Religion
The civilization around the Sea of Serpeants has
a pantheon with eight main pairs of gods and
goddesses. The relationships between these gods
are eternal and immutable; they define the natural, divine
order. Sacred rituals are attempts by mortals
to define their own and their communities' role in
this natural order. Rituals can ensure that
mortals are included in the
natural, divine order, such as prayers to ensure
that the rains fall at the expected time
of year.
However, they can also
be used to create exceptions to the divine
rules; for example, when a priest raises the
dead. In neither case is the deity granting
the priest a favor. The gods are unconcerned
with mortal affairs; it is mortals who need the
gods, not vice versa. Priests do not worship or
serve the
gods, but act as intercessors with the divine
powers on behalf of their communities.
Thus, a priest is not dedicated to advancing
a god's interests, and in fact the belief that
such a thing would be possible is heresy.
In fact, a priest is always dedicated to a temple
of a married god and goddess representing opposing forces.
The nature of these forces determines the
duties and powers of the priest, but does not dictate
his or her goals or character.
For example, a
priestess of Bela and Male is dedicated to the goddess
of good and the god of evil.
The priestess may be a good person, a bad person, or
neither particularly good nor bad, without interfering
with her duties or powers. Her obligation is to
use her connection with the forces of good and evil
to nurture virtue within her community and
ward it against evil. On the other hand, she
has the obligation to bring evil on the enemies
of the community. How she interprets and fulfills
her responsibilites is up to her to decide.
The gods do not care, but her temple superiors might.
The major deities are:
-
Rei and Nocturne. God of the sun and light, goddess of
the night sky. Both are sources of knowledge, the
light of day lets us see the mundane world; the night
sky gives us the arcane knowledge of the astrologer.
Priests of Rei and Nocturne specialize in divination,
and advise the government.
Domains: Sun,Darkness, Trickery, Knowledge
-
Haran and Tempe. God of fire, heat and the desert and
goddess of water and the storm.
These priests predict the weather and advise
on appropriate times to plant and harvest.
Domains: Fire, Water, Destruction
-
Herme and Flora. God of animals, goddess of plants.
Their temples bless and protect agriculture.
Domains: Animal, Plant, Transformation
-
Mord and Natava. Death god, birth goddess. Their temples
officiate at weddings, funerals, and birth ceremonies.
Domains: Death, Creation, Healing
-
Bela and Male. Goddess of good, god of evil. Their
temples protect individuals and the community
against supernatural evil, and curse the enemies of
the community. Domains: Good, Evil, Luck.
- Ortho and Eris. God of order, goddess of chaos.
Their temple advises the queen. Domains: Chaos, Law,
Magic.
-
Petra and Aeth. Earth goddess, air god. Blessers
of construction, travel, and trade. Domains: Earth,
Air, Travel.
-
Belic and Serena. War god, peace goddess. Chaplains
and diplomats. Domains: War, Protection, Strength.
Note: players can suggest alternative domains or
interpretations of domains.
While the gods are impersonal, individuals
often feel a personal religious connection
to the heroes. The Heroes, or Sophia's Companions,
are acknowledged to have flaws but are also
role-models that citizens can aspire to emulate.
They still guard the City-States both spiritually
and through their Cults. Initiation is the ultimate
way of connecting with the Heroes, but lesser
rituals and holidays suffice for the religious
needs of most people. See
Cults for more details.
To the outline:
Outline