Belief Systems of the West

[CaptainPenguin]

I have journeyed long and far, besearching the information required for this arduous session of lore, subjected upon the gods and beliefs of the people of the Armorican Kingdoms. It is my hope that this volume will find its way into the homes of many throughout our lands.

Signed,
Caius Pompey of Turoballium

[CaptainPenguin]

Arcturus, the Lord of the Sky, the Eagle
Symbols: Golden feather on a white field, soaring eagle, eagle's eye
Holy objects: Eagles, oak trees, lightning and thunder, the sky

Plentimon, the King of Gamblers, Master of Money and Wealth
Symbols: Golden dice with black dots, playing cards
Holy objects: Dice, playing cards, rats, strawberries (his favorite fruit)

Fortuna, Lady of Luck, Consort of Plentimon, younger sister of Karmos
Symbols: Black dice with golden dots
Holy objects: Dice, mice, white lilies

Karmos, Duke of Destiny, Maker of Kings (Also called Ceremeus)
Symbols: Red crown on a purple field
Holy objects: Crowns, doves, daggers

Ateniad, Over General of the Armies of the Gods, Patron of Soldiers
Symbols: Red sword over a blue shield, cloven green helmet, blue foot crushing a black serpent on a field of red
Holy objects: Fire, weapons and armor, geese, dogs

Fentor, the Armor-Bearer of Ateniad, Patron of Heralds, Messengers, and Those Who Run
Symbols: Winged green foot, running man, golden-trimmed green armor
Holy objects: Scrolls, sandals, walking staves, green snakes

Shaya, Mother of the Earth, Goddess of Marriage and Obligations.
Symbols: Woman made from stone, a white hand holding a golden hand, a marriage crown
Holy objects: Marriage crowns (crowns woven from reeds), cattle

Tritonius, God of Water and Oceans, Great Lord of the Rivers
Symbols: A green-blue wave, a black trident on a field of gray, three rivers flowing from a green mountain
Holy objects: Water, the sea, fish, tridents, seals, fishing boats,
 
Orana, Goddess of Magic and Mystery
Symbols: A stylized purple and blue eye
Holy objects: Blue jewels, books and scrolls, cats, the stars

Discus, Diety of the Sun, Truth, and Athletics
Symbols: A golden-skinned man tossing a discus, a solar disc, a white man wrestling a black man on a field of gold
Holy objects: The sun, throwing discs, the wind, cesti (boxing gloves)
 
Lunala, the Moon Goddess, Goddess of Love and Desire, Sister of Discus
Symbols: A crescent moon, a full moon, a beautiful woman, a stylized white heart
Holy objects: The moon, white owls, white cats, white lotuses

Lacrimus, the Weeper, Titan of Sorrows
Symbols: A gaunt man weeping in a stained robe, a sad-faced drama mask
Holy objects: Nightshade, irises, roses, owls

Jaina, Goddess of Growing Things and Picked Fruit, Goddess of Wine
Symbols: A juicy green fruit, a red apple, a grapevine
Holy objects: Fruit or vegetables, insects, wine

Marcus, Lord of Money, the Trade God
Symbols: A leather bag spilling gold pieces, a denarius coin
Holy objects: Coins, scales (for weighing gold)

The Inspiri, Children of Dellic -
    Martinus the Poet, Patron of Drama
    Symbols: A pen writing on a sheet of parchment, a pair of drama masks
    Holy objects: Writing quills, ink, scrolls
    Lore, Prince of Stories
    Symbol: A thick tome
    Holy objects: Books, moths
    Alucina, Weaver of Dreams (or her male counterpart, Oneiros)
    Symbols: A woman with her head on a pillow (a man with his head on a pillow)
    Holy objects: Pillows, blue lotuses, butterflies (same, and owls)

Julius, Bringer of Darkness, the Bloody-Handed One, Lord of Murder (Demon)
Symbols: A man with dark purple skin, a bloody handprint, a dagger dripping blood
Holy objects: None. Julius is not presented with offerings.

Cthonus, Lord of the Underworld, Keeper of the Dead, Titan of Death
Symbols: A skull with a single blue eye on a field of black, a downward-pointing purple chevron on a field of black (symbolizing descent into the underworld)
Holy objects: Bones of other gods' holy animals, obsidian, skulls, a funeral drape

Ichneumon, God of Hunters
Symbols: A hornet, a bow-and-arrow, a leaping stag
Holy objects: Stags and deer, arrows, bone daggers, mint

Aesclepius, God of Healers and Physicians
Symbols: A bowl and surgeon's edge, a bunch of green herbs tied together with blue string, a human body lying with arms extended and feet together
Holy objects: A surgeon's bowl, a surgeon's edge, any medicinal herb

In addition to these gods, the Arcturans worship numerous nebulous gods known as Numina. A Numen is usually in charge of a singular portion of a God’s territory. For instance, the Numen of the Zingor River would be worshipped as a servant of Tritonius.  The Numina of houses are known as Lars.

Before the Gods, say the Arcturans, there were the Titans, and before them, Proto, the All-Fatherer. Most legends related to Proto and the birth of the Titans are vague at best. However, it is very clear how the Titans came to be the masters. Legends state that Proto, upon seeing his first daughter, Myllo, Titaness of Passion, the All-Fatherer was consumed wth lust, and raped her. When she gave birth, her son was Cthonus, the Lord of the Underworld. But that is another story. Aetherius discovered what had happened and gathered the other Titans and plotted vengeance. They carried out their plan and slew their father Proto. But as he died, Proto cursed them, saying “May my blood be also yours! Your children will be your own demise!� and then, reached to the Great Wheel of Time and set it into motion, bringing mortality and age to the world.
Thus, when the Gods were born, so did Lassiter, a Titan, slay his son, the god Dursus, and so did the Gods decide to overthrow the Titans and their tyranny. After a great clash, the Gods were victorious, and they chained those surviving Titans who did not side with them to various purposes. Cthonus, who remained neutral, they made master of the Dead. Shaya, who sided with the Gods, was made an honorary god.

[CaptainPenguin]

Alotti, the Fierce, the Warrior, the Last, Chief of Aiell Bragh

Ymor, Lord of the Dead, Icebreather, the Silent, the Pitiless

Ardh, Master of Fire, the Forger, the Ruddy

Aeron, the Bloodthirsty, the Unbowed, Stag of War

Dheuron, the Trickster, the Smiler, Dancing One, the Laughing

Aulga, the Mother, the Lover, Protector of Children and Women, wife of Alotti

Teuder Emyrun, the Still, the Thinker, Earthbones, the Mountain's Root, father of Alotti

Golla, the Adversary, the Evil, Chief of the Southern Enemy

Yneff Lleneur, the Truthful, the Vengeful, Lord of Just Causes, He Who Speaks No Lies, uncle of Alotti

Ettsa Gattr, the Proud, the Raven Queen, Mistress of the Skies, mother of Alotti

Ellrim, the Tree, the Wise, Lord of the Forests, the Sorceror

Alotti gives a man three chances in life, and when those three chances are up, that man's death is near. Those who died an honorable death or a warrior's death go to the Hall in the Sky, Aiell Bragh, which is said to be atop great Mount Teubora. Those who die cowardly or dishonorable deaths sink to the gloomy underworld, Nifl, to be lorded over forever by Ymor, the lord of the dead.

Alsson legends are different for each tribe, but most agree that the world is a stone disk held over the frozen underworld of Nifl by Ymor's four sons, Rymm, Yllr, Ller Attori, and Anni Gattr. Ellrim, the Great Tree, grows at the center of the disk and supports Aiell Bragh in his upper branches. Mount Teubora reaches into these upper branches at its peak, delves into Nifl at its roots, and is present always in the center, Moddga.

[CaptainPenguin]

Swarog, the Divine Light, Lord Over All, son of Rod

Rod and Rozhenica, the Father and Mother, the Root of All, the father and mother of the World

Matka Zjemlja, Moist Mother Earth (Also called Matka or Mata Syra Zjemlja)

Khors Dazhdbog, the Sun God

Mokosz, the Moisture Woman, She Who Spins Fate

Piorun, the Lord of Thunder, the Sky-Roarer, Patron of Warriors (sometimes separated into Dzarowit, the Warrior God)

Stribog, the Lord of Winds and Rain, the Father of Dissent and Chaos

Volos, The Horned Lord, The Trickster, Lord of Wealth and the Underworld, Ruler Over Beasts

Mjesjac, the Sun's Bald Uncle, the Moon God, the First Sorceror

Marzanna, Death and Winter, Old Woman Frost

Lahda, Lady Love, the Wanton, the Beautiful One

Dziewona, the Lady Huntress, the Queen of the Forest

Dodola, the Rain Goddess, the Milk-Giver

Bialobog and Czarnobog, Light and Darkness

Jezi Baba, the Crone, the Demon-Woman (associated with the Virteki goddess Baba Yaga)

The world, according to Woronites and Watzchans, is organized into Heaven, Earth, and Visj (Hell). The good rise up to dwell with the gods in Heaven, and the wicked descend to Visj. The Earth teems with magical beings, faeries, spirits, and little gods, all born from Rod and Rozhenica. They are ruled over by Swarog.

[CaptainPenguin]

Mitras, the Unconquered Sun, Lord of Light, Bringer of Life
Symbol: A solar disc, a golden-bearded man, or a man cutting a white bull's throat
The Angels, the Demigods of Good, Wives of Mitra, Swords of Heaven
Symbols: Angels have no symbols.

Ozibel, the Devil, the Dragon, the Adversary of All That Is Good, Enemy of Life
Symbol: A black dragon, a black bull with red eyes, a field of black with one red stripe
The Demons, the Demigods of Evil, Sons of Ozibel, Fists of Hell
Symbols: Demons have no symbols.

It is said that Mitras, in the beginning of time, slew the White Bull of the Heavens, and its shed blood created all life. Ozibel struggled against Mitras for control of the new-made world. But after a great battle, Mitras cast Ozibel down into fiery Hell.
The Marcosian religion is primarily dualist. The world is either dark or light. Mitras is all that is good; light, courage, strength, intelligence, kingliness. Ozibel is all that is evil; darkness, trickery, sorcery, craven-ness. As the sun creates a shadow, and the darkness reaches for light, Mitras and Ozibel are complementary. Neither can exist without the other; yet they struggle until the End of Time. The Marcosians say that someday, in the far-off End of Time, one will slay the other, and the world will become forever more the place of the victor. If, before this time, Humanity is judged to be Evil, then Ozibel shall be the victor. If Humanity is judged Good, then Mitras shall be the victor. Therefore, it is the duty of all good Mitraists to do their best to espouse the virtues of Mitras: Strength, courage, intelligence, cleverness, beauty, and kingliness.
When a good Marcosian dies, he ascends to the Heavens to sit next to Mitras and his Angels as the Sun Lord travels through the sky. But if the Marcosian is judged evil, they descend into fiery, darkness-shrouded Hell, where they are tortured for their sins by Ozibel's horrid children and servants, the Demons.
Mitras is depicted as a strong, handsome man with golden hair and a square-cut beard. He sometimes wears golden armor, studded with jewels; other times, he wears a simple white robe belted with yellow.
The Angels are always beautiful females. They are the Wives of Mitras, his personal consorts, and are the warriors of Heaven.
Ozibel is depicted as a black dragon, raging and fiery-eyed, with a bleeding hole where his heart should be. He sometimes clutches a spiked mace in his twisted talons; other times, he carries a bloody sword in one hand and a severed head in the other. He is also depicted as a demonic, black-skinned man with a dragon's wings, hands, feet, and tail, and horns crown his head.
The Demons take many forms, but they are all evil and horrible to behold. They are the Sons of Ozibel, his servants and soldiers, and are the hordes of Hell.

[CaptainPenguin]

Abraxas, Lord of Plestoris, The Lord of Perfection, the Keeper of the Mystic Words, the Great Mystery
Symbols: A purple sceptre, a purple or blue disc, a representation of Abraxas (see the bottom of the page)

The Abraxan Cult is a mysterious religion based around the worship of Abraxas, the Lord of Perfection. The Abraxans say that Abraxas is the lord of another world, called Plestoris. Only through the strange rites and mysticism of the Abraxan Cult can mortals achieve perfection, and ascend to dwell in Plestoris.
The Abraxans believe that all things are illusionary, merely false echoes of the perfection of Plestoris. They believe that only three things are truly Plestorian in origin in this world: Humans, who have been tainted by the false world, Abraxas, who is lord of the Second World, come to bring back his lost children, and the Mystic Words, which are Abra, Cada, and Braxa. The Mystic Words are a central part of the Second World faith.
The members of the Abraxan Cult do not generally share the very superstitious view of magic that most Armoricans hold. Abraxans believe that magic is the truest echo of Plestorian reality, and that it's use can bring the user closer to perfection.
In many places, the Abraxans are denounced as sorcerors and heretics. It does not help that the name Abraxas appears in many (albeit banned) sorcerous texts as that of a demon.
Abraxas is often depicted as a naked androgynous being with white flesh, wearing a crown of flames and bearing a king's scepter. In non-Abraxan texts, Abraxas is depicted as a muscular man with a rooster's head, and a mass of serpents for legs. It bears a bejewelled crown and holds a sceptre in one hand and a cat-o-nine-tails in the other.

[CaptainPenguin]

-Ymir, the Frost Giant, the Chief of Everything, the Old, Hoary-Headed

The Aesir
-Modirold, Old Mother, the Earth, Heartbeat of the World

-Mimherde, the Poet, the Wisest One, the Firstborn

-Solur, the Sun Watcher, the Golden, Shine

-Maantidir, the Moon Gazer, the Silvery, Glowe

-Nerthis, the Caretaker of Nature, the Beautiful, the Lover

-The Three Brothers-
-Nornd, the God of War and Battle, the Bloody, the Spear-Shaker
-Nidhur, the God of Cunning and Bravery, the Honey-Tongued, the Trickster, Left-Handed
-Hanthyr, the Warm, the Kind (Deceased, according to mythology)

The Elemental Gods (The Sons of Ymir)
-Hvergelur, the One in the Mountains

-Eiktyrnde, the Sheperd of the Trees, the Watcher of the Wood

-Rimgur, the Wielder of Snow and Frost, brother of Nifelgur

-Nifelgur, the Wielder of Water, brother of Rimgur (called Vannfallir by the Durmalgishmen)

-Muspelhogg, the Bite of Flame, the Fast Fire, Lord of Muspelheim

In Eregard mythology, the greatest god is Ymir, the Frost Giant, who dwelt before time in Gunningagap. He became bored and lustful in the endless void, and so created Modirold. Modirold dwelt with Ymir for six ages, but then fled from him into the icy emptiness of Gunningagap.
There, she bore forth seven children, the Aesir. The firstborn was Mimherde, ever the wisest of all beings, even wiser than Old Ymir, skilled in poetry. Then came Solun, the Sun Watcher, and Maantidir, the Moon Gazer. Then was beautiful Nerthis born, to care for all the growing things and beasts and things which were beautiful. The came the Three Brothers- warlike Nornd, clever Nidhur (a trickster), and gentle, kind Hanthyr.
Solun and Maantidir went often to the edge of the world looked off, into Gunningagap, trying to see if they could find strange places, or others like them, or maybe even Old Ymir, their father.
Nornd and Nidhur were jealous of Solun and Maantidir, for they seemed wise and distant, always looking out to farther shores. They made up a plan, which they hid from Modirold and Mimherde, and tricked their brother Hanthyr to show them the edge of the world.
When the Three Brothers arrived, Solun and Maantidir were awed by what they saw, and began to sing of Gunningagap and of the lights that they saw far off in that void, which they thought to be the lantern of Ymir as he came to them.
Sly Nidhur then spoke honeyed words to Hanthyr, and told him that Solun and Maantidir longed to fly to Gunningagap where they belonged, and that Hanthyr should help them by pushing them off the edge.
Hanthyr, young and ever-trusting, did as he was told. Solun and Maantidir fell far away into Gunningagap.
Realizing what he had done, Hanthyr slew himself in shame, and his body became metals and jewels, with which the remaining Aesir made weapons of strength and power.
Modirold mourned the loss of three of her children, and when her tears were spent, she fell asleep. The other gods built lodges upon her body.
Meanwhile, Solun and Maantidir found a stair with which they could climb out of Gunningagap, and climbed it, but found that it merely circled over the world and went down again.
Ymir came to where the Aesir where, and seeing this sorry state of affairs, created five monster-sons, Hvergelur, Eiktyrnde, Rimgur and Nifelgur, and Muspelhogg, to watch over the Aesir to make sure that they did not further mischief.
That is how the world was made.

Durmalgish tradition says much the same, but it says also that the seven Aesir slew their father and made the world from his body, and that the five elemental gods (Hvergelur, Eiktyrnde, Rimgur, Nifelgur, and Muspelhogg) sprung from the blood of his heart.