Faith and Pantheons

In the celestial sphere of the multiverse, the pantheon of deities is not just a collection of divine entities but the very heartbeat of existence. In this path, we will plunge into the intricate dynamics between the cosmos's mortal inhabitants and the divine, revealing a multiverse where deities are not distant overseers but integral threads in the fabric of life. Their influence permeates every aspect of existence, from the murmur of a prayer in a secluded glade to the grandeur of temples that scrape the heavens.

The bond between a deity and their worshipper transcends mere reverence, manifesting as a profound, living connection. It is a relationship forged in the sacred flames of initiation rituals and sustained through acts of devotion and adherence to divine dogmas. This sacred connection not only guides the worshippers through their mortal lives but also advocates for their souls in the life beyond, weaving their destinies with the eternal.

Yet, the spiritual landscape of the multiverse is rich and diverse. It is a world where the faithful may pay homage to multiple deities, recognizing the dominion of each over different facets of the cosmos. This practice underscores the complex tapestry of life, where the divine touch is multifaceted and omnipresent.

Worshipping the Deities

A Traveler Making an Offering to a Temple

The worship of deities is a deeply ingrained and multifaceted aspect of life. Each sentient being, in seeking connection with the divine, typically aligns themselves with a patron deity whose dogma resonates with their personal philosophy and way of life. This spiritual allegiance is not only a reflection of one's beliefs and aspirations but also carries profound implications for the afterlife, for it is the patron deity who advocates for the soul during the transcendent trials in the world beyond.

The sacred bond between a deity and a worshipper is not formed by mere acceptance of dogma but is forged through the solemn and revered initiation ritual. This ritual, a cornerstone of spiritual life, marks the transition from spiritual adolescence to maturity. It is a rite of passage that requires meticulous preparation, deep meditation, and the guidance of a devoted cleric of the chosen deity. The aspirant, engages in the deity-specific ceremonial practices that not only invoke the presence of the divine but also symbolize the aspirant's commitment and devotion.

Take, for instance, the initiation into the radiant embrace of Aerion, deity of the sun. The future worshipper, after a period of contemplation, kneels before the horizon at the cusp of dawn, accompanied by a cleric. In the profound silence of anticipation, they await the first golden ray of sunlight. At that divine moment, prayers are offered, and the cleric, acting as an intermediary between the mortal and the divine, casts the sacred initiation spell. This spell is not merely a formality but a profound spiritual conduit, marking the soul of the worshipper with the celestial signature of Aerion.

While the initiation ritual is a deeply personal and spiritual event, it is often followed by communal celebrations. These festivities, lasting days, are a testament to the joyous union of the worshipper with the divine and serve as a reaffirmation of the community's collective faith. Yet, the heart of the initiation remains in the sincere and solemn observances prescribed by the deity's dogma, and a cleric, adhering to the essence of the ritual, can perform it with the same divine resonance, even in the absence of grand festivities.

The path of devotion, however, is not rigidly fixed. Should an individual seek to realign their spiritual journey with a different patron deity, the initiation ritual offers a conduit for transformation. This transition, marked by both introspection and societal observation, may involve a quest or an act of penance, symbolizing the aspirant's dedication to their new chosen path. For divine spellcasters, this change is further sanctified by the atonement spell, allowing them to embrace new divine domains and reforge their spiritual and magical connections.

Yet, for those who wander through life without the guidance of a patron deity, the prospects are somber. Known as Soulstrays, these individuals face a perilous fate beyond the mortal realm. Legend whispers of Nessus, the deity of death, who claims these lost souls, condemning them to an eternity of torment in his obscure domain. Whether this is myth or reality, the consequence is unequivocal: a Soulstray, once departed from the mortal coil, cannot be reclaimed by any known magic, their essence forever adrift in the unknown.

It is important to note that devotion to a patron deity does not preclude reverence for the broader pantheon. It is a widely embraced practice for individuals to offer prayers to various deities, acknowledging the multifaceted nature of the divine and the myriad aspects of life they govern. A weaponsmith, for instance, while primarily devoted to their patron, may still offer a fervent prayer to Dunguthar when forging a fine weapon, seeking the deity's mastery in craftsmanship, and to Aerion if the weapon is destined for a knight, invoking the sun deity's blessing of valor and honor. At day's end, the same soul might whisper a plea to Antanara for restful slumber or seek Brigit's mercy when ailment shadows their doorstep.

This practice of offering prayers to multiple deities is not seen as a dilution of faith but as a recognition of each deity's dominion over different spheres of life. It is an acknowledgment that while one's path may be aligned with a particular deity's dogma, life's journey weaves through the realms of many divine influences. Even in fear or respect, offerings are made to appease deities of markedly different alignments or interests, ensuring a harmonious balance with the divine forces that pervade the cosmos. The most common form of offering, a humble yet profound act, involves tossing a few coins into a temple bowl and murmuring a heartfelt plea, a tradition that stands as a testament to the enduring bond between the mortals of the multiverse and the beings that watch over them.

The worship of deities is not merely a facet of culture; it is the essence of existence, intertwining the fates of mortals with the will of the divine. It is a dance of devotion, destiny, and the eternal interplay of life, death, and the profound realms beyond.

The Overgod

Aethas creating the multiverse

People might not know about this, but the deities are not the ultimate beings in the cosmology. Ancient Dragons rival their power, but more importantly, there is a being that stands above all. He is the creator of everything, the Overgod, and his name is Aethas. Even though Aethas true form is one that cannot be properly comprehended by any being in the cosmology, not even the deities, most old tomes of lore represent him as an old man of incalculable age and wisdom.

Aethas stands as the enigmatic origin and inevitable destiny of all creation. As the architect of the cosmos, this omnipresent Overgod crafted the very elements and energies that weave the tapestry of existence. Known only to entities of profound wisdom, Aethas exists beyond the realm of alignment, worship, and prayer, untouched and unbound by the conventions of lesser beings. After initiating creation, Aethas receded into an impenetrable silence, broken solely during The Vanishing – a singular event that bound the deities to the godrift. Aethas is the embodiment of the cosmic cycle: from him, all creation sprang, and to him, it is said, all will return at the end of times, when existence itself ceases to be, marking the culmination of an unfathomable plan set in motion at the dawn of time.

The Overgod Aethas is not only the origin but also the ultimate culmination of all existence. As the architect of creation, Aethas wove the fabric of the multiverse from the void, instilling every star, every world, and every breath of life with a fragment of his incomprehensible power. But his role extends far beyond the dawn of existence. In the grand cosmic cycle, Aethas is both the beginning and the inevitable end, the alpha and omega of the cosmos.

It is said that as the tapestry of time unfurls towards its final fold, all of creation will once again converge into Aethas. Every celestial melody, every whispered secret of the dark, and every fleeting moment of joy and sorrow will return to him. This grand convergence is not an act of destruction but a sublime reunion, an affirmation of Aethas's divine majesty. With each cycle of creation and reclamation, his glory amplifies, resonating through the cosmos in echoes of eternal majesty.

In this light, the destiny of every star and every soul is intrinsically linked to Aethas. Their journeys, their trials, and their triumphs are all facets of his divine narrative. And as they navigate the complex paths of existence, they move ever closer to their ultimate return to the Overgod, contributing to the boundless glory of Aethas, the eternal architect and final sanctuary of all that is and ever will be.