Religion

Religions:

1 The Gods of York

The religions of the realm of york center around the number 8. There are 8 major gods,

Life (Male) – Alentara

* Neutral Good

* Domain(s) Life, Healing, Good, Animal, Plant

Lesser God of Elves - Corellon Larethian

Death (Male) – Pel'Mar

* Lawful Evil

* Domain(s) Death, Evil, Law

Sun (Female)- Zan

* Domain(s) Good, Fire, Sun, Protection

* Neutral Good

Moon (Male) Zal

* Chaotic Evil (Phases of the moon, eclipses.)

* Patron of Spies/Thieves/Assassins

* Domain(s), Chaos, Evil, Destruction, Trickery

Lesser God of Destruction Dana

* Chaotic Evil

* Domain(s) Chaos, Corruption, Evil, War

Sea (Female) Anistasia-

* Domain(s)Chaos, water, good, Luck, Travel

* Chaotic Good.

Storms (Male) Bar'loon-

* Domain(s) Air, Chaos, Luck

* Chaotic neutral

Earth – (Female) York

* Neutral

* Domain(s) Earth, Strength, Travel

Lesser God of Dwarves - Moradin

Lesser God the God of Justice (Three)Tyn-Ray Male

* Domain(s) Good, Law, War, Strength

* Lawful Neutral(Good)

Knowledge – (Male) Abradeen

* Domain(s) Law, Knowledge, Travel, Protection, War,

* Lawful Neutral

2 Relationships Of the Gods

3 Details on The Gods

3.1 Abradeen, The Church of Enlightenment

The god of enlightenment is connected to all the other religions because of it’s tie with some many other spheres. He is the sum of all past present and future ideas. The religion focuses on recording information and learning. It teaches that knowledge is neither good nor evil but can be used for either. In it’s purest form if all creatures were to have it’s awareness raised it would change into a more perfect being.

It is said that the god is omniscient and the priests all aspire to come as close to that state as possible. Many focus on the spheres of divination.

Domains: The major sphere for the god is knowledge/information but it has been coupled with a variety of other spheres depending on the order/sect of the religion.

History: The Church has been a pillar in the Kingdom of Keramos. It’s main temple is in the city of Leverask, known as the Great Library. One of the king’s closest advisors is a priest. The church has its members spread through out every major city on the continent.

3.1.1 Tenants of the Church

Priests of the church should always strive to learn and protect what they have learned.

Knowledge is power and power needs structure.

The desire of knowledge, like the thirst for riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it.

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles with it..

3.1.2 Organization

Members: Members of the church come from all walks of life. Most priests are considered "mundane" that is that they have not been blessed with magic’s. The ability to cast magic’s does not dictate one's place with in the church. Seniority with in the church is based on promotion from superiors. In the city of Leverask (where most of the game has taken place so far) there is the center of the church in the form of the Great Library. Here the church is most frequently referred to as the Order of Divine Knowledge. The library houses about 20 priests and only 3 or 4 of them can use magic’s.

3.1.2.1 Important People:

Aarwin Whitebrow:

Head Keeper of the Temple of Enlightenment - Though not a high priest Aarwin is in charge of the great library with in the city. He is often sought for advice and as a sage by the King. Aarwin is a very busy man, keeping track of the library's affairs and the needs of the king is a difficult task he often comes across as curt and to the point and has little time for dilly dally-ers.

The Enlightened Amersted –

The high priest of the God of Enlightenment. He is often found at social events. He is a watchful man who appears to be in his late 60s wearing a long gray kept beard. He doesn't speak much but when he does each of his words are well chosen. The high priest seems to travel by himself. On occasion another priest will be on hand but normally the High Priest is alone. You may or may not have met the High Priest, his duties and responsibilities are vast. If you wish to meet him let me know and we can do some emailing.

Garb: The priests tend to dress in plan brown robes and sandals.

Alignment: The Alignment of the religion tends toward Lawful Neutral. From the outside it is a very ridged structure of hierarchy and rules. It has a head that branches down. The church has many rules and rituals that dictate the priest's day to day life.

3.1.3 Holidays

3.1.4 Symbols

The holy symbol for the religion is an open golden book. Most priests wear one on a golden chain. Few priests actually have a gold holy symbol. Normally they are polished brass.

3.1.4.1 Chosen Weapon

The chosen Weapon for Abradeen is the dagger.

3.1.5 Holy Places

3.1.5.1 The Great Library:

3.1.5.1.1 The Grounds:

It is more of a keep then a library. It has 4 towers, one major tower that holds the vast books and documents. The other three towers surround the middle main tower and act as dormitories. These structures are surrounded by a 20 foot wall that comes together in a large building that acts as the ‘temple’. Non-members are only allowed in the temple not in the library or dormitory. The place is well guarded by men at arms and stoutly built. Depending on how established you are with in the church you may or may not be allowed in certain areas.

3.1.5.2 Simply Map of the Great Library:

A: The main Temple: This area is where the public come. It consists of a worship area and small offices where petitioners can ask for information and meet with priests. The building is two stories tall.

B: The Main Tower: This is the main library. It stands about 4 stories tall and consists of the sum of the temple’s knowledge and the knowledge and history of the civilized races. There are sections of the tower that only the most highest ranking members of the church may go.

C: The dormitories and housing for the temple. The three towers consist of the living spaces of the priest and other staff members of the temple.

D: Temple gardens: Tress and bushes, paths and fountains.

3.2 Alentara Goddess of Healing

The church teaches that life , and the free-choice of the individual are the most precious things of all. According to the teaching of Alentara, the only thing that has meaning is the spirit of the self an ability of the spirit to create its own sense of good. The freedom and self- thought of a man are the treasures of life and should be shared with everyone. Good health is also highly coveted in the teaching of Alentara and her priests are blessed with exceptional healing powers.

3.2.1 Organization

There is no real structure to this faith nor is there on person or group of people who oversee the workings of the church. Each temple has its own individual style, only the teachings of Alentara remain constant form temple to temple.

3.2.2 Tenants of the Church

There is nothing more sacred then life.

Life ends for us all but it not for us to choose that time.

3.2.3 Holidays

3.2.4 Symbols

The holy Symbol of Alentara is the tree of life in gold.

3.2.4.1 Chosen Weapon

The chosen weapon of Alentar is the sap.

3.3 Three, The Church Of

Three is a warrior god. Three is also the official god of Keramose. In the elvin lands the god is known as Tyn-Ray.

3.3.1 Organization

The main temple is in Keramose.

3.3.2 Holidays

The 10th day – Every 10th day is a day of rest to celebrate the battle of Three Vs. Dana story of the battle, Three and Dana battled for 9days before Three defeated him, on the 10th day

First Day of the Month – Day of Anointing -

Day of Long Fire - Summer Equinox – The longest day of the year is one of the churches main holidays.

15th day of the 3rd Month – Divinity of Three – This is the day dedicated to the divinity of Three. When Three was recognized as a god.

The last day of the 6th Month - Day of Blades – This is the day that priests are named and given their swords.

The last day of the 3rd Month – Day of Smithing - The ceremony over the forges that will be used to craft the new swords for the new priests of the order.

3.3.3 Symbols

Three’s Holy symbol is an opened hand.

Other symbols in the religion are:

Oil – Strength

Water - Healing

Fire- Purification

3.3.3.1 Chosen Weapon

Three’s chosen weapon is the long sword.

3.4 Pel’Mar, The Church Of Death

3.4.1 Organization

3.4.2 Tenants of the Church

All things come to death.

Death is the greatest gift we can bestow on another.

Undeath is an honor.

3.4.3 Holidays

3.4.4 Symbols

The Symbol of Pel’Mar is a white arrow on a black back ground pointing down.

3.4.4.1 Chosen Weapon

Pel’Mar’s chosen weapon is the Short Bow.

3.5 Zan, The Church Of the Sun

Zan is also known as the Radiant One. She is one of the most commonly worshiped gods in the realm. She is the patron god of the country of Kashintar.

3.5.1 Organization

The Church of Zan is the official church of Kashintar.

There are three major sects within the religion of Zan.

The Morning Lords -

The Morning Lords are celebrators of life and good. They are the preside over blessing of crops and have many holidays in the spring. They tend to wear blues and purples. In Keramose they are most common priests of Zan. The seat of their power is in the temple outside of Mithloar.

The High Sun -

The Priests of the High Sun focus on the fire aspects of Zan. They wear golds and whites. They are most numerous in Kashintar. They are the most politically active branch of the church.

The Dawn Watchers -

The Dawn Watchers are the protectors of the church. They focus on the protection aspect of the religion. Their colors are reds and purples. Their focus is on the fight against undead.

3.5.1.1 Members

3.5.1.1.1 Pope

The pope of the church of Zan is currently His Holieness Sid Buraine.

3.5.1.1.2 Cardinals

The church of Zan has 10 cardinal seats. Usually made up of about 5 High Sun members, 3 Morning Lords and 2 Dawn Watchers. Some of the current Cardinals are listed below

Cardinal Childe – Member of the Morning Lords

Cardinal Borne – Member of the High Sun. Currently in charge of the Temple in Kermose

Cardinal Shane – Member of the Dawn Watchers. Currently in charge of the temple in Leverask.

Cardinal Archablade a member of the Morning Lords. He is the head of a temple in San Tol.

Cardinal SeeWeen – Elvin member of the church and member of the morning lords.

3.5.1.2 Temples

Temples to Zan are tall structures that often feature large windows, often with decorative stained glass. They're a good source of healing magic and often easy to fi nd because Zan-worship is so prevalent in civilized lands.

3.5.2 Holidays

Summer Solstice is a major holiday.

3.5.3 Symbols

The symbol for the church of Zan is a golden sun.

Other Symbols for the religion are:

Gold - Protection

Glass - Purity

Fire - Cleansing

3.5.3.1 Chosen Weapon

Zan’s Chosen weapon is the morning star.

3.5.4 Domains

Good, Fire, Sun, Protection

3.5.5 Mythology/History

3.5.6 Religious Locations

3.5.6.1 Dusk Home

Dusk Home is the temple outside of Mithloar. The temple is one of the oldest temples in the church of Zan. In the past 20 years the order of the Dawn Watchers has made it’s home in the Dusk Home. The building was built on a holy site that is said to be the location where one of Zan’s Apostles was buried. The Apostle was a saint Dawnrider during the first age who fought besides Zan when she manifested on and fought Pel’Mar. Saint Dawnrider is said to have thrown a golden spear and struck Pel’Mar in the side distracting him so that Zan could strike him down with her Morningstar. The speark of Dawnrider is an artifact that holds up the banner of Zan in the main room of the temple.

4 Religious Structures

Below is a sample frame work for religions based on their alignment.

Chaotic

Chaotic organizations have a hierarchy dependent on each location. No temple is the same.

Neutral

A Neutral organization would have a hierarchy defined by all members of the group. The ranks would be filled based upon a time frame.

Rank

Address

Average Age

% of Organization

Length of Position

Pope

Your Holiness

1 Unique position

Cardinal

Your Eminence

ArchBishop

Your Excellency

Bishop

Your Excellency

2.7

Priest

Father

13.5

Unlimited

Brother

72.2

Lawful

A definite hierarchy defined by time in position and elevation by an agreement by superiors. New ranks will be filled upon death. The hierarchy would be church spanning and controlled by a head. Each temple would be run in a very similar manner with precise processes and procedures for running the church (think franchise restaurant.)

Rank

Address

Average Age

% of Organization

Pope

Your Holiness

1 Unique position

Cardinal

Your Eminence

ArchBishop

Your Excellency

Bishop

Your Excellency

2.7

Priest

Father

13.5

Brother

72.2