Religion

Religion is a structure of belief that channels Mortal's Devotion to a Divinity. It is a structure of guidance to shape Mortal behavior and with it their souls. And it creates a hierarchy of worshipers that can enact a Divinity's will on the Mortal Realm.

Types of Religion

Religions form around Divinities in consistent ways across the Spheres.

Pantheon

Because no Divinity has access to all Domains and standing alone is a risk, they will often ally themselves into Pantheons. While this does split their Devotion it does allow for Mortals to tailor their behavior to fit a specific god within the Pantheon. For Mortals Pantheons provide a basis of worship that covers more of their lived existence.

Pantheons range in size from hundreds of recognized gods on Duranti to the three gods of the Triumver Church. The fewer Gods within the Pantheon the more they are likely to have allied Saints within it who are subservient to the Gods of the Pantheon.

Saints

Rarely do Saints gather a Religion around themselves. While they will have religious trappings for the Adherents they rarely stand alone. Any religious structure that does form tends to apply only those who dedicate themselves to follow the example of the Saint.

Spirits

Spirits are often venerated in exchange for what they provide to Mortals, but rarely do they have enough power to support a hierarchy of followers. Their worship tends to be ad-hoc, led by a charismatic Pactmage.

Totems

While Totems tend to be tied to a Spirit of some kind, they a hierarchy. They tend to have a designated leader of the religion who relays pronouncements to Mortal supplicants and a group of priests or shamans.

Schisms

While the Divinities take active roles in the Mortal Realm though their elevated followers, there can be disagreement of the nature of the Divinity, the proper means of worship, and even personal conflicts between powerful individuals that lead to Schisms. Because of the volatile nature of a Divinity they can make seemingly contradictory pronouncements over time.