Chaskan pantheon

The Chaskan pantheon (pronounced CHOSS-kahn) is one of the major regional pantheons on Kishar. Though early historical records indicate the pantheon first took shape in cultures living along the eastern coast of the Chaska Sea, it has long since spread far more widely. Today it is the primary pantheon around the Chaska, save for in Hellea and Khapesh, and it is also followed around the Phiora Sea and along the coasts of the Kilche as far south as Oscan.

Overview

In the Chaskan pantheon's conception of the divine, gods are knowable, unchanging entities with knowable, unchanging tenets. Few individuals believe they have the full understanding of the divine, yet nearly all believe there is one singular truth. Sects and those that follow non-pantheon gods are therefore either errant believers to be proven wrong, or perhaps possessors of some previously unknown secret that provides a glimpse at ultimate knowledge. While in Chaskan theology the gods themselves are perfect beings, and therefore could not possibly change, religions do not necessarily always reflect their gods' faultlessness. This quest for final, definite answers to questions of the divine is a significant factor in Chaskan theological thought.

The creation story of the Chaskan pantheon tells of great divine struggles as the universe was brought into being. Socharin is believed to have been the ultimate creator of the world, aided by the other gods, each assisting for their own reasons. In the hazy era before time became set, Socharin directed the other deities in shaping the first incarnation of the universe, fitting together the cosmic pieces into his perfect design. As the gods celebrated their finishing touches, Lotan, who had observed this process from afar with anger at the structure that was taking form, struck at Socharin. After a battle that took a fraction of a second and an eternity Socharin was defeated, his consummate creation scattered into an unrecognizable and chaotic jumble. Chased by the other gods, Lotan fled back into the darkness, nursing his wounds yet victorious. The gods mourned, then set to work once more. A new creation was born, far less ordered than the first, as the cosmic quintessence was arranged into something vaguely resembling the original design. As the second world took shape, Socharin was reborn, chosen by Shai for resurrection. Stepping back from his role, Socharin gave his possession of the domains of rulership and law to his sister Harinna - in Chaskan theology, Harinna is now the steward of the universe. All gods have existed since before creation and, with the exception Lotan, seek to maintain its existence for the indefinite future.

Deities

Name	Alignment	Areas of Concern	Description
Harinna	LG	The sun, rulership, law, duty, hunting	Harinna (pronounced ha-RIH-nah) is the goddess of the sun, rulership, law, duty, and hunting, thought to be the queen of the divine realm and the steward of the universe. Harinna embodies justice, honor, and even-handed rulership. She represents the stabilizing influence of the law, but only when applied equally and fairly - to Harinna, tyranny is as inimical as chaos. Just as the sun's rays enlighten and nourish the world, clearing away the darkness of chaos, she teaches that rulers should teach and foster the growth of those under their authority. Her clergy instruct that one must follow and enforce the law for the good of all of society, as long as one's leaders hold to the same principles. All good rulers should lead by example, setting a path for their people through their own deeds. Those that seek justice, behave honorably, and bring law and order to wild and chaotic places are the most drawn to Harinna. Leaders of many kinds, whether of a community, nation, or household, frequently pray to Harinna for guidance and strength. Perhaps more so than with any other deity, she has many paladins who act in her name. Harinna's faith is especially strong in Viridia, where the monarchy and senate draw legitimacy from the long-standing support of her clergy. She is the goddess not only of justice and fair rulers but also of those that enforce the laws set out by those leaders. She is commonly prayed to by guards, soldiers, and others who believe their profession and cause is righteous. Religious ritual is extremely important to the faithful of Harinna. Participation in their many intricate ceremonies is seen as paramount in ensuring their goddess continues to favor their community and society - if a temple were to falter or cease in their rituals, it would be tantamount to inviting disorder back into the fold. Temples to Harinna are always either open-air or otherwise designed in a manner that allows large amounts of sunlight to enter. Her faithful believe that performing a prayer in the light of the sun will ensure it is seen by their deity, and therefore make every effort to ensure their actions are visible to her, sometimes even bringing bottled sunlight with them when traveling to sunless places. The church of Harinna is highly centralized, and the faithful of the goddess place great importance on respecting and maintaining their religious hierarchy. Since the end of the Amberikon Crusade in Y7596*, the church has been based out of the Stronghold of the Light on Mesollonia, an independent island nation entirely controlled by the church. The Keeper of the Light serves as the head of the church and the religion, chosen by a conclave of high priests to provide guidance and leadership to all followers of Harinna. Though the vast majority of Harinnite churches follow the Keeper of the Light, some are instead part of the schismatic movement led by the Grandmaster of the Sun Refuge. Established in Y8925* by a group called the Sun Blades, this movement believes Harinna's faith has become too complacent and that true adherents to the goddess should go forth and actively destroy the evil in the world. Towards this goal, the sect established a base on islands just offshore from the undead empire of Tarkuus, from which they attempt to fight against what they see as the greatest of the world's many evils. Some temples have joined the schism, particularly those around the Kilche Sea and along the eastern coast of the Chaska Sea, but the movement remains relatively small compared to the rest of the religion. Harinna is most often depicted as a woman clad in bronze armor with a hunting falcon resting on her outstretched arm. In some pictures she holds the sun in her other hand, and in others the sun is drawn behind her head, almost haloing it.
Socharin	LG	Death, rebirth, change, renewal, plants	Socharin (pronounced SOW-car-in) is the god of death, rebirth, change, renewal, and plants. Though he is of significant theological importance as the god that led the creation of the universe, he is uncommonly worshiped on his own, having passed most of his important aspects to his sister Harinna. Still, many offer prayers to Socharin on occasion, especially those that make their livings from the earth. Socharin is a god of change and growth. He understands that achieving one's goals takes time and unceasing effort, and that sometimes relinquishing direct control is the best action to take. He is closely associated with death and rebirth, both of people and of the natural world. For this reason many cultures connect Socharin closely to the seasons. His devotees hail from all walks of society, though farmers and pastoralists are often particularly drawn to the faith. Socharin is also important to some as a funerary deity. There are no unified churches of the Resurrected God. Unusually for a lawful deity, his clergy prefer to maintain a more hands-off approach to managing the religion. They ensure the faithful can pray and have their questions answered but otherwise let the religion spread of its own accord. Socharin is commonly depicted as a shepherd, often with the tools required for such a role. He is widely seen as a benevolent steward, someone who watches his crops, flock, or people, providing guidance when needed while otherwise allowing them to grow independently. Amongst his Ishtaran followers, he is sometimes pictured with green skin, the color of rebirth. Many images of Socharin also show him wearing faded or incomplete royal garb, symbolizing his former position as a god of rulership.
Aduntarri	NG	Families, protection, dreams, hospitality, marriage	Aduntarri (pronounced ah-done-TAR-ree) is the goddess of families, protection, dreams, hospitality, and marriage. She guides and protects families, providing solace to those seeking comfort and wisdom to those needing counsel. Many pray to Aduntarri before resting for the night, or hang images of her holy symbol next to their bed, in hopes she will ward off any nightmares. The faithful of Aduntarri believe she communicates primarily through dreams, and therefore place great importance on understanding and remembering the imagery of their dreams, in case their goddess reaches out to them. As a goddess of the family she is invoked in marriage ceremonies as well as to help protect one's dwelling. Aduntarri is very much a household deity, one who is thought to be far more concerned with the day-to-day lives of her followers than with grand cosmic goals. Devout followers of Aduntarri are always willing to open their homes to travelers and others requiring hospitality. Large communal feasts are a central part of the worship at most temples, free for all to partake. The clergy of Aduntarri maintain a loose church structure in much of the world. They commonly share knowledge and resources with other temples and often organize together in times of crisis and danger, but otherwise do not have a formal church hierarchy. Priests and clerics of Aduntarri maintain a stance of neutrality towards other deities and their clergy. They seek to serve and protect their people first and foremost, without becoming involved in any conflicts or disputes themselves, and temples of Aduntarri are widely seen as safe havens for those fleeing violence or abuse. For this reason clergy of Aduntarri are very likely to receive martial instruction as part of their religious training in order to guard those under their protection. To many of her followers Aduntarri is closely associated with elephants, and she is often depicted as an older woman astride an elephant painted in her holy colors.
Aya	NG	Curiosity, art, music, invention, philosophy, mediation, diplomacy	Aya (pronounced EYE-ah) is the goddess of curiosity, art, music, invention, philosophy, mediation, and diplomacy. She grants sparks of inspiration to her followers, aiding them in creating their masterpieces, whether those be artistic, mechanical, or philosophical in nature. Aya is additionally seen as a peacemaker. Those that attempt to mediate disputes and bring an end to conflicts often pray Aya for advice. As art can bring people together, so to do followers of Aya believe dialogue can end strife and discord. Aya is the patron of all artists, no matter their canvas. Her faith teaches that expressing one's creativity is the greatest calling in life, whether one chooses to do so with painting, sculpting, writing, music, or some other means. Her devoted followers find myriad ways to pray to their goddess, all according to their own personal callings. Not all followers of Aya choose to express their faith through art. She is a goddess of creativity above all else, and all types of creativity that bring wonder and provoke the imagination are believed to be appreciated by the goddess. Inventors commonly worship Aya as they design ingenious new contraptions and devices. Likewise, philosophers frequently find themselves drawn to Aya's faith - creative lines of thought are as valuable to her followers as any physical art. However, not all art, invention, or thought is considered holy to Aya's faith. Those that churn out repetitive or derivative works without personal touch or care for detail are frowned upon, as are those that create art designed to intimidate, propagandize, or otherwise discourage independent thought. To create art for insincere or evil means is far worse to her faith than to create no art at all. Artists of all kinds often pray to Aya in hopes of receiving a creative spark from the divine, as do inventors, philosophers, and others who place great value on the power of imagination. Many who appreciate artistic works often worship the goddess as well, even if they do not create art of their own. Expression of one's self through artistic means, new inventions, or unique lines of thought are the highest form of prayer to Aya's devotees, though a respect for the achievements of others is not far behind in importance. To Aya's faith, effort and sincerity matters far more than final quality, and even those that have much to learn in matters of technique and form are wholeheartedly embraced by the religion. Aya has organized churches around the world, though they are usually rather small in scope, each encompassing only a small region within a nation. Her followers are rarely concerned with religious politics or maintaining tradition in the faith, and therefore organize together more to share the joys of their works. Aya is typically depicted as a humanoid figure, sometimes dressed in fine clothes or in the garb of an artist, depending on the pantheon. She is often depicted as artistically creating her own form, usually by sculpting or painting herself.
Marya	CG	Liberation, martyrdom, food, agriculture	Marya (pronounced MAR-yah) is the goddess of liberation, martyrdom, food, and agriculture. Worship of Marya has traditionally been strongly focused on her aspect as a god of agriculture, and farmers in regions following the Chaskan pantheon have long prayed to Marya for a good harvest. More recently, especially in regions like Koritan, the Western Coast, and in Tirione's colonies, Marya's teachings about liberation have gained many adherents. Both sides of the goddess' religion are now influential, though sometimes clerics emphasizing one school of thought find each other in search of common ground with the other. The Bringer of Bread is the patron of revolutionaries, agitators, and those seeking greater freedom and independence for themselves and their communities. She is also the deity most widely worshiped by farmers, pastoralists, and hunter-gatherers, especially those living in regions of scarcity. Marya's faith is especially strong today in Talam Galta, where she is seen as the patron of the Free People who rebelled against Koritanite control. Her influence also slowly grows in Tirione's colonies around the western Chaska Sea. As a result of her actions during creation, Marya occupies the position of an outsider in the Chaskan pantheon, something her followers enthusiastically embrace. To them, there is no purpose to enjoying plenitude if others must suffer. Marya and her clergy teach that inviting hardship on yourself is a noble act when done in the service of your community. Any who would oppress the common people are enemies of her faith, but particular ire is always held for those that hoard resources while others struggle to get by. Followers of Marya eschew any formal church structure, believing that a strongly organized faith cannot meaningfully address the changing needs of its adherents. Many regional congregations organize together, but always as equals who consult each other on matters. While clerics and champions of the goddess work together frequently, they have adopted many differing ways of worshiping Marya while holding to her tenets. Marya is usually depicted in a humanoid form, frequently dressed in the garb of a farmer or laborer. She is often shown leaving a path of rose petals behind her, a flower said to not exist in the world until she cast its seeds to the ground.
Taliash	CG	Travel, whimsy, storytelling, fresh water, storms	Taliash (pronounced TAH-lee-osh) is the goddess of travel, whimsy, storytelling, fresh water, storms. She is also commonly associated with alcohol, merriment, and taverns. Her followers believe that consuming drinks with others leads to the best stories, both as old ones are misremembered or exaggerated and as new ones are created. Taliash has a large following across Kishar. The sights to be seen and experiences to be had out in the world are a strong draw to many. Adventurers and travelers are her quintessential followers, but they are by no means the only ones drawn to Taliash. Her faith tends to be somewhat casual in nature, with a far larger emphasis on worship through deeds than through prayer. Storytellers and keepers of oral narratives also typically follow Taliash. She goddess watches over all the wanderers of the world, especially those that listen to the narratives of those they meet and share them far and wide. To her faithful, leaving one's home and exploring the world is the greatest calling in life. To revel in new experiences and tales is a form of prayer to Taliash, and her most devout travel endlessly towards this purpose, never passing up an opportunity to hear legends of local heroes and monsters as they go. Taliash is also a god of rivers and springs, often so critical to safe travels through otherwise dangerous or remote parts of the world. She is widely seen as a guardian of those that make regular journeys using freshwater routes, and many toss offerings to her in the water to ask for safety on their travels. Taliash is also commonly connected to storms, an association originally drawn by her tengu followers but now widespread. Her clerics can be found across the world, often in regions very far from their place of birth. They are endlessly keen in conversing with all, but rarely seek to proselytize, far more interested in sharing what they have heard and picking up the latest tales than in spreading their faith. To those living in particularly remote areas, the itinerant clergy of Taliash are often critical in keeping up with the events in the broader world. In large part due to the transitory habits of many of her clerics, there is few formal churches of Taliash. Her religion is highly fluid, a set of practices that constantly shifts as her followers from different parts of the world meet with each other and share their means of worship. Taliash is commonly depicted as a humanoid woman amongst a flock of waterbirds, crowded around her as if intently listening to a story.
Nisaba	LN	Writing, history, research, investigations, education, alchemy, mathematics	Nisaba (pronounced niss-AH-bah) is the goddess of writing, research, investigations, and education, and in particular of history, alchemy, and mathematics. She writes with the inky blackness of the night sky, chronicling the cycles of the cosmos on her endless scroll. The goddess searches for truth and records all she finds, embodying the fundamental and innate drive for knowledge and the desire to learn. Those possessed by a drive to learn frequently turn to the worship of Nisaba. Writers and researchers of all types commonly worship her, but her faith is especially widespread amongst historians, natural scientists, alchemists, and mathematicians. Mages and inventors are typical followers of Nisaba as well, as are many others whose work and lives are closely intertwined with information and writing. Temples to Nisaba are usually organized under regional church structures that run themselves mostly independently from each other. These churches are almost like large library systems, and exist in large part to organize and catalogue the large corpus of works they have written and collected. Nisaba is widely depicted as a scribe deep in her work, using ink made from the darkness of the night sky to write on a massive scroll. In some renditions the cosmos itself is her scroll, so packed with knowledge that the only parts not covered are the pinpricks of the stars and other celestial bodies.

Area of worship

Of the major regional pantheons, the Chaskan pantheon is perhaps the most geographically widespread. Gods from this pantheon are the primary deities worshiped in the eastern Chaskan coast, Thadria, the Western Coast, and around the Phiora in Koritan, Talam Galta, and Izgrev. Adherents of the pantheon have also spread their beliefs as far south as Oscan and Laniobriga. Followers of Chaskan gods can commonly be found much farther afield as well, present in areas where other pantheons or religions hold more influence.

Connections to other pantheons

Millennia of shared history and cultural connections have led to great similarities between the Chaskan, Hellean, and Khapeshan pantheons. All three have quite similar creation stories and tales of the gods, though sometimes differing in the details. Holy texts are often shared across the pantheons in altered forms.