Religions of Aethe

Religion is deeply enmeshed in the lives of the peoples of Aethe. Most people believe deeply in their chosen faith, and attempt to live their lives according to its precepts. The words of a priest or prophetess carry great weight among ordinary folk, and one’s standing with the Temple can often affect one’s business and personal relationships. Although the civilized folk of Aethe often choose a single patron deity (usually Elos), they mostly believe in the existence of the other deities, and occasionally make offerings and prayers to them as well.

There are a great many deities worshipped across Aethe. The deities described here are those worshipped most often by the common races, and by the heroes and villains of the Long Sea.

The Temple of Elos

To gain a comprehensive understanding of religion in the world of Aethe in the year 1403 in the Age of Faith, one must first consider the worship of Elos. On the shores of the Long Sea, the Temple of Elos reigns supreme in the hearts of most peoples. Although other religions exist, only the Elosian religion truly flourishes. In civilized lands where the Temple of Elos holds sway, the temples of other deities usually choose to operate in secret.

Elos

Elos, the god of the sun, is lawful good. His titles are the Lightbringer and the Sunlight King. He is the most commonly worshipped deity among humans of the north coast of the Long Sea, and the worship of Elos is the official religion of many human nations. He has done much good in Aethe. He heals the sick, and lifts up the fallen. His priests strive to be a beacon of hope wherever they go, and are often well-positioned in the halls of power. All classes are common among his followers, but especially paladins. The domains he is associated with are Good, Law, Healing, Strength, Sun, and Glory. The mace is his favored weapon. Elos is a greater deity.

The worship of Elos the Sun God is the majority religion and the official religion of Altara, Prendor, Treverac, Wynt, and Hathaine. The head of the Temple is the Semptenar who rules from Coronen, Altara, in the Temple of the Brilliant Sun, within the district called the Semptenarium. Within each nation, the top religious official is the Patriarch, who has subordinates called Baelers running each region. Underneath the Baelers are Priests and Arristants (trained lay priests) who run the temples. In temples without Priests or Arristants, there will be an untrained lay priest called a Goodman, or Goodwoman.

As women are not permitted to be trained as priests, Goodwoman is the highest hierachical title a woman may gain in the Temple of Elos. Women seeking to serve Elos in a capacity with a greater potential for advancement often create or join outside organizations called sisterhoods dedicated to Elos.

The Elosian religion holds sway over much of the daily life of its adherents. Priests perform marriages, funerals, appellations (naming ceremonies), and newkindlings (coming-of-age ceremonies). Temples often employ skilled healers as well, though their services are scarce in rural areas. Monasteries abound as repositories of religious and historical knowledge, and priests provide most education for the children of noble and well-to-do families. Prayers are held at dusk, noon, and dawn every day.

The symbol of Elos is a sun divided into quadrants. Frequently, priests indicate their areas of expertise by symbols in the upper right and lower left quadrants.

Elos was known as the god of justice four centuries ago. But newly discovered religious texts transformed his portfolio into that of a sun god. A small sect known as the Justiciars still worship Elos as a god of justice. The human nation of Geonia follows the Justiciar path.

The Major Deities

Adonahane

Adonahane, the god of truth, is neutral good. His titles are Lord of Truth and the Omniscient. Above all, Adonahane and his followers seek and preserve knowledge, and expand upon it. Adonahane always speaks the truth. He is the son of Narduna, and the brother of Neir and Elos. Wizards and rogues are found among his followers, and worship of Adonahane is popular among elves. Adonahane is a greater deity, and he is associated with the domains of Good, Knowledge, Magic, Mind, Oracle, and Mentalism. His favored weapon is the longsword. His holy symbol is a blank scroll.

Hekar

Hekar, the god of death, is neutral evil. His titles include the Bringer of Death and the Dark Prisoner. Hekar is served by those who wish to bring great evil and destruction upon others for pleasure, or for their own gain. He is known as the Dark Prisoner because he was imprisoned beyond the Void Gate many ages ago by an alliance of other deities and great heroes of Aethe. His followers frequently include necromancers and rogues, and they are often scheming to release Hekar from his bonds. Hekar is a greater deity, and the domains he is associated with are Death, Evil, Trickery, Destruction, Hatred and Darkness. His favored weapon is a scythe. His holy symbol is a skull against a black star.

Narduna

Narduna, the goddess of nature, is neutral. She is known as the Aethemother. Narduna rules over the wilderness and the elements, and she is a friend of those who dwell in peace and harmony with the natural world. Barbarians, rangers, and druids sometimes choose to worship her. She is a greater deity, and is mother to the deities Elos, Adonahane, and Neir, and is a swarn enemy of Hekar. Among her servants are the deities Besos, Goprani, and Brebos. Among the dwarves, she is known as Narda, the Dwarfmother. In the dwarven pantheon, Narda is wife to the deity Thror, and patron to the deity Nikander. The domains Narduna (Narda) is associated with are Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Plant, Animal, and Weather. Her favored weapon is the quarterstaff. Her holy symbol is a simple circle.

Neir

Neir, the goddess of war, is chaotic neutral. Her title is the Lady of Wrath. She is mighty and honorable on the battlefield, but fickle with her support. She is the daughter of Narduna, and sister to Elos and Adonahane. The domains she is associated with are Chaos, Protection, Strength, Wrath and War. Fighters and Barbarians can be found among her followers. Though most of her followers are human, other races are certainly welcome. She is a greater deity, and her favored weapon is the battleaxe. Her holy symbol is a row of three parallel lightning bolts with an axe across them.

Racial and Regional Deities

Bahg Ara

Bahg Ara, the god of the ice plains, is chaotic evil. His title is the Blade. Bahg Ara despises his twin brother Bahg Tura, who stole his position as god of the orcs from him, and Bahg Ara has been working to get back his portfolio ever since. The domains Bahg Ara is associated with are Chaos, Evil, Destruction, War, Domination, and Orc. He is an intermediate god, and his favored weapon is the battleaxe. His holy symbol is a bloody axe.

Bahg Tura

Bahg Tura, the god of the orcs, is chaotic evil. He is called the Watcher by his followers. Bahg Tura demands strength from his followers, and that they cull the weak from among them so that they may conquer the territory Bahg Tura desires. He is the twin brother to Bahg Ara, whom he displaced. Bahg Tura is a greater deity, and the domains he is associated with are Chaos, Evil, Strength, War, Domination, and Orcs. His favored weapon is the spear, and his holy symbol is an eye.

Eloath

Eloath, the goddess of spiders, is chaotic evil. Her titles are Queen of Spiders, and Queen of the Demonweb. Dark elves (drow) generally worship Eloath, but she has few worshippers on the surface of Aethe. She is despised by the Ancestors of Ithilan and considers them her enemies, as well as the gods of the dwarves. She was an ally of Hekar long ago, but has since been largely forgotten outside of the underdark. The domains that Eloath is assciated with are Chaos, Destruction, Evil, Trickery, Drow, and Spider. She is an intermediate deity, and her favored weapon is the whip. Eloath's holy symbol is a spider with her face hanging from a web.

Ibiris

Ibiris, the Ammenite goddess of the sun, is lawful good. Her title is the Sunlight Queen. She is primarily worshipped by the good humans and halflings of the nation of Ammen, and is largely unknown in the lands of the Long Sea. The domains assocaited with Ibiris are Glory, Good, Nobility, Law, Sun, and War. She is a greater deity, and her favored weapon is the khopesh. Her holy symbol is a serpent coiled around the sun.

Koth

Koth, the Ammenite god of Night is chaotic evil. His title is the Night Pharoah. Koth is worshipped by the evil humans, elves, halflings, and humanoids of the kingdom of Ammen and its neighbors. He hates all good deities, but especially Ibiris. The domains associated with Koth are Air, Chaos, Darkness, Destruction, Evil, and Strength. He is a greater deity, and his favored weapon is the shortspear. His holy symbol is a twisting whirlwind.

Mublu

Mublu, the god of the goblins and their kin, is neutral evil. His title is the Dark One. Mublu is primarily worshipped by goblins, hobgoblins and bugbears, but other races of the mountains and the underdark may occasionally choose Mublu as a patron. Domains associated with Mublu are Chaos, Darkness, Destruction, Fire, Evil, and Trickery. Mublu is a greater deity, and his favored weapon is the battleaxe. The holy symbol of Mublu is a torch with black fire.

Nikander

Nikander, the dwarven god of prosperity, is neutral good. His titles are Bringer of Prosperity and the Resplendent King. He is among the newer deities, having been raised to godhood by Narda (Narduna) only recently. Prior to ascension, Nikander was a great and wealthy priest-king of the dwarven kingdom of Turingard. He is loyal to Narda, and allied to Miroth and Ranoc. The domains he is associated with are Earth, Good, Fire, Craft, Trade, and Metal. He is a lesser deity, and his favored weapon is the warhammer. His holy symbol is a hammer and forge.

The Ancestors

The Mourners worship the spirits of their ancestors, who perished during the Age of Legends in the great Elven city of Ithilan. Collectively, the spirits are a greater deity. Although occasionally other races also have joined the ranks of the Mourners, they are mostly made up of elves and half-elves who are directly descended from the people of Ithilan. Unlike adherents of most other religions of Aethe, Mourners do not ever pray to any other deities. Mourners stand out in society because they dress in simple grey cloaks. They are frequently, though not always, unwelcome among other faiths. The domains associated with the Ancestors are Chaos, Good, Protection, War, Community, and Elves. Their favored weapon is the longsword. Their holy symbol is a sundered ziggurat.

The Innumerable

The Innumerable are, collectively, the deities of the gnomes, and they are neutral good. There are a seemingly infinite number of deities for every aspect of life, and gnomes raised to revere the Innumerable are taught their names and purposes from childhood. The domains the Innumerable are associated with are Good, Protection, Trickery, Community, Creation, and Gnomes. Collectively, the Innumerable are a greater deity, and their favored weapon is the battleaxe. Their holy symbol is a simple prism.

Thror

Thror, the god of the dwarves, is lawful good. His titles are the Great Father and Lawgiver. Thror is the lover of Narda (also known as Narduna), and is a crossover deity from the pantheon of the dwarves of the Kherinai mountains to the north. Thror is the protector of the dwarves, and created them many ages ago, as a gift for Narda. He has pledged to always aid the dwarves in battle. The domains he is associated with are Good, Law, Dwarves, Creation, Earth, Fire, and Protection. He is an intermediate deity, and his favored weapon is the warhammer. His holy symbol is a warhammer and shield.

Volena

Volena, the goddess of the halflings, is lawful good. Her titles include the Stalwart Protector and the Blessed Mother. Volena is the creator and protector of all halflings, though many worship other gods. The worship of Volena is found most often among groups of halflings that live together, rather than those that are intermixed into human societies. Domains Volena is associated with are Good, Law, Protection, Community, Creation, and Halflings. Volena is a greater deity, and her favored weapon is the short sword. Her holy symbol is a silver goblet.

Other Deities

Aestin

Aestin, the god of scholarship and learning, is neutral. He is called Aestin the Divine Scholar, and is rumored to know more of the nature of Aethe than even its divine creator. Wizards of all races worship Aestin. He is allied with Adonahane. The domains Aestin is associated with are Knowledge, Magic, Trickery, Mind, and Oracle. He is an intermediate deity, and his favored weapon is a quarterstaff. His holy symbol is an open book.

Ambira

Ambira, the goddess of magic, is chaotic neutral. She is called the Lady of Mysteries and the Lady of Magic. Her divine loom, called Ambira's Loom, from which she spins the spellthread that makes up all magic, appears in the sky as a constellation during times of great import on Aethe. She is a servant of Adonahane. Wizards and sorcerers of all races worship Ambira. The domains she is associated with are Law, Magic, Mind, Domination, Spell, and Rune. She is an intermediate deity, and her favored weapon is the dagger. Her holy symbol is a dagger across a crescent moon.

Aris

Aris, the god of conquest and battle, is chaotic evil. His titles are the Battlelord and the Conqueror. Though previously allied with Neir, Aris has now aligned himself with Hekar. He is worshipped by evil fighters and blackguards, and counts many orcs and humans among his followers. The domains Aris is associated with are Destruction, Evil, Law, War, Domination, and Tyranny. He is an intermediate deity, and his favored weapon is the flail. His holy symbol is a pair of crossed arrows.

Arte

Arte, the goddess of retribution, is lawful neutral. Her title is Lady of Vengeance. Arte (pronounced "ART-uh") is invoked by those who seek a just revenge for wrongs done to them or others. She is a servant of Elos, though she is more independent than his other servants. Her followers are as diverse a group as any, including both paladins and rogues, druids and wizards. She is primarily a human and halfling deity, though others follow her on occasion. The domains Arte is associated with are Law, Protection, Strength, Destruction, and Domination. She is an intermediate deity, and her favored weapon is the mace. Her holy symbol is a clenched fist.

Aruntus

Aruntus, the god of balance, is lawful neutral. His title is the Balance Keeper. Aruntus is charged with weighing the sins of the dead to determine which afterlife they are destined to enjoy or suffer. His followers often include fighters and druids. Although primarily a human god, Aruntus welcomes other races as well, and elves and dwarves can often be found among his worshippers. Aruntus is a loyal servant of Elos. The domains he is associated with are Death, Fate, Law, Protection and Balance. Aruntus is an intermediate deity, and his favored weapon is the mace. His holy symbol is a balance scale.

Besos

Besos, the god of the ocean, is neutral evil. His title is the Stormbringer. Besos hates sailors and fishermen and strives to thwart those he casts his gaze upon. Though he was once a servant of Narduna, who raised him to the intermediate deity he is, he has since turned away from her. His few followers are often sorcerers and druids. The domains Besos is associated with are Chaos, Destruction, Storm, Ocean, Water, and Evil. His favored weapon is the trident, and his holy symbol is a crashing wave.

Boreas

Boreas, the god of the north wind, is lawful good. His titles are Wind of the North, and the Platinum Dragon. Boreas is rarely seen or worshipped among humanoid races, but is often blamed for unseasonably cold days and nights accompanied by eerie but colorful lights in the northern sky. The domains Boreas is associated with are Air, Cold, Good, Luck, Protection, and Dragon. He is a lesser deity, and his favored weapon is the heavy pick. His holy symbol is a star-tipped scepter.

Brebos

The god of beasts, and of competitions, is chaotic good. His name is Brebos, and he is often called the Beastlord. Brebos is the patron of athletes, who often choose a totem as an emissary to the Beastlord. He is a loyal (if free-spirited) servant of Narduna. Brebos' worshippers include skilled fighters, barbarians, rogues, rangers, and druids. The domains he is associated with are Chaos, Good, Animal, Luck, Strength, and Competition. He is an intermediate deity, and his favored weapon is the battleaxe. His holy symbol is a claw holding a animal. The animal can be of any type, and is called a totem.

Bryl

Bryl, the god of murder, is neutral evil. He is called Bryl the Cruel. Bryl is the patron of assassins and murderers, as well as those who enjoy slaughter on the field of battle. His worshippers span the races, but include many orcs and half-orcs. Barbarians and rogues are especially common among his followers. He is a servant of Hekar during Hekar's periods of strength. The domains Bryl is associated with are Chaos, Evil, Trickery, War, and Madness. He is an intermediate deity, and his favored weapon is the morningstar. His holy symbol is a grinning mouth full of fangs.

Daionus

Daionus (pronounced die-OWN-us), the god of luck, wine and the arts, is chaotic neutral. His title is Lord of the Vineyard. Rogues and bards frequently worship Daionus, and he is especially popular among elves, half-elves, gnomes and halflings. The domains Daionus is associated with are Chaos, Luck, Trickery, Celerity, and Mind. He is an intermediate deity, and his favored weapon is the rapier. The holy symbol of Daionus is a wooden cross.

Dismater

Dismater, the goddess of conquest, is lawful evil. Her titles are Matriarch of Many Colors, and the Chromatic Dragon. Dismater is rarely seen or worshipped among humanoid races, but is often blamed for unusally aggressive dragons and drakes. The domains Dismater is associated with are Destruction, Evil, Law, Trickery, and Dragon. She is a lesser deity, and her favored weapon is the heavy pick. Her holy symbol is a pendant with the heads of black, white, red, blue, and green dragons emerging from a central gem.

Ematri

Ematri, the goddess of ambition, is neutral. Her titles are the Queen of Ambitions, and the Queen of Favors. She is a servant of Neir. Merchants and ambitious nobles are among her followers, as are many rogues, bards, wizards, and sorcerers. Though primarily a human and especially halfling god, dwarves, and gnomes are also often found in the halls of her temples. The domains Ematri is associated with are Knowledge, Trade, Travel, Creation, Competition, and Wealth. She is a lesser deity, and her favored weapon is the light crossbow. Her holy symbol is a large gold coin.

Geshana

Geshana, the goddess of valor, is neutral good. Her title is Mistress of Valor. She is a servant of Neir, and is worshipped by those good warriors who are obliged to do battle and valiantly strive to fight with bravery and skill. The domains she is associated with are Good, Law, War, Glory, and Inquisition. She is an intermediate deity, and her favored weapon is the longsword. Her holy symbol is a longsword embedded in a stone.

Goprani

Goprani, the goddess of the woodlands, is neutral good. She is known as the Woodland Queen. Goprani is a friend and protector to the good people of the forests and their allies. She is especially liked among elves, half-elves, gnomes, and halflings, and her worshippers often include rangers and druids. She is a servant and ally of Narduna, though she often feels Narduna does not go far enough to protect the good creatures of Aethe. The domains she is associated with are Animal, Good, Plant, Sun, and Celerity. She is an intermediate deity, and her favored weapon is the longbow. Her holy symbol is an image of a great tree.

Iux

Iux, the god of creation, is lawful good. His title is the Creator. Iux is an ancient and largely forgotten deity with few worshippers today. The domains Iux is associated with are Law, Good, Creation, Knowledge, and Oracle. He is a lesser deity, and his favored weapon is the mace. His holy symbol is a sword and star.

Miroth

Miroth, the god of mercy, is lawful good. His titles include the Wise, and Merciful Savior. Miroth is the patron of prisoners and petitioners. He is among the newer deities, having been raised to godhood by Elos only recently. He is loyal to Elos, and allied to Ranoc and Nikander. Miroth's worshippers include paladins, fighters, and bards, and he is popular among the poor. The domains he is associated with are Good, Healing, Law, Protection, Glory, and Courage. He is a lesser deity, and his favored weapon is a lance. His holy symbol is a shining white throne.

Misera

Misera, the goddess of grief, is neutral. Her title is Lady of Sorrow. Though known as a bringer of sorrow, Misera is also known as a comfort to those who are bereaved, especially widows and widowers. She was an ally of Hekar in the past, but is now unaligned. The domains Misera is associated with are Death, Suffering, Destruction, Healing, and Community. She is an intermediate deity, and her favored weapon is the dagger. Her holy symbol is a skull inside a teardrop.

Rame

Rame, the god of honor and duty, is lawful good. He is called the Honorable One. Rame is often invoked by those who feel honor-bound to accept a difficult task or quest they would not otherwise attempt. Rame is a loyal servant of Elos. He is primarily a human deity, and paladins often invoke Rame. The domains he is associated with are Good, War, Strength, Protection, and Glory. He is an intermediate deity, and his favored weapon is the greatsword. His holy symbol is a blue-and-white shield.

Ranoc

Ranoc, the god of hospitality and travel, is neutral good. He is called Ranoc the Red and Ranoc the Reborn. Ranoc is the patron of scholars and wayfarers. He is among the newer deities, having been raised to godhood by Adonahane only recently. He is loyal to Adonahane, and allied to Miroth and Nikander. Ranoc's worshippers often include wizards and sorcerers, as well as bards and good-aligned rogues. The domains he is associated with are Luck, Protection, Knowledge, Magic, Travel, Celerity, and Weather. He is a lesser deity, and his favored weapon is the quarterstaff. His holy symbol is a set of three concentric circles, signifying a portal.

Satana

Satana, the goddess of disease, is chaotic evil. She is called the Queen of Pestilence. She is often blamed when a plague strikes. Evil druids and assassins are among her followers. Satana is an ally of Hekar. The domains she is associated with are Death, Destruction, Evil, and Pestilence. She is a lesser deity, and her favored weapon is the quarterstaff. Her holy symbol is a sickle and rat.

Umija

Umija, the goddess of lies and deception, is chaotic evil. She is called Umija the Cursed, and Revealer of Lies. She had deceived Adonahane into thinking she was a loyal servant, but she instead has worked to undermine him. Above all, she hates Aestin, Ambira, and Ranoc, who are Adonahane's true loyal allies, and who alerted him to her treachery. When he was alerted, Adonahane stripped Umija of her true form, which is her curse. Evil illusionists and rogues are often found among the worshippers of Umija. The domains she is associated with are Evil, Trickery, Luck, Knowledge, Madness, Illusion, and Oracle. She is an intermediate deity, and her favored weapon is the longsword. Her holy symbol is a twisted mask.

Vaalru

Vaalru, the god of evil and sorcery, is neutral evil. His title is the Whisperer. Vaalru was once an evil sorcerer who discovered a means to elevate himself to godhood. He is worshipped, usually in secret, by evil spellcasters of all races. The domains Vaalru is associated with are Evil, Knowledge, Magic, Darkness and Madness. Vaalru is a lesser deity, and his favored weapon is the dagger. His holy symbol is a gray hand with the forefinger severed at the first knuckle.