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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Arkhandus" data-source="post: 5531660" data-attributes="member: 13966">Religions of Rhivia:There are 5 major religions across the continent of Rhivia.  The most-prevalent is Rhivian Pantheism, which includes the 23 major deities detailed below in the Deities of Rhivia section, as well as various lesser demigods, saints, hero-deities, archangels, archfiends, and the like.There's also the Draconic Quiintet of 5 dragon-deities detailed in the Draconic Deities section below, venerated by dragons and other reptilian creatures worldwide, though also revered by some individuals of other races who covet the power of dragons, or who possess a little dragon blood in their ancestry.Many people of the Esarroccan Peninsula and along the Crimson Tors follow a dualistic religion known as Dosaredios, which has slowly spread to a few pockets of civilization elsewhere.  Refer to the Dosaredios Deities section below for details.The dominant religion of eastern Rhivia is Zantaoism, primarily practiced in the Zanjin territories, and it includes worship of various minor divinities known as Kami in addition to the 9 major deities known as Gami or O-Kami, detailed in the Zantao Deities section below.Finally, the Golarion Pantheon, as described in official Pathfinder materials, also has a small following among the northern peoples of Rhivia, as visitor deities more closely involved with a different Material Plane but meddling with Mhavareth on occasion.Deities of Rhivia:HEVELIOR, the Sun-Eater, the Bright Lord, Sky TyrantMale Greater DeitySymbol: Golden sun-disk emanating triangular red rays, with a toothy smile but no faceHome Plane: UtopiaAlignment: Lawful NeutralPortfolio: The sun, gluttony, ambition, rulership, victory, power, renewalWorshippers: Druids, duelists, farmers, herders, nobles, hunters, gluttonous monstersCleric Alignments: LE, LG, LN, NDomains: Law, Nobility, Repose, Strength, SunFavored Weapon: Bite or morningstarThe Rhivian sun-god, Hevelior, has long been worshipped on Rhivia since the middle of the ancient Rhivian Empire.  Legend says that it was around that time when Hevelior rebelled against his father, Rhisol, the original sun-god of the Rhivian pantheon, and devoured the old sun-god.  This is known in Rhivian legends as the Day of Dual Dawns, when the second sun rose and overtook the first, both flaring brightly and blinding many people before the first sun was consumed, leaving only the second sun to continue its arc across the sky each day.  This is a holiday to Heveliori, the faithful of Hevelior, but a day of mourning for followers of Lunelle, Mhavara, and Ashalla.  It is celebrated (or mourned) on the 1st day of Summer's Start, and it is said that the summer of the event was especially hot and terrible as Hevelior first asserted his new power.  Smaller celebrations for Hevelior are held on the last day of Summer's End, and a more sober observance is held on the last day of Autumn's End to beseech Hevelior for enough warmth to keep the winters mild.Hevelior's body is said to be the sun itself, but he can also manifest another form when desired, that of a tall, muscular, humanoid man with swarthy skin, rippling hair of reddish-gold flames, eyes of pure gold, pearly white teeth, and handsome but severe appearance.  He is always seen or depicted with a broad smile, but often in a smug, mocking, or threatening manner, and occasionally in a mirthful or benevolent style.  He wears minimal robes of molten gold, along with a necklace made from some of his father's ivory bones.  Hevelior wields a flaming gold morningstar in battle, called Heatdeath, embedded with spikes made from Rhisol's ivory bones.Hevelior himself is worshipped as the bringer of light and warmth, vital to agriculture, hunting, and herding due to his role in keeping plants alive and growing.  He also wards off some of the horrors of the dark and cold like Rhisol once did, providing succour from undead, lycanthropes, and other creatures who fear the light of day or who lose their power during the day.  He also promises renewal and rebirth for the worthy, but harsh retribution to all who wrong him and his faithful.  Hevelior is a patron god of feasts and endorses gluttonous behavior, helping others hunt or harvest plentiful food near times of feasting.  Hevelior is also the patron god of noble families, their privelages, ceremonies, honor, and laws, particularly those of royalty.  Other leaders also seek his favor before many endeavors.Priests of Hevelior must be noble-born and are never given divine gifts by him unless they have the blood and upraising of nobility or royalty.  Heveliori priests oversee many noble and royal ceremonies, including duels.  Hevelior's priests often help build, manage, and guard granaries or other food-storage facilities so their communities will have enough to eat.  They also guard and scribe legal documents, as well as scribing and delivering royal proclamations, besides guarding nobles and royals themselves and serving as dueling proxies in some cases.  Adventuring Heveliori might seek out lost royal treasures or might simply be seeking power and prestige for themselves.Clerical vestments are white togas with varying amounts of cloth-of-gold trim or gold accessories depending on the individual's rank within the Heveliori church, though small or moderate amounts of red are also favored by some.  Priests of Hevelior go by the rank of neophyte when studying and preparing for higher duties, then acolyte after passing certain tests to become a full-fledged priest, flamen after becoming an accomplished and recognized champion of the church abroad, archon after becoming the confirmed (and thoroughly-tested) head of a shrine or temple, hierarch if they pass the harsh trials for regional leadership, and finally primarch if they become leader of the entire Heveliori church.  There are also minor and major sub-ranks for all below the primarch, such as acolytes major who manage other acolytes and neophytes.  Heveliori priests pray at dawn.LUNELLE, the Moon Maiden, the Mourning Virgin, Night QueenFemale Greater DeitySymbol: Gray moon-disk with a 4-pointed, undulating, black star at the centerHome Plane: LimboAlignment: Chaotic NeutralPortfolio: The moon, darkness, mourning, reflection, insanity, change, rain, stormsWorshippers: Druids, farmers, herders, widows, virgins, rebels, thieves, lycanthropesCleric Alignments: CE, CG, CN, NDomains: Chaos, Darkness, Liberation, Madness, WeatherFavored Weapon: Claw or starknifeThis moon goddess of Rhivia has had a mixed history and was once considered quite respectable for worship, while those blessed with Lunelle's divine gifts were once viewed with awe and reverence.  She was the favored daughter of Rhisol, and was a reflection of him in many ways.  Lunelle was also briefly betrothed to the original Rhivian god of night and winter, Noctavian.  It is said that before Rhisol's death, all lycanthropes of Rhivia were noble, majestic, blessed creatures with Lunelle's favor, while creatures of the dark were once fearful of her moon's light.  Once Rhisol was devoured by Hevelior and Noctavian was slain by Ravik, Lunelle fell into an insane, mournful rage and lashed out, causing all kinds of mayhem, even for her treacherous brother Hevelior.  Her rage was spent quickly, however, and she looked for other ways to spite Hevelior and Ravik, as well as those who did nothing to save Rhisol or Noctavian.Now Lunelle is seen as the source of madness and depression in others, spreading her own misfortune, and she is the patron goddess of lycanthropes and other creatures who dwell in the dark or hunt at night.  She has become the queen of darkness and no longer protects people from anything that goes bump in the night.  Goddess of the moon and stars, she also holds some small dominion over portents and astrology, but Lunelle is also the patron goddess of other mourners, virgins, and innocent maidens, often sympathizing with such people and lending them some aid (or occasionally, the release of a swift death).  She is revered by thieves and rebels for her dominion over night, darkness, and change.  Lunelle is fickle now and manipulates the weather, conjuring storms whenever her mood sours, and rain is said to be Lunelle's own tears.  Farmers and herders offer prayers to her whenever they need rain or to beg for the end of monsoons.  Lunelle is also associated with mirrors and other reflective surfaces.Lunelle is the moon itself, but also manifests a second, humanoid form when desired.  Her humanoid form appears to be a tall, graceful, beautiful woman with a regal bearing.  She has pearly skin, flowing hair composed of absolute darkness, robes of flowing silver and starry voids, but dull eyes of pure gray, black claws for fingers, and rotten black fangs for teeth.  Dark mists issue forth from her mouth when she speaks, and she often speaks in babbling near-nonsense, acting unpredictably.  When she fights, she forms a jagged, flickering blade from the spark of a newborn star, a starknife called Dying Ember, which darkens and crumbles to dust after use.The faithful of Lunelle are known as Lunellans and they're fairly rare, generally distrusted by most folk in polite society, but her priests often attend funerals and provide what comfort they can to the bereaved, even paying for the funerary services and burial when they show up (so it's considered terribly rude to mistreat or reject them when they attend a funeral, despite the Lunellans' otherwise poor reputation in civilized lands).  Lunelle's priests also assist farmers at times and some run orphanages, asylums, monasteries, or nunneries, where the abandoned, disgraced, hopeless, or insane can find some solace.  Some are thieves or otherwise part of a criminal organization.  Her priests are known simply as brothers or sisters, without rank, though generally the most-experienced or most-gifted ones manage her temples and other establishments.  Lunellan priests wear simple robes of black and gray, often with hoods, veils, or both, and sometimes adorned with the peculiar star-pattern of her holy symbol.  Lunellan priests pray at nightfall or midnight.MHAVARA, the Earth-Mother, the Green Lady, Mother NatureFemale Greater DeitySymbol: Green disk with a white halo, an 8-pointed red star above, and a blue drop belowHome Plane: PurgatoryAlignment: NeutralPortfolio: The elements, nature, seasons, stability, eternity, rebirth, the cycle of lifeWorshippers: Druids, rangers, farmers, herders, hunters, widows, undertakers, fey, plantsCleric Alignments: CN, N, NE, NG, LNDomains: Air, Animal, Earth, Fire, Repose, Plant, Water, WeatherFavored Weapon: SickleThe primary creator and nature-deity of the Rhivian pantheon, Mhavara is the even-tempered mother of Hevelior, Lunelle, Ashalla, and Calistrianna, as the wife of the former sun-god Rhisol.  While she mourns her husband's death, Mhavara is much more subdued than most of the other deities, and has deeper insight into the nature of reality as one of its primary creators.  She teaches that the world is eternal and that all things pass with time, even death itself, giving way to new life and new order.  Death and change are necessary for life and growth, and her faithful believe firmly in reincarnation, even for dead gods.  Mhavara is both harsh and gentle, depending on the time of year, encouraging balance and moderation, but not stagnation or indecision.Mhavara's body is the world itself, and Rhivians named the world Mhavareth after her, but she also manifests a humanoid aspect at times.  In her humanoid aspect, Mhavara is a stout, earthy, matronly woman with dirt-encrusted dusky skin, blue-green pools of water for eyes, cloudy hair, a fiery tongue, and robes of plantlife complete with flowers and thorns.  She wields a sickle in her rare clashes with other deities, a weapon that constantly changes between different elemental forms and materials, called Nature's Fang.Followers of Mhavara are referred to as Mhavarans and are most often farmers, herders, or others who make their living off the land.  Shrines of Mhavara are found in practically every farming community across Rhivia, excluding a few places where other religions are dominant.  Temples to the goddess are quite rare, however, and her priesthood is quite scattered with little hierarchy.  Her priests are usually druids or rangers, and even Mhavaran clerics are little different.  Their ranks are simply those of the world's druidic order, which is itself simply divided into aspirants (priests in training), initiates (the average priests), heirophants (the senior priests who have acquired significant divine magic from Mhavara), and the arch-heirophant who holds limited leadership over the entire druidic and Mhavaran order.Priests of Mhavara wear simple robes of brown or gray, with some sort of decorations incorporating red, white, blue, and green.  Heirophants tend to wear more color than initiates, and the arch-heirophant wears a distinctive living crown of green, slightly thorny vegetation with flowers of red, white, and blue, the artifact Crown of Nature bestowed upon the first arch-heirophant by Mhavara herself.  Mhavaran priests pray at dawn, noon, or dusk (their choice upon initiation into the order).ASHALLA, the Life-Giver, the Guardian, Lady of MercyFemale Greater DeitySymbol: Upright golden scepter entwined by flowering vines, in front of a silver shieldHome Plane: NirvanaAlignment: Neutral GoodPortfolio: Life, mercy, defense, security, nature's bounty, natural beautyWorshippers: Druids, rangers, fighters, alchemists, farmers, herders, hunters, guards, wardensCleric Alignments: CG, LG, N, NGDomains: Animal, Good, Healing, Plant, ProtectionFavored Weapon: QuarterstaffThe Rhivian goddess of pure good, Ashalla is daughter of Rhisol and Mhavara, as well as the former betrothed of Hevelior.  Mother of Paladia, Vanigor, Gabridea, and Oramina, she broke off her ties with Hevelior after he betrayed Rhisol.  Ashalla is a forgiving and benevolent goddess, but she stands firmly against evil and wickedness, so she refuses to associate with Hevelior after his betrayal and murder of Rhisol.RAVIK, the Blood-Reaper, the Ravager, Lord of DeathMale Greater DeitySymbol: Scythe dripping blood, superimposed over a humanoid skullHome Plane: AbaddonAlignment: Neutral EvilPortfolio: Death, sacrifice, vengeance, pillaging, opportunism, viceWorshippers: Barbarians, fighters, rogues, thieves, assassins, raiders, soldiersCleric Alignments: CE, LE, N, NEDomains: Death, Destruction, Evil, Trickery, WarFavored Weapon: ScytheThis Rhivian god of death and wickedness is the antithesis of Ashalla, her arch-enemy and a foe of nearly all other goodly or neutral deities.  However, he maintains loose ties with Hevelior, whom he partially corrupted into betraying Rhisol and devouring the old sun to take its power (though Hevelior was always prideful and ambitious), as well as Surekkal, whom Ravik spawned from a shred of Lunelle's essence after battling her and some of Noctavian's lingering essence after Ravik betrayed and slaughtered Noctavian.  Ravik himself was born of Noctavian's essence as the old god of night and winter split off the worst part of himself in the deal for Lunelle's hand in marriage.  Before the ceremony, however, Ravik took form and slew his unwitting creator from behind, reaping Noctavian's divine essence and tearing the weakened god asunder.  Ravik took on more of the slain god's power for himself, though some scraps were salvaged by Lunelle instead.  Ravik has consorted with Calistrianna and spawned other evil deities.PALADIA, the Lady of Laws, the Just, Perfect KnightFemale Intermediate DeitySymbol: Golden scales balancing a longsword and a rune-covered tabletHome Plane: HeavenAlignment: Lawful GoodPortfolio: Paladins, justice, honor, truth, laws, perfection, family, righteousnessWorshippers: Paladins, fighters, monks, guards, soldiers, judgesCleric Alignments: LG, LN, NGDomains: Community, Good, Law, Protection, WarFavored Weapon: LongswordDescription forthcomingGORIN, the Forge-Father, the Hammer, Stone SentinelMale Intermediate DeitySymbol: Iron hammer striking a gray stone anvil, flames spraying from the impactHome Plane: HeavenAlignment: Lawful GoodPortfolio: Forgework, stonework, mining, strategy, tactics, honor, dwarvesWorshippers: Paladins, fighters, smiths, jewellers, miners, guards, dwarvesCleric Alignments: LG, LN, NGDomains: Artifice, Earth, Fire, Law, WarFavored Weapon: WarhammerDescription forthcomingVANIGOR, the Resplendant Champion, the Glorious, Proud MasterMale Intermediate DeitySymbol: Burly golden man standing atop a mountain, with blue and silver lance raisedHome Plane: NirvanaAlignment: Neutral GoodPortfolio: Athleticism, might, challenges, hope, glory, vanity, destroying evil and uglinessWorshippers: Barbarians, bards, fighters, monks, athletes, leaders, paramoursCleric Alignments: CG, LG, N, NGDomains: Charm, Glory, Good, Nobility, StrengthFavored Weapon: LanceDescription forthcomingHALIYANE, the Wayfarer, the Extravagent, Lady LuckFemale Intermediate DeitySymbol: Winding trail of gold coins leading to a blue-crescent horizon, against a circular green fieldHome Plane: NirvanaAlignment: Neutral GoodPortfolio: Trade, prosperity, fortune, travel, exploration, support, vigor, halflingsWorshippers: Rangers, rogues, merchants, gamblers, explorers, couriers, halflingsCleric Alignments: CG, LG, N, NGDomains: Community, Good, Luck, Protection, TravelFavored Weapon: HandaxeDescription forthcomingALVARYN, the Artful Dodger, the Harmonious, Dream DuelistMale Intermediate DeitySymbol: Hazy, pale-green swordsman wearing a billowing, blue capeHome Plane: ElysiumAlignment: Chaotic GoodPortfolio: The arts, music, song, dance, finesse, subtlety, dreams, archery, fencing, sailing, elvesWorshippers: Bards, fighters, rogues, entertainers, artisans, sailors, scouts, skirmishers, revelers, elvesCleric Alignments: CG, CN, NGDomains: Air, Chaos, Good, War, WaterFavored Weapon: RapierDescription forthcomingGABRIDEA, the Lovely Trickster, the Sorceress, Lady CapriceFemale Intermediate DeitySymbol: Square-cut ruby with violet feminine eyes and a subtle smileHome Plane: ElysiumAlignment: Chaotic GoodPortfolio: Love, beauty, mystery, mirth, fickleness, games, schemes, magic, gnomesWorshippers: Bards, rogues, sorcerers, jesters, tricksters, courtiers, gnomesCleric Alignments: CG, CN, NGDomains: Chaos, Charm, Good, Magic, TrickeryFavored Weapon: DaggerDescription forthcomingSUREKKAL, the Discordant Dreamer, the Anarchist, Herald of ChaosMale Intermediate DeitySymbol: A chain in the midst of shattering, held at both ends by shadowy handsHome Plane: LimboAlignment: Chaotic NeutralPortfolio: Anarchy, rebellion, dissent, freedom, deception, manipulation, theftWorshippers: Bards, rangers, rogues, anarchists, revolutionaries, thievesCleric Alignments: CE, CG, CN, NDomains: Charm, Chaos, Liberation, Luck, TrickeryFavored Weapon: Flail or heavy flailDescription forthcomingCALISTRIENNE, the Wailing Witch, the Fury, Thunder BansheeFemale Intermediate DeitySymbol: Dark cloud striated by lightning and swirling wind, with furious red eyesHome Plane: LimboAlignment: Chaotic NeutralPortfolio: Thunder, wind, natural disasters, bitterness, fury, havoc, wanderingWorshippers: Barbarians, druids, rangers, rogues, pirates, the scornedCleric Alignments: CE, CG, CN, NGDomains: Chaos, Destruction, Strength, Travel, WeatherFavored Weapon: GreatclubDescription forthcomingMAGARYX, the Stoic Scrivener, the Arcanist, Guardian of LoreMale Intermediate DeitySymbol: An open scroll covered in violet runes, flanked by silvery golemsHome Plane: PurgatoryAlignment: NeutralPortfolio: Magic, divination, understanding, cleverness, invention, math, reason, egoWorshippers: Alchemists, bards, sorcerers, wizards, artificers, scholars, architects, clerksCleric Alignments: CN, LN, N, NE, NGDomains: Artifice, Knowledge, Magic, Rune, TrickeryFavored Weapon: QuarterstaffDescription forthcomingINAHARI, the Spore Child, the Orphan, Sun PrincessFemale Intermediate DeitySymbol: Small yellow spark, amid a black tunnel speckled with fungal bloomsHome Plane: PurgatoryAlignment: NeutralPortfolio: Light, mutual aid, loss, desperation, misunderstanding, fungi, life from deathWorshippers: Rangers, rogues, hermits, orphans, the poor, farmers, fungus creaturesCleric Alignments: CN, LN, N, NE, NGDomains: Community, Healing, Plant, Repose, SunFavored Weapon: Unarmed strikeDescription forthcomingFARADOR, the Strict Lord, the Enforcer, Absolute MagistrateMale Intermediate DeitySymbol: A bronze fist gripping the bottom of an iron square, with 4 crossbarsHome Plane: UtopiaAlignment: Lawful NeutralPortfolio: Discipline, structure, tradition, oaths, order, hard work, control, strengthWorshippers: Fighters, monks, soldiers, knights, rulers, bureaucrats, laborersCleric Alignments: LE, LG, LN, NDomains: Law, Nobility, Protection, Strength, WarFavored Weapon: Unarmed strike or heavy pickDescription forthcomingORAMINA, the Handler of Fates, the Visionary, Divine ProphetFemale Intermediate DeitySymbol: Orange, feminine eye gazing out from a misty field, with horses for eyelashesHome Plane: UtopiaAlignment: Lawful NeutralPortfolio: Prophecy, planning, quests, sojourns, racing, beasts of burden, civility, dutyWorshippers: Oracles, rangers, advisors, quartermasters, stablemasters, teamsters, equestriansCleric Alignments: LE, LG, LN, NDomains: Animal, Community, Knowledge, Law, TravelFavored Weapon: ShortbowDescription forthcomingBHARABZEEL, the Silver-Tongued Devil, the Dominator, Red TyrantMale Intermediate DeitySymbol: Scimitar slashing down on several small, cowering, bloody humanoidsHome Plane: HellAlignment: Lawful EvilPortfolio: Domination, pride, exploitation, contracts, toil, coercion, torture, hobgoblinsWorshippers: Fighters, monks, rogues, tyrants, overseers, negotiators, torturers, hobgoblinsCleric Alignments: LE, LN, NEDomains: Evil, Law, Nobility, Trickery, WarFavored Weapon: ScimitarDescription forthcomingLAHURIAS, the Foul Mistress, the Wretched, Shadow SovereignFemale Intermediate DeitySymbol: A seemingly-fanged cave-mouth, the dark maw speckled with tiny green eyesHome Plane: HellAlignment: Lawful EvilPortfolio: Envy, disease, poison, scavenging, theft, skulking, spying, sabotage, traps, shadows, caves, extraction, oozesWorshippers: Assassins, bards, rangers, rogues, grimlocks, duergar, deep dwarves, deep gnomesCleric Alignments: LE, LN, NEDomains: Artifice, Darkness, Earth, Evil, LawFavored Weapon: Slam or whipDescription forthcomingSHEKESHNARETH, the Entropic Lord, the Disintegrator, Soul CollectorMale Intermediate DeitySymbol: Greatsword lying on its side, atop a burning corpseHome Plane: AbaddonAlignment: Neutral EvilPortfolio: Sloth, gluttony, entropy, decay, corruption, execution, power, ruin, ambushes, bugbears, gnollsWorshippers: Barbarians, bards, fighters, rogues, sorcerers, wizards, executioners, bugbears, gnollsCleric Alignments: CE, LE, N, NEDomains: Death, Destruction, Evil, Fire, MagicFavored Weapon: GreatswordDescription forthcomingTETHARIEL, the Wicked Mistress, the Gatherer, Lady of IllusionFemale Intermediate DeitySymbol: Profile of a beautiful woman's face, exhaling a cloud concealing a hazy daggerHome Plane: AbaddonAlignment: Neutral EvilPortfolio: Lust, greed, secrets, seduction, debauchery, treachery, surprise, clouds, illusion, spiders, scorpionsWorshippers: Barbarians, bards, fighters, rogues, dark elves, ettercaps, araneaCleric Alignments: CE, LE, N, NEDomains: Air, Charm, Evil, Knowledge, TrickeryFavored Weapon: DaggerDescription forthcomingREVEKSOR, the Rampant Demon, the Brute, Lord of SlaughterMale Intermediate DeitySymbol: Eight bloody, crossed battleaxes in a circleHome Plane: The AbyssAlignment: Chaotic EvilPortfolio: Ruthlessness, recklessness, hatred, deceit, rampages, brutality, goblins, orcsWorshippers: Barbarians, fighters, rogues, goblins, orcsCleric Alignments: CE, CN, NEDomains: Chaos, Evil, Strength, Trickery, WarFavored Weapon: BattleaxeDescription forthcomingDELURINAE, the Lady of Wrath, the Tempest, Sea WitchFemale Intermediate DeitySymbol: Kraken flailing about with three tridentsHome Plane: The AbyssAlignment: Chaotic EvilPortfolio: Wrath, fear, devastation, pillaging, sadism, suspicion, brinksmanship, seafaring, pirates, sea monstersWorshippers: Barbarians, fighters, rogues, pirates, torturers, raiders, krakens, sahuaginCleric Alignments: CE, CN, NEDomains: Animal, Chaos, Destruction, Evil, WaterFavored Weapon: TridentDescription forthcoming</blockquote>

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