Religion in Aetris
Aetris is steeped in magic, and the land's inhabitants are not ignorant of this fact. However, the practice of the Art is usually limited to a small cross-section of the population, and most people place their faith in, and reliance on, one of the numbers of gods recognized across the continent. The gods play a role in the lives of everyone in one way or another.
Whether the devout cleric doing the work of Seira, or the downtrodden merchant cursing Rielach over bad business, everyone in Aetris recognizes one or more of the gods daily.
The normal Aetrisian worships a variety of gods depending on the context. Most professions have a patron deity in one form or another, while others may feel drawn to a particular god through obligations to their family, livelihood, or extracurricular pursuits. Individuals will often keep some token of their preferred deity: a charm to be worn (often the god's holy symbol), an artistic interpretation of the god's likeness, or even a small worship space in their own home. In addition to standard worship practices at a shrine in one's home or a community's common area, the occasional temple exists for certain gods depending on the geographic region. Veneration of a particular god also occurs in times of need or want: giving thanks for a bountiful harvest, praying for good fortune or luck, or praising their perceived interventions. One might also pray to cruel or evil gods to avoid their wrath or displeasure.
Most Aetrisians believe that an individual's soul transitions to The Soul Realm, where it awaits judgment over the person's deeds in life. If found worthy, the soul is either collected and transported to the domain of their chosen deity or reborn to carry out unfinished business in the name of their god. Unclaimed souls are left to wander The Soul Realm for eternity, acting as guides for other souls awaiting judgment or to be eternally judged by Charos.
Aside from the usual deities worshiped by the various races of Aetris, several additional gods and local variations have been recognized throughout history.
Methods of Worship
The normal Aetrisian worships a variety of gods depending on the context. Most professions have a patron deity in one form or another, while others may feel drawn to a particular god through obligations to their family, livelihood, or extracurricular pursuits. Individuals will often keep some token of their preferred deity: a charm to be worn (often the god's holy symbol), an artistic interpretation of the god's likeness, or even a small worship space in their own home. In addition to standard worship practices at a shrine in one's home or a community's common area, the occasional temple exists for certain gods depending on the geographic region. Veneration of a particular god also occurs in times of need or want: giving thanks for a bountiful harvest, praying for good fortune or luck, or praising their perceived interventions. One might also pray to cruel or evil gods to avoid their wrath or displeasure.
Life After Death
Most Aetrisians believe that an individual's soul transitions to The Soul Realm, where it awaits judgment over the person's deeds in life. If found worthy, the soul is either collected and transported to the domain of their chosen deity or reborn to carry out unfinished business in the name of their god. Unclaimed souls are left to wander The Soul Realm for eternity, acting as guides for other souls awaiting judgment or to be eternally judged by Charos.
The Aetrisian Pantheon
Aside from the usual deities worshiped by the various races of Aetris, several additional gods and local variations have been recognized throughout history.
| Deity | Alignment | Domain | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agia, goddess of resurrection and rebirth | LG | Life | Comet |
| Tydon, god of hearth and home | NG | Peace, Light | Fire |
| Basya, goddess of knowledge | LN | Knowledge | Open book |
| Kiriel, goddess of illusion | CN | Secrets, Arcana | Closed eye |
| Selas, god of the sun | LG | Light, Life | Sun |
| Imroth, god of the moon | CG | Twilight, Nature | Moon |
| Rielach, god of thieves | CE | Trickery | Dagger |
| Amanis, god of plants and woodlands | N | Nature, Life | Tree |
| Atin, god of seas and storms | CE | Tempest | Lightning cloud |
| Finwe, god of lies and deceit | CE | Trickery, Knowledge | Hand with crossed fingers |
| Charos, god of death | NE | Death | Crow |
| Phasya, goddess of darkness and the lost | N | Graves | Scythe |
| Machi, god of warriors | LE | War | Warhorse |
| Pyriel, god of metalwork and craft | NG | Forges, Knowledge | Hammer and anvil |
| Sielyr, god of magic and fate | LN | Arcana | Crossed staff and spear |
| Seira, goddess of civilization | LG | Order | Lotus |
The Aetrisian Pantheon
Agia, goddess of resurrection and rebirth
Rieliah, god of dawn and renewal
Basya, goddess of knowledge
Kiriel, goddess of illusion
Selas, god of the sun
Imroth, god of the moon
Rielach, god of thieves
Amanis, god of plants and woodlands
Atin, god of lightning
Finwe, god of lies and deceit
Charos, god of death
Phasya, goddess of darkness and the lost
Machi, god of warriors
Pyriel, god of metalwork and craft
Sielyr, god of magic and fate
Seira, goddess of civilization
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