Sep 23, 2019 4:54 pm
While none of the cultures are as a whole monotheistic, there are a few deities that stand above the others in terms of veneration.
THE CREATOR
The vast majority of religions in human lands are some variation of this. In most, the Creator made all things, but the oldest of the First Men discovered something there, at the dawn of the world, that caused him to work against the Creator, sabotaging his works; hence not all things are perfect.
Eventually, this man tried to end all things, and in response, the Creator smote him. But the Creator cannot destroy, only create. So the man was not killed, but changed. Put into a deep sleep for a century. When he awoke, he had become twisted. He took a new name, or perhaps one was given him - the Destroyer, the Ashen Man - and began his work anew.
Finally, the Creator and his worshipers rose up against the Ashen Man and his followers, and crushed them. This battle was known as the End of Ages, and it was in the aftermath of this that the Covenant was sworn. But some say not even this could completely destroy the Destroyer, for to kill something was to call upon the Ashen Man's own power.
TA'CHON
The western desert dwellers do not worship a god so much as a legendary beast. Ta'chon is said to be a great monster formed by the Grandfather, or perhaps by Hammerfist, as a guardian of the Wastes. Formed from pure cold iron, Ta'chon stalks the dishonourable, ensuring that they meet their doom. Worshippers travel into the wilderness when they come of age, to be granted a vision of their fate by Ta'chon. Those who receive visions become great leaders.
AVENCIA
The elves claim Avencia created them, no matter what others claim. She taught them to nurture, and heal the earth, and when she finally left, she did so with the promise that she would watch over them. Some elves claim Avencia is dead, for she did not stop the destruction of the former elven homeland, nor is she healing the eastern desert that used to be their home. Others claim she simply left, displeased with the Elven wars that sprung up in the years following the End of Ages. Many elves chose not to be signatories to the Covenant, and dispersed, but those that did were given a home in the Old Lands. Whether it was a good home is a debate best left up to drunken barstool philosophers with no nearby elves.
HAMMERFIST
Dwarves believe in a being called Hammerfist, who shaped them out of the ground by sheer force of will, and they endeavour to show that same resoluteness in their own lives. The last time Hammerfist grew angry, he rocked the world, causing the End of Ages when he wiped out those not faithful to him. Dwarves worry that so many now believe in false gods that he may very well come again.
GRANDFATHER
Everyone in the north, whether human or dwarf, whether a believer in a religion or not, prays to Grandfather during the winter to ensure good health during the cold months and a good crop come spring. Humans say he's the Creator's father. Dwarves claim he's Hammerfist's father. Elves do not pray to him, for they are convinced of his evil when he kills off the plants they care for.
MAZA'KHANSACH
The smaller races - goblins and kobolds - believe in a diety called Maza'Khansach, or Dream-Master. It is he who showed them how to use the strange baubles they found in the wilderness, and encouraged them to raise themselves from savages into the so very enlightened, ultra-civilized race that they are (despite what others may think).
THE CREATOR
The vast majority of religions in human lands are some variation of this. In most, the Creator made all things, but the oldest of the First Men discovered something there, at the dawn of the world, that caused him to work against the Creator, sabotaging his works; hence not all things are perfect.
Eventually, this man tried to end all things, and in response, the Creator smote him. But the Creator cannot destroy, only create. So the man was not killed, but changed. Put into a deep sleep for a century. When he awoke, he had become twisted. He took a new name, or perhaps one was given him - the Destroyer, the Ashen Man - and began his work anew.
Finally, the Creator and his worshipers rose up against the Ashen Man and his followers, and crushed them. This battle was known as the End of Ages, and it was in the aftermath of this that the Covenant was sworn. But some say not even this could completely destroy the Destroyer, for to kill something was to call upon the Ashen Man's own power.
TA'CHON
The western desert dwellers do not worship a god so much as a legendary beast. Ta'chon is said to be a great monster formed by the Grandfather, or perhaps by Hammerfist, as a guardian of the Wastes. Formed from pure cold iron, Ta'chon stalks the dishonourable, ensuring that they meet their doom. Worshippers travel into the wilderness when they come of age, to be granted a vision of their fate by Ta'chon. Those who receive visions become great leaders.
AVENCIA
The elves claim Avencia created them, no matter what others claim. She taught them to nurture, and heal the earth, and when she finally left, she did so with the promise that she would watch over them. Some elves claim Avencia is dead, for she did not stop the destruction of the former elven homeland, nor is she healing the eastern desert that used to be their home. Others claim she simply left, displeased with the Elven wars that sprung up in the years following the End of Ages. Many elves chose not to be signatories to the Covenant, and dispersed, but those that did were given a home in the Old Lands. Whether it was a good home is a debate best left up to drunken barstool philosophers with no nearby elves.
HAMMERFIST
Dwarves believe in a being called Hammerfist, who shaped them out of the ground by sheer force of will, and they endeavour to show that same resoluteness in their own lives. The last time Hammerfist grew angry, he rocked the world, causing the End of Ages when he wiped out those not faithful to him. Dwarves worry that so many now believe in false gods that he may very well come again.
GRANDFATHER
Everyone in the north, whether human or dwarf, whether a believer in a religion or not, prays to Grandfather during the winter to ensure good health during the cold months and a good crop come spring. Humans say he's the Creator's father. Dwarves claim he's Hammerfist's father. Elves do not pray to him, for they are convinced of his evil when he kills off the plants they care for.
MAZA'KHANSACH
The smaller races - goblins and kobolds - believe in a diety called Maza'Khansach, or Dream-Master. It is he who showed them how to use the strange baubles they found in the wilderness, and encouraged them to raise themselves from savages into the so very enlightened, ultra-civilized race that they are (despite what others may think).
