The Pantheon of Seasons
"Four women and four men were brought forth into being. The women were graced with lithe, sleek bodies, hair of garish colour, pointed ears, and skin that changed and flowed to suit the environment and moods. The men were all what we now call human, though graced with elongated life (though none of them were aware upon their creation.)
Within the first seven days, the octet of humanoids had named the World, the Land they walked on, and as many species of animals as they could find. They also gave each other names."
- The Beginning of the Eight.
Mythology & Lore
In the beginning, the land was formed. The seas were filled, the skies were graced with colour and weather.
The world was populated with many species, animals and beasts. The world was also graced with the first humanoids.
Four women and four men were brought forth into being. The women were graced with lithe, sleek bodies, hair of garish colour, pointed ears, and skin that changed and flowed to suit the environment and moods. The men were all what we now call human, though graced with elongated life (though none of them were aware upon their creation.)
Within the first seven days, the octet of humanoids had named the World, the Land they walked on, and as many species of animals as they could find. They also gave each other names:
The Women:
Summer, Spring, Autumn, Winter.
The Men:
Igeses, Medros, Daxrasil, Thaugus.
In the first year of their existence, each member of the octet learned that they had a spiritual connection with the world, weather and climate for two months at a time. During these periods, the humanoid with the connection to the Season was deemed to be the leader of the troupe. This basic understanding of their relationship became the basis for their lives for the next ten years.
As these ten years passed, a natural progression commenced towards the octet becoming a quartet of couples. Spring and Igeses, Summer and Medros, Autumn and Daxrasil, Winter and Thaugus.
While relaxing in their rudimentary homes, communicating with the animals, growing crops and controlling the seasons as they desired, the humanoids were approached by what we know as the Wildmother.
The Wildmother informed the Eight that they were part of the testing of a new Prime Material plane. This plane would now be there's to control if they so wished. However, if they felt that they were not ready, the existing Pantheon would take this plane under their wings, until such a time as The Eight felt they were ready.
The Eight receded from the world, retaining control of the seasons, and the Wildmother proceeded to introduce the known races into the world.
Divine Origins
It is said that Mergrim Cytorias was visited by an emissary of the Pantheon, who enlightened him of their existence. This messenger informed him that he was their representative on Drasseryon, and that his family should begin the tradition of woshipping them.
If historians are to believed, this is the same day that Mergrim burst into his Council's gathering, in the fledgling halls of the Palace of Seasons, and established that very day as the first day of the inaugural Festival of Seasons.
In the years to follow, Mergrim institued the Church of Seasons, to offer those who desired it a place to worship this Pantheon of new gods. Recruiting clerics from existing religions, he built the church to be the primary religon in Cytoria.
Worship
Common worshippers of the Pantheon find themselves praying to one couple of Seasons, often purchasing or crafting shrines to them. These shrines usually the form of a statuette of a golden couple, winding around each other in a tight, intimate (sometimes sensual) embrace.
At the Church of Seasons, there are individual statues for all Eight gods. City folk come to worship whichever god's advice they need on that day, and priests make a point of offering a prayer to every single god, favouring the group over the individuals, so as not to draw the ire of one or the other.
Priesthood
The priesthood of the Pantheon of Seasons, at the general level, is similar to the other churches in the world of the living.
At the highest level, mirroring the deities they worship, is a council of Eight high priest and priestesses. A priest is appointed for each god by the ruling Emperor of the time, and the position is held for life (On the passing of a priest, a new appointment is made.)
Equally as similar as the gods, the priest of the corresponding season is considered the leader of the church for the two months that each season encompasses.
Granted Divine Powers
Clerics of the Pantheon are multitudinous. Faith in the gods regularly leads to radiant powers being granted to devoted followers, primarily for healing.
Very few and far between are Paladins of the Pantheon. Each Paladin is known to serve a particular couple from the Pantheon, and for ease of naming are referred to by the corresponding female name from each couple (e.g. A Paladin of Spring).
Note: "A Paladin of Spring" is also the name of the first of four romantic fiction novels by the author of the non-fiction book, "A Brief History of the Empire": Demora Cytorias.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments