Guemo's Reflections

The Reflections of Guemo, or The Reflections are the gods and goddesses who make up the pantheons of worship in Dawnvale and Arellia. The religion is followed by many humans in these lands and abroad, but can be found in two distinct forms.

### Follower Beliefs

Although worship and certain theological details differ between Dawnvale and Arellia, both forms of the faith share common roots, and worship many of the same deities. They also share the same creation story of Belreven, and similar tellings of the genesis of the universe.

#### The Reflections as Worshipped in Dawnvale

Dawnvalian attitudes when it comes to worship often overlap and are amplified within the nations own history. Many Dawnvalians believe that in the ancient war over Belreven between Guemo and Malek, many people of the world joined Guemo in the righteous cause of defeating Malek. This suggests that along with the Creator God himself, ordinary man had a role in choosing the right path and stopping the God of Destruction. They also believe that Guemo partitioned a piece of land to Malek, as a gesture in the deal of Malek's surrender.

Dawnvalians believe in the original six reflections of Guemo, and in addition they follow the "Seventh Reflection", which is Sabidone. In life he was Sabidone Dawnvale, the founder of the kingdom of Dawnvale and it's first Emperor as it became the original Dawnvale Empire. After his death, it is believed that he ascended to godhood due to his deeds as a mortal. He is revered as the God of Might, Bravery, Righteous War, and Noble Campaigns.

#### The Reflections in Arellia

In Arellia, while the original six Reflections are worshipped, there tends to a much different sentiment in regards to man's relationship with the divine. Arellians typically do not believe that man played an important role in the conflict between Guemo and Malek, and that humans were far more susceptible to Malek's dark lure, They believe that the grace of Guemo alone was able to banish Malek, and that it required much more to finally subdue him. They believe that no land was given to Malek upon his exit, and that it was taken instead by Malek to spite Guemo. This is what prompted those who would become Arellian to migrate from the Kalinzano Bay region, as it was believed it to be the site of Malek's final blow to the world. The group believed that it was cursed ground, and decided to migrate away from it, crossing the Salidon River to the east.

Arellians believe Malek still has a much stronger grasp on the world, and that people are inherently susceptible to his corruption. They do not worship Sabidone as a god, deeming it impossible for a man to become divine. This leads Arellian worship to hold a stronger narrative of reverence and humility when comparing humans to gods. Generally speaking, the kingdoms of Arellia and Dawnvale share close kinship, although many Arellians hold the opinion that Dawnvalian views on the gods are arrogant, and overly prideful.

### Theology and Religious Canon

#### Guemo

The original creator god, who forged all of the Universe, and then Belreven is known as Guemo. He is intertwined with growth, creation, nurturing, benevolence, and all virtues beyond. He formed the world, and formed all of it's inhabitants. In Belreven's infant years, all inhabitants of the land worshipped Guemo, and received countless blessings from him.

#### Malek

Malek appeared not long after the creation of Belreven. He is the god of destruction, chaos, vices of all varieties. He is the complete oppositional force to Guemo, and when he saw Guemo's creation, he desired to plunge it into chaos and ravage it.

#### Guemo and Malek's War

As Malek set upon the world to destroy and corrupt it, he was met swiftly by Guemo, beginning a massive battle between the two gods. Both would fight feircely over control of the world, and in the end Guemo would prevail, banishing Malek from the world. Due to his defeat, Malek was weak, and became dormant in a sense. However, Guemo would enter a similar situation. Although he had won the war, he was still greatly exhausted and desired to rest. He would enter a state of rehabilitation, from which he would not be conscious in his purest form.

#### Birth of the Reflections

From the sleep of Guemo came his Reflections. Even as Guemo himself lay inactive, Six deities would sprout from his essense, and would continue the embodiment of his prominent virtues. These gods and goddesses would become known as the Reflections, because collectively, they represented Guemo's greater whole being. They were extensions of himself, and each reflected a part of him.

### The Reflective Deities

#### Hamidus

God of Community, Watcher of Stable and Benevolent Homesteads. The Binder of Family and Kinship.

#### Dela

Goddess of Beauty, Elegance, and Fine Practices.

#### Galeona

Goddess of Nature, Growth, and Harmony with one's Environment. Giver of Rugged, yet Pristine Beauty. Facilitator of Life and Death.

#### Kayena

Goddess of Love, Selflessness, Sacred Bonds, and Trust.

#### Linearus

God of Knowledge, and Learning. Patron of Mages, Historians, and Scholars.

#### Altenius

The God of Time, Sensibility, Lineage, and Order, but also Eventual Change and Cycles of Power.

#### Sabidone (Dawnvale Pantheon)

In mortal life, he was Sabidone Dawnvale, the military general and founder of the Kingdom of Dawnvale. After his death, many believe he ascended to godhood and became the God of Courage, Valor, and Epic Deeds.

### History

Most scholars agree that worship of the Reflections has roots all the way back to the first settlements of men on Emveill, albeit in fractured form. Recovered artifacts from before the 1st Age suggest that worship of the Reflections began with individual practices developing in different regions surrounding the greater Kalinzano region. Worship of Galeona and Hamidus in particular, is thought to have existed around the Raverna region long before the introduction of other gods. Although it is uncertain exactly when, over time a singular pantheon would be formed which was worshipped commonly throughout the land.