Celestialism

Celestialism is the national religion in the Kingdom of Braenza. Celestialism is a religion based around the worship of the Twelve Celestian Gods and other generations such as the Colossos, the Estelares or the Universalis. Worship is done at the temples and at home on private shrines.

Central to the religion in are the twelve Celestial deities headed by Aether. Each god are honored with temples and statues, and sanctuaries, which, although dedicated to a specific deity, often contained statues commemorating other gods. The cities conduct various festivals and rituals throughout the year, with particular emphasis directed towards the patron god of the city.

Religious practice would also involve the worship of heroes, people who were regarded as semi-divine. Such heroes ranged from the mythical figures, to historical people such as the founder of a city or great leaders.

## Customs and Core Concepts

One of the celestian customs are to burn food as a offering to a chosen deity, to gain the blessing of the said deity.

Celestians also perform animal sacrifice on temples to be blessed with prophecies and visions of the future, however, some are born with the natural ability of foresight. Most celestians with the foresight ability are sent to the Oracle of Janieri.

### Prayer:

Prayer is done at worship sites such as temples, statues and sanctuaries. Prayer is often accompanied by offering gifts, such as food and sacrifice. Even though, sacrifice rites are not common throught practices.

### Sacrifice:

Animal is either made during festivals, prayer or before a war to be blessed by a god.

### **Honra**

The focus of Horan for Celestians is to act in a way that honors the gods and goddesses, and by extension other sentient beings, rather than to adhere to a particular set of beliefs. Horan is central to the practice.

### Excelência

Excelência is translated as excellence or moral virtue. Arete is intrinsic to the concept of living up to one's potential. Excelência is one of the most important virtues, and it is believed that cultivating it will lead to a good life of happiness and prosperity. Cultivating excelência is not limited to just one domain, but also refers to the improvement of all aspects of one's existence.

### Hospitalidade

Is the concept of hospitality. It is an institutionalized relationship, rooted in generosity, gift exchange, and reciprocity; fundamental aspects of hospitalidade. Hospitality towards foreigners and guests (of the same culture group) is a moral obligation, as it honors Aether and Aedoria.

## Magic

The use of superstition and magic is central to celestialism.

### Foresight:

Users can foresee possible futures and observe what may happen. Oracular shrines and sanctuaries are popular for those who seek assistance and guidance.

### Charms and Curses:

Charms, often cut in precious or semi-precious stone, have protective power. Figurines, manufactured from bronze, lead, or terracotta, are pierced with pins or nails, and used to cast spells. Curse tablets made from marble or metal (especially lead) were used for curses.

### Astrology:

Astrology the belief that stars and planets influence a person's future and personality.

## Pantheon

### **The Celestials:**

The Celestials are the major deities of the celestial pantheon. The Celestials are race of deities, primarily consisting of the fourth generation of immortal beings, worshipped as the principal gods. However, only the major gods are part of the Aetherian Council, the only exceptions being Orkus, who resides on the Underworld and Vesta, who prefers to reside on her forest, both of them don't take part of the Aetherian Council, while still being considered a major deity. These deities are:

**Aether** - God of the sky, lightning, thunder, law, order, justice and King of the Celestials.

**Nuptia** - Queen of the gods and the goddess of nature and flowers.

**Orkus** - God of the underworld and the dead.

**Abyssus** - God of the seas, water, storms, hurricanes, and earthquakes.

**Messis** - Goddess of the harvest, fertility, agriculture, and the seasons.

**Amos** - Goddess of love, pleasure, passion, procreation, fertility, beauty and desire.

**Nex** - God of death.

**Partena** - Goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare.

**Bello** - God of War, Blodshed and Strenght.

**Loua** - Goddess of the moon and hunt.

**Sol** - God of light, the Sun, prophecy, philosophy, archery, truth, inspiration, poetry, music, arts, manly beauty, medicine, healing, and plague. Twin of Loua.

**Síderos** - God of the forge, craftsmanship, invention, fire and volcanoes.

**Vesta** - Goddess of the hearth, fire and the family.

**Krasí** - God of God of wine, the grapevine, fertility, festivity, ecstasy, madness and resurrection.

### **The Colossos:**

The Colossos are the third generation of deities. They descent from the Estelares, whom they replaced after a bloody war.

**Aevus** - Colosso of time and the King of the Colossos.

**Marinus** - Colosso of the sea.

**Collis** - Colossa of mountains, hills, caves and volcanos.

**Solis** - Colossa of the sun.

**Luna** - Colossa of the moon.

**Prophetia** - Colossa of Prophecies.

### **The Estelares:**

The Estelares are the second generation of deities. They are personifications of what composes forms the Earth. They descent from the personifications of the universe and the stars: Astrum and Omne.

**Coelum -** Personification of the Sky.

**Terra** - Personification of the Earth.

### **The Universalis:**

The Universalis are the first generation of deities. They are the personifications of the universe, being the stars and the universe themselves.

**Astrum** - Personification of the stars and heavenly bodies.

**Omne** - Personification of the universe.

### **Minor Deities:**

**Lucifer** - God of Hell, Dark Magic and Punisher of the Guilty.

**Victoria** - Goddess of Victory.

**Vingadora** - Goddess of Revenge and justice.

**Magia** - Goddess of witchcraft, ghosts & magic.

**Florenia** - Goddess of springtime and Queen of the Underworld.

**Sorte** - Goddess of Luck.

**Arcor** - Goddess of Rainbow and Messenger of the gods.

**Noxnir** - God of sleep.

**Oneiro** - God of Dream.

**Asteria** - Goddess of stars, and planets, and the art of astrology.

**Amare** - God of Erotic Love, Affection and Desire.

**Theros** - God of medicine and healing.

## Mythological Locations

### **The Garden of Omne**

The holy garden created by Terra in her father's honor, the birth site of the Colossos and the point of the Earth's creation. It is now the entrance to the High Celest.

### **High Celest**

The residence of the gods built ontop of the clouds. It holds the Palace of Aether, the Aetherian Council and homes all major deities and some minor deities live in small villages around the Palace complex.

### **The Underworld**

Deep under the ground, the Underworld is the kingdom of the dead, where all whom die goes after death. It is ruled by the god Orkus and his wife the minor goddess Florenia. It is divided in five regions.

#### The Gardens of Florenia

The gardens of Florenia is where Orkus palace is located, surrounded by a deadly garden, filled with traps, puzzles and sphinx quizes, created by Florenia after her marriage with Orkus.

#### The Edénos

The Edénos is a sunny meadow near the Gardens. It holds the most excellent or pure souls. The major inhabitants are the souls of children.

#### The Crona

The Crona is a small palacet right by of the Edénos. It holds the souls of dead monarchs and leaders.

#### The Fields of Orkus

The Fields of Orkus is a meadow for the souls of the majority of ordinary people. It's neither a paradise or hell.

#### Hell

It is debatable if Hell is part of the Underworld or not, it is considered by some, but it is not ruled by Orkus, but by the minor god Lucifer. It is the location in which evil souls are subjected to punitive suffering, often torture, as eternal punishment after death.

## Creatures, Monsters and other Beings

### **Ninfas:**

Ninfas are female spirits of the natural world--minor goddesses of the forests, rivers, springs, meadows, mountains and seas. They are responsible for maintaining nature's beauty, by treating trees, plants and animals.