Veles
Veles, the Shapeshifter, is a Prime deity of the Creators' Pantheon. They are a god of knowledge, stories and trickery and, alongside their sister Dzevana, are considered to be the main guardian of all wildernesses. Because of some legends, they are also considered the guardian of cattle.
Even though they are the most "disobedient" deity of the whole Creators' Pantheon, over the course of recorded history going against wishes of other deities the most, their worship is still really popular and respected in different circles of Sarmatan societies. Because of their rebellious and tricksy nature, the Shapeshifter is just as popular among young people and tricksters, as among old and wise.
The church of the Shapeshifter is also one of the main religions in Rosidor Empire. Their worshippers include druids, arcane practitioners, scientists, tricksters, charlatans, cattleman, and almost all water genasi.
Contents
Even though they are the most "disobedient" deity of the whole Creators' Pantheon, over the course of recorded history going against wishes of other deities the most, their worship is still really popular and respected in different circles of Sarmatan societies. Because of their rebellious and tricksy nature, the Shapeshifter is just as popular among young people and tricksters, as among old and wise.
The church of the Shapeshifter is also one of the main religions in Rosidor Empire. Their worshippers include druids, arcane practitioners, scientists, tricksters, charlatans, cattleman, and almost all water genasi.
Contents
Appearance
Church of Veles doesn't portrait their god in one particular depiction, honouring their title of the Shapeshifter. Followers of this god believe, that the Shapeshifter can visit you in any form, hiding their true nature and testing you for what you really are. The only common elements in the portrayals of the Shapeshifter are a bear mask, that hides their face, a cape or bulky clothing made out of wool, hiding their form, and iridescent snake scales, covering some parts of their skin.
Some Sarmarian communities depict them with large bullhorns, signifying the connection between the Shapeshifter and Dzevana, as well as complimenting their role of the guardian of the cattle and livestock.
History
Arcane Gift
War of The Burning Skies
Creation of bogokovc
White Crusade
Red Dawn
Worship
"Accept the Shapeshifter as your teacher, not someone to worship, and be their student."
Worship of the Shapeshifter is widely popular and respected in different circles of Sarmatan societies. Because of their rebellious and tricksy nature, the Shapeshifter is just as popular among young people and tricksters, as among old and wise. It's a common practice among the Shapeshifter's followers to threat their god as someone of the same level, but with a large amount of wisdom, knowledge and experience. Many sacred places of the Shapeshifter serve more as a learning grounds, libraries or schools, rather than actual temples.
The Shapeshifter values those, who strife for knowledge and new experiences, who fights their fears of the unknown and isn't afraid to drastically change things. They appreciate creative approaches and are known to be fond of the harmless tricks and pranks - which does make them a bit popular among charlatans and tricksters.
by Felixora
Though, not on the official administration level, Sarmarian Republic allows worshipping them and Northern Sarmaria cities, such as Buchach Fort and Horni Sucha have their own temples, dedicated to the Shapeshifter. Many schools and education institutions have the statues of Veles on their territories, and the wild tribes that live all across Sarmatan have a lot of Veles worshippers among themselves.
The church of the Shapeshifter is also one of the main religions in Rosidor Empire, having been officialized after the events of the Red Dawn as a way to unify the educated and magically gifted stratum of society with other people. Main temples of the Shapeshifter in Rosidor are located in Velesaburg, Dreridg. The Emerald Snake Society are also known to have Veles as their main patron.
Grand statue of Veles is also present in the halls of the Volos Library.
Most of the Shapeshifter's worshippers include druids, arcane practitioners, scientists, cattleman, and almost all water genasi. From the chronicles in Volos Library, it is known that some remaining giant tribes were known to worship the Shapeshifter.
Holidays
Walking Evenings are a week of celebration, dedicated to both Dzevana and Veles. Celebration start with Day of Moroka (1 Lyutoviy) and end with Vedmeda (9 Lyutoviy). Among people, these 9 days are marked by rampant of spirits.
The first half was devoted to the future harvest and fortune-telling about marriage, and the second was associated with cattle and animals. Veles, in the celebrations, is portrayed as a bear - the "forest king", while their sister Dzevanna is portrayed as a horned wolf - the "forest queen".
People bake ceremonial cookies in the form of domestic animals ("cows", "roes", "doughnuts", "horns"), dress in animal skins and masks, dance in sheepskin coats turned inside out (so that the evil spirits would not recognize them).
Another legend says that at the end of Vedmeda, the Gates of Nava close, all spirits return to their respective places. About this time, the Spark of Heavenly Fire from the Svarog's Forge falls into the waters of the Mriyar, endowing them with miraculous properties.
Another week of holidays specifically dedicated to Veles and widely popular in Northern Sarmarian Republic is called Veles Days. These are 9 days, dedicated to honouring of Veles with magic performances, joyful dances, chants, captivating retelling of myths by storytellers and large feast. The holidays start with Cow holiday, on Zimobor the 11th.
On the Cow Holiday, people create amulets for their cattle and the yard, ask Veles for patronage and protection.
Villagers conduct protective magic over their households and yards. Inspired storytellers retell the myths about their wise god around the bonfire, and the more enthusiastic followers of the Shapeshifter honour them with magic performance and chants, with joy and dances.
One of the most popular legends told on this day is that of the competition between the sibling-gods - Dzevana and Veles - when it came to hunting the life-stock on the hills. It is believed, that Veles used different illusions and magics to hide the cattle from the sharp eyes of Dzevana's wolves, while they were on the hunt, making this a game of hide-and-seek between the siblings' animals.
Serpentine Autumn, or autumn snake festival, is commonly associated with the Shapeshifter. Among common folk, the beginning of the autumn work and the end of the harvest are associated with this day. It is believed that from this day the birds begin to fly away, the bear lies down in the den, and the snakes celebrate their own weddings, after which they begin to hibernate.
Commandments of the Shapeshifter
- Be wise and use foresight. Share and pass on any knowledge that was given to you.
- Life is a one big Story. There is no room for doubts and fears in it.
- No information is truly worthless. Do not deny the chance to learn something new.
Links
- Veles is based on Veles god of Slavic mythology, Wiki page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veles_(god)
General Information
| Classification | Greater deity |
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| Common symbol | Bear head
with a snake laying on top of it |
| Gender | Gengerfluid |
| Pronouns | Any |
Worship
| Worshippers |
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| Holy day |
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Spouses
Siblings
Dzevana
(Sister)
Children
by Felixora
Alignment chart
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