Thrasarrism

Þrasarrism is an ancient polytheist religion based upon the four warring gods, Tyrnan, Frignan, Þannan, and Gønan. It is primarily an oral tradition although it has been written down by many scholars around the world.
== Beliefs ==
=== Creation myth ===
Þrasarrism believes that the world began with a god and a goddess, named Steinnan and Himinnan respectively. This pair had four children, three gods, named Tyrnan, Þannan, and Gønan, and a goddess named Frignan. They lived together for a long time, content and peaceful. However, nothing can last forever. Steinnan began to get sick. There was nothing the other gods could do but watch as he got worse and worse. When he died, his children began to blame each other for his death. In order to have space to get away from each other, they created the earth, using Steinnan's body to form the ground. Himinnan, for her part, was devastated by what had happened and became reclusive, distancing herself from the others and forming the sky. As the children grew more and more suspicious of each other, they created life on the earth, in order to command this life against each other. This fighting between her children only made Himinnan more sad, which makes her cry, and that is why there is rain. The gods continue to fight to this day. 
=== Gods ===
The gods of Þrasarrism are not immortal, but they are not defined as mortals. They can not die of age but they can be killed. Their normal form is humanoid but they can shapeshift and change their appearance at will, often appearing to mortals as weary travelers or in the forms of animals. Each god is associated with a specific animal and set of virtues.
Tyrnan is the god of justice and war. He is the fastest of the gods, a powerful runner and hunter. He is represented by the wolf and his weapons are the spear and longsword. Þannan is the god of strength and courage. He is the strongest of the gods, large and mighty. He is represented by the bear and his weapons are the axe and maul. Gønan is the god of trickery and cunning. He is the youngest and smallest of the gods, and thus has to rely on deceit in order to win fights. He is represented by the deer and his weapons are the dagger and scythe. Frignan is the goddess of wisdom and patience and being the only goddess, she has a closer connection to Himinnin, and is thus allowed to roam the sky, although only for a time, before she must land. She is represented by the eagle and her weapons are the bow and shortsword.
=== Magic ===
Magic in Þrasarrism is mostly runic in nature. It is done through inscribing objects with runes in order to give that object specific qualities. There are no specific rune combinations for specific tasks, but rather the majority of the power comes from the intent of the creator. The magic usually does not directly affect the world, such as summoning a fireball, but rather it gives pre-existing objects magical properties.
=== Afterlife ===
Þrasarrists believe in two possibilities after one dies. If one dies naturally or of disease, they go to the fields of the lost, where they wander for all eternity. If, however, they die in combat, they are reincarnated as an animal of the god they worship, reborn to continue the fight. Those who die in combat are not buried, but are instead cremated in a large bonfire, alongside their weapons and armor.
== Practice and worship ==
=== Combat ===
The main way to dedicate oneself to one's god is through combat. Fighting and training to become stronger are meant to prepare a person to fight and eventually kill the other gods. The strongest and bravest warriors of each god become paladins, who's entire lives are dedicated to combat.
=== Sacrifice ===
Since every person can not always be fighting, the other way to worship one's god is through sacrifice, be it material, animal, or human. The object to be sacrificed is tossed into flames or into a pit, thus giving it to the god it is intended for. 
=== Holidays ===
There are many minor holidays throughout the year but the most notable one is Friðurtseit, the Time of Peace. It occurs in the middle of winter and lasts for 9 days, during which no fighting happens and all the followers of all the gods get together to drink and feast. They leave behind all weapons and celebrate the good side of the world, even if just for a little while.
=== Holy sites ===
Unlike many religions, Þrasarrism has no large churches or temples. It has no priests. Instead, all worship is done in smaller, more private areas, such as cairns, clearings in the forest, or with statues, big or small, of the god.
== Structure ==
There is no organized church in Þrasarrism, however there is a societal hierarchy. 
At the top is Vessel of the God. Each god only has one follower who is given this rank. The person is selected by the god, which can be seen by a miracle that happens either to or because of the vessel. They represent the god's will upon earth and often lead and command the paladins.
In the middle are the paladins. Warriors who dedicate their lives to fighting for their god. They do not work fields, instead dedicating all their time to fighting and training. As such, they are above the rest of the populace, who have to give a small portion of their food and income to the paladins, in order to make sure the paladins have the time to train. 
On the bottom are the everyday believers. Despite being on the bottom of the social hierarchy, they are not treated as lesser by paladins. There is no societal concept of one set of people being more or less than others.
Category:Religions