Religion

Religion in Eternia is the belief of one of multiple entities, typically a Divine Spirit or Angel. Most religions came about during the Mythical Era, defined by the early developments of the world, with scripture detailing events in history or interactions between humans and the worshipped figures. Faith can also be used as a basis for magic, with incantations and teachings often having been passed from a deity to the followers.

## Valmasia

In Valmasia, the dominant religion is Azraelism, although it was originally the Worship of Kraus:

* The Conquests of the Alliance gave rise to Azraelism, the worship of the Fallen Angel Azrael and his teachings of necromancy. Since the tenth century, it's been adapted by the majority of Valmasians as the religion of choice, with outspoken support in opposing beliefs often coming under the penalty of death. Valmasians typically attribute the unifying black and silver Azraelite banner as the reasons for their prosperity, having conquered several countries in the Brittania continent.
* The Grey Church is a religion that follows an ancient entity risen to demi-godhood, the Dreamer, off of usurping the heart of the corrupted spirit, Nerebia. Intensely concerned with the people and one of the triad of Alliance leaders, her creed requests humility, kindness, and an unending quest for man's betterment an offshoot of the Azraelite faith.

The following religions are outlawed and it's unlikely that a Valmasian would follow them, as those that do are are considered terrorists by the Valmasian people.

* The Faith of Kraus followed the events of the Divine War, popularized by the Order of Light under the leadership of Arthor Pendragon. It compiled interactions with the the Angels in over two dozen gospels. The most notable of them were the gospels of Mercy, Justice, and Wisdom. The original scriptures are largely unknown and lost to time, though a largely word-of-mouth version exists as a cult.
* The Cult of Belial was the worship of the Sealed God. It was founded by Prophet Lysander Falco in the late ninth century, and was based around communicating with the wraiths of the moon, the Apostles of Belial. Those that follow the Sealed God descend into a state of mad euphoria, enticed by the essence of Belial that empowers them, gradually becoming addicted through their ritualistic worship.
* The Sixteen Gods of Uray came to Valmasia's shores in the seventh century, brought by the foreigner Alpheral Sunblade who taught Sacred Power to his apprentices. While it is a pantheon of lesser spirits, it endured the centuries and maintained a small following since its beginning within the lands. In the 1400s, it's completely unknown.
* The faith of the Ookami, the worship of Asena and Saekanis, the wolves of Summer and Winter, is practiced by those Ookami who do not live within the cities. Those who manage to escape capture and stay outside city boundaries tend to worship these wolves that blessed them; Asena is the wolf of Summer and creation, of life, While Saekanis is the wolf of Winter and destruction, the wolf of death. The two form a balance where one keeps the other in check.

## Gehenna

The main religion in Gehenna is Tocathian, but with hundreds of tribes spanning the endless jungles, there are dozens of lesser religions. However, Azraelism is non-existent due to the events of the Divine War, and worship of the Angels is also rare as many cultures blame them for not undoing the damage and fixing the wraiths:

* The religion of Tocathian is the symbiotic relationship the people of Gehenna have the spirits, many of which have become wraiths. It emphasizes the importance of blood sacrifice to sustain the spirits and provide them with the life energy needed for the land to retain its fertility.
* The Moonrise is a religion that's said to be as old as the mountains themselves, with the first week of Gehenna's beginnings spent in darkness, save for the light of the moon. The primary deity is Ixchel, the black panther. Its followers are the Nagual, the descendants of the Three Warlords.
* Quetzalcoatl is revered throughout Gehenna as a divine entity, even by those who do not directly follow the feathered dragon. Some despise him as many villages have been destroyed by The Feud. Worship began when Quetzalcoatl protected a tribe and gave them feathered wings to escape their demise.
* The Trial is a cult in the northern lands of Gehenna, followed by the Ezmara tribe. Its a stretch of plaguelands that the worshippers claim is sentient. If anyone can make it through alive, they're said to be blessed with good fortune.
* Worship of the Heavenly Beings/Holy Ones is prevalent in several tribes, notably in the Yoltzin tribe that dominates the lands in western Gehenna. Their religion is called the Lords of Avalon, and it's based around the Angel Sachael who helped to lead the Gehennans during the Divine War.
* The tribe of Atl practices cannibalism, believing they'll be immortalized into what they refer to as Strigoi. Many of their tribesmen are afflicted with the Curse of Gluttony. Their religion is the Way of Blood.
* In the far north-east, there's a religion based around volcano Huatl, where a red-feathered deity with the head of a dragon shares the same name. Their rib cage is exposed, the flesh melted away, and a red sphere burns where their heart should be, like a mini-sun. The great city of Quep follow this religion.
* Found in small groups and patches around the continent, the followers of the Sun Cult speak the word of the sun god, Huitzilopochtli. A tribe that thrives in war and honors strict abstinence for their deity, they roam Gehenna freely, erecting tall towers that is said to bring them closer to Hutzilopochtli.

## Jianghu

Worship of dark gods is forbidden within the Continent of Sheng. Most nefarious cults tend to be short-lived, with the most recent uprising ending in the early 1100s, following the Battle of Helheim's Rise.

* The Fourfold Path rose as the main religion within Jianghu and by extension the Continent of Sheng when the Emperor took power in the region, unifying the lands. There's four temples, to the north, west, south, and east, each representing one of the paths: honor, family, judgement, and spirit.
* Despite falling in prominence, The Illuminated is a popular religion throughout Jianghu. It's the worship of the sun, the closest star, and the Divine Spirit Jiuweihu.
* Animists believe in putting spirits into objects and places to help regulate the world, offering power and catharsis for them until such time as they are released back into the spirit world or rejoin their soul. This religion was mainly popular in Izhuhara before the advent of the Fourfold Path. Many traditionalists continue to practice it.