Beritism

Beritism is a religion that originated in Dracia, but has spread throughout Valar and has been adopted or adapted into many countries throughout the continent. People who follow Beritism are collectively called Berits, though there are multiple strains of the religion. Beritism consist of a holy council of eight deities that judge all mortals.

### History

The religion was founded on the observations on Dagoma, a scholar who discovered a liminal gate and recorded his observations on his travels throughout parts of Dyadus and who is considered the first berit prophet. His travels took him to the pantheon of Saston as well as the twilight lands that lie between Illador and Bagorum. Due to complications with the liminal gate he was using, Dagoma was unable to communicate with any of the beings he was observing, and therefore had to draw his own conclusions and connection. These recordings and retellings were venerated and became the basis of the berit religion, Idolizing the 8 gods of Saston's pantheon as the strongest and using them as a foundation of morality and the explanations of the world.

### Sagas of The Adesh

The sagas of the Adesh are an additional part of the berit holy book that speaks of Soohr's trials in a hostile world filled with fiendish shapeshifting creatures. These retellings come from Dagoma's observation as he watched the various battles between Soohr and Nepharim, a demon known for stealing hearts, as well as his fiend minions that Dagoma referred to as Nepharim's rats or the spawn of Nepharim. These battles occurred in the twilight lands between Illador and Bagorum, which Dagoma named The Adesh. There is a branch of beritism that focuses heavily on these tellings, referred to as adeshan berits. This form of beritism has been looked down upon, as it is said that their teachings breed fanatics. Many of their teachings are archaic and prejudiced, one example would be that many adeshan berits in Wrathmire believe the ankor to be the "rats' in which Soohr battled, and are therefore extremely descriminatory towards them.

## Saston

### God of Gods

Saston is the King of the Gods. While he is known as the God of Gods, he is also the God of the Moon, law, order, pride, power, prediction, and the celestial bodies. The animal symbol of Saston is the lion. He is said to preside over the other seven gods, providing his ruling on various problems with Illador as well as Nion.

## Hizona

### Goddess of the Sun

Hizona is the wife of Saston. The duality of the gods can be seen in the relationship of Saston and Hizona, as they represent the Moon and the Sun respectively. Hizona is also the Goddess of the Sun, love, family, peace, and virtue. The animal symbol of Hizona is the dove. Hizona has also been depicted as a horse. She is said to be the most gracious of the berit gods and it is said that her pure love is what brings light into the world, and she is considered to be the quintessence of purity.

## Astus

### God of Wisdom

Astus is the God of wisdom, intelligence, knowledge, philosophy, trade, madness, and reason. The animal symbol for Astus is the jackalope and sometimes the owl. He is heavily associated with fire as it is said that knowledge is the kindle to the flames of discovery. He is said to have given mortals the knowledge of fire, and in doing so begin the era of civilization. It is Astus who established the difference between men and beasts.

## Ophione

### Goddess of the Sea

Ophione is the Goddess of the seas, storms, protection, agriculture, song, defense, and anger. the animal symbol for Ophione is the dolphin. Her domain is the sea, and she is associated with water and aquatic life because of this. They say Ophione's anger is what causes storms, but it is also her protective instincts that return people to land if they have been lost at sea.

## Lyken

### God of Shadows

Lyken is the God of shadows, hunt, prophecy, greed, plague, laughter, trickery, and festivals. The animal symbol for Lyken is the crow. Lyken can also be depicted as a black raccoon. Lyken is commonly associated with tricks and deception. He is known as a joyous God, although many of his games have a very twisted outcome. Lykan is considered a most mysterious and unpredictable god.

## Asaryn

### Goddess of the Sky

Asaryn is the Goddess of the sky, freedom, inspiration, art, youth, vision, and the wind. The animal symbol for Asaryn is the eagle and is sometimes associated with any high flying bird. Her domain is considered to be all of the Nionic sky, that being all that is below the domains of Saston and Hizona, who govern the celestial bodies, and above the domains of Veius and Ophione, who govern the land and sea respectively.

## Veius

### God of the Forest

Veius is the God of the forest, all animals, life, the dead, serenity, healing, and the seasons. While Veius is the God of the forest, it is said that the whole earth is his domain. All that is on or under the ground is in his control. The animal symbol of Veius is the deer with butterflies on its antlers. He is believed to be the God with the purest of hearts, and often associated with genuine acts of kindness. Veius is said to have created all living things from his bountiful heart. They heart of Veius is considered one of the utmost signs of purity, only shadowed by Hizona's light.

## Soohr

### God of War

Soohr is the God of war, valor, honor, violence, retribution, mountains, and strength. The animal symbol for Soohr is the ram. He is known for his destructive power but also his craftsmanship. Soohr is prayed to by many warriors due to his battle prowess. Many soldiers in the Dracian military have ram's head necklaces around their necks at all times during times of war, as they believe that he will bless them and give them the strength they need to win.