Deadol Igal

Deadol Igal (placeholder name) is the main halfling religion of Halyren. Due to its non-zealous nature, the religion has tended to fade when halflings intermix and migrate to other continents, but there are some pockets off of the continent. Deadol Igal is a religion that is both deceptively simple and surprisingly complex, and is used by the halflings to explain a great number of natural phenomena. In the religion, there are 3 different types of beings that are venerated, known as the Sidigal (gods), Hil Amku (roughly, nature spirits), and Endal Amku (ancestor spirits). Deadol Igal is a very decentralized religion, so all three are typically given equal amounts of time in worship. The three types of spirits represent the three levels that each devout halfling should consider- family, region, and world. As each halfling has different ancestors, the methods of prayer typically vary depending on the personalities of a halfling's various ancestors. A halfling may pray for guidance from a particularly adept fisherman of a grandfather when learning, or may seek the comfort of a dead mother on a sad day. Each halfling is encouraged to know their ancestors and learn about their lives, something that typically remains with halfling culture even if they are no longer following the religion. Once, this way an oral tradition, where ancestor's stories were passed down verbally, but once halflings were introduced to writing by the Gnomes, they started recording histories. For this reason, the Halyren's halflings have some of the most detailed records of anywhere in the world, but they often lack context for those who are not already knowledgeable on the time they lived.

Unlike the Endal Amku, Hil Amku are not exclusive to one family, instead representing an entire reason. Deadol Igal believes that these spirits are the embodiment of the natural landscape and that they must be placated in exchange for continued use of their ecosystems. One region may have many nature spirits, and common sprits represent mountains, forest, rivers, lakes, sands, and the earth. Natural disasters are usually beloved to occur when a nature spirit is angry, bored, or sad. Because the spirits are capricious, Deadol Igal recognizes that it may be impossible to please all, or indeed, any sprits at a certain time. Nonetheless, respect for nature is ingrained into the religion and indeed halfling society in general. Deagol Igal credits many of the halflings' special connections with nature a result of their unique relationship with nature spirits.

Lastly, the Deadol Igal has its own pantheon of gods. While recognizing other gods as canonical, Deadol Igal rejects that they have any place in being worshipped by halflings, proclaiming that halflings should only worship halfling gods. This accounts for the many holes in the pantheon, as Deadol Igal as whole typically do not feel that those gods are relevant to them. Halfling gods typically are associated with a type of personality, a natural phenomenon, and trade or occupation, though there are exceptions.

Halfling Gods (all names are placeholders as halfling language is not yet developed)

• Aloreate, god of inquisition, scholars, and stars
• Fretemitte, goddess of friendliness, messengers, and wind
• Hriwol, god of cunning, thieves, and snow
• Bareal, god of bravery, soldiers, and fire
• Ceblaid, goddess of strategy, authorities, and the tides
• Beofryd, goddess of serenity, farmers, and crops
• Isenbog, god of industry, laborers, and metals
• Blaiwed, goddess of wildness, hunters, and forests

One may notice that several of these are in contrast to one another. Deadol Igal believes in keeping the balance between extremes, and part of that is keeping the balance between the gods. Isenbog and Blaiwed are the most prominent of these balances, with each representing one side of the extreme between civilization and nature. Deadol Igal teaches that with too much nature, the world will descend in to barbarism, with only the strong surviving. On the other hand, too much civilization and the world will lose its magic and splendor, slowly becoming a hell on earth for those who survive. It is said that should civilization not be managed properly, the skies will darken, oceans will be poisoned, and animals will die off; even the seasons will change. Should civilization fall, however, millions will die, halflings will be hunted by monsters, and nature spirits will become gods on earth who will enforce a terrible hierarchy on all under their control. While both Isenbog and Blaiwed are honored members of the divine court, their love for their respective domains would prevent them from intervening until it was far too late.

This is similar to the conflict between Hriwol and Bareal. Hriwol is a trickster god who thinks nothing of murder and lying to gain what he wants, but tricks, traps, and even burglary have been of use to halflings for millennia. After all, a little roguish behavior is good, and is often the only way to fight those bigger than oneself, as long as important morals are kept. On the the hand, Bareal is a staunch defender of Deadol Igal communities, but is honest to a fault and refuses to use underhand tactics, even for good. The balance between the two is important, as swaying too far to either side makes one too serious. Life is meant to be enjoyed, according to Deadol Igal, and becoming an harsh soldier or a devilish murderer would take that from a person.