Church of Mortals

The Church of Mortals, sometimes called the Church of Man, or Cult of Man, is a religious pantheon that venerates heroes of old who were once mortal. Having performed extraordinary deeds, all have been immortalized already by having their names turned into the titles of months, typically to correspond with a time of the year their deeds were performed. Additionally, the days of the week venerate many of the children of these deities who likewise did miraculous things.

Myth

The Church of Mortals believes that many of the great mortals listed in legend have ascended, or in some cases returned, to godhood. All lived during the earliest days of the recorded history, with some legends dating back to the Primordial Era. Though some groups call worship of these beings blasphemy as they were mortals, many were once angels or titans who decided to live among mortals to better understand and guide them. Others did deeds so righteous that they are believed to have ascended into godhood.

Those who worship the mortal gods argue that the power of the old gods are waning, as evidenced by the lack of their presence and help during the cataclysms. Instead, they venerate the mortal gods for having once been one of them and helping guide them and fighting and serving alongside them.

History

Though worship of the twelve mortal gods has seemingly been common throughout history, most evidence suggests that it was shunned and suppressed by other priesthoods. The taboo nature of worshiping those who are thought to have been mortal has been enough to stunt the growth or formation of any kind of organized priesthood for the Church of Mortals themselves. One such group existed in the region of Durchen during the waning days of the Virdamidian Republic around 1925 P.C. While the republic had persecuted the worshipers of the mortal gods for years, the beginning of their collapse allowed some worshipers to begin openly practicing their religious ways in the region of Durchen. There, they established themselves in the city of Almarid, which would later become the capital of the Almaridian Empire. During these early days however, the city was overseen by Sarland Varkus, who didn't care for the religion himself, but turned a blind eye to their practices. Though the two carried on independently for a while, the priesthood eventually met with Lord Varkus. They knew that should the Virdamidian Republic retake Almarid or Duchen, it would be the end of this period of organization. They offered him a deal that, should he endorse the Church of Man as the official religion of his kingdom, they would encourage the populace to obey and listen to him as their king. Not a religious man, but seeing the value in having potential sway over such a popular religion, he accepted. Upon his death years later, the Church of Mortals would venerate him as a saint. Since then, the religion has been very popular in Durchen, and has slowly been growing outwards.

Though the return of the other gods has slowed the spread of the Church of Mortals, it is still a very attractive religion to many, and nearly all of the Almaridian Empire venerates them. The religion has also started to spread to other nearby states, such as the New Elven Union, Kingdom of Salandi, and Middelgemard.

Gods

Alios - The Forgiving

Arvay Fenthir - The First Druid

Brynholma - The Devious

Ekeros - The Enduring

Galmorian - The First Necromancer

Jondrial - The Reviver

Landir - The Vigilant

Ozzelondus - The First Among Mortals

Rathiel - Master of Storms

Simdis - The Torchbearer

Valerum - The Master Builder

Wulfistar - The Wise

Children of the gods

Azran - Son of Landir

Fordalia - Daughter of Arvay Fenthir

Molrana - Daughter of Jondrial

Nirsa - Daughter of Ekeros

Nurna - Daughter of Ekeros

Ophidius - Son of Ozzelondus

Saldar - Son of Alios

Tulda - Son of Valerum

Type

Religious, Pantheon