While not everybody believes in the Legendary Pokemon, or revere them as gods, there nonetheless remain a wide variety of religious practices surrounding the gods. Every god has their own individual followers, but some are closely aligned or have similar domains. These gods are often worshiped as groups in addition to individual worship.
Articuno is the God of Pleasure
Articuno is said to be a rather capricious and fickle god, usually only appearing to those lost and doomed in the icy mountains. Legend states that since Articuno isn't able to save those dying of the cold, as his own icy powers would only bring death closer, he grants people their one last pleasure before they succumb. Whether or not Articuno himself can grant these wishes or if they're simply mirages is unknown, but those that have been found dead in the mountains often seem to have a peaceful look upon their faces.
Those that worship Articuno also believe in indulging in ones pleasures. They're never one for "saving things for a rainy day", and will do what they please when the desire strikes. This could be anything from buying themselves a box of chocolates, to just going and seeing that play they were humming and hawing over seeing. Because of this, a lot of Articuno worshippers are seen as overindulgent and sometimes even selfish, but that's hardly the case; they simply just wish to live as pleasurable of a life as possible before they pass away.
Despite some of the negative chatter Articuno worshippers get, their presence is actually a great boon for local businesses. Most welcome the worshippers and their free way of life in open arms. Therefore a lot of towns that have many worshippers of Articuno actually have a very good economy. A lot of them don't just buy things for themselves either. They believe everyone should have a chance to have something nice in their life, and will go out of their way to help those in need. A lot of the time this comes in the form of treating the homeless to meals at restaurants, something a lot of them might not have imagined themselves ever doing.
Churches to Articuno are about as fancy as one might expect from the God of Pleasure. A lot of time and effort goes into them, and because of that there aren't a lot of them. However those that exist are decorated from top to bottom with art that people take pleasure in making; from sculptures to stained glass to paintings.
Even in rather hot climate, a lot of Articuno worshippers lean towards wearing heavier clothing tinged with dull blues. Most will also adorn themselves in blue feathers from various species of Flying Pokemon in honor of their god.
Zapdos is the Goddess of Strife
Legend says that in times of war and strife, Zapdos will appear. Like the other legendary birds she's depicted as fickle, only showing up in moments where she'd be needed or ones that she finds interesting. While she's said to thrive off conflict, she's also one to never allow it to get out of control. Stories tell that wars have been ended by the massive lightning bolts Zapdos brought down simply because there was no sign of it stopping otherwise. Because of this, she's seen not just as a Goddess of Strife, but one that observes it and doesn't allow it to consume those suffering from it.
Worshippers of Zapdos are usually bold people that know strife is inevitable in their lives. While they personally don't seek it, they won't try to run away from it if it crops up for them. The last thing a Zapdos worshipper likes to see is someone running away from their problems, or seeing them consumed by them. Because they're quick to take action, a lot of conflicts will resolve themselves quickly if they're involved.
A lot of followers actually seek conflict in a more contained and less dangerous way: Pokemon battles. Battling is important to Zapdos worshippers as it's a way to show their devotion to strife in a positive way. Most Zapdos churches have a battle field or two on its grounds for people to train their Pokemon. Every summer a battle tournament is held to honor Zapdos. It's said that if a summer storm occurs during the time of the tournament, it's a sign that Zapdos is pleased.
Their style of dressing is rather erratic, not really having any set theme. However, yellow is usually always a staple on their outfits along with the yellow feathers of Flying Pokemon.
Moltres is the Goddess of Compassion
Moltres is said to be a kind soul that appears to those plagued by sadness. A goddess of few words, her mere warm embrace was enough to convey compassion in its purest form to those she showed herself to. According to legends, Moltres lost someone incredibly dear to her a long time ago and was trapped in sadness for years upon years. After receiving so much sympathy from her siblings, Moltres decided to take the role of the Goddess of Compassion to return this feeling of compassion to not just her siblings, but all of Aetherium. Her wish was that no one else would ever have to feel the loneliness or sadness she suffered, and instead, feel the warmth and kindness of those around them. However, she is said to have no respect or sympathy for those that go out of their way to hurt others and she remembers every action a person takes to purposefully hurt another. Even if someone that has hurt others many a times is suffering, Moltres might not appear to them out of pure disdain.
As one might expect, those that worship Moltres are very kind and compassionate people. They see themselves as role models for their community and do their best to keep that reputation as untarnished as possible. Accidentally hurting another person's feelings weighs heavily on them and they will sometimes go through leaps and bounds to make it up to the person they hurt. The pure and utter passion Moltres worshippers feel isn't just towards their community either. It just seems like most of them show passion for everything they enjoy and take great pleasure in sharing them with others. While most accept these actions, some have found them to be overwhelming and almost find Moltres worshippers to be too suffocating with their kindness.
Churches to Moltres aren't very fancy themselves, but always have incredibly large and well taken care of cemeteries. It's usually common to see worshippers wandering the grounds and consoling anyone they see visiting graves. Around the cusp of winter and spring, Moltres worshippers hold a festival dedicated to their goddess, hoping their prayers and festivities will bring an early spring. According to legend, an early spring is a sign that Moltres is nearby, bringing with her the warmth of compassion that she will bestow upon everyone.
Moltres worshippers usually wear light, red clothing. Like worshippers of the other legendary birds, they wear feathers on their person; specifically red feathers. A lot of priests wear caplets adorned with iridescent, red material to imitate the beautiful wings of their goddess.
Mewtwo is the God of Science and Alchemy.
Legend says that Mewtwo was created by the ancient people using a sliver of Mew's essence. Whether or not the legends are true, Mewtwo has always been the patron deity of scientists, and more recently of the Alchemist's Guild.
As gods of science, Mewtwo and Magearna are closely tied. Many consider them to be close allies, both due to the similarity of their domains and due to the legends of the circumstances of their creation.
Followers of Mewtwo do their best to progress the knowledge of the world and its people. While many associate that manner of progress with Lugia and their followers, and while there is often some overlap, there is a fair degree of difference between the two's philosophies. Mewtwo's devotees do not endorse change inherently or for its own sake, embracing change only after rigorous testing.
Mewtwo has always been considered an unofficial god of the Alchemists, but only officially became so with the relatively recent formation of the Alchemist's Guild. Most branches of the Guild contain a decently elaborate shrine to the deity.
Prayers and offerings to Mewtwo are varied and normally informal. Many research centers feature one or more small shrines and idols to Mewtwo, often given nothing more than a nod or short bow as researchers pass. More complex offerings have included everything from artful arrays of beakers to copies of research documents rolled tightly and burned like incense. Most seem to agree that with Mewtwo, the actions of his domain and the occasional thought his way are more than sufficient.
While Mewtwo has no official spiritual leader or central church, many consider the headquarters of the Alchemist's Guild to be an unofficial major branch, and small shrines are not difficult to find.
Mew is the God of Fate and Fortune.
Mew is said to be among the oldest of the Gods. He is a bright and whimsical deity, and is often asked for good luck before a major risk or event.
Many followers of Mew act as fortune tellers, claiming that with items and a connection to their God they can glean hints at people's future. Myst-warped mirrors and decks of cards are common tools used in such fortune telling, with the fortune teller interpreting signs in the cards or in the strange patterns that form on the mirrors.
Common symbols of faith in Mew include small dice or decks of cards, normally bearing a depiction of Mew on at least one card or die face. Traditionally Mew will be featured on either the highest or lowest face in the case of dice, or on the ace or joker in the case of a deck of cards. Though these are generally kept functional, it is perfectly legitimate to have them pierced to be worn as a form of ornamentation.
Mew does not require that his worshipers give offerings, but some kingdoms do host shrines to the god all the same. Nearly all fortune tellers will have an idol within, and many gambling houses will post one above the door.
Mew does not have a spiritual leader, but most major adherents are willing to explain the practices and objects of the faith to the curious.
The Three Legendary Beasts are tied in closely to nature and the environment of Aetherium. They are highly worshiped by many of the major nomadic tribes of the land, who ask them for blessings and signs for many of the major actions and decisions of their lives.
In the Age of the Gods, the Natives of Aetherium primarily worshiped these three beasts. While there were others outside of Aetherium who had their own practices of worship, modern worship of the Legendary Beasts in Aetherium stems primarily from the practices of those Natives.
Entei is the God of the Hunt.
The worshipers of Entei, often referred to simply as Hunters, challenge themselves with greater and greater fights, hunting ever more dangerous creatures under ever more perilous circumstances. Trophies of rarer and greater hunts are taken, often hides or bones, and worn with pride. The higher ranked worshipers and priests of Entei are instantly identifiable by the trophies that festoon them and their cloak.
In order to become a true initiate rather than a common worshiper, one must craft a cloak for themselves. The cloak is a full body affair, traditionally made from the hides of beings hunted by the aspirant, and must be judged worthy by a high ranking priest of Entei. A cloak crafted from a single hide is almost always more respected than one crafted from many, and a patchwork cloak of many hides will often be rejected.
While there are many Hunter-Priests of Entei, they have a singular leader. A new leader is selected by a competition held by the previous leader, consisting of a series of grand hunts. The Grand Hunter, leader of the faith, may grant titles to Hunters as accolades for impressive feats of hunting, though such titles are often recommended by other Hunter-Priests and sent in missives for approval.
Raikou is the God of Travel.
In the original tribes of Aetherium, those who followed Raikou were the trailblazers and scouts of the wandering cities. Often wandering alone or in pairs, they would range out far ahead of hunting parties or migrating tribes to find the best methods of crossing treacherous ground or evading dangerous pokemon.
In the Modern Age, many who worship Raikou have taken on roles with the Exploration Society. Adherents of Raikou do their best to see all of Aetherium, and most cities and settlements will have a local post for them to rest and gather. Those who arrive earn a specially made knot from the post, and worshipers with many different knots are highly regarded.
Often, Raikou's posts are chartered to act as couriers as well, as they are fast and consistent runners and travelers. This also gives them an excuse to travel from place to place, and commissions to take packages to distant places are highly contested. While there are many methods of transporting messages, Raikou's lodges are often the cheapest and most consistent, though since they often travel on foot they can be quite slow.
In homage to their patron's domain, they don't have any manner of central temple, with the only real ranking among lodges being the difficulty of reaching them. Though there is no official leader, the most respected of them are the Master Journeyers, those precious few who not only possess every lodge's knot, but have traveled abroad to a variety of far away and secret lands.
Each lodge is run by a Lodge Master, who selects their replacement from among those who have received every lodge knot. They set a rare and difficult destination, at which they place their lodge's personal knot. Whoever retrieves it and returns first becomes the new Lodge Master.
Suicune is the Goddess of Guidance.
The original natives of Aetherium prayed to Suicune for guidance in a variety of day to day tasks. Taking the movements of the winds and seas as signs from their goddess, priests and priestesses of Suicune would advise their peoples on everything from directions of travel to marriage prospects.
Centuries later, once the outsiders had merged with the original natives to form the current peoples of Aetherium, worship of Suicune spread to many sailors and maritime orders. Modern believers will offer prayers to their matron before setting out to sail, and give offerings as thanks upon their safe return. Many port cities hold shrine to Suicune near the waters, and a few lighthouses are dedicated to her.
In modern times, priests and priestesses of Suicune take a variety of forms. Many nomadic nations feature a highly positioned adherent of Suicune who advises them on when and where to move their homes. These worshipers interpret the many motions of nature at large as messages from their goddess, and respond accordingly. These priests and priestesses learn from elder worshipers, observing their interpretations of the signs and learning to read the slightest change in their environment.
Maritime priests and priestesses take a slightly different form. Often skilled sailors themselves, they are given places of honor on a variety of vessels. Many believe that their presence, and the offerings they give, will ensure fair winds and calm weather for a journey, and such adherents often provide indispensable advice on oncoming weather conditions. These worshipers only consider themselves initiates until they have completed a pilgrimage. First they must create their own sail, and oftentimes their own one person sailing vessel, and then sail it alone to one of the myriad islands that exist about Aetherium.
Worshipers of Suicune often identify themselves with clothing bearing patterns symbolizing waves and winds, normally in soft blues.
Lugia is the God/Goddess of Change.
Lugia is the God most closely associated with the Myst, as the strange changing properties of the Myst seem to align themselves with their domain. The god is often portrayed as cloaked in Myst.
Lugia's worshipers value change and new things, constantly pushing for different ways. Most of these changes are useless and wind up thrown to the wayside, but that does nothing to discourage Lugia's followers.
While Lugia advocates for change and progress, the Legend and their worshipers do not push for change above all else. They understand that change must be for the better, and that the world can not be in total and constant flux.
While adherents of Lugia do not have any specific symbols to represent their faith, they often wear sparkling cloths in grays and light purples as a representation of the swirling Myst around their leader.
Many who are uncomfortable with themselves are drawn to Lugia's faith, and priests and priestesses of Lugia are very skilled at helping people find their true selves.
Lugia's faith is centered in the Silvered Cathedral located in Slecuria, a short distance from its sister temple the Seven Crested Shrine. The massive building shines silver in the sunlight, and is always open to those seeking guidance or assistance.
While there is no single central figure at the top of Lugia's hierarchy, there are a circle of six high ranking bishops who generally act as a high authority on religious matters. When disagreement between them leaves a vote split evenly between them they claim to let their patron cast the tiebreaker, although nobody knows what method they use to discern their god's vote.
Ho-oh is the God of Tradition and Stability.
Theologians agree that Ho-oh is amongst the mightier of the gods, backed by longstanding faith and tradition. Ho-oh is said to have passed down the idea of tradition to the early peoples of the world, teaching them ways to keep ideas known and passed down from generation to generation. Some claim that the Age of Departure was so chaotic due to his disappearance, as without his stabilizing influence the important traditions of the world began to fall apart.
While Ho-oh advocates for tradition and stability, the god and his worshipers do not insist on a completely sedentary world. They understand that some traditions must be outgrown, and that the world can not be totally set in stone. While many who follow Ho-oh are hesitant to embrace change, those new methods and traditions that are accepted by them are often then accepted by others around the world, who see Ho-oh's acceptance as a mark of quality.
Those who worship Ho-oh often wear an item with all seven colors of the rainbow present. Higher ranking priests and priestesses always wear a set of ceremonial robes and hood. These robes are always dyed a bright crimson, and trimmed with the seven colored rainbow of their patron. While that garb has remained visually the same for centuries, over the years they have made improvements to the design and materials used in its creation, rendering the outfit far less stifling than one would expect upon first looking at it.
Ho-oh's faith is centered in the Seven Crested Shrine in Slecuria, located only a short distance from its sister temple the Silvered Cathedral. Seven massive panes of colored metal adorn the Shrine, reflecting the sun's light into the seven colors of the rainbow. While the high ranking members who reside therein adhere to a strict daily schedule, they always seem to have time for those who come to them in need.
The current Archcleric of Ho-oh's faith is Zormiah Gottard. The elf is old even amongst elves, looking every one of his over 400 years. While his personal schedule rarely has time for the affairs of common people, he makes sure to speak with those who come into his temple whenever time allows. He has a great deal of influence in the courts of the land, and is one of the judges who sits on the Grand Court, the highest governing body in Aetherium.
Celebi is the God of Purity
Celebi is said to be a gentle and caring god that only appears during times of peace. He is supposedly a being capable of traveling through time, purifying and rejuvenating plant life wherever he goes . Many old accounts say that the forests used to echo with his song whenever he arrived in their time. Fables warned for those who heard the song while traveling through the forest to stand completely still, lest they be noticed and spirited away to another time. Years with sightings of Celebi always resulted in better harvests and cleaner drinking water throughout the continent.
Worshippers of Celebi generally live in or near places with lush forests and greenery. Most live simple lifestyles away from the growing technology of Aetherium choosing instead to live among nature. They treat the forest as sacred, and there's many places that followers dare not tread in fear of being spirited away. They say those that harm the forest are seen and remembered by Celebi, who will deliver payment at some point in the timeline. As the "Voice of the Forest" and a general guardian, followers of Celebi work hard to create the kind of timeline he would want to visit in hopes of his eventual return.
Most followers of Celebi wear rather plain clothes with natural colors to them such as green and brown. A lot of the color of their appearance comes from flowers they pick and adorn either their clothes or hair with to honor the life Celebi brings to the land. Pressing flowers is a common activity for worshipers and most will carry some kind of item with a pressed flower on it to keep their god close to them such as a bookmark or jewelry.
There aren't any official churches to Celebi, but a lot of forests will have shrines either right outside their entrance or deep within for people to pray and leave offerings. A lot of the time, people will also pray to Dialga while they're at the shrines, as the two gods were said to have been close friends in the past.
The Four Regis are the patron deities of Historians and Archivists everywhere. It is said that Regigigas holds sway over all of history, and that it contains knowledge of all actions the peoples of the world have, can, or will take. Each of the other three lays claim to one section of history, with many worshipers revering one of the three about the other two.
Regice is the God of the Past.
A reclusive god, Regice is often portrayed as being surrounded by historical tomes and texts. His focus on the past made him the record keeper of the gods, and it is said that he was always consulted before a major undertaking, to see if something similar had occurred in the past.
Revered highly by those who study the past, and those who attempt to decipher the ways and words of those who came before. Many archaeologists do their work in Regice's name, attempting to decipher lost histories and discover ancient relics. Many members of the Exploration Society follow Regice, and often those members dedicate themselves to finding ancient ruins and pluming their depths for scraps of forgotten knowledge.
Many followers of Regice wear no form of identifying marker, though those can often be recognized by their professions. Those who do wear some manner of symbol will often wear a small pin of their patron's personal crest, a small diamond in a icy blue.
Direct prayers to Regice are rare, but many will request its blessing before investigating ruins or any place that may contain fragments of Aetherium's past. Oftentimes worshipers will consider any addition to or rediscovery of history to be an offering to Regice.
While Regice has no central spiritual leader or church, many consider historical archives to be pseudo churches, and tend to give prolific historians a fair degree of respect and deference.
Regirock is the God of the Present.
Rarely acting directly, Regirock is normally depicted as an observer of major events. It is said to know of every action a person is undertaking, no matter how hidden or how small. While Regirock is also revered by historians most of its worshipers are annalists, recording history as it happens.
Adherents of Regirock focus on witnessing historic events as they occur, recording major points in history with as much detail as they can. Some major journalists consider themselves adherents of Regirock as well, and pride themselves on unbiased and accurate accounts of events that occur.
While most of Regirock's worshipers pride themselves on their accounts of events being free from bias, a select few abuse that reputation for accuracy and attempt to rewrite events to suit their own purposes. Those who call Regirock their patron will aggressively decry these people. On occasions where accounts differ between annalists passionate arguments often occur, sometimes even leading to feuds that can span decades.
Most adherents of Regirock carry some manner of journal or other method of recording events they witness, and can be found at the sites of major occurrences, interviewing witnesses. Many also wear their patron's symbol, a small diamond colored an orange-brown.
Direct prayer to Regirock is almost non-existent, with most worshipers considering acts within the Regi's domain to be sufficient offering.
Similar to the rest of its kin, Regirock has no real spiritual leader or central church. Instead, most adherents give their deference to brave and accurate annalists and journalists.
Registeel is the God of the Future.
Registeel is normally portrayed as the most active of its siblings. Said to know all actions that people could take, and the outcomes thereof, it was often prayed to for guidance before major decisions.
Many worshipers of Registeel seek to take advantage of history, using the knowledge of the past to make predictions of the future. Often times adherents of Registeel will observe past cycles of weather and nature to forecast dangerous weather, long seasons, and rare pokemon migrations.
Many fortune tellers and self-proclaimed oracles call Registeel their patron, and claim that their connection to their god grants them an ability to see the future. The variable precision of such groups tends to cast doubt on such claims, but for many the reverence of their patron is legitimate.
Worshipers of Registeel rarely wear any sort of identifying adornment, only occasionally sporting their god's symbol: a small diamond colored a steely gray.
Registeel's faith has neither a spiritual leader nor a central church. Few members seem to recognize others as above or below them, giving the impression that Registeel's faith has no specific internal hierarchy.
Regigigas is the God of History.
Regigigas is portrayed as the elder Regi. It is often said to be a close friend and ally to Dialga. Regigigas is said to know every action that a person has taken, can take, or will take, and thereby know all things that have been and can be. Also sometimes called the King of all History, Regigigas is occasionally portrayed with an ornate crown of stone, frost, and metal.
Regigigas is one of the few gods who is not worshiped directly. Rather, all who worship one of its younger siblings are considered to worship Regigigas by proxy. As such, many adherents of the faith of the Regis will find an amount of common ground.
A rare few historians attempt to take in history in its entirety, rather than focusing on a single facet of it. These people will often wear the symbols of more than one of the Regis, and on rare occasion wear all three.
The faith of the Regis as a whole has no spiritual leader or central church, and generally forms a community of historians. Observing the present as it becomes the past, learning from the past to predict the future, and living the future as it turns to the present.
Latias is the Goddess of Harmony.
A bright and kind goddess, Latias and her brother Latios were said to travel swiftly across Aetherium to bring harmony and peace to the peoples of the continent. Mythology claims that Latias was covered with a glass-like down which she could angle to refract incoming light to turn invisible.
Latias was never depicted without her brother nearby. Together, they were said to be able to calm any argument or disagreement with nothing more than their presence. It is said that without the harmonious duo, the world would swiftly fall into discord and chaos. A few theologians even claim that it was their disappearance that allowed much of the conflict and chaos of the Age of Departure.
Followers of Latias often act as conciliators within their communities, doing everything in their power to break up arguments and let people see eye to eye. They're often identifiable by a sash or bandanna dyed a soft red as a nod to their matron.
While Latias doesn't have a specific leader or a central place of worship, deference is often given to those who are known to be master conciliators. Small shrines to the Harmonious Duo can be spotted all along the countryside.
Latios is the God of Peace.
A warm and benevolent god, Latios and his sister Latias were said to travel swiftly across Aetherium to bring peace and harmony to the peoples of the continent. Mythology claims that Latios was covered with a glass-like down which he could control to reflect incoming light to turn invisible.
Always depicted with his sister in toe, myths say that Latios and Latias flew swiftly from place to place, settling arguments and calming tempers wherever they went. It is said that Latios' mere presence was enough to make violence and conflict almost unthinkable. Some theologians say that an event like the Redpaw Slaughters was only possible because of the Harmonious Duo's disappearance.
Latios' adherents are brokers of peace, and often are looked to as negotiators to end hostilities. Though fewer then the followers of Latias, followers of Latios tend to journey to places where major conflicts are brewing, attempting to defuse such matters before they begin.
Like their sister faith, Latios' worshipers don't have a central leader or place of worship, but shrines to the pair dot the continent. Many worshipers of Latios take to wearing a deep blue sash or bandanna in deference to their god.
Groudon is the God of Land.
It is said that when Arceus first created the world, he forged a range of endless mountains. From the first and greatest of the mountains arose Groudon. With a mighty roar, he unleashed a series of terrible earthquakes. The quakes tore the mountains asunder, and they belched forth stone and lava and ash. It rushed forth to form the continents and land that the world has today.
It was only after he changed the land that Groudon discovered the lakes, rivers, and oceans that were the works of his contemporary: Kyogre. Seeing the waters that dared obscure his works, Groudon flew into a rage and began a war with Kyogre. Their conflict caused a cataclysm that nearly tore the fledgling world apart, only stopped by the intervention Rayquaza, his third counterpart.
Worshipers of Groudon revere the land that their god formed, and often make pilgrimages to large mountains or other major land features. Many of these places are considered holy lands to them, and on days of powerful sunlight priests and priestesses of Groudon can be seen giving praise to their patron. Devoted worshipers do their best to stay inland, avoiding major bodies of water whenever possible. Many architects take advice from or themselves are Groudon's adherents, and construct their buildings to best take advantage of sunny days and to weather even the greatest of earthquakes, which they believe are the dissatisfied grumblings of their god.
Followers of Groudon wear clothing, often belts or shirts, with the color and patterning of their patron. They often dress and plan for warm and sunny weather, and the invention of sun protection cream is attributed to an old Groudon adherent. Their central temple is located among Aetherium's central mountain range, filled with windows and mirrors to let in and guide the sunlight.
Rumors say that there is a dark and underground group of Groudon worshipers. These people make sacrifices to their god in the hope of empowering him to rise again and strike down his brothers, and pushing the lands of the world above all else.
Kyogre is the God of the Seas.
It is said that when Arceus first created the world, he unleashed an endless torrent of water. From the greatest and deepest trench emerged Kyogre. With a mighty roar he unleashed a procession of horrible floods. Waves taller than creation crashed against the land, giving birth to lakes, rivers, and seas.
It was only after he had changed the waters of the world that Kyogre encountered the continents and mountains that were the work of his contemporary: Groudon. Seeing the lands that dared to rise above his works, Kyogre flew into a rage and began a war with Groudon. Their conflict caused a cataclysm that nearly tore the fledgling world apart, only stopped by the intervention Rayquaza, his third counterpart.
Worshipers of Kyogre revere the waters that their patron shaped. Many can be seen making pilgrimages to major lakes and rivers, or even sailing out to places where the seas appear to stretch uninterrupted to the horizon. Locations like that are often considered holy sites, and during torrential rains priests and priestesses of Kyogre can be seen offering reverence to their god. Often, devoted worshipers will do their best to avoid leaving areas bordering the waters, with a rare and zealous few even living their lives entirely on ships on the water. Many architects take advice from or themselves are Kyogre's followers, and those often build with the rains in mind. Those who work on land based structures make certain their works are able to survive even the mightiest of floods, which they claim are the dissatisfied grumblings of their god.
Followers of Kyogre wear clothing with the color and patterning of their god, and some carry umbrellas or rain jackets in preparation for a drizzle. Their clothing is always designed to dry quickly, so they can enjoy any sudden rains without compunctions. Their central temple is a carefully constructed floating platform situated near Kyogre's Maw. Slots in the walls and ceilings lead to a set of carefully arranged pipes, guiding rainfall and ocean sprays into miniature waterfalls within the temple itself.
Rumors say that somewhere there exists a darker sect of Kyogre worshipers. This sect makes sacrifices to their god in hopes of empowering him to rise again and strike down his brothers, so the seas may grow to consume everything.
Rayquaza is the God of Sky.
While Groudon and Kyogre gave form to the lands and seas, the Great Arceus saw that more was needed to maintain order and balance. So he unleashed a rush of insurmountable wind as the world was still young. From the highest and fastest of these currents of air appeared Rayquaza. Flying far above the still changing world, he formed the winds, clouds, and weather that the world would enjoy. Satisfied with his work he watched his brothers from the edges of the sky, admiring their creations.
Then he witnessed their anger and their battle. Rayquaza's siblings raged and raged until the world was nearly torn apart. Filled with a rage of his own, Rayquaza launched himself to where the others battled and struck them down with a mighty blow. As the two reeled from his strike, he delivered his ultimatum: never again would they put the world they had formed in danger. Should they threaten another cataclysm, Rayquaza would devour the mountains and drink the seas, wrapping his endless bulk around the world until there was nothing left for them to fight over. With that, a begrudging peace was formed.
Those who follow Rayquaza revere the winds and open skies. Most holy sites for their faith are lone, sheer cliffs, or open areas with a large view of the sky. Many also enjoy stargazing, and some legends say that some of the stars in the sky are the shining eyes of their patron, always keeping watch to make sure his brothers keep to their vows. Most buildings relating to Rayquaza are tall, carefully constructed to stand despite their generous height. Many feature windmills, so that their patron's creation can continue to be seen and felt. While a lot of these windmills are designed to power mills or other mechanisms, quite a few are only ornamental.
Adherents of Rayquaza often wear some manner of clothing or symbol aping the coloring and patterns seen on their patron. While they have no central temple, many open plains and grasslands across Aetherium will feature a windmill topped spire where people can offer their prayers. When the winds pick up and the windmills move at great speed, worshipers in the area rejoice.
Jirachi is the Goddess of Wishes and Hope.
Myths claim that Jirachi first appeared during a storm of shooting stars. The peoples of Aetherium, seeing this rare sight, offered their wishes to the night sky, and from the sheer weight of their hope awakened Jirachi. Descending from the stars, she heard every wish voiced across the land that night, and took it upon herself to grant those wishes that she believed were pure and selfless.
Shooting stars are commonly associated with Jirachi's attention and favor, and it was said that meteor showers were a sign the goddess was listening for those whose wishes were pure. In modern times, wishing upon shooting stars is a common phenomenon even among non-believers.
A summer festival is held for Jirachi every year during what has become known as the Wishing Week, when meteor showers are particularly common.
Followers of Jirachi are optimistic people, often beacons of light and hope among their communities. They do their best to help people find their hopes and wishes, believing that helping to grant the wishes they can will free their goddess to grant the wishes that are beyond mortal means. Many adherents will wear something representing a shooting star as a nod to their goddess.
Jirachi's worshipers tend to get along well with those of Latios and Latias, with all of them often promoting peace and harmony among people. Followers of Jirachi are often visible assisting with major sermons of the Harmonious Duo's followers.
Tags can occasionally be found adorning the shrines of varying gods and goddesses, left by Jirachi's worshipers to bring her attention to the wishes of the followers of other deities.
Deoxys is the God of Society and Civilization.
Certain legends say that Deoxys first arrived on a meteor which fell to the world long ago. These legends say that he wandered the world, observing its inhabitants. Seeing them struggling to survive, he gave them a great gift: Civilization.
With Deoxys' gift, people began to form towns, villages, and great cities. Better methods of farming, basic monetary systems, civic workings, and more are all said to stem from the god's great gift.
Adherents of Deoxys often seek political power and positions of authority. They act to mold society and improve or expand the cities they call home. Even those who don't make it into higher positions will settle for minor governmental jobs, with even secretaries and civic workers being honored positions amongst those of their faith.
There are few consistent signs of Deoxys worship, with worshipers preferring to wear outfits suited to their jobs or positions. Many governmental buildings will have a formal shrine to Deoxys within.
Deoxys is said to get along well with Manaphy, and worshipers of both tend to interact positively. Many decry Deoxys and those of his faith however, often times those who are dissatisfied with the way society and civilization currently function and are run.
The legends say that in the time before history, Dialga and Palkia began a major battle. Though the brothers often clashed, this was more terrible than any fight before. Their blows bent the fabric of time and space, and it was feared that the universe itself would be torn asunder. In response, Arceus himself created a great egg. From that egg hatched the three Fragments of Self, and the three calmed Dialga and Palkia's rage.
The Fragment's followers believe that their gods existed on a higher plane of existence, and attempt to reach that plane through perfecting themselves and achieving enlightenment. Though not all believe in their gods as real entities, all better themselves for one reason or another.
Azelf is the God of Body
Azelf was said to be the master of the body and the physical form. Legends say that in the age when people were still new, it was Azelf that descended to give their bodies form and granted them the will to use those bodies.
Mesprit is the God of Soul
Uxie is the Goddess of Mind
Dialga is the God of Time
Palkia is the God of Space
Giratina is the Goddess of Loss and Mourning.
The sister of Dialga and Palkia, she was among the earliest gods to be. It is said that in the early times she committed a grave sin, and was banished for her actions. She now serves to assuage the anguish of those who have lost, both out of empathy and in an attempt to atone for her ancient sin.
Many funeral services are held in Giratina's sanctuaries, presided over by priests and priestesses wearing masks of their patron's symbol. These priests and priestesses are generally quiet, but do everything in their power to comfort those in mourning, as they believe that in bringing solace to people they bring solace to their Goddess as well.
Nearly every nation has a sanctuary of Giratina, as the service that Giratina's priests and priestesses provide is almost universally considered positive. They are often refuges in the midst and wake of tragedies.
Followers of Giratina tend towards dark clothing, and many wear small pins of Giratina's symbol. Giratina's ethos attracts people who attempt to comfort those who have lost, and followers are often compassionate and empathetic people. Many others offer their faith after a being helped by follower of Giratina.
Giratina's central church is the Dimstone Cathedral in the northern part of the continent. The sanctuary is named for the dark stone from which it is built, though it is well lit within. A reasonably sized town has grown around the Cathedral. While they provide the same services as any other sanctuary of Giratina, the priests and priestesses within tend to focus on comforting people after the deaths of widely beloved figures or in the wakes of large scale disasters.
The spiritual leader of Giratina's faith is Samuel Camesone. The human is nearing extreme age, and as such almost never leaves the Dimstone Cathedral. He takes great pride and pleasure in personally bringing solace to the mourners that beseech him and his home.
Cresselia is the Goddess of Dreams
Darkrai, the God of Nightmares
Heatran is the Goddess of Metal and Metallurgy
Heatran is said to be one of the younger gods, and one of the more involved with mortals. Legends state that Heatran gave the peoples of Aetherium the gift of Steel, becoming hailed as the goddess of the forge. Since then, many smithies have included an idol or shine to Heatran in remembrance of her gifts, and it's not uncommon for a smith to be heard muttering a desperate prayer under their breath as they temper a blade or other material.
While the knowledge of steel is amongst the most famous and most important of Heatran's gifts, nearly all important metallurgical advancements have been attributed to Heatran's blessings.
While major shrines to Heatran are uncommon, most major settlements have a smithy by necessity and by extension possess a place of reverence towards Heatran. Despite that, direct services for Heatran are less common than short prayers said over or during the process of forging. Most adherents believe that Heatran would prefer action to words.
Heatran's central church is the Mighty Forge, whose location is a closely guarded secret. It is said that only the truly devoted are allowed within its walls, and it turns out the highest quality metals in all of Aetherium. Shipments are delivered covertly, and sold by devotees who lack knowledge of the Forge's true location. Rumors claim that the forge is heated by a volcano, and many people have hunted through the mountains that dot Aetherium hoping to stumble onto it.
Manaphy is the Goddess of Heart and Connections.
Worshippers of Manaphy are those that value connections and relationships with others. Old myth tells tales of the three gods: Azelf, Uxie, and Mesprit, and how they were able to bring willpower, knowledge, and emotion to mortals respectively. However even though these were granted to people, they still lacked something: the power to interact with one another and connect on a personal level with those around them. It's then said that Manaphy arose from the ocean and bestowed those near her with empathy and sympathy, allowing them the ability to form bonds with one another. The children of Manaphy, known as Phione, traveled the waterways of Aetherium and spread this gift to everyone they could.
Manaphy worshippers are very active in their community, and work hard to interact with it on as personal of a level as possible. This could be anything ranging from charity events, offering the needy shelter in their churches, and visiting places such as graveyards or hospitals to help console those there.
Worshippers tend to wear clothing of light fabric due to how it flows when they move. Lots of blues and golds adorn their clothing, and a lot of people tend to grow their hair long, even the males. Most wear two rings, one on each index finger, fitted with red gems that are etched with Manaphy's symbol.
Water is an incredibly sacred thing to worshippers, the ocean especially. From water came their gift of bonds, and thus society. Many church practices involve holy water. One such practice involves dipping ones hands into small dishes of holy water and holding hands with those next to you in the pews to honor each other and hope your bonds grow stronger between one another. Most worshippers like to take pilgrimages to the ocean once a year, or at least local water sources if they're too far inland.
Older generations tell stories of an incredibly devout group of worshippers, and how they followed Manaphy to the sea to live the rest of their lives there. They became known as the People of the Water and were said to have built a temple known as Akusha deep under the ocean for their Prince of the Sea.
Shaymin is the God of Bloom and Harvest
For a long time, natives in Aetherium were hunter-gatherers, moving from place to place in search of food. This was said to have changed once Shaymin appeared before a select group of people. He taught these people the ways of agriculture and how to properly harvest crops so they may feed themselves without having to travel as often. These people became Shaymin's first followers and were quick to spread their god's teachings to the rest of the continent. Soon nearly everyone relied on agriculture in some way, shape or form.
While Shaymin was a very gracious god, the circumstances had to be right for him to feel obliged to share it with others. As long as prayers and offerings to him were sufficient, he would happily bless the harvests of the people. However, if they weren't sufficient, he would neglect the harvests. Because of this, families would always try to set some of their crops aside or grow things specifically for Shaymin, since a bad harvest could spell certain doom for many. The most common plant grown and offered in the god's name is the Gracidea flower. Legend says the flower grew on Shaymin's body, and as he traveled the continent, the seeds fell from his body and took root.
Most farmers in Aetherium worship Shaymin and still continue the tradition of setting a plot of land aside, and growing crops on it for their patron. There aren't many actual churches for Shaymin, but often farms will have a small, handcrafted shrine. Some local farmer's markets will even have their own shrine that all the local farmers will give their thanks at each week. Devout Shaymin worshipers usually wear a bracelet of tightly woven grass around their wrist, with some opting to also wear a Gracidea flower somewhere on their person.
Arceus is The Great God, often believed to be the original creator of the legendary pokemon, and via them the world and its inhabitants.
Said to be not only the mightiest of the pokemon but the mightiest being in all of existence, Arceus is the lord and master of all that is. While Its power is said to be infinite, there are few legends or myths directly relating to It. All who believe in the gods pay a degree of homage to Arceus, but It has no direct worshipers or shrines.
Beyond legends that mention Its creation of various other gods, little is known about The Great God or Its feelings on the actions of the peoples of the world. People claiming to be prophets of Arceus have arisen on occasion throughout history, but they have always been struck down as heretics and blasphemers.
Victini is the God of Triumph
Reports of Victini were common in the Age of the Gods, appearing in towns and villages across Aetherium. Traditionally depicted as a friendly and outgoing god, it is said that those who befriended Victini were blessed with a fraction of the limitless energy that the god contained. With that power, adherents were supposedly able to succeed at any task they set their minds to. Many historic victories in battle have been attributed to this power, and it is from these that Triumph was attributed to the diminutive god. Surviving myths from near the end of the Age of the Gods say that Victini's power began to wear thin due to overuse by his believers, and that the god became so overwhelmed that he hid himself away from the world at large.
Though Victini hasn't been seen in a long time, his name is still widely known throughout Aetherium. Many people worship him, and dedicate any victories or triumphs in his honor whether big or small. Some devout worshipers will even go so far as to tattoo part of their body with a depiction of their life's greatest triumph as proof of their faith. As Victini is such a popular god, picking adherents from the crowd is a difficult task. The easiest to spot are ones that tattoo themselves and share their triumphs openly with others.
Almost every nation has a church to Victini somewhere in it. Even people that don't strongly worship him still offer their prayers, hoping it will grant them triumph in large tasks ahead of them. Food offerings are very common in Victini's churches, as the god was said to have a very large sweet tooth.
Victini's symbol is commonly found on flags and shields used in battles so their users may find success on the battlefield. These items are commonly hung in homes as trophies after battles if they have victories associated with them.
The Four Seasonal Beasts rotate in their power and prominence with the seasons of the world. It is debated if their rotation into and out of power changed the seasons, or if their associated seasons made them more powerful.
While it is known that Keldeo is the youngest of the four, coming into godhood after the other three, what that meant for spring is not known. Some say that without a god to govern it, Spring would always go out of control. Plants would continuously grow and rain would fall frequently, but unpredictably. Only the power of Virizion could wither the plants enough to restore balance once her turn to govern came.
Cobalion is the God of Winter
Usually seen as a distant and unapproachable god, Cobalion was said to be the one that governed winter in Aetherium. When he was at the peak of his power in the season, stories say that his hooves left trails of frost in their wake with every step he took and his glare alone could freeze the heart of any mortal that sought conflict with him. These rumors alone made Cobalion the most unpopular of the seasonal quartet, however it also made those that worshiped him cling more tightly to their faith. Many worshipers believe the disdain and scorn people have towards the god is what caused him to become so distant in the first place.
Cobalion worshipers like to give thanks for the small things in life that winter bring to the world. To them it provides a time of quiet and tranquility, giving time for self contemplation as the world slumbers around them. It's common to see an influx of Cobalion worshipers around the Winter Solstice, the time he is said to begin his reign, hoping their love and prayers to their god will prevent a harsh winter.
Many worshipers have a slight dislike for Keldeo, as they believe too many people wish Spring would arrive sooner and sooner; giving them less time to spread their god's faith and show how wonderful Winter is. More devout worshipers are usually seen wearing a lapel pin of a snowflake on their person.
Keldeo is the God of Spring
Keldeo is a rather new god in terms of how long many others have said to have been around. As the one that governs Spring, his power wakes the world up from its cold Winter slumber. He was said to have been able to dance on water and summon the "spring showers", as they were eventually called, to bring greenery back to the world. Later depictions of Keldeo show a supposed change in his appearance. Though no one is able to discern why he might have changed, some theorize it as a step towards maturity in his role as a god.
Even though Keldeo is a newer god and lacks a lot of followers, the popularity of Spring as a season has brought in a lot more than was expected. Worshipers like to give thanks to the "rebirth" that Spring gives to the world. They believe it's a time where everything can start fresh and people can make the most impactful changes in their lives. Keldeo's reign is said to start on the Vernal Equinox, and many followers celebrate the day with parties and prayers.
Some worshipers have a dislike towards Virizion due to tales of their relationship. Supposedly when Keldeo was still a new god, Virizion would use her power to usurp him early and curb his powers. While some may see this as a good thing, Keldeo's worshipers find it stifling, and a disruption towards the natural changes Spring brings. Even today there is bickering between the two parties if Summer arrives early. Some devout worshipers of Keldeo will wear a lapel pin of a flower on their person.
Virizion is the God of Summer
Probably the most commonly seen of the Seasonal Quartet, Virizion was the one that supposedly brought Summer to the land. His energy was said to be boundless, and trails of vines grew around him as he ran across the continent. Some would try to harvest these vines and weave them into cordage, claiming them to be stronger than any rope ever made by mortals. While Virizion is popular with many, some blame him for droughts and lack of water, especially in years when it's scarce.
Summer has always been a popular season, and thus Virizion has a lot of followers. The freedom and vigor that comes with the season is what a lot of worshipers like to give him thanks for. Many like to take advantage of the longer days that Summer brings to get more work done than they'd do in any other season. Thus Virizion worshipers are seen as very productive people, even outside of Summer. Virizion's reign is said to begin on the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. Many worshipers will use the day to get the most important things of the year done in honor of their Goddess.
While there's a bit of bickering between Virizion and Keldeo's worshipers, many Virizion worshipers have a dislike towards Terrakion's followers. They believe the Fall puts a damper on their energy and productivity, forcing them to slow down when they're still raring to go. Some devout Virizion worshipers will wear a lapel pin of a tree on their person.
Terrakion is the God of Fall
Terrakion is known as one of the more quiet of the Seasonal Quartet. Reining over Fall, he brings cool weather and colorful leaves to the continent after the intensity of Summer. His powerful footsteps alone were said to make leaves change color and fall in but an instant while at the peak of his power. Some theorize that evergreen trees stay green during the Fall simply because Keldeo and Virizion wish to tease Terrakion and show that his power isn't as absolute as he believes it to be.
A lot of people who worship Terrakion like to give thanks to the abundant harvests that come in the season. Thus many people who worship Terrakion also tend to worship Shaymin by proxy. The Fall is known as the season with the most holidays and festivities as well, as worshipers wanted to celebrate the large amount of food they were able to harvest before the harshness of Winter smothered all their hard work until Spring arrived. Terrakion's reign is said to start on the Autumnal Equinox, which is a quiet holiday for most followers. Usually spent with family and close friends, most spend it making a big meal out of the first harvests of the season to honor their god.
A lot of Terrakion's worshipers dislike Cobalion and the Winter in general. To them, the Winter is a season that erases all their year's hard work, forcing them to live off what they managed to harvest in the Fall until Spring arrives. Many of them equate the Winter with death, as it's the season that has probably claimed the most victims during its existence. Devout worshipers of Terrakion are usually seen wearing a lapel pin of an orange leaf on their person.
Records say that The Wandering Disasters are a dangerous trio, said to be responsible for natural disasters occurring. Their motives unknown, they are feared across the land for the destruction they wreak on the world. While most people view them as hostile enemies, and in some cases claim that they are not gods but rather blights upon the world, they still have their own place of reverence in the world.
Of those who worship the Disasters, many claim that they are a punishment for sin, or even for non-belief. Others believe that they are manifestations of power, and that the hardship that natural disasters wreak upon the world shows that we are too weak to deserve the might of their potential blessings. These people often attempt to travel to places where disasters have or will occur, hoping to weather them and earn the god's blessings. Yet others pray to appease them, claiming that the Disasters have been driven mad by some long ago event, and that only by making offerings and prayers to appease them can we calm their rage.
Tornadus is the God of Windstorms.
Often written as flying high above the surface of the world, Tornadus always traveled in the center of a massive torrent of wind. Some of the mightiest winds in history have been been attributed to Tornadus touching down on land, or at least coming close. He is often depicted as the quickest of the three, powerful winds carrying it across Aetherium in minutes.
Often those who pray to appease Tornadus make offerings of windchimes and pinwheels in places where windstorms are anticipated, using fragile materials. They believe that these devices are familiar enough to Tornadus and that observing their fragility may convince him to exercise a degree of restraint. Similarly, many who hold Tornadus in awe will help rebuild any place destroyed by powerful winds, using knowledge to help build structures that may better resist the might of a hurricane or tornado.
Some few records from long long ago claim that Tornadus was once a kind god, subjecting parts of the world to winds that were gentle enough to be survived but strong enough to show what needed rebuilding or improvement. These records are few and far between, and generally regarded as either heresy or the ramblings of those who did not know better.
Thundurus is the God of Lightning.
Visual depictions of Thundurus are often harshly drawn, with the god illuminated by the flashes of lightning that eternally surround him. Said to be the most aggressive of the Disasters, Thundurus' storms strike with devastating ferocity, obliterating cities as he passes. In the ancient past some particularly tremendous bolts of lightning were said to originate when Thundurus took to the land, to better observe his handiwork.
Offerings of fragile rods of metal and wooden sigils placed at the highest points available are often made in places dangerous thunderstorms are expected to occur. It is believed that Thundurus may observe the fragility of the objects and move on, bored with the ease of their destruction. Those who hold Thundurus in awe will often act to help rebuild after major thunderstorms, and are skilled in building to divert bolts of lightning away from places where they would do the most damage.
A handful of records from the distant past purport that Thundurus was not always the cruel entity that more modern records describe him as. These histories say that his actions dispersed the lightning that grew naturally in the clouds, discharging that power before it could grow to be too destructive. These records are often considered to be hopeful thoughts of those who knew no better.
Landorus is the God of Seismic Events.
Most depictions of Landorus are artistic in nature, as myth claims that he could not be properly seen from close enough to make out details. Landorus traveled in the heart of an endless earthquake, the ground ever shaking beneath his feet. Said to be the most tenacious of his brothers, Landorus' seismic influence was such that his quakes and other events would only cease after his target was destroyed entirely. Massive fissures and eruptions were occasionally attributed to Landorus remaining in an area for an extended period, reveling in the havoc he wreaked.
Those who attempt to deflect Landorus' rage do so with various fragile structures and small stone cairns. Hoping to appease the god with a variety of easily destroyed objects so he may quickly move on. Those who hold Landorus in awe move swiftly to help rebuild after major seismic events, building to better take advantage of the changed landscape and to survive future events. In this they often receive assistance from worshipers of Groudon, and there is a fair degree of overlap in the two groupings.
A few rare histories from ancient times make the claim that once Landorus was not the creature of pure destruction that later histories describe him as. These myths say that he acted to adjust the land, smoothing unstable locations before they fell in a more destructive manner and revealing hidden features of the ground. These are often thought to be a selective bias, with the only surviving records from that time being events that involved positive outcomes.
It is said that when first the peoples of the world set forth, they had no guiding drive. They merely were, existing only in the most basic sense. Seeing this, Arceus gave forth a massive being of motion. This being split in two, forming Reshiram and Zekrom. Though the sisters contrasted greatly, and argued often, both gave their gifts to the peoples of Aetherium and the world, knowing that their own blessings were nothing without a shade of the others.
This contrast has extended to the goddess' followers, who disagree over many matters but understand the necessity of their sister cult.
Reshiram is the Goddess of Wisdom
Legend says that when Reshiram set forth she selected a single person to first receive her blessing. She roused her bright flame and it settled gently into the brow of her target. The flame became wisdom, and the person became her first worshiper. That person set forth, advising the peoples of the world and thereby spreading Reshiram's great flame until all held an ember of it within them. With the gift of wisdom people could finally give consideration to their surroundings, and sort out the best course before attempting a goal.
Reshiram's faith encourages careful thought before action, taking into account the knowledge and resources available to one to avoid squandering an opportunity by moving foolishly. They often say that to act without thinking and fail to take best advantage of an opportunity's potential is to waste it, and a few especially zealous adherents claim that to do so is more than just foolish but an affront to their goddess.
Worshipers of Reshiram are often well read, accumulating knowledge where they can to better plan for the future. Many tribes and kingdoms include one as a wise man or adviser, consulting their wisdom before taking important actions. Adherents accumulated wisdom often gives them an edge when they do act in a variety of scenarios. While the worshipers do their best to be wise, many can be slow to act, and they are notorious for overthinking and missing their chance.
Reshiram's faith has no central place of worship or central spiritual figure but many smaller cults and sects have arisen over the centuries, each with their own leader, central temple, and interpretations of Reshiram's teachings and actions.
Zekrom is the Goddess of Action
Legend says that when Zekrom set forth she selected a small grouping to whom she gave her blessing. She unleashed a blinding bolt, which struck the group and settled into their chests. This bolt became action, and the group to whom it was given became the first worshipers of Zekrom. They set forth quickly, acting to change the world for the good of themselves and others. As they acted and spurred others to act, the bolt arced forth from them and into others. Thus spread Zekrom's gift until a spark resided in all the world's people. With the gift of action, the people were finally spurred to truly interact with and act upon their surroundings.
Zekrom's faith encourages quick and decisive action, moving swiftly to take advantage of the opportunities provided to you rather than squander them by letting them pass you by. They often say that any chance you don't act on is wasted, and some especially zealous worshipers go on to say that such is an affront to their goddess.
Worshipers of Zekrom are normally go-getters, willing to jump on opportunities available to them. Many have a variety of experiences from their lives, and often have some manner of applicable knowledge. Many of Zekrom's faith are often found in the midst of new start up businesses and technologies, or assisting with sudden reconstruction efforts, being willing to jump right in and get their hands dirty. While worshipers of Zekrom will jump on many opportunities before them, they have a propensity for leaping before they look and often wind up in over their heads. They'll often take unfitting opportunities and thereby miss out on chances that may be better for them.
There is no central temple or spiritual leader for Zekrom's faith, but many smaller cults and sects have popped up throughout history, each with their own holy sites and their own leaders preaching their own interpretation of Zekrom's teachings and actions.
Kyurem is the God of Incorporation.
He is a grand and mighty god, his frail form belying his true power. He is worshiped by a wide variety of peoples. Some are knowledge seekers, who wish to better themselves through learning. Others have been missionaries to new lands, seeking to learn from and integrate with the natives. Still others have taken the idea of Incorporation in a different direction, and have raised massive empires by conquering and incorporating their neighbors.
The missionaries who came to the land of Aetherium long ago were worshipers of Kyurem. They came to the natives wishing to learn of their ways, and taught the natives their own ways in return. Thereby they quickly and peacefully incorporated with the wandering peoples of Aetherium, learning of the dangers of the Myst and using their own technologies to protect against them. Thus were the first standing buildings and towns of Aetherium founded, the combined knowledge of the natives and the newcomers able to overcome the perils of the Myst.
Worshipers of Kyurem are often difficult to pick out from the people around them, as they quickly blend in with the people around them. Most of his followers will carry a tome, scroll, or other method of recording the thoughts and beliefs of those they meet, as they chronicle the things they encounter to learn from later.
Followers of Kyurem are often employed as neutral parties in diplomatic situations, as they are very capable of calmly seeing from both sides of an issue. They also serve well as first-contact with new peoples, quickly learning their ways.
The followers of Kyurem have no spiritual leader, but it has been said that many ancient and mighty warlords acted as spiritual leaders long ago.
Meloetta is the Goddess of Music and Celebrations.
Revered by many, legend says that Meloetta brought music and entertainment to the people of Aetherium. She is described as an excitable goddess who has the power to bring anyone to dance with her. It is said that when she observed the peoples of Aetherium toiling away at their work without respite, her heart ached. Revealing herself to the people, she showed them music. The peoples celebrated the gifts Meloetta had granted them, and her gift spread very quickly throughout the continent. People began balancing their work with music in their free time, and found their production increasing. Many hadn't realized how exhausting constant work was until they found something proper to spend their free time on. In thanks for Meloetta's gift, the people of Aetherium threw a celebration for her; the first in the continent's history. This celebration eventually became an annual festival with many other festivals popping up over time as people found more and more things to celebrate.
Worshipers of Meloetta are generally very bright and passionate people. Many are musicians or dancers who thrive when they're performing for others. Even though their matron has disappeared from Aetherium, many still write songs dedicated to her in hopes that she can hear them whenever they're played. Whenever a festival or other celebration takes place, Meloetta worshipers will most definitely be there to offer prayers to their goddess, and help support any other god the celebration might be for to thank them for attending.
There aren't many churches to Meloetta, as most opt to celebrate her through their music and dance. Spotting worshipers is difficult as they blend in well with the general public, however if you spot someone with an instrument on them at all times, it's likely they're a follower of Meloetta. Some decorate themselves with pins or patterns of small musical notes and phrases, a devout few even going so far as to tattoo measures of their favorite songs on their person.
Genesect is the God of Warfare
Some legends claim that Genesect, along with Magearna and Mewtwo, were created by ancient peoples by merging a now extinct species with a mighty suit of armor. Even among the legends that claim that, there's no agreement as to why. Some claim the armor was made at the demand of an already godlike entity, while others say the ancient people raised a being to godhood to use against their foes. Regardless of the veracity of such legends, the God of Warfare is agreed to be a force unlike any other.
Vague records exist of Genesect's influence on the tides of battle, from claims of it spurring nations to war to it single-handedly razing entire kingdoms to the ground. Records claim that armies that believed Genesect was watching them fought with brutal fervor, pain and fear stripped away.
Those that worship Genesect are generally not very popular with the masses. They're usually radicals that feel violence and war is the only way true change can occur. Often they seek to take positions of authority or power, pushing people to seek advancement through violence. Though not all worshipers are immediately violent, all adherents of Genesect are trained in the arts of combat.
Though they're outnumbered greatly by their more aggressive compatriots, a scarce few have taken Genesect in a different light. Though they train in the arts of war, they act only when they believe it necessary. They believe in the order and discipline that military training can afford, and use bring their might to bear only in defense. All the same, they are often reviled alongside their more violent peers should their beliefs be revealed.
Worshipers of Genesect, due to the hatred they so often face, do not tend to identify themselves openly. As such, their symbols and practices of worship are largely unknown, and many suspect them to be different on a person-by-person basis.
Adherents of Genesect clash heavily with worshipers of Zapdos, who believe in a more controlled form of strife. Though a rare few claim to have found a middle ground, they are generally reviled by both sides.
Xerneas is the God of Life and Birth.
A frail but noble god, Xerneas' domain covers all living beings. He is often called upon in times of sickness or injury, healers beseeching him to lend his aid to the ailing. He is also called upon to ease new births, both on the child and the mother. The church of Xerneas exists in direct opposition to that of Yveltal.
Xerneas is often worshiped by healers and medics, who extend and improve the lives of the sick and injured as an expression of faith. Though some worshipers dabble in alchemy, taking advantage of the improved medical devices and practices that have been discovered, many still eschew those methods in favor of the older ways, finding and grinding herbs in methods and rituals passed down from master to apprentice rather than the more generalized knowledge of the Alchemist's Guild.
Many followers of Xerneas bear woven wreaths of branches with the outward facing portions painted in various colors. These are generally said to represent the many colored prongs of Xerneas' antlers, and are hung within the home, or over the entrance of a building or place of work. A wide variety of ornimentations exist, but almost universally they include some manner of representation of Xerneas' antlers and prongs.
One of the most common methods of worship for Xerneas is to lend one's aid to the ill or injured. Often this takes the form of charitable donations of goods or time to places that assist and care for such people. Caring for and tending to the young is also often considered an offering of sorts, as Xerneas is known to have an affection for children and those who help them.
Xerneas' current spiritual leader is Vyn Elamore, a particularly kindhearted Orcish woman. She is particularly dexterous and steady handed for an orc, something most would not assume from her size, and has a ready smile. Though she has significant training as a medic, she spends most of her time teaching and assisting at the children's school near her church.
Yveltal is the Goddess of Death and Decay.
She is a powerful and graceful goddess, empowered with all the inevitability of death. She is worshiped both by those who covet and revere her power, and those who would ask her to turn her gaze away from those in peril. Some healers worship Yveltal with the latter idea in mind; asking the goddess to delay her claim on a person as they act to heal said person. The church of Yveltal exists in direct opposition to that of Xerneas.
A fair number of morticians and autopsists favor Yveltal, studying the causes of death and the dead themselves to further their understanding of such things. A large amount of research on diseases and the workings of the bodies of the Peoples of Aetherium have had their roots in an adherent of Yveltal. Followers of Yveltal also revere the process of decay; the breaking down of people and things postmortem. Though worshipers of Yveltal do their best to prevent such processes in the living, many of the dead are not only allowed to but encouraged to rot where they may return to nature.
Crimson ribbons, decorated with black lines patterned after their matron, are often used to proclaim a worshiper's faith. These come in a wide variety of sizes, worn everywhere from the hair, to wrapped around wrists or necks, to massive sashes.
Adherents of Yveltal are often responsible for last rites, assisting with a variety of funeral ceremonies. Common Yveltal ceremonies include an application of reagents designed to accelerate the process of decay, with the remains of the dead ceremonially carried into and left in the wild. While these rites discomfort many, who would prefer to see their loved one's remains kept somewhere safer, there are a fair number who respect the ideas and ideals of the rites.
Prayers to Yveltal often takes place on or amongst bones, or at the sites of major battles. In the latter case, such prayers are often requests for Yveltal to help see the fallen safely to whatever is beyond.
Yveltal's spiritual leader is the Grand Mortician Gylyanni. An aging orcish woman, she is nonetheless very active when needed, performing the Grand Funerary Rites that sanctify those who fall en masse or in places where they cannot be found. Time has left her back bent and turned her skin to an ashen green, but she remains active and involved, followed closely behind by her Spiritomb companion, said to be nearly as old as she is.
Zygarde is the God of Conservation and Biomes. [Cortez: Known as the "Dragon of a thousand scales", it is a guardian who watches over a sacred valley known as the Fertile Vale. Those familiar with the region tell stories of the many sprites that watch over the valley, quietly looking on from the shade of trees or the surface of lakes and rivers. Villages that worship the god only rarely intrude into the valley, and always with a deep reverence. They do not allow for anyone to reside within the Fertile Vale, and only forage for food and timber from it for a small number of holy days. Anointed priests who fulfill their duties are buried within the vale, their bodies left to replenish the soil as a small tribute to the Vale's Guardians.
The vale contains a blessed wellspring at its heart, the water from which is said to cure even the cruelest illness. Many have ventured to the vale in search of the wellspring. But those who've come to deplete it for wealth have always been met with ruin. Only those who would take the water out of kindness are permitted to come and go without reproach.
While few have ever claimed to have seen the God himself, many have told stories of the unique "living scales" said to belong to the divine being. Villagers warn that under no circumstances should you attempt to take one of the scales away from the valley, lest one of the Vale Guardians come to reclaim it from you by force. Known as Vale-hounds, these bizarre Pokemon are an extension of the great dragon, and move with unnatural speed and ferocity. They have only been spotted when the Vale was struck by some manner of strife, or when a divine scale was stolen from it.]
Diancie is the Goddess of Wealth.
A widely respected goddess, Diancie is often portrayed on Tetras, as her worshipers have collectively put the largest number of them into circulation. She is normally depicted as massive and elaborate, glittering brightly. She is commonly worshiped by bankers and merchants, who call upon her blessings to support their practices. Diancie has a close relationship with Deoxys, as the latter's introduction of a proper currency gave Diancie and her followers a proper method of establishing their wealth.
While worshipers of Diancie pursue the accumulation of wealth, and in modern times tetras, many then redistribute it. While not all followers agree, a large number believe that Diancie's intention for wealth is not only its accumulation, but also its use. As such many perceive adherents as extravagant people, throwing money away on frivolities, while these followers perceive this as returning the wealth to the people. While their actions are always in best interest of their own fortunes, those of Diancie's faith are rarely stingy, as they believe their goddess would be displeased with the idea of paying less than something is worth.
Worshipers of Diancie are often identifiable by jewelry featuring pink gems, with rose quartz being especially popular and sought after. This trend has lead to the massively inflated prices of rose quartz, as the demand has quickly outstripped the supply. Most major adherents agree that this is proper in its own right, but often make a point of recognizing new worshipers with a gift of a small piece of pink gem or rose quartz jewelry, acknowledging the difficulty of obtaining such.
The close relationship between Deoxys and Diancie is also reflected in the propensity of Diancie worshipers to help fund public works and local civic efforts, and those rare few who attempt to avoid doing so or evade their fair taxation are looked down upon as heretics. Many major festivals are supported by funding from Diancie's followers, and it's common for followers to throw extravagant parties in no small part in recognition of their goddess.
Hoopa is the God of Consumption and Cuisine.
Hoopa is traditionally portrayed surrounded by sweets and pastries. The god of consumption is often prayed to by high class chefs, who pay homage to their patron with finely crafted dishes and rare foodstuffs. While small in size, Hoopa is said to have an infinite appetite, able and willing to taste any dish its worshipers put before it.
Legends claim that Hoopa gave the people's of Aetherium the gift of cuisine. The ever-hungering god granted people the knowledge of cooking, spices, and flavors in exchange for a taste of the delicious things that would be created with this knowledge. With this blessing, new foods spread rapidly across Aetherium and the world. This brought new joy to eating for the peoples of the world, and the power of cuisine gave energy and life to people's routines.
Many chefs and cooks are worshipers of Hoopa, dedicating their lives to new foods and flavors in reverence to their gods. Most shrines to Hoopa contain a deep basin, where new foods are placed and burned to send their spirit and essence to their wayward god. While not all adherents make proper offerings in this manner, nearly all give thanks for new ideas and recipes.
Hoopa's faith is centered in The Holy Cauldron in Slecuria, a massive building shaped like a cauldron. The structure is constantly surrounded by an array of food carts, peddling old foods and new twists to passerby. The nearby air is constantly filled with delicious smells and smiling people. The faith is run by the Steel Seven, a council of chefs who have each mastered one of the culinary arts. Their touch on the faith is light, as there are few things that need ruling amongst them, so each instead devotes themselves to their craft. New meals from one of the Steel Seven are regarded with a reverent awe, and are consistently agreed to be the flavor experience of a lifetime.
Volcanion is the God of Rage and Passion.
Volcanion is always depicted as a particularly fiery god, often exploding with furor. While often disrespected due to his place in a variety of fables on the perils of hotheadedness, Volcanion has a great number of followers all the same. The god is said to have a mighty temper, greater than the sum of all the world's rage. Volcanic activity is generally attributed to some sort of action on the part of the passionate god, and his adherents will often leave offerings and sacrifices at the foot of active volcanoes in an attempt to placate their god. Whether or not these offerings are effective, or if the hotheaded god even appreciates them, is often hotly debated.
Volcanion's believers give thanks to the god for gifting people with the drive that pushes them forwards, claiming that without his blessings people would have no urge to grow or progress. Many artists give thanks to the god for their love of their craft, and worshipers of Volcanion have often created bright and vibrant paintings and other pieces. That said, many theists believe Volcanion to be amongst the darker of the gods, blaming many issues and battle on the rage he is said to have given. Whether rage is a blessing or a curse is hotly contested, even for followers of a god of passion.
Adherents of Volcanion often go with their guts, pursuing their dreams and passions without hesitation. They say that to have a passion and fail to act on it is a slight to their mighty god, and Volcanion is certainly no god to slight. Followers of Volcanion are normally seen wearing fiery colors, and many are emblazoned with the symbol of their patron: a stylized representation of an erupting volcano.
Oftentimes worshipers of the Patient Guardians will consider Volcanion a pseudo Wandering Disaster, and due to this they and followers of Volcanion often butt heads.
The four Tapus are a counterpoint to the Wandering Disasters. Often they are thanked for safe travels, or for survival in the wake of tragedies and other negative events. Referred to as The Patient Guardians, surviving accounts from the Age of the Gods claim that their numerical advantage over the Wandering Disasters is the only reason that storms and quakes have not yet torn the world asunder.
Each of the four Tapus is said to defend the people of Aetherium from a phenomenon, and to reside in a particular quadrant of Aetherium. Those who worship the Tapus tend to act to protect or help people in the case of natural disasters. They are often natural nurturers, and express thanks and devotion to their patrons for the peaceful days that pass.
Symbols of the Tapus are widely varied, but generally incorporate some manner of representation of both the direction and phenomenon that the particular Tapu is associated with.
Tapu Koko is the God of the Northern Storm
Tapu Koko is said to be a deity that primarily resides in the northern area of Aetherium. Despite this being normally where he's said to reside, he has been known to be most direct when it comes to the Wandering Disasters, primarily Thundurus. Tapu Koko has been said to have the power to repel lightning and will instantly calm any awful storms that threaten the lives of mortals in their way.
Most of Tapu Koko's worshippers live in the north of Aetherium where they believe their god also resides. Due to the protection of their guardian and thus less threat of losing structures or entire kingdoms from natural disasters, there's a lot of larger kingdoms in the north with larger buildings. Ironically, most churches to Tapu Koko aren't very large and instead act a lot more like shrines instead of places for lots of people to gather. This comes from the long rooted fear of structures collapsing on large groups of people due to natural disasters. It's something people have to be less afraid of these days, but it's still a fear nonetheless.
Windchimes or anything similar are usually tied to the shrines by worshippers praying for their guardian's protection. It's said that if the wind grows so fierce that it rips their offerings off, then the Disasters are on their way.
A lot of Tapu Koko worshippers don't have a particular style of outfit they all wear, but a lot do like to tie bells in their hair much akin to the windchimes they tie to the shrines. In addition, a lot of heads of households have a wooden mask emblazoned with what they believe to be the symbol of Tapu Koko that they will wear for festival and ceremonial purposes.
Tapu Bulu is the God of the Eastern Nature
Tapu Bulu is the guardian of the east of Aetherium. Unlike the other guardians, Tapu Bulu has been said to have almost never left the eastern areas of the nation. Some theorize it to be because his services weren't needed elsewhere, while others say he was simply too lazy. However whenever disaster strikes in the east, Tapu Bulu will do everything in his power to protect the nature there. The plants and Pokemon are essential to keep things in balance, and if they were to be wiped out by natural disaster, it'd throw Aetherium into chaos. Myth tells that Tapu Bulu even has the power to regrow vegetation, his power being able to spread, to a certain degree at least, across the continent to aid those recovering from any disasters that struck them.
Due to Tapu Bulu's influence, the east of Aetherium is rich with vegetation, and a lot of different kinds of Pokemon make their homes there. Those that worship Tapu Bulu believe that being kind to nature and Pokemon is an absolute necessity, lest they incur the wrath of their guardian. A lot of towns centered in worshipping Tapu Bulu reject more modern technology that's becoming more common in the lands, opting to live life the old fashioned way to be closer to nature.
Churches to Tapu Bulu are small and made of organic material such as wood. A lot of the time they aren't well maintained due to their desire to let things slowly be reclaimed by the earth and provide food and habitat for other creatures. Thus if a church collapses, they leave its remains there and build a new one elsewhere. There aren't a lot of practices other than leaving offerings of crops and flowers on the altar and simply praying to Tapu Bulu to keep them safe.
Like worshippers of the other guardians, there aren't really any central clothing styles those that worship Tapu Bulu wear. However clothes made from organic materials and dyes obtained from berries are usually popular with people. Tapu Bulu's insignia is usually found hung in households.
Tapu Lele is the Goddess of the Southern Mind
Tapu Lele is the guardian that resides in the south of Aetherium. Unlike the three other guardians, her role to oppose the Wandering Disasters is a little overshadowed. It's her primary duty to use her psychic powers to calm the masses during times of crisis, and help heal them afterwards. Though she doesn't stray too far from the south, it's been told if any of the Disasters try to take her on, she will attack mercilessly without care nor guilt.
Under the protection of Tapu Lele, a lot of worshippers in the south take to more scholarly roles. They believe in mind over matter unless it's absolutely necessary to use the latter. A lot of people end up going into medicine and travel all over Aetherium to help others and spread their faith of their guardian.
A lot of churches to Tapu Lele are elaborately built from stone and other sturdy materials. The outsides are never really that impressive due to fear of deterioration from the elements, but the insides are adorned with beautiful decorations. There's always a stained glass window displaying Tapu Lele in the churches, usually depicting her aiding the masses when the Disasters come by.
Worshippers of Tapu Lele tend to like wearing robes or any other kind of clothing that's easy to move around in. In addition, a lot of them wear something on their head, whether it be a hat, circlet, ribbon, or any other kind of decoration. This is to honor their dedications to their studies, and Tapu Lele's actions to keep their minds clear and calm in times of crisis.
Tapu Fini is the Goddess of the Western Water
Tapu Fini acts as the guardian of the west of Aetherium. Her primary jobs were both to help cleanse and clear waterways damaged by natural disasters and to deter the Wandering Disasters themselves away from her lands with the dense fog she can create from her body. Because of her fog, the west has remained largely untouched by natural disasters. A lot of travelers initially feared going to the west of Aetherium as well because the fog Tapu Fini creates bears a likeness to Myst in appearance. However as rumor spread, some began to believe Tapu Fini herself was the source of the Myst. While most disagreed with this theory, it didn't stop people from traveling to the west to seek Tapu Fini for their own selfish purposes. The attention brought to herself caused her to go into hiding, and she would only emerge to help if the Disasters approached her territory.
Water is important to those that worship Tapu Fini, and a lot of effort is put into making sure waterways are clean and free of pollutants. Strangely enough, a lot that worship Tapu Fini are also interested in alchemy. This is most likely because of all the rumors of her being involved with Myst. Because of this, a decent chunk of her worshippers are also Myst-Touched.
Churches for Tapu Fini are few and far between. This is because they're only built on places where ground water will bubble up to the surface. The general floor plan of Tapu Fini's churches involve the altar being built near the spring of water, and having the water flow down two small rivulets that usually form a decorative pattern. These rivulets will join together once they reach the other end of the church and flow through grates to form a pond in the back, providing a home for many Pokemon. Certain ceremonies have worshippers drink the water that bubbles up from the ground to gain their guardian's protection.
Most Tapu Fini worshippers don't have a specific way they dress to show their faith, but some at least wear jewelry crafted from smooth, water worn stones from streams.
Legends of old tell stories of the sun, the moon, and their love that eventually transcended dimensions. Almost like yin and yang, the sun and the moon are two parts of a whole, allowing for the survival of life on the planet. However, the two could never be together; one remained below the horizon as the other hung high in the sky. Only at dawn and dusk did the two catch glimpses of one another before one of them sunk away.
It's said that the two grew to pine for one another so much they began to weep. Their sorrow was such that the heavens themselves tore asunder, holes tearing in the fabric of reality before them. From the hole on the moon descended the Moon Incarnate: Lunala, and from the hole on the sun descended the Sun Incarnate: Solgaleo. No longer bound by their celestial bodies, the two traversed across the world to finally embrace one another for the first time. Since then, the two goddesses have kept the cycles of their celestial bodies in balance together, never leaving one another's side.
Lunala is the Goddess of Night and the Moon
Lunala is revered in Aetherium as the moon's avatar. She's said to control her celestial body, bringing night to the world every day without fail. Lunala is almost never depicted without the goddess of the sun: Solgaleo. The two are so tightly associated with one another that it's said if anything were to ever happen to Solgaleo, Lunala's sorrow would be such that she would call upon the moon to strike the earth, leaving nothing but dust.
Those that worship Lunala believe the moon has magical powers. Each phase of the moon has different meanings to them and often are used to determine a person's actions on a given day. Many adherents will stay awake late into the night, preferring to work under the moon's light while the rest of the land slumbers. The most celebrated day each month is the full moon, with a large festival being held every Harvest Moon to give thanks for the peace that night brings. Flowing, silken robes the color of the night sky are usually the clothing of choice for those that worship Lunala. Many followers will tattoo themselves with symbols of the moon, and extremely devoted followers will tattoo their forehead with their matron's symbol, said to be reminiscent of her supposed third eye that appears whenever she invokes the moon. Lunala's followers generally get along very well with Solgaleo's.
Churches to Lunala are usually also churches to Solgaleo as well, allowing the two goddess's followers to meet and converse with one another on a usual basis. Most nations have at least one church to the Astral Duo within them due to their importance.
Solgaleo is the Goddess of Day and the Sun
Solgaleo is revered in Aetherium as the sun's avatar. Said to have full control over her celestial body, she brings the light of the sun to the world every morning without fail. Solgaleo is almost never depicted without the goddess of the moon: Lunala. The two are so tightly associated with one another that it's said if anything were to befall to Lunala, Solgaleo's sorrow would be such that she would call upon the sun to devour the world.
Followers of Solgaleo treasure the sun rising each morning, believing it to be a gift from their god. Many of them are early risers so they can view the sacred spectacle. Due to how early they get up each morning, Solgaleo's worshipers are seen as natural go-getters that make the most out of their day and retire early in the evening to start the next morning off strong. The most common article of clothing to see one of them wear is either a white cloak or capelet, their inside an iridescent yellow. Many followers will tattoo themselves with a representation of the sun, and extremely devout followers will get Solgaleo's symbol tattooed to their forehead, her supposed third eye that appears whenever she invokes the sun. Solgaleo's followers normally get along famously with Lunala's.
Legend says that on the rare occasion of a solar eclipse, the sun and moon embrace one another and bring new life into the world. These children are known as Cosmog. Said to be frail beings held together by stardust, they eventually grow into a more durable form known as Cosmoem. According to ancient records, when another world needed a sun or moon, Cosmoem would evolve accordingly and travel there through the same tears in reality that brought their parents to this world. Though not treated as an official god, the legend of Cosmog is still important to both Solgaleo and Lunala worshipers respectively.
Necrozma is the God of Light and Color
Also known as "The Blinding One", there are many tales that speak of a great and mighty dragon that descended onto the world from a hole in the sky. Where he passed he illuminated the land, bringing color into everything he touched. This being became known as Necrozma, and was widely revered. Then tales claim that he simply vanished, leaving behind only his gift of color to remind the people of his existence. They claim that, many years later, he returned. But the dragon that returned to Aetherium was not the beautiful creature that the people once new. Instead, they found a twisted husk of a god, who came to steal back the light it once gave in an attempt to feel whole again. He was said to eventually set his sights on Lunala and Solgaleo, and his attempts to steal their light raged on for years. It is said that when the gods disappeared from Aetherium, Necrozma left in pursuit of the Astral Duo. The fact that light still remains in the world is the only thing that gives Necrozma's believers hope that the god may some day return recovered.
Many who follow Necrozma take pride in all of the color he brought to the world when he was whole. This is generally displayed in the form of the brightly colored clothing they tend to wear. Some even go so far as to dye their hair bright colors as well, making them incredibly easy to spot in a crowd. Just how some make wishes on shooting stars, Necrozma worshipers make wishes on rainbows after rainy days. Seeing any kind of rainbow when it hasn't been raining is taken as a sign of incredibly good luck, and a rainbow appearing over an event or ceremony is taken as a blessing from their patron.
Despite the great enthusiasm Necrozma's worshipers have, many of them also lament the state their god found himself in after his initial disappearance. While some texts demonize Necrozma as a deceiving "pillager of light", his followers, to this day, believe that he only wants to be whole again to free himself from everlasting pain. This more somber view on Necrozma is usually only discussed in his cathedrals. Said cathedrals are just as colorful as the people in them with many local artists painting bright murals all over the walls inside and out.
Magearna is the Goddess of Machinery
Ancient histories claim that Magearna was the product of an experiment by the ancient peoples. Forging a mechanical pokemon body, they implanted into it an artificial heart filled with the souls of pokemon. The process of obtaining those souls, as well as the methods of creating the artificial heart and body, are hotly debated, and if such things are even possible is a question all its own. Regardless, Magearna has become a prominent goddess of Aetherium, particularly for Alchemists whose focus lies in machinery and engineering. It is said that Magearna gave the inspiration for the first Aether battery, and many innovations in technology have been attributed to divine providence. Many say that it is only through her munificence that the people of Aetherium were able to pass from the Age of Recovery into the modern age.
There are some tales that insist that Mewtwo and Magearna were created in the same location, and that this is the source of their alliance. Regardless of the veracity of such stories both share similar goals and domains, and each is revered for their own reasons. In particular, although Mewtwo is their patron, many alchemists pay homage to Magearna as well.
Though Magearna has disappeared, advancements in technology haven't ceased. Some engineers have claimed that their advancements here borne from dreams sent by their goddess. Adherents of Magearna believe strongly in advancements in technology, and believe that through such advancements the continent will eventually become a paradise. Many engineers who worship her will mark their studies and creations with her symbol: a circle split down the middle surrounded by a gear.
Magearna has no real central church, but many factories and engineering schools will have small shrines built for her where workers and students will pay their respects.
Marshadow is the God of Mysteries and Secrets
A true god of secrecy, sightings of Marshadow were far and few between. Few records of his existance remain, and those that do are rarely more than passing mentions and vague allusions. Most went through their lives not even knowing of the god, his name only whispered now and then between select individuals. Those that do know of his existence believe him to be the source of all secrets in the world. The better a person is at keeping a secret, the stronger the bond with Marshadow is said to be. Those with a truly strong bond with Marshadow have been said to envision him in their dreams where he murmurs the secrets of reality and eternity into their minds. His existence itself was eventually believed to be a secret, and those that spoke his name to others weren't seen as true believers.
In the present day, very few know about Marshadow's existence. Some old tomes have contained vague information on the so called "Secret Observer", but even fewer have called Marshadow by his actual name. Such an enigmatic existence has sparked many people to search for the truth of this mysterious god's identity, but to date there have been no reports of any viable information.
Worshipers of Marshadow will very likely go their whole lives never meeting another worshiper of their god. Not only because there are so few of them, but because true worshipers have sworn to keep their god a secret, often taking all accumulated knowledge of their patron to their grave. They blend in perfectly with the rest of the world, and sometimes pretend to worship other gods to keep all their true knowledge a secret.
Zeraora is the God of Protection and Loyalty
Surviving histories from late in the Age of the Gods allude to a great clash that once happened between Tapu Koko and Thundurus. Massive bolts of lightning were torn from the clouds and while Tapu Koko deflected the bolts from hitting any towns, a particularly powerful bolt struck the center of Entei's Rage. The resulting reaction caused a massive explosion that shook the whole continent. Hundreds of Pokemon living in the volcano perished, however one lone Pokemon walked out unscathed; one nobody had seen before. This Pokemon, later named Zeraora, leapt from Entei's Rage and, with the energy he collected from the explosion, unleashed his fury towards Tapu Koko and Thundurus to stop their fighting. It's said that ever since then, Zeraora has remained vigilant of Pokemon of all shapes and sizes, said to come to their aid whenever they were in trouble.
Many theorize that Zeraora is the collective reincarnation of all the Pokemon that died in the volcanic explosion. A great desire supposedly burns in him to protect Pokemon from any kind of disaster like the one he was born from. His loyalty to those in need is illimitable, and despite only seeming to protect Pokemon, his actions resonated with people as well.
Those that worship Zeraora believe loyalty is the strongest bond two entities can have. Strong believers in justice, most will do what they can to defend those that need help. A lot of Zeraora's worshipers have close bonds with their Pokemon, often working together to overcome obstacles. Many followers tend to wear either a long sash or scarf and some even grow their hair out long. The main church to Zeraora is in the town that was supposedly being attacked during that fateful clash between Thundurus and Tapu Koko that resulted in his birth. There people give respects to Pokemon's lives that were lost and swear oaths to protect those close to them.