Zodjism

Zodjism, also known as the Vampiric Pantheon, is the collective polytheistic religion & mythology of Geminian (Soligaian & Aquiline) vampires. Followers are called Zodjists, and the religion is governed as a whole in Argintar, Ardeal.
The faith's origins are shrouded in mystery, but it had its roots planted in ancient Soligaia some six millenniums ago before it spread across the twin continents over the ensuing centuries, supplanting faiths followed by most other vampires of other cultures and ethnicities of the time. The religion is most prominent in Geminos and has been spreading to the Soligaian colonies in Nekcroz, Tarak & Maritymir in recent centuries.
While Zodjist vampires don't normally see eye-to-eye with most religions, most notably Synkratic Septifidelity, this is their primary form of worship. Furthermore, it's the anti-vampire stance of the Synkratic Church that pushes many vampires away from Septifidelity and into Zodjism, even with the emergence of the vampiric Curatism Septifidelity.
The faith is led by the Zodje, an ancient religious title of obscure origins, from which the modern name of the religion is derived. 
There are many temples and shrines to the Zodjist Gods around Ardeal, and territories of the former Amurgine Empire. There are also many more temples and shrines around Qirsyllviar frequented by local vampires.
The scriptures are written in a religious text known as the Cartzeil. Written in the Cartzeil are physical descriptions of the gods and other figures, as well as the proper ways to worship them.
==Core Beliefs==
==Pantheon==
===Zatazia, Goddess of Creation===
Zatazia is the Zodjist supreme goddess who created the vampire race.
According to Zodjist mythology, she birthed a number of the gods without a partner. The first generation Gods & Goddesses, those she gave birth to, are referred to as the Galo, and their spouses are referred to as the Joizo. Her grandchildren, the second generation, are referred to as the Voiri.
Additional mythology states that she created the vampire race in the mortal world when she came across a young tribal couple, a young boy and girl whose names have been recorded in history as Hugtor & Lilyari. They were running from Lilyari's father and followers, whom was trying to force her into an arranged marriage with the chief of another tribe. Zatazia took pity on the couple and appeared before them, offering them the power to run as far as they could, fight off any pursuer and remain young together, but at the cost of having various weakness such as vulnerability to sunlight and silver, as well as a thirst for blood that would be required for nourishment and maintaining their youth. The couple agreed and Zatazia bit their necks, turning them into the first vampires of the mortal realm.
Aside from being the Goddess of Creation, Zatazia is also revered as the Goddess of Fertility, Pregnancy, Childbirth, Mother's Milk, Motherhood, Child-rearing & Children, and is the primary patron deity of pregnant women and mothers; the secondary one is her daughter Morsica. Zodjists believe that when it is time for an expectant mother to go into labor, Zatazia rubs the mother's belly to begin labor; and when it is time for the baby to be born, Zatazia reaches into the mother via her birth canal and gently guides the baby out.
This belief gave rise to the idiom "Zatazia rubbed [my/your] belly" as an indicator that the expectant mother was in labor. It also gave rise to the practice of not pushing at any point during labor, letting Zatazia guide it out.
===Main Pantheon===
The Gods & Goddesses in the main pantheon:
Galo 	Galo 	Galo 	Galo 	Galo
First-generation deities born from Zatazia. 	First-generation deities born from Zatazia. 	First-generation deities born from Zatazia. 	First-generation deities born from Zatazia. 	First-generation deities born from Zatazia.
Deity 	Representation 	Relations with other Gods/Goddess 	Relations with other Gods/Goddess 	Historicity & Other Notes
Deity 	Representation 	Spouse 	Children 	Historicity & Other Notes
Ardfort 	God of War, Fury & Bloodshed. 	Novari 	Gellar, Japricus & Julinar 	One of three patron deities of Warriors.
Arohoris 	God of Death and ruler of Iadjar. 	Ua 	 	He is the patron deity of Necromancers and is also a funerary deity often paired with his wife, Ua.
When a person ties he cuts a thread holding up a poppet representing that person's soul, held up for him to cut by his servant Igorich.
Avidar 	God of Earth & Mountains. 	Wayhar 	Pardrak & Sordro 	
Bruvali 	Goddess of Peace, Tranquility, Hope, & Balance. 	Larcod 	Logran 	
Cravior 	God of Warmth, Fire, & Volcanoes. 	Ordanfi 	Grislow, Holro, Iza, & Taizova 	
Elizar 	God of Prophecy, Foresight, & Destiny. 	Zolba. 	 	Patron deity of seers.
Harhilda 	Goddess of Theater & Performing Arts. 	Krilcraw 	Juziv & Qualis 	Patron deity of actors and performers.
Helfier 	God of the Sky, Astronomy, & Celestial Objects. 	Balho 	 	
Keltaria 	Goddess of Wisdom, Reason, Knowledge, Academics, Arithmetic, Mathematics, Physics, Science, & General Learning. 	Rafiscus 	Drofune, Giuvaer, Ivari & Joril 	One of three Patron deities of scholars.
The main Temple of Keltaria in the capital hosts Ardeal Royal Academy, a primary, secondary, and higher educational institution open to all social classes. Smaller schools typically have a shrine or alter dedicated to her somewhere on the grounds.
Kilara 	Goddess of Cooking, Feasts, Banquets, Parties, & Festivities. 	Zandrie 	Galitra, Nir & Profune 	As the Goddess of Parties & Festivities, followers of the pantheon believe that Kilara blesses all festivals, even those held in honor of other gods. It is for this reason that she is considered the party-planner of the gods. As the goddess of Cooking, Feasts & banquets, she is also the patron deity of chefs.
Morsica 	Goddess of Fertility, Pregnancy, Childbirth, Mother's Milk, Motherhood, Child-rearing & Children, second only to Zatazia.	Uvudis 	Coleifa, Vikiya & Yophri 	
Nardra 	Goddess of Chaos, Anarchy, Discord, Despair, Fear, Destruction, Disasters, Famine, Misfortune, & Poverty. 	Farlkrac 	Toxipus & Varu 	Sometimes depicted as a demon instead of a goddess, Nardra retains her place in the main pantheon of historical and theological reasons.
One of several chaos gods worshiped by the religious facet of the Cult of Chaos.
Nosfyritus 	God of Night, Darkness & Shadows. 	Seyra 	Darkh, Marava, Odaro & Raladin 	King of the Gods, patron deity of Argintar, the capital of Ardeal.
Zilga 	Goddess of Healing, Medicine, & Herbalism. 	Kaldehar 	Framhoff 	Patron deity of healers. 
The main temple of Zilga in the capital hosts Aurit Hospital, largest and most prestigious hospital in Ardeal.
Joizo 	
Joizo 	
Joizo 	
Joizo 	
Joizo
Spouses of the Galo; deities unrelated to Zatazia.	Spouses of the Galo; deities unrelated to Zatazia. 	Spouses of the Galo; deities unrelated to Zatazia.	Spouses of the Galo; deities unrelated to Zatazia. 	Spouses of the Galo; deities unrelated to Zatazia.
Deity 	Representation 	Relations with other Gods/Goddess 	Relations with other Gods/Goddess 	Historicity & Other Notes
Deity 	Representation 	Spouse 	Children 	Historicity & Other Notes
Balho 	Goddess of the Moons. 	Helfier 	 	Zodjist mythology describes her as the mother of the twin moons.
Farlkrac 	A demon. (see table below) 	Nardra 	Toxipus & Varu 	
Kaldehar 	God of Good Health, Baths & Cleanliness. 	Husband of Zilga and father of Framhoff. 	Framhoff 	Bath houses of all sizes generally have a statue of Kaldehar in the main hall.
Krilcraw 	God of Inspiration, The Arts, Painting, & Drawing. 	Harhilda 	Juziv & Qualis 	Patron deity of artists.
Larcod 	God of Judgements, Truth, Justice, Law, & Order. 	Burvalia 	Logran 	Patron deity of judges, lawmakers etc. In Ardealian courtrooms, statues in his image normally tower above the judges panel.
According to the Cartzeil, Larcod decreed that a panel of no less than five judges would oversee trials and hearings of any severity. Thus is the basis of the Ardealian Criminal Justice System.
Larcod is also the "Judge of the Dead," and master of Larcodhol, the Hall of Judgement. When the deceased arrives in his hall, he weighs whether the deceased are worthy of Raicer or must be condemned to Iadjar.
Novari 	Goddess of Swordsmanship, Archery, & Equestrianism. 	Ardfort 	Gellar, Japricus & Julinar 	One of three patron deities of warriors. Also designated the Goddess of Gunmanship with the advent of the musket, a black power weapon.
Ordanfi 	Goddess of Clouds & Wind. 	Cravior 	Grislow, Holro, Iza & Taizova 	
Rafiscus 	God of Blacksmithing, Craftsmenship, & Sculpting. 	Keltaria 	Drofrune, Giuvaer, Ivari & Joril 	Patron deity of craftsmen. Father of the demigod Erudor, who forged Crepuscul.
Seyra 	Goddess of the Hearth. 	Nosfyritus 	Darkh, Marava, Odaro & Raladin 	Queen of the Gods. Patron deity of homemakers and homeowners.
Ua 	Goddess of the afterlife & presider of Raicer. 	Arohoris 	 	She is also a funerary deity often paired with her husband, Arohoris.
Uvudis 	God of Dreams & Sleep 	Morsica 	Coleifa, Vikiya & Yophri 	
Wayhar 	Goddess of Magic. 	Avidar 	Pardrak & Sordro 	Patron deity of magicians.
Zandrie 	God of Architecture & Construction. 	Kilara 	Galitra, Nir & Porfune 	Patron deity of builders.
Zolba 	Goddess of Space & Time. 	Elizar 	 	Often depicted in a black robe and a golden hourglass in her hand.
Voiri 	Voiri 	Voiri 	Voiri 	Voiri
The second-generation deities. 	The second-generation deities. 	The second-generation deities. 	The second-generation deities. 	The second-generation deities.
Deity 	Representation 	Parents 	Historicity & Other Notes 	Historicity & Other Notes
Marava 	Goddess of Marriage & Fidelity. 	Nosfyritus & Seyra 	Eldest child of Nosfyritus & Seyra.
Zodjist marriages are often performed in her temples/shrines. 	Eldest child of Nosfyritus & Seyra.
Zodjist marriages are often performed in her temples/shrines.
Odaro 	God of Thresholds, Gates, & Doorways. 	Nosfyritus & Seyra 	 	
Raladin 	God of Travels & Boundaries. 	Nosfyritus & Seyra 	 	
Darkh 	God of Money, Trade, & Commerce. 	Nosfyritus & Seyra 	Youngest child of Nosfyritus & Seyra. Patron deity of merchants. 
The main Temple of Darkh in the capital hosts both the royal treasury and the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Ardeal, the primary (and relatively newly established) bank of the kingdom. It's not as large as the larger banks of Soligaia, but it's the most trusted bank in the kingdom.	Youngest child of Nosfyritus & Seyra. Patron deity of merchants. 
The main Temple of Darkh in the capital hosts both the royal treasury and the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Ardeal, the primary (and relatively newly established) bank of the kingdom. It's not as large as the larger banks of Soligaia, but it's the most trusted bank in the kingdom.
Coleifa 	Goddess of Love. 	Morsica & Uvudis 	Eldest child of Morsica & Uvudis. 	Eldest child of Morsica & Uvudis.
Yophri 	Goddess of Beauty, Virginity, & Chastity. 	Morsica & Uvudis 	Also called the "Goddess of Innocence" by some, but it's mostly a misnomer. 	Also called the "Goddess of Innocence" by some, but it's mostly a misnomer.
Vikiya 	Goddess of Lust, Sex, & Ecstasy. 	Morsica & Uvudis 	Youngest child of Morsica & Uvudis. Patron deity of prostitutes. 	Youngest child of Morsica & Uvudis. Patron deity of prostitutes.
Joril 	Goddess of Books & Keeper of Knowledge. 	Keltaria & Rafiscus 	One of three Patron deities of scholars. 	One of three Patron deities of scholars.
Ivari 	Goddess of Languages, Writing, & Poetry. 	Keltaria & Rafiscus 	One of three Patron deities of scholars. 	One of three Patron deities of scholars.
Giuvaer 	God of Gems, Minerals, Crystals, & Mineralogy. 	Keltaria & Rafiscus 	One of two patron deities of jewelers and jewelry makers. 	One of two patron deities of jewelers and jewelry makers.
Drofrune 	God of Metal, Precious Metals, & Metallurgy. 	Keltaria & Rafiscus 	Patron deity of metalworkers, and one of two patron deities of jewelers and jewelry makers. 	Patron deity of metalworkers, and one of two patron deities of jewelers and jewelry makers.
Iza 	Goddess of Animals, Spring, Nature, Flowers, Trees, & Vegetation. 	Cravior & Ordanfi 	Eldest child of Cravior & Ordanfi. Often depicted as a nude woman covered in moss, ivy and flowers. 	Eldest child of Cravior & Ordanfi. Often depicted as a nude woman covered in moss, ivy and flowers.
Grislow 	Goddess of Summer & Drought and the Sun & Light. 	Cravior & Ordanfi 	Before the evolution of the first zyroites, Grislow was held in very low regard, viewed by most as a demon, as sunlight was lethal to the vampires of the time. With the rise of the zyroites, she was moved to the main pantheon.	Before the evolution of the first zyroites, Grislow was held in very low regard, viewed by most as a demon, as sunlight was lethal to the vampires of the time. With the rise of the zyroites, she was moved to the main pantheon.
Holro 	Goddess of Farming, Agriculture, Rain, Autumn, & Good Harvest. 	Cravior & Ordanfi 	Patron deity of farmers. 	Patron deity of farmers.
Taizova 	Goddess of Winter and Ice & Snow. 	Cravior & Ordanfi 	Youngest child of Cravior & Ordanfi. 	Youngest child of Cravior & Ordanfi.
Framhoff 	God of Luck, Good Fortune, & Prosperity. 	Zilga & Kaldehar. 	 	
Gellar 	God of Courage, Strength, Honor, & Chivalry. 	Ardfort & Novari 	Patron deity of knights. 	Patron deity of knights.
Japricus 	God of Hunting & Beast Taming. 	Ardfort & Novari 	Patron deity of hunters. 	Patron deity of hunters.
Julinar 	God of Battle Strategy & Victory. 	Ardfort & Novari 	One of three patron deities of warriors. 	One of three patron deities of warriors.
Logran 	God of Deals, Contracts, & Treaties. 	Bruvali & Larcod 	In Ardeal, a stamp in his image is customarily used to finalize written contracts after it is signed and sealed by the parties involved. 	In Ardeal, a stamp in his image is customarily used to finalize written contracts after it is signed and sealed by the parties involved.
Pardrak 	God of Storms, Hail, Tornadoes, Thunder, & Lightning. 	Avidar & Wayhar 	 	
Sordro 	God of Water, Guardian of the Seas, Lakes, & Rivers. Also the God of Fishing. 	Avidar & Wayhar 	Patron deity of fishermen. 
He's not very-well worshiped in Ardeal, given that said country is landlocked with no access to the sea, but a temple to him is maintained on the shores of Lake Albastru, the largest and deepest lake in Ardeal.	Patron deity of fishermen. 
He's not very-well worshiped in Ardeal, given that said country is landlocked with no access to the sea, but a temple to him is maintained on the shores of Lake Albastru, the largest and deepest lake in Ardeal.
Galitra 	Goddess of Joy & Happiness. 	Kilara & Zandrie 	 	
Nir 	God of Wine & Winemaking. 	Kilara & Zandrie 	Patron deity of winemakers. 	Patron deity of winemakers.
Porfune 	Goddess of Mischief & Trickery. 	Kilara & Zandrie 	 	
Juziv 	Goddess of Music. 	Harhilda and Krilcraw 	Patron deity of musicians. 	Patron deity of musicians.
Qualis 	God of Games & Sports. 	Harhilda and Krilcraw 	Patron deity of athletes. 	Patron deity of athletes.
Toxipus 	God of Sickness & Plague. 	Nardra and Farlkrac 	Sometimes considered more of a demon than a god, but religious scholars continue to debate it. 	Sometimes considered more of a demon than a god, but religious scholars continue to debate it.
Varu 	God of Grudges, Hatred & Revenge. 	Nardra and Farlkrac 	 	
==Other Beliefs & Practices==
The most well-known practice for Zodjists is the forbidding of footwear on sacred ground. Zodjists are required to go barefoot within temples, such as the Pantheon in Argintar, and anywhere else considered sacred ground, such as the Grove of Iza. During the month of Opesager up to Galoween, a night of worship for all Zodjists, all of Qirsyllviar is considered sacred ground and all Zodjists are required to go barefoot until the holiday has passed.
Zodjist clergy forsake footwear altogether for the rest of their lives upon joining the clergy, going barefoot at all times even in places where footwear would normally be expected for everyone else.
Non-worshipers are strongly demanded to observe the custom when on sacred ground.
=== Role of the Zodje and the Monarch of Ardeal ===
Zodjist belief is that the Zodje acts as the voice of the gods and as their ear in the mortal world. Meanwhile the monarch is viewed as the beacon for the gods to descend upon the world. Through the monarch the gods are guided to the mortal world to enact their will, while the Zodje hears their voices so they may be carried out.
For these reasons the monarch and the Zodje conduct religious services together as equals.
===Funerary Practices===
The Zodjist color of death and mourning is gray, and it is common practice to place a wreath of flowers around the deceased's face. The other practice is to provide the deceased with four coins: two for Trinzell, the innkeeper of the Mortbaro Inn; and two for Osorkon, the Coachman. People, especially soldiers, often carry the required amount of coins on their person at all times.
== The Afterlife ==
=== Jalvale ===
Jalvale is the realm of the dead before the afterlife. A realm of gloom said to be a better alternative to Iadjar, it is often described as filled with mucky swamps and covered in a fog so thick you can't see in front of you, with camps of souls who could not pay for passage to Larcodhol dotting the landscape. Arohoris and Ua are always watching the realm. Sometimes Ua may take pity on those who lived especially virtuously and escort them to Raicer herself. Meanwhile, Arohoris is always on the lookout for souls of the to drag down into Iadjar, especially though who had led evil lives.
==== Mortbaro ====
Mortbaro is the inn of the dead, run by the innkeeper Trinzell, where the deceased reside while awaiting transport to Larcodhol, the Hall of Judgement. Two coins must be paid for a room in the inn. If they cannot pay they are refused entry to Mortbaro and are condemned to wander the gloomy realm of Jalvale for all eternity. If they can only pay for the inn and not the Coachman's fee, they cannot go forth to Larcodhol. They then have a choice, either stay on as servants of Trinzell or leave and wander Jalvale. Most seemingly choose the former, but if they choose the latter, Trinzell provides them with a personal lantern to light their way through the fog.
==== Larcodhol ====
Larcodhol is the Hall of Judgement run by Larcod, the God of Judgement. To get to Larcodhol from the Mortbaro Inn, two more coins must be paid to coachman Osorkon. Osorkon can only pick up souls residing in the inn, not on the side of the road. Once there, Larcod will read out their life, listing any and all good deeds, accomplishments and sins. From there, there can be one of two outcomes.
* If Larcod judges they have lived a virtuous or balanced life they may be given the choice to continue on to Raicer of be reincarnated. If the former is chosen, they are led into Raicer by Ua.
* If Larcod judges they have led a wicked life, or committed an unforgivable sin despite performing good deeds or dying heroically, they are condemned tom damnation and ragged down into Iadjar by Arohoris.
=== Raicer & Iadjar ===
Raicer & Iadjar are the terms for Heaven and Hell in the Zodjist version of the afterlife, overseen by Ua and Arohoris respectively. The wife and husband deities together present the deceased to Larcod, the God of Judgement, to judge whether a deceased is worthy of Raicer or condemned to Iadjar. 
Raicer is described as a peaceful paradise where the souls of the deceased enjoy beautiful gardens adorned with bountiful fruits and fragrant flowers provided by Iza, the goddess of flowers and vegetation, at the behest of Ua. Iadjar, on the other hand, is described as a fiery realm of lava rivers and burning hot rock where the condemned either wander aimlessly or are chained to the rocks, depending on the severity of their sins. Either way, they are constantly stalked and often painfully slapped by fiery-hot tentacles of Crokdralis, an octopus that lives in the lava rivers.
==Zodjist Demons==
Zodjism recognizes several vampiric demons, some of which are related to deities from the main pantheon
Demon 	Representation, Historicity & Other Notes 	Relations to deities of the Pantheon
Algrask 	Demon known for chilling blood of his victims into ice. 	
Farlkrac	A bloodthirsty demon who allegedly drains innocents of all blood and sucks out their souls.	Husband of Nardra
Hraz 	 	
Zeojirac	Demon that torments people's souls and drives them mad. 	
==Other Figures of the Faith==
===The Nine Progenitors===
The Nine Progenitors are the founders of the nine great bloodlines of the vampiric world. Zodjism deifies them as the protectors of the vampires of the material world.
Progenitor	⚥	Representation, Historicity & Other Notes
Balthazar 	♂	
Creighton 	♂	
Esmeralde 	♀	
Lazarus 	♂	
Leontine 	♀	
Rosalyn 	♀	
Sapphire 	♀	The Trandafir dynasty of Ardeal allegedly claims descent from Sapphire.
Treznor 	♂	
Zegrath 	♂	
===Others===
Figure 	Representation, Historicity & Other Notes
Crokdralis	An octopus that lives in the lava rivers of Iadjar.
Erudor 	Demigod son of Rafiscus and creator of the Zedylrian steel sword Crepuscul.
Igorich 	Servant of Arohoris and Keeper of the Poppets. When a person is about to die, Igorich holds up a poppet representing that person's soul by a thread for Arohoris to cut, sending them to the afterlife.
Muroni 	
Osorkon 	The coachman who transports souls from the Mortbaro Inn to Larcodhol, the Hall of Jadgement.
Trinzell 	Innkeeper of the Mortbaro Inn and master of its workers.
==Notes & Trivia==
* The title "Zodje" is equivalent to the Pope of the Synkratic Church.
* In the Voiri section of the list, deities with siblings are ordered from oldest to youngest.
*
Category:Qirsyllviar
Category:Religion