Draconic pantheon

The Draconic pantheon is one of the major ancestral pantheons on Kishar. Followed almost exclusively by the dragons of the world, this ancient pantheon has seen little adoption by other populations. Somewhat uniquely the Draconic pantheon is dualist in nature, focused entirely around two deities in opposing harmony with each other.

Overview

In their ceaseless orbit in the emptiness, the Call and the Answer gave shape to the world. This they did by showing meaning in twin forms. The form of the first was structure, all that should be. The form of the second was opportunity, all that might be. This meaning took the shape of Kishar, and Ushum and Udsakar no longer revolved around each other, but rather a new, material realm.

Even with the new existence of substance and shape, the work of the gods was incomplete. From their interchange came mortal life, dragons first and then all manner of other beasts. Ushum and Udsakar became the Guardians of the First River, their words directed towards dragonkind. Of their structure and opportunity the world had gained physicality, though only through stewardship of the highest mortals could it be retained. This was to be the enduring task of the dragons.

For time beyond that which can be understood by life, the Call and the Answer presented their dual forms to the dragons of Kishar, who gradually came to comprehend their meaning, at least in part. Yet these teachings were not to be completed. So dedicated to his work was he that Udsakar, the Answer, did not find the moments to draw his own lines, and so faded, or disappeared, or sunk, becoming the Hidden Moon. Always driven to order, Ushum, the Call, remained as the Reigning Moon, as she does still, a bright light in the Kisharan sky posing questions that now cannot be answered with certainty.

The most devoted followers of the Draconic pantheon tend to be mystics who seek to respond to Ushum's call even devoid of guidance from Udsakar. Despite his evident absence, the Hidden Moon still remains in some form, and so both deities are regularly worshiped by dragons. This veneration is rarely separated, as neither god can be complete without the other.

Deities

Name	Areas of Concern	Description
Ushum	Instruction, history, stability, certainty, peace	Ushum (pronounced oo-SHOOM) is the Call and the Reigning Moon, the draconic goddess of instruction, history, stability, certainty, and peace. She and the Answer, Udsakar, also overlap in many concerns, fundamentally inseparable as they are. With her eternal presence in the sky, Ushum is a constant that binds together all dragonkind and all followers of the Draconic pantheon. Long ago she taught them to expect and appreciate this predictability, a steadiness under which they can prosper without fear. Through her light the Call presents questions to be answered by her followers, inquiries as to their purpose and the nature and ways of things. All such questions have answers that she knows yet never divulges directly - the impetus to learn is on the student, not the teacher. Those who stray or falter are not punished but rather are allowed to realize their mistakes on their own, as they are sure to do with time. The need to search, to understand, to have a Call, eventually brings all back to Ushum. The presence of Ushum above gives comfort and confidence, and thus the nights in which she is brightest are seen as auspicious occasions, as times to begin or end great efforts, or perhaps to ponder questions of particular significance. Worship of Ushum and that of Udsakar are inextricably linked, and thus the faithful of one are the faithful of the other. Neither encourage their followers to pay deference to holy figures amongst mortals, though particularly wise and educated dragons are often consulted for their religious and mystical knowledge. Befitting her Reigning status, artistic depictions of Ushum tend to be grandiose, depicting her most commonly as a regal dragon coiled, yet not constrained, within a moon.
Udsakar	Discovery, resurrection, change, possibility, strife	Udsakar (pronounced ood-SAH-kar) is the Answer and the Hidden Moon, the draconic god of discovery, resurrection, change, possibility, and strife. He and the Call, Ushum, also overlap in many concerns, fundamentally inseparable as they are. Even prior to his disappearance, Udsakar was rarely present in the lives of mortal dragonkind. His way was always to allow for one to learn through experience rather than to instruct himself, and so what dragons took from him in truth they formed themselves. Yet ever-wary as he was that they would errantly discard lessons too important to be forgotten, he granted them their genetic memory so that their discoveries would always be preserved. In letting them find their own way, their own answers, their own Answer, Udsakar taught dragonkind the joy and purpose of life. This is the truth as Udsakar presents it. Whatever may come - for good, or for ill - it comes from actions one takes of their own volition. All followers of the Draconic pantheon know - not believe, know with certainty - that Udsakar will return one day, shedding his Hidden form and rejoining Ushum. This is not an event that can be rushed, however, as while his absence was not begun of his own intention, the god long ago realized he is more valuable to dragons in his missing state than he ever was when hanging in their sky. Worship of Udsakar and that of Ushum are inextricably linked, and thus the faithful of one are the faithful of the other. Neither encourage their followers to pay deference to holy figures amongst mortals, though particularly wise and educated dragons are often consulted for their religious and mystical knowledge. Out of respect for his Hidden nature, Udsakar is very rarely depicted in visual art.

Area of worship

Worship of the gods of the Draconic pantheon is not tied to any particular region of the world, but rather is found wherever dragons reside. Some non-dragons have adopted the faith as well in certain areas, most notably in Dalbanu, but this remains highly uncommon.

Connections to other pantheons

The dualist nature of the Draconic pantheon is unlike any other major pantheon, save for the Kirnashal pantheon which many Amshani scholars of religious matters believe to have been highly influenced by the religion of the dragons.