Religions

Religion is a common aspect of life across Iosterra, and, after a fashion, all peoples worship the same deities and beings, albeit differently and through their lenses of understanding the divine. There are three dominant religions on Iosterra which, together, comprise over 89% of religious activity on the planet. These are the Followers of the Elemental Court, the Cult of the Four Dragons, and the strange new Way of the Numena. The remainder is made up of various philosophies, demon cults, and the like.   The Followers of the Elemental Court are the most diverse and idiosyncratic collection of peoples on the planet. They worship the aspects of the members of the Elemental Court, and those aspects are not universal. Lumin is the Elemental Lord of Light, and Sios, their aspect in the Northern Continent is seen as a kind and benevolent being who aids all; whereas in the rocky deserts of Lost Saqah, Ashil is recognized as their aspect, and is regarded as cruel and uncaring of those beneath her gaze. Most people on Iosterra are Followers of the Elemental Court, but few agree about the nature of their worship. This has spawned religious conflicts in the past, and is likely to do so again in the future. Interestingly, aspects can subsume one another if sufficient numbers of followers can be converted from the other's worshipers. Most are okay with this, although their worshipers often are not.   The Cult of the Four Dragons finds its roots among the Itlan peoples of the Eastern Continent. Unlike the patchwork of faiths and ideologies of the Followers of the Elemental Court, the Cult of the Four Dragons is organized and has strong orthodoxy. It spread across the world during the Magister War, and survived the Lost Era even as other faiths were erased from the world's memory. The Four Dragons are powerful beings, and take an active interest in maintaining their faith. Roughly analogous to the cardinal directions, they have slowly and surely continued to spread their faith. As they have done so without violence or forced conversion (they manifested and slew the last hierophant who attempted this), their followers are generally accpeted where they are found.   The Way of the Numena is a post-Lost Era development, and no one seems to know where it developed or why. A collection of philosophies of life and being, its followers see themselves as being on a path to personal enlightenment and attempt to reach it various ways. Those who succeed and ascend become semi-divine beings, and are known as Saints. Thier paths to this state generally gain rapid traction among the adherents of this faith, and several monastaries, schools, and retreats have sprung up across the world to try to spread the word of The Way. Reactions from others range from skepticism to curiosity to hostility, depending on the peoples involved.   Demons and worse continually gnaw upon the reality of Iosterra, and often gain footholds by presenting themselves as "Lost Gods" (although Lost Gods are a thing as well) before corrupting their followers. This is a serious problem, and once ensconced in a culture or settlement, can result in a blight event. The peoples of Iosterra are, as a result, constantly vigilant for the signs of demonic activity.