In the Time Before, the gods were more than known - they were worshiped, praised, obeyed, and, above all, feared. Nerian fought Nerian in their names, securing land and wealth and status for the gods they worshiped. For as long as anyone was able to remember, this is the way things were in the time of the gods. They decided who would war and who would remain at peace, and this continued if for no other reason than because men believed that to rise against such tyranny was futile.
Instead, Nerians began to fight for their own reasons; they warred over territory that they coveted for their kingdoms, or to claim various treasures they believed were in the wrong hands. For many years, Nerian rose up against Nerian frequently and with force, as if trying to find any and every reason to go to war just to spite the gods. The gods, of course, found this turn of events to be less than ideal; not only were their subjects engaging in active and open rebellion, but they were killing each other with such speed and efficiency that the gods feared there would be no subjects left to bring back into their influence.
The gods tried, in one last attempt, to change the very world they had created. The gods of magic sealed their gifts away from the Nerians, locking it inside of themselves and their fellow gods. This final act of tyranny, as the Nerians saw it, was enough to entice those who remained to rise against the authority. It took many years, and the deaths of several thousand more Nerians, but the task was finally accomplished: the Nerians slew the gods, and magic returned to the world in the form of Corstones and aetherstorms.
Now, thousands of years after the fall of the gods, the deities and those who worship them are thought to be relics of the past to be avoided. When talked about at all, the gods are discussed in quiet tones, as if even now Nerians are afraid of giving them too much power by acknowledging that once, they existed. With a superstitious frame of mind, Nerians are content to believe that their refusal to worship the gods weakened them enough to allow Nerians to destroy them; thus, they believe that speaking of the gods now could potentially make them strong enough to rise again.
Of course, most Nerians aren't aware that clerics aren't the only ones still holding on to the hope that dead gods have power. Warlocks who have happened upon the fallen gods somehow are almost always bought over with the promise of power, and almost never stop to think about what serving a dead god might mean for the future of Neria.
To Speak Their Names
To say that all manuscripts and texts regarding the gods were destroyed would be a lie; several clerical domains keep not only their own records, but build and maintain carefully protected libraries containing whatever ancient texts they're still able to find. Anyone interested - and brave - enough to approach the clerics might find all of the information they might need to know about one of the dead gods.
Aldel. Aldel was the goddess of justice and law. She was Lawful Neutral, and her domains included Light and Knowledge. Several uncovered artifacts are decorated with balanced scales, leading historians to believe that this was the symbol most associated with Aldel. A handful of clerics who follow Aldel are viewed with less suspicion than others of their class, and one or two can usually be found within the courts of kings with reputations for being just and fair.
Arinoa. Arinoa was the goddess of magic and victory. She was Lawful Neutral in alignment, and her domains were known to be Knowledge and War. The few clerics that worship Arinoa carry battle staffs, and join armies on the battlefield.
Areyen. Areyen was the goddess of love and beauty, and was known for her Chaotic Good nature. She ruled within the domain of light, and references to her are recognized by the use of a sparrow. Few clerics remain that still worship Areyen, now that marriage has become a political affair and not a religious one. Those that remain quietly pious, however, might seek out these clerics to bless their union.
Astetus. Astetus was the god of warriors and battle, recognized most commonly by the image of two crossed swords. He was Lawful Neutral in nature, and ruled within the domains of War and Life. Like followers of Arinoa, many clerics of Astetus can be found on the battlefield.
Baras. Baras was the god of death and the afterlife, and is one of the few gods whose death is questioned regularly, as many assume the god of death would be immune to forces within his domain. He was known as Lawful Evil, and ruled within the domain of Death. There are small cults around the world that worship Baras, hoping to channel his divinity and earn his favor if he is, in fact, still alive.
Beiric. Beiric was the god of knowledge and wisdom, and was considered to be neutral in all of his affairs. He ruled within the domain of Knowledge, and many clerics that still follow him can be found searching the world for relics and texts regarding Beiric.
Conlan. Conlan was the god of magic and healing, giving him influence over the domains of Life and Knowledge. His followers remembered him as being neutral good, and use a blooming lotus to refer to him through imagery. Many of his clerics can be found in village inns, offering their services to adventurers as they pass through.
Daecan. Daecan was the god of the arts and speech-craft, recognizable by the image of a smiling theater mask. He ruled within the domains of Light and Knowledge, and was remembered for his chaotic good nature. Clerics in service to Daecan can usually be found around or among bard colleges.
Emallae. Emallae, twin sister of Daecan, was the goddess of poetry and writing. Like her brother, she was chaotic good in alignment, and also influenced the domains of Light and Knowledge. Her followers are mostly found among bard colleges as well, recognizable by the image of a quill writing on parchment.
Idun. Idun, god of light and the sun, is believed to have been the first of the gods, responsible for creating the others. He was known for being Lawful Good, and for having influence over the domain of Light. His symbol, most sensibly, is the image of a blazing sun.
Iravoi. Iravoi was the lawful neutral god of strength and victory, ruling within the Domain of War. Those that still follow him recognize each other with a symbol of clenched fists, and can usually be found accompanying armies on the battlefield.
Keareth. Known by the image of gray clouds, Keareth was the god of storms and bravery. Many consider him to have been chaotic good in nature, and try to follow that example. Followers of Keareth can be found all over the world, but tend to find employ in port cities where storms may plague the coast.
Kelpip. Kelpip was the god of travel and commerce, and was thus recognize by a symbol of a golden coin. Kelpip was chaotic neutral in alignment, and ruled within the domain of Trickery. Clerics of Kelpip tend to find themselves joining adventuring parties, traveling throughout various regions with their newfound companions.
Marea. Marea was goddess of magic and the sea, ruling within the domains of Tempest and Knowledge. She was considered to be chaotic good by her followers, who can be found working with druids in the untamed wild of the Lower Islands. The dragonfly was her symbol, and can still be found painted over the doorways of buildings where followers of Marea meet.
Mina. Mina was the goddess of strife and grief, influencing the domains of War and Death. Those who see images of wilting hyacinths know to stay away, lest they run into the followers of the neutral evil goddess. Those who worship Mina rarely do it openly, resulting in cults scattered throughout the world.
Nia. As the goddess of childbirth and fertility, Nia ruled within the domain of Life, and was often considered to be neutral good, according to her followers. A spiral cupped within a half circle is the most notable symbol used to call upon Nia, when she is still called upon at all. Many clerics of Nia are still employed as midwives and nannies, especially in regions who never cared much whether the gods lived or died.
Nilrient. Nilrient was one of the few lawful good deities to have lived, influencing the domains of Light and Life. God of community and charity, those who still follow him can usually be found near centers of homelessness and despair. Those looking for a cleric of Nilrient only have to look for the sigil of two extended hands.
Sorom. Influencing the domain of Knowledge was Sorom, the god of smithing and casting. Most of his followers view him as having been of neutral good alignment, and attempt to pursue their craft with the best of intents. Notably, the sigil of Sorom still in use today is an anvil; many of these clerics can be found within foundries and forges, blessing weapons and those who make them.
Tetia. Known, accurately, by the symbol of a masquerade mask, Tetia was the goddess of darkness and secrets. She ruled within the domains of Death and Trickery, and those who followed her took sadistic pride in her chaotic evil nature. Like some of the other less favored gods, Tetia is worshiped in secret by cults spread through Neria.
Therrila. Therrila was the goddess of nature and medicine, thus ruling within the domains of Nature and Life. She is remembered and evoked with the sign of a tree sapling, and is said to have been neutral good. Many of her clerics can be found among druid circles, hoping to heal the people they come across as their companions heal the land.
Tydan. The god of mountains and crops, Tydan was a neutral good deity who ruled within the domains of Nature and Life. Infamous for their mountainous sigil, clerics of Tydan tend to live in the Underdark among dwarves and deep gnomes.
Valra. Valra was the goddess of civilization and intrigue, and influenced the domains of Trickery and Life. Many of her followers believe that the chaotic neutral goddess may still be alive, or may have been brought back to life through the natural course of advancing thaumocracy. Those looking to find guidance from the goddess' clerics need look no further than an image of two gears meshing perfectly.
Yulia. Perhaps one of the most feared deities of their time, Yulia was the goddess of trickery and vengeance. Many concerned Nerians have noticed a rise in the appearance of Yulia's sigil - two snakes forming a circle as they consume each other from the tail end. Her followers gather in secret cults, hoping against hope that their devotion is enough to bring their chaotic evil goddess back to power - or, perhaps, that her love of tricks means that she was never killed at all.
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