Post by Grimone on Nov 5, 2023 21:28:00 GMT
The Mortus Pantheon
The primary religion in Mortalum is not a monolith, it is a complex web of polytheist and animist folk traditions, stories and beliefs with parts originating from all races. A powerful faith that over the past six centuries, due to close proximity of the numerous races of the realm, has merged into a beautifully complex pantheon. With all manner of rival sects and cultish followings that have developed over the course of the empires history. However within this web of religion are multiple unique deities worshiped in one form or another all across the known world. A collection of several different pantheons coexisting together.
Pillars of The Faith
The primary religion in Mortalum is not a monolith, it is a complex web of polytheist and animist folk traditions, stories and beliefs with parts originating from all races. A powerful faith that over the past six centuries, due to close proximity of the numerous races of the realm, has merged into a beautifully complex pantheon. With all manner of rival sects and cultish followings that have developed over the course of the empires history. However within this web of religion are multiple unique deities worshiped in one form or another all across the known world. A collection of several different pantheons coexisting together.
Pillars of The Faith
Divine Hierarchy: All together there are five distinct types of beings in the spiritual hierarchy. Triune, Archons, Accursed, Ascended & Spirits, each with their own origins and unique domains of authority. While some sects may debate over the importance or influence of one group over the other, in the end, these five categories make up the entirety of the pantheon.
The Cycle of Death: Death is an eternal cycle of reincarnation where the soul is given a new opportunity each life to achieve purification. The vast majority of which fail to do so as such purity is nigh impossible to achieve in one lifetime. Resulting in the nigh inescapable curse of reincarnation.
Veil of The Dead: Every soul that dies and has failed to reach purification passes into the veil and is offered a choice.To reincarnate and try again, loosing all memory of your current life. Or to remain within the veil as a ghost, keeping your memory and personality but trapped eternally. Able to see into the mortal world but unable to interact with it. A deep suffering that typically drives most ghosts insane if given time.
High Philosophy: A collection of old proverbs, wisdom literature and ancient stories collected from various different races and cultures. The book of high philosophy teaches the path of enlightenment and purification. Which contains three primary doctrines. Reverence for the gods and spirits, that brings forth prosperity and good fortune. Legacy as the one true path to immortality, allowing you to live on in the memory of others. And practicing the six virtues of Honor, Courage, Temperance, Compassion, Justice & Humility.
Ascendance: Because it occurs so rarely, souls who achieve purification are marked in the heavens by a new and bright shining star appearing in the astral sea above. Pure souls ascending to the astral sea to join their ancestors, becoming part of the vast host of celestial spirits.
The Cycle of Death: Death is an eternal cycle of reincarnation where the soul is given a new opportunity each life to achieve purification. The vast majority of which fail to do so as such purity is nigh impossible to achieve in one lifetime. Resulting in the nigh inescapable curse of reincarnation.
Veil of The Dead: Every soul that dies and has failed to reach purification passes into the veil and is offered a choice.To reincarnate and try again, loosing all memory of your current life. Or to remain within the veil as a ghost, keeping your memory and personality but trapped eternally. Able to see into the mortal world but unable to interact with it. A deep suffering that typically drives most ghosts insane if given time.
High Philosophy: A collection of old proverbs, wisdom literature and ancient stories collected from various different races and cultures. The book of high philosophy teaches the path of enlightenment and purification. Which contains three primary doctrines. Reverence for the gods and spirits, that brings forth prosperity and good fortune. Legacy as the one true path to immortality, allowing you to live on in the memory of others. And practicing the six virtues of Honor, Courage, Temperance, Compassion, Justice & Humility.
Ascendance: Because it occurs so rarely, souls who achieve purification are marked in the heavens by a new and bright shining star appearing in the astral sea above. Pure souls ascending to the astral sea to join their ancestors, becoming part of the vast host of celestial spirits.
Triune (Primordials)
Primarily followed by the elves. The core belief of triunist followers is the supremacy of the three elder gods and the cosmic balance they maintain. Eternal beings of nigh omnipotent power and majesty. They are The Light, The Dark and The Grey, incarnations of creation, destruction and transformation. Only capable of interacting with mortals indirectly via their chosen immortal prophets.
Primarily followed by the elves. The core belief of triunist followers is the supremacy of the three elder gods and the cosmic balance they maintain. Eternal beings of nigh omnipotent power and majesty. They are The Light, The Dark and The Grey, incarnations of creation, destruction and transformation. Only capable of interacting with mortals indirectly via their chosen immortal prophets.
The Light: Known as the primal force of creation that gave rise to the cosmos as we know it. Also called the Everlight or simply, The Creator. It is the incarnation of order and creation. Representing the beginning of all things. A nigh omnipotent entity that rules over the astral sea and all celestial spirits.
The Grey: Known as the primal force of transformation and renewal. Also called the Everlife or simple, The Renewer. It is the incarnation of the world itself and is a being of true neutrality who maintains the delicate balance of the cosmos. Representing the journey between the beginning and the end. A nigh omnipotent entity that rules over Mortus, The Veil & all elemental spirits.
The Dark: Known as the primal force of destruction, the eater of worlds who haunts the whole of creation. Also called the Everdark, or simply, The Destroyer. It is the incarnation of chaos and corruption. Representing the end of all things. A nigh omnipotent entity that rules over Limbo and all infernal spirits.
The Grey: Known as the primal force of transformation and renewal. Also called the Everlife or simple, The Renewer. It is the incarnation of the world itself and is a being of true neutrality who maintains the delicate balance of the cosmos. Representing the journey between the beginning and the end. A nigh omnipotent entity that rules over Mortus, The Veil & all elemental spirits.
The Dark: Known as the primal force of destruction, the eater of worlds who haunts the whole of creation. Also called the Everdark, or simply, The Destroyer. It is the incarnation of chaos and corruption. Representing the end of all things. A nigh omnipotent entity that rules over Limbo and all infernal spirits.
Archons (Celestials)
Nine ancient spirits of immense power, mightiest among all spirits and born from the pure thought of The Light. Worshiped primarily by humans. They are the first created beings, second in authority only to their Triune master. Although their followers would never admit that. While they are of the same kind as other spirits, their power only grows stronger over time. Celestial deities in their own right. It was The Light who established them as masters over the mortal world. Their ultimate purpose being to increase the influence of their maker and take dominion away from The Grey and it's elemental spirits.
Aeos: Also called Skyfather, God of Storms & The Sky.
Elua: Also called Wildmother, Goddess of Beasts & The Wilds.
Sulara: Also called The Guardian, Goddess of Light & The Sun.
Nyxus: Also called The Watcher, God of Darkness & The Moon.
Hythis: Also called The Drowned, Goddess of Seas & The Deep.
Magnus: Also called The Forged, God of Civilization & The Arts.
Isaya: Also called The Crone, Goddess of Knowledge & Sorcery.
Shadar: Also called The Reaper, God of Death & Reincarnation.
Azalith: Also called The Fallen, Goddess of Monsters & Corruption.
Elua: Also called Wildmother, Goddess of Beasts & The Wilds.
Sulara: Also called The Guardian, Goddess of Light & The Sun.
Nyxus: Also called The Watcher, God of Darkness & The Moon.
Hythis: Also called The Drowned, Goddess of Seas & The Deep.
Magnus: Also called The Forged, God of Civilization & The Arts.
Isaya: Also called The Crone, Goddess of Knowledge & Sorcery.
Shadar: Also called The Reaper, God of Death & Reincarnation.
Azalith: Also called The Fallen, Goddess of Monsters & Corruption.
Drakori (Elementals)
Erishkagal: Mother of dragons and queen of tyrants. A divine gold dragon & Goddess of law, justice & temperance. Worshiped by all who seek a disciplined life of self control. She demands a strict code of lawful perfection from her followers. Those who follow this code are said to be rewarded in the next life by being reincarnated as a true dragon.
Thodurok: Father of dragons and king of rebels. A divine silver dragon & God of choice, freedom & courage. He desires to break the chains of servitude and the bondage of perfectionism. Those who follow him practice the one truth, an ancient philosophy of chaotic freedom. Breaking free from the rules of society that control us and choosing our own path.
While their origins are unknown, it is said that during the age of sulara, two legendary beasts emerged from the heart of the world the day the new sun shined. Infused with immense elemental power and clothed in gold and silver. The first dragons, born of The Grey and beloved by nature. In time they had children of many colors that spread out across the land. But their unity was not to last, one a tyrant, the other a rebel and even as they ascended after their deaths, their conflict raged among the stars. Though worshiped by the Drayke in the beginning, eventually many Beastfolk would come to see them as the rightful king and queen of the astral sea. For just as the Archons sought dominion over the mortal plane, so too did the Drakori seek power over the astral sea. Together they represent the duelistic nature of the world itself, their conflict is ours. The inner battle between discipline and freedom.
Erishkagal: Mother of dragons and queen of tyrants. A divine gold dragon & Goddess of law, justice & temperance. Worshiped by all who seek a disciplined life of self control. She demands a strict code of lawful perfection from her followers. Those who follow this code are said to be rewarded in the next life by being reincarnated as a true dragon.
Thodurok: Father of dragons and king of rebels. A divine silver dragon & God of choice, freedom & courage. He desires to break the chains of servitude and the bondage of perfectionism. Those who follow him practice the one truth, an ancient philosophy of chaotic freedom. Breaking free from the rules of society that control us and choosing our own path.
Accursed (Infernals)
The Accursed Ones are a collection of five lesser gods. Spirits of ancestral origin who originated as ancient, artificial Vuhdai that grew to divine levels of power. Created by the thousands of merged spirits of a single bloodline's ancestors. The chaos of voices becoming perfectly unified into a singular consciousness. Each with their own unique domains and personalities. Their cults are found all throughout the land, but have a heavy furiyan influence that guides their traditions.
Sanguis: Formed roughly six thousand years ago. Sanguis is known as a god of blood, war and sacrifice. It is from the mind of Sanguis that Hemomancy was discovered and developed by ancient blood mages. In time, Sanguis was adopted as the patron god of vampires by the nine elders of their kind. Hemomancers would quickly learn to revere him in the same way. However his cult welcomes all who revel in bloodshed and violence.
Thrish: Formed some four and half thousand years ago. Revered within primar as a goddess of agriculture, fertility and the harvest. While not as aggressive as the others, she is known to hold a grudge against those who refuse to give her the ritual offerings she deserves. As an old and petty spirit, those who disrespect her gifts of abundance will find their crops decayed, cattle starved and homes infested with pests.
Khalfu: Formed roughly five thousand years ago. Khalfu is a fiercely judgmental god, known to unleash terrible sicknesses upon those he deems cruel. Khalfu is not a god of healing, but a god of pain & suffering. He is a punisher of wickedness. Unleashing his plagues and diseases upon those who fall into depravity. He especially hates those who defile themselves with necromancy. Often planting seeds of sickness upon corpses of the dead as traps for grave robbers.
Oshune: Formed roughly four thousand years ago. Oshune has long been seen as a greedy deity. Not only a goddess of luck and misfortune, but a god of wealth and prosperity as well. She is the youngest of the Accursed, often called upon by her followers to steal from others. Because of this she is often worshiped as a patron of merchants, thieves and criminals. Her teachings are one of pure wanting. If you want something, you take it. What's yours is mine and what's mine is also mine and what's theirs is still mine.
Eshael: Formed roughly six and half thousand years ago. Eshael is by far the oldest among the Accursed pantheon. A dark goddess of passion, love, beauty and wicked desire. Many would pray to and evoker her name in the hope of having the partner they want. Undergoing dark love rituals to infuse a fierce lust and desire in the lovers her followers wish to make their own. She gifts beauty upon those who give their hearts to her. Twisting the emotions of men and women to create passion where none could be found.
Thrish: Formed some four and half thousand years ago. Revered within primar as a goddess of agriculture, fertility and the harvest. While not as aggressive as the others, she is known to hold a grudge against those who refuse to give her the ritual offerings she deserves. As an old and petty spirit, those who disrespect her gifts of abundance will find their crops decayed, cattle starved and homes infested with pests.
Khalfu: Formed roughly five thousand years ago. Khalfu is a fiercely judgmental god, known to unleash terrible sicknesses upon those he deems cruel. Khalfu is not a god of healing, but a god of pain & suffering. He is a punisher of wickedness. Unleashing his plagues and diseases upon those who fall into depravity. He especially hates those who defile themselves with necromancy. Often planting seeds of sickness upon corpses of the dead as traps for grave robbers.
Oshune: Formed roughly four thousand years ago. Oshune has long been seen as a greedy deity. Not only a goddess of luck and misfortune, but a god of wealth and prosperity as well. She is the youngest of the Accursed, often called upon by her followers to steal from others. Because of this she is often worshiped as a patron of merchants, thieves and criminals. Her teachings are one of pure wanting. If you want something, you take it. What's yours is mine and what's mine is also mine and what's theirs is still mine.
Eshael: Formed roughly six and half thousand years ago. Eshael is by far the oldest among the Accursed pantheon. A dark goddess of passion, love, beauty and wicked desire. Many would pray to and evoker her name in the hope of having the partner they want. Undergoing dark love rituals to infuse a fierce lust and desire in the lovers her followers wish to make their own. She gifts beauty upon those who give their hearts to her. Twisting the emotions of men and women to create passion where none could be found.
Imperial Church
Ruled over by the Pontifex Archonis, the imperial church preaches the worship of Parem'Zel, The Mortal God. A mortal man who lived some six hundred years ago who united realm under one kingdom. The original holy tablet of Parem passed down from one pontifex to the next, always choosing their successor. Said to have been carved by The Mortal God himself, telling the story of his path to divinity, his absolute mastery over all forms of magic and his reign as the 1st king of the realm. Uniting the remnants of the mortal races together as one people. Upon his death, it is said the heavens opened and his soul ascended beyond the spirits who welcomed him. Because of this, those who worship the spirits and lesser gods are mocked by the imperial church. Believing The Mortal God as the ultimate savior of mortals. The ascended supreme god of the cosmos. Because of this, those of the royal Zel family being direct descendants of a divine bloodline are revered and respected. Their right to rule being just, righteous and absolutely unquestionable. While some royals follow this faith more zealously then others. It is a generally accepted truth throughout the kingdom that the royal bloodline is of divine heritage. How ultimate in authority that is, is often open to debate. Though not the only faith in Mortalum, nor even the most dominant. It is always endorsed by various noble and royal members of the "Zel" family.
Hearthism
The five ascended clans of the Drugar give reverence to the fire at the heart of the world. The hearth, a powerful impersonal force at the core of Mortalum that binds the physical world together. According to their mythology, The Hearth gave birth to the dwarves as it smelted the earth around it. Forging their shape and infusing them with life through the power of its holy flame. The Order of the Hearth is the primary dwarven priesthood responsible for learning and passing down the mythical history and stories of their kind. A tradition of oral story telling that has lasted for many thousands of years. Because of this members of the priesthood are often elected as clan elders and consolers of the high council. Thus their influence over drugar culture is vast. To The Order, this sacred knowledge is more important then anything. Guarding the deep lore and mythology of their people and often spending decades memorizing these stories by heart. Story telling in itself become a holy art form that has become highly respected among the five ascended drugar clans. This priesthood is known for embarking on pilgrimages to ruined drugar cities. The deacons of the order having called for several crusades to reclaim their lost homelands in search for the primal relics. Ancient artifacts infused with the holy fire of The Hearth. Forged soon after the dwarves ascendance to the surface. While very few of these Hearth Flames were taken with them during their journey to ascendance. The Order of The Hearth believes in the sacred almost divine nature of these relics and will do anything to reclaim those which are lost to history. Currently only two of these relics remain in their possession. But there are scholars who believe more primal relics can be found in the forgotten treasure horde of Errondur.
The five ascended clans of the Drugar give reverence to the fire at the heart of the world. The hearth, a powerful impersonal force at the core of Mortalum that binds the physical world together. According to their mythology, The Hearth gave birth to the dwarves as it smelted the earth around it. Forging their shape and infusing them with life through the power of its holy flame. The Order of the Hearth is the primary dwarven priesthood responsible for learning and passing down the mythical history and stories of their kind. A tradition of oral story telling that has lasted for many thousands of years. Because of this members of the priesthood are often elected as clan elders and consolers of the high council. Thus their influence over drugar culture is vast. To The Order, this sacred knowledge is more important then anything. Guarding the deep lore and mythology of their people and often spending decades memorizing these stories by heart. Story telling in itself become a holy art form that has become highly respected among the five ascended drugar clans. This priesthood is known for embarking on pilgrimages to ruined drugar cities. The deacons of the order having called for several crusades to reclaim their lost homelands in search for the primal relics. Ancient artifacts infused with the holy fire of The Hearth. Forged soon after the dwarves ascendance to the surface. While very few of these Hearth Flames were taken with them during their journey to ascendance. The Order of The Hearth believes in the sacred almost divine nature of these relics and will do anything to reclaim those which are lost to history. Currently only two of these relics remain in their possession. But there are scholars who believe more primal relics can be found in the forgotten treasure horde of Errondur.
Shadar's Bane
The black wizard Grimone has lived for over six centuries. In that time he has traveled all regions of the empire, encountered thousands of the common folk. Their struggles and their pain infusing him with even greater passion in his quest. In his time he has instilled his philosophy into the hearts of many. Establishing a cult of followers that have spread across the land. Growing in number and furthering his lifes mission of conquering death itself. Shadar's Bane they call him, the slayer of death. The Black Wizard has been known to manipulate whole cities to get what he wants. The cult does the same, infiltrating the royal court and spreading their beliefs among the nobility. Even exploring the darkest depths and ancient ruins in search of the secret of true resurrection. Shadar's Bane will save them and to serve "The Grim" is to serve life. To the cult, Grimone is the mortal god, a reincarnation of the ancient divine hero destined to ascend beyond the spirits themselves. Cultists are taught that Shadar's Bane will destroy the spirit of death and grant eternal life. Ushering in a glorious age of immortals.
The black wizard Grimone has lived for over six centuries. In that time he has traveled all regions of the empire, encountered thousands of the common folk. Their struggles and their pain infusing him with even greater passion in his quest. In his time he has instilled his philosophy into the hearts of many. Establishing a cult of followers that have spread across the land. Growing in number and furthering his lifes mission of conquering death itself. Shadar's Bane they call him, the slayer of death. The Black Wizard has been known to manipulate whole cities to get what he wants. The cult does the same, infiltrating the royal court and spreading their beliefs among the nobility. Even exploring the darkest depths and ancient ruins in search of the secret of true resurrection. Shadar's Bane will save them and to serve "The Grim" is to serve life. To the cult, Grimone is the mortal god, a reincarnation of the ancient divine hero destined to ascend beyond the spirits themselves. Cultists are taught that Shadar's Bane will destroy the spirit of death and grant eternal life. Ushering in a glorious age of immortals.