That being said, there are many Greek gods and individuals usually pray to those gods whose spheres are appropriate to their needs (for example, many sailors worship Poseidon). The Greeks even respect the worshiping of the gods of those in other lands. This is because most Greeks believe foreigners are actually worshiping their gods, and simply know them by different names.
In worshiping their gods, the Greeks not only pray to them, but make frequent sacrifices, usually of animals/meat of some sort. It is even permitted to eat an animal and sacrifice its skin and bones. Nearly all temples feature an alter in which animals can be slain and burned. It will be assumed that characters routinely make sacrifices of portions of their food and hunts. Therefore, most sacrificing will be given the "bathroom" treatment - i.e. it will be assumed, and happen behind (and between) the scenes, unless there is some reason for it to be a major plot point.
Temples for all the gods exist throughout Greece, usually in city-states however. Therefore those that live in the country will often drop by the appropriate temple when making other errands into the city. While worshipers may make small makeshift alters to sacrifice to, important prayers are always given in a temple dedicated to their deity. Likewise, those that obtain spells from a god would always seek out a proper temple of that god with important prayers if possible.
The above reflects the shared norm of Greek religious life. However, service to the gods is looked at as a civic duty and worship seen as beneficial to the society as a whole. This is why there are strict punishments for impiety and sacrilege - it is an act of self defense for the state. For, if a city’s citizens are not pious, the city may suffer the wrath of the gods as a result. Worship, then, is not considered a deeply personal or emotional experience. Nor does it pertain specifically to one’s morality or life. For these things, Greeks look to two divergent sources: mystery and philosophy.
Philosophy, literally the "love of wisdom" is not merely an academic study, but is seen as a way of life. While philosophy appeals to the intellectually minded, it is seen as deeply personal and emotionally fulfilling. As such, it serves as a guide to life, providing personal ethos, and answers to the deepest of questions. While the Academy near Athens is known as a major learning place for philosophers, such men and women can be found throughout the Hellenic world.
The other option, appealing to the more passionate of the people, are the mystery cults. Rather than an alternative to the worship of the gods, the Mystery cults are seen as being a more devoted, specialized, and deeper understanding of them. There are literally hundreds of mystery cults. Some are well known, such as those of Dionysus and Demeter, while others are completely unheard of. But nearly all of them share certain characteristics. They usually involve personal rituals and rites of initiation, offer a unique worldview, and maintain many secret practices. Most of the mystery cults worship the usual gods but focus on one or a few, and have beliefs about them and their history that most are unaware of or do not share. Many other mystery cults worship foreign gods, such as those in the Egyptian pantheon.
| Deity | Realm |
| Zeus | Sky, air, storms, fate, nobility |
| Aphrodite | Love, beauty |
| Apollo | Light, prophesy, music, healing |
| Ares | War, killing, strife |
| Artemis | Hunting, wild beasts, childbirth, dance |
| Athena | Wisdom, crafts, civilization, war |
| Demeter | Agriculture |
| Dionysus | Mirth, madness, wine, fertility, theater |
| Hades | Death, underworld, earth, wealth |
| Hecate | Moon, magic, abundance, undead |
| Hephaestus | Smithing, crafts |
| Hera | Marriage, women, intrigue |
| Hercules | Strength, adventure |
| Hermes | Travel, commerce, thieves, gambling, running |
| Hestia | Home, hearth, family |
| Nike | Victory |
| Pan | Nature, passion, shepherds, mountains |
| Poseidon | Sea, rivers, earthquakes |
| Tyche | Good fortune |
| The Academy | Good, truth, beauty |
Common Olympian Deities by Race
| Hellene | Any |
| Spartan | Ares, Athena |
| Athenian | Aphrodite, Athena |
| Egyptian | (have many of their own gods – see GM) |
| Etruscan | Vulcan (Hephaestus), Minerva (Athena) |
| Saunitai | Nature spirits (believed Artemis or Demeter) |
| Persian | Ahura-Mazda (believed Zeus) or Ahriman (believed Ares) – see GM |
| Phoenician | Poseidon, Hermes |
