An excerpt from The Depths of Norhaven: A Complete Guide, Volume Five – Of God and Gods, by Alerdy Parlyle-...and that is when I first heard rumors of the large egg. However, just as peoples and cultures change with time, so too does religion and the unknown movements of the divine powers that guide the masses, unseen yet felt. I have done what I have felt is a fair justice to the various faiths that encompass the depths below the frozen surface. It is my hope that those who set foot within a particular colony for the first time will have a basic understanding of the various cultures of faith that inhabit that place.
On The FourThe people of Gauth, while of pragmatic mind and action, adhere firmly to a belief in their small pantheon, known simply as ‘The Four’. This is an old, possibly ancient religion, ingrained into their social consciousness, coloring many of their past-times and traditions. While many in Gauth merely ‘go through the motions’ of faith, as a tired wife might treat her aged husband, there is plenty of fervor still to be found in some of its more pious individuals.
The religion is based around the concept that this material world that we all inhabit is kept in balance by four gods. The head of this pantheon is Eradus, the creator of the lesser deities. He is the judge and jailer of the dead, and the keeper of all lore and wisdom known to allkind. Eradus is often beseeched by those seeking advice from their ancestors, a known Dwarven tradition that has seeped into the mainstream. His surviving daughter, Damihra, is the mother of all the creatures that inhabit our world. She breathes life unto the newborn babe, whilst lending her strength to those who feast on the red meat of their prey. Her spouse, Amaros, is the bearer of fire, toil and hard labour. It is he who lends his fury to Gauth’s warriors, while giving the newborn the drive and ambition to walk, then run, and eventually sprint. Their final deity is Joreal, The Sage, who was born of both light and darkness. He is the bringer of change, the seeker of hard truths and the architect of inspiration.
Gauth has very few who would call themselves priests of their faith. This isn’t to say that it has no religious groups, however. There are many who hold religious beliefs as the staple of their work ethic. The warlord himself has been known to offer up praises to Amaros on many an occasion, and it is worth noting that of the four deities, Amaros is the only one to have a faith that is steadily growing amongst the younger generation due to the warlord’s patronage.
That said, one particular religious practice has found a place of utmost importance among both the young and old citizens of Gauth. Soul-forging, the process of physically crafting one’s “soul” into an item that a person carries for the rest of their life, is regarded as a rite of passage into adulthood for the Gauthian people. This special object, crafted by an individual to show their intended path through life, symbolically represents all that the person believes themselves, or aspires, to be. These can take many shapes, for example, the shape of a shield for a guardian of the city, a ring to show dedication to a beloved, or a skullcap to show intelligence and guile. These items are constantly changed and recrafted as the person ages to reflect their experience and knowledge. They become the Gauthian’s most prized possession, and it is considered to be the only item they take with them into the afterlife, by which Eradus is able to judge the person’s soul, and what place they might take within his realm. For a Gauthian to steal another’s soul-forged item is the only crime they place above high treason, and is not only punishable by death, but their soul-forged item and corpse are both left to rot outside of the colony.
I myself have looked into these items, and have found little indication of any magical properties related to them. If these things truly show a man’s soul, then I must assume it is in some form of metaphorical sense, rather than actually acting as a phylactery to the individual. Perhaps I will have to consult a philosopher for further study, but that is for a different guide.
On EleudisContrary to the old, stagnant faith of Gauth, the newly founded religion of Eleudis that holds sway over Avera’s Hope has gained traction with the outcasts and former slaves who have embraced one last chance at redemption. One would also learn that the principle aspect of the faith of Eleudis is that the Gauthian faith’s four deities are, in fact, one being that has been misinterpreted by the lost and misguided. Eleudis, He of Four Faces, is the great liberator and creator of all things. He is a distant, aloof god who’s presence is only felt through the words and actions of his chosen prophets.
The most recognized and central prophet to the faith, Avera, became both the cornerstone to the faith of Eleudis and the foundation of the colony itself. The colony has the unique aspect that unlike the clergy of the Warrens or Gauth, the faithful of Eleduis have both met their prophet and watched her die at the hands of their captors. This powerful memory has fueled the colony’s strong ties to this newly found religion that on the surface seems older than its years.
However, a common misconception amongst people unfamiliar to the faith is that Avera created the religion. She claimed to have been guided to the truth of Eleudis, and that he had always been and always was, but that allkind had merely forgotten. It would be through her trials, tribulations, and ultimately her death that would be the spark to reignite thoughts of revolution both in social structure and faith.
As the faith of Eleudis is still rather new, having been created within the past decade, the structure and organization of the official church is still in a state of flux. The Holy Matron of Light presides over an all female clergy, called the Lightkeepers, who seem to have no defined rank structure. The main reasoning for a female clergy is to emulate Avera in as many ways as possible, in the hopes of creating a new prophet to carry the word of Eleudis to His faithful, so that they might find guidance from Him. Due to this lack of true organization, the Lightkeepers have many smaller splinter factions, some of whom are entirely rogue, with little association to the Holy Matron at all. Some of these have diverted so greatly as to accept men.
In Avera’s Hope, the presence of the Lightkeepers is immediately felt, though not in a way that one would notice. In its founding days, a massive fire swept through the town, burning many makeshift hovels and causing havoc in its wake. Those who did not lose their homes were forced to choke on the smoke that lingered for weeks due to the poor ventilation. The fire was found to have been caused by one of the many torches lit by the Lightkeepers about the settlement, a massive blow to their movement as a whole. However, the people of Avera’s Hope are not one to give up a cause so easily.
It is here that the Lightkeepers live up to their namesake, maintaining small, magical orbs of light to provide illumination to the colony. Each Lightkeeper roams the colony restoring the precious orbs that would otherwise plunge the caverns into complete darkness, spreading the word of Avera and Eleudis as they make their rounds. With each pass of the colony, the Lightkeepers whisper hope and promise that the next day will be better than the last, and the Church of the Golden Crown views itself as central to the growth and protection of Avera’s Hope.
It is here that they lead the rallying cry when the colony is threatened, the glimmer of hope in the most grim of times.
On ElothPerhaps the most misunderstood of the religious sects, those faithful to the entity known as Eloth are perhaps the most zealous in their attempts to keep the faith and appease The Old God. Eloth does not represent much to the Elothi beyond sheer power. It is a creature of unimaginable age and size, with motives incomprehensible to a mere mortal. It is this, the Elothi believe, is what makes it a true god and not a mere reflection of allkind’s needs. Eloth existed before the Elothi and will continue to do so when they are gone, what truly matters is if it finds you worthy or unworthy of sharing but a fraction of its greatness. What one does with such boons is entirely up to them, they will serve Eloth’s will whether they truly know it or not.
While the cult of Eloth has roots deep within the Warrens society, it is still a young religion, only around a century and a half in age. It is still a child in comparison to the truly ancient Gauthian religion, but compared to the Church of Eleudis, a religion that could still be considered in its infancy, the cult of Eloth has already experienced most of its growing pains.
Most of the religion’s practitioners are introduced to the sect at a very young age, some even born into it. The scholar in me assumes this is to familiarize the individuals in the rather complex and elaborate workings of the religion itself, which seems to have integrated into almost every activity in the daily life of an Elothi citizen.
While most of the practices related to the actual worship of the god are kept on guarded tongues, through personal experience I have learned that the cult places great emphasis on the meaning of sacrifice. Common whisperings amongst outsiders mention the very literal and physical idea of sacrifice, involving of course the taking of life. While I myself cannot outright prove these claims false, I would put forward that the Sect has a well-deserved reputation for mistrust of outsiders, if not outright unfriendly and hostile. Non-Elothi in the Warrens are commonly regarded as pests, doubly so in Elothos itself. There are countless rumors that many a stranger has vanished in the Forgotten City, never to be heard of again. Outside of the Warrens, however, an Elothi is just as likely to aid a passing traveler as they are to shun one, but their insularity and all-encompassing zeal has lead to many a peculiarity.
The practitioners of the other faiths often claim that since Eloth is a physical creature that slumbers at the center of Elothos, it cannot be a God as it resides in this world. However, worshipers of Eloth claim quite the opposite: Since they can visibly see and speak to their deity, there is absolutely no doubt as to its existence, and more importantly its power. Eloth has supposedly granted many miracles, some overt and some subtle. The most well known among them was the resurrection of his most faithful prophet, Al'Kashek, after his life was ended before its time, so that he might continue his work under the watchful eyes of Eloth. One thing that is rarely noted though, is the change that the people of Elothos have gradually undergone; their complexion has grown more pallid as they have spent more time closer to the God. This is considered another of Eloth’s boons, granting his people a more favorable physiology for their new habitat, and a sign of its immense power. No other god has shown such a direct influence on Norhaven as Eloth, and no other god has garnered as much fervor.
Eloth Watches.
The Four Gods of OldKnown collectively as The Four, these gods are primarily worshiped in Gauth and by the Volsk (though under different names).
Eradus, The JudgeGender : Male
Domains : Earth, Death, Cold, Time, Law
Other Names : The Father, The Judge, The Unmaker, The Eye.
Typically Depicted As : A robed man holding a large tome and judge's gavel
Typical Followers : Gauthians (Older generation), guards and other peacekeepers
Eradus is the eldest of the Four, acting as the Father. He maintains order within Nisourel and passes on judgment to the dead, allowing only the worthy to join him in Iyegos while leaving the damned souls in eternal limbo.
Tenets
• Honor those who have walked before you
• Do not sway from the laws that have been established
• Destroy not the foundations of what I have given
• Let the sleeping lie silent in their tombs
Clergy
The Clergy of Eradus is the most structured of the Four, their God being the focal point of Gauth's religion. Gauth's Wards and Oathsworn typically follow religious lifestyles centered around the Father. The Keepers of the Tombs, the custodians of the tombs that house the honored ancestors remains, are also held in high regard amongst the faithful and are typically approached when one needs to settle a matter involving faith.
Damihra, The LadyGender : Female
Domains : Animal, Healing, Good, Plant, Sun
Other Names : The Lady of the Spear.
Typically Depicted As : A lithe elven huntress wielding a spear
Typical Followers : Religious druids and rangers. Midwives. Farmers/Brewers.
Damihra is the goddess of life, survival, and nature. While she is the beginning of the Wheel of Life, her followers understand that the life they live in the underground is often short and brutal. Survival requires sacrifices; life is a constant struggle. All life must, inevitably, consume other life to survive. One should respect life and nature, for it is dangerous, but death is similarly a part of the natural cycle.
Tenets
• Life is hard. Death is easy
• Life can not exist without the sacrifices of the dead
• Respect the earth, or it will reclaim what's given
• One will reap what they sow
• Nature does not impose anything that Nature has not prepared you to bear.
Clergy
The clergy of Damihra is a much looser thing compared to the Father, her following preferring a much more solitary religious experience. Prayer is usually offered to the Mother when people leave the safety of the colonies to travel the dangerous caverns between, and that is usually the end of it. Those devout to the goddess tend to be hunters, druids, and others who live a more natural lifestyle.
Joreal, The SageGender : Male
Domains : Trickery, Luck, Chaos, Knowledge, Air
Other Names : The Sage, The Trickster, The Wanderer
Typically Depicted As : A man (various races) wearing a cracked mask
Typical Followers : Travelers, thieves, philosophers, artists, sages
Joreal is the God of knowledge, inspiration, and change. He teaches us that there are many paths of life, but not all may be walked. The truth lies in chaos, and it is Joreal who helps us find it. Just as a man is best described by his enemies, you will not know the truth unless you walk amongst the lies.
Tenets
• Without questions, there would be no answers
• Without chaos, there would be no order
• There are two paths in life: Those that will lead you to truth, and those that will lead you to lies. Both must be walked
Clergy
Joreal is a favorite of many, but mostly of travelers, philosophers, prophets and inventors. He is a god of exploration, both physical and mental. Joreal tells us that we can not learn if we are surrounded by what we already know, and that we only stop learning if we never risk failure. Jorealites are often looked upon as sages and councilors, and their advice is worth more than gold if you can find the meaning in their words. Those of much less savory occupations tend to view Joreal as the Trickster, living chaotic lifestyles in an attempt to seek enlightenment.
Amaros, The ChampionGender : Male
Domains : Fury, War, Strength, Protection, Fire
Other Names : The Champion
Typically Depicted As : A dwarf standing atop a pedestal in a victory pose, waraxe held high above his head while he holds a mining pick in the other.
Typical Followers : Gauthians (Younger generation), soldiers, those who live competitive lifestyles.
Amaros is the God of overcoming obstacles and personal strength. He teaches us that allkind is at its best when it is challenged: It is only when we are pushed to our limits that we can push past them.
Tenets
• Let nothing, man or otherwise, stand in the way of improvement
• A clan is only as strong as its weakest link
• That which does not become stronger becomes weaker
• Strength comes in many forms, the strongest will rise as champions
Clergy
Amaros is a favorite of anyone in a profession in which thrives in competition: Warriors, miners, blacksmiths, merchants, actors and so forth. While Amarosians have a great respect for anyone who is a master at their profession, they abhor anyone who does not give their full effort to a task. They are notorious betters and boasters when it comes to competition. While many followers of Amaros often seek to help bring out the best in others through challenges, there are others who see failure as a weakness and seek to punish those - including themselves - who fail their challenges.
Regarding Gauthians in particular, the younger generation holds the Champion as a favorite (Much to the older generation's annoyance) as they believe their idol and warlord stands for everything the God represents. This has resulted in a variety of "gangs" to be formed amongst the youth, those who wish to prove themselves to the colony through competitions and feats of strength. Some grow out of this phase, while others grow into it as they reach adulthood.
The Golden CrownEleudis is the new God of Avera's Hope, and is primarily worshiped there.
EleudisGender : Male
Domains : Sun, Law, Strength, Knowledge
Other Names : The One True God, The Golden Crown, He of Four/Five Faces, the Sun Above
Typically Depicted As : A robed man with the sun as his face
Typical Followers : Slaves, Hopers (people from Avera's Hope)
Eleudis is the one true God of the Depths of Norhaven, who created the World as free, rested, and woke up seeing it enslaved. He is the Four idols in one, for they are merely faces of His true glory; aspects of His creation misunderstood as 'gods'. They are not. His message was first professed by the escaped slaves of the elves: His message is freedom and hope. Only through true Faith, Faith in Him over the idols, the key to the Heavenly Plains is received: salvation. And only when Allkind has been saved will He walk among us.
Tenets
• Let no lie hold sway of your tongue, for deception is the realm of Evil
• All are created free and should neither take nor hold slaves
• Be compassionate, as All are part of the Creation
• Never lose faith but keep your hope, for there will be darkness before there can be light
Clergy
The Clergy of Eleudis are known as the Lightkeepers, as they maintain both the lights of Avera's Hope as well as the Light of Faith, and their Church of Martyrs is mainly a sisterhood. The children, maidens, and Sisters of the Church attend to important tasks such as midwifery, cremation rites, marriage, and tending the sick. Above them all sits the Matron of Light, the sole survivor of the prophet's disciples. Their most fundamental duties are oppose the evil of the Deceiver, to liberate the restless dead and demons, and to spread the True Faith.
The Forgotten God
ElothGender : None/Both, often referred to as ‘he,’ ‘she’ and ‘it’ interchangeably.
Domains : Water, Dreams, Darkness
Other Names : The Dreamer in the Void, the Blind Watcher with a Thousand Eyes, The Singer at the End Times, The Shapeless Forgotten, The Old One.
Typical Followers : Elothi.
Eloth is primarily worshiped in the Warrens, where he is said to have been rediscovered by the first prophet Rosh Al’Kashek. The Sect believes that Eloth has granted the people of the Depths salvation, and that there are still be greater rewards to come. Eloth speaks to its followers through nightmarish dreams and visions.
Tenets
• Hold no other god before me
• Obey the Sect
Clergy
The Sect of Eloth, the religion founded by the Prophet in worship of Eloth, dominates all Warrens affairs. Most of the Warrensfolk are members of the Sect and conform to its laws and norms, and whilst membership is not necessary to live in the Warrens it brings with it a number of social benefits. Rituals and public devotion are common place, along with the occasional sacrifice to Eloth, though for the most part the Warrens itself appears fairly typical. Most of the extreme religious practices take place in more secluded areas.
Although all ranks within the Sect can be considered religious, everyday religious matters are handled by the Sect's Priesthood (sometimes known as clerics) as leaders of the community. Their words are lent a great deal of authority. A fledgling or scion cleric isn't affording any particular status, but cenobites and above may be referred to as Priests, Gog-Priests, and Elder Priests and are deferred to on any number of matters.
The AntithesisGender : Varies (Normally depicted as male)
Domains : Evil, Undeath, Destruction.
Other Names : The Deceiver, Ondur, The One Who Bears No Name, The Snake Coiled Around the World, and many more.
Typically Depicted As : A shadowy figure, a great coiled snake with wide jaws, a horned beast, a snake-man with one eye, and many more.
The source of all evil. Followers of Eloth believe that it thirsts for nought but destruction, whilst in Avera's Hope it is the antithesis of everything that their god stands for. The people of Gauth interpret it as the Snake Coiled Around the World, Ondur ; poised to throttle all life from existence and swallow it whole. It is widely believed to be responsible for all black crimes that befall the good and the pious, and behind every foul act perpetrated by the wrongful and the cruel. It has no clergy or priesthood to speak of, though its followers can be found deep between the cracks in society. The mad, the craven, and the damned all walk beneath its dark banner.
