Religion and faith

In Helerin, the gods are revered as the progenitors and guardians of all speaking peoples, influencing life without favoring any single species. These gods each have unique roles and powers, from guiding the souls of the departed to ruling over the seas and fostering the fertility of the earth.
The priesthood serves as intermediaries, conducting rituals and maintaining temples that vary widely in design to reflect the characteristics of the gods they honour.
Religious life is further characterized by structured orders and unsanctioned cults, with worship practices ranging from daily observances to vibrant, seasonal festivals that mark significant times of the year.

Beliefs about the gods

The people of Helerin believe that all speaking peoples are the children of the gods, shaped by divine hands and set upon the world with purpose. No god favours one species above another, and they may take any form they choose, walking unseen among mortals or appearing in a guise of their own making.
The gods do not stand apart from the affairs of the world; they watch, they judge, and they intervene. To be touched by a god is to be marked by destiny, whether through the granting of power, the weight of a great purpose, or the burden of divine will. Mortals may seek the blessings of the gods, just as they may incur their displeasure. Yet the favour of one deity may serve as a shield against the wrath of another, for the gods are not of one mind, nor do they act as a single force.
The universe itself is divided into three realms: the Exalted, the Physical, and the Magical. The Exalted Realm is the home of the gods, where they dwell beyond mortal reach. The Physical Realm is the world as it is known: the vast oceans, the boundless earth, and all that lives within them. But there is a third realm, neither wholly divine nor fully of the mortal world. The Magical Realm was born from the death of Dassantarra, Goddess of Change, when the mortal Tekkaron struck her down.
See also: Cosmology

The gods of Helerin

The gods are believed to be the progenitors and guardians of all speaking peoples, not favoring any single species. They may appear in any form, intervene in mortal affairs, and bestow destinies or powers upon their chosen. Devotion can be given to a single deity or across the broader pantheon, with each god's favor providing a shield against the wrath of others.
See also: Gods of Helerin

Gods of the Heavens

Balcosh | Frenar | Lessada
These celestial gods preside over the skies and the metaphysical, governing everything from the sun and stars to dreams and visions. Balcosh, as the god of the sun, embodies light and life, leading the pantheon with wisdom and justice. Frenar, keeper of time and history, guides the souls of the departed, while Lessada, the moon goddess, influences dreams and oversees matrimonial bonds and contracts.

Gods of the Waters

Jires | Mavani | Treca
These deities rule the seas, rivers, and lakes, crucial for those whose livelihoods are tied to the waters. Jires, the powerful sea god, is both feared and revered for his dominion over the oceans. Mavani, gentle and nurturing, is the goddess of rivers and healing, providing sustenance and health. Treca, unpredictable and capricious, commands storms and fortune, reflecting the chaotic nature of weather.

Gods of the Earth

Piatok | Girys | Kulomar
These gods are custodians of the land and its various forms, from the minerals beneath the earth to the flora and fauna that cover it. Piatok, god of stone and warfare, embodies the raw strength and resilience of the earth. Girys, goddess of agriculture and the hearth, ensures the fertility of the fields and the stability of homes. Kulomar, the spirit of the wilderness, represents the untamed aspects of nature and the freedom it entails.

Gods of Darkness

Jarkash | Pirogane | Tirax
Often misunderstood or outright feared, these gods oversee the darker and more malevolent aspects of existence. Jarkash, goddess of blood and warfare, revels in the chaos of conflict. Pirogane, the trickster god of discord, sows seeds of chaos through deception. Tirax, embodying despair and decay, presides over the darker, unavoidable facets of life such as disease and hunger.

Lost gods

Dassantarra was the goddess of change, discovery, and desire. She was slain by Tekkaron, and her death released the force of magic into the world.

Organised religion

Priesthood and religious orders

The priesthood serves as intermediaries between the divine and the mortal. Each order focuses on specific aspects of their god's domains, conducting rituals, maintaining temples, and guiding the faithful.
See also: Religious groups and orders

Major orders

Major religious orders, such as the cult of Piatok Remaras manage networks of grand temples and hold significant religious authority, while smaller, localized orders tend to the myriad shrines scattered throughout the landscape.

Proscribed cults

Not all worship is sanctioned. Cults dedicated to the darker gods often operate in secrecy, their practices shrouded in mystery and sometimes fear, as they invoke powers and blessings that many consider dangerous or malevolent.
See also: Subversives and proscribed groups

Temples and shrines

Temples in Helerin are as varied as the gods they honor. From the radiant, open halls of Balcosh's sun-kissed temples to the dark, secretive sanctuaries of Jarkash, each structure is deeply embedded in local culture and materials, reflecting the deity's character and realm.
See also: Temples and shrines

Religion in daily life

Strictures and worship

Daily religious observance varies widely among the peoples of Helerin. Some adhere strictly to the commandments of their faith, while others may only engage with the divine at temples during significant life events or festivals. Worship can be a private affair or a communal gathering, depending on the god and the occasion.

Religious festivals

Festivals in Helerin are vibrant and frequent, marking changes of seasons, celestial events, and significant moments in agricultural and community life. Each festival is steeped in traditions and rituals, providing rich texture to the daily lives of Helerin's peoples and offering thanks to the gods for their blessings and protection.

Major festivals like the Turn, Oathsday, and Bal Manthra celebrate the solstices, equinoxes, and other pivotal times, ensuring that each year is punctuated with feasting, reflection, and community spirit.
See also: Religious festivals