airellian:
The world is steeped in religion. People offer ritual sacrifices to the gods for their blessing. ....feared; where some can lay claim to godly heritage, possessing godlike abilities; and more.
In D&D 3.5 we have god-blooded people. Monster Manual IV or V. The Olympic Pantheon is also in Deities and Demigods.
About the sacrifices, don't forget that the clerics are people too. So, maybe 50% goes to the god in question and 50% goes to the cleric for maintenance of the temple.
airellian:
The songs of the ancestors, of ages long gone, of glories past and battles won and lost, ...up to the names of their ancestors? Great beasts and monsters roam the land, and heroes must rise up to slay them.
In Oriental Adventures the shaman class exists. It has the Hero, Ancestors and Community.
Also, bards for the win?
airellian:
A city-state is a lively place full of opportunities to advance along the cursus honorum, ...
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Power of Faerim is your friend.
airellian:
And yet sometimes the trumpets of war must blow, and the gates of the city thrown open as the ...
.
Heroes of Battle is your friend too.
airellian:
I'd like to note that I'm not actually planning on running a historical game. Instead, I want to ...
Like in Forgotten Realms?
Don't forget. The Olimpyc Pantheon is not like the other ones. At most there are a handful of "nice" gods. All the others? You should hope not to know them.