Old Faiths

These disparate religions are dedicated to a pantheon of primal deities who have whispered to mortals through nature for untold generations, such as primal Nodens, vengeful Kromac, honorable Nuada, and nurturing Danu, but there are countless more. These worshipers’ beliefs and practices vary widely based on the tenets of their patron god, but myths often surround the elements, seasons, land, and ancestor worship. Many such beliefs originated with the ancient peoples of the Continent, such as the dwarves. Others are closely connected to mysterious entities who inhabit extraplanar worlds such as Dreamland or the Faerie Otherworlds, and are often kept by the elves. The pantheon of the Old Gods forms an interrelated family, yet the stories and myths of the Old Gods make varying claims as to how exactly the gods relate to one another. At least half of the Old Gods claim to be the ones who made the world and all life upon it.

Background

Legends, myths, and devotion to the Old Gods transcend recorded history. Ancient stories tell of them walking the world, drawing mortals into their schemes and conflicts. The worship of the Old Gods rose to prominence alongside sorcery, as the first druids sought the wisdom of the gods to harness magic.

However, during the rise of the Arcane Empire, the sorcerer-kings positioned themselves as gods, above the old pantheon. They drove the druids deeper into the wilderness, and expelled temples and shrines to the Old Gods from any city they ruled. During the darkest days under the sorcerer-kings, many commonfolk came to believe the Old Gods had abandoned them for some unknown trespass. Since then, the organized religion of the Sacred Flame has swept the settled lands and cities of the continent. However, there are still a few who remember the old ways.

Beliefs and Tenets

Amongst those who keep the Old Faiths, the exact nature of their beliefs and tenets vary based on the gods they follow. Indeed, the notion of the “Old Faith” is a moniker given by the Faith of the Sacred Flame, and those who worship the Old Gods do not see themselves as part of a singular religion. Indeed, even two communities worshiping the same Old God might have extremely different rites, practices, and beliefs.

Regardless, several practices are common among those who keep the Old Gods. Shrines and temples are often built in remote and wild places, among cairn stones, faerie rings, ancient trees, and other natural landmarks. Worshipers often make of ferings to the Old Gods, such as a bowl of herbs, bones, or blood. Animal and even human sacrifices are not unheard of, as well as rituals where worshipers mark or scar their bodies. Many times, rituals are performed in accordance with the seasons or celestial movements, such as during an equinox or full moon.

Followers of the Old Gods do not necessarily believe there is balance in nature, or seek any notion of harmony. Their rites and rituals are appeasements to their gods to spare them from nature’s uncaring brutality, and a grim reminder of the animal in every human heart.

Religious Hierarchy

The Old Gods do not form a tightly organized religion — there is no central authority. Conclaves and communes in remote areas spring up around the worship of one of the Old Gods.

Tapping into the fundamental forces of the cosmos to work divine powers is a path which requires tremendous will, dedication, and faith, but also knowledge of ancient rites, prayers, and rituals. The followers of the Old Gods take passing down these rites very seriously, and often a cleric, druid, or paladin of the Old Gods has a mentor or instructor. Later in life, such individuals bear the burden of passing on their traditions, and many seek out a young acolyte or apprentice to instruct in their ways.

Clerics and Druids

Druids were the foremost amongst the priests of the Old Gods. Today, druids are most often associated with Arwyn, Danu, Kromac, Nodens, and occasionally Morrigan. Clerics can be found dedicated to all of the Old Gods.

Monks

Secret shrines and communes devoted to the Old Gods can be found throughout the continent where people come to dedicate their lives to the god. These devoted monks can be found representing just about any of the Old Gods, but the most notable monasteries are ones to Danu, Dian Cheht, Lugh, and Ogham.

Paladins

Paladins devoted to the Old Gods are exceptionally rare; a paladin devoted to an Old God may know of only one other person who keeps the same oath and traditions as them, likely the person who taught them. Alternatively, a circle of druids may choose a new initiate or warrior to become a paladin to defend their grove as champion. Paladins who keep the Old Faiths tend to follow Lugh or Nuada, but paladins dedicated to Dian Cheht and Gaibhne are not unheard of.

Warlocks

Warlocks are known to take the Old Gods as their otherworldly patrons, especially Arwyn, Morrigan, Ogham, Phantasia, and Shegorach.