Kegamos

**Kegamos** is an ancient, polytheistic religion that is currently only practiced in remote areas of Senam and its neighboring regions. Kegamos was once the national religion of the ancient Kingdoms of Senam and was widely practiced by members of the general population. This religion largely fell out of favor with the majority of the Senamic population following the popularization of the teachings of Kalimus Paganus and the resulting emergence of the Esmiraf religion. Followers of Kegamos believe and worship the central deity *Enkaros* (god of the sun and the universe) and several other spirits sent down to earth by *Enkaros* to aid humanity or maintain the harmony and well-being of the earth. These spirits are believed to be associated or entirely incarnated within certain celestial bodies and/or phases of the moon; consequently, the various phases of the moon are of great importance to practitioners of Kegamos.

The names and associations of these spirits are as follows:

* Anyami: The spirit of the earth and nature and the first spirit to be summoned by Enkaros. Anyami is generally believed to protect forests, mountains, plains, and other natural formations and is generally believed to be associated with the basic elements of nature.
* Sinakos: The spirit of the stars and the second spirit to be summoned by Enkaros. Sinakos is said to have been initially antagonistic towards humanity until being reborn. Ancient tales claim that Sinakos rained fire and rocks upon the earth and the humans that inhabited it, causing Enkaros to banish Sinakos to the underworld. After spending eighty days and eighty nights in the underworld, Sinakos repented and vowed to never again torture the humans, after which he returned to the stars. Later stories describe the events of a great feud between Sinakos and Gefali, the spirit of trickery, in which Sinakos swore to torture and banish the reanimated corpses and demons that Gefali had summoned.
* Hetyana: (Often referred to as "the mother") Hetyana is the spirit of growth, rebirth, fertility, and prosperity and is believed to be incarnated within the full moon phase of the moon. Enkaros supposedly summoned Hetyana to teach mankind how to farm, domesticate animals, and raise children. Individuals born during or shortly after a full moon are believed to be domestic, motherly, and prone to prosperity
* Teramos: (Often referred to as "the judge") Teramos is the spirit of law, order, justice, and ethics and is believed to be incarnated within the waning gibbous phase of the moon. Teramos was sent by Enkaros to teach mankind how to judge others fairly, keep a civil society, and how to rule. Several statues and mosaics depicting Teramos have been found within the ruins of ancient Senamic courthouses, likely due to the spirit's role in society. Individuals born during or shortly after a waning gibbous moon phase are believed to be orderly, intelligent, and have strong morals.
* Zekarim: (Often referred to as "the mage") Zekarim is the spirit of brewing, engineering, and magic and is believed to be incarnated within the third quarter phase of the moon. Enkaros is said to have summoned Zekarim to teach mankind how to engineer, brew potions, and create magical weapons. Individuals born during or shortly after a third quarter moon phase are believed to have strong stomachs, a high alcohol tolerance, and are said to have certain magical qualities to them.
* Hadnikos: (Often referred to as "the messenger" or "the carrier of souls") Hadnikos is the spirit tasked with carrying souls to either *Akibim* ("heaven") or *Inalok* (roughly meaning "the underworld") and is believed to be incarnated within the waning crescent phase of the moon. In addition to this task, Hadnikos was instructed by Enkaros to teach humanity how to obtain salvation via the process of purification and worship. Individuals born during or shortly after a waning crescent moon phase are said to have a divided conscience and sense of morality.
* Maloktas: (Often referred to as "the smith" or "the warrior") Maloktas is the spirit of forging, warfare, and crafting and is believed to be incarnated within the new moon phase of the moon. Enkaros supposedly summoned Maloktas to teach humanity how to forge tools and craft armor to protect themselves from the wilderness; however, in doing so, Maloktas encouraged mankind to wage war against itself. Individuals born during or shortly after a new moon phase are said to be creative, strategic, and potentially violent.
* Gefali: (Often referred to as "the trickster") Gefali is the spirit of trickery, pranks, mischief, and misfortune and is believed to be incarnated within the waxing crescent phase of the moon. Enkaros originally summoned Gefali for the purpose of aiding humanity in architecture and construction; however, Gefali did not enjoy this task and instead chose to play pranks on humanity and cause acts of misfortune. Gefali is said to be responsible for creating holes in mountains, vertical caves in the ground, lakes of lava, and lightning storms. Individuals born during or shortly after a waxing crescent moon phase are said to be mischievous, cunning, and prone to suffering or causing suffering.
* Dohatni: (Often referred to as "the scholar") Dohatni is the spirit of wisdom, education, literacy, and knowledge and is believed to be incarnated within the first quarter phase of the moon. Dohatni was summoned by Enkaros to teach mankind how to read, write, and spread knowledge and, consequently, was worshipped within many ancient Senamic schools and libraries. Individuals born during or shortly after a first quarter moon phase are said to be wise, good teachers, and fast learners.
* Yanatal: (Often referred to as "the navigator") Yanatal is the spirit of exploration, navigation, traveling, and cartography and is believed to be incarnated within the waxing gibbous phase of the moon. Enkaros is said to have summoned Dohatni to guide home several Senamic warriors who had gotten lost within the dense forests of *Tismarat*. Individuals born during or shortly after a waxing gibbous moon phase are said to be skilled at finding the right path in life and will be able to overcome a physical or symbolic feeling of being lost.

Followers of Kegamos believe that one's character is determined largely by the phase of the moon at the time of their birth (or the last visible phase of the moon prior to one's birth), as said individual is believed to receive the teachings and traits of a certain spirit upon being born into the world.