Religion & Pantheon

## The Crystal Orthodoxy

Also known as Crystalism, this religion simply focuses on worshiping sacred treasure left by Deities of Old, known as The Four Crystal of the Elements, or simply Elemental crystal. There is only 4 known crystal, each representing an element, those being:

* Fire
* Earth
* Wind
* Water

These crystals are powered by worshiping and faith, to keep the divine spark that was left behind by the Deities of Old to stay alive and burning, keeping the elements in the world in check. These are religious treasures and relics, but also can even be considered as Gods themselves as they grant power to clerics and paladins alike.

It is also the Main Religion within the land of Elorra, and calls deities that were imprisoned by the Deities of Old as simply as the Dark Gods, who are the reason why the force known as Darkness exist in the world. Typically one person worships one, or two crystals (finding a natural bond with it), some even all four.

This religion history is extensive and long, dating back to the beginning of this new age, this being the Age of Discovery, as the elemental crystal were treasure left behind the Deities of Old, clerics who survived would feel a divine connection. Through time, and some crusades in the past, the church of crystalism, Crystal Orthodoxy, was born.

This religion is divided into 4 groups, each to represent an element, and each elemental crystal has a leader, a woman who is known as a Vestal, essentially a bride to an elemental crystal. Below them are priests and nuns, but also Vestalines, vestal in training. Above the Vestals are the High Priest, also simply known as Popes, there is a pope for every element, and together, along with the vestal, discuss politics but also the state of the religion and such.

Holy symbol of this religion is all four elemental crystals present, surrounded with a golden circle of purity. Followers of this religion are expected to try and convert dead god believers if they want, donate to their temple church, do good, and help those in need.

These crystal locations are unknown, only the Vestals and the Pope have the privilege to know the location of the elemental crystals, and only of their own crystals. So the Fire Vestal may never know the location of the Wind Crystal, for so it is said that cultist of the Dark Gods may have kidnapped one, and rather then having all the crystal locations, it is best they only have one while the crystal send crusades to secure it and wage a holy war. Nonetheless, this leaves some people to wonder if the crystals are even real, as no one has ever seen it, but believers of the crystal said they feel the divine connection, however if its blind faith or real, not many know.

### This crystal is responsible for the clean air in the land of Elorra, it is said that without the power of the crystal that the air would be sickening, and filled with plagues, and that the wind would stop blowing, but be replaced with howling storm, with tornadoes raising the roofs of houses and knocking down trees of the many forest.

It represents the sense of freedom, keeping the spirit of adventure and exploration lifted with its gale. People who worship the Wind crystal are normally carefree people, playful pranksters, and those that love their freedom, and some may even say that it brings good luck to adventuring groups with a simple prayer, that being “Fortune favors the bold”.

**Portfolio:** Freedom, Movement, Wind/Air, Luck

**Domains:** Trickery, Thieves, Luck and Tempest

### The Crystal of Fire

It is said that without the fire crystal it is said that fire would be able to run wild, even a simple ember may cause destruction. It is the reason why the volcano hasn't erupted in many years and the lava is kept in check.

It represents the passion of artisanal or crafting, the determination of warriors, and kindles the hope for a bright tomorrow. Worshipers of the Fire crystal are normally people of artistic passion as much as those who are passionate in battle.

**Portfolio:** Fire, Passion, Art, Warrior

**Domains:** War, Light, Beauty, Prosperity, and Forge

### The Crystal of Earth

It is said that the Earth crystal is what keeps the entire world of Gaia to be fertile, and able to yield crops to be able to feed the entire land of Elorra without much struggle. Without the crystal, the earth would become acidic and unable to yield any crops, livestock would die out due to lack of food, and the land would suffer earthquakes.

It represents the sense of being grounded, sticking to your ideals, keeping the spirit of community and hard working solid. People who worship the Earth domain are the hardy folks, they are quite jolly and enjoy a mug of mead after working all day and do celebrations, but know when a job needs to be done, and they do it.

**Portfolio:** Farming, Harvest, Fertility, Earth, and Nature

**Domain:** Nature, Hearth, Poverty, and Order

**The Crystal of Water**

It is said that the Water crystal is what keeps the water in the world pure and able to be drinkable but also keeps waterlife alive. Without it, water becomes infected, and any source of drinkable water becomes scarce, and aquatic life becomes extinct.

It represents a calmer mind, and keeps the spirit of life floating in its soothing waves. Worshipers of the Water crystal are usually the calmer and more collective people, typically those with clear focus and more of a studious type of folks. Water is also seen as an essence of life.

**Portfolio:** Life, Water, Knowledge

**Domains:** Life, Knowledge, Blood and Arcana.