Arachnism

Arachnism is one of the many religions on the Stoneworks server, practiced primarily by Archnyx.

The Gods of Arachnism
This section describes the gods worshipped in Arachnism.

Lady Fides
Lady Fides is the main goddess of Arachnism, She takes the form of a spider, and represent life, death, space, time, and the purity found within the balance of these. Her web is said to connect all planes of existence, and that with good enough reason She will allow people to cross it.

It is also a custom to capitalize pronouns that refer to Her.

Lumens
Lumens is the lord of light, created by Lady Fides in preparation for the creation of life, and takes the form of the sun.

Tenebris
Not to be confused with the god of the same name worshipped in Lux, Tenebris is the mistress of darkness created to keep Lumens in check, and takes the form of the moon.

Cyroxill
Cyroxill is the god of frost, created to freeze parts of the land in order to allow creatures that require that environment to thrive. He takes the form of a blue dragon.

Controsiin
Controsiin is the goddess of fire, created to heat up parts of the land in order to allow creatures that require that environment to thrive. She takes the form of a crimson dragon.

Evil Gods of Archnism
This section describes the evil gods of Arachnism.

Krosis
Krosis is the primary evil god of Archnism, and represents blight, malice, and corruption. He is described as a demon from the edge of reality, and takes the form of a colossal scorpion, with 900 legs, 8 claws, and a tail that splits into 4, with a lethal stinger at each tip. Krosis is also the only being capable of wounding Lady Fides, as he has knocked out one of Her fangs.

Nymnyr
Nymnyr is the god of fear and undeath, and takes the form of an enormous skeleton.

Pynox
Pynox is the goddess of destruction and lies, and takes the form of a blaze.

Lore
It is said that thousands of years ago, when Lady Fides first created Her web between the worlds, anyone could travel Her web. However, the sheer number of people coming to the plane of existence that Rathnir exists is sparked a war, and let the evil gods take form. After that, Lady Fides and Her followers fought to contain them. Pynox was sealed within the void, with the aid of Tenebris, and a bedrock barrier was erected to keep her there, Nymnyr was frozen within the a far-off tundra, and a border was created that limits the size of the world, but keeps him out, and a battle was fought to seal Krosis in the End, after which Fides's web's connection to the End was severed, permanently cutting off all access but keeping Krosis there.

Afterlife
It is believed that after death, Fides judges souls based on character, rather than faith, and that those deemed good become spiders in Her perfect domain, while those who hold malice, fear, or lies in their hearts are punished by becoming writhing insects, doomed to be hunted and killed by those deemed good repeatedly in an endless cycle.

Hierarchy
Practitioners of Arachnism must uphold a hierarchy, and must answer to those higher up than them. The hierarchy is as follows:

Voice of Fides
The Voice of Fides is the highest position in the Arachnism hierarchy, and there may only be one Voice of Fides at a time. An individual becomes the Voice of Fides only by being appointed that position by Fides Herself, and someone can stop being the Voice of Fides when Fides strips them of this position or they die. Archnyx is the current Voice of Fides.

High Priest/Priestess
The high priest/priestess is the second-highest position. As with the Voice of Fides, there can only be one at a time. They must be appointed by the Voice of Fides, who can in turn strip them of said role. There is currently no high priest/priestess.

Vessels of the Lesser Gods
The vessels of the lesser gods are thought to be just that:the lesser gods in mortal form keeping an eye on their followers. Vessels do not know that they are vessels, and typically live normal lives. Only the Voice of Fides can identify a Vessel. The identities of the current vessels are unknown.

Priests/Priestesses
There can be as many priests and priestesses as needed, but no more. They must be appointed by someone of a higher position.

Common Followers
Common followers have no major role, but can become priests/priestesses or be identified as a vessel.

Prayers
Prayers to Fides and the lesser gods are a common form of religious practice.

Sacrifices
Sacrifices to the gods are performed by either burning the items or entities you wish to sacrifice in soul flame, after which it is believed that they are sent to the messengers of the gods, who then in turn give the offering to the correct deity, or by leaving them in an offering box. It is believed that the gods grant luck and protection in exchange for offerings.

Morals
Followers of Arachnism are expected not to act on thoughts of malice, fear, to to attempt to decieve others. Whether or not an action is considered malicious, cowerdly, or decietful is up to the discretion of the Voice of Fides.