Annukaaric
The Annukaaric faith is the ethnic religion of the Harakaar people of the Outremeer region of Notios. It is a pantheistic religion consisting of more than 60 regional deities that are worshiped by all the Harakaar peoples everywhere. The Annukaar are described as humanoid beings that glow with a heavenly light even in broad daylight, have white hair, yellow or amber eyes and dark brown skin. Most are described as "tall", but this is a deceiving descriptor since most Harakaar are shorter than other ethnicities of Humans.
The Annukaaric faith is unique in that all its adherents believe that they can actively and personally communicate and interact with their gods, and roughly two-thirds the living population confidently state that they have actually met and conversed with the gods themselves.
Tenets of Faith
The Harakaar people worship the beings collectively known as Annukaar (heavenly beings in the native tongue). Distinct locations, areas and geographic points have dedicated deities associated with them, and the worship and sacrifices offered to them ensure a regular gift of life, health, protection and fortune. The Harakaar believe they are regularly visited by their gods, and some have even eaten meals with them.
Sacrifices are typically of food, drink, items of particular beauty or value, or services rendered at the deity's request.
Worship
Worship of the Annukaar is done through the offering of gifts, prayers, thanksgiving and sacrifices to the various regional deities. Harakaar faithful will go to locations associated with the various Annukaar beings and make their offerings or prayers and (according to them) will often encounter and communicate with their gods and goddesses.
Priesthood
Dedicated priests (exclusively male) are known as Annuae and can interpret signs, portents, omens and messages from the Annukaar to the people. They typically act as mediators and interpreters rather than leaders or rulers of the divine interaction with the gods. The Annuae have a seemingly innate ability to summon or commune with the Annukaar of a region or local that the general population does not share.
Annuae are specifically chosen by the Annukaar themselves using an unknown criterion. Harakaar chosen to join the Annuae ranks are given a mark on their chests similar to a tatoo. This brand is universally a deep red in color and is in the shape of a perfect palm-sized circle. Some are given an ability to heal in the name of the Annukaar that initiated them into the Annuae priesthood, but not all have demonstrated this ability.
