The Drakon Gods
Long before Dragon and Giant ruled Avestra, it is believed the first draconics born of all elemental might laid claim to Avestra. However, war destroyed them and left 7 of them behind to learn from their mistakes and become the 7 gods of the Drakon Pantheon. While some see them as the first dragons of Avestra, others display them as draconic species like the Dragonborn, Draxeeli, and Dragon Fera. Regardless of what appearance they are seen as having, the 7 gods of the Drakon people are:
- Asozira: God of Justice, Sacrifice, and Vigilance
- Bahzira: Goddess of Healing, Honor, and Unity
- Kirza: Goddess of Draconic Magic and Knowledge
- Kizi: Goddess of Optimism and Devotion to Nature
- Nirza: Goddess of Death
- Niza: Goddess of Undeath and Dracolichs
- Tiza: Goddess of Greed, Hatred, and Conquest
Divine Origins
The story of the Drakon pantheon is rooted in the ancient tales of the first dragons. It is believed the first dragons were unique in their ability to connect to multiple elements unlike later dragons. As such, they were powerful beings in the early days of existence on Avestra. However, the dragons came into conflict with either themselves or some other force and destroyed themselves. Stories say that 7 survived and became the basis for the gods that exist in the pantheon now. As one of the oldest pantheons, the Drakon pantheon does provide proof the Raven Queen existed as a concept before the Feyborn made landfall.
As the draconic races freed themselves from the influence of dragons, they shaped the gods in the same way as well, choosing to display some in forms such as Draxeeli or Dragonborn. However, the return of the Dragons has pushed that out of some territories while making it the only form of appearance for the gods in others.
Cosmological Views
Before the Eternals came back, many dragons believed their kind were the ones to create Avestra. The First Dragons used their elemental power to bind the elements together and form the realm. Some have tried to amend this by saying that the Eternals are actually dragons that hide their true forms but most simply choose to ignore or hide the creation myth that used to be prominent in the Ancient Age.
Tenets of Faith
Due to the varied personalities of the seven gods, some have tenets that contradict others. As such, most pick and choose which they follow. The most general form of these tenets are:
- Asozira: Put the needs of the many before yourself. Protect the weak and give your life for theirs.
- Bahzira: Heal and aid the sick of body or mind and strive to unite draconics under one banner
- Kirza: Strive to learn the arts of draconic magic either known or lost
- Kizi: Never lose hope and never forsake nature
- Nirza: Accept that death comes to all, even dragons and that eventually your time will come
- Niza: Spurn the death that comes, fight against it and find a way to save yourself
- Tiza: Conquer your enemies, grow your hoard, show no weakness to those lower than you
Worship
While the priests of the pantheon don't expect people to keep to the tenants and qualities of the gods at all times, they do encourage worshipers to try their best. Whether through public service, personal hobbies, or employment, each person worships the gods in a unique way. Some may try to never lie and always be selfless if they follow Asozira or Bahzira. Others may visit cemeteries to take care of graves or bury the dead for Nirza. Followers of Niza or extreme followers of Tiza are looked down upon for open worship but quiet and private worship of those deities is tolerated.
Another special way to worship them is to build hoards of items that befit each god:
- Asozira's hoards often include defensive items such as shields, armor, and abjuration magic items.
- Bahzira's hoards have medicine and magic items that can heal injuries thought to be incurable
- Kirza's hoards are collections of history whether magical or mundane
- Kizi's hoards includes flora and fauna whether common or endangered, well kept and looked out
- Nirza's hoards are usually collections of mementos from deceased that the person cared about
- Niza's hoards are usually made by necromancers and contain their tomes of knowledge or even the bones of deceased draconics or dragons to be used later
- Tiza's hoards are the typical dragon hoard with gold and treasures that someone has accumulated over years or even trophies of conquest
Priesthood
The priests of the different gods are chosen by their character, with the highest ones relating deeply to the domains and titles the gods are tied to. In the beginning, it was through appeasing the dragons who claimed to be part of those respective factions in ancient times. By as time went on and the dragons went into hiding, the followers elft behind created magical rituals to test the qualities of would-be priests. The magic tailors the experience to each person, preventing anyone from cheating the system even if they are a magic user.
Because of their roles, the two draconic nations ask priests to take roles in society. The roles of their followers are usually:
- Asozira: Guards, Judges
- Bahzira: Medical workers, Ambassadors
- Kirza: Teachers, Mages (if lucky enough)
- Kizi: Druids, Gardeners, Poets
- Nirza: Morticians
- Tiza: Soldiers, Generals, Accountants, Thieves
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Drakon Gods are tied into the division between the Loyalists and Leaguers. For the loyalists, they paint the Drakon Gods as dragons, giving dragons a greater standing in their society compared to draconics. As a consequence, this also gives more of a divine right to rule nature to dragons as they are seen as better than the likes of Firebrand or Dragon Fera. The Leaguers reject that notion and have even painted some of the Drakon Gods as species other than dragons since no one knows what their true forms are.
However, these interpretatinos have thrown both the loyalist kingdom of Bra'lakun and the equalist Ziminsi League into conflicts against other powers instead of each other. The Brandovian Empire has set its sights on both since it wishes to eradicate the worship of gods across Avestra and has made landfall in the League as of 1242. Meanwhile, the Haiakage Empire refuses to allow a society that simply allows the dragons to be higher in status because they were born as such. The Haiakage have captured an island within invasion range of Bra'lakun but the Racid navy and dragons have kept them at bet for now.
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