Pantheon of Idols
A Brandjordian polytheistic religion that follows a pantheon of 16 gods, each watching over a given aspect of reality. It represents the oldest faith in the southern continent, its roots going all the way back to the first civilizations to settle in the arid land. Unlike the Gammalist pantheon, in which people tend to worship all gods as a whole, in Brandjörden the faithful usually pick one or a few of the idols to be their objects of devotion, often related to their trade or lifestyle.
The Pantheon
Azhraman - The Sun Hammer against the Dark
One of the major Idols, Azhraman is often depicted as a great warrior holding a large fiery hammer and shield. He's seen as the god of Fire, the Sun and creator of the World. Azhraman is worshipped my nearly all followers of the Brandjordian Pantheon and his symbol is a fiery angled hammer over an oval shield.
Gorm - The Conqueror, the Slayer
The firstborn of Azhraman, the god of Hunters, of Warriors and source of all bravery. He's depicted as muscular and hulking figure wielding a double-headed great axe. The people's of Brandjorden pray for Gorm in moments of desperation, of war and during hunts, hoping the deity will bless them, granting courage, ferocity and deadly precision to their strikes. Gorm is neither noble or vile, instead, he's the embodiment of wrathful conflict and deadly commitment. His symbol is an upward double great axe.
Agul - The Flowing One
The second son of Azhraman, god of the Oceans, Rivers, Rain and the embodiment of Change. He's depicted as a slim figure with long wavy hair and beard, both which resemble seaweed. His left hand is always over his own eyes, while on the right arm a blue phoenix is seen perched - both symbolizing the eternal, blind cycle of change. Like Azhraman, Agul is also a major idol, worshipped everywhere, for water is just as valuable as gold in the scorching deserts of Brandjörden. Moreover, healers and monks also dedicate their devotion to Agul, be it to clench the fiery fever that comes with sickness or to flip a life's page that has reached its end.
Dalhuzar - The Dark, Merciful Hand of Death
The god of Death and keeper of Souls, Dalhuzar is seen as a separate entity from Azhraman and is the fourth and last major Idol. He's depicted as a hooded figure wearing black robes and dragging broken shackles by his feet. Seen as very benevolent, Dalhuzar is responsible for taking each soul by the hand, individually, to be laid to rest in the Afterlife, the broken shackles representing the rupture from the burden of life, be it plain suffering or from the duties of the honorable. A famous piece of art and sculpture of Brandjordian depicts the Passing of the Pilgrim, in which a poor, sick man is seen holding hands to Agul, with Dalhuzar standing a meter away, ready to accompany him to the other side. The symbol of the god of Death is a circular chain with a broken link.
Minor Idols
Ibnakar - God of Wisdom and Knowledge - His symbol an hourglass
Nahzira - Goddess of Fertility and Life - Her symbol a Makut* Flower
Qarin - God of Luck, Duality and Fate - His symbol a coin
Shalhura - Goddess of the Earth - Her symbol an emerald gemstone
Vahmunaq - God of Destruction and Chaos - His symbol a volcano
Nuharim - God of Truth and Justice - His symbol a pyramid
Miharum - God of Lies and Bloody Betrayal - His symbol a bloodied hook
Aegon - God of Winds and Storms - His symbol a closed, armored fist
Talimur - God of Work and Craft - His symbol an anvil
Belfour - God of Protection, of Mercy and Valorous Conflict - His symbol an eagle
Kak or Kakur - Idol of Malice, of Sin and Vice - His symbol a black scepter
Ogmarah - God of Blood and Sacrifice - His symbol sacrificial knife
*A Makut plant is native to Brandjörden and only blossoms in places with ample availability to water or before significant rainfall. Very common in Oases.
