Gods & Religions of Rathnir

This section is to compile a compendium of the religions and gods which are worshipped in the land of Rathnir.

Ardatism
Ardatism is an ancient religion original from the desert continent of Ummarnu and practiced by the Ardat people, Ardatians pray the mothership, masculinity, passion, feminity, loving submision and opression and cunning. they also pray the night and the moon, They consider the night to be the true responsible for life, since it is at night when conceptions occur, when the sun goes down and stops beating the entire biome and when the family returns home to rest and sleep together, the Night is also the time when the secrets of love are best hidden.



Villager Lore
Villager Lore

Hand of Pavlovich / Pavlovism
Hand of Pavlovich, or simply Pavlovism is a monotheistic religion following the deity "Pavlovich." Followers believe that the deity Pavlovich gifted the population with companions, mainly dogs, for the well being and survival of the population. All families are required to have one pet (preferably dogs.) Pets are treated with the most respect and neglect to the dog is neglect to the Religion. Pets are to be buried in a similar ritual to humans. The followers believe that you have a month after the passing of a pet to gain another. If an attack is made on dogs by another state or person, he is considered to be at war with the religion.

See the main article of the Hand of Pavlovich

The Red Cult / Cult of the Blood God
The Red Cult is a shadowy organization that hides behind the scenes of Urnu-Arrak. When the peninsula was young, it's native residents worshipped a malevolent and merciless god that demanded sacrifice and war in return for crops and prosperity. After a majority of the native population went missing, settlers resettled the town and reclaimed much of the ruin that was left in the wake of whatever happened. Husks, lost souls, perhaps those sacrificed to the Blood God, stalk the desert wastes preying on the souls still living among the sands. While most remnants of the religion are gone, the Red Temple and its chambers are still standing tall in the centre of the city.

Abyss Mysticism
Abyss Mysticism is a mysterious religious philosophy, whose subtle influences can be found in a majority of modern religions. It was created by the Prophet Assurdirapal in the ancient times of a different reality. Today, Abyss Mysticism is the core of Valdreach state religion’s doctrine, and some say that the Abyss Mystics have a strong connections with the higher clergy. The followers of this philosophy can officially follow other religions, because of the universal nature of their beliefs, and their true number is known only to few. Nevertheless, according to rumors, their ranks are rapidly growing, and now they have hidden representatives in most nations. While their agenda remains unknown, they seem to value intelligence, wisdom and daring. People who catch their interest may even sometimes receive the offer to join the elusive Order, but only if they pass the test and prove themselves worthy. Some of the numerous scriptures of Abyss Mysticism may be studied here.

Granism
Granism is a monotheistic religion that focuses its divine worship on wheat and bread. It is most prevalent in Neo Knossos, however, surrounding villages have begun to adopt this religion of peace. Its roots can be found in Willikanism, a pagan set of beliefs originating in Old Knossos. Today, Granians worship one God with two aspects, one in times of peace and the other in times of war, and while they may follow other religions in accordance with the religious freedoms of Neo Knossos, devout Granians condemn other religions as heretical.

Granism is strongly connected to wheatfields and the production of bread. Fields in which wheat grow are deemed sacrosanct and may only be harvested when the wheat is fully grown. The damaging of unripe crops is considered sinful and is punished severely. Additionally, Granists disavow any other food than bread as unclean and sinful. The consumption of bread is the staple food but also heavily involved in religious ceremony.

Granism acknowledges the divine appearance before two people. Sporos, the peaceful aspect of the Granian God, appeared before Delta in the form of a farmer with a golden hoe as he was tilling his fields. Vilkos appeared to Realz as his people fled the cataclysm of Old Knossos and fed and protected his people with his golden axe. When Delta and Realz met they were divided on the nature of the Granian God until He sent His Prophet in the form of a baker. The Prophet revealed to the heirs of Knossos the two-sided nature and brought religious peace.

Soleannen
Soleannen (Also called Solaris) is an religion found in the Eastern Empire of Rathnir. The religion's primary deity is Solaris, which is the most well known among citizens and those foreign to the lands of Escharia.

The Soleannen religion believes that the peoples of the greater Nieden region were directly created in the image of Solaris, with the help of his wife Sylene. It is believed that there have been several individuals throughout history that have been influenced by Deities directly and have been made Saints/Champions. The founder of the Variscii Empire of Soleanna is said to have been the first champion of the sun.

Soleannen is not accepting of syncretism and all new inductees must be baptized in a river that flows eastwards or an east facing lake, as east is a holy direction due to the sunrises. The practice of Lycanthropy is highly taboo in the religion but not illegal.

Felsonsvhon's Hands / the Stone Cult / The Builder cult
This religion is a non-syncretic inquisition of relatively peaceful people, which focus all of their efforts on building strong artisian structures and masonry. Felsonvhon's Hands worship a dead god, and believe that his flesh was made of stone and other materials that come from underneath the dirt. Not much is currently known about the religion. They have a temple in the Verdania mountains, where they happily wave Palovina's banner. You may find tunnels and bunkers near roads where the group have dug below and made safe-houses underground.

Sakrelism
Sakrelism is a faith founded around the worship of the great Creator (Sakrelith) and the veneration of his 5 prophets that helped to guide and teach humanity in its earliest days.

The center of the faith is on the Holy Peninsula (Dirashanathar) where the 5 prophets have all been buried, the graves are often frequented by pilgrims.

Theology
In the beginning there was nothing, darkness enveloped all and it reigned supreme. Sakrelith (uncreated one) saw this and a sadness fell down upon him and he declared "I have seen the darkness and I banish it! May the light spread forth" in a voice that echoed throughout all of existance. He lit the sun and the stars and created a world that was perfect, a land of eternal day where there was no suffering or sadness and food was plentiful.

But the world was empty and without any true life. Sakrelith gathered water and earth together and created the first animals, Sakrelith breathed life into them and said "Spread forth and populate this world, for I see that you are good". This life spread, but it was nothing truly sentient. The creatures were naught but automatons. The Creator was not satisfied with this and instead build a creature to be the steward of all others, to be his children and heirs.

So he breathed life into this creature and then gave him a divine spark of free will and sentience. and He said "Rise my child and look upon creation. For this I have created for you to partake in and enjoy"

As humanity spread and there became more and more of them more and more of them were seduced by the darkness that had grown angry and resentful over the light. The corruption spread across creation until darkness was within each and every human. They then said to him

"Go! For we do not wish to have you in our presence o Creator!" And Sakrelith responded: "I shall do as you say, for darkness has infested you and I am unable to remain here without causing you all great suffering. But one day I promise to return, to enlighten and to show you the true path to prepare you for the end of days when the world shall return to the light that is paradise". The Creator left after this and wept for his creation. He made one final promise however. "As you have accepted darkness within you and made it a part of you, light still exists within you and illuminates you. During the day I shall reign supreme and you will walk the earth, but during night darkness shall reign but you shall rest just as I do during the night".

Humanity fell into even more corruption upon corruption, eventually forgetting the Creator and all that he had created all. The Creator saw this and in his eternal mercy he promised to send 4 teachers in his name who would enlighten man and show them the path for salvation.

Sakrelic faithful believe that those 4 teachers had come in the form of the 4 prophets that are also incarnations of the creator. The 4 prophets did not all come at once, instead after one had died people anticipated the next prophet and their teachings.

During the first council of Azethvir (convened due to disputes about the nature of the prophets) the exact nature of the prophets was decided upon and properly formulated so that it may become dogma. The council formulated that the Creator split himself up, one piece at a time so that those pieces became both divine and mortal to allow them to walk among us.

Their consciousness was still the consciousness of the Creator but they were also separate in a mysterious way. After their death they yet again became one with the creator only for him to split himself up again for the next incarnation.

Temion, Fasherak (The Judge): The all wise prophet who taught man how to judge others fairly, how to keep a society civil and how to rule well. It is believed that he founded the kingdom of Sironia. He taught much on how we should approach the sovereign king of creation and all that is beyond it.

Inirion, Teranalak (The Smith): He taught man how to forge, create and invent and to build. Miners, craftsmen, artisans and even artists often venerate him greatly.

Asala, Saixhreak (The Mother): Asala taught man how to farm, grow crops and domesticate animals. She also taught man about medicine so that we may care for the sick. She taught much about the mercy of the Creator

Ataron, the Soul carrier: He taught man much about how to purify themselves, how we must approach the creator and how to gain salvation. It is said that after his death he became the one who transported the souls of the dead and picked out those who could be purified even in the afterlife for such is the mercy of the Creator.

The Faithful believe that darkness is simply the absence of light. Humans were created as being of light, but darkness was adopted. However in these terms it means that darkness is simply the lack of existance and therefore sin makes one less and less human as darkness itself is nonexistant.

Which is why humanity needs purification. If the Creator was in the presence of unpure humans his presence would be like fire as his majesty and holyness would burn away darkness and evil. His presence is so powerful that all would feel eternal guilt and psychological torment unless they have been purified by him. That is why purification is important, for he wishes to be close to us but cannot as that would cause suffering.

Hell and Heaven are the same thing, the Creator's presence but experienced in different ways

Organization
The faith is organized on a national level. Each nation that adopts the faith gets a prophet-descendant who rules over all matters of faith in the nation. Under the Prophet-descendant you have several Clerics. Each Cleric rules over an Eglisar. A certain geographic area is given to each cleric to rule over. The Clerics then appoint Priests who can serve in an Eglisar instead of the Cleric if the Cleric is unavailble for some reason.

Each Prophet-descendant along with a Cleric (or several, or none depending on what they chose) journey to the Holy Peninsula for great council from time to time to decide matters of the faith that are of importance. The issues are debated on then voted on until a majority agrees or disagrees.

Qasim
Qasim is a religion based off the tribal religion Elisin-Kemism and various Erekenthiin beliefs. It has a 3 main gods, each with aspects manifested in the real world. More can be found here.

Ashurite Pantheon
The Ashurite Pantheon is the official religion of the Dominion of Ashura. It's beliefs revolve around their creator Goddess, A'ashal, and her six children who are worshipped as well. Their belief's goal is to see the world turn into a desert like their original homeland. Some minor gods are included as well.