Gods

Gods are nebulous, but incredibly powerful, beings which inhabit the Divine realm, a largely immaterial realm influenced heavily by the psionic energies (the thoughts, opinions, and concepts) of humans and other sapient beings. They do not possess a physical form, and do not really interact with mortals, beyond vague impressions. Gods often have multiple different forms, based on the different ways they are depicted in different cultures, meaning there can be multiple versions of them existing at the same time, which can even work against each other. Gods are aligned to the Light, Darkness, or both.

### Power of Belief

Gods, being mostly incorporeal psychic entities, are powered on belief and strong emotions. Not merely belief in the god themselves, but belief in the concept they represent. For example, the Light god Athin is empowered when humans fervently believe in the value of order, truth, and law, even if those humans do not necessarily believe in Athin himself.

### Powers of the Gods

The exact capabilities of the gods are not entirely known. What is known, is that they are rarely able to actually directly affect the world, but they can affect people. Gods are able to grant magical power to their followers, debilitate their enemies, or transform people into Hallowed or Ascended beings to serve their will. Through strategic distribution of such power, they spread their religion across the world.

## Light Gods

The Light Gods represent the core ideologies of the Light; ambition and virtue. Though there exist many different interpretations of the Light Gods, they fall into three main archetypes, leading many theologians to believe that all the gods are simply different versions of three core gods.

### The Sun God

Known to the Tyrraneans as "Athin", to the Izirians as "Atin", in ancient times as "Anathin", and known to many as simply the "Allfather" or "Allmother", the Sun God is allegedly the first of the gods, the primeval progenitor of all Light Gods, and in many religions, is the King of the Gods. In all interpretations, this god is heavily connected to imagery of the sun, and to themes of law, order, and truth. This god has many different interpretations, and is one of the most highly worshiped beings in Coryphiel. The Sun God mirrors and contrasts the Darkness aligned Night God.

#### Athin

The Tyrranean Interpretation of the Sun God is Athin, also called 'the Grandfather', or 'the Lawmaker'. In the mythos of the Church of the Light, Athin is the father of Aldin and Aysa, and is the husband of Avaia. Athin is prominently worshiped in Erradan. Athin, more so than other incarnations of the Sun God, is particularly linked with civilisation and structured society. Athin is depicted as an old bearded man, and his symbol is the sun.

#### Atin

The Izirian interpretation of the Sun God is Atin, a figure who was prominently worshiped in Ancient Izir, but whose worship is now secondary to Alshah. In the Izirian belief, Atin is the father of Alshah and Khallidah, and is not as active in the world as their children. Generally, the Izir Confederacy interpret Atin as being a male, whereas the Great Sisterhood of Dalanaan interpret them as female. Atin is never depicted with a human form, instead represented as the sun itself, sometimes with an eye at its centre. There are many strong thematic ties between Athin and Atin, most prominently the name itself.

#### Anathin

Anathin is an old Tyrranean version of Athin, whose worship dates back to before Tyrrus was even formed. The Mountainfolk of Tyrrus still revere Anathin as their primary deity. Anathin shares most of his themes and attributes with Athin, though is depicted very differently; he is portrayed as an incomprehensible entity, formed entirely from six hands, three pairs of wings, and a single eye at the centre.

### The Warrior God

Most Light-revering societies have an interpretation of a warrior god, who bolsters armies and smites the darkness. This god revolves around themes of might and discipline, and is heavily connected to themes used to justify war and bloodshed, such as honour, retribution, and righteous crusading. The Warrior God represents all the idealized and "romantic" aspects of warfare; the glory that can be attained, and the heroic deeds that are performed. It ignores the less pleasant aspects, which are instead represented by its opposite, the Strife God.

#### Aldin

Aldin, "The Father", is the Tyrranean interpretation of the Warrior God, and is the son and most dutiful servant of Athin. Where Athin sees evil, Aldin brings justice. Aldin particularly embodies the themes of justice and retribution, and inspires his followers to never allow 'bad' deeds to go unpunished. Aldin has two common symbols, a chain and a hammer. He is particularly revered in the Kingdom of Whytehold.

#### Qoridan

Qoridan is the Zong'Kitou interpretation of the Warrior God, and is prominently worshiped by many warmongering tribes. Qoridan particularly represents themes of conquest, and inspires his followers to take what they deserve. Qoridan is represented as a great golden stallion, and is particularly revered by the Mahjonqo Tribe of the Zongol Steppes.

#### The Slayer

The Slayer is the primary god in Svoldia, and is their intepretation of the War God. Worship of the Slayer took over after Svoldians stopped revering the Dragons. The Slayer is a unique god, whose teachings state that humanity are the apex predator of the world, and there are no greater creatures who could enforce servitude upon them. This belief largely comes from the resentment that Svoldians felt after being exploited by Dragons for centuries prior. Those who devote themselves to the Slayer seek great challenges to overcome, and terrifying monsters to fight, to prove themselves to the god.

#### Ptrazah, Anzullah, & Saateqah

In ancient times, Izirians believed in three War Gods, Ptrazah the Hawk God, Anzullah the Lion God, and Saateqah the Crocodile God. These three represented different aspects of the War God's ideology. Their worship waned with the fall of the original Izeroan Empire, though resurged with Izero's revival.

### The Mother Goddess

Quite distinct from her aggressive and stern fellow gods, the Mother Goddess represents themes of kindness and maternal love. She is more heavily connected to the healing and supportive aspects of the light than the offensive aspects. The Mother Goddess is a welcome respite from the chaos of the world, and always has a large following among the more peaceful followers of the light. The Mother Goddess is also highly connected to the Scendrasil.

#### Aysa

Aysa "The Mother", is the Tyrranean Mother Goddess. She is the most motherly of all interpretations of the mother goddess. She is heavily connected to compassion and mercy, and is described as constantly weeping for all the pain and suffering in the world. Aysa's symbol is a golden tree, and she is often associated with nature.

#### Liliaqura

Liliaqura is the Shavhani interpretation of the Mother Goddess, she is more heavily connected to themes of home and shelter, rest and relaxation. In mythology, Liliaqura maintains the home of the gods, and creates great feasts and banquets for returning warriors. However, she is far from a passive housewife; in her mission to prepare the greatest meals she goes on grand expeditions, slaying great beasts and plucking fruit from the boughs of heavenly trees. When her children, her followers, are in danger, she supposedly rides out to snatch them out of harm's way. Her symbol is a golden horn.

#### Lilyakaarta

Lilyakaarta is the Nothindrian Mother Goddess. Like Liliaqura, Lilyakaarta represents the home and hearth, shelter from the raging blizzards of Nothindria. Lilyakaarta is also heavily associated with fire and warmth, and the coming of summer. According to Nothindrian belief, Lilyakaarta was born of the sun, and came to the world to imbue the hollow things with the Soul of Flame, allowing them to live and grow. As such, all living things share a part of her. Lilyakaarta is the rival, and lover, of Kryvyakhy; the Nothindrian God of Ice and Stone.

#### Niallah

Niallah is the Ancient Izirian Mother Goddess. She is heavily associated with the Scendrasil, and the rivers of Izir.