Faiths of Avalon

The denizens of Avalon, old and new know many faiths, some as old as time itself, some newer gods based on deeds of the faithful, listed below are the some of the known religions within this sphere of influence.

### God/Godesses of the South:

The gods, like most other places of the world, are highly honored in Andalus. And like most places the world, the particular religious make of the country is unique. Andalusian “ethnogenesis” came about when two different human groups so intermarried that distinctions between the two ceased to be relevant. Originally, much of contemporary Andalus was settled by a group of humans that called themselves the Ningali (although academics commonly call them proto-Andalusians). Then, long ago, a nomadic group named the Bethanians swept through the region. Though there was some conflict initially, they were eventually culturally absorbed by the Ningali Both groups practiced as form of Periotheism, wherein a limited group of gods are worship by a group, but they do not deny the validity and existence of other gods. The Ningali had a group of seven gods that they honored above the rest, while the Bethanians worshiped a group of six gods. These two groups of gods have, largely remained the same, though their aspects and associations have shifted over time, especially as the Bethanians shifted from a nomadic lifestyle to settling with the Ningali.

#### The Seven:

##### Pelor

A sun god that is common throughout much of the world, both the NIngali and Bethanians worshipped Pelor as the most powerful god. However, for modern Andalusians, he is not the most frequently invoked.

##### Berei

A nature goddess, Berei is depicted as Mother Earth. Nowadays, she is also associated with good governance; a statue of Berei stands tall at the front of the Parliamentary Building.

##### Sotillon

A goddess that is frequently invoked by farmers and tradesman, she is the goddess of summer and bounty.

##### Heironeia

This goddess is shared with other cultures as the male god Heironeous. She is the goddess of Honor and Justice. Her name is invoked at the beginning of all trials.

##### Kord

The God of Strength, Kord often is depicted with two sides, one is honest hard work and the other as strength in battle. Kord is often, but not always, depicted as a protector.

##### Trithera

The goddess of Liberty, often depicted as Trithereon in other nations. In the most recent times, she has been called Tritheria Elyumura, or even just Elyumura to represent a certain republican liberty. Perhaps the most frequently honored of the seven in modern times. A statue of Tritheria stands tall at the front of the Parliamentary Building, depicted holding a shield.

##### Boccob

The god of magic and knowledge, he is the god of scholars, magic users, industry, and many others. Depicted as a grizzled old man in many other cultures, Boccob is depicted in a distinctly androgynous fashion in Andalusia, and often cowled.

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*(Side note: Trithera is the only goddess that was not in the original seven. The god of death, Nerull had been worshipped in the past, but nowadays only has a few devotees.)

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#### The Six:

##### Pelor

As above, see below. Pelor is depicted and worshipped in the same manner by followers of the Six and the Seven.

##### Berei

Also worshipped within the six, Berei is still worshiped as a nature goddess and Mother Earth. However, with the six, she also is always depicted with a horse, and often on horseback. For the ancient Maroesh, she was invoked for the protection of their herds, and the symbolism carries through to today. The statue of Berei at the Parliamentary Building carries of horse bridle in one hand to honor this symbolism.

##### Sehanine

It is unknown exactly how it came to be, but this traditionally elven goddess, known to elves as Sehanine Moonbow, the ancient Bethanian and modern day followers of the Six worship her as the goddess of Dreams and Fate. Modern depictions of Sehanine display her as a watchful sentinel of the republic to guide the Republic on its path. She is the third and final goddess that has a statue at the Parliamentary Building, depicted holding a looking glass.

##### Myhriss

Known as the goddess of Beauty, Myhriss is also honored as the goddess of the Winds and in former times, Archery. To followers of the Six, she is often honored by traders and merchants as well. She is occasionally depicted as the handmaiden of Velnia within the Six.

##### Velnia

In other nations, Velnia is known as the male god, Velnius. However, within the Six, she is married to Pelor. She is worshipped as the Sky goddess, and is often associated with the rain as well.

##### Allitur

A god worshipped by several different peoples, as part of the Six, Allitur is the god of Tradition and Ethics, but also honorable war as well. For the ancient Maroesh, he was the god of war.

#### Other Gods of the South:

##### Bahamut:

The dragon god, Lord of good dragons. In Andalusian tales, his habit of wandering as an old man is a repeated story, where he tests people. The good, he rewards, the bad he punishes. He is often associated with Justice, and in a couple of tales, the goddess Hieroneia is actually an aspect of Bahamut, though most agree that they are two separate beings. Worship of Bahamut often involves elaborate braziers in Andalusia that prized as exquisite trade goods in other countries, as well as pilgrimage to one of the many small shrines said to mark locations where Bahamut meted out justice to an individual or community.

##### Ereshkigal

Ereshkigal worship is ancient - possibly predating the arrival of humans in Avalon - but it has never been widespread. Though she is a goddess of death, her worshippers swear strict vows of pacifism and refuse even to eat the flesh of animals; they believe that only She Who Rules Below is allowed to decide when a being’s life should end. Worship of Ereshkigal involves ritual fasts and bathing; the devout normally cover as much as their skin as possible when out in public, for the baring of skin is seen as a symbol of supplication and vulnerability reserved only for their goddess. (The amount of exposed skin that is considered acceptable varies amongst individual and community interpretations of the custom.)

##### Yusofia

Mysterious minor fertility goddess, “Academy of Yusofia,” located in Toleto, the Academy is in fact more like an all female cloister of wizard-clerics.

#### Pantheon of the Hungry Ones (The Maw)

##### Lys

The Drowned Queen - Lys a goddess who takes the visage of a drowned matriach and reeks of the rot and grime found below.

##### Caldae

The Weeping Prince - Caldae, god who takes the visiage of a crowned youth, their eyes black pools that slowly leak ichor.

##### Mirtaza

The Devourer - Mirtaza, diety who takes the visage of a frail individual, always giving away food, but any food eaten around them taste like ash.

##### Somniloq

The Murmuring Knight - Somniloq, a deity who takes the visage of a solider from a long forgotten battle, their voice seems to be a whisper until it is the only thing that can be heard.

##### Zolpidae

The Dark Traveler - Zolpidae, a diety who takes the visage of a person dressed in dark cloaks, their hands stark white except for the tips that show only the faintest amount of color. Their touch seems to drain color, feeling, and knowledge.