Religion

Religion on Kishar takes many forms. Some people choose to pray to a one or more deities, while others instead hold to some variation of animism, ancestor worship, or other system of belief.

Deities

Deities are powerful divine entities that can shape and alter the universe in significant ways, though almost all do so indirectly through their worshipers. Gods, goddesses, and the practices of their faiths are important aspects of cultures across Kishar.

Broadly speaking, there are two categories of gods in Kishar: greater deities and lesser deities. As embodied concepts, greater deities are thought to have great cosmic influence, with no peers aside from each other. Lesser deities, on the other hand, are far less powerful but are also far more diverse. These lesser gods are ever-shifting, as old ones die or fade away and new ones appear. Lesser deities include hero-gods, enlightened deities, and locally worshiped spirits.

Greater deities are remote entities, effectively unreachable by any means except through worship and by acting in accordance with their edicts. They are cosmic forces embodied, not people to be conversed with. They have no forms or realms. On the other hand, lesser deities can be very approachable. Some continue to walk the mortal world, simply people, creatures, or objects who have somehow obtained a divine spark.

Worship

The act of worship is fundamentally important to the gods - without those that believe it to be divine, a greater deity is merely a concept and a lesser deity is merely a person, creature, or object. Divine boons, like spells for clerics, are manifested by the believer's faith, not through any conscious action by another entity, though this is not how it is commonly perceived.

Most people do not worship one deity exclusively. Rather, it is typical to pray to a number of gods, depending on one’s location, profession, and status in the world. Despite this, it is common to have a deity with which one feels an especially close connection. Frequently this deity is one whose clergy has a particularly influential presence in the community.

Organized churches hold great sway in some parts of the world, but not all. In Kishar, the term "church" refers not to a building or congregation but instead to the structure of clergy that links and organizes temples or shrines to a particular deity. Some faiths are more centralized in this manner than others. For example, temples to Harinna almost entirely fall under a church, while those to Laverna almost never do - in general, faiths that tend to be more chaotic-aligned eschew churches, while lawful-aligned religions prefer them.

Pantheons

The divines are not perceived and thought of in the same manner around the world. Different peoples and cultures have their own particular concepts that are important to them, which heavily influences which gods might be worshiped and in what way. Yet connections are often drawn between similar deities across cultures. A god of crafting in one culture may be worshiped and depicted differently than a god of crafting in another culture, but they are widely connected and believed to be the same deity. The faithful of these two gods typically consider each other to be of the same core religion, just with some variation in the details. Enough similarities are present across cultures that most people believe there to be a relatively small set of greater deities. Over the history of the world these faiths have combined, drifted apart, and otherwise formed into a number of regional and ancestral pantheons. Pantheons often have different mythoses, cosmologies, and depictions of the divine.

Though the Chaskan pantheon has achieved the most widespread reach and influence, and the Chaskan names of the greater deities are commonly used to refer to them generally, it is by no means the "default" interpretation of the gods. The many aspects of a deity across pantheons are equally true and accurate, not corruptions or misinterpretations but simply more focused readings of a given concept. Of course, certain people within Kishar do not always see it this way, and there is sometimes strife between sects connected to the same deity over their differing means of worship.

Not all pantheons include the same greater deities. In some cultures, the values embodied by particular gods may simply not be of particular importance. In these cases, few deny the existence of such deities (though some do), but simply do not consider them worth worship. If an individual from one of these cultures wishes to venerate a god not within their pantheon, they usually adopt a depiction of the god from a neighboring culture. Some cultures, meanwhile, have very different views on the divine that often confound associations with other deities.

Saints and shards

Through their actions and accomplishments, some non-divine figures have managed to attain a particular closeness to their deity. In doing so, some become worshiped in their own right as pinnacles of their faith. Multiple terms are used for these figures around the world, but "saint" is a typical appellation.

Worshiping these saints grants divine favor just as if one prayed and gave offerings to a greater divinity. These saints are not, however, gods themselves. Rather, they become so tightly intertwined with their god that by worshiping the saint one can simultaneously worship the deity. Saints are usually prayed to by those particularly attracted to a certain aspect of a god personified by the saint.

Nearly all saints only occupy this role after their death, but this is not necessarily always the case. Among mortals it is exceedingly rare to become a saint while still in the company of the living, but it is more common with powerful extraplanar creatures. Demon lords, archdevils, and other extraplanar lesser divinities can be thought of as effectively saints, worshiped as an aspect of a greater divinity yet simultaneously important for their own strength and influence. Extraplanar creatures that fit into this category are usually referred to as "shards" of a greater deity instead of as saints, however. For example, a powerful demon might achieve the status of a demon lord and gain the ability to grant divine spells to its cultists. It is not a divine entity in its own right, however, but is instead a shard of Lotan or some other evil deity.

There is no universal process for sainthood. In regions of the world with hierarchical church structures, some faiths maintain official saints, given their status by the head of the clergy. Most, however, are essentially folk saints, popular enough with the people that they are considered as such regardless of whether or not they have been sanctioned by any church.

Every saint and shard has a "patron", the deity that is believed to grant divine boons to their followers.

Mythos

Every pantheon and every culture has their own stories of the divines. Though most can come to a consensus on some basic details, these tales can diverge greatly at times. Creation myths especially are prone to contradiction, as the faithful of a god often have mythoses that give an outsized influence to their particular deity. None are necessarily incorrect. Theological debates about the nature, history, and motivations of the greater divines remain very lively, with much disagreement both between followers of different deities and between sects of the same god. The degree to which these mythoses are believed literally varies, but it is not uncommon to interpret them more as providing a foundation for understanding a god, and much less as completely truthful recollections.

Other forms of worship

In some parts of Kishar, religious life does not heavily involve the commonly-worshiped deities. Animism, ancestor worship, and the reverence of natural phenomena are widespread, either in addition to or instead of the worship of deities. Druids in particular usually hold animistic beliefs, occasionally called the Green Faith or the Old Faith in this context, though they do sometimes worship greater deities as well. These forms of religion still grant spells and boons to divine casters - as long as one's worship is based upon sincerely held beliefs, the veneration of more abstract entities can very much grant benefits to those that follow them, according to the tenets of the follower and object of worship. These forms of religion vary too much from region to region, and from person to person, to succinctly summarize.

Worship of powerful extraplanar entities is less widespread but not unknown. Cults of this nature are usually reclusive, though, despite the widespread view of them, are not necessarily evil. Particularly ancient and influential fey are often given offerings, for example, as are demons and elementals.

List of greater deities

While every deity has certain areas of concern that are universally considered important by their followers, most pantheons also add additional areas of concern that are more specific to a region's culture. The table below includes both general and specific areas of concern. Some regional variations of gods have no additional areas of concern, but they may be worshiped or thought of very differently regardless.

Name	Alignment	Areas of Concern
Harinna	LG	The sun, rulership, law, duty, hunting Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Chaskan Harinna Enforcers of laws Hellean Hemera Dawn, seasons, other natural cycles Khapeshan Harakhte Creation of life Laurentian Haihaz Deserved rulership Draconic Marduk Good dragons, source of all good Dwarven Hurra Stoic leadership, the fires of forges
Socharin	LG	Death, rebirth, change, renewal, plants Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Aserdian Saclateni Natural processes of creation and renewal Chaskan Socharin No additional specific areas of concern Khapeshan Sokar The Aur River's cycles of droughts and flooding, agriculture, hope Dwarven Surgar Agriculture
Aduntarri	NG	Families, protection, dreams, hospitality Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Aserdian Tarazet Visions, hallucinogens Chaskan Aduntarri Marriage Hellean Xenia Hospitality for travelers and the homeless Khapeshan Tawaret Children Laurentian Taufran Mothers, young children Dwarven Zulka Communities, armor, marriage Elven Aritimi Lucid dreaming Orcish Mortuga Mothers, wisdom, advisors
Aya	NG	Curiosity, art, music, invention, philosophy Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Aserdian Anka'a Sun, light, rainbows, color, language Chaskan Aya Peace, mediation, diplomacy Hellean Eutychia Good fortune Khapeshan Meshkenet Gardens, butterflies Laurentian Gudjon Conjuration magic Dwarven Brulnan Fine craftsmanship, apprentices Elven Ais Protection, warding Orcish Agtazu Hope
Marya	CG	Liberation, martyrdom, food, agriculture Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Aserdian Izar Farmers, pastoralists, hunter-gatherers Chaskan Marya No additional specific areas of concern Hellean Parrhesia Debates, oration, clashes of ideas, chefs, fine foods Laurentian Maron No additional specific areas of concern Elven Isan No additional specific areas of concern Orcish Ranash Hunter-gatherers, hunting
Taliash	CG	Travel, whimsy, storytelling, fresh water, storms Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Aserdian Tucana Nomadic groups Chaskan Taliash Alcohol, merriment, taverns Hellean Areto Public performance, theater Khapeshan Qadesh Oases Laurentian Austron Camps, bonfires, ghosts Elven Nethans Flight Orcish Dzakar Bards, skalds Tengu Great Storyteller Trinkets, collections
Nisaba	LN	Writing, history, research, investigations, education Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Aserdian Nashira Teaching, learning Chaskan Nisaba Alchemy, investigations, mathematics Hellean Peitho Teaching, learning, schools Khapeshan Shentayet Scribes Dwarven Solnas Family history, genealogy Elven Celens Arcane magic
Hasamel	LN	Cities, trade, family, wealth Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Aserdian Rasalas Stagnancy Chaskan Hasamel Development of unorganized lands Hellean Khalkeus Industry Khapeshan Khenmu Craftspeople, architects Dwarven Tharrus Smiths, engineers, master craftspeople Elven Thalan Laborers
Shai	N	Judgment, souls, the dead, inevitability, the moon Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Aserdian Saiph No additional specific areas of concern Chaskan Shai No additional specific areas of concern Hellean Psais Personal sacrifice, planar travel Khapeshan Shai Proper procedure for the interment of the dead Laurentian Saiwalo No additional specific areas of concern Dwarven Annom No additional specific areas of concern Elven Satres Cycles of the moon, tides Orcish Yadalser Destruction of undead
Mithrai	N	Conflict, weapons, tactics, healing Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Aserdian Markab No additional specific areas of concern Chaskan Mithrai Adventurers Hellean Meda No additional specific areas of concern Khapeshan Maahes Beer, alcohol Laurentian Vihansa No additional specific areas of concern Dwarven Mismora Guards Elven Maris Strategy Orcish Nadkol No additional specific areas of concern
Usumu	N	Nature, weather, air, water Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Aserdian Auva Natural weapons, poisons, toxins Chaskan Usumu Fish, forests Hellean Ino Mountains Khapeshan Iabet Sky, clouds Laurentian Nemedaz Self-sufficiency, harsh landscapes Dwarven Nobatir Underground locations, earthquakes Elven Hurtate Wildfires, cultivation Orcish Umuth Sleep
Erra	CN	Decay, ruins, aging, disease Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Aserdian Errai Natural processes of destruction Chaskan Erra No additional specific areas of concern Khapeshan Isfet Antagonism to other deities Dwarven Edri Neglect Orcish Rautha Struggle against nonexistence
Laverna	CN	Trickery, personal freedom, self-interest, spite Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Aserdian Kalausi Seclusion, isolation Chaskan Laverna Piracy, banditry Hellean Leucothea Thievery Khapeshan Amathaunta Outcasts, outlaws, those that live on the margins Laurentian Runo Raiding, lycanthropes Orcish Lashza Betrayal
Malavisch	LE	Tyranny, law, beauty, contracts Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Aserdian Mothallah Vanity Chaskan Malavisch Corruption Hellean Rhadamanthus Diligent merchants, trade Dwarven Katharn Inflexible leadership
Tarhunz	NE	Power, ambition, schemes, rivalry Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Aserdian Eltanin Tyranny Chaskan Tarhunz Ruthless leadership Hellean Zarex Betrayal, misfortune Khapeshan Sutekh Deserts, sandstorms, unification for a shared goal Laurentian Gautaz Unsavory necessities Dwarven Ranven Outcasts, usurpers Elven Thevrumines Iron-fisted rulership Orcish Orzah Advisors
Nyxras	NE
Lotan	CE	Destruction, chaos, anger, monsters Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Chaskan Lotan Sea monsters Hellean Typhon Volcanoes Khapeshan Apep Night Laurentian Skohsla Linnorms, cursed Draconic Tiamat Evil dragons, source of all evil Dwarven Vonduram Underground perils Elven Voltumna Invisibility, meteors, comets Orcish Vemdu Foreign invaders
Ubellur	CE	Madness, forbidden magic, dangerous secrets Pantheon Name Specific areas of concern Chaskan Ubellur No additional specific areas of concern Laurentian Witagon No additional specific areas of concern Elven Urusthe Mysteries of outer space
Blind Witness	Unaligned	Lost opportunities, forgotten dreams, the spaces between the stars

Comparison by pantheon

The table below summarizes the major differences between pantheons. Smaller pantheons exist as well - only the widespread ones are included below.

Chaskan	Khapeshan	Hellean	Laurentian	Kea Rachan	Aserdian	Abanir	Kirnashal	Elven	Dwarven	Orcish	Tengu	Draconic
Harinna *	Harakhte	Hemera	Haihaz	§					Hurra		†	Marduk ‡
Socharin	Sokar *			§	Saclateni				Surgar		†
Aduntarri	Tawaret	Xenia	Taufran	§	Tarazet			Aritimi	Zulka	Mortuga *	†
Aya	Meshkenet	Eutychia	Gudjon	§	Anka'a			Ais *	Brulnan	Agtazu	†
Marya		Parrhesia	Maron	§	Izar			Isan		Ranash	†
Taliash	Qadesh	Areto *	Austron	§	Tucana			Nethans		Dzakar	Great Storyteller *
Nisaba	Shentayet	Peitho		§	Nashira *			Celens	Solnas		†
Hasamel	Khenmu	Khalkeus		§	Rasalas			Thalan	Tharrus *		†
Shai	Shai	Psais	Saiwalo	§	Saiph			Satres	Annom	Yadalser	†
Mithrai	Maahes	Meda	Vihansa	§	Markab			Maris	Mismora	Nadkol	†
Usumu	Iabet	Ino	Nemedaz *	§	Auva			Hurtate	Nobatir	Umuth	†
Erra	Isfet			§	Errai				Edri	Rautha	†
Laverna	Amathaunta	Leucothea	Runo	§	Kalausi					Lashza	†
Malavisch		Rhadamanthus		§	Mothallah				Kartharn		†
Tarhunz	Sutekh	Zarex	Gautaz	§	Eltanin			Thevrumines	Ranven	Orzakh	†
Nyxras	Nakith			§	Nusakan			Vanth	Sardora		†
Ubellur			Witagon	§				Urusthe			†
Lotan	Apep	Typhon	Skohsla	§				Voltumna	Vonduram	Vemdu	†	Tiamat ‡
					Blind Witness

* Denotes primary deity in pantheon. This is not a formal position, but rather a way of indicating that this deity is particularly important in places that follow a given pantheon. This deity usually plays an especially important role in the pantheon's mythos.
† Traditional tengu religion is an idiosyncratic combination of all other pantheons the tengu have encountered. A single god may commonly have multiple names and aspects to their tengu followers.
‡ Draconic religion is a dualist faith centering around the eternal battle between the ordered forces of good and the chaotic forces of evil. Dragons occasionally pay homage to the other gods, but in general consider only two to be of central importance.
§ Since the most recent death of the Eternal Suzerain in Y9606^*, the areas formerly under the Sangiran Empire have been in religious turmoil. Their old pantheons long forgotten under the rule and worship of the Suzerain, in the last few hundred years there has been explosion of variety in religious practices in the old territories of the empire. Some attempt to revive old faiths, while others adopt gods from neighboring pantheons, turn to the worship of nature spirits, or otherwise fill the vacuum with something else.

List of lesser deities

Enlightened deities

The method by which some individuals become enlightened deities is a matter of much theological debate. They are so rare, and frequently so unusual in form, that the process remains shrouded in mystery.

Name	Alignment	Areas of Concern
Consensus	Unaligned	Itself
Eternal Suzerain	Various	Sangiran Empire, dragons, reincarnation
Salavaxir	Unclear	Kobolds, caves

Hero-gods

See also: Hero-gods

Name	Alignment	Areas of Concern
Antikythera	CG	Awakened constructs, freedom
Asterian Lake Creature	CN	Lake Aster, Asteria, solitude
Hephaistos	LE	Constructs, clockworks, engineering
Kynos	CG	Philosophy, self-sufficiency, independence
Lykekro	N	Exploration, maps, discovery
Phileia	LN	Ephardia, duels, martial prowess
Selein	NG	Geodes, crystals, underground beauty

Saints and shards

Name	Alignment	Areas of Concern	Patron
Green Man of the Mire	NG	Protection of Sikrimon and its inhabitants	Socharin
Huzrotho	CE	Immortality at any cost	Nyxras
Koroibos	LG	Fair sportsmanship, athletics, bravery, bravado	Mithrai

Ishtaran living saints

See also: Ishtaran pantheon

Name	Alignment	Areas of Concern	Patron
Atra-Hasis	N	Flood mitigation, conservation, disaster recovery	Aduntarri
Enmerkar	N	Translation, publishing	Nisaba
Mete	CE	Lenses, telescopes, black holes	Ubellur
Muballit	LN	Retribution, justice, punishment	Harinna
Urnum	NE	Giants, preservation of wild places, dangerous creatures of the forests	Usumu
Xisuthros	NG	Darklands, guards, barriers	Aduntarri

List of other faiths

Name	Alignment	Areas of Concern
Cult of the Phoenix	CG	Freedom, societal renewal (specifically for Argengrast)
Deathless Mysteries	LE	Undead, personal perfection, power, immortality
Midianism	LN	Weatlh, the afterlife
Servants of the Stag	LN	Agrarianism, family, agriculture, small communities
Ternion	N	The sun, toil, vigilance, healing, doors, transitions, beginnings, endings, peace, rest, thoughtfulness
Unbounded Sky	LN	Aeroliths, Sharruma, flight of Priumne
Vulture King	CN	Souls, the dead, vultures, scavengers