Difference between revisions of "Religions"

From Asmythe
 
(28 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
==History==
==Religions of Asmythe==
The perception of religion in Asmythe has changed over the ages. There are many creatures of immense power who we mortals could, and often have, worshiped as deities.


===The First Era===
Deep in the Tempest Sea is an archipelago of craggy isles. These are the Dragon Isles and most of these are the heads, backs, and tails of the dagapesh, floating in eternal slumber for years uncountable. As the dagapash hibernate they dream of life on Asmythe and what they dream becomes real. They created Asmythe and they will destroy it.
In the first era the races of Asmythe worshiped Ilthids as gods and the Ilthids worshiped the dragons. This live of reverence saturated society; there were no priests or clerics because the gods were ever-present in the lives and minds of the people of Asmythe.


===The Second Era===
All life is affected by the dreams of the dagapesh and we call this effect primal magic. The recognition and mastery of primal magic is the basis of religion among the sentient races of Asmythe. The elves honor all dagapesh equally and use their connection to the dreams in their druidic magic. Humans, being more egotistical by nature, have formed guilds and organizations around each of the dagapesh. Dwarves generally ignore the existence of the dagapesh.
In the second era the Ilthids disappeared and the races of the world gave worship directly to the dragons. In this age temples were created through which the dragon priests became the conduit between the people and the dragons they revered.


===The Third Era===
All creatures are affected by primal magic and some learn to influence it. Those who practice and develop physical and mental discipline find their connection to the dagapesh becomes more powerful.
Although the dragon priests persisted through the third era their influence waned; the dragon no longer gave power or guidance to their people. In the third era the monotheistic religion of the human empire, The Priests of Sol, gained some popularity but was tempered by the savagery of the goblins and their ancestral gods.


===The Current Era===
Each of the dagapesh are associated with a set of sounds and emotions and manifest in the world through these. Divas gain power from the dagapesh when they experience these emotions and use music to create emotion. Each dagapesh has a musical instrument used to mimic their sound.
The current era began when the true gods revealed themselves to Asmythe. Worship of the true gods of Asmythe has all but eradicated any other worship, not by decree or destiny but because none can deny the true power of the true gods.


==The Gods==
Although the dagapesh are universal they tend to attract disciples of a particular race, nation, of disposition. The dagapesh themselves do not notice races and nations, as you don't notice the bacteria that lives on your skin and in your gut.
Gods are a manifestation of the Forge, given shape by emotion. Priests of the gods gain power when people feel the emotions that the gods embody; clerics and disciples of the gods are devoted to instilling those feelings and emotions in others.


The gods are ethereal and shapeless; they have no physical form or ego of their own but have acquired such by the thoughts and actions of their worshipers. These physical metaphors vary as greatly as the gods themselves; some are human or humanoid, some are animal, some are elemental, and most are a combination of each.
==Factions==


Although gods are universal they tend to attract disciples of a particular race, nation, of disposition. The gods themselves aren't particular about race or nation but the races and nations are particular about their gods. Each nation usually gives patronage to one of the six families of god, the "cosmos". These cosmos are, in turn, aligned against each other.
===The Eye of Sol===


Note: What most fantasy role-playing games call deities would be considered eternals in Asmythe. The gods of Asmythe are for more primal and abstract.
[[The Song of Sol]] is an order of diplomats within the Armada empire and a school for all who use primal magic. Follow the link for more details.


{| class="wikitable sortable"
===Druids===
!Deity!!Alignment!!Influence
 
|-
Sylvani druids protect and nurture the natural, living land of Asmythe.
|Acedia||NN||''Apathy'',Boredom,Depression,Indifference
 
|-
===Alchemists===
|Ankou||CN||''Despair'',Anguish,Dread
|-
|Arwenna||LG||''Awe'',Wonder
|-
|Erida||CE||''Hatred'',Loathing,Rage,Fear
|-
|Eros||CG||''Passion'',Arousal,Desire,Lust
|-
|G'Kar||LN||''Disappointment'',Annoyance,Frustration
|-
|Hotei||NG||''Happiness'',Contentment,Gratitude,Satisfaction
|-
|Hybris||LN||''Boldness'',Fearlessness,Pride
|-
|Irae||LE||''Contempt'',Disgust,Pity
|-
|Laetitia||CG||''Joy'',Ecstasy,Euphoria,Pleasure
|-
|Lyssa||CN||''Panic'',Anxiety,Hysteria,Worry
|-
|Malu||LE||''Shame'',Regret,Remorse,Embarrassment
|-
|Nedolya||NE||''Sadness'',Sorrow,Suffering
|-
|Penthos||NE||''Grief'',Guilt,Misery
|-
|Rus'Ker||CE||''Terror'',Shock,Surprise,Horror
|-
|Sekhmet||NE||''Anger'',Angst,Hostility
|-
|Sirona||LG||''Love'',Affection,Hope
|-
|Vor||NG||''Curiosity'',Interest,Excitement
|-
|Zelos||NN||''Envy'',Jealousy,Shyness,Loneliness
|-
|}


==Cosmos==
Delver alchemists create tools and machines for delver cities.
The six families of gods, the Cosmos, are aligned in three oppositions. Gods and clerics of each cosmos are eternally fighting against the gods and clerics of the opposed cosmos. Only Acedia is neutral.


{| class="wikitable"
==Dagapesh==
|+Health vs. Pain
The six dagapesh are aligned in three oppositions. Dagapesh and clerics of each dagapesh that are opposed are usually not openly hostile toward toward each other, as light and shadow coexist as opposites. Only Acedia is neutral.
|-
!Health Cosmos!!Pain Cosmos
|-
|
* Eros
* Hotei
* Laetitia
||
* Nedolya
* Penthos
* Rus'Ker
|}


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Selfless vs. Selfish
|+ Opposed Dagapesh
|-
!Selfless Cosmos!!Selfish Cosmos
|-
|-
|
| Nedolya - Joy
* Arwenna
| vs
* Vor
| Malu - Grief
* Sirona
||
* Malu
* Zelos
* Irae
|}
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Fate vs. Fanatic
|-
|-
!Fate Cosmos!!Fanatic Cosmos
| Arwenna - Wisdom
| vs
| Irae - Ambition
|-
|-
|
| Sirona - Fate
* G'Kar
| vs
* Ankou
| Ankou - Fanatic
* Lyssa
||
* Sekhmet
* Erida
* Hybris
|}
|}


===Health Cosmos===
The gods of the health cosmos are aligned to promote the health, welfare, and propagation of life.
===Pain Cosmos===
The gods of pain kill and destroy.
===Selfless Cosmos===
The gods of selflessness are those of nature and learning.
===Selfish Cosmos===
The goal of the selfish cosmos is personal gain and attainment, often at the expense of others.
===Fate Cosmos===
The gods of fate believe in the togetherness of the universe, and that individuals have but a small part to play in the whole.
===Fanatic Cosmos===
Fanatics are dedicated to a single purpose at the expense of all else and, usually, the prosecution of those not aligned to the purpose. The specific purpose varies greatly by god and cleric but is always something "greater" than the clerics themselves.
==Descriptions==
The driving purpose of each god is to instill specific feelings and emotions in people. The gods gain power from these emotions and use that power to infuse their clerics with supernatural abilities.
===Acedia===
NN -- ''Apathy'',Boredom,Depression,Indifference
Avatar
Symbol
===Ankou===
CN -- ''Despair'',Anguish,Dread
Avatar
Symbol
===Arwenna===
LG -- ''Awe'',Wonder
Arwenna represents the manifestation of magic and the Forge and a connection to the other planes. She is the highest and most pure realization of knowledge and magical prowess.
Avatar -- Arwenna takes the form of a glowing orb of warm light that pierces all shadows and stirs the air with a pleasant spring breeze. This manifestation has no physical form but can be felt with all senses.
Symbol -- Arwenna's symbol is a twelve-point star-burst in gold and silver.
===Erida===
CE -- ''Hatred'',Loathing,Rage,Fear
Avatar
Symbol
===Eros===
CG -- ''Passion'',Arousal,Desire,Lust
Avatar
Symbol
===G'Kar===
LN -- ''Disappointment'',Annoyance,Frustration
Avatar
Symbol
===Hotei===
NG -- ''Happiness'',Contentment,Gratitude,Satisfaction
Avatar
Symbol
===Hybris===
LN -- ''Boldness'',Fearlessness,Pride
Avatar
Symbol
===Irae===
LE -- ''Contempt'',Disgust,Pity
Avatar
Symbol
===Laetitia===
CG -- ''Joy'',Ecstasy,Euphoria,Pleasure
Avatar
Symbol
===Lyssa===
CN -- ''Panic'',Anxiety,Hysteria,Worry
Avatar
Symbol
===Malu===
LE -- ''Shame'',Regret,Remorse,Embarrassment
Avatar
Symbol
===Nedolya===
NE -- ''Sadness'',Sorrow,Suffering
Avatar -- A frail old hag who lurks in the shadows.
Symbol --
===Penthos===
NE -- ''Grief'',Guilt,Loneliness,Misery
Avatar
Symbol
===Rus'Ker===
CE -- ''Terror'',Shock,Surprise,Horror
Rus'Ker is often associated with death and dying, especially in a gruesome and unexpected way. Disciples of Rus'Ker also defile the dead and more than any other priests make use of undead minions.
Avatar -- Rus'Ker takes the form of a hulking skinless golem of bone and muscle. His appearance is horrifying to see with broken bones and torn flesh formed in unnatural ways. He moves supernaturally fast and can change his shape to resemble any creature or person, especially somebody familiar.
Symbol -- Rus'Ker's followers identify themselves with the image of a cracked skull painted red on a black background, the eyes are starbursts of pure white.
===Sekhmet===
NE -- ''Anger'',Angst,Hostility
Avatar
Symbol
===Sirona===
LG -- ''Love'',Affection,Hope
Avatar
Symbol
===Vor===
NG -- ''Curiosity'',Interest,Excitement
Avatar
Symbol
===Zelos===
NN -- ''Envy'',Jealousy,Shyness
Avatar


Symbol


==Eternals==
===Acedia - Apathy===
See also: [[Almanac#Cosmology|Cosmology]]
Acedia has few followers and no purpose to strive toward. Even though he is thought to be the most powerful of all dagapesh he is generally regarded as useless and uninteresting.
Acedia is associated with total darkness and blinding light and the emotions apathy, indifference, boredom, and depression.
Instrument: Bagpipes


All things spring from the Forge and all things have within them an ember of life. In some things this ember burns more strongly. Eternals are creatures whose ember is very strong. Eternals are the oldest and strongest creatures of the Forge; they are creatures of immensely powerful magic and can often travel freely between the plans. Eternals are beings like Demons, Devils, Angels, Divines, Elementals, Fey, and Dragons who, although very powerful, usually can not bestow powers directly to their followers. Eternals empower their followers by teaching them how to access arcane and divine powers that already existed; in the rare case that an eternal can "lend" a power directly to a follower the power may be taken back or lost at the will of the eternal.
===Nedolya - Joy===
People following this dagapesh promote joy, health, and propagation of life.  
Nedolya is associated with the afternoon hours between mid-day and dusk and the emotions joy, passion, contentment, pleasure, satisfaction, and gratitude.
Instrument: Lyre


Not all creatures from other planes are eternals; just as not all creatures of Asmythe are dragon or fey so too does each plane have it's own ecosystem with only the strongest worthy of the title "eternal".
===Malu - Grief===
People following this dagapesh inflict pain, kill, and destroy life.
Malu is associated with the deep night, between midnight and dawn and the emotions grief, sorrow, suffering, guilt, misery, terror, surprise, and horror.
Malu's symbol is the image of a circle, pierced by a white lightning bolt and painted red on a black background.
Instrument: Drums


===Native Eternals===
===Arwenna - Wisdom===
Dragons and Fey are native to the realm of Asmythe.
Followers of Arwenna put the happiness of others above their own. They help all people, even those they don't agree with and expect no reward for their actions.
Arwenna is associated with the morning hours between dawn and mid-day and the emotions awe, curiosity, excitement, love, and hope.
Arwenna's symbol is a twelve-point star-burst in gold and silver.
Instrument: Xylophone


===Celestials===
===Irae - Ambition===
Eternals of the "upper" conceptual planes, the celestials are angels and other beings of light and goodness.
Followers of Irae strive to become the best person they can, the richest, smartest, strongest, and most powerful. They will help others when the reward outweighs the effort.
Irae is associated with evening between dusk and midnight and the emotions envy, remorse, jealousy, embarrassment, pity, contempt, and loneliness.
Irae's symbol is a crossed sword and lightning bolt on an azure background.
Instrument: Trumpet


===Abyssals===
===Sirona - Fate===
Abyssals are eternals of the "lower" conceptual planes; demons and other beings of darkness and evil.
Clerics of Sirona believe in the determinism of the universe, and that individuals are pawns in the grand design. There are no coincidences and nothing is random. Followers of Sirona believe that all creatures have a pre-determined destiny that they can not know or change.
Sirona is associated with dusk and the setting sun and the emotions anxiety, frustration, disappointment, despair, and dread.
Sirona's symbol is three crossed bones with three stars around it, yellow on a green background.
Instrument: Lute


===Elementals===
===Ankou - Fanatic===
All other eternals are collectively called "elementals" even when they are not strictly creatures of water, fire, shadow, tapioca, etc. The planes are infinite and the creatures of the planes doubly so.
Clerics of Ankou are dedicated to changing the world. Each individual or small group has a single purpose or goal that they pursue at all cost and they have little regard for those not willing to help them fulfill their purpose. The specific purpose will vary by group and individual but is always something momentous and world-changing.
Ankou is associated with dawn and sunrise and the emotions pride, anger, boldness, hatred, and bravery.
Instrument: Flute

Latest revision as of 10:13, 12 October 2023

Religions of Asmythe

Deep in the Tempest Sea is an archipelago of craggy isles. These are the Dragon Isles and most of these are the heads, backs, and tails of the dagapesh, floating in eternal slumber for years uncountable. As the dagapash hibernate they dream of life on Asmythe and what they dream becomes real. They created Asmythe and they will destroy it.

All life is affected by the dreams of the dagapesh and we call this effect primal magic. The recognition and mastery of primal magic is the basis of religion among the sentient races of Asmythe. The elves honor all dagapesh equally and use their connection to the dreams in their druidic magic. Humans, being more egotistical by nature, have formed guilds and organizations around each of the dagapesh. Dwarves generally ignore the existence of the dagapesh.

All creatures are affected by primal magic and some learn to influence it. Those who practice and develop physical and mental discipline find their connection to the dagapesh becomes more powerful.

Each of the dagapesh are associated with a set of sounds and emotions and manifest in the world through these. Divas gain power from the dagapesh when they experience these emotions and use music to create emotion. Each dagapesh has a musical instrument used to mimic their sound.

Although the dagapesh are universal they tend to attract disciples of a particular race, nation, of disposition. The dagapesh themselves do not notice races and nations, as you don't notice the bacteria that lives on your skin and in your gut.

Factions

The Eye of Sol

The Song of Sol is an order of diplomats within the Armada empire and a school for all who use primal magic. Follow the link for more details.

Druids

Sylvani druids protect and nurture the natural, living land of Asmythe.

Alchemists

Delver alchemists create tools and machines for delver cities.

Dagapesh

The six dagapesh are aligned in three oppositions. Dagapesh and clerics of each dagapesh that are opposed are usually not openly hostile toward toward each other, as light and shadow coexist as opposites. Only Acedia is neutral.

Opposed Dagapesh
Nedolya - Joy vs Malu - Grief
Arwenna - Wisdom vs Irae - Ambition
Sirona - Fate vs Ankou - Fanatic


Acedia - Apathy

Acedia has few followers and no purpose to strive toward. Even though he is thought to be the most powerful of all dagapesh he is generally regarded as useless and uninteresting. Acedia is associated with total darkness and blinding light and the emotions apathy, indifference, boredom, and depression. Instrument: Bagpipes

Nedolya - Joy

People following this dagapesh promote joy, health, and propagation of life. Nedolya is associated with the afternoon hours between mid-day and dusk and the emotions joy, passion, contentment, pleasure, satisfaction, and gratitude. Instrument: Lyre

Malu - Grief

People following this dagapesh inflict pain, kill, and destroy life. Malu is associated with the deep night, between midnight and dawn and the emotions grief, sorrow, suffering, guilt, misery, terror, surprise, and horror. Malu's symbol is the image of a circle, pierced by a white lightning bolt and painted red on a black background. Instrument: Drums

Arwenna - Wisdom

Followers of Arwenna put the happiness of others above their own. They help all people, even those they don't agree with and expect no reward for their actions. Arwenna is associated with the morning hours between dawn and mid-day and the emotions awe, curiosity, excitement, love, and hope. Arwenna's symbol is a twelve-point star-burst in gold and silver. Instrument: Xylophone

Irae - Ambition

Followers of Irae strive to become the best person they can, the richest, smartest, strongest, and most powerful. They will help others when the reward outweighs the effort. Irae is associated with evening between dusk and midnight and the emotions envy, remorse, jealousy, embarrassment, pity, contempt, and loneliness. Irae's symbol is a crossed sword and lightning bolt on an azure background. Instrument: Trumpet

Sirona - Fate

Clerics of Sirona believe in the determinism of the universe, and that individuals are pawns in the grand design. There are no coincidences and nothing is random. Followers of Sirona believe that all creatures have a pre-determined destiny that they can not know or change. Sirona is associated with dusk and the setting sun and the emotions anxiety, frustration, disappointment, despair, and dread. Sirona's symbol is three crossed bones with three stars around it, yellow on a green background. Instrument: Lute

Ankou - Fanatic

Clerics of Ankou are dedicated to changing the world. Each individual or small group has a single purpose or goal that they pursue at all cost and they have little regard for those not willing to help them fulfill their purpose. The specific purpose will vary by group and individual but is always something momentous and world-changing. Ankou is associated with dawn and sunrise and the emotions pride, anger, boldness, hatred, and bravery. Instrument: Flute