Elvhen
The religion of the elves is intrinsically tied into their identity and culture, as ancient and lasting as they are.
The Elvhen religion is mostly restricted to elves only. Some outsiders can be initiated via marriage rites, but they are still labeled as “other” and are closed off from many rites and traditions.
Mythology & Lore
Elvhen stories of the gods are vast and varied across the four realms. They are rarely considered factual, as they were told and retold by mortals. Their importance is in the message, the lessons. However, there are a few overarching concepts across all realms.
The Gods
The Elvhen gods are somewhat a mystery. They have no beginning or end. They cannot be killed, but their presence in the physical world can be weakened. All are agender and androgynous, though some may be more feminine or masculine than others. Their symbols and association can be fluid, two different gods often sharing the same associations. Major Gods These gods are the most popular, most widely known and worshiped regardless of region. These are the gods that even non Elvhen may know.- Levone: God of the night sky, the moon and stars, protection, guidance, emotions Symbols: The moon, stars, star maps Animals: wolves Aljaan: God of fire, the sun, joy, war, rebellion, freedom, justice, anger Symbols: The sun, the pyre Animals: foxes Nadeen: God of art, writing, recording, memories, guardian of the river Symbols: The river, flower petals Animals: Ravens (white and black) Kashaah: God of storms, wind, change, chaos, mischief, travel Symbols: clouds, lightning Animals: falcons
- Haneraan: God of harvest and the earth
- Komilaal: God of sleep and emotions
- Shavanus: God of stars and prophecy/divination. Child of Levone and Aljaan.
- Anthizha: God of beauty
- Unari: God of drink
- Kanione: God of medicine and blood
- Satiir: God of war and famine. Child of Aljaan and Kashaah.
- Yanonia: God of affection and marriage. Child of Aljaan and Anthizha.
- Samudara: God of the Seas and fishing
Alrayai
Elves do not have a homeland in Xanthiri, or the physical plane itself. Their true home, where their true forms reside, is Alrayai. It exists in the aether, the spiritual plane. It exists all around, not seen by mortal sight. Alrayai is free from the limitations of the mortal world, and is depicted to be very dream-like. Towers of crystal, unnaturally blue skies, spirits interacting with the elven like long lost friends. Magic is free to be, unbound from the physical body. Anything is possible, everything is as it should be. They no longer need to struggle to survive, they do not need money or food. Despite this, life in Alrayai is very mundane. People still work and play, but with less strife. When everything is as it should be, everyone has opportunity to do things they were unable to do in the physical world. There is no need to take advantage of others, so everyone is free to simply be.Maena
Upon death, a soul must cross the Maena in order to get to Alrayai. It is the spirit river, the death river. It is said that when an elven is dying, the closer to death they get, the louder they can hear the river roar. Alrayai can be seen in the distance, just beyond the impossibly wide river. There is no bridge. There is no way around. No stones or branches. But the elven feel a compulsion, a desire to return to their true home. And so, they must swim across. The waters are calm, at first. It is almost pleasant how cooling the waters are. But then the river brings forth all past deeds. Every wrongdoing, every cruel act, no matter how petty, rises to the surface. The river brings out every skeleton hidden in the closet. These deeds manifest as people one has hurt, people one has failed. They rise from the bottom of the river, relentlessly trying to drown the elven. The calm river becomes terrifying, the water too cold to bear. And then, the elven wakes up where they started. Again and again, they are drowned by their wrongdoings. Some try to cheat, to find a vine or branch, anything. But Nadeen, the guardian of the river, makes sure that all pay their dues. This hell could happen for eternity, until they are finally able to understand their crimes, to truly feel remorse for doing harm. Only then are they permitted to cross to Alrayai, but some are too proud. Nadeen may eventually take pity on those prideful souls, allowing them to be born again to try once more in the physical world.Tenets of Faith
Elvhen religion teaches to give praise and thanks frequently for all good things, no matter how small. Everything is gifted by the gods, thus everything is divine.
Mages especially owe a lot to the gods, as magic is the most pure, divine gift of the gods. To use their gift for evil is one of the worst crimes would could commit in the Elvhen religion, but what constitutes as evil can change.
Justice is frequently preached about, a value that the gods favor. From shunning evil, helping others, practicing what is just. This can be vague, however, and often twisted to suit whatever agenda one desires.
Knowing one's mortality and limits is also important, as to not exert oneself or to become hubristic. To have hubris is to go against the gods, to think of oneself as a deity. Even the most powerful of mages is considered nothing compared to a god.
Worship
Daily Ritual
There are constant rituals to the gods in the Elvhen religion. A daily offering ritual is essential, and can be as elaborate or casual as one desires. There is a optimal standard to daily rituals. It is preferable to do the dailies in two parts, in the morning and evening. A portion of a meal is left for the gods, a candle lit, and incense smoke cleansing the area. A prayer is spoken aloud, followed by formally offering the food. Then there is meditation, reflecting on what one wants for the day in the morning, and what one did that day in the evening. These rituals can be done anywhere, but it is best to do them at a temple or at home.Temples
In elven societies, there are always temples and shrines dedicated to any one of the Elvhen deities. Different regions have a specific focus on a certain god. The most prominent example is the city of Aljaa, named after the god Aljaan and boasts the largest temple to that god. There may be smaller temples and shrines to various other gods in Aljaa, but because the largest temple is for Aljaan, most priests are dedicated to them. Large festivals and special occasions center around temples, even when they encompass an entire city. Marriages and other celebrations are headed by temple priests. Temples also provide council and allow people a place of refuge and worship at any time. Arguably the most important service temples provide is magical education.Bathing Rituals
Being clean spiritually is just as important if not more so than being physically clean. While Elvhen may bathe in artificial baths, they are not considered truly clean until they bathe in natural waters, which cleanse the soul. In Elvhen tradition, one must wash up and be clean (with buckets of water and cloths) before being submerged in a lake, river, or pond.Vr'Athaan
Vr'Athaan is essentially the Elvhen new year, celebrated on the spring equinox. It is the biggest holiday in elven culture. Although officially only one day, the week prior is almost a festival itself, with everyone rushing to prepare for the actual festival. During that week, flower petals are collected and made into paper to create special lanterns specifically for Vr’Athaan. Fireworks are crafted in various colors to be set off throughout the day of the celebration. Blossom wine is crafted and left to ferment for festivals in the future, and batches from years previous are taken out of storage. On the day of the festival, the lanterns and fireworks decorate elven streets. Fallen petals are used as props and decorations for dancers and wind mages performing. The Elven new year welcomes the awakening of life after the winter. Aljaan, the god of joy and fire, is venerated on this day. It is considered an offering to have as much fun on this day as one can. A large bonfire is lit in honor of Aljaan, and prayers written on flowers are cast into the flame. This is a tradition that the Elvhen look forward to each year.Priesthood
The main leaders who appoint priests are the members of the Rashanee Conclave. They are also leaders of Thandava, and chose the Acharya, the most holy elven who is most knowledgeable about the ancient gods and magic. The Acharya serves all of the gods.
There are other various priests and such, those who care for temples and serve a specific deity.
Sects
Avan'Sraj
The Avan'Sraj, otherwise known as The Guardians of the Pyre, are a group of ancient Elvhen knights sworn to the service of Aljaan and the protection of the Elvhen. They follow more rules than the main faith and are almost their own religion. Many stories revolve around their heroism and bravery, but also around the sadness and "otherness" of becoming an Avan'Sraj. Through secret ritual, the Avan'Sraj bind their souls with a mysterious force known as the Pyre, the Avan, believed to be the final gift of the god Aljaan. Because of this, their souls return to the Pyre when they die rather than to Alrayai. It is considered a permanent death in Elvhen culture. It is considered tragic to fall in love with any of the Avan'Sraj because of this, so they tend to be pitied and avoided. This treatment is a large reason why there have been fewer and fewer over the years, and are almost simply fairy stories for children.
Type
Religious, Pantheon
Leader
Permeated Organizations
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