Nesarian Paganism

Nesarian Paganism, or Ulldawan, refers to the folk religion of the native Nesarians prior to the Elvic invasion and the near-universal proliferation of Elveta. Nesarian Paganism is a translation of *Nesariai Oceva*, the Elvic name for it (where Oceva literally means "foreign-faith" or "alien-faith" but more loosely means "pagan" or "heathen"). However, the few remaining Nesarian Pagans, who are almost entirely within Cortath, call their religion Ulldawan, which literally translated means "old-god-water"; the word "religion" in Corathian is "dawan", meaning "god-water", and the prefix "ull" ("old") was presumably added to distinguish it from the "new" Elvetan religion brought by the Elvic invaders.

Ulldawan is classified as being based upon the Common Inecurian Mythology, sharing the same foundational traits and archetypes of deities that are found in other CIM religions. Unlike most CIM religions, though, Ulldawan places special emphasis upon the precursor entity, which they call the Grandmaster, the singular supreme God which is the origin of all. Although the Grandmaster is honoured above all other things, in practice he is prayed and sacrificed to little, as the primary focus is upon the subordinate gods through which the Grandmaster carries out his will.

## Deities

Although the number of deities in Ulldawan is essentially infinite, there are eight major deities (besides the Grandmaster himself) who are revered above all. The names of the deities here are the Cortathian names, since Ulldawan is only seriously practiced in Cortath in modern times.

* **Arthenan** is the god of the sky and the sun, and the god of dawn and daytime, the husband of Ynaffë, and close friend of Corann. It is said that night falls when he sleeps and Rigan, the night-stag, takes over to rule in his stead until he wakes. Arthenan produced Humankind by impregnating Ynaffë, who gave birth to the first Humans. Arthenan adheres to the Sky Father CIM archetype.
* **Ynaffë** is the goddess of water, fertility and agriculture (but not nature in general), the wife of Arthenan and the sister of Serona. She gave birth to the first Humans with the seed of Arthenan. Ynaffë adheres to the Water Mother CIM archetype.
* **Corann** is the god of storms and is the patron of all warriors, wielding lightning as his weapon. He has a close friendship with Arthenan and with Hadden, the god of strategic warfare, but he has contempt for Morwen, the god of rage and violence, who is often incorrectly described as the god of war. Corann adheres to the Storm Warrior CIM archetype.
* **Channan** is the god of knowledge, learning and writing, and is the brother of Bëadsen and good friend of Haffshad. He is the patron of all teachers. Channan adheres to the Knowledge Bearer CIM archetype.
* **Haffshad** is the god of mining, smithing, masonry or essentially anything that involves taking material from under the ground and shaping or working it, and he is a good friend of Channan. He is credited with creating the magnificent spear wielded by Corann through which he channels lightning, and he manufactures all the weapons, armour and tools used by the gods. Haffshad adheres to the Metalworker CIM archetype.
* **Serona** is the goddess of nature and wild animals, often specifically associated with forests, and is the sister of Ynaffë and close friend (though importantly *not* a lover) of Bëadsen. She is the only deity in the pantheon whose physical appearance is absolutely consistent; she is described as a woman-shaped tree with glowing emerald eyes. Serona adheres to the Ancient Tree CIM archetype, except she is usually presented as youthful rather than elderly.
* **Bëadsen** is the king of the underworld and protector of deceased souls, brother of Channan, and a close friend (*not* a lover) of Serona. He is also strongly associated with bees and honey. He is responsible for guarding mortal souls against the hunger of Meroggan, his arch-enemy. Bëadsen adheres to the Underking CIM archetype.
* **Meroggan** is the devourer of souls, the ravenous serpent, maker of sin and arch-enemy of Bëadsen. Were it not for the unceasing protection of Bëadsen, all mortal souls would fall into his jaws after their physical death. Merrogan is depicted as an ever-hungry serpent, and he wages an eternal war against Bëadsen to try and destroy his reign over the underworld so that he may feast at his leisure. Meroggan adheres to the Evil Devourer CIM archetype.