be
communicated with. An afterlife becomes
possible, as does reincarnation (depending
on the tenets of the religion).
Rites become easier to invoke, involv-
Storm Knights
ing weeks of effort rather than months or
years.
6- Rites may be invoked without a
community of the faithful being present, as
long as the invoker has both faith and fo-
cus. The presence of the faithful can aid
the effectiveness of the miracle, however.
Prayers become available but usually
require years of study or training since
birth to utilize properly. Powerful effects
still require the use of lengthy rites, each of
which can take several days to complete.
7- Religious symbols can be imbued
with spiritual power as a result of divine
agency but not through the will of the
community; this power most often mani-
fests itself by making the use of spiritual
power easier for the faithful.
Believers can now invoke minor mi-
raculous effects without learning the focus
skill.
Rites are available which can be in-
voked in a far shorter time- usually in a
few hours.
8- Miracles which enhance the abilities
of believers become possible, but are lim-
ited in only being able to affect beings
who provide both the focus and faith val-
ues for the miracle.
Some rite lengths shorten from hours to
minutes.
The spiritual energies of the cosm are
powerful enough to infuse the unliving
with spirits.
9- Independent action taken by spiri-
tual agencies can occur but happen at the
whim of the divine will, never in response
to the request of the faithful. These inter-
ventions are clear signs of divine power.
Miracles which enhance the abilities of
believers may now affect any of the faith-
ful.
10- The community of faithful may im-
bue an item or place with spiritual power.
Items (swords, talismans) may be imbued
with spiritual energy that can aid in the
2
performance of miracles or that allow an
individual to perform a specific miracle.
These items will only work for someone of
the same faith as those who empowered
the object.
11- The community of faithful may im-
bue an item or place with spiritual power
that will aid in the performance of mira-
cles or allow an individual to perform a
specific miracle. Beings without the faith
skill may use the items but at a penalty.
Enemies of the faith will tend to avoid
places and objects so empowered.
The presence of the divine can manifest
itself on a sporadic basis, appearing as a
separate being or “possessing” a worship-
per. Such manifestations are temporary
and can only occur in the presence of be-
lievers.
12- Independent action taken by spiri-
tual agencies can occur on a sporadic ba-
sis. Such action includes the existence of
locations or items which are capable of
performing miracles. Such miracles only
affect the community of the faithful.
Beings whose nature is intrinsically
spiritual may exist. Typically, such beings
can invoke miracles far easier than others.
Evidence of divine power readily avail-
able to the faithful and a routine part of
their lives.
13- Independent action taken by spiri-
tual agencies occurs on a regular basis,
including the existence of locations or
items which are capable of performing
perpetual miracles. These perpetual mira-
cles provide their own focus and faith to-
tals, meaning that their effects will work
on anyone, not just on the community of
believers.
The presence of the divine may mani-
fest before believers and non-believers
alike.
Portals to mythic regions (frequently a
pocket dimension or macrodimension)
may occur spontaneously, without the re-
3 Spirit Axiom
quest of the faithful. Such portals are tran-
sitory and occur only at the instigation of
spiritual agencies.
14- More accurate prophecies are
available; differences in predicted events
and eventual outcomes often lie in mis-
taken interpretations.
Servants of the divine may be empow-
ered with spiritual energy. Such servants
can work miracles directly, as if they were
the divine (e.g., without the need for faith
or focus checks). Enemies of the faith will
go to great lengths to avoid such individu-
als.
15- Direct invocation of divine power
that provides undeniable evidence of the
existence of the divine is possible but still
extremely difficult. Nonbelievers who did
not witness such an event can still dismiss
it.
“Paradise” or other mythic regions are
now accessible to mortals, as a miracle.
Travel to mythic regions requires a rite.
16- Religious power courses through
the cosm with such regularity that specific
training is not needed to create miracles,
though those trained in the rites of the re-
ligion can draw on the power of their faith
with more reliability. Characters with the
focus skill may attempt any miracle al-
lowed by their mythos, though any mi-
raculous effects they haven’t learned are
more difficult.
Divinely powered beings (”angels”,
“demons”, etc.) may exist as physical be-
ings.
17- The laity may create miracles with-
out the focus skill. The power of the
community is so strong that a gathering
automatically provides a minimal focus for
the miracle. The laity must still receive
training in all the proper procedures in or-
der to invoke the miracle.
18- Miracles are plentiful, and the
spiritual power is enough to lower the dif-
ficulty of all focus processes for the faith-
ful. Miracles with reduced difficulty val-
ues have their axiom requirements in-
creased by the effect.
19- The spiritual power in the cosm is
plentiful enough to reduce some lengthy
and complex rites down to prayers.
Miracles that provide irrefutable proof
of the existence of the divine are possible.
20- Divine invocations become easier
and more available.
Divinely granted immortality is possi-
ble.
21- Permanent portals to mythic re-
gions may exist, created by spiritual agen-
cies.
The divine may now manifest itself di-
rectly as a physical presence.
22- All prayers become available to the
laity without need for the focus skill. Even
one layperson may invoke a prayer. Call-
ing for a miracle without the focus skill is
much more difficult.
The manifestation of a divine power as
a physical being can now last indefinitely.
23- All rites are now available as
prayers (and vice versa). Priests may
choose which form to use when calling
for the miracle. Rites generally take
longer, but are less difficult (or more effec-
tive).
Laity may now invoke any miracle
without need for the focus skill.
24- One mythos becomes dominant.
Miracles for all other mythos increase in
difficulty. Miracles and invocations per-
formed by beings who follow an enemy
mythos are contradictions. This includes
an atheist’s ability to negate miracles. In-
dependent action by the entities of an en-
emy mythos cease to occur.
25- All mythos other than the dominant
Conversion
Because the axiom chart has been altered,
conversion notes are necessary. The fol-
Storm Knights
one are now contradictions. Independent
action by the entities of any non-dominant
mythos cease to occur.
26- Use of the focus skill becomes ir-
relevant- only faith adds are needed to re-
quest divine invocations.
27- All enemies of the dominant my-
thos have no spiritual power. Miracles
may not be performed at all by followers
of an enemy mythos. Atheists are unable
to negate miracles.
28- The dominant mythos become su-
preme; no other mythos has access to
spiritual powers, miracles may not be per-
formed at all by followers of other mythos.
All miracles become invocations; the
laity may call for nearly anything they wish
(consonant with the mythos). Such invo-
cations are frequently successful. Under-
standing of the spiritual nature of the cosm
is intuitive in all people.
29- The spiritual energies of a cosm are
potent enough to affect the physical struc-
ture of the cosm, including pocket dimen-
sions or fringe realities, and remake them
in accordance with the beliefs of the relig-
ion. Physical laws of the cosm may
change, geological and archaeological
evidence will be altered or eliminated, and
the biology of life forms may be trans-
formed. Some remnants of the original
form of the cosm may survive, but these
are rare.
Accurate prophecies are available.
Both in precision and clarity, such predic-
tions are highly dependable.
30- A pure cosm, a cosm in which all
aspects of the dominant mythos are liter-
ally true. No event occurs contradictory to
the articles of the local faith.
lowing charts allows gamemasters to con-
vert Spirit axiom ratings from the old ax-
4
iom to the new axiom. It lists two values, Cosm Original Literal Suggested
a literal conversion, which maintains the
Aysle 16 13 13
old Spirit rating as much as possible, and a
“suggested” rating, which modifies the Core Earth 9 9 9
Spirit axiom of the cosm to take certain
Cyberpapacy 14 11 152
realities into account.
In some cases, the Spirit ratings listed Land Below 17 14 143
in the official TORG material were off from
Living Land 24 251 244
what the given cosm should have. The
suggested rating reflects my opinion on Nile Empire 17 14 155
what value would better represent the
cosm. Nippon Tech 8 8 8
Gamemasters should also be aware Orrorsh 17 14 106
that the entries on the chart have been re-
Space Gods 13 11 37
organized, making a pure conversion im-
possible. The remodulation of the chart Tharkold 17 14 78
will also tend to lower the Spirit axiom of Tz’Ravok 17 14 149
realities, even if they have exactly the
same relative power.
of the “straight 17” cosms. A 12 allows
In TORG, many cosms ended up with
intrinsically spiritual beings, and excludes
the exact same Spirit rating, 17. This
nothing of the original reality.
clumping was the result of the underde-
veloped Spirit axiom. Many of these reali- 4 This allows the Living Land to have
ties should have their Spirit axiom rating
many religions, while keeping each pow-
changed, if only to increase the variety of
erful. Instead of Lanala being the only god
available axioms. Gamemasters are en-
worshipped, many other faiths can exist
couraged, whenever they see a Spirit 17
(although Lanala is still the goddess of the
cosm, to bump it up or down as they feel
eidenos, and thus her religion is most
appropriate.
prominent).
1 “One The stalangers and benthe may have a
mythos becomes dominant” is
different faith, as might the insectoid Us-
at a higher axiom than it was in TORG.
tanah. In such a Living Land, Rec Stalek
2 The could be a far more potent force. In fact,
Cyberpapacy’s Spirit axiom
Baruk Kaah could be a worshipper of a
should be much higher than it is. A cosm
dominant Rec Stalek, and the Lanala-
with such an overwhelming religious focus
worshipping eidenos may be the minority
should have an axiom greater than an 11.
religion.
Also, the Spirit axiom of the GodNet
should be higher than that of the cosm it- 5 Another “17”, the Nile Empire’s Spirit
self, a 16. Along with the changes to the
axiom is very appropriate. A 14 allows
Magic axiom, this means that angels, de-
powerful servants of the deities, something
mons, and other spiritual creatures can
the Nile officially has already.
dwell in the GodNet, and be summoned to
the cosm. 6Orrorsh’s Spirit axiom is supposed to
3 The support the existence of “Horrors”, but a
Land Below is an example of one

5 Spirit Axiom
World Law does that better. Especially
since, in STORM KNIGHTS, Orrorsh is a para-
sitical reality, so only consists of World
Laws. A 10 is a rating no other cosm has,
plus it lessens the power of the Sacellum’s
God. Since Orrorsh was originally a Victo-
rian cosm, a 10 is a better fit.
7 A big change for the Space Gods, one
that removes their “Apieros” religion. In-
stead of spirituality, the Akashans concen-
trate on their Social-oriented philosophies.
A powerful Spirit axiom isn’t necessarily
appropriate to the Star Sphere anyway.
The Tech-and-Social outlook better reflects
a “sci-fi” reality. This change also involves
removing the Space Gods World Law of
Religious Compatibility.
8 Tharkold is a munchkin cosm. It has
the second highest Tech, a high Magic,
Storm Knights
and a “17” Spirit. The cosm, as written,
isn’t particularly Spirit oriented, save for
the “demons.” Tharkoldu, however, are
magical demons, not Spirit demons. The
Spirit axiom of Tharkold needs to be lower.
This better fits the genre, and nerfs the too-
powerful technodemons. Technohorrors
are supported by the Magic axiom.
For those using my revised Tharkoldu
World Laws, then religion is far more im-
portant. In such cases, the Spirit can be a
16, while the Magic axiom lingers at a 12.
Technohorrors are supported by the Spirit
axiom.
9 Tz’Ravok is a Spirit-oriented cosm; all
sentient beings worship Ravok. A 16 bet-
ter represents the spiritual focus of the
cosm. The cosm’s other axioms are fairly
low, so a 16 isn’t unbalancing.
6
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Copyright
This electronic document (and all other contents of the STORM KNIGHTS website) is copy-
right © 2001-2007 by Jasyn Jones. All Rights Reserved (except as noted below).

This electronic document is released under a Creative Commons

Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 license. The terms of this
license can be found at:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/

West End Games and Purgatory Publishing are hereby granted a license
to this electronic document under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution license. The terms of this license can be found at:
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In all cases, full attribution must be included in any derivative works, the text of which
must read:
Based on “Spirit Axiom” by Jasyn Jones, copyright © 2001-2007. Original article can
be found at:
http://darleyconsulting.com/games/stormknights/reality/spirit.html

These rules are based (in part) on material published in the following TORG rulebook(s):

TORG Boxed Set

Original Mythos and Game Design: Greg Gorden
Mythos/System Development: Douglas Kaufman, Bill Slavicek
Additional Mythos/System Work: Christopher Kubasik, Ray Winninger, Paul Murphy

The Revised and Expanded TORG Rulebook, v. 1.5

Rule Book Design: Jim Ogle
Editing: Gareth Michael Skarka and Steven Marsh
 Cloud tile, eternium pattern, and stone tablet background produced by Garrett Taylor:
http://www.db.erau.edu/~taylorg/torg/

TORG is ®, TM, & © 2007 by Purgatory Publishing, Inc.

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finiverse, Kanawa, Living Land, Maelstrom, Maelstrom Bridge, Nile Empire, Nippon Tech,
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