Imperial Pantheon
As the Empire expanded throughout Arterra, they spread an official “neutral” state religion throughout the nations they absorbed. This was known as the Imperial Pantheon and is still the most commonly practiced religion in Arterra. Its presence is visible in most nations throughout Arterra, even in places where it is not the chief religion. This religion, while originally believed to have been intended to be an Agindun-central religion, became more of an amalgamation of the most common themes among the variations of the Aran Pantheon. It draws primarily from the Central and Southern Pantheon, with the Eastern and Western being secondary.
While the other pantheons often depict many, if not all, of the gods as belonging to specific races (typically those of the culture from which the pantheon originates), the Imperial Pantheon explicitly teaches that its members are not members of any mortal race. Though they may occasionally take on mortal form, this form is typically dictated by the mortals with which they are treating. When dealing with Humans, a god would appear human, or at least human-like; when dealing with Elves, an elf; with Trolls, a troll, etc. In spite of this, there are several gods which are typically depicted as members of races who form the majority of the cultures in which those gods form a chief part. While these depictions are not universal, they are very common. Ambrus is almost always shown as an Akki; Anwen, a Dwarf; Aston, a Human; Bardolf, an Ogre; and Theophane, an Elf.
Below are the members of the Imperial pantheon and their most prominent spheres of influence.
Osric - The god of time, magic, and fate. Cheif god of the Imperial Pantheon.
Adhelm - God of justice, protection, law, and heroes. One of the Patron gods of the Elves, along with Celestine and sometimes Ferregine
Ambrus - God of sickness, healing, and jungles. Patron god of the Akki
Anwen - Goddess of travel, seas, and weather. Sometimes considered the patron goddess of the Dwarves.
Aston - God of cities, community, and trade. Patron god of the Humans.
Bardolf - God of strength and endurance. Ostensibly the patron god of the Ogres, though few Ogres view his Imperial persona as this.
Blithe - Goddess of freedom, pleasure, art, compassion, and fertility. Sometimes considered the patron goddess of Halflings.
Brand - God of slaughter, war, fear, disasters, destruction, and fire.
Celestine - Goddess of the sun, the moons, stars, and light. One of the Patron gods of the Elves, along with Adhelm and sometimes Ferregine.
Cicely - Goddess of death, dreams, and emotional comfort.
Dunstan - God of caves, stone, soil, crops, gems, and subterranean creatures.
Eldred - God of knowledge, math, secrets, and discovery.
Ferrégine - Goddess of conquest, schemes, and tyranny. Sometimes cosidered one of the patron goddesses of the Elves. Most predominantly-Elven nations are very divided about this.
Hart - God of wilderness, beasts, and hunting.
Sims - God of darkness, deceit, betrayal, and secrets.
Tolliver - God of craftsmanship, creativity, labor, tools, and artisans.
Twain - God of luck, humor, pranks, and gambling. Sometimes considered the patron god of Gnomes.
While the other pantheons often depict many, if not all, of the gods as belonging to specific races (typically those of the culture from which the pantheon originates), the Imperial Pantheon explicitly teaches that its members are not members of any mortal race. Though they may occasionally take on mortal form, this form is typically dictated by the mortals with which they are treating. When dealing with Humans, a god would appear human, or at least human-like; when dealing with Elves, an elf; with Trolls, a troll, etc. In spite of this, there are several gods which are typically depicted as members of races who form the majority of the cultures in which those gods form a chief part. While these depictions are not universal, they are very common. Ambrus is almost always shown as an Akki; Anwen, a Dwarf; Aston, a Human; Bardolf, an Ogre; and Theophane, an Elf.
The Divine Emperor
The most common origin myth of the divine pantheon (and how it is reconciled with the pre-existing pantheons) features one of the key figures of the Empire's early founding. Most often this figure is Dallric himself, but sometimes it is his son or grandson. It is said that, as he felt the end of his life approaching, Dallric retired deep within the sacred mountain of his tribe. There he meditated for 100 days and 100 nights (some versions make it a year or several years, others 1,000 or even 10,000 days/nights), having no food, nor water, nor sleep. In the end, he was said to have unraveled the very mysteries of the cosmos and achieved divinity as Osric. Now having complete mastery over magic and time, he became the leader of the new pantheon. Myths vary on how he went about this, some claim he appointed new gods from among his loyal followers while destroying the older pantheons. Others say, after a lifetime of conquering mortal kingdoms, after his ascension he conquered the other gods and forged them into a pantheon for his mortal followers and descendants. Whatever the details, the other deities only exist because of Osric's gifts.Members
Below are the members of the Imperial pantheon and their most prominent spheres of influence.
Osric - The god of time, magic, and fate. Cheif god of the Imperial Pantheon.
Adhelm - God of justice, protection, law, and heroes. One of the Patron gods of the Elves, along with Celestine and sometimes Ferregine
Ambrus - God of sickness, healing, and jungles. Patron god of the Akki
Anwen - Goddess of travel, seas, and weather. Sometimes considered the patron goddess of the Dwarves.
Aston - God of cities, community, and trade. Patron god of the Humans.
Bardolf - God of strength and endurance. Ostensibly the patron god of the Ogres, though few Ogres view his Imperial persona as this.
Blithe - Goddess of freedom, pleasure, art, compassion, and fertility. Sometimes considered the patron goddess of Halflings.
Brand - God of slaughter, war, fear, disasters, destruction, and fire.
Celestine - Goddess of the sun, the moons, stars, and light. One of the Patron gods of the Elves, along with Adhelm and sometimes Ferregine.
Cicely - Goddess of death, dreams, and emotional comfort.
Dunstan - God of caves, stone, soil, crops, gems, and subterranean creatures.
Eldred - God of knowledge, math, secrets, and discovery.
Ferrégine - Goddess of conquest, schemes, and tyranny. Sometimes cosidered one of the patron goddesses of the Elves. Most predominantly-Elven nations are very divided about this.
Hart - God of wilderness, beasts, and hunting.
Sims - God of darkness, deceit, betrayal, and secrets.
Tolliver - God of craftsmanship, creativity, labor, tools, and artisans.
Twain - God of luck, humor, pranks, and gambling. Sometimes considered the patron god of Gnomes.
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