Religion and the Dragon Gods (CWS)

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The dragons of Io's Blood pay proper respect to beings greater than themselves, but religion as other races know it is practically unknown. Dragons with the innate ability to cast priest spells do not have to pray to receive them (unless taking the dragon-priest kit; see Chapter Four). While they recognize the significance of deities, they also see themselves as one step removed from the gods. 
Still, a small part of the population does worship the dragon gods. They have much respect for what they perceive to be the supernatural. (Dragons do not consider their own innate abilities to be supernatural, for to them these powers are completely natural.) A few have an interest in clerical magic, which is sometimes fostered to the point where these dragons become priests. 
Most dragons develop clerical spellcasting ability at some point in their long lives. This ability comes to them naturally while they contemplate the mysteries of the world. A few dragons in every generation, however, decide to dedicate themselves to the service of a particular deity and follow a clerical path. These dragon-priests receive spells from their gods or other intermediary agents through prayer. 
The most organized priesthood—and the most secretive—is the Custodians of Concordance, whose dragons are dedicated to the service of the Great Io. Other dragon:..priests pledge themselves to other gods, but no other formal religious organization exists in the Io's Blood isles chain. Most dragon-priests are viewed as curiosities that have been touched by the gods in a unique and mysterious manner. While most dragons do not pay daily homage to the gods, they extend at least a modicum of reverence and respect to them, which in turn is extended to the priests. The gods worshiped in the Io's Blood islands are described below. 
==Io==
Io, a greater god, leads the major gods of the Io's Blood dragons. Io, the Ninefold Dragon, is a god of many aspects who contains within himself all alignments. The dragons believe him to be the creator of all things. Through his grace and understanding, Great Io has allowed other gods to shape and mold portions of his creation to accommodate their own children. Dragons, however, being the first and best children of the true creator, have received the best gifts and abilities to use during their lives. 
As a greater god, Io rarely gets involved with his children and almost never makes his presence known. In one exception, he sent his avatar to end the Dragon Wars and establish the Council of Wyrms. Few dragon-priests pray directly to Io, though the Custodians of Concordance do offer Io direct worship. Io's holy symbol is an eight-pointed star with a central rising spoke. 
==Chronepsis==
Chronepsis, an intermediate god, is the mute dragon god of fate, death, and judgment. He knows the fate of all creation up to the end of time, and he guards this knowledge with silence and dispassion. He is of neutral alignment, and few dragons worship him—though all respect him. His few followers are found among the amethyst clans. The holy symbol of Chronepsis is a set of brass scales below a harp. 
==Aasterinian==
Aasterinian, a lesser goddess, is Io's daughter and is of chaotic neutral alignment (with tendencies toward good). An unreliable and flighty messenger, she enjoys play, invention, and pleasure, and her followers revere these same things. Many gem and metallic dragons worship her, especially the brass and copper dragons. Aasterinian's holy symbol is the Morning Star. 
==Bahamut==
Bahamut, a lesser god, promotes the causes and tenets of lawful goodness. As an active deity, Bahamut grants those of good alignment visions of wisdom, knowledge, and prophecy. He often wanders about in polymorphed guise, not only here, but across many worlds. He is said to often argue with Io against the value of evil, though Io favors all views. Gold and silver dragons in particular have an affinity for Bahamut. His holy symbol is the Pole Star above a milky spiral. 
==Tiamat==
Tiamat, a lesser goddess, is the patron deity of the chromatic dragons. Supremely and profoundly lawful evil, she watches over the chromatic dragons and spurs them on to new heights of pride and wickedness. She hates the Council of Wyrms and all it stands for, but she is slow to make any overt threats toward it, as Great Io himself established the body. Homage comes from all the chromatic dragon clans, though her priests are usually drawn from among the ranks of reds, blues, and greens. The five-headed dragon is her holy symbol. 
==Faluzure==
Faluzure, a lesser god, is the terrifying Night Dragon who rules over undeath and decay. This neutral evil god hates the other dragon gods. He becomes involved in the affairs of the mortal world quite often, for he needs a constant supply of death to sustain his own being. Only the most twisted of the evil dragons follow Faluzure, mostly those few who have passed on to become dracoliches. A dragon skull is Faluzure's holy symbol. 
==Other Gods==
Chaotic dragons sometimes revere Elemtia, the demigod of elementals. 
Lawful dragons sometimes worship Arcanic, the demigod of magic.