Ageantine Mushcanism

Ageantine Mushcanism is the religion practiced by the inhabitants of the Republic of Ageantium. It is related to Muschanism (also known as Traditional Mushcanism) as both religions share the same deities and have similar practices. However, emphasis is placed on certain gods in Ageantine Muschanism compared to Traditional as well as a further involvement of other gods.

## Deities

Ageantine Mushcanism is a polytheistic religion meaning that there are a multitude of gods and goddesses. Like Traditional Mushcanism, Azure and Shroomus are present and are considered to be the most powerful of the gods though Ageantine Muschanism adds other important deities as well.

### Azure

Azure, unlike in Traditional Muschanism, is considered to be the most powerful god in Ageantine Mushcanism. Depicted as a female warrior wielding a trident and shield, she is the Warrior Goddess of Knowledge, Warfare, and the Sea. According to oral tradition and written texts, Azure manifests in all bodies of water in Lunor and specifically created peaceful ocean-dwelling creatures (such as fish) with the purpose of feeding her followers. Her symbol is a trident with the three points representing knowledge, valor, and honor. Azure is depicted as the sister of Shroomus in both Traditional and Ageantine Mushcanism.

Though Azure and Shroomus are depicted as representing warfare, Azure is considered to represent tactical warfare. Warriors who follow Azure either wear tridents on their cloaks or shields or carry them as weapons. Azure also places greater emphasis on honor and valor during combat and frowns upon the use of brutality. Furthermore, worshippers of Azure are encouraged not only to focus on their martial prowess but to also learn other crafts as they believe that, to be a great warrior, one must also be a great scholar.

A temple of Azure resides at the Ageantian capital of Azuros. A grand trident is constructed at the entrance flanked by columns of quartz. Government meetings by Ageantians are held at the base of the trident symbolizing the closeness the followers have with Azure and their need for her guidance.

### Shroomus

Though Shroomus is considered a powerful god, he is less powerful than his sister. He tends to be depicted as younger, brash, and hot-headed. Shroomus can be found throughout Lunor with portions of his massive body sticking out of the ground in the Azure Sea and near the Ageantian Sea. He is the Earth God of War and violence and represents negative emotions related to battle, such as anger, hatred, rage, and bloodlust. Shroomus's symbols tend to be quite varied though his most common depicted symbol is that of a sword.

Unlike Azure, Shroomus is described as being the deity of brutal, violent warfare. Shroomus does not care for tactics and knowledge and instructs his followers to charge into battle blindly. Followers of Shroomus are known to consume vast quantities of red mushrooms before battle which induce a psychedelic effect that make them immune to pain. Shroomus instructs his followers to practice their martial skills as often as possible in order to create a strong society.

A dedicated temple to Shroomus is under construction next to Azure's. It is smaller in size, representing the Ageantians' general dislike of Shroomus.

## History

Ageantine Muschanism first arose during the founding of the Republic of Ageantium. Monkius Shroompios, the former Emperor of the Shroomish Empire, was originally an ordained Priest of Shroomus in Traditional Muschanism.