Har-kul: The Old Lord
Har-kul represents the defenders of the weak, and aspiring to harmony with others. His church is frequently responsible for the defense of the borders of a country, and at one time were the blades that carved a path for civilization to take root. Many times they are called to defend their homes, but the true purpose of Har-kuls church is to nurture the newest generations. To prepare them for an ever changing world. His title was earned when he became the eldest of the gods. His predecessor in age, Rigel, was slain by the upstart Orion. Har-kul acts as a father to many of the Gods, which caused the God-Hunters actions to be seen negatively. The churches of the two are not in open conflict, though reparations are slow coming.
Har-kul’s followers believe in mercy whenever reasonable. Any captured foes are treated well, because when the battle is over, attacking someone is no longer done in defense. His Paladins are known far and wide as heralds of justice. Though many are foolhardy, the lessons of compassion Har-kul teaches fall on deaf ears to many young adventurers. Some branches of his church have undergone efforts to regulate these behaviors as of late.
Titles: The Old Lord
First of Equals
Adjective: Kulites
Home: The Eldest Throne, Heaven
Alignment: Lawful Good
Areas of concern: Family, Honor, Justice, Protection
Worshipers: Caretakers, farmers, leaders, soldiers
Domains: Community, Good, Law, Strength, Protection
Subdomains: Archon, Cooperation, Family, Judgement, Loyalty, Redemption
Favored Weapon: Scythe
Symbol: A hand with an open palm
Sacred Animal: Horse
Sacred Colors: Red and Gold
Belial: The Fallen God
Belial's very nature requires his churches to meet in secret in many corners of the world. He is lord among the Archdevils, and responsible for the construction of Hell as it is known today. Cast down from the heavens long before history was recorded, he clawed his way up through the putrid chaff of hells lowest reaches with one strange note. No devil can tell of a time when he destroyed an an enemy of his personally. No devil still alive anyway. To all appearances, he does not get his own hands dirty, but manipulates, and sets others against each other.
Worshipers of Belial frequently keep their patron a personal secret, as even those without evil hearts know the stigma of following the Devilgod. In truth, some simply seek advice of Belial's priests to outwit their enemies. Contracts are the standard way of ensuring someone honors their word, and Belial has had much practice binding them. The tradition continues onto the material plane through his church. In some corners of the world, Belial's faithful have established themselves as a major power.
Titles: The Fallen God
Devilgod
Behemoth
Leviathan
Unburied Haze
Archangelo
Adjective: Belites
Home: Twisted Metropolis, Hell
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Areas of concern: Contracts, Obfuscation, Secrets, Slavery
Worshipers: Assassins, Slavers, Tyrants
Domains: Charm, Death, Evil, Law, Trickery
Subdomains: Blood, Deception, Devil, Divine, Murder, Thievery
Favored Weapon: Rapier/Pistol
Symbol: A blindfolded skull
Sacred Animal: Goat
Sacred Colors: Indigo and Black
Ashtoreth: The Choleric Queen
Ashtoreth represents the noble aspects of competition, as well as harmony with the self. Heroism, camaraderie, and bravery are all associated with the Choleric Queen. Her title is well earned, as the first berserker in battle was said to be possessed by her spirit and Ashtoreths own power in single combat is said to be unmatched. She is aware that the Saint Sanguine covets her domain of war, but she knows full well of the catastrophe that would be.
The faithful of Ashtoreth share her zeal for life. Knowing that they must live life to its fullest to please their goddess. Her followers are known for their fighting spirits, however, her church always teaches good tactics must be used. Poor planning is the domain of the foolish, and can cost lives. Her ideals are adopted by many athletes as well, competition is in the blood for her faithful. But this can come from any walk of life, as such her church is quite diverse in its roster.
Titles: The Choleric Queen
Lady of War
Adjective: Ashrians
Home: Titanic Battlescape, Elysium
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Areas of concern: Battle, Bravery, Determination, Glory
Worshipers: Athletes, performers, warriors
Domains: Chaos, Glory, Good, Strength, War
Subdomains: Azata, Blood, Competition, Heroism, Resolve, Tactics
Favored Weapon: Greatsword
Symbol: A field of broken weaponry
Sacred Animal: Eagle
Sacred Colors: Fiery yellows and reds
Vaoh: The Saint Sanguine
Vaoh is a mad god, associated with manic insanity, blood and undeath. He covets the War domain of Ashtoreth, and she knows it. It is said by his church that he spread the dual curses of undeath and lycanthropy to sow distrust between neighbors, and to unbalance the nature of the world. If Ashtoreth represents the heroism and bravery that is brought out in conflict, Vaoh is the aspect of horror and suffering. Yet his madness breeds creative minds. Disturbed minds often show artistic talent, and Vaoh is not merely a peddler of pain and destruction. He and his faithful see their work as art, flayed bodies as sculptures built with the same care, and sometimes even the same hands, as they would a marble statue.
He is worshipped in his most concentrated numbers by vampires and cannibals, who see him as their direct patron. Other intelligent undead, as well as werewolves do so as well. Some even setting up places of worship in cities with blasphemous mockeries of other religions as a cover. Among all of this is a warped sense of community between these various outcasts, all of them pulled towards the Saint Sanguine in the belief that they belong with one another. And mortals? Talkative cattle at best.
Titles: The Saint Sanguine
The Muse
The Mad Visionary
Father of Beasts
Adjective: Vaoans
Home: Floating Mass, Abyss
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Areas of concern: Art, Madness, Undeath
Worshipers: Artists, cannibals, lycanthropes, the mad, the undead.
Domains: Chaos, Death, Evil, Madness, Magic
Subdomains: Arcane, Demon, Murder, Nightmare, Undeath
Favored Weapon: Dagger/Greataxe
Symbol: A goblet running over with typically blood, but sometimes with wine or other liquids.
Sacred Animal: Nightingale
Sacred Colors: White and deep red.
Kalmistra: Elemental Lady of Life
Kalmistra represents the blending of the elements from which most life arises. She is the Balance of Life itself, and works towards the end of making all life a little better, a little stronger. She teaches that all life should seek to improve itself and the world, and her worshipers should oppose any who wish to drag the world into darkness and hatred.
She believes that working to undo the balance of the world is an evil act, and that performing evil acts unbalances the world - they are one and the same. Kalmistra represents harmony with one's surroundings. Her faithful are taught to avoid these if at all possible, and when faced with two evils to choose the lesser in the long run.
She is often worshipped by various members of the Elemental races, as they see their own aspect within her. The suli are especially common worshippers, given they are also a blending of all four elements. Many other, more mortal races, worship Kalmistra as the Lady of Life and a powerful healer.
Although there is quite a bit of overlap, Kalmistra's church is generally seen in two forms: Divine healers who help the populace, and powerful warriors that protect and restore balance.
Notably, Kalmistra’s church changed her favoured weapon several generations ago in the island nation of Calweld when the development of guns became common. The acting Archfont stated that he felt they better show the melding of the elements - the earth in the metal, the water in the stock, the fire in the powder and the air it displaces - than her previous weapon did. This decision was met with mixed responses, but regardless, other major religions in the area soon found themselves following a similar path.
Titles: Elemental Lady of Life
Bona Dea
Lempo
Acionna
Adjective: Kalmistran
Home: Eye of the Pyre, Astral Fires
Alignment: Neutral Good
Areas of concern: Healing, Fire, Earth, Water, Air.
Worshipers: Healers both academic and shamanistic, explorers.
Domains: Air, Fire, Earth, Healing, Water.
Subdomains: Wind, Smoke, Metal, Restoration, Flowing.
Favoured Weapon: Quarterstaff/Rifle
Symbol: A diamond formed of Fire in the top, Wind in the right, Earth on the bottom and Water on the left.
Sacred Animal: Any.
Sacred Colours: Blue, Green and Red.
Orion: The God-Hunter
Long ago, the mortal Orion slew the Ancient God Rigel. None know how he accomplished this feat, as the gods were originally thought to be entirely beyond mortal grasp. Some scholars theorize he received aid from Belial the god of devils, who wanted the power of Rigel for himself, and that Orion turned on him. Some say Rigel never died at all, but underwent a rebirth to gain new worshippers. Whatever happened, no one since Orion has replicated this feat. He takes a personal interest in tracking any mortals who would do so, and destroying them. This is not done out of petty spite, however. After ascending with the power stolen from Rigel, he was tasked by Har-kul with preventing others from slaying more of the Old Lords kin. Orion accepted the assignment, feeling remorse for his mortal actions. He extends his eye to all who would attempt to rise to the ranks of godhood as well. The other gods are wary of his future actions, but he has made no moves against them yet.
The God-Hunter emphasizes the acts of hunting as well as striving to hone one's own skills, regardless of what form those skills take. In accordance with what little is known about his mortal life, his church has taken to the woods, frequently meeting at each solstice and equinox. Often he is associated with nature and challenging oneself, as well as mystery. Many who wish to research ancient ideas and lore pay homage to him, as the domain of knowledge is one he took from the Ancient God.
Titles: The God-Hunter
Hunter of Secrets
Godslayer
Watchdog of 108 Worlds
Adjective: Orites
Home: Tempest Wilds, Astral Fires
Alignment: Neutral
Areas of concern: Knowledge, Vigilance
Worshipers: Assassins, vigilantes, sport hunters
Domains: Animal, Death, Knowledge, Strength, Travel
Subdomains: Espionage, Exploration, Feather, Ferocity, Memory, Psychopomp
Favored Weapon: Longbow
Symbol: An arrow split in an upper and lower half. Some more modern depictions show a bullet similarly cut.
Sacred Animal: Scorpion
Sacred Colors: Black and White
