Pantheon of Evalore

Within Evalore, there are many deities, demigods, great heroes, and other such powerful beings. Many of these figures are worshipped in various ways, whether it be through sacrifice of objects (or in some cases, creatures), following specific rules or guidelines that alter the course of one's life, or performing grand ceremonies or festivals. Listed here are the primary figures of worship in the various regions of Evalore - note that while many of them are deific in nature, not all of them are divine beings. Nonetheless, any major figure who receives worship on a level comparable to that of a deity is included here.

## The Laws of Divinity

Godhood in Evalore is linked to a number of things, and there are parts of the process that are nebulous by nature. In rough form, however, the main details are thus:

1. The planes of existence have immense latent power that is not actively used, channeled, or wielded by default. The way this power can be exercised can take countless forms, as it is extremely malleable.
2. A being that possesses a divine spark can tie that divine spark to a specific location with a plane, forming a divine realm there, a place the fledgling deity can shape using their newfound wellspring of power, and the place where that deity's power is the strongest. The difficulty of this varies, but if the plane has already been claimed by another deity who is unwelcoming to the new one, it becomes immensely difficult if not impossible while that situation persists.
3. Deities gain an extra "pull" from some combination of faith, worshippers, and souls that particular deity holds claim over. This empowers the deity's divine spark, allowing it to draw more power through it from its planar wellspring. The amount of power a deity can safely wield is tied to the power of that deity's divine spark, and if the deity succeeds those limits there are consequences - go far enough and the deity will destroy itself in the process of wielding more than it can handle.
4. The power of a divine spark can ebb and flow, becoming basically dormant to a deity with no followers or claimed souls. The spark can be rekindled if the situation is rectified, but if not offers no extra aid in drawing power from the planar wellspring. The destruction or creation of divine sparks is done only in incredibly rare and extreme circumstances, and often carries dire consequences or requires immense sacrifice.
5. A deity's power can be and frequently is channeled through middlemen. One example of the potential flow is: The Hells grant power to Asmodeus, who grants power to Zariel, who grants power to a Pit Fiend, who grants power to a Horned Devil, who grants power to an Imp, who grants power to a mortal Warlock who signs a contract.

## The Valrithenian Pantheons

**Pantheon of Shardrethen**
 Asmodeus
 Vecna

In Shardrethen, a land where magic is valued above most else, Mystra is the primary deity of worship. Rare, however, are overt actions of worship - instead, Shardrethenians tend to believe that the best way to worship Mystra is to seek greater knowledge and understanding of magic, and to create and share wonders made from those discoveries. In Shardrethen, deepening one's connection with magic, creating new spells or powerful magical artifacts, and sharing grand displays of spellcraft are all means of worship to the Goddess who has granted them the capacity to wield that power.

Asmodeus is also worshipped by some in Shardrethen, albeit not nearly as universally as Mystra. Usually worship of Asmodeus is kept quiet and primarily performed by individuals or small groups, such as cults or sub-factions. Most who pray to Asmodeus do so through bargaining to hidden shrines or fiendish agents, offering up items or acts in exchange for Asmodeus's favor or blessing - often with a specific goal in mind. In the eyes of some, negotiating and striking bargains is an act of worship to Asmodeus in and of itself, the shrewder the exchange the greater the tribute.

Worship of Vecna is in a similar situation to that of Asmodeus, primarily conducted by individuals or small groups. Most who pray to Vecna do so in the hopes of gaining some sort of power or knowledge that will elevate them far beyond their peers and allow them to fulfill their grand ambitions, no matter the cost. Those who worship Vecna are considered highly dangerous at best, known to be unpredictable and without scruples.

In Venaxxia, the prevailing belief is that good will triumph over evil, though courage and sacrifice are necessary to see it through. Worship in Venaxxia is a constant thing, and most in Venaxxia worship multiple deities, visiting churches devoted to multiple Gods and offering prayer and worship to each in turn. Often-times grand ceremonies and great festivals are held to honor the Gods, and stories are shared of their exploits and passed down through the generations.

Worship of evil deities is not tolerated in Venaxxia, though that doesn't mean such things never happen - cults and secret orders hide in plain sight, and so Venaxxians remain ever-vigilant, ready to strike at evil whenever it rears its ugly head.

**Pantheon of the Wildlands**
 Vulkra | Chaotic Neutral
 Silvanus

In the Wildlands, it is believed that nothing is gained without hard work, and that includes the favor of the Gods. Hunters sacrifice their finest catches on altars to Artemis, in the hopes of currying her favor and continuing to hunt with success. On the eve of battle, ceremonial rites are performed and special paints and garb are donned in honor of Vulkra, with many believing bloodshed to be a form of tribute to the God. Prayer is given to Silvanus when some fall ill or a winter is particularly harsh, and thanks for survival is given in the form of planting and caring for new life, especially when the caretaker will never live to reap the benefits.

**Pantheon of Tevretni**
 Tiamat
 Asmodeus
 Vecna

In Tevretni, worship is infrequent, and usually turned to in times of great danger - or opportunity. Most prayer is done individually, when one is on the verge of or in the midst of an exceptional situation. In those times, the Gods are turned to as a source of aid or advice, and tribute is offered in that moment or shortly after it.

## The Synderosian Pantheons

Synderos' many empires each worship in their own way and follow different beliefs and gods. Being one of the most populous continents of Evalore, even the way the same god is worshipped can very based on the empire it is worshipped in. For instance, the empires of Shadow and Light are often at odds, yet both have Prometheus as their main figure of worship. Yet each nation reveres different aspects of the god. Light worships him as a god of life and new beginnings, focusing on the parts of his mythos that tell of his creation of human kind. Where as in Shadow the stories of Prometheus told are those of how he stole the first flame for his children so they could survive in the cold of creation on their own. This dichotomy is derived from the cultural roots of each nation's founding and government and further fuels the schism between the nations.

## The Ravendalian Pantheon

**Pantheon of Ravendal**
 Mystra
 Raven King
 Tiamat

## The Pelian Pantheon

**Pantheon of Pelia**
 Shar