Deities

Administrator Posts : 108 Join date : 2014-02-25

Religion wrote:: Religions tend come and go. Deities grow to be ancient, while others are simply forgotten. In the days of old, when the world's races lived in isolation they all revered their own pantheons. Now, with trade lines stretching to each corner of the globe, with all but a few cultures willing to blend, a single pantheon of common gods has taken the mantle as the most widely recognized deities. Much like the common tongue, the seasonal gods are widely recognized all over the world as the four constant entities in most religious sects. That isn't to say other gods don't see worship, quite the contrary, as many cultures and countries identify with their own deities. In many cases their own deities reign supreme, with the four seasonal gods taking a place one way or another in their pantheon.

The four seasonal gods are as follows. Each god aligns itself with a specific season, which best represents the portfolio they are revered for. In ancient times these gods may have held different names, and even still different languages may call these gods different names. The names that are written here are the ones that see the most use in common, and are in most cases the ones most people are familiar with.

Most of these gods see prayer in a single united temple, though this is not always the case. In some regions where one god might see to more prayers (for example, an Ostian might prayer to Myros for safe passage through the winter) they might hold their own specific temple grounds. Traditions and ceremonies are generally the same all throughout though some countries and cultures may have their own unique traditions. This is no way blasphemous, though controversy has been sparked between those who chose to worship the gods differently.

Minor gods and deities exist as well, with some very prevalent though hardly spoken of. As the nature of religion is simply looking for hope, some minor gods do spring up time and again. They may not make it through the ages, but some do see some time in the pantheon. Cults exist en masse throughout the world but are highly secretive. Not all of these cults are malicious (though it's not unheard of), but instead chose to live in secrecy in fear of outsiders. These cults see a lot of followers in areas like the Savage Lands and Eurisko where ancient gods and woodland spirits reign supreme.

Myros wrote:: Winter. Myros is often prayed to at burial services and in the face of death. Considered to morbid by some, Myros represents the constant looming dread that is all will eventually die. While this may sound dark, or even wicked, Myros' followers are actually very peaceful and solemn with their rituals. Coupled with that, Myros also represents winter and is commonly prayed for in the chilly months for safe passage through the new year. He is responsible for the death of all, be it plants, animals, or trade. Myros' ice sheets cease almost all river trade, and his chilled winds carve through livestock. This is the natural order, the way the world works and operates. Without Myros there would be no spring, no room for new life to begin, and he is crucial to the natural order of the world.

Myros' followers commonly work as morticians, and funeral directors. These positions represent their faith well, as in death Myros accepts all as his followers. It is important to the faith to be buried appropriately, as those who never see proper funerals are forever doomed to wander in the afterlife. To some, this is considered a fate worse then death. Others simply offer tribute to the frozen lord in fear of winter, a safe enough bet in the north where long winter months have snuffed entire populations. Myros' priests also offer communes with the dead, a chance to make amends with passing spirits and lost family. Necromancy and other dark arts are commonly associated with the mask of winter, though these claims are rarely true as even Myros condemns reviving the dead. To revive the dead would disrupt the natural order, and stand against all Myros represents.

More often then not Myros' followers wear stark white masks with varying expressions. In some regions these masks may frown and scowl, representing the harshness of winter nicely. While in other lands they may be blank, keeping the common folk weary and suspicious of their intentions. In either case, Myros is commonly seen as a withered old man, draped in dark grey robes. It's not uncommon for his face to be pallid and sunken, eyes swept inwards in a sleepless fashion. On older tomes Myros has been depicted simply as a skeleton, whose sharp white bones meld with the blankets of snow he oversees so vigilantly.

Some holidays include the first day of winter, where Myros' followers commonly frequent temple and pray to see the coming spring. In some cities followers celebrate the last day of winter by donning masks and reflecting in temple with family and close friends, reciting litany and other holy verses in the masked one's name. When they return home they decorate their stoves and fire-pits, thanking all for their service and putting them to rest until next year.

It's worth noting, though not always the case, that Myros sees a lot of attention in the arcane community, where magical studies are mostly perceived as being cold and distant crafts. Misunderstood by the masses, followers of the mask and mages suffer much of the same scrutiny. Mages may also find comfort in Myros' teachings in that Myros' winter happens to be the largest influx of mana in the known world, with so much life being ended so swiftly. In the winter season it is said that mana flows easier, and wisps gather in the snow banks. Before Sylandra has a chance to weave the mana into life again, Myros' mages find their power the strongest in the cold unforgiving months of the year.

Sylandra wrote:: Spring. When warmer winds finally thaw Myros' chilly grip on the world, Sylandra is the first there to kick-start life again. It is Sylandra who plants the first flowers, and sees to them so that might bloom. It is she who ushers the birds from their nests, the bears from their dens, and the cattle from their stables. All in all, Sylandra represents a new beginning, the grand revival, and altogether the world coming back into the light to heal. While this may all sound jubilant, the nature of Sylandra's portfolio is misleading as her solemn nature and distant demeanor rival even Myros. The verdant one is often considered too protective of her kin, and is held responsible for most natural disasters. Campaigns against nature, swelling logging industries and extensive fishing empires have all suffered Sylandra's wrath. Finding a balance in all things is what Sylandra strives for most. The natural world shall never be lost to industry, and so long as the verdant mother has followers she will do all in her power to keep this a reality. Should miners dig too deep, or poachers hunt too far, first is always Sylandra who puts them in their place.

Gatherers, hunters, and other laborers make a bulk of her year long followers. With others simply joining in the faith when the spring season comes around, to offer thanks and tribute as they are saved from the winter. Laborers pray for forgiveness as they reap and sow the world's resources. Rarely does Sylandra take offence, only when industry begins truly scarring the world does she work the earth to quake or waves to swell. Naturally druids and shamans find comfort in the verdant mother's teachings. Spirits and other woodland deities make for the bulk of the druid's faith, but it's a commonly held belief even among the ancient elite that these fey are simply avatars, or eidolons in Sylandra's faith. Farmers often pay their respects so that their seeds will take to the soil. This may seem odd as it is usually in Volyrn's interest to reap the fields and care for crops. This simply is not the case, as it is she who allows the seeds to sprout. For this reason the two gods are considered brother and sister in the faith, a commonly held belief as they both reign over important parts of the year. The beginning, and the end.

Sylandra's followers are harder to identify then say Myros, or Kycee -- save for the druids and their ancient faith. It is important for all to pay their respects, from peasant to lord, as all are thankful for her warming spring. Those who are truly zealous in their beliefs commonly don wreathes of budding flowers during the blooming months. Others take to wearing stark, colorful clothes that would simply look garish in other seasons. Sylandra is often identified by her knife-like ears, and in some texts simply written as an Elf. This isn't always the case, but is the most popular held belief. She wears earthy clothes, dull greens and browns that find their colors mirrored on the forest floor. Animals tend to gather at her feet and follow her in trails. In the oldest tomes she is often simply seen as an animal of varying species, a shapeshifter who prowls the world for anyone who would damn the natural order.

First Bloom is considered the most important holiday in her faith, where believers gather in temple to see the first flowers of the season come to life. Ceremonies are more common then simple holidays, though Sylandra does not condemn food or drink in her name. It is expected for all those who believe in the faith to take one day off to appreciate the world, pay the her back for what they will begin to sow in the coming months. More often then not, the faithful pay their respects with decorated wreathes or baskets of food left out in the wild for animals to pick through.

Sylandra's most important contribution to the arcane community is the ability to heal. Mages and shamans have begun healing the sick, in the same way that she heals the world of winter. The process requires mages to temper and treat the mana in the body, using it to aid the sick to recovery. This process is in no way an instant snap of the fingers, and a few weeks are necessary in treating the dying, if the mage wants to see them through any decent recovery. This ability is commonly referred to "laying on hands" as healers often commune with the body's mana by simply holding into the sick and weary. The process is one part meditation and the other faith, as most mages find Sylandra's teachings in the mists of the mind.

Kycee wrote:: Summer. There comes a time in the year where Sylandra lays her head to rest, leaving her boisterous sister-god to take command. When the world grows warmer Kycee's worship begins to flourish above all else. Sports, drink, and athletics make for most of her portfolio, with the rest of it best representing warriors and their kin. Summer is often considered the best time of year for war, a sentiment she embellishes with pride. The warm season also leaves room for celebrations and other festivities, which may betray Kycee's actual intentions. In truth, the golden sprite is much more then that, with the bulk of her followers praying for her guidance in health and spirit, and in the name of justice. The bulk of her faith, while it does not condemn festivals or a night of drinking, is actually quite sophisticated and developed. Many of Kycee's followers enact justice, embark on holy crusades, and generally present themselves as typical crusaders and paladins. In the past, inquisitions in her name have banded together in times of war to spread faith and sunder other false deities, but these practices are usually considered barbaric in the modern age.

Kycee's followers may be the most varied of all, which is to be expected from such a diverse portfolio. In ancient times gladiators would pray to the gold sprite before upcoming tournaments, and on even better days over spilled drinks and summer celebrations. Her followers persist through the modern age, usually through Olympic-esqe tournaments and other shows. It's not uncommon for mercenaries and knights to pay favor to Kycee before war like the paladins of old, though even this has slowly fallen out of the norm. For the average citizen Kycee supports their rowdy drinking habits and summer celebrations, practices other deities would likely condemn. In the event that two warring parties in court accept to settle their claims by the sword, ordeals by blade are almost always treated with a lengthy prayer to the summer sprite. Between the civilized races Kycee's worship tends to be the most varied. To Humans Kycee reigned over battle and war, to the Elves she controlled the sun, and to the Dwarves she commanded bar wenches and song. These three distinctive beliefs have come together in the modern age to represent one single, varied deity who is widely worshiped across the globe.

Kycee's year long followers are usually easy to identify with their golden crests, and sunburst emblems. Iconography like this best represents summer and the golden sprite, so it is not uncommon to find these bright symbols emblazoned on shield and crest. Taverns, brothels, and other such establishments usually offer tribute in some way or another, sometimes through simple donations. Knights, guardsmen, mercenaries, and everyone in between usually carry with them some kind of token in her name. Temples in Kycee's name usually offer board for the poor, and abandoned. It's not uncommon for local orphans to join the faith and continue their practice later in life, spreading good faith and company to other lost souls.

Usually identified as a glowing gold sprite, Kycee may be the most unique in appearance between the four gods. In some texts she is represented as a short, fey-like being that brings good fortune. In other texts her golden wings spread much farther, unlike that of an angel, and she wields a massive spear crackling with heat lightning. The religious have debated over the sprite's true appearance for ages, with no real conclusion in sight. For now, she simply changes shape to suit the believer's needs, with the small mystical sprite bringing good drink to the weary, and the spear-wielding vanguard watching over warriors.

To list all the holidays associated with Kycee you would need a massive tome in itself, however, the most important tend to be olympic-esqe tournaments of athletics and skill, often held in capital cities and shared between neighboring nations. These tournaments usually last a few weeks at a time, and held once a year if relations will permit. In the event of war these celebrations are usually reserved for next year, with Kycee's worship instead spent on the battlefield between fighting warriors. Other holidays exist but change at the world's convenience, with most simply held at the spot to excuse a night of helpless drinking.

The Golden Sprite is seldom seen in the arcane community. While she may best represent the body and natural form, her ability to heal has been lost to the ages. In olden days paladins were widely observed healing the sick, but this practice has been left mostly to healers serving Sylandra. Some healers do exist under Kycee, but they are a much rarer sort, and usually serve as battlefield chirurgeons. As betrayed in ancient text, it was once said that Kycee wielded a spear of crackling lightning. This lightning was unique in that it also gave off a fiery, red-hot heat that many mages have tried to emulate. While it is extremely difficult, wielding these spears of conjured lightning has become a practice in some magic communities and often feared on the battlefield.

Volyrn wrote:: Autumn. Considered the most dreary of the seasons, the fall months may be the most important year of all. In ancient times the fall season as split at the seams, with half of it under Kycee's control and the other Myros. They warred over the brisk months and their followers would often emulate their battles. Volyrn is considered the youngest of the four seasonal gods, as his practice has only become commonplace in the last few hundred years. Born from the hearts of farmers, laborers, and the levies often raised to fight the wars between Kycee and Myros, Volyrn's followers best represent the commoner in the fall months. His faith is simple, consisting mostly of remembrance, harvest, trade, and reflection. The fallen are often remembered in Volyrn's small temples before being offered to the cold one Myros. During the harvest seasons feasts are held in his name to pay tribute. Volyrn is said to hold back the winter himself, shielding the world with his body and form. A feat almost everyone is thankful for.

Volyrn's followers are mostly farmers, and other laborers who may have prayed to Sylandra in the spring. In the faith it is a widely held belief that Volyrn is also one of verdant one's children, and was sent to the heavens to watch over the other half of the year -- a warring period she often neglected in the past. Mostly everyone pays tribute to the harvester in some way, as feasts held in the fall season are almost always in his name. Holidays in his name are not nearly as energetic as say Kycee, or as colorful as Sylandra, and are often times of peace and remembrance. Many followers reflect on the year before it's gone and lost under Myros' snowfall. It is very common for merchants to pray for Volyrn's favor, as he has become a merchant faith in recent years. This attributes for most of his year long worshipers, as farmers are put to rest during the winter and summer months.

His dress is simple, with most texts referring to Volyrn as a field hardened man with a harvester's scythe. Unlike Kycee, these texts are rarely debated in clergy and are widely accepted as the norm for the faithful. He is often accompanied by a yoked ox, a farm animal in use all over the world. He is usually left nameless, and is often revered in tribute to the animals Sylandra allows the farmer to work in the fields. Temples are rarely constructed in his names, with most of his worship held in small homely churches on the countryside where grains are routinely harvested. Merchant guilds usually house small booths for worship, allowing the faithful to pray for guidance in all things commerce and trade. For this reason some level of respect is now shared between the merchant class (who in the past abused the commoner), and the farmer who toils the field. Any traders who would want to do good in the market would do their businesses a service by praying to the harvest god and respecting his other rustic followers.

Holidays in his name are simple. The bulk of them are simple feasts and mellow festivals held before winter. It's not uncommon for followers to spend one day feasting with the town in whole, and the next with their families at home. These times are often spent reflecting on the last year before it's gone. Many warriors worked the land before they were called on to defend it, and they to find some time to thank the harvester in these autumn months.

Volyrn is rarely, if at all seen in the arcane community. His faith does not condemn the arcane arts, but favors the commoner exclusively and leaves little room for study. Some druids have turned to Volyrn for guidance but usually find more faith in Slyndra's grove.