Aeglionism

### Overview

Ancient Aeglionic religion encompasses the collection of beliefs, rituals, and mythology originating in ancient Aeglion in the form of both popular public religion and cult practices. Aeglionic polytheists worship the ancient Aeglionic Gods, including both celestial and underworld Deities, Demigods, nature divinities, and heroes.

### Cosmology

The Universe was created by the Elder Beings--immortal, all-knowing ones that were there before all existence. Some scholars believe they make up all matter around us, existing in all places and all worlds. They were the first supreme beings that came to be, and created the first worlds, one of which was Aeglion. It is unclear what the overall goal of the Elder Beings in the creation of worlds was. When the first inhabitants of a world thrived, the Elder Beings initially took it upon themselves to watch over it themselves. When any creature died, they would manage its transition to the afterlife on their own. Over time, more worlds were created, with more life and more duties. The Elder Beings decided to appoint heralds and overseers to watch over each world would allow for better, more prosperous management.  The first batch of overseers, now called the Old Gods, were created by the Elder Beings from the substance of the stars themselves, and although infinitely less powerful than the Elder Beings they were invincible in comparison to mortals. These Old Gods were corrupted and malicious, often destroying the worlds created by the Elder Beings on a whim. They were eventually deemed imperfect creations by their masters. The Elder Beings placed all the Old Gods in a deathlike sleep and imprisoned them across the universe, "in the darkness between the stars", some in other dimensions, and some even deep in the cores of different worlds. The Old Gods have now been all but forgotten.

### The Coming of the New Deities

The Elder Beings then created a new batch of overseers, this time from the souls of beings who died on the many worlds they had created. Worthy souls were elevated to the position of Deities, the 'New Gods'. These elevated souls were found to have a deeper relationship with the beings on mortal worlds and proved to be better suited for management. And so it came to be that each world in existence, including Aeglion, was warded by several Deities. Not much else is remembered about the Elder Beings, for even the Deities rarely see them. They have seemingly relinquished control of these worlds to the Deities, only intervening occasionally to punish or reward the various Deities when cosmic infractions were committed.

### The Afterlives

If a person dies, the soul is separated from the corpse, taking on the shape of the former person, and is transported to the entrance of the ‘Void’ to be judged. Then, they are sent to one of two afterlifes. The afterlifes, Menione and Naraka, are otherworlds that exist in an entire different plane of existence. Regardless of which world they come from, a soul will be sent to either of these planes. Consequently, these planes became inhabited by souls of remarkably different beings from very different worlds.

Naraka is described as being beneath the depths or ends of the earth. This is the underworld where the souls of the damned experience punishment for their sins. It is the kingdom of suffering and is considered the dark counterpart to the brightness of Menione, which is the kingdom of the gods where worthy souls are sent. In Menione, a soul was judged by the Deities and their institutions, and a decision was made as to whether to either allow the soul to achieve *moksha* (permanent liberation) or to be corporeally reincarnated in a world.

### The Choosing of the Deities

The Elder Beings intervened in this process at intervals, in order to select new Deities. They picked four worthy souls from Menione to become celestial Deities and one soul from Naraka to become the Deity of the Underworld. Of the celestial Deities, there were three regular and one high deity, tasked with providing guidance for the living beings of Aeglion. The Deity of the Underworld was unique in that he or she was deliberately chosen by the Elder Beings for the incorrigible corruption of their soul, and their purpose was not to nurture but to exact the harshest punishments and inflict the worst tortures on damned souls in the underworld. The three regular celestial Deities were Avarkim the God of Death, Valothiel the God of Fate and Hope, Kirati the Goddess of War and Balith the God of the Underworld. Finally, there was the High Deity Sho’risdal the Goddess of Life and Bounties.

After the chaos brought by the destructive Old Gods, these New Deities were strictly meant to be watchers and guides to a growing world. All Deities were now forbidden from directly intervening in the affairs of the world. To break this rule would draw the gravest of punishments by the Elder Beings themselves. The Deities see the events of their world unfold and may indirectly influence world affairs via Prophets. Prophets are the corporeal reincarnations of souls in Menione that were chosen and entrusted by the Deities to spread their word on Aeglion. Prophets rarely know of their own role at birth, but often are given signs or hear the words of their Deity throughout their life, often finally recognizing the purpose of their own soul, after which they may proceed to spread the word of their God. The element of worship by the creatures in the world gave a Deity increased divine power, although the consequences of this is unknown.

### The Demigods

In addition to the five main Deities, there were numerous Demigods, who inhabited the planes of Naraka and Menione. These Demigods are treated as servants by the Deities, and have considerably less power than their masters. Their purpose was to aid the Deities in the management of the planes themselves, although often their influence and creations can be strong enough to generate reverence or even worship from the creatures on Aeglion. The Elder Beings are less mindful of the Demigods' activities, resulting in them often engaging in forbidden and mischievous acts including direct intervention in world affairs. In order to escape the wrath of the Elder Beings, craftier Deities who seek to intervene in Aeglion often resort to have a Demigod secretly do their bidding.

### Figureheads

#### **Elder Beings**

* Legends; sparse information, mostly rumors

#### **Deities of Aeglion**

* Sho’risdal, Deity of Life and Bounty; High Deity
* Avarkim, Deity of Death; Chief Justice of the Void

* Kirati, Deity of War
* Valothiel, Deity of Fortune (encompasses Luck, Fate and Hope)
* Balith, Deity of the Underworld

#### **Celestial Demigods**

* Buru, Lord of the Animals, and of the Hunt
* Fae, Lady of Magic
* Fresca, Lady of the Rivers; Queen of the Underworld
* Othma’gel, Lord of Deception
* Serra, Lady of Love
* Hari, Lord of the Sun, and of Daylight

#### **Underworld (Chthonic) Demigods**

* Sarpa, Lord of Poison
* Mahisa, Lord of Wrath; shapeshifter
* Ingorf, Lord of the Forge

#### **Nature Divinities**

* Lembu ; *cow*
* Pambu ; *naga*
* Rusa ; *wildbuck*
* Singha; *lion*
* Vilkas; *wolf*

#### **Forgotten and Lost Figures**

* Vyinsul, former Deity of Death
* Gurzil, former Deity of War

#### **Important Places**

* The Void
* Menione
* Naraka