Spirituality
Included below is some basic information about the type of spirituality that exist in Telacia. There is a range of esoteric experiences from organised religion to paganistic spirit guides.
Gods
Eons ago these gods were once human, but they achieved immortality and are now forever reflected in the stars. The inhabitants of Telacia believe that a person is particularly akin to the god under who's stars they were born and their constellation is often reflected in their lifepath.
The Syren Feb 19 – March 20
Syren the eternal lover is represented by a celestial beauty that is half woman and half fish. The legends say that her and her lover were once swimming the Astral sky but she was lured by the earthly beauty of Alfénia. She fell from the sky into the inner sea forever separated from her lover that remained behind in the sky. Sailors speak in great length of Syren. She is believed to be beautiful but dangerous; her sadness can at night lure the sailors to go comfort her and die drowning in her sorrow. Some people say that it is her tears that filled the inner sea. However, she is not only sadness. She is also caring of the people that sail upon her sea. She provides nourishments to the lands surrounding the ocean and has always protected Nexus and the sailors that mean well to the capital city. She is a dreamer and a poet her songs, if heard, are the most beautiful of all. Her sadness is matched by her grace and she will forever long for reunion with her other half.
The Syren is known as the most artistic of all the gods, and those born under her stars frequently express her creativity in everyday life. They have a strong imagination, and Syren's reputation as dreamer can help her children when she undertakes art, music, and writing. Those born under her stars aren't as bound by logic as many others, and Syren's openness to new ideas allows her children to explore creative avenues that others may overlook or dismiss as impractical.
If you need a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear, there's no one better than a child of the sea. Those born under her stars are incredibly empathetic and in tune with the emotions of others. If she see someone crying, she will immediately be inclined to listen to the prayers sent her way and her sympathy may even draw tears from the goddess herself.
Tanor March 21 – April 19
Tanor is often claimed to be the patron god of all the different races who worship him. He is represented, in every culture, in their own image. Tanor is the god of war strong and proud; passionate and protective of the lands on which he once on. The followers of Tanor need to be headstrong and courageous. Along Argolas he is called upon in time of duress. When war arises people chant the old war songs that predates the forming of the empire and Tanor is a key figure in most of them. The god is often seen depicted with the spirit animals of the lands. The followers of the order of Tanor are always faced with the duality of life and death. They believe that a good death comes on the battle field. They believe that to be worthy of him you do not die like an idiot; you must die proud and strong. They teach that his children must not blindly throw their lives away but if they have to sacrifice make sure your sacrifice is worth it. From early days children of Tanor are brought into sports and combat to create that strong fighting spirit. One would never yield out of weakness. It is through hardship that one can be better. War is not won through lies and if one decides to fight they must do with full conscience of what they are doing. If one survives war they must survive with pride and not with the sour taste of having killed innocents. No one can keep a follower of Tanor down; he imbues his children with a spirit made of steel.
Galineas April 20 – May 20
Galineas takes the form of a Satyr or a Faun depending on their whims. They are is a god of leisure and pleasure. They are often worshipped by the many bards that roam the lands and it is said that the first members of the Golden Harp were clerics of the god. Like most creatures of woods, they are loyal, but also favors moments to relax in a serene, bucolic environment, surrounded by soft sounds, soothing aromas and succulent flavors. They are called upon during moments of love, beauty and wealth. This god favors luxury and comfort. The children of Galineas love to be pampered and cared for. Expect their church to feel a bit decadent and more akin to a parlor or a brothel.
It is true that by their nature the children of Galineas could seem lazy but their dedication to wealth and comfort makes them excellent traders, devoted financial sharks and avid landowners. The Golden Harp is an example of their success. One of the largest guild in the empire their concerts and entertainment shows bring in a lot of revenue.
The twins (Arisha and Dalon): May 21 – June 20
The twins are represented by two strong humans: a female and a male, full of potential, energetic and strong, yet they are often seen dancing. They represent the possibility in everyone and also the struggle channel oneself into one path. Often it is said that it would take two to achieve a balance in life: One to work hard and the other for leisure. Arisha and Dalon represent the perfect combination. Even though they are twins they also minister marriage, and for mortals the way towards this match is through union. Arisha and Dalon would be the joy of every party dancing and entertaining everyone with their endless energy.
The children of the twins dedicate their life to a strong mind in a strong body. Often monks will follow this gods and express their prowess and fitness through playful martial art exhibitions, acrobatics demonstrations, gymnastic choreography. Positive thinking is at the core of their beliefs.
Heatos June 21 – July 22
Heatos is often seen as a barbarian wearing the coating of a wolf and is considered a wild and emotionally unrestrained god. Infact, Heatos does not like constraints of any kind and loves to wander. He recognizes that life is meant to be hard and that one should build a shell to bare the troubles of life. The god is not a trusting figure. He would protect his kin against those who would impinge on their ways and limit their freedoms. In a sense he is a very conservative god that does not love the rules that govern the lands of humans, elves and dwarves. He is often seen as chaotic and the citizens of the empire are not prone to follow his teachings. He is venerated in the east by the Dunis clans and the wildlings that prefer to live outsiude the sphere of civility.
The children of Heatos develop keen senses and a will to survive. They create small communities that will often be nomadic and have a very vague structure. They protect themselves from the outside world and are fiercely loyal to one another. They wander at night and observe life and often times their leaders are more of shamanistic nature. They will use the elements found in nature to commune with Heatos: the fire that burns within. Mushrooms and other herbs are used by the shamans to see the paths of the clans.
Laphos July 23 – Aug 22
The Sphynx, according to the legends, is the invincible warrior. He is a god of protection and also a god of the hunt. He is said to have lived in the northern part of the empire and people say he was the one to make those lands more passive after cleansing the lands of the orcs and other fierce beasts of the wild. The golden sphynx was impervious to any damage. He is a natural leader amongst other gods when it comes to defending the empire from the world. Many followers worship his leadership in time of war. The legends say that the Sphynx god had many women and that many of his bloodline walk the lands of the mortals to this day. There are many formidable warriors that were born in his cycle as time passes on.
The god is known to be a generous hunter providing prey to those who follow his ways. Warriors revere him as they go into hunts praying for his blessings. Most of his followers will share that generosity and carry it on to the people they are responsible for. From food to clothes or the means to defend oneself, the followers of the lion are a generous bunch. The lion protects his heard. The sphynx has been roaming to protect the lands and once someone tries to hurt his people he will lash out in anger.
Demeter Aug 23 – Sept 22
Youngest of the gods is the Demeter, the goddess of truth and knowledge. She is deeply-rooted in the world of the mortals and her children and likewise practical and systematic . This goddess is in love with life and all its events, inputting processes and understanding. She is linked with magic and the study of it. Her children are deeply rooted in the Arcanum. Clerics of Demeter are rare as she is, instead followed by wizards and sorcerers who dedicate their lives to understanding and learning.
Demeter's children are often seen working alongside others, helping to perfect techniques that they will strive to understand through science and knowledge.
Calliope Sept 23 – Oct 22
The goddess of symmetry who recognises that where there is evil there is good and where there is law there is chaos. Calliope is a judge of balance. Written rules of law to protect against corruption and to elevate the mortals to higher standards. Calliope is a goddess of wisdom and equality and that one should not be condemned unjustly but one reaps what he sows. If a child of Calliope planted trees they will see a forest grow. One who placed all his energy in his family will see his family flourish. One that spent his live handing out misery then will be dealt the same. When we talk about Karma then Calliope holds the tipping scale of it.
The children of Calliope are the judges and lawyers of the state. They use the goddess given powers to see through lies and deceit. They are good judges of characters and often can be seen giving a path to redemption to people who want to correct their mistakes.
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Sciorto Oct 23 – Nov 21
Legends say that Sciorto is a god that came from the baren lands to the north of the empire. Angry that there for not providing enough water, he travelled south in a quest to find lush lands so he would be finally more comfortable. Of all the gods he is the one of the least understood. With his dangerous appearance and powerful weapons, most would think him a god of war and wrath. But he is in fact one who seeks to bring peace before death. He guards the door between the living world and the after life and makes sure that only those allowed can pass through the two worlds. In this ambition he is deeply determined and so determination is one of the most well-known characteristics of his children. When a child of Sciorto wants something, they go for it and they don't hold back. There's not much that can stop them once they have their mind set on something, life is too short to be held back. A child of Sciorto knows this all too well. One must cherish life to earn a good death and a good seat in the after life.
The followers of Sciorto never show their cards. They are incredibly honest, but they don't like to display any vulnerability, especially with people they're unsure about. They tend to keep their feelings to themselves, as well as plans and ideas, so when it's time to win the chess match of life, they have a leg up. However, this also makes them difficult to deal with as people.
Argolas Dec 22 – Jan 19
The father of dwarves of the Night's row is a strong deity amongst the dwarven people. The earth god is practical and ruled by logical thoughts. Argolas looks at everything as a task to be completed. He is one of the conservative gods that believes in traditions and established methods. His emblem is that of the mountain goat perched on a anvil. Childrenof Argolas are one of the most serious, diligent followers of the gods. They are persistent when it comes to specific tasks, such as work-related projects and military prowess. They're always willing to learn new skills if they think they'll help them achieve their goals. But being practical and grounded isn't always a good thing, especially when it causes you to focus on all the negatives in life. Argolas' strict, no-nonsense attitude can make his children overlook the good in life, causing them to become dissatisfied and deeply unhappy. Perfectionism is a problem for many followers, as it regularly causes them to perceive failure as the ultimate disappointment. Should things not be perfect, they can become easily dejected and adopt a negative view of their futures, which undoubtedly affects the moods of those around them, too. This is particularly true for the followers of the White Goat in the Night's Row since life is so hard there and there is so much things to accomplish. That being said the challenge has drawn many children of the of Argolas to help in the war efforts. Because the children of Argolas value tradition and have a strict way of thinking, they often struggle to open their minds and find it difficult to change their perspectives. They're just too focused on the practical and materialistic side of things to look beyond themselves. This has caused a stir in the empire since the lead of the Church constantly harasses The Order for support in the war efforts as if other responsibilities should be cast aside. They own up to their mistakes and quickly learn from them, allowing them to successfully use these hurdles to their advantage. They are especially good at keeping track of important things, such as ancient secrets, history, and are known for having a keen eye for design as well.
Arakhan Nov 22 – Dec 21
Patron of the adventurer, his half horse half man represents the will to adventure behind guarded walls, to go further than any man has gone. Arakhan represent one's ability to fight their fear of the unknown. He is not afraid to use his physical prowess to fight and explore further. He is the patron of the guild of the hunters and is revered for his knowledge and experience. The god his influence through his children's love of the pleasures of discovery and many believe that only through questing can one become his or her better self and that to confront yourself with new ideas and new experience can you see yourself under the sun.
The followers of Arakhan often work for the guild of hunters or become adventurers. They are found in old ruins trying to study ancient way of living. They will skulk in libraries reading ancient wisdom. The journey of the mind is often as important as the journey of the body.
Faléa Jan 20 – Feb 18
Faléa, is represented by the Water Bearer or the wind that carries water to the lands. She is known to give life and is often called the great Mother. She was the one to bring life to the empire and blesses the crops and also pregnant women. She is known for compassion and inspiration. She is one of the most beloved gods of the empire and often have church and temples erected to her. They say she is mother to Demeter the sower of truth. She represents kindness and love. She also is said to reside in the sun above the lands and this her warmth that is felt when the sun shines above all of Telacia.
The children of Faléa are often seen helping those in need, working the fields, attending to patients in hospitals, helping mothers bare their children. They decide to live a compassionate life and a selfless one.
Spirit Guides
The people following under King Dunis and Ozo Dragonbane all agree to see their place in the world... and much like the wild animals living in the forests and plains they feel connected to the life spirits of the world. So, over time they developed a close link to nature and their animalistic origins. They will often mark a child with the animal spirit totem with which they are associated . This often refers to the general spirit of one person. If a person is to be named a wolf due to their behaviour then the spiritual leaders would guide them to be the best of wolves they could be and let them explore this animal instinct.
The great tree spirit of the elves, Tuele, is also mentioned here although she is known and loved predominatly by evenkind, especially woodelves.
The Great Stag
The Stag is known for its wisdom. Taking time to think things through and often resolving conflicts with their minds rather than their physical prowess... but even so they are swift and cunning. People branded under the stag will often follow the paths of the shamans to become one themselves... Under their visions they will often speak of The Great Stag... white in its fur and taller than trees. This creature is linked to the soil and its antlers are as tall as tree branches. It is said that by following one branch of those antlers one could see their whole life told along the way but the many other branches or points represent choices and alternative paths. Only the wisest of shamans may see clearly the peoples fate.
The Raven
The Raven much like the Stag is a creature of wisdom and cunning however it is also a creature linked to death and war. To feed the Ravens is to be glorious when the Raven sings it is a symbol of great battles. The Raven flies over the fields to see the weaknesses of their enemies. To have the sight of the Raven is to be able to be a great tactical leader. Also The Raven is often a spirit of mischief playing pranks and being playful, but also using that cunning to lay traps. Some cultures believe if the Raven's brother. The white Raven. Giver of visions and foresight.
Gromar the Bear
This spirit is known for its great duality much like the male bear and female bear are totally different. A Male bear will be know for his violence and great strength. They are a creature that prefers calm and quiet at home but if one is to step on their land they will terrorize them or maul them violently. Also the female bear is a great protector for families known for their will do die before anything happens to their close ones. Many shieldmaiden are known as bears while Berserkers are often known ass Male Bears. This is a spirit of protection, power and emotions.
Aurin the Direwolf
The wolf knows that alone he is not the strongest, but he will rally his people to conquer. The wolf inspires and rules. Most Kings and great leaders of armies are known to be wolves and their followers are as well. The wolf is the most common of totems since it is one of community and often the people of the clans will call themselves wolves as a way to address the mass of their people.
Zephyr the Eagle
Great bird of hunters. The spirit that guide the arrows of every hunters in the wild. To spot the little details trackers, rangers, bowmen. The Eagle spirits are lone hunters providers for the people but also often there in battle to lead the archers and provide cover for their other brothers. The eagle spirit is often offered sacrifices to bless great hunts.
Taule
Taule is not exactly a spirit guide like the others, nor is she a god. She is the locus of all morality, judgement, art and philosophy of the elves of the woods. They think of her as a great tree with roots that sink as deep into the earth as her branches reach towards the sky. She is a representation of elvendom whose different kinds have branched out but still spring from the one trunk. Elves sometimes see their lives reflected in the leaves of the great tree, that one grows, matures, ages and then falls to the ground to nourish the roots of another elf who will spring from her bowers.