Interloper Pantheon

The pantheon of Interlopers follows a pluralist set of beliefs. It is Omnist by nature, as there are many gods and belief structures that adhere to the Interloper Pantheon, which each Interloper respects and all grants them access to the Oog.

## They

"They", "Them", and "Their" refer to the numerous ancient gods of the forests, mountains, deserts and oceans. They were the first arrivals on this earth, and They will be the last to depart it. Though They lay forgotten and abandoned, They still control the lands and its inhabitants, including the Interlopers. The Interlopers are called as such since they intrude upon these sacred places, and seek refuge from the very same places the old gods have. So, the Interlopers appease these old gods by respecting the land they live in, knowing that their lives would end the moment they slipped up somewhere.

### Blessed Animals

Blessed Animals are creatures which roam in Where They Once Dwelled, and are uncharacteristically coloured white. The term 'Blessed' comes from the idea that these creatures are blessed by Them, or the beasts are vessels controlled by Them to survey and walk among their lands. Interlopers often feel afraid or hesitant to shoot one, which is said to be a sign from Them to not harm the creature. It is still considered good luck to come across one nontheless. If an Interloper goes against their instinct and brings the beast down, they are considered 'Cursed', and shunned by those around them. However, when an Interloper feels compelled to put it down, it's a reward from Them, a sign that the Interloper is worthy. The pelts from these animals, therefore, are extremely valuable and rare, but are absolutely taboo to simply trade away. Making clothing, tools, and other objects from the fallen beast instead makes these items Blessed, and unique to the Interloper who brought it down, making them highly respected in the eyes of their fellow Interloper and Them.

Most Blessed animals either exhibit Albinism, a rare genetic defect, or have a white pattern coat which is rarely seen.

### Indigenous Deities

Depending on the region, deities of Indigenous Peoples also fall under the blanket of "They". Interlopers may or may not seek to appease the gods of the Indigenous people, but only if the Indigenous community (and the deity in question) allows it. Shared deities, such as Thunderbird, are freely appeased to.

### Recognized "They"

Though many gods have ancient names long forgotten, there are a few which many Interlopers recognize. Each god is associated with a certain feature or region.

##### Deymundt

Deymundt (DEY-mont) is an ancient god of knowledge. He's seen as both a helpful and hurtful god, choosing to either bless or curse people with certain knowledge. He is associated with the mountains.

##### Feljra

Feljra (FELL-rrya) is one of the several deities of hunting. Feljra in particular is a goddess which focuses on hunting dangerous prey, such as wolves and bears. She is associaated with the forest.

##### Yur

Yur is a god of travel and long journeys. Yur is generally associated with travelling along plains and steppes. He is, obviously, associated with the plains.

##### Zhogn

Zhogn (ZHA'GN) is a god of the sea, though primarily associated with the Cascadian coastline. It is believed that Zhogn broke the Cascadian coastline with a mighty hammer.

##### Thunderbird

Thunderbird is a mythological god, though some believe him to be a supernatural being who still roams the earth. There are many tales of Thunderbird, but he is primarily associated with the sky and lightning.

## Cascadian Occult

The Cascadian Occult is a set of beliefs which adhere to the forests, mountains, rivers and oceans, which are endemic to Cascadia. Their lives depend on the yearly salmon migrations, the forests to house their prey, and the mountains which bring a lush rainfall. As such, there are a few traditions each Cascadian observes to appease Them.

* **Toss Back The First Catch:** The first fishing catch a Cascadian makes, especially that of salmon, must be thrown back into the water it came from.
* **Ask before felling:** Before cutting down a tree, for any reason, a Cascadian must ask the tree its permission to be cut down. Each tree has a spirit living inside of it, so if a tree is cut down without asking its permission, the spirit inside will rot and warp the wood, rendering it bad for building. Burning said wood with a spirit inside will throw up more smoke than flames, choking the fire. Asking the tree permission will vacate the spirit, rendering it safe for harvesting.
* **The Cleansing:** Every Winter, a Cascadian treks to a waterfall and bathes underneath the frigid running waters. It is believed to break the stagnant shell of modern life and flow it downstream, reigniting a dormant power hidden within every person.
* **Eating Hearts:** Eating the heart of the prey first before anything else will consume the spirit of the animal, absorbing its abilities and qualities. This is more popular with bear hearts.
* **Hanging bear skulls:** Bear skulls are sacred, but cannot be possessed by a Cascadian. Hanging them in pine trees will respect the animal, while interring the beast's spirit to the wilds.
* **Cairns:** The dead are buried in cairns without any marker resembling their name. Instead, they are left with prized possessions or possessions they have frequently used, commonly a rifle, knife, axe, or other object. Taking any item from these cairns will render the thief cursed. It is commonly believed that the soul has passed on when the rocks have overgrown with moss.

## Alaxsxaq Superstition

The Alaxsxaqan Superstition is a loosely based pluralist set of beliefs, centering around the frozen tundra, ice sheets, and mountains of the region.

* **Blessing of the Lights**: The lights of the aurora borealis are considered sacred. It is believed that wishing upon them after making an equal sacrifice will grant the wish.
* **Wind Omens**: The strong winds which blow through the mountains and tundra are believed to carry messages from the spirit world. Dead friends, loved ones, and other deceased spirits are said to contact one through the wind. Interlopers and Natives pay attention to the direction and strength of the wind; a strong wind blowing to a place may bring fortune, a strong wind blowing away may signal danger. It is considered unlucky to go against the advice of the wind.
* **Salmon Blessing**: The first Alaxsxaq fishing catch of the season is often kissed by Interlopers, believing that it honors the spirit of the salmon and blesses them with an abundant catch for the rest of the year.
* **Dreamcatchers**: Alaxsxaqans will weave dreamcatchers and hang them over the doors and windows to prevent evil spirits from entering. Some of these charms are also crafted with bones.

## Ozark Beliefs

The Ozark belief system adheres to the dry highlands and snaking rivers, where nature provides its inhabitants with sustenance.

* **Haint Blue Painting**: It is believed that painting the ceilings of the home with the pigment of crushed indigo plants would ward off evil spirits. While it was a common practice before the spread of Interlopers, its still practiced by Interlopers.
* **Moon Sign Agriculture**: Ozark farmers and gardeners believe that the phases of the moon affect the growth and yield of their crops, among other agricultural activities. For example, during a full or new moon more moisture is pulled to the surface of the soil, positively effecting newly germinated plants. The moon is also a signifier of health and fertility.
* **River Stones**: It is widely believed that smooth river stones found in creeks or riverbeds offer positive healing effects and bring good fortune. Naturally, the larger, flatter and smoother the stone, the more protection and fortune it can bring.
* **Hoodoo**: Hoodoo magic and practices, brought by the Gullah during the transatlantic slave trade, permeates through Ozark and parts of Appalachia, which is incorporated into the Ozark belief system.