On the Beliefs of Aerthinia

Each of the four main races in the Kingdom of Aerthinia has its own distinct religious practices and beliefs, which are tied to their cultural traditions and the unique powers bestowed upon them by their respective deities.

## The Elvahir

They worship the goddess Lirien, who is associated with the power of wind. They believe that Lirien created them and gave them the ability to control the winds and the weather. The Elvahir celebrate Lirien through a variety of rituals and ceremonies, including the Ceremony of the Fallen Leaves, which honors the cyclical nature of the natural world. For the Elvahir, Lirien is revered as a powerful and benevolent goddess, who grants them the gift of wind and helps them to maintain balance and harmony in the natural world. They often incorporate the power of the wind into their cultural practices, such as in their music and dance, as well as in their architecture and engineering.

The Elvahir believe that Lirien not only created them but also all other wind creatures in the world. They see Lirien as a powerful and benevolent goddess who has a special connection to the natural world. The Elvahir view the power of wind as a symbol of freedom, movement, and change. They believe that Lirien's gift of wind allows them to move swiftly and gracefully through the world, and to adapt to changing circumstances.

The Temple of Wind in Eversong is a beautiful, open-air structure that is built around a tall, slender tree. The temple has no walls, and its roof is made of woven branches that allow the wind to flow freely through it. The temple is decorated with colorful ribbons and streamers that flutter in the breeze, and it is surrounded by a ring of tall, swaying grasses that rustle in the wind. At the center of the temple is a large, circular altar, where the Elvahir offer prayers and offerings to Lirien, the goddess of wind.

## The Orcthanir

They worship the god Gerdo'on, who is associated with the power of fire. They believe that Gerdo'on created them and gave them their strength and power. The Orcthanir celebrate Gerdo'on through a variety of rituals and ceremonies, including the Burning of the Hills, which is a sacred ritual that involves lighting a large bonfire at the highest point of a hill to honor their god. For the Orcthanir, Gerdo'on is seen as a mighty and ferocious god, who imbues them with the power of fire and helps them to conquer their enemies in battle. They are known for their fiery spirit and their fierce determination, which they attribute to the power of their god.

The Orcthanir believe that Gerdo'on not only created them but also an entire world of fire that is now believed to be lost or hidden. They see Gerdo'on as a powerful and fierce god who demands strength, courage, and loyalty from his followers. The Orcthanir view the power of fire as a symbol of strength, passion, and destruction. They believe that Gerdo'on's gift of fire allows them to conquer their enemies in battle, to forge powerful weapons and tools, and to shape the world according to their will.

The Temple of Fire in Shadowhorn is a massive, imposing structure that is built into the side of a mountain. The temple is constructed of black volcanic rock, and its entrance is flanked by two towering statues of Gerdo'on, the god of fire. The interior of the temple is lit by flickering torches and braziers, and the air is thick with the scent of burning incense. At the center of the temple is a large, circular pit filled with glowing coals, where the Orcthanir offer sacrifices and perform sacred rituals in honor of their god.

## The Dwarvandor

They worship the goddess Murinia, who is associated with the power of earth. They believe that Murinia created them and gave them their great strength and endurance. The Dwarvandor celebrate Murinia through a variety of rituals and ceremonies, including the Stonecarver's Festival, which honors the art of stonemasonry and the importance of the earth and its resources in their culture. For the Dwarvandor, Murinia is revered as a nurturing and protective goddess, who provides them with the strength and stability of the earth. They are known for their skill in mining and stonemasonry, which they see as a way to honor their goddess and show their appreciation for the gifts she has bestowed upon them.

The Dwarvandor believe that Murinia not only created them but also the mountains, valleys, and other geological features of the world. They see Murinia as a nurturing and protective goddess who provides them with the stability, strength, and resources they need to thrive. The Dwarvandor view the power of earth as a symbol of resilience, endurance, and prosperity. They believe that Murinia's gift of earth allows them to mine precious metals and minerals, to construct sturdy buildings and fortifications, and to cultivate fertile lands.

The Temple of Earth in Frostforge is a sprawling, underground complex that is carved out of solid rock. The temple is decorated with intricate carvings and mosaics that depict scenes from Dwarvandor mythology, and its walls are studded with precious gems and minerals. The interior of the temple is lit by glowing crystals and lanterns, and the air is cool and damp. At the center of the temple is a large, circular chamber, where the Dwarvandor offer prayers and offerings to Murinia, the goddess of earth.

## The Eruvian

They worship the primordial goddess Aeloria, who is associated with the power of lightning. They believe that Aeloria created them and gave them their great intelligence and creativity. The Eruvian celebrate Aeloria through a variety of rituals and ceremonies, including the Festival of Words, which honors the art of storytelling and the power of the written and spoken word. For the Eruvian, Aeloria is seen as a creative and inspiring goddess, who imbues them with the power of lightning and helps them to achieve great feats of art and intellect. They are known for their love of literature, storytelling, and the arts, which they see as a way to honor their goddess and express their creativity.

The Eruvian believe that Aeloria not only created them but also the power of lightning itself. They see Aeloria as a creative and inspiring goddess who has a special connection to art, literature, and intellectual pursuits. The Eruvian view the power of lightning as a symbol of intellect, creativity, and progress. They believe that Aeloria's gift of lightning allows them to express their ideas and emotions through their art, to make scientific discoveries and technological innovations, and to explore new realms of knowledge and understanding.

The Temple of Lightning in Stormcrest is a tall, slender tower that is built of shimmering crystal and metal. The temple is adorned with intricate, lightning-shaped designs that glow with a bright, blue light. The interior of the temple is filled with the sound of crackling electricity, and the air is charged with energy. At the center of the temple is a large, circular chamber, where the Eruvian offer prayers and offerings to Aeloria, the goddess of lightning. The chamber is illuminated by a dazzling display of lightning bolts that dance across the walls and ceiling.

These different religious practices reflect the unique cultural and spiritual traditions of each of the four main races, and they help to shape their beliefs, values, and way of life.

## Evil Cults

**The Cult of the Black Sun** is one of the known secretive organizations, and likely the most influential one, who believe that Baelin is the true ruler of the world of Aerthinia, and seek to overthrow the current rulers and establish a new order based on dark magic and necromancy. Their goal is to gain control of powerful artifacts and knowledge that will allow them to summon Baelin into the mortal realm and bring about a new era of darkness and destruction.

The Cult of the Black Sun worships Baelin, the primordial god of destruction and death, because they believe that he represents the true power in the universe. They see traditional Aerthinian values as weak and ineffective, and view Baelin as a force that can bring about true change and transformation.

For the members of the Cult of the Black Sun, Baelin is a god of power and potential, capable of unleashing destructive energies that can reshape the world in their own image. They believe that by serving Baelin and carrying out his will, they can gain access to this power and become agents of change themselves.

The cult sees the current rulers of Aerthinia as corrupt and ineffective, and believes that they are holding the kingdom back from its true potential. They view Baelin as a force that can break down the old order and create something new and better in its place.

The Cult of the Black Sun plans to gain access to Baelin's power through a combination of dark magic, ritual sacrifice, and the acquisition of powerful artifacts.

First, the cult seeks to gather knowledge and artifacts related to Baelin and his realm of darkness. This includes ancient tomes of forbidden knowledge, relics of dark magic, and other powerful artifacts that can be used to summon the primordial god.

Second, the cult engages in ritual sacrifice, using blood magic and other dark practices to appease Baelin and gain his favor. They believe that by offering up enough blood and souls, they can summon Baelin into the mortal realm.

Finally, the cult seeks to spread their influence throughout Aerthinia, infiltrating key positions of power and using their knowledge of dark magic to manipulate events in their favor. They work in secret, using their power to sow chaos and discord among the ruling classes and pave the way for Baelin's eventual arrival.

The Cult of the Black Sun calls themselves by that name because they see the Black Sun as a symbol of the power and potential of Baelin, the primordial god of destruction and death.

In their belief system, the Black Sun represents a source of dark energy that is capable of unleashing powerful transformative forces upon the world. They see themselves as agents of this transformation, working to bring about a new era of darkness and destruction under the guidance of Baelin.

The Black Sun is also seen as a symbol of the cult's philosophy of change and transformation. They believe that the old order of traditional Aerthinian values must be destroyed in order to make way for a new and better world, one that is guided by the power of Baelin and his followers.

The name "Black Sun" also relates to Baelin in the sense that he is seen as the source of this dark transformative power.

Here are some examples of other similar but smaller evil organizations that exist in Aerthinia and support the Cult of the Black Sun:

**The Brotherhood of the Night:** This secret society of assassins is known for their stealth and ruthlessness. They believe that the rulers of Aerthinia are corrupt and ineffective, and seek to eliminate them one by one to create a power vacuum that they can fill. The Brotherhood has a strict code of conduct and a hierarchy of leadership, with the most skilled assassins rising quickly through the ranks.

**The Order of the Withered Hand:** This group is composed of powerful sorcerers who seek to gain control of the magical energies of Aerthinia for their own purposes. They believe that the current system of magical education and apprenticeship is limiting, and that they should have access to all knowledge and power. The Order is highly secretive, and often uses their magic to manipulate events in their favor.

**The Cult of the Blood Moon:** This group is composed of werewolves and other lycanthropes who see themselves as superior to other races. They believe that they should be ruling Aerthinia, and that the current rulers are weak and ineffective. The Cult seeks to gain enough power to overthrow the current rulers and establish a new order in which werewolves and other lycanthropes are the dominant force.

**The Society of the Golden Rose:** This organization is composed of wealthy merchants and nobles who seek to gain more power and influence in Aerthinia. They believe that the current system of governance is limiting, and that they should have a greater say in how the kingdom is run. The Society is highly exclusive, and often uses their wealth to buy influence and manipulate events in their favor.

*On the Beliefs of Aerthinia - "On the Habits of the Races" by Lysandra the Scribe*