|
|
|
Event Schedule |
Gods and Beliefs
Citizens of Keridwyn worship a pantheon of gods who mostly resemble, or often appear as, human-looking or human shaped beings, though more idealized and often with some of their form being made of energy. Coincidentally, most are derived from ancient Human Deities, though many have changed their name over the centuries.
These gods are depicted with vivid personalities and myths that involve them interacting with human affairs often throughout history. Each has their own general theme or focus. Each is worshiped differently, though most accept prayers, offerings, and dedicated works as acceptable on top of living according to their ideals. While not all of their stories have survived to the current day, this is the common knowledge of deities that have. Despite claims from many, finding physical evidence that these gods exist proves to be impossible. What some call miracles, other call magic. Despite this, faith continues to drive forward the belief of these entities.
Lo - God of craftsmanship, music, art, competition, and charisma
Depicted as a whimsical man that likes to walk among mortals while impressing those around him with his skill in music, art, and social grace, all without revealing his true form. Silver tongued people and those who learn a skill quickly are said to be ‘gifted by Lo’. Some stories depict Lo as helping earnest humans to win the hearts of their beloved or to best a dark-hearted rival. Lo prefers those who dedicate themselves to perfecting their favored skill. Usually art or crafting, though any skill is acceptable. Striving to be the best possible is the key. Humans will worship by dedicating great works to him, be it paintings, writings, or carving of instruments.
Symbols: Harp and blacksmiths hammer, though other craftsman’s tools have been used
Colors: Dark green, gold, white Virtues: Passion, generosity, devotion, confidence Elements: Air Favorite Gear: Rapier, lyre, smithing hammer, wine glass Lorielle - Goddess of travel, astrology, and diplomacy
Depicted as a beautiful, long haired woman. Small shrines dot entrances to cities and intersections of roads. Tossing a coin or food at these shrines are a common way of requesting Lorielle’s protection as one travels, particularly in areas of dangerous wildlife or weather. Stealing from such a shrine incurs her wrath.
Symbols: Stars, usually in constellations representing her likeness.
Colors: White, blue Virtues: Empathy, hospitality, tact Elements: Earth, gravity Favorite Gear: Quarterstaff, sextant, saddle Gyixus - God of death and winter
Gyixus is depicted as a cloaked figure that safely guides the departed to his brother, Ghaxen. He protects the souls of the righteous and brings early death to the wicked. For every story of comforting the recently deceased soul, there is a story of his wrath bringing demise to the living. He works with his brother to continue the cycle of life and the seasons. Other depictions include him being a fog or ghost of an old man. A simple god, he desires only the burning of candles, and contemplation. Many pray to Gyixus for departed loved ones, or to bring death to their enemies or evil men.
Symbols: Scythe, both war and farming variety, or a shepherd’s crook
Colors: Black, blue Virtues: Remembrance of the fallen, gratitude, forgiveness Elements: Necrotic, Time Favorite Gear: War scythe, shovel, blanket Ghaxen - God of birth, harvest, and fertility
Ghaxen is brother to Gyixus and often depicted as a strong, young boy. Ghaxen returns the summer season, rejuvenates crops, and guides souls to their next life. Some stories of him depict him choosing the next life for a person, informed by his brother Gyixus as to how they died, picking a life that will help them grow as a person. Ghaxen is said to show his favor upon those who practice the healing arts or farming.
Symbols: Cornucopia
Colors: Orange, yellow, light brown Virtues: Compassion, preparedness, joyfulness Elements: Radiance, Earth Favorite Gear: Sickle, scalpel, cart Morendwyn - Goddess of order, law, and justice
Depicted in many different ways. Mediator, warrior, mother, and sometimes tradeswoman. Morendwyn favors those who create just laws, uphold order, and care more about the ‘big picture’ than themselves. Morendwyn appreciates consistent life lived in moderation. Those who choose Morendwyn as their patron deity have a small room in their dwelling dedicated to her where they meditate. She prefers prayers and worship to be done privately.
Symbols: Scales
Colors: Silver Virtues: Justice, integrity, temperance, contentment, wisdom Elements: Gravity Favorite Gear: Bolas, javelin, gavel, scales, chains, quill Vestri - Goddess of luck, fate, and whimsy
Depicted as a gentle-mannered young weaves. Known for her beauty, grace, fondness of mortals competing for her affection, and for her magical loom with which she designs fate. Some rare stories depict her as Lo’s lover. A fickle goddess. Depicted as choosing those she favors on a lark, though some say that she favors the bold.
Symbols: Loom, needle and thread
Colors: Gold, purple Virtues: Wonder, imagination Elements: Air, Umbral Favorite Gear: Sling staff, paint brush, loom, dice Urelos - God of the weather
Depicted as a man made from stormclouds, he is known to control the weather. A fickle god who expects to be appeased, and tests the strength of mortals to help them improve. Urelos is difficult to please, yet easy to anger. Many are mindful not to disturb the forces of nature. Those who practice the magical arts of controlling the weather are wise to thank Urelos for the permission to do so, so as not to look ungrateful.
Symbols: Lightning
Colors: White, green Virtues: Perseverance, flexibility Elements: Air, water Favorite Gear: Boomerang, flute, marbles Xuri - God of the broken and redemption
Depicted as a man with broken chains dangling from shackles about his wrists and ankles. Also depicted as a man made of fluid metal. Xuri has a heart for the downtrodden and those who wish to change their wicked heart. He smiles when his followers worship him through the mentorship of others.
Symbols: Broken chains
Colors: Grey, yellow Virtues: Forgiveness, self-improvement Elements: Mind, time Favorite Gear: Fists, trumpet, tablet, trowel Laranis - God of protection and light
Depicted as a knight formed of fire. A strict god of high standards. Many stories depict him arriving at great battles to aid the virtuous side. He desires mortals to defend those weaker than themselves and destroy evil wherever it may be. Laranis is a favorite of many paladin orders.
Symbols: Shield, fire
Colors: White, red Virtues: Loyalty, purpose, respect, reliability Elements: Fire, radiant Favorite Gear: Shield, lantern, mantle, drums Theritan - God of death and un-death
The Nemesis of Gyixus commonly depicted as a black wolf, crow, or skeletal man. The Keridwyn capitol has a famous piece of art of Gyixus locked in combat with Theritan in the form of a black wolf with a lamb sheltered behind Gyixus.
Symbols: Crow
Colors: Black, purple Elements: Necrotic Favorite Gear: Claw, spiked collar, human-skin leather Navren - God of decay
Depicted as shadowy man, not unlike the Shade, only with eerily long limbs and sharp teeth. Navren revels in the wanning of structures, institutions, ideals, and flesh. Navren’s followers seek to destroy the foundations of what most of society cherishes. Navren particularly loves the corruption of pure hearts.
Symbols: Sand
Colors: Black, yellow Elements: Time Favorite Gear: Flail, hourglass, disease Ghensi - God of blood
Depicted as a hunchbacked old man with deep, sunken eyes and sharp teeth. Ghensi is unsatiable. He desires mortals to conduct torture and blood sacrifices to appease him. ‘Blessings’ from this deity include the curse of vampirism.
Symbols: Blood drop, thorns
Colors: Sanguine, black Elements: Body Favorite Gear: Spiked chain, torture devices, coffin Muramen - God of nightmares, poisons, and madness
Muramen is the darkness that dwells between the stars. Brother to Lorielle. He plagues mortals with nightmares, insanity, and plagues. Many unfortunate events are blamed on Muramen’s influence.
Symbols: Snake, constellation of dagger
Colors: Purple, blue Elements: Mind, gravity Favorite Gear: Dagger, poison, hallucinogens Goblin Religion
The ancient goblin religious belief is in ‘The Great Flame’. A primal force that reveals itself in different ways. They believe that all other beliefs are simply different perspectives of this force, and thus are all true in their own way. This is to the exception to the belief that Dragons are gods. That is the sole belief that goblins believe to be strictly wrong.
Orc Beliefs
Orcs believe in spirits. These spirits have natural themes, and often appear as ghostly animals. They are mostly neutral, though can be petitioned for insights into life or purpose.
Dragon Beliefs
The ancient Dragon belief is that Dragons are gods. The Kobold belief is that Dragons are gods.
Demon Beliefs
Demons assume the universe and all of existence is the fabrication of a god who introduces conflict to the universe for the sake of its own amusement. They introduce and prolong conflict to keep this being appeased.
Angelic Beliefs
Angels believe that the gods of men are merely appointed vassals of a greater being who created the otherworld and facilitated the creation of the material world and all its inhabitants. Angels will often act on behalf of one of these lesser gods as their chosen leader. Others merely acknowledge them.
Cinnsearad
Belief that familial ancestors watch over you. Practitioners pray to their ancestors, rather than gods.
Linias
Derived from ancient Gnome belief. Linias is the belief that cognition precedes reality. All things exist because enough people believe that it does. Thus, if enough people are convinced that an all-powerful benevolent force exists, then it will exist. They call this force Linias.
Cult of Drathnaz
Drathnaz was an angel who posed as a demon through illusions. He presented himself to humanoids as a heroic summoner who slayed vile beasts to save villagers. Pockets of followers exist in the current day. Primarily focused on small towns, they claim to receive whispers of his will.
Drathaz followers believe that heroism is paramount in life. They aspire to become like Drathnaz, which they view as the embodiment of heroism. These cultists perceive Drathnaz, and themselves, as being truly virtuous, even if the whispers cause them to do things that are harmful to society. The will of Drathnaz is not to be questioned.
Different pockets of followers have slightly different sets of quirky rules, but all have rules regarding heroism and protecting children. These rules are often used by his followers to justify questionable actions.
© Grinning Demon Games ~ admin@SoulshardsRPG.com
Yitzi Santer: Creator | Clinton Menezes: Lead Developer | Travis Almon: Lead Writer Merch Store ~ The Team ~ Our Friends |