The Gods of Arles have, as a group, been in existence for as long as Arles has (possibly longer). However some individual gods are rather younger than that, in particular Anahr and Miklos. The creation of Anahr denotes the beginning of history, and the end of Elfen immortality. Miklos seems to have appeared during or shortly after the Darkness Wars, though whether this is when he came into being or simply when he was first worshipped is unknown.
Each of the gods has a dedicated clergy, consisting in the main of a specialised priest class with a range of miraculous abilities that vary from god to god. In some cases the type of priest, and their abilities vary from culture to culture, even when they worship the same god. A good example of this is Elof/Mostal, whose human priests are very different from the Dwarfen ones. Aside from these priests there are Hedge-Priests (sometimes called Witches) that worship most of the gods as a pantheon, and gather power from the pantheon collectively. Their abilities tend to have a broader range than those of the specialists, but they aren't as powerful in any one area. They also are often self-taught, and are more common out in the rural areas and borderlands.
For details of the priests you can go to the links below (on site):
"The Flame"
God of the Sun, fire, light, etc. Has some power over life and
death.
"The Starlight"
Goddess of the night sky, the starts, foretelling and of the
Noble Elfs. Detached from mundane and mortal affairs.
"The Smith"
God of smithing, iron and war. He is also the god of the Dwarfs,
who call him Mostal, and view him as more intelligent and less
hot-tempered than Humans picture him. He occupies the inner, red
moon that is named Elof after him.
"The Ocean"
God, or Goddess, depending on one's background. Lord of fishes,
the ocean and sea weather. Worshipped by sailors, even in the
Empire. They don't see this as impious or pagan, but rather as
good sense, as Miklos is held (by sailors, if not the church) to
have influence over only Inner Sea, and not the World Ocean.
"The Wind"
Goddess of the wind, and weather on land. She is also Lady of the
Birds, and knows everything that the birds or the wind can
hear.
"The Mother"
The Earth Mother, and goddess of the forces of nature. She is
also in charge of the seasons and fertility, and thus, naturally,
the patroness of farmers.
"The Huntress"
Arles' Artemis figure. She is patron of hunters (provided they
don't take more than they need), the chief deity of the Jungle
and Wood Elfs and Lady of the Unicorns (her symbol).
"The Pilgrim"
The guide and patron of pilgrims, travellers, heralds and
messengers. The pagan god of Humankind, as no other god would
have them.
"The Night", "The Cloak"
Goddess of the night and darkness. Patroness of thieves. She
sometimes helps those who catch her attention, but she is chaotic
and has a weird sense of humour and has been known to 'test' her
favourites by sending them bad luck at inopportune moments.
"The Wise"
Hecate resides on the second, white, moon (which is also called
Hecate) and is mistress of magic and lycanthrope (aside from
werejaguars, and some wereboars and werewolves, which are
influenced by Elof). She is also the goddess of revenge and
'supervises' the proper fulfilment of oaths of revenge. Hecate is
renowned for her holding of grudges and is rumoured to have
assassins for priests.
No epithet
Death is not so much God of Death, but God of the Dead (but not
undead). He (it?) manages the disposition of souls and/or spirits
of the departed, sending them on to the correct god or part of
the underworld. He also handles the details of a resurrection
(except for Miklosites). Death has been known to trade souls if
he is sufficiently impressed with the petitioner, and has also
resurrected those who somehow ended up dead before they were
due.
Numerous epithets, of relevance only to their worshippers.
These gods are patron to the many dark races, most of which were
created by their gods, in an imitation of Elfs or Dwarfs. It also
includes several gods venerated by those necromancers and demon
summoners who don't follow Anahr.
"The Dark One", and by Dwarfs where Elfs can't hear "The
Fallen Elf"
The creator of man and much other evils. Now followed by many
Dark Races, who have abandoned their creators in search of a more
effective patron.
"Man's Friend"
God of the Arlic Empire. His doctrines have no room for the other
gods, even Death. Curiously no attempt to raise the dead through
prayer or miraculous intervention has ever born fruit in less
than three days after death (though the earlier the miracle is
prayed for, the better) - the length of time the pagans claim it
takes Death to process a soul.
This Page was last updated 20MAR2004
This Page and all content not otherwise noted copyright Rupert
Boleyn, 1999-2004