The Five Gods of the North

The Animist traditions of the North gave way to a more theistic religion when (according to myth) the Dragon King of the North gave the forces worshiped by the Northgardians their names. Followers of this religion usually choose a single deity as their patron, but will often invoke or pray to the other gods when the situation calls for it (e.g. a worshiper of Athorus might pray to the Lady when embarking on a sea voyage). Additionally, in smaller communities, priests often serve as the priest of multiple gods, usually grouped as Polaris, Athorus and the Lady under one priest and Kevara and Findariel under another.

## **Athorus, the Lifegiver**

*Full Article: Athorus*

As the God of Life and Light, Athorus is widely worshiped in the North. His most devout followers are farmers and healers. The Paladins of Athorus are also a common sight, travelling from town to town with their retinue, their lifestyles legendarily sparse and ascetic. His holiday, Freyas, held on the Autumn Equinox, is the single most important holiday on the wider Northern calendar. This holiday, which takes place near the harvest, is a massive community-wide festival held in town that often lasts for a week or more.

## **Polaris, the North Star**

*Full Article: Polaris*

Goddess of Night, Dreams and Stars, Polaris guards against the Elder Gods, but in so doing has acquired some of their ill reputation. While still venerated, people shiver when a priest of Polaris passes, or they hear her bells clanking dully in the night. Despite this, though, almost everyone murmurs a prayer to Polaris when they walk home at night. Polaris's holiday, Seigr, is celebrated at Midwinter and is the most public show of faith in the Goddess.

## **Kevara, the Fire in the Earth**

*Full Article: Kevara*

Kevara is the God of Earth, Fire, Industry and Artifice and taught humanity how to work iron in the old myths. He is most commonly worshiped by miners, blacksmiths and engineers, and everyone else who works with metals. However, it's also common practice to whisper a prayer to Kevara when lighting a fire, whether it's a hearthfire or a campfire. The Summer Solstice is Kevara's sacred holiday, called Fordagr. The celebration of this holiday is usually centered around the local smithy.

## **Findariel, the Hunter**

*Full Article: Findariel*

Findariel is a dualistic god, representing both predator and prey. He is worshiped by hunters, herdsmen and rangers in his role as the God of Beasts. Findariel preaches mercy, specifically the swift death delivered by a hunter to captured prey. In this aspect, he often receives prayers from people in truly dire situations who want his mercy to come to them. In his more positive role as a God of Bounty, he is often prayed to by farmers looking to increase their harvest, or fishermen who seek to improve their cash - or even merchants who want to increase their profits. The Spring Equinox is sacred to Findariel, and his worshipers conduct a public ceremony in the woods or other wild lands on the holiday each year.

## **The Lady, Queen of the Sea**

*Full Article: The Lady*

The Lady, known only by that title to her worshipers, is a mysterious goddess, even more so than Polaris. The Lady is sometimes referred to as Polaris's younger sister, but nobody quite knows where this tradition comes from. Nor does anyone know the origin of the title by which she is known. Despite this, The Lady is revered by sailors, merchants and fishermen, who believe that she guides their way. The night of the Full Moon each month is considered sacred to The Lady.