Religions

There are many religions in Ælworulde and their influence can be found everywhere. This is mostly homebrew and is likely to change a lot over time.

*See also: Religious Texts, Religious Artefacts*

## The Church of The Greater Faith

The Church of the Greater Faith is a religious group that recognises all deities in the greater pantheon with Lorham at its centre, preaching equality among all the gods.

#### The Deity Loram

Lorham is the god of equality and balance. His teachings state that all gods and spirits are equal and none is higher than another. Similarly all living beings are too equal. He states that all beings have their nature and will be true to their nature. This nature may change and evolve with time, but none can be judged for following their own nature and that to deny it is folly.

#### The Church's place in the world

The Church of the greater faith is well known throughout Ælworulde. They act as a non-aggressive mediator and arbitrator in the interactions and conflicts of religion as they never choose one side over another. Their abbeys are considered neutral ground by most religions and followers of all gods are welcome there. While on the abbey grounds they are beyond the reach of other religious powers, and though the laws of the land still apply, many governments choose to turn a blind eye once an outlaw crosses onto abbey grounds. For this reason, many who seek a new life, whether to flee from a religious sect or governmental power or to seek penance for past wrongs, will end up spending the rest of their lives in service to the church at an abbey.

The church also acts as a collector and keeper of religious writings and artefacts. There are many artefacts that multiple religions could claim ownership of and writings that apply to multiple factions. In these cases, they are usually given to the Greater Faith to hold and care for so that worshippers of all kinds are free to come and study them without persecution. Most Greater Faith abbeys have large libraries and displays for artefacts, as well as shrines to various gods where people can pray. There are many monks of Oghma there who studiously make copies of old texts to prevent ancient knowledge from disappearing. They also string together disparate pieces of information and link them into grander tapestries to understand the various narratives of the past.

## Tabaxi Pantheon

The Tabaxi religion revolves around a pantheon of forest gods and reinterpreted gods from other religions, depicted with feline features. Tabax is the figurehead of the religion. The Tabaxi believe that the soul is immortal and that other gods within the pantheon are actually Tabxi who after death, ascended to godhood much like Tabax did himself.

The Tabaxi pantheon is deeply respectful of the forest and the many spirits that they believe dwell within.

#### Tabax

Tabax is the primary god of the Tabaxi Pantheon. He is the progenitor of the Tabaxi race, believed to be a fey spirit of the forest who rose through the ranks of the spirit world until he became a god.

#### Swarm Keeper

A Tabaxi Swarm Keeper is one who carries the mark of the elder spirits. This signifies that they are tied to the spirits of Tabaxi elders who have become fey spirits. The mark depicts the dual claws of Tabax, which signifies the spiritual link, as well as the swirling forms of two Tabaxi which signify the spiritual binding of the keeper to the former Tabaxi elders.

## Telliala

The goddess of romantic love and self-sacrifice. She is the inspiration for many romantic tragedies.

## Lapuard

Lapuard is the god of taverns, libation, and good-natured fun.

## Eladur

Elder Goddess of all sight from the pantheon of positive energy. Represented by the sigil of an eye.