Arkian Religions

Few things define a people as strongly as their shared religion. This holds true for the Ark as well.
== On Deities ==
It is universally acknowledged that gods have the possibility of existing. Bodiless intelligences of great power are rare but regularly encountered, talked to and bargained with. What exactly a god is and what should be included in that definition on the other hand is a matter of great and impassioned debate for those into that sort of thing.
Gods are generally defined along a spectrum, ranging from Higher to Lesser (though dogmatic theists prefer the categories of True and False).
== Higher Gods ==
The Higher Gods are deities which preceded the world, of which there are currently five. Theistic religions recognize only these as divine. Each is represented in many if not most of the theistic faiths present in the world. Their names, appearances and even roles may change between religions, but they are essentially different interpretations of the same fundamental concepts. They are here named after the "domain" they are associated with:
* The Sun
* The Moon
* The Sky
* The Earth
* The Darkness
Gods on Eard rarely roam the world. Their influence is known only via hunches, dreams and the power exhibited by their most devout acolytes.
== Lesser Gods ==
The Lesser Gods are beings which may or may not be recognized as gods by all faiths, but came into existence after the creation of the world. They can be immortal beings, ascended, or any of a multitude of "resident spirits" that inhabit various parts of the world, such as major geographic landmarks like rivers and mountains, seas, lakes, plains, and so on. Unlike true gods, these will often take interest in their worshipers.
* Aspects of nature – godlike spirits present in natural objects and places such as rivers, forests, mountains and trees. May or may not manifest themselves physically as some form of creature, mythical or mundane, or in mortal form. Typically possess great power over whatever aspect of the natural world with which they are associated. For example, a river god may have powers over running water and so forth.
* Ascended creatures – mortal beings that have, through one means or another, transcended their own mortality and inherited godlike abilities. Also includes heroic figures who are, for whatever reason, deified after death, even if they did not actually achieve godhood. 
* Oddities - Anything that doesn't fit into the other categories is this.
== On Faith ==
Religions on Eard can be roughly categorized into two types: theistic and animistic. Theistic religions (found mostly amongst the humanoids) worship some or all of the gods and believe nature spirits and ascended creatures lack divinity. Animistic religions (found amongst the beastmen) draw no such distinctions. Animistic faiths usually include some or all of the Higher Gods in their worship practice, but are not above appeasing and bargaining with other, lesser beings.
Category:Worldbuilding
Category:Phenomena