Angshire Religion

The Angshire Religion is an old tradition that is steeped in myths that go back as far as anyone alive can find. The religion has been going for thousands of years but the now last vestiges of the religion are holding on for dear life. Many now believe the religion to be struck down by the Numen after a famous arena fighter from Flok died under mysterious circumstances. This was taken by many to mean that they should abandon the faith and they have. The once wide influence that this religion had has been reduced to barely 2 million people. The sacred religious sight at the foot of Mount Wafford still remains in place and protected by devout followers of the religion.

The Angshire Religion can be practiced by anyone, but those who study the craft and make their livings in this way are called Shamans. They are not allowed to settle down in one place for more that a few months at a time. They travel the land keeping in contact with Nature and providing guidance to all who would need it. Shaman usually travel with plenty of gear attached to them, and are always wearing brown cloaks that are embroidered with various myths of the tradition sewn into the fabric like a tapestry. To sew myths into your cloak is the final right to become a Shaman.

Nature is one of the key pillars of the religion. According to their traditions Nature is the wellspring of all life, and birthed the many races out of a benign love and striving for beauty. There are, according to myths, many races that walk the earth because there are many faces to the great Numen of Nature. Nature wanted to make a being to reflect her many marvels. Elves were created to reflect the scorching summer sun, a reminder that life can be torturous. Dwarves were created to reflect the snowstorms of winter, a reminder that Nature will not be going anywhere soon, so you must make peace with her now. Orcs were created to remind us of a tornado, to remind us that all of nature can withstand great trials, so we must be able to as well. Humans were created to mirror a thunderstorm, the ever changing brutality of Nature can also reflect beauty for those who are brave enough to look into the danger. Lastly Gnomes were created to embody a volcano eruption, destruction can be swift and deadly, but it can birth the possibilities for great growth, provided you are resilient, afterwards.

Nature is the strongest and most vocal of the Numen, but nature is generous with her love and spreads many other Numen through the world. It is said that Nature, having seen the beauty that she created in sentient life, gave life to her first three children: Sun, to watch over her creations and allow them to grow; Sea, to carry her creations, give them things to discover, but to remind them that this life is borrowed and can be taken back; and Wildlife, to create beautiful animals for her creations to eat and admire. After this many smaller, local Numen began to populate the world and hear prayers.

Numen can be called upon by experienced Shaman or regular followers of the traditions, though Shaman will get much better results as they can hear Nature's voice more clearly. (Side-note: It should be noted that they still do not have a full picture because to hear Nature's voice is to speak with death itself, and none talk with death and walk away.) Numen can be asked for favors, advice or you can simply give offerings for luck. Offerings are given by drenching whatever you wish to give in rosewater and then smoking it over a fire for a day. You vocalize at the beginning something that you want, and any Numen from small all the way up to Nature herself can engage with your request.

The sacred site of the Angshire tradition is a cave located in Ormsheadia at the foot of Mount Wafford. It is a cave where it is believed that Nature spawned her creations into existence.

While natural Numen are the origin of the religion in recent years there has been a revival movement of sorts around the Tontu of created items, such as furniture or roads. These Tontu serve the same purpose of the Numen but take hold in crafted items. This new movement has gathered cult like followings of small towns that all take up the new religion across both continents. The Namesake and most powerful Tontu of the new movement is Nisa, the goddess of wasted space. She uses any space in buildings that is not useable and combines them to make an entirely new space that only Tontu can access. These new followers hope to kickstart Nisa's power by allowing her to make an appearance in the material world.