Appendix 4.a Gorn’s Guide to the Gods Compiled by Simon Leclerc

While the entirety of the civilised world worships the Pantheon there are several different philosophies which seem to coexist peacefully to a certain extent.

Hierarchists believe the Pantheon is organised in levels where some deities are seen as more important than others. The largest of these, the Heliarchy, views Ra’un as king of the gods and all other gods are subservient to him. His priests dedicate themselves to advancing the cause of Light wherever they may be and are among the most ardent at hunting down heretics and pagans. And they often interfere in the worship of other gods.

Disciples dedicate themselves to a specific god or group of gods. The Triumvirate are the gods of Law, Justice and Judgement and are commonly worshipped by priests. The Muses are gods of lore, stories and spectacles and are worshipped by bards. Less savoury, at least in Gorn’s opinion, groupings are the Brethren of the Night worshipped by thieves, rogues and assassins and the Erotes worshipped by prostitutes and people who put their own pleasures above more proper pursuits,

The interesting thing is that many gods can part of many of these groups simultaneously. For example Erotis is a Muse and a member of the Erotes.

Most dwarven clans have a patron group of deities and are very private in their worship. They see the Heliarchical clans along the Path of Gold as annoying at best and there have been plenty of blood feuds due to religious disputes.

Universalists are less common in the Eastern Lands. But the Saurians south of the Dwarfmounts commonly believe that all gods are aspects of a universal truth and worship them all equally.

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Vaeldric

Known as Vaeldric to us dwarves and Vellus or Velocitas in the Trade Tongue he’s the protector of all travellers and lost souls. His priests have a duty to find and minister to those who are lost and help them find their paths home.

His priests rarely found temples and instead perform rituals in inns and at crossroads.

Ra’un

God of the sun, bringer of light and according to Heliarchists he’s king of the Pantheon. Of course that’s a complete lie; but never say that in their presence or you’re likely to get burned on the wheel. The Heliarchy is an organised priesthood stretching across most of Firmament organised in ranks. With the Primarch being the head of the Church. And the Heliarchs, Truarchs and the rest under him. They also view non ordained priests attempting to invoke divine magic in Ra’un’s name to be anathema; though they tolerate the practise for worshippers of other gods.

The Heliarchy is only influential among the dwarves of the Path of Gold. But Ra’un’s influence stretches everywhere under the light of the sun. In human lands the Heliarchy has branches everywhere; but their level of influence varies wildly. In their capital in the Land of Eternal Light they rule as a theocracy. In most other places they claim their courts have the right to try heretics and pagans; but they tend to see this as the rightful domain of the Triumvirate so they rarely intervene where the Triumvirate is influential.

Biblos

God of knowledge. Outside of his role as a Muse his temples comprise the Great Libraries of the world.

Madrigal the Mother

Goddess of motherhood and matron of woman. Her priestesses usually perform marriage ceremonies, run orphanages, and act as midwives. Heliarchists view her as the wife of Ra’Un; but evidence of that is spotty.

Krieg

Member of the belicos, the war gods, he’s the god of battles as patron of soldiers. Among humans he’s known as Karkot, Karkarot or Havok.

Bellica

Goddess of war, leadership and strategy. Usually seen as leader of the belicos.

Nixos

Also known as Nix, Thantos or the Faceless One. Ruler of the dead and the demesne of the Aethereal known as Thanatos. Leader of the Necrosia, the gods of the dead and dying.