Devlesa

Uthōno religion is called Devlesa, which translates to "the belief in the realms." There is no central authority in control of Devlesa, which allows for some diversity in belief and practice. It is a polytheistic religion that revolves around the nine spirits of the Kerrano. Kerrano are believed to influence the world, in the manner that their power enables them too. Kerrano altered but did not create the world and since the severance can only be reached through divination or prayer.

##### Worship

Kerrano are worshiped at family shrines and public shrines. Public shrines are staffed by priests, who oversee offerings to the specific Kerrano there. Rituals include rites of passage and seasonal festivals. Public shrines offer a space for divination and supply religious objects, such as amulets. Cleansing practices such as ritual bathing are also done before worship and worship is typically done at the hours of dusk or dawn.

##### Afterlife and Cosmology

Practitioners enter the dominion of the Kerra they worship in their afterlife or live on as spirits to watch over their families. However, descendants of bloodlines are forced into whatever afterlife their Kerra primogen rules over.  Devlesa does not have a single creator or origin, but is strongly tied to the cultural identity of the Uthōno people. There is no concept of an overarching duality between good and evil but Kerrano are understood as either agents of order or disorder. Followers of specific Kerra will also adopt the virtues of their teachings which can come into conflict with the virtues of other Kerra followers. There is no concept of eschatology in Devlesa, however, there is the threat of the destructive nature of the Kerra Beshen.

##### Purity

An important aspect of Devlesa is maintaining purity through the practice of certain purification rites such as bathing to maintain the spiritual health of the practitioners. Particular pollutants considered to be impure are death, disease, monsters, acts of torture, incest, bestiality, excrement and blood. To avoid impurity priests may participate in abstinence and avoid certain activities before festivals or rituals. At the end of the year a purification ceremony is conducted at shrines to prevent misfortune in the year to come.

##### Morality

Devlesa has tales of morality but no unified or codified doctrine of ethics which govern their behavior. The flexibility of the morality of Devlesa has helped the religion adapt to differing cultural customs but this has allowed it the capability to be used to legitimize an individual's power. Submission of the individual to the community is also an important part of the religion which reflects the role of families and bloodlines in the Uthōno culture. The religion focuses on ritual behavior rather than doctrine, concentrating on communal rituals.

##### Shrines

Within a public shrine is an inner sanctuary where items belonging to the Kerrano such as artworks, clothing, weapons, and instruments are displayed. Worshippers will pray or offer sacrifice outside of the shrine, though some shrines have halls of worship. Shrines often have gardens and are usually located near water for purification rituals. Shrines are cared for by priests, local families or members of the community. Priests have a hereditary means of succession and commonly priests are descendants of the bloodline tied to the Kerra whom the shrine is devoted to. Priests are assisted by shrine maidens who are commonly daughters of priests or other practitioners who help perform rituals and ceremonies. Some worshippers visit public shrines on a daily basis in the hours of morning or the evening. Due to the nomadic nature of the Uthōno pilgrimages have become a frequent practice. During these pilgrimages worshippers will visit a series of shrines and other holy sites that are part of an established circuit. Family shrines are kept within the homes or tents of practitioners, normally carved from stone or wood as idols made in the image of a specific Kerrano and typically serves as an object to commune with one's ancestors.

## Kerrano

Kerrano are a collection of spirits who influence the world and receive worship from their mortal followers. In times of old, Kerrano moved freely from their spiritual realm into the realm of mankind. There are nine Kerrano, who hail from their own dominions within their realm. Kerrano are not the creators of the realms of mankind or the realm within which they reside, for they can only alter what is, and can not create anew, therefore the myths of creation remain as an ineffable mystery to their followers. Since the great severance, the pathway to their realm remains closed, except through the means of prayer or divination.

The followers of Kerrano are the humans of the Uthōno culture, since they were the chosen people of the Kerrano, who guided them in their ancient Uthōno homeland of the Amriya rainforest. To help their chosen people settle the land, the Kerrano bloodlines were formed. These bloodlines were the result of nine human primogen, who were bestowed powers of each of the nine Kerrano. Nine mothers, who then passed this power by blood to their descendants and so on. However, descendants of other bloodlines are not able to procreate with each other and there are instances where some children born to a parent of a particular bloodline will not be born with magical abilities.

Kerrano are worshiped at shrines built at various holy sites across the lands, with each shrine being dedicated to a particular Kerra. Cleansing rituals are done beforehand and offerings are made while followers pray in the presence of sunlight of dawn or dusk since it is considered to cleanse the spirit.

### Brigasa- Kerra of Outcasts (Agent of Disorder)

###### *Followers*

Brigasa is patron to the sick, the weak, the maimed and the spurned. His followers practice the virtues of compassion, change and humility. It is a form of worship for them to give aid to those ostracized from society and it is considered virtuous to abandon their tether to earthly attachments. Brigasa reflects the communal values of Uthōno culture. Since he is also deformed and outcast from his dominion, wood or clay figures in his image are given shelter in Uthōno homes or tents, often surrounded by gifts of food.

###### *Bloodline*

The Brigasa bloodline bear his deformity in their visage and so it is traditional for them to wear masks. When the Brigasa primogen received her gift, the other eight primogen were horrified by her cursed appearance so she hid herself away. Her descendants survived the events of the severance and the diaspora by sticking to the shadows. To remove one’s mask in the presence of others is traditionally only allowed among loved ones or those who have earned trust. The curse of Brigasa is said to have caused the pale gray discoloration of the skin along with various forms of skin lesions or other maladies. However, in spite of this curse the bloodline still received the gift of transmutation and can temporarily transform creatures and other objects since Brigasa’s power is in his transformation. They lead several Uthōno tribes during the great migration due to their knowledge from generations of living unseen.

###### *Dominion*

It is said that Brigasa’s dominion was a shifting landscape of form and color until he was outcast from his home by the Kerra Ushalin. Instead of spending their afterlife in Brigasa’s dominion, his followers remain as spirits bound to watch over their families and the outcast.

###### *Background*

When the Kerrano first found the realm of mankind they each sought to exercise their dominion over it. Brigasa, under the influence of Beshen, spurned the order of the energies of life, which originally threatened the balance of the realms of mankind. He transformed the life energies bound under the control of Sastimasa into agents of change, this caused fire to burn, water to wear, wind to blow, and the young to grow old. His interference also granted mankind the ability to change the forms around them into tools, weapons and more. This greatly upset Amaro, and so she convinced Ushalin to lie to Brigasa that he would be receiving a gift from Vestinena. When Brigasa entered Vestinena’s dominion he unknowingly stepped into the illusory trap of Ushalin and was disfigured by Vestinena. Brigasa was then outcast from his dominion which fell under Vestinena’s control.

### Ushalin- Kerra of Deception (Agent of Disorder)

###### *Followers*

Ushalin is the patron of deception, conspiracy, and secret plots. Her followers carve their will unto the world and practice arts of secrecy or deception in all their forms, in her name. Ushalin has become a reflection of the Uthōno necessity to use deception to survive and gain power since the great migrations. Over time she has become more powerful from the worship of followers needing her guidance to plot against the people of the lands they venture in so that they may eke out a living. Thieves, performers, assassins, all pray to Ushalin for guidance in their plots. She attracts those who wish to see beyond the veil of lies and to master it for themselves. Followers of Ushalin naturally are resistant to authority or the law, often organizing active rebellions or guilds of thieves in secrecy.

###### *Bloodline*

Ushalin’s gift to her bloodline is her power of illusory magic which many of Ushalin’s bloodline use to project power greater than that which they have or to trick or con people out of their coin in street alleyways. This magic has proven to be so useful that during the great migrations several Uthōno tribes lead by descendants of Ushalin’s bloodline thrived rather than meeting their end as so many others have.

###### *Dominion*

Ushalin’s dominion is cloaked in darkness, with nocturnal predators roaming the land in silence. It is a dangerous place, full of traps and illusory passageways.

###### *Background*

Ushalin is drawn to conflict, often picking a mortal to be her champion only to betray them for a more powerful follower. Out of all the Kerrano, she likes meddling with human affairs the most, taking on conduits to spread lies and incite upheaval. Ushalin, like the other Kerrano sought to exercise her influence on the lands of mankind, altering nature with illusory gifts; spiders were among her favorites for the traps they spring with their webs. So, she is often associated with spiders. It is said that Ushalin altered light into shadow and night to give life to her secrets.

### Khoihamo- Kerra of Knowledge (Agent of Order)

###### *Followers*

Khoihamo is the patron of knowledge and divination, his eye sees into the past and future. He is the keeper of all knowledge, good or bad, and sees all seekers of knowledge as his servants. His followers uphold the pursuit of knowledge as the highest virtue, seeking to understand the tides of fate and uncover the mysteries of creation. The stars in the sky are said to be the eyes of Khoihamo and dreams are said to be his way of communicating with his followers as his eyes watch over them at night. Scholars, alchemists and those who commune with magic all look to him for guidance, as Khoihamo is also described as the father of Uthōno magic. Khoihamo will often trick followers to gain their knowledge and is known to betray those who strike deals with him once they are no longer of use to him.

###### *Bloodline*

When the Kerrano primogen were given their blessings of power from the Kerrano they did not know how to wield it until Khoihamo gave his primogen the *Paramica*, a codice with information on how to control the magic given to them by the Kerrano. Over time, several copies of the book were made and when the events of the severance unfolded the paramica was lost to time, with only rough copies left to spread the knowledge of magic. Khoihamo also gave descendants of his bloodline the gift of divination and this power of omens saved much of their progeny from suffering their end in the events of the severance and the great migrations. Descendants of Khoihamo’s bloodline are therefore some of the most numerous to exist in the world and are often employed as fortune tellers. Members of the bloodline also possess a golden eye in the center of their foreheads which only open when they are actively telling the future.

###### *Dominion*

Khoihamo’s dominion is a never-ending labyrinth of a dimly-lit library with never ending passageways in all directions. Here all forbidden knowledge is contained.

###### *Background*

It was Khoihamo’s will that lead to the altering of mankind to become seekers of knowledge, for he blessed them from the mindless beasts they once were so that he too could learn about the nature of the worlds within which they inhabit. Khoihamo will often act within his own interests for knowledge, whether the means to acquire such knowledge are right or wrong is not of importance to him. He is often a neutral party among the other Kerrano, neither leaning towards chaos or order.

### Malavel- Kerra of Manipulation (Agent of Disorder)

###### *Followers*

Malavel is the patron of manipulation, seduction, fertility and a sower of discord. Her followers may often fall victim to her charm or may worship her for guidance in navigating the conversations of society. Malavel’s followers often attract diplomats, prostitutes, and the like. They largely believe that acts of sex, friendship, and conversation are all means of upholding the virtues of Malavel. Unlike prayer to other Kerrano, prayer to Malavel is not done in silence, instead songs are sung or those in prayer will speak before her shrine. Malavel reflects aspects of the communal nature of Uthōno culture but in a way that can be dominating or predatory.

###### *Bloodline*

The descendants of Malavel’s bloodline were given the power of enchantment, which they use to seduce and charm others. Their propensity towards procreation meant that they had no trouble garnering an extended number of descendants who charmed their way from certain death during the events of the great migrations.

###### *Dominion*

Malavel’s dominion is filled with the dead spirits of her followers who worship her as they did in life by hosting parties, and causing chaos.

###### *Background*

Malavel enjoys seducing and interfering in mortal affairs, for her own amusement. She is rumored to be the sister of Ushalin due to their similarities. Malavel is also depicted as exceedingly beautiful. When she influenced the world of mankind she gave humans the ability to speak and animals the ability to make their many calls. Due to this she is often associated with music. Malavel is not fond of order and her interferences with the world are without a greater goal in mind.

### Putrav- Kerra of Fear (Agent of Disorder)

###### *Followers*

The dreaded name Putrav sends fear and disgust in the hearts of those who do not follow her. Some Uthōno tribes have altered her teachings or banned her worship altogether. Putrav is patron of decay, of death, of fear and repulsion. She often attracts the depraved of society or those who are in mourning of their loved ones. Putrav is prayed to in order to contact the dead through seances. Some infamous sects of her followers consume human flesh or engage in other repulsive acts in order to please her will.

###### *Bloodline*

Putrav’s bloodline are host to cabals of necromancers who commune with and summon the dead. Since the inception of this bloodline, the role of her descendants has been a thorn in Uthōno culture despite their necessity in funeral rituals due to the threat they have posed in their crusades against the living. This hostility caused the survival of this bloodline after the severance to be threatened greatly and few Uthōno tribes fell under their leadership during the great migrations.

###### *Dominion*

Putrav’s dominion is a darkened crypt of filth and nightmares.

###### *Background*

Putrav is the changer of all things that are taboo or which incite disgust or fear. She is also the progenitor of all disease, famine, and rot. It was with Putrav’s artifact, that allowed the events of the severance to unfold and some believe she forged this artifact so that the Uthōno could one day kill the other Kerrano .

### Beshen- Kerra of Destruction (Agent of Disorder)

###### *Followers*

Beshen is the patron of destruction, change, revolution and ambition. He remains an enemy to all life and his followers either worship him to create disorder to serve themselves or out of the belief that Beshen’s destruction will free humanity from its mortal coil. Followers of Beshen preach on the virtues of ambition and power. In times of war, before the great migrations, Beshen was prayed to for help in destroying one’s enemies and is often associated with war. Prayers to Beshen require blood and so his followers will drain blood from animals and offer it to him.

###### *Bloodline*

Beshen’s bloodline were quite powerful in ancient times before the severance and were given the magical powers of blood magic. This was an intensive magical practice which often required the sacrifice of living creatures who possessed enough blood to support the wielder of the magic. During the events of the severance, there was a conspiracy that Beshen had amassed his followers to help him launch a crusade of destruction against the races of the world. However, a Uthōno hero named Vano, used the artifact of Putrav to destroy Beshen and took his place which caused the sealing of the realm of the Kerrano from the realms of mankind. Thus, Beshen was reborn and adopted the virtues of ambition and rebellion. Few of Beshen’s bloodline have survived since the great migrations and none hold sway over any Uthōno tribes, though many are often employed as skilled assassins.

###### *Dominion*

This dominion is filled with fiery lava and rivers of blood.

###### *Background*

Beshen influenced Brigasa to transform the aspects of nature into states of destruction and has a history of influencing the wars of the realms of mankind. When Beshen was killed by a mortal his essence was absorbed by this hero and his personality changed into a split personality. Beshen is fond of chaos but is at odds with the other Kerrano, who wish to influence the physical world, while he wishes to only destroy it.

### Amaro- Kerra of Balance (Agent of Order)

###### *Followers*

Amaro is the patron of peace, balance and transition. Followers of Amaro adopt these as virtues with which to guide their lives and adopt a philosophy of pacifism. Much of the religious practices of the Uthōno were said to have been taught to them by Amaro, who taught them prayer and the rituals for building holy sites. Some sects interpret Amaro’s virtue of balance through the lens of consequence and are therefore not opposed to sacrificing the needs of a few for the greater good. Amaro is often prayed to in matters where justice needs to be served or in order to give guidance in efforts towards peace or mediation.

###### *Bloodline*

Blessed with Amaro’s powers of abjuration, her descendants were often employed against their will in times of war to ward off magical attacks or threats. Unfortunately this lead to many of this bloodline dying in the wars which followed during the events of the severance. Their philosophies of pacifism also made survival during the great migrations difficult in some regards but ultimately proved to be in their favor. Few of the Amaro descendants currently live in the world and none lead any tribes, instead opting to live their lives spreading the word of peace.

###### *Dominion*

Amaro’s dominion is alight with the golden rays of dawn and is host to the spheres of the sun and the moon.

###### *Background*

Amaro is known to be one of the more merciful and benevolent Kerrano but her wrath in the name of order is not to be trifled with. While the other Kerrano were influencing or altering the realms of mankind, Amaro worked to balance and lighten the extremities of their struggles for power. Amaro therefore often acts as a mediator between the struggles of Kerrano and is known for guiding mortals down paths of balance.

### Vestinena- Kerra of Domination (Agent of Order)

###### *Followers*

Vestinena is the patron of domination and enslavement. He views his followers as little more than slaves and his aims are to collect mortal souls under his dominion. Followers of Vestinena often worship him to legitimize their rule over others or to justify humanity’s domination over the land. Uthōno rulers of ancient times before the migrations used the teachings of Vestinena to justify conquest and slavery. After the events of the severance, some Uthōno began worshiping Vestinena for his role in thwarting Beshen and renamed Vestinena as an agent of order.

###### *Bloodline*

Conjuration was the gift Vestinena granted to his bloodline’s progeny, a power which enabled them to summon lesser spirits of Vestinena’s dominion to serve them. After the events of the severance these conjurers were hunted down by the progeny of the bloodline of Beshen in a series of conflicts that have caused the numbers of the Vestinena bloodline to dwindle.

###### *Dominion*

Vestinena’s dominion is a frozen pit wherein the skies rain hailstones and the spirits who act in service to him quarrel.

###### *Background*

It was the machinations of Vestinena which largely lead to the events of the severance as he wished to separate the realms of mankind from the realm of the Kerrano to limit the influence of the other Kerrano and prevent Beshen’s plans to destroy the realms of mankind. This plotting was all done out of his interest to conquer the realms of mankind and enslave the souls of the living. Rather than actively conquering the world as Beshen had sought, Vestinena sought to meddle in the affairs of mankind and conquer their souls covertly. Vestinena is also responsible for the proliferation of monsters as he twisted dominion over their souls.

### Sastimasa- Kerra of Energy (Agent of Order)

###### *Followers*

Sastimasa is the patron of living energies and the active forces of nature. Her followers formed an order of paladins whose purpose is to destroy the monsters of Vestinena since they are considered to be twisted forms of living energy. Followers of Sastimasa uphold her virtues of purity and nature. Worship in her name is often done in times of harvest or with the passing of the seasons. Followers of Sastimasa can range from craftsmen seeking to breathe life into their art, to sailors or farmers.

###### *Bloodline*

Members of Sastimasa’s bloodline were blessed with the power of evocation, a magic that creates elemental effects such as bitter cold, searing flame, and crackling lightning. Her descendants were often used as powerful instruments of war, since they were bound to her tenets of honor and equipped with destructive power. As with most of the other bloodlines her descendants suffered during the events of the severance and the great migrations to the point that her progeny are scattered few and far between the lands of the world with their largest concentrations being left to the few bands of paladins who roam under her banner.

###### *Dominion*

Sastimasa’s dominion is a tumultuous one, with the elemental planes colliding with another in a violent spectacle.

###### *Background*

Sastimasa seeks to purge the realms of mankind of the creations of the undead and creatures or energies she deems to be malformations. She also gave humanity emotions and altered the barren realms of mankind with the energies of life. Due to this association with life, she is often considered to have a dual role with Malavel in rites of fertility. Sastimasa interferes with humanity in search of her own champions even if it is at the cost of the deaths of her followers.