compiled by Cowry Glowglove -
While signs of the gods abound, mystic knowledge acquired, and divine magics witnessed, Kriadar is a vast world containing many differing belief systems. Some of these religions are connected to one another, others distinctly their own.
Major Faiths in Kriadar
The following is a summary of the major faiths found within Kriadar. This summary is organized between monotheistic and polytheistic faiths, and then further organized by size.
Monotheistic Faiths
Mawetism
Mawetism is a newer faith that has recently taken storm in central Letzel, especially within the land of Paradon. Named for its founder, the prophet Yugriss Mawet, Mawetis believe that the world was created by a single, all powerful being. When the people of the world betrayed this being by creating false gods, it pained the Creator, who withdrew from the world. It is the belief that through acts of extreme devotion and love that the Creator will return and bring with him true peace.
Biutism
An off-shoot of Shamayan, Biutism is a universalist religion that believes that the world was created by a single all-powerful being who sacrificed their consciousness in order to give sentience to his creations. The Biuts believe that the Creator, Achlan, created founts throughout the world in which his energy may continue to flow and provide life and magic. Each funnel has its own sentience, and is viewed as a remnant of Achlan's own consciousness.
Shamayan
An elven religion that worships the practice of arcane magic. Shamayan believes in the single creator, Achlan, who drew within himself, creating a void in which the world could be woven. Seeing the world was empty of life, he created a single fount in which his energy may enter the world over the Shamay Isles. He created the elves, granting them the task of carefully suffusing the world with his energy. With magic being holy to Shamayan, only arcane magic is acceptable, with any other forms being viewed as heretical.
Polytheistic Faiths
Sheidism
In some manner, Sheidism is a catch-all for all polytheistic faiths, as it refers to the belief in powerful spirits known as Sheids. These Sheids include celestial, fiendish, and fey spirits of great power. There are many various cults that fall into the category of Sheidism, with individuals even following their own Sheids.
The Congregation of Guardianship
The largest organized religion in the eastern world, the
Congregation of Guardianship worships the Eight Guardians, gods who protect the all of existence from Outsiders, chaotic forces born in primordial darkness. Highly centralized with its seat in the Sh'hoonic Empire, the Congregation is led by the Oracle and High Cleric.
The Dominion of Valarax
Opposing the Eight Guardians is the Dominion of Valarax. Predominately found among the Tieflings of Kriadar and western Dragonborn, the Dominion teaches that the Eight Guardians, or Lying Gods, betrayed the creator and slew him, taking his power for his own. The Dominion preaches that the Lying Gods are not powerful enough to protect Kriadar from the forces of Chaos. They are on a crusade to conquer the entire universe so that they may take the power of the Creator and better protect it.
Temple of the Weaver
The Temple of the Weaver believes that the Creator Goddess, the Weaver, is a spider-like being who wove the world as a nest for her eggs. They believe that new gods, children of the Weaver, can be nurtured and hatched through acts of devotion. However, they believe that only two of these children have remained in the universe, two sons who are opposite in nature, whilst the others have left to rule over other universes.
The Court of Seasons
A cyclical religion that believes that world history must follow seasons. The Court of Seasons believes that the world began in Summer, a fully mature world in a golden age ruled directly by the gods themselves. It then enters Fall, when the Godsrealm begins to destabilize and the people reject the gods, followed by Winter in which the gods are destroyed and the world enters a dark age. Finally, Spring arrives, new gods are born and faith in them returns, leading to a new Godsrealm.
Barzelism
In Southern Deroh, resisting the might of the Church of the Builder, are the Ironsworn. The Ironsworn worship the god Barzel, who forged the chainmail of Kriadar to be worn by the universe in its ever-shifting battle against the other universes, and his mighty knights, other gods who strengthen the world.
Cult of the Dragons
Held by the more savage dragonborn of the east, the Cult of the Dragons worships the Dragon Gods, beings of great elemental might who's children were the first willful, tyrannical dragons. When the Dragonborn, slave children to the dragons, rose up, it was the Dragon Gods who cursed them and took away their wings, yet also punished the dragons, banishing them from Kriadar. Capricious and largely withdrawn from the world, Dragonborn still worship them, hoping that they may be rewarded with the return of their wings.
Domains (5e Gameplay)
To better help players interested in playing a cleric, the following is a guide for the different domains.
Note: The diversity of gods within Sheidism means that any domain can be played by a Sheidic character. Biuts may choose any domain, dedicating themselves to one of the regional fount of that domain.
Arcana: Aruvia (Congregation), Djinedal (Dominion), The Weaver (Weaver), Rolvania of Mystic Webs (Court),
Death: Aeduxun (Dominion), Maro (Weaver), Letel of Ravenous Crows (Court)
Forge: Manoam (Congregation), Aefeloch (Dominion), Oyama of the Raging Mountain (Court), Morlaith (Barzelism)
Grave: Celeta (Congregation), Gadkiolar (Dominion), The Weaver (Weaver), Seleit of Endless Roses (Court), Sheilus (Barzelism)
Knowledge: Manoam (Congregation), Djinedal (Dominion), Armo (Weaver), Dvolat of Perching Owls, Tivonait (Barzelism)
Life: Celeta (Congregation), Valaxar (Dominion), Armo (Weaver), Shalain of Twisting Vines, Nolua (Barzelism)
Light: Djinedal (Dominion), Armo (Weaver),
Nature: Gnukit (Congregation), Aefeloch (Dominion),
Order: La'aber (Congregation), Valaxar (Dominion), Armo (Weaver), Bairinn (Barzelism)
Peace: La'aber (Congregation), Liberias (Congregation), Armo (Weaver),
Tempest: Maro (Weaver), Muala (Barzelism)
Trickery: Oram (Congregation), Nuidohn (Dominion), Maro (Weaver), Vetshu (Barzelism)
Twilight: Cherche (Dominion), The Weaver (Weaver)
War: Gevurin (Congregation), Phenolor (Dominion), Barzel (Barzelism)
