Anerian Religion

The Anerians are the eldest of the cultures and go back to a time where the deities still directly governed the world. Their everyday life is still very much dependent on the will of the deities and worship is seen as extremely important. The Anerian religion is widely considered to consist of three pillars: the **pantheon**, the **elements** and the **soul**. All three of the pillars are also very much interconnected and cannot exist without each other. Gvinlind is the only nation left that still worships all of the deities, every other nation depending on their culture worships only some of the gods in different forms, often having different names for them, which is seen as blasphemy by the **Anerians**, who consider all deities equally worthy of respect, worship and devotion. The religion is often referred to as **Anerian Polytheism**.

## The Pantheon

People believe that the first deities formed out of the five elements of the universe and originally roamed their realm on their own. They eventually created the planet Lana and ruled over all life on the planet.

All deities are shape–shifters and can shift into any shape they want. Originally, they were only abstract souls floating around in the universe, then they started shifting into draconic forms and over time, they also started shifting to resemble other animals and humanoid creatures. Many of the deities are known for their uncanny appearances when in their humanoid forms, and are noted for being so effortlessly ethereal and beautiful that you have to look closely to see the things amiss, but when you do get a close enough look, the strange body parts and deformed limbs become obvious. Their deformities are the reason why incest was considered prosperous for so long, because it often resulted in children being born with missing or deformed body parts. Only when the knowledge about magic and medicine grew did people realize that the deformities and illnesses were not a good thing.

### Followers

Anerian Polytheism is the only recognized religion of the Gvinlindian Kingdom and is worshipped all throughout the kingdom, so its followers are synonymous with the Anerians. However, they may refer to themselves as ‘Worshippers of x’ if they feel especially close to one or multiple of the deities.

#### Acasio

**Acasio** is one of the triplet children of *Amalan* and *Sisona* and among the three of them he represents birth, beginnings, the unknown and innocence. His cult is a popular one among many groups of people, including but not limited to parents with newborns, children and the elderly who wish to preserve their youth. His followers often wear pearls with them to show their devotion to him. Many of his myths center around his misadventures with his nephew and later husband, *Aelio*. He is also a patron of peasants and whenever they ask for his aid, he is known to give them different challenges to earn his help.

#### Aelio

**Aelio** is the younger twin brother of *Livana* and was born out of *Evita*’s desire for light to fill the void of the universe. He is one of the most important deities and is worshipped all over Gvinlind. He is commonly worshipped by young boys and men as well as boys who love other boys, artists, scholars and poets. He is seen as a symbol for everything good in the world and along with his uncle and later husband *Acasio*, they are revered as a symbol of true love.

#### Aerin

**Aerin** is one of the quintuplet children of *Amalan* and *Sisona* and is a personification of the element Air. They are usually worshipped in combination with their four siblings and they are considered some of the most powerful deities. Aerin is also greatly respected by practitioners of Artifice and Crystollogy and are often called upon for guidance by students of Lodge Evergrace.

#### Amalan

**Amalan** is the oldest of the deities and was created out of the five elements. They are a deity of creation but their domains mainly include cylces, patterns, chaos and the void. Though their cult is a very popular one, Amalan is mostly worshipped out of fear and reverence because of their immense powers. They are known to be quite morally ambiguous, often putting the greater good before individual people. They also rarely had human interactions and not much is known about them, though they are supposedly a loving spouse to *Sisona*.

#### Avalea

**Avalea** is one of the daughters of *Livana* and *Evita* and just like her seven sisters, she represents one of the moon phases. Avalea is the goddess of the waning gibbous moon and as such, she symbolizes gratitude, realizations, introspection and harvest. Just like her sisters, she is one of the major deities worshipped by the sirens and she often takes on the form of a siren as well.

#### Corvaena

**Corvaena** is a daughter of *Dabrin* and *Daelin* and is a goddess of beauty, specifically of beauty in death as well as everlasting passion. She is often seen as a bringer of tragedy because despite being divinely beautiful, she only ever brings pain and suffering to those around her. Usually when she is worshipped, it is either by kindred souls who have gone through a great tragedy and seek solace in the goddess or by people who want to prevent themselves from experiencing a tragedy.

#### Dabrin

**Dabrin** is one of the triplet children of *Amalan* and *Sisona* and their domains include death, endings, destruction and minerals. They are generally respected, but compared to their parents and siblings, they don’t have a stable cult of followers. Many years ago, they used to have several fanatical cults who were known for their hatred of the Dragonbornes, though most of them were killed in the Liberty War, so now Dabrin is mostly called upon during funerary rites or when honoring the dead.

#### Daelin

**Daelin** is a child of *Davino* and *Venico*. For a long time, people were unsure whether their new divine child was feminine or masculine because they appeared different to everybody who set eyes upon them. They eventually revealed themselves in their true form and proclaimed themselves as genderfluid, appearing different depending on the preferences of the person viewing them. Sometimes, they may even use the names Daelina or Daelino instead, depending on their form. They are also often depicted as a triple goddess with three heads, the middle head being their true form and the other two heads showing their male and female aspects, which is a symbol often used to show the fluidity of gender.

#### Davino

**Davino** is a child of *Acasio* and *Aelio* and he is one of the love deities, along with his twin brother *Venico*. He represents the emotional and romantic aspects of love. Different to his brother and spouse, he is usually worshipped by those in committed relationships, whether it’s young couples or couples who have been married for many years. He is also the god of faith and despite his spouse being known for his affairs with handsome youths, he still supports him and just like their fathers, the two of them are a symbol for true love.

#### Erantia

**Erantia** is one of the daughters of *Livana* and *Evita* and just like her seven sisters, she represents one of the moon phases. Erantia is the goddess of the new moon and as such, she symbolizes new beginnings, unlimited possibilities, intentions and hope. Just like her sisters, she is one of the major deities worshipped by the sirens and she often takes on the form of a siren as well.

#### Ethran

**Ethran** is one of the quintuplet children of *Amalan* and *Sisona* and is a personification of the element Aether. They are usually worshipped in combination with their four siblings and they are considered some of the most powerful deities. Ethran is also greatly respected by practitioners of Astrology and Divination and are often called upon for guidance by students of Lodge Everglow.

#### Evita

**Evita** is one of the triplet children of *Amalan* and *Sisona* and represents life, fertility, the earth and the wilderness. As the mythological creator of life, she appears in many myths surrounding the creation of the first humans and plants. In one famous myth about her, she created the deities of the sun and the moon, *Aelio* and *Livana*, out of nothing because she was tired of the constant void and wanted to split the day between light and dark. She eventually fell in love with *Livana* and the two of them had eight children together. Her image is usually carved into rocks and trees near forests for protection from any creatures inside. Similar to her brother *Acasio*, she is known to challenge peasants by putting obstacles in their way that they have to solve.

#### Fania

**Fania** is one of the daughters of *Livana* and *Evita* and just like her seven sisters, she represents one of the moon phases. Fania is the goddess of the waxing crescent moon and as such, she symbolizes commitment, manifestation, setting goals and taking action. Just like her sisters, she is one of the major deities worshipped by the sirens and she often takes on the form of a siren as well.

#### Ismenia

**Ismenia** is one of the daughters of *Livana* and *Evita* and just like her seven sisters, she represents one of the moon phases. Ismenia is the goddess of the last quarter moon and as such, she symbolizes awareness, knowledge, transformation, destruction and letting go. Just like her sisters, she is one of the major deities worshipped by the sirens and she often takes on the form of a siren as well.

#### Isolda

**Isolda** is a child of *Lilita* and *Vemina* and similar to *Vemina*, she is a goddess related to winter. Her domains mainly include snow, ice and coldness, but also war and vengeance. She is often called upon for her protection during wars, battles and conflicts and is known to influence wars in her favour, depending on who she thinks is in the right.

#### Lilita

**Lilita** is a child of *Aelio* and *Livana* and the twin sister of *Oriano*. She is the goddess of the dusk, the evening and the night, as well as magic and divination. She supposedly gave humans the ability to practice magic, specifically divination and is responsible for humans receiving visions and prophecies. She is also the one who brings the dusk every day and protects people during the night, while she spends most days with her lover, *Vemina*.

#### Livana

**Livana** is the older twin sister of *Aelio* and was born from *Evita*’s will. She later on became *Evita*’s wife and her eight children with *Evita* represent the eight phases of the moon. Just like her brother, she is an important deity and is not only seen as the goddess of the moon, but also a goddess of the oceans, seeing as she controls the tides. Along with her eight daughters, she is also worshipped and respected highly by the sirens.

#### Maliena

**Maliena** is one of the daughters of *Livana* and *Evita* and just like her seven sisters, she represents one of the moon phases. Maliena is the goddess of the waning crescent moon and as such, she symbolizes surrender, reflection, relaxation, rest and intuition. Just like her sisters, she is one of the major deities worshipped by the sirens and she often takes on the form of a siren as well.

#### Minan

**Minan** is a child of *Evita* and *Nahara* and is worshipped as a deity of vegetation, especially flowers, any blossoming plants and petals. They are also seen as a symbol of beauty and their androgynous looks are what many Gvinlindians still strive to resemble even today. They are often worshipped during the spring when flowers start growing again and they are also seen as a protector of the deceased resting in flowers.

#### Nahara

**Nahara** is a child of *Acasio* and *Evita* and among her domains are creation, creativity and unlimited possibilities. She is most commonly worshipped by artists, artisans and other people who like to create things or have jobs in craft areas. She is often worshipped by members of Lodge Evermist and Lodge Evergrace as she resonates with both of their creative, curious sides.

#### Nimea

**Nimea** is one of the daughters of *Livana* and *Evita* and just like her seven sisters, she represents one of the moon phases. Nimea is the goddess of the full moon and as such, she symbolizes clarity, intuition, insight, blessings, gratitude, fulfillment and celebration. Just like her sisters, she is one of the major deities worshipped by the sirens and she often takes on the form of a siren as well.

#### Olsono

**Olsono** is a child of *Dabrin* and *Isolda* and is the god of cruelty, violence, strife and war and is considered one of the most feared deities in all of Gvinlind. He is known to be the cause of in–fighting between friend groups and family members and he is responsible for many family conflicts that turned into full–on battles and wars. However, he is also called upon during wars to gain additional strength and power.

#### Oriano

**Oriano** is a child of *Aelio* and *Livian* and the twin brother of *Lilita*. He is the god of mornings, noon and day time as well as the dawn. Similar to his sister, he is responsible for brining new days. He is seen as a symbol of new beginnings and renewal and he is known to aid people suffering from chronic sadness or other mental maladies.

#### Parana

**Parana** is a child of *Sorin* and *Nahara* and is the goddess of hard work and labour as well as the patron of farmers, ironmongers, butchers, masons, armourers, carpenters, smiths and other hard labour jobs. She is also a goddess of poverty and wealth and is known to either bring wealth to the worthy or take it away from the unworthy.

#### Redan

**Redan** is one of the quintuplet children of *Amalan* and *Sisona* and is a personification of the element Earth. They are usually worshipped in combination with their four siblings and they are considered some of the most powerful deities. Redan is also greatly respected by practitioners of Botany and Floriography and are often called upon for guidance by students of Lodge Everbloom.

#### Rosario

**Rosario** is a child of *Acasio* and *Aelio* and is worshipped as a god of water, the oceans, the sea, divine fertility and music, specifically siren songs. As a child, he almost drowned at sea despite being a god of water. The only reason he survived was that the deity of death, *Dabrin*, took pity on the little boy and saved him from drowning. From then on, Rosario felt indebted to them and spent a lot of time with them, until he fell in love with them. They eventually agreed to become Rosario’s spouse and they had one child.

#### Sorin

**Sorin** is one of the quintuplet children of *Amalan* and *Sisona* and is a personification of the element Fire. They are usually worshipped in combination with their four siblings and they are considered some of the most powerful deities. Sorin is also greatly respected by practitioners of Beastology and Combat and are often called upon for guidance by students of Lodge Everflame.

#### Simara

**Simara** is one of the daughters of *Livana* and *Evita* and just like her seven sisters, she represents one of the moon phases. Simara is the goddess of the waxing gibbous moon and as such, she symbolizes patience, meditation, endurance, observance and refinement. Just like her sisters, she is one of the major deities worshipped by the sirens and she often takes on the form of a siren as well.

#### Sisona

**Sisona** is the second eldest deity, her domains include fullness, abundance and creation. She is usually worshipped alongside *Amalan*, however in comparison to them, Sisona enjoys great popularity for being a compassionate and loving goddess towards all of her worshippers, which she interacted with quite often in the past. She is known to love her spouse and all of their children greatly and despite it not being one of her official domains, she is often considered a patron of mothers and childbirth, as well as children in general.

#### Toria

**Toria** is a child of *Aerin* and *Rosario* and is the goddess of the winds and storms. She is known for her mood swings and depending on her mood, she either blesses the people with a gentle breeze or destructive storms. She also controls the weather and along with the Elves, she can influence the climate and weather in different regions of Gvinlind.

#### Vemina

**Vemina** is the only child of *Dabrin* and *Rosario* and her domains include snow, ice and winter, which is why she is commonly worshipped in colder areas for protection from the cold, as well as during the winter solstice celebrations, which are often celebrated in her honor. She usually spends her summers with her lover, *Lilita*.

#### Venico

**Venico** is one of the children of *Acasio* and *Aelio* and together with his twin brother *Davino*, they are the deities of love. He represents the physical and sexual aspects of love and is most often worshipped by youths and young adults who are just beginning to discover and explore their own sexualities. He is known for appearing before young people to guide them and often times, he even sleeps with them in a form that is attractive to them, to allow them to explore their desires and live out their fantasies feely, without judgement.

#### Yenlin

**Yenlin** is one of the quintuplet children of *Amalan* and *Sisona* and is a personification of the element Water. They are usually worshipped in combination with their four siblings and they are considered some of the most powerful deities. Yenlin is also greatly respected by practitioners of Alchemy and Potionry and are often called upon for guidance by students of Lodge Evermist.

#### Ziyana

**Ziyana** is one of the daughters of *Livana* and *Evita* and just like her seven sisters, she represents one of the moon phases. Ziyana is the goddess of the first quarter moon and as such, she symbolizes action, growth, effort, challenges, perseverance and overcoming obstacles. Just like her sisters, she is one of the major deities worshipped by the sirens and she often takes on the form of a siren as well.

## The Elements

**Anerians** believe, that there are five elements that make up the universe: Aether, Air, Earth, Fire and Water. The five elements play a large role in their history and everyday life and wherever you look, the five elements are likely somehow involved: in magic, in food, in education and even in games. The five elements correspond to a lot of different things, here is a list of some of these correspondences:

## The Soul

*See also: Anerian Soul Theory*

The third pillar of the Anerian religion, is the soul. Gvinlindians believe that their souls are made up of five different pillars, each one corresponding to one of the five elements and being divided into four smaller parts. This belief was first documented in a myth called ‘The Pillars of the Soul’, which tells the story of 25 divine beings related to the deities who went through hardships until they eventually created the first human soul which was said to have belonged to Tevaera the First Soul, people say that humans before her did not possess souls. Everyone has aspects of all 25 concepts, though they are differently pronounced in everyone and many illnesses, mental and physical, have historically been treated by trying to identify an imbalance between the pillars and then balancing them with the others.

## Myths

*See also:* Anerian Myths

* Malaevis of the Moon