Gods

There used to be five gods. One, the god of Darkness, was killed by the other gods in the War Before Time. Another one, Astel, the God of Stars, was killed when the Cataclysm occurred and the sky was destroyed. The other three, the Gods of Life, still remain, and their priesthood still receives miracles from them.

The three gods that still survive are Korr, God of Bodies, Enso, God of Minds, and Psima, God of Souls.

The Saga of Creation, one holy text that all of the churches endorse to varying degrees, claims that the gods between them created the world and its plants and animals, and then raised humans up from animals. Humans have been favoured by the gods, and they are known to grant divine magic and miracles to those who follow their paths.

“God” is used here and in-setting as a non-gendered noun. The deities themselves very specifically have no gender since they have no true body or form. The gods do not take physical form, but have been known to speak through one of their priests, using them as a vessel for the divine. They/them are generally recognised as the correct pronouns for the gods, unless they are inhabiting a mortal body at the time.

The Rite of Blessing

Not everyone chooses to dedicate themselves to a god, but for those that do, it is a simple process. Any ordained cleric of a deity can bless someone, asking them three questions which they must reply in the affirmative to. They are then dedicated to the cleric’s god until they receive a different blessing, and this restores them to health. It is always possible to renounce or change your dedication unless you are a cleric.

Once dedicated to a god, it is a bad idea to flagrantly break their tenets. It is known that those that do so suffer the wrath of the gods. (If you believe you’ve done something that should earn the wrath of a god and want to find out what happens, tell a ref.)

Korr, God of Bodies

The Warrior, Strongest-Of-All, They Of Perfected Form, All-Crafter

Korr is the god of the physical. Some have questioned the apparent paradox, since the gods have no physical form. They are the god whose miracles and divine providence most directly affect the world, and they are often seen as “stronger” than the other gods by those who witness this fact. They prize physical strength and skill, and also those who can shape the physical world. The church of Korr is known for running hospitals and finding ways for the destitute to learn crafting skills.

Look And Feel

Armour, the colour brown, practical clothes decorated with patterns, tools, hammers, bears

Worshipped By

Warriors, athletes, craftspeople, healers, farmers.

Tenets

• Work to improve your skills.
• Through great effort, make the world better.
• Heal the sick, treat the wounded.
• Make yourself the best you can be.
• Build what you can, so others can build more.

Enso, God of Minds

The Archivist, Wisest-Of-All, The Great Owl, The Crucible

Enso is the god of information and lore. They are reputed to know everything, although they can only share a limited amount of what they know with their clergy and worshippers. They prize both knowledge and cunning, and their community attracts both those who want to know all they can and those who like to feel they’re cleverer than others. Their church runs libraries and free schooling, and the Flotilla Archives are maintained by clerics of Enso. Their miracles can grant knowledge, or allow either physical or metaphysical refinement of things.

Domains: Knowledge, Secrets, Shadows, Precision, Purity, Trickery

Look And Feel

Black and white, text (esp. on clothing), quills/books, owls, alchemical equipment

Worshipped By

Archivists, runecasters, alchemists, tinkers, rogues, logisticians, spies

Tenets

• Use your mind before all else.
• Find and use the truth.
• If you lie, do so with a plan.
• Lore must be known, lest it be forgotten.
• Keep secrets entrusted to you.

Psima, God of Souls

The Companion, Friend-To-All, The River of Souls, Brightest And Most Beautiful

Psima is the god of souls, empathy and connection. They appreciate everything that brings joy, and look after the souls of mortals that have died. Their miracles are often subtle things, as they arrange things by fate or coincidence, or by swaying the hearts of mortals, but every so often they will arrange a grand act of magic. They prize the connections between people, love in all its forms (platonic, romantic, and otherwise), and also artists and musicians. Their church is the organisation that keeps the registers of births, marriages and deaths, and they are often the ones that conduct the ceremonies around those occasions. As magic is considered to be an exercise of the soul, the church of Psima also often sponsors the initiation of mages.

Domains: Love, Art, Death, Colour, Music, Magic, Emotion

Look and Feel

Bright saturated colours, birds (esp. peacocks), string or ribbons, flowing sleeves, musical instruments, hearts

Worshipped By

Entertainers, leaders, politicians, funerists, clothiers,

Tenets

• Be quick to make friends, but punish those who betray trust.
• An organisation can achieve what a single soul cannot.
• Treat the dead with respect, and celebrate their life.
• Do what makes your soul sing with joy.
• Souls should not be violated.

Astel, God of Stars

Astel was the god of stars and fate. They have not answered prayers since the Cataclysm, when the stars were blocked out by the Great Storm. Your character may be dedicated to Astel if you wish. Further information is available to characters with Historical Lore.

Look and Feel

• Stars, and a “Points of Light” or “Constellations” look - embroidered, sequins, etc.
• Navigating equipment.
• The albatross.