Negresti Religion: The Many

The Negresti worship anthropomorphized, dualist concepts that do not go by names, instead invoking, for example, The Wanderer, The Dreamer, or The Heretic. Collectively called 'The Many' and each of these entities represents a dialectic of virtues and vices. For example, The Dreamer is the font of all creative energies but is also a narcissist and lazy. The Wanderer, seeks to widen its breadth of experience by traveling but, also shuns connections with other beings. The Heretic champions freedom and justice but, is willing to watch the world burn to attain their goals. While some of the Many have common acceptance among the citizenry, the invocation of the concepts is what holds significance for the people of the Empire. Thus, while in every town you will find shrines to major members of The Many with organized priesthoods. Often each town or region will have a few conceptualizations of The Many that are unique to it and priesthoods will often rationalize the existence of these minor local invocation as just different faces of major concepts. Thus, there is little real theological conflict with other cultures as each deity or religion encountered by the adherents of The Many are thought of as merely one aspect of or an amalgamation of the Many.   Use of The Many in common parlance often relies on vocal ques and context to indicate which part of the dualism the speaker is invoking. For example, a village magistrate that conducts fair and complete judgments even in the face of pressures from the community might be spoken of in positive tones to 'Have The Knave in her'. While a tavern bouncer who likes it a little too much when he has to crack the skull of someone who can't pay their tab might also be said to 'Have The Knave in him' but in more disapproving tone.   It is generally understood that each person is a complicated combination of the concepts represented by the Many and that everyone has 'many voices inside of them'. This is where the name 'The Many' originates. Certain people might express virtues or vices more strongly than others but no one person is a paragon of a single member of The Many.   Inside a community or settlement, worship of The Many is focused around a Choir. A Choir is a group of acolytes or priests of various priesthoods with a single representative of each member of The Many called a Voice. The collection of Voices makes up the Choir and together they look out for the spiritual health of the community. Choirs in different communities have different makeups based on the prominent worship from that community though Voices of The Mother, The Dreamer, The Sovereign and The Builder are very common as they represent concepts necessary for any successful community.

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There are 10 major members of the Many that each form a dualistic pair with another. These pairs and the ideas that form them are widely known and invoked by the people of the Negresti Empire in their common parlance.  

The Mother and The Knave

The Mother is a protector and nurturer but also represents uncontrolled fury. The Knave is patient and deliberate but takes pleasure in the suffering of others.

The Scholar and The Child

The Scholar collects knowledge in order to better herself but hordes that knowledge jealously and doesn't trust anyone else with it. The Child is innocent and trusting but volatile and prone to tantrums.

The Dreamer and The Builder

The Dreamer is creative and revels in abstract pursuits while also being narcissistic and lazy. The Builder orders the world providing stability but rejects individual autonomy in the face of ordered systems

The Sovereign and The Wanderer

The Sovereign sees the grand plan and leads groups to greatness while wallowing in opulence and gluttony. The Wanderer seeks to widen his individual experience and follows his own compass but never builds connections before moving on.

The Heretic and The Soldier

The Heretic champions justice and individual freedom but, would go to any means and burn the world to cinders to achieve its goals. The Soldier does what needs to be done, trusting in her superiors and doesn't concern herself with the morality of her actions.