Religions
Religion Overview
Like alliances, religions shift and change with the people around them. Religions can spring up, especially within kingdoms and cultures. Religions can be formed as more begin following down that path or precept, and can change as the people within it change. Religions can be a path to power for some, or a road to humility for others. Rulers may even choose to support or outlaw certain religions from their land, and sometimes religious leaders may gain enough power to rule their own empires or kingdoms.
Religions are similar to alliances in the way that boards and sub-boards can be created by religious leaders if they gain enough followers. Usually they are created under a pre-established territory as a sub-board in the form of a shrine or a temple. If the religion wishes to expand and begin claiming territory, then they must follow all rules for alliances and/or claims and challenging.
All established religions will be included below:
Children of Irthys
The Children of Irthys believe in Irthys, the creator god, who created all that was good and holy, and is both and neither male and female. They are considered divine and all that is good, and they are in a constant battle with one of their creations, Irdus, who rebelled and turned many of their acolyte spirits against them in a war of good and evil. The Children of Irthys tend to have a very structured religion, and favor piety and a show of humility (though many secretly take pride in outer appearances). They seek all that is good, and reject what their religion names as evil. While most follow the precepts to the best of their ability, their are some secret cults that seek to worship the rebel, Irdus, and advance his motives of darkness, destruction, and evil.
Notable Figures:
- Irthys: The creator god of all that is good. They appear as male, female, or non-binary, and usually appear as a humaniod figure wrapped in light and clouds with flashes of swirling lightning.
- Irdus: The rebel of the creator god. They can also appear as male, female, or non-binary, and usually appear as a humanoid with bat wings and red glowing eyes, wrapped in a cloud of swirling darkness.
- Antory: The main messenger of Irthys, and can appear as a non-distinct figure in masculine form of any species. They are typically wrapped in clouds and very undefined, but have a thunderous voice.
Worship of the "Old Gods"
Those who worship the Old Gods, believe in many different gods, goddesses, and spirits, that dictate the flow of nature and the univers itself. Their belief is very elemental and down to earth, and while characters may worship all (or only some) gods or goddesses within their religion, they may choose a patron god or goddess that they will worship and follow with more dedication than the others. Because of their beliefs, they are generally very accepting of outside religions and will add other gods and goddesses into their list of known dieties. Worship generally depends on the individual and/or their patron diety.
Notable Figures:
- Asiri: God of mystery - Isiri is the diety of mystery and is neither and both male and female. They are associated with wisdom, knowledge, and creativity, and are thought to be the creator of all things including the other gods and goddesses. The forms Asiri takes on vary, but they most commonly appear as a large white dragon with iridescent scales. Their eyes are full of depth and wise, and they often speak in a powerful, yet mysterious voice.
- Apollo: God of the sun - Apollo is the god of the sun and is also associated with light and fire. He usually appears as a giant leopard with glowing yellow eyes, or a man with dark skin and hair, and he and a laugh that seems to light up a room. He has a fiery temper, and is fierce, yet he is kind to those he loves.
- Freya: Goddess of the moon - Freya is the goddess of the moon, and is also associated with the night sky, stars, and planets. She works with the water god to keep the season in check, and the changing tides of the ocean. She often appears as a glowing white wolf, or a slender woman with pale skin, and raven black hair. Her eyes are a crystal blue, and they glow in low light. She wears flowing silks, and is calm, quiet, and gentle, yet powerful.
- Ioni: Goddess of nature - Ioni is the goddess of nature and is associated with plants, new life, and reproduction. She often appears as brilliant gold and green dragon with emerald green eyes, or a slender woman with copper skin and dark hair. She is covered in flowers and growing vines that seem to be a part of her, and is surrounded by birds that dance around her. She is playful, yet gentle, and holds wisdom in her eyes.
- Bori: God of the earth - Bori is the god of the earth, and is often related to stone, crystals, metals, and earthen materials. He appears as a giant mountain goat or dwarf. He is stout, and bearded. He often wears heavy armor upon his body, and carries a mace. His voice is gravelly, and while he can have a temper and a stubborn resolve, he is also kind with a hearty laugh.
- Azuli: Goddess of the wind - Azuli is the goddess of the wind and is related to wind and air. She often appears as a slender light gray horse, or as an elf with long flowing blond hair that seems to constantly blow with an unknown breeze. Azuli can seem unfocused, and her voice is light with a gentle laugh. She moves like a dancer and often wears flowing silks that move delicately in the wind.
- Lazin: God of the water - Lazin is the god of the water and is related to the ocean, streams, lakes, rain, and other forms of water. Sometimes he is also related to the weather. He often appears as an older man with tan skin, flowing white hair, and brilliant blue eyes, or a giant water dragon with silver and ice blue scales. He is as unpredictable as he is regal. He carries a mighty air about him, and has a roaring laugh that seems to shake the ground.
- Zuznir: God of fire and destruction - Zunzir is the god of fire and destruction, and has a wild laugh and sparkling mischevious red and gold eyes. He often appears as tiger wreathed in flames, or as a tall, lean man with coppery skin and glowing blond hair. He is fearsome and, and often carries a curved sword on his back. However, as fearsome as he can be, he also holds a wisdom in his eyes, that new growth sometimes needs a flame to seed new life and begin anew.
- Ketune: Goddess of death - Ketune is the goddess of death, and while she usually appears as a woman in long dark robes, or as a raven with long flowing feathers, she has melancholic, yet gentle features. She has a gentle smile, and seems more like a guide and a kind mother rather than a fearsome monster lauding death and defeat. She is sad, yet kind, but can become fearsome if angered.
The Architects
The Architects is a group that does not believe in any religion, and rather see the world as existing purely through magic, science, and innovation. They focus on the hows and not the whys, and are fascinated with mathematics, alchemy, science, astronomy, herbalism, and anything that can progress Amarna's technology. Many brilliant minds are within this group, and while some of them believe that it's possible for the gods to exist, some do not believe in them at all, and would rather focus on learning and knowledge.
Notable Figures:
- Valentina Tereshkova: The founder of the Architects. She had much power and money before the world was thrown into chaos, and was able to save much of her knowledge from being lost. She oversees the Architects and makes sure everything runs smoothly. Valentina is a tall and skinny elvin woman, that usually wears flowing dresses. She has a serious face, and while she appears ageless, her eyes show her many years and the depth of her knowledge and experience.
- Dmitri Mendeleev The head scientist of the architects. Dmitri focuses less on magic, and more on the natural order of how the world works. Demeteri is a short, skinny man, with tan skin, dark hair, a single spectacle, and a handlebar mustache.
- Johannes Kepler Johannes is the head magician of the Architects. They are non-binary, and focus on how magic influences and interacts with the world. While they don't believe in any specific gods or goddesses, they seek after the source of power that magic provides and are intensely curious with how it can change things and what influences or creates it. Johannes Kepler is of average height and is skinny. They have pale skin, deep brown eyes, and shoulder length hair. They often wear flowing robes in broght colors, and have a curious smile.
