The Pantheon of The Five
The Pantheon of The Five, also referred to as the Colossean Pantheon, is the dominant faith on the continent of Colossia, though prior to the colonisation of the New World, had little influence outside of it. It is an organised religion led by the Exarch in Hagios, though its leadership is largely autocephalous. Its followers worship five deities, Teokt, Siviessa, Ettu, Luonta and Petos.
Mythology & Lore
According to the old myths, there was once an second, evil pantheon of gods, before the dawn of time. A war broke out between the good gods and evil gods, and most died during this war. Eventually only five good gods were left, after Teokt devised a plan where Petos prentended to betray the other four, only to strike the evil gods from behind while they were vulnerable. The Five sent their fallen comrades into the sky to create the heavenly bodies, and the evil gods down to the ground to form Ura. They then fashioned the drifting souls of the fallen gods into living being and placed them on Ura.
The ancient myths were brought into doubt following discoveries made in the New World by the Heroes of Sorligien, which suggested that the Five were actually simply powerful, long-lived mortals, or perhaps Shrouded Ones. In recent years, Exarch Fulsweith, one of the Heroes himself, has formally confirmed some of the rumours surrounding the discovery, and thereby promulgated new teachings. The official position of the priesthood is now that the old myths were created by the Five as a stepping stone toward the truth, and that they finally revealed the truth about their nature when the faithful were ready to hear it. The new doctrines state that the Five were indeed once mortal, but that they ascended to godhood by absorbing remnants of power left over from the dawn of time. Some traditionalists have rejected these new teachings, forming schismatic sects, or converting to the Mekonite Pantheon.
Cosmological Views
Followers of the Colossean pantheon believe that upon death, devout souls will be brought to the domain of the god that they followed after passing through the Moon, while unbelievers and criminals will be dragged down into the ten hells by devils or demons.
Tenets of Faith
Followers of the Five are commanded to offer sacrifice to the gods, and to refrain from performing certain illicit activities, such as murder, theft, substance abuse, and others. The Colossean faith demands less from its followers than Teghneism, which is one reason often used by scholars to explain its success in spreading so rapidly.
Priesthood
The Colossean Pantheon was established after the Imperator of the city of Colosse, Zemim I Clearstar, received a vision from the Five in 197YD, causing him to establish a new religion, banishing the representatives of the Finorrian Priesthood from his realm. He then began a campaign of conquest across Colossia, where he subjugated the entire continent, except for Nicilia and the states that swore fealty to the Khagan for protection. After Zemim's death, the Mekonites broke away, forming their own religion after claiming that Petos' betrayal was not a trick, and that the war between the gods still raged.
Type
Religious, Pantheon
Demonym
Colossean
Permeated Organizations
Notable Members
Related Myths
Tentative Ecumenism
The two Colossian pantheons are attempting to put aside their differences
Theological Incompatibility
Opitareans rejects the divinity of the Five, and are often persecuted for their beliefs.
Rivalry
Teghneism and the Colossean Pantheon have been at odds for centuries
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