Maran Mythology
Marans believe in a whole realm of Gods who reside in a plane called Celestia . Their gods are divided into many Dynasties, Households and Families; much like their culture is. Omjir, Ebra and their daughter, Shaa is the head family of the household, which governs the ruling dynasty of Celestia. It is this family which Marans often praise the most, not because they're the ruling gods, but they show the dynamics and hardships of families who are in a position of power. Whether their power is over a farm, town or kingdom.
Cycle of Generations
Maran gods live and die, much as the Marans do. This has little regard compared to the occurrences of the current generation, as foretold by the stories of previous generations. Also, even though a god may die, it is only their body which dies. The essence of which make the god who they are carried through, thus a god can be reborn but without the memories they once had. For example, when Omjir is slain by his brother, Uros; his essence is reborn when Ghana, stricken with grief, gives her own life to give birth to Omjir. This is one legend which marks the beginning of the generation of the Crimson Nights and the beginning of Omjir's Return. Thus Maran stories rarely have an ending, as they tend to cycle back to the beginning as a new generation. As told in Omjir's Return when a god is reborn, they lose the memory of their past lives. They relive their lives again as their essence lives on. The fall of Omjir is always followed by the rise of Uros, the god of Ambition. During this time, seeds of dastardly schemes are sown by those who seek their desires, as though they are driven by the temptations given by Uohr.
The Legends of the Gods
Stories and telling tales of the Gods is the most sacred tradition to the Marans. Below is but a few of the number of stories told by families and sages.
The Seeds of Life
This story tells how Ghana created the world as the Garden of the Gods and a gift to her niece, Shaa. It was to give Shaa a place to play, as well as to be educated the values and virtues of life. This also highlights, the difference between Celestia, the Home of the Gods and their Garden, Draguna, the Home of the People. Draguna is a cyclically timed plane. It shall rise, fall and rise again. Celestia is timeless. There is no time in Celestia, only being and pure existence itself.
Using the Essence of Celestia, Ghana weaved to form the fields to feed the vitality of the Gods. Her rays scatter across the growing grains of nature, as she planted the seeds of life. Then upon the birth of Shaa, the gift for the child is presented to her.
Ebra & Shaa
"Shaa, my child, one day you shall take my place, therefore the future of this house must be educated by the family who rules it and the mother who bears it."
These tales tell the relationship between Ebra and Shaa. Amongst other household duties, the relationship between Ebra and Shaa demonstrates the importance of the relationship between mother and daughter. Particularly as Ebra, against tradition, decided to take Shaa under her own guardianship, rather than the one under Uros' wife, Karael's guardianship which offended both Uros and Karael.
The Crimson Nights
A time when streets ran red and the gods covered their faces from the world in mourning of the loss of true leadership. Many beggar kings rose from the depths, spreading chaos and destruction. Sons fought their fathers and brothers sought after their schemes of ambition. This is also the time when the Essence of many Celestia gods has been cast out into Draguna.
The blood of the gods scoured across Celestia and spilt upon Draguna. What was once the Garden of the Gods, became their graveyard; until the essence of the fallen rises again.
Omjir's Return
Soon the rightful lord of Celestia shall rise once again. New dawn shall rise once the new god-king sits on his throne, bringing peace and stability to both realms.
The story of Omjir's demise and return as the Head of the Household and ruler of the gods. The story often begins with Omjir at the seat of power. Tales are told to express the hardship and duties of a household leader. As it is the Mother's duty to tend the needs of the household, it is the Father's responsibility of managing the realm and business of the household.
The Hallowed Heavens
Often also referred to as the Hallowed Realms, it is the place of darkness, death and destruction. It is the plane of Entropy, the opposite energy of Essence. Marans believe the stability of order, created by the balance of Essence and Entropy. Too much of one or the other can be catastrophic. Entropy feeds on Essence. Too much Essence gives Entropy more to grow on. Omjir, God of Leadership knew this, hence he appointed Zostus to oversee the Hallowed Heavens. However, it was this decision which leads to the Crimson Nights. Zostus thrives on the chaos Entropy creates. He believes Without chaos, there would be no change; without change, there is no progress. This was why Zostus sought out to betray and usurp Omjir, as Zostus believed he could bring progress to the Gods and Draguna which the Chaos he bares.Garden of the Gods
The Garden of the Gods in the world in which Marans live. It is Draguna and it is both the fields of essence which feed the Celestials their power and the wilderness which Marans survive and thrive within. Marans believe it is their duty to take care of this world, as well as each other. Indeed, relationships crumble as much as the old walls of a ruined castle upon a hilltop. Marans understand the duality of war and peace, hatred and love, and the duality between the people and their Gods. One creates the other.
The Sages of Mara
Even though the gods have given the Marans the blessing of autonomy, Sages are the liaisons between the gods and the people for their great wisdom and insight. It is the Sages who choose their successor, for they have the utmost faith of the gods who have blessed them with such wisdom; however, if a Sage is to pass away before appointing a successor the local ruler's household who decides. It is the Sage's task to give people guidance through what is to come by the gods. Often this is applied through the visions of which Sages may have, or through their natural attunement to the flow of nature. People may see these Sages for advice, and often rulers meet with the Sages to discuss what the gods' views are in particular situations.
Marans and the Gods
Marans are both children and the source of the Gods power, as well as the gods, are the source of the people's power and essence. As a gift to her sister Ebra, Ghana created the world and the people; using their essence and the essences of the other gods found in Celestia. The world serves as both the garden of the gods and the fields of their power, essence.
Essence
One's essence is their energy of being. Often referred to as the Soul. However, more accurately the Soul is the vessel of Essence, whilst at the same time Essence is what binds the Soul as a unique entity. It is also this energy which keeps both gods and Marans to exist. Indeed, a Maran would eventually die, but it is their Soul and Essence which is passed on to the Afterlife.
Afterlife
Marans die, but it is their Essence which lives on. When they die their soul carries their essence into Celestia. Once ascended, Ghana, Goddess of Life, then collects the soul and determines it's fate. The soul's essence may return to Draguna, to be reincarnated. The entire soul itself may be reborn, though not always to the same person or creature as previous. Alternatively, the soul may be accepted into Celestia, to be reborn as a Celestial; fated to live and die amongst them. Either way, there is no true end to one's soul. Gods die also, however, their soul and essence often stay within Celestia; however, in the tale of Omjirs Return, when Omjir dies his essence is cast out into Draguna. Only when a soul filled with Omjir's Essence returns to Celestia is when Omjir returns as himself, for him to retake his title. This is what brings the end of the Crimson Nights and the beginning of a new Generation.
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