Pantheon

# **The Pantheon**

It is generally believed that in the beginning, when there were no stars in the sky, all that existed were the Sleeping Gods - or God, depending on whom you believe. And over time, the Gods began to awaken and exert their influence over the world in different ways.

It was Herma who made the lands and Walvas the sea to bring it down. Syr who cast the first flame and Rorx who claimed dominion of the air to put it out. Harren filled the world with a motley of beasts as Herma created the first Elves, to tame them. Malar who brought about the darkness and the cold, and Arkan who returned life to the skies of night, filling them with stars and inspiring those elves to build.

All must be in balance. All must be measured - some even keeping themselves in check. The remaining sleeping gods woke, and claimed their final dominions; Magic and Destiny, War and Healing, Thievery and Trade. Koral inspires order, so Zephus brings about insanity. And as all things must come to a close, we have the Gods of the End; Denair, God of Death - and Gemvor, God of Judgement.

And lording over them all was Du-Rein.

## **Arkan**

***God of Sky, Stars, and Architecture***

*The Great Architect, Light in the Dark*

Arkan was one of the first Gods to truly make themselves known to mortals - as the Elves took their first steps it was Arkan who gave them the stars to make the night beautiful, and changed the sky throughout the day. They inspired the Elves to build towards the heavens, resulting in the mighty feats of architecture that are said to lie in ruins deep in The Old World.

In the modern day, Arkan is still revered by aspiring architects everywhere - with some form of temple dedicated to them in almost every grand structure in the known world. In some cultures small shrines to him can even be found in the most modest of structures, in the hopes that they will give the structure their blessing.

Over the years, Dwarves became especially devoted to Arkan, and partially attribute the strength of their fortresses to the blessing of Arkan. Dwarven Builders are frequently consulted in construction projects as a result of this. Some Elves, meanwhile, began to turn away from Arkan, when their blessed fortresses failed to stop the Fall of the Old World.

Respect is frequently paid to Arkan on Nedact, as it is on this day that a new star is born in the sky. This is, naturally, attributed to Arkan, the God of Stars. Some cultures have also been known to pray to Arkan if they are wishing to make it to the dawn without issue.

## **Denair**

***God of Death, Plague, and Famine***

*The Harvester, The Last Face*

Together with Gemvor, Denair oversees the passage of souls from this world to the worlds beyond; Denair to deliver them from death and Gemvor to pass judgement upon them. Because of this commonly held belief, it is frequently said that the last face one will see before their death is the face of Denair.

Though their primary domain is Death, Denair is also the God responsible for Plague and Famine - both extensions of their power over Death. Denair’s plaguepriests are known to wander the lands, performing funeral rites and overseeing the spread of disease and famine in order to keep things in balance. They might arrive at a village whose crops have been failing and deem it true or fale. Then they may end the blight, leave it be, or in some rare cases intensify it. Their criteria is known only to them and their God.

Respect is usually paid to Denair on one's deathbed, during funeral rites, in hospitals, during a famine, or even when planting a crop - in the hopes that they will be unharmed.

## **Du-Rein**

***God of Secrets and Undeath***

*The All-Father, the Ever-Knowing, Lord of Creation, the Keeper of Memories*

He is the most ancient and mysterious of the Gods. To hear some tell it, back in the beginning  Du-Rein was the only God, and it is only through him that the other Gods came to be. Whether this old legend holds any truth is  only known to him, for Du-Rein is the God of Secrets, and such things are his burden alone to carry.

As God of Secrets, Du-Rein has been someone many people in the world feel able to confide in; for he will take your secrets and safeguard them until your death and beyond. A friend for anyone to talk to in the dark, when there is truly nooone else to turn to. Some people say that in their darkest hour, when they confess to the Ever-Knowing, he speaks back to them.

Du-Rein’s less popular area of worship is his mastery over the undeath. All across the land know that it was he who taught his greatest powers to the Lich Queen, and some have grown to despise him for it.

## **Herma**

***Goddess of Plants and Earth***

Herma is one of the four ‘Elemental’ Gods, along with Walvas, Syr, and Rorx, claiming some degree of power over elemental earth.

## **Rorx**

***God of Storms and Wrath***

Rorx is one of the four ‘Elemental’ Gods, along with Walvas, Syr, and Herma, claiming some degree of power over elemental air.

## **Syr**

***God of Fire and Renewal***

Syr is one of the four ‘Elemental’ Gods, along with Walvas, Herma, and Rorx, claiming some degree of power over elemental fire.

## **Walvas**

***God of Vengeance and the Sea***

Walvas is one of the four ‘Elemental’ Gods, along with Herma, Syr, and Rorx, claiming some degree of power over elemental water.