Ismatian Pantheon

Polytheistic
Lead Deity: Presef, The Elder
State Religion of: Chiefdom of Badon, Evron, Kingdom of Aria, Kingdom of Flavia, Duchy of Roretia, Kingdom of Tarnovale

Notable Gods

Chakr: God of Thunder and Lightning
Guerre: God of Strength and warfare
Hvella: Goddess of medicine, and speedy recovery
Illia: God of melee combat
Kennis: God of knowledge
Krieg: God of war, somehow different from Guerre
Messer: God of battles
Yoiin: God of Strategy

Beliefs

Ismian/Ismatian society and belief revolve entirely around war. Presef is the eldest and considered both father and brother to all the other gods. He oversees balance and his ultimate wishes are for peace. However, stories of him describe how he constantly gives into his warlike temptations. The other gods are equally as bloodthirsty as Presef, but are all open about it. There is a feeling of taunting and spite shared by the younger gods and Presef the Elder.
As evidenced, Krieg and Guerre are both gods of warfare. Any Ismian can identify the types of warfare, and Ismians are said to have at least 4 different types war. The 4 types are: Yonne - 'smart' war fought with strategy, Guerria - 'dirty' war fought unfairly from hiding, Aer - 'honorable' war, and Krig - 'blunt' war fought directly and brutally.
There are many festivals and feasts around the year which celebrate the war gods but also celebrate life and all of its beauty. Ironically, these festivals, even those focused on war, are some of the most vibrant and bountiful celebrations on Kronis.

Founding

As with all folk religions, the Ismian Pantheon dates as far back as the Ismians themselves. The culmination of stories, folktales, and warfare shaped what the Ismian Pantheon is today. The attribution to the creation of the Ismian Pantheon falls on the God, Presef.

History

From their earliest origins, Ismian clans, tribes, and chiefdoms were known to fight extensively - often for little gain. In legend, there are the kingdoms of Verscex, Smam, and Ipran, who warred endlessly on the whim of the gods.
The Ismian Pantheon spread with the migrations of the Ismians along their Subcontinent of Ismia. Despite the differences between Western, Middle, and Eastern Ismians, the Pantheon remains a constant that brings all Ismians together.
The Ismian Pantheon was first challenged by the Aetian Pantheon, when the Aetian State of Amphera settled a colony on the shores of Ismia c. 300 BR. There was no real change despite the Aetian settlement, and the Ismians and Aetians traded rather peacefully. At times the Aetians expanded their settlements at the expense of vacating Ismian tribes.
Around 100 AR, the Morosian Empire landed on the shores of Ismia. By 160 AR, the legendary "kingdoms" of Smam and Verscex were eviscerated by the Morosian Empire. The Ismian Pantheon was gradually replaced by the Morosian's religion The Center of the World. The Morosians were not oppressive of their ideas, and so the Pantheon just managed to survive.
Due to the cultural merging of Ismians and Morosians, Board Games like Chess and The River as well as Card decks were invented. Nearly all current games centered around warfare can trace their origin back to Morosian Ismia.

Enforcement

Ismians did not create a method of enforcing their religion until the Morosians arrived. Even during initial exposure to the Aetian Pantheon, there was no real cause for concern. Under the Morosian Empire, the Ismians mimicked the Center of the World's system of priests and harbingers, who preached in town and city markets. By adapting their stories and passionately sharing them amongst the population, the Ismians managed to ensure their Pantheon's survival. However, the Pantheon never recovered to the numbers of followers it once had in ages past.

Type

Religious, Pantheon