Irithian Religion
In Irithia, religious ideals vary not just from race to race but even from one individual to the next. There are two major sorts of religions in Irithia, those unique to each race and their cultures and the central religion which all of Irithia follows (though it may not always be in the same way).
Much like in the real world, religion can be a complex and interesting concept. While to many there is no true proof of divine influence, to others it is extremely real and powerful. Much like the real world, the gods seem to work behind the scenes. Any truth found in Irithian religions is left entirely up to faith. However, religion's effects and influence on the people can be very, very real and have genuine consequences on both large and small scale.
Much like in the real world, religion can be a complex and interesting concept. While to many there is no true proof of divine influence, to others it is extremely real and powerful. Much like the real world, the gods seem to work behind the scenes. Any truth found in Irithian religions is left entirely up to faith. However, religion's effects and influence on the people can be very, very real and have genuine consequences on both large and small scale.
Coming Soon: Links to Information on the Religious beliefs of individual races.
The Irithian Pantheon
While each race also has their own culturally affected religious practices and ideals, there is a central religion which is considered important to all of the world as a whole. All of Irithia worships a certain set of gods and goddesses known as the Irithian Pantheon, each of whom have their own individual methods of worship, personalities, and associations. While these deities are considered the most important as a group, some races, groups, and even individuals may take an interest in one or two of them in particular which they believe to be more important or that they identify strongly with.
One deity, The Watchful Creator, is considered the most important of all and is the center of Irithia's central worship. This god is considered the most sacred and is held in high regard by all of Irithia's people.
There are places scattered throughout the lands to worship each deity, but there is one special area of islands which are considered sacred lands. Only those who are to dedicate their entire lives to Asshia and the rest of the pantheon are permitted to go there and remain for any extended period of time. Each deity of the Pantheon has a priests and priestesses dedicated to them in particular who cares for their patron deity's shrine or temple in the sacred lands. Each deity also has one special priest or priestess in particular who is to serve them. These special servants are known as Apostles and are to be chosen and trained by the head priest or priestess of their respective deities.
One deity, The Watchful Creator, is considered the most important of all and is the center of Irithia's central worship. This god is considered the most sacred and is held in high regard by all of Irithia's people.
There are places scattered throughout the lands to worship each deity, but there is one special area of islands which are considered sacred lands. Only those who are to dedicate their entire lives to Asshia and the rest of the pantheon are permitted to go there and remain for any extended period of time. Each deity of the Pantheon has a priests and priestesses dedicated to them in particular who cares for their patron deity's shrine or temple in the sacred lands. Each deity also has one special priest or priestess in particular who is to serve them. These special servants are known as Apostles and are to be chosen and trained by the head priest or priestess of their respective deities.
Asshia, the Watchful Creator
The most important of the Irithian pantheon, a deity worshiped by all. This deity is considered the world's maker and is generally seen as a strict yet loving parental figure who dotingly watches over their creation and may punish those who disappoint them. Asshia is often shown as a shadowy silhouette backed by glaring rays of light, however depictions of this deity may vary as some may show them to be male or female depending on personal interpretations.
Varena
A goddess usually associated with purity and growth, though usually presented as energetic and pure but childish and impulsive. Often considered the guardian of children and a symbol of fertility, the people of Irithia worship her through special chants and offerings. Entire buildings are made in her honor which people may travel to leave these offerings, often during pregnancy or whilst attempting to conceive, in the hopes that she will bless their child.
Enta
This goddess is regarded as imprudent and fierce, usually depicted with Panther-like qualities. She is generally highly regarded by the Demlese, especially those of the domestic variety who may be holding on to some of the practices of the traditional Pack life and hold a bit of defiance within them about their place in society and lack of full assimilation. She is usually worshiped in the home with a small box in which to place oaths, surrounded by small gifts to her. It is believed she was a Demlese who Asshia deified for her stand against the Efleim and Nephelim people toward the end of the Great War of Irithia.
Fetrix
Known as The Ultimate Judgment and the Keeper of Justice, Fetrix is viewed as ordered and fair. Ornate cathedrals are often made in their name and those who worship them may wear small trinkets in their honor. People will pray to them or flock to their cathedrals to ask forgiveness for things which they hold guilt or to beg that wrong doers be brought to justice on their behalf.
Hadione
Hadione is seen as a trustworthy, focused, and sort of aggressive goddess who is favored by the Nephelim warriors. She is depicted as a tall, muscular woman adorned in bright, stony scales on her face and arms like mask and gauntlets and bearing raptor-like legs. Typically she is prayed to before and after battles or larger treks and missions as well as in festival - like celebrations on certain days.
Caliopea
An angry god known for his punishments and being a dark, cruel entity. His worshipers are few and generally regarded as cruel or cowardly people who hide behind him. Most who worship him do so with small offerings placed in their homes in the hopes that he will punish their enemies or those who have done them wrong.
Haena
This deity is a bit of a trickster, bringing chaos wherever they roam and being associated greatly with shadows, illusions, and tinkering. Their depiction varies greatly, often displaying that they like to shift forms as a part of their tricks, but is generally shown as a small and sinewy thing of ambiguous appearance with disordered dress and untidy hair. They are often put back into their place by Marzalinia, even if it takes some time because of their cunning schemes. Though not necessarily evil, Haena has been known to be responsible for some very bad things. Very few worship Haena directly and often this deity's name is used to insult or compare those of lesser morals. Identifying with this deity is often viewed very negatively.
Aeus
A simple, peaceful god who is considered a guardian of the flowers. He is generally depicted as a tall, broad shouldered Efleim with long hair adorned with blooms. He was deified by Asshia for his dedication to the glorification and cherishing of all life, plant and animal alike. Due to his love of flowers, people usually worship him by planting beautiful gardens in place of any shrine. He is a keeper of Spring and Life.
Tidon
A patron of travel and the sea, Tidon earned his place as a god by sacrificing himself to save his ship crew and get them safely to shore. He is often depicted as a large, serpentine man covered in scales which look like the ocean's waves as his movement's ripple. It is said that he is the father of the Sea Dwelling Nephelim due to his fate. He or markings for him are carved into ships as good luck charms and travelers may pray to him asking for his protection before embarking on journeys, particularly by ship.
Soleilis
A youthful deity, she is a goddess of things bright and joyful and is known to be the keeper of the sun. She is generally depicted with wings that sprout from her back as rays of sunlight and people leave gifts or sing songs for her, especially on rainy days where it is believed she is crying. She is keeper of Summer and the Day and protector of children.
Heccapuu
The patron god of war and history, Heccapuu is depicted as a fierce women with a strong jaw and piercing blue eyes. She is usually worshiped in places where information is kept and happenings of the world are chronicled, usually with a prayer and some kind of marking upon an important document. It is said that his shrine in the sacred lands holds the most accurate records of Irithia's histories as well as the earliest records and most accurate information of tellings and depictions of the deities of Irithia's pantheon as well.
Phi
A deity of cycles and polarities, Phi is a champion of order and balance. Though they are in charge of moving all the world's cycles along, Phi is particularly associated with certain places in the cycles- particularly the ends of them. They are a patron of Autum and Winter, Death, and the Night- particularly the moon. Depicted as a sprightly and small thing, they are often taken to be a dark and cruel entity because of their associations and aren't particularly liked by most. Phi is often noted on full moons as well as at funerals and small effigies of them are burned or drowned in the rivers (or both!) at Winter's end to 'kill' them and usher in Aeus for the Spring.
Styrilia
Associated with the night, especially the stars, Styrilia is not regarded very fondly by Irithians and is considered a dark, cruel entity as well as a proponent of betrayal. She is depicted as a bright eyed witch who steals the stars and is considered to be a vengeful goddess who was once very close to Asshia. Most people avoid even just speaking her name, though when it is said it is considered a curse or used as profanity. It is said that she is the reason why travelers who become lost don't return home and she is the reason that Efleim consider the rare instance of twins, especially identical ones, a curse and that the younger of two is sacrificed to her.