There are two major religions in Gwyniadd:
- Horchar, the Curled Stalker – God/Goddess (If Horchar even has a gender, it has never been confirmed), primarily of Nature, Life and Death. There is no official church dedicated to Horchar, instead worshipers are typically those who follow the "Aulde Ways". Many people view Druids as vessels through which Horchar channels it’s power and intentions, with some Druids taking that very seriously and believing they are Horchar’s voice in the world. Symbols commonly carried by worshippers of Horchar are typically small Dreamcatcher with copper framing, a plain copper disc on a leather thong or an animal skull with copper discs for eyes. Druids who openly display their devotion to Horchar often wear a dear or elk skull with copper pieces in it's eyeholes.
- Meredha
the Love – Goddess of Healing, Fertility, the Moon. Meredha is a
relatively new god in Gwyniadd. Worshipers have built actual chapels and
churches (And a even a small cathedral in the capital.) in her name, where
congregations can gather for religious services and parishioners are
encouraged to tithe to help further the goals and agendas of the church.
Clerics of Meredha have also built healing centers in the major towns and
cities where the sick, frail and wounded can seek their mystical cures and
healing for a modest price. Meredha’s symbol is almost exclusively a white
Lotus blossom with a cupped hand either side. Within the church’s ranks,
this symbol becomes more elaborate, the greater the ranking of the priest or cleric.
There are also a large number of Lesser religions or Gods in
this setting, though worship of these Lesser beings is becoming rare:
- Venjed Vorhed, Dark King of the Impure, The Watcher from Darkness – Venjed Vorhed is the traditional god worshipped by Goblinoids, Orcs, Giantkin and the other monstrous races amongst the land. The mere mention of the Dark King typically is done in hushed tones and accompanied by a protective “circle” over one’s heart formed from curled thumb and fore-finger. (Of course, the Dark King is known by other names depending on which monstrous tongue you hear it spoken.)
- Fiddelteehee,
the Drunken Tricksters – contemporary Halflings in general are rarely
religious, believing in pure Luck rather than putting faith in a deity; but there are a few who whisper of the ancient twin halfling gods Fiddelteehee
that halflings of old would worship by causing mischief, committing mild
larcenies and overindulging in drunkenness and parties in general. Even to
this day a symbol of Fiddelteehee (an elaborately carved pair of crossed wooden spoons) is
often found hanging over the entrance to many Halfling homes, though this
is more due to tradition than actual worship.
- Ruffah
Stoneface – the ancient Lord of the Dwarves and king of the pantheon
of Dwarven Gods. He, who is so stern as to command all other dwarven gods
to stay silent to the pleas of their worshipers. Whilst the worship of the
Dwarven pantheon in general has waned in current times with the influx of
modern worship primarily of Meredha, some of the most traditional dwarven
communities still place their faith in the cold, unloving and oft times
harsh gaze of Ruffah Stoneface. Worshipers of Ruffah believe his lack of
response to their prayers and rituals is instead a show of strength for
the dwarves, for what race is truly more prosperous or strong in life,
than one who’s God would see it’s peoples exist in his silence, yet thrive and resist outside interference?
- Slenge-vah the Smelter - Second most prominent of the dwarven pantheon, Slenge-vah is the smithy-god and brother to Ruffah Stoneface. It is he who gifted the dwarves the ability to create fires and the knowledge of how to use it to coerce and fashion weapons, armour and practical items from the ores mined under the Aur Mountains. Unlike his brother, Ruffah, Slenge-vah does pay attention to his worshippers and grants boons upon those who's forges are particularly productive in his name. Priests of this god are most certainly the smithies of their towns and villages and tend to keep their beards and hair cut short or shorn entirely unlike the average dwarf and are thereby easy to spot within dwarven communities.
- Minkah the
Faceless – Minkah is the eldest god of all the land. He is the god Hope, the saviour of
the lost and downtrodden, those who are about to have all potential and
life snatched from them undeservedly and who might answer their calls. For the most part, he is an unknown
to the general populace and only a few learned religious scholars are even
aware of his existence aside from those very few he has granted to be his Vessells. Minkah has no symbols and no church and his form
changes depending upon who he reveals himself to, though most often appears
as a faceless child bathed in light. Oft-times a being in a dire and
deadly predicament might gain his notice, where, as the final blow is
about to land or ragged & diseased breath drawn is about to take the
mortal’s life, Minkah will step in and after demanding a Soul-Oath from
the mortal in question will save them, to live henceforth as Minkah's Vessell and act henceforth in
Minkah’s name, never revealing Minkah’s existence to the world and to
always stand up for those who are unable to do so themselves.
Neighbouring nations too have their Gods:
1. Inhastehn, Mistress of Dominance and Trade - The peoples of neighbouring monothiestic nation of Ungamorr
worship the harsh and unforgiving goddess, Inhastehn. Strength in all things and
dominance over the weak are the main aspects she demands from her followers.
The Ungamorri caste society came to be because of this and can be seen as unforgiving
and cruel to outsiders. Inhastehn is an old Goddess and the traditional enemy
of the God Minka, who’s offering of Hope in moments of despair is the opposite to
Inhastehn’s often brutal crushing of the weak and downtrodden. But as the centuries have
passed, Minka has been forgotten by almost all mortals whereas worship of Inhastehn
has waxed due to her prominence in Ungamorr. Inhastehn is depicted as a tall
imposing maiden, pitch-black, who’s only details are her piercing white eyes.
Upon her shoulders are small winged orcas (One perched upon each shoulder) that
holy texts describe as her hunting “hounds” and who readily devour those
Inhastehn deems weak.
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