The Elder Gods
Many regard these deities as a false, mixed-up version of the "true gods", or consider them simply to be extinct - long dead gods who gave their place to a new generation of deities.
The Dwarven kin, however, as one who is not particularly prone to changing their traditions, still keep their belief in this pantheon and accept them as their own. Besides dwarves, wild wlves and some orcs worship natural spirits of the Middle Realm of this religion tied to specific places around the world. Though it is not common for other peoples to be members of this faith, it is not necessarily impossible either.
The Three Realms
In their view, the world is a layered structure, consisting of three realms. These layers; however, do not indicate the alignments of their inhabitants; according to the belief, none is considered good or evil on its own. Traveling between the realms is considered extremely difficult, even the gods are limited in such movement, as only a few are able to keep their material form while doing so. The others remain bodyless voices, unexplainable feelings and sensations, or natural phenomena outside of their original worlds. The Upper Realm is considered to be a place of light, justice and wealth, its rulers are the Golden Mother and Father, whose trusted general, Warlord is settled there. Amidst the shimmering palaces of the realm, water trickles, but it is the colour of white gold instead of muddy green. People call it the Golden Brook, and it is said that whoever consumes the water will gain an understanding of others' intentions, desires and feelings. The Middle Realm is inhabited by the humanoid races, the different creatures and monsters, as well as elemental minor deities. This realm is a place of harmony, innovation, and the home of great heroes. The Underworld is the realm of fate, peace and knowledge. The Underworld is inhabited by the three sisters of Warlord, who each represent stages of life and traditional crafts. In this realm flows a wide river, black as tar, reflecting the stars on its surface. They say the water grants brief glances into the future when consumed.The Main Deities
The Golden Father
He is believed to be lord of justice who holds the order of the world in his firm hands. When someone makes an important promise or statement, they swear to the Golden Father, the Oathkeeper. He is also responsible for marriages in this sense. Stories of old claim that he was the first storyteller: his sagas of rock, sea and lush fields so vivid they created the world as it is now.The Golden Mother
A powerful deity with control over plants and the earth, she is a peaceful gardener. Bees follow her steps that sprout flowers from the rocky earth, and trees bend down towards her motherly figure in respect. She possesses great knowledge about the use of medicinal herbs, thus becoming the divine of healing.Warlord
The general who leads the armies of the Golden Mother and Father, one of the most powerful deities in the Belief of the Elder Gods, Warlord's name is well known and feared. As a wordly king needs a general to keep the peace and ensure that the ruler remains in charge, the Golden Mother and Father need Warlord. A tall man with dark hair and a beard, serious and menacing, yet trustworthy in his straightforwardness. Often seen depicted holding a weapon, mostly his legendary sword; his brass armour - that is said to be made by one of his sisters - glistening in the light. He is not only a weapon, but a peacekeeper and a trusted advisor. His deeds often require him to traverse between the three realms and to be present in any of them in time of need. Therefore, he is one of the few deities of this pantheon who possess capability to appear in any realm in his physical form rather than an echo of himself. These capabilities and the fact that he often carries through the will and judgement of the ruling gods make him feared in the eyes of some, while beloved and trusted for others. He is a vengeful enemy for those who despise the gods, the Bane of the Sinful (particularly corrupt judges) while also existing as a protector of travellers, soldiers and the innocent.Kuuri
She is the youngest deity in the Underworld, sister to Warlord. She is a protector of children and youth, patron of tinkerers and builders. She is granted a glance into future and is associated with the metal copper.Takka
The middle sister is responsible for adulthood and married couples. Her crafts are smelting and smithing, thus she was the one who crafted Warlord's armour that is said to be unbreakable. Whereas her sisters can look into the currents of time, Takka is sightless, but has a skill in music. Thus, she is a patron of skalds and the blind. She is associated with iron.Ódis
The eldest sister, who is protector of the elderly, and who takes pleasure in weaving and carving. She can look into the past as she pleases. She is associated with wood and stone.Minor Deities and Spirits of the Middle Realm
Countless small gods and natural spirits roam the world, who are protectors of certain places, communities or natural phenomena. They are worshipped by the wild elves who build their shelters around their holy sites. They are usually not malevolent, but some tend to be chaotic or hard to please. They are usually identified through the locations they are tied to (e.g. the Spirit of Eldergrove or the Spirit of Malanij).Evil Deities
In addition to the benevolent gods, there are also beings that are malicious and twisted. The religious do not call them by their names, instead, they use their attributes to distinguish them. The reason behind this is partially fear, partially contempt, and partially the belief that words and names hold power - the mentioning of the names of the evil ones is said to bring bad luck and misery.Twistedword
Somewhat of a leader of the malevolent deities, his power comes from lies and manipulation. He drank the waters of the Golden Brook, granting him an insight into the souls of other beings. Now, he makes promises he never keeps or that trick the unlucky soul that enters a deal with him. They say that he can appear in the Middle Realm in the form of a person, but can be recognised by his eerily affable behaviour and by his inability to speak unkind words. He cannot take the shape of already existing people.Spottedhand
In his way, he leaves disease, decay and rot. It is said that he was once human, a powerful priest of the divines, but when he fell ill, he pledged allegiance to Twistedword instead of remaining true. Thus, he was never healed, but received immortality and godly powers. Once a worshipper of the Golden Mother, now a servant to Twistedword, he spreads the very sicknesses that cause his own misery.Sudden
Sudden is the implacable goddess of mindless, pointless destruction, wrath, and natural disasters. She wreaks havoc wherever she goes, leaving only carnage and ruin behind. She is moved by a burning hatred for the gods: benevolent and malicious alike and for all the peoples they have created.Deities and their Domains
| Name | Suggested Domains |
|---|---|
| the Golden Father | order, light |
| the Golden Mother | life, nature |
| Warlord | war, order |
| Kuuri | life, light |
| Takka | life, forge |
| Ódis | life |
| Twistedword | trickery, death |
| Spottedhand | death |
| Sudden | death, tempest, nature |
| nature spirits and minor deities | nature |
Tenets of Faith
- Honesty
- Loyalty
- Creation over destruction
- Avoiding excessive aggression
- Everyone has their place
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