First Age Religions

in First Age

Welcome to the second chapter of the World of Silencia: First Age. Here we will discuss the many religions, gods and important items that all have to do with the divine of this world. As religion plays a large part in this ancient world, even more so than the usual peasant worship in hopes of a better life. As in many cases the gods are or have at once been either mortal beings or walked amongst the mortals. Thus when learning about this world and seeing it first hand, you must recognize the power that most churches have over society as a whole.
 

Why is Religion Important?

As mentioned in the above section, the gods themselves do and always have existed. Thus to refuse to recognize this would be as if to say that Mana was not circulating through the air we breathe. That mana techniques could not exist even when you clearly watch an individual change the weather before their very eyes. Thus almost all beings of intelligence or greater wisdom are said to worship one god or another in different forms. While many are less active, such as not carrying a holy symbol or being of the cloth. It is almost unheard of for one to exist who does not recognize the gods being reality. Even fewer who refuse to acknowledge them at all, however there are still some as few and far between as they are. But religion does define much of everyday life for an adventurer and can be the difference between a hot meal or a knife to the back if you don't pay attention. Thus even if you do not worship or actively think of the gods, one should always be aware of their followers or the gods themselves presence all around you.

Do I have to Worship a God?

In truth it is unlikely for anyone not to worship in one way or another, as many households have small yet dedicated shrines to one divine being or another. However, it is still possible for one to go through life without worship. Much like it is possible for a dragon to go through life without flying. One can do so, but you cannot be upset when you have to now walk amongst the ground where danger is everywhere you look.
 

Can I Worship Myself

While fully possible this won’t amount to much more than believing in yourself. Which while sounds less exciting than godhood, should be noted to be a healthy mentality to have. In fact, many Demi Gods began by believing in themselves and the goals they set out to achieve. Like writing a near five hundred thousand worded book for adventurers to carry around and club creatures with.
 

Can I become a God?

While it is possible the road will be difficult, few who have tried ever succeed. As it requires you to become someone of notable influence across the world. Typically one will have to perish to rise to divine power as the mortal body will often explode from that much mana fluctuating within. Then once you have done so, one typically finds themselves as a Demi God or Monster God depending on how you achieved this state of enlightenment.
 

Can I Worship an Object or Random Individual?

While possible it is not recommended as many creatures that mimic objects tend to hide out in dangerous places. As well as not knowing if that random individual will be cruel or kind. We should also note that to become a god, one must consent to the process. You do not one day wake up as a Demi God or Monster God and suddenly be able to grant wishes like a Genie. Thus we instead suggest investigating any object or individual thoroughly before beginning to build a portable shrine to them.
 

Can I make my friends gods?

Similar to the above it is fully possible however many adventurers have noted being betrayed by friends and family alike when tempted with such power. Thus while this would be a grand goal for the kindest and most devoted amongst your party, we do not recommend offering the same to the degenerate thief who would leave you for a ruby coin.
 

What is a Pantheon?

While below you will read further about Domains and Dominant Domains, first let us explain what a Pantheon is. When all the gods share a similar Dominant Domain, a singular High God is said to stand at the top. Typically the most powerful through violence or influence, these gods represent the domain itself. Thus all gods who also choose to have the same dominant domain as that High God must now bow to their authority in order to be given the right to use the power of that domain. Otherwise, the High God will often attack through holy wars and slay the unbent god in response. Wiping out any remnants of their existence from history in the process. Thus while Pantheons are looked to as almost a singular church of gods, this would be a poor misinterpretation of the truth. Rather instead think of them as rulers with nobility that all wish for their seat, but cannot refuse an order from those above them in the same court or kingdom.
 

What Are Domains?

Domains are authorities or influences given to those we Mortal inhabitants worship. Though a few researchers believe they are controlled by the Law Bearers or Beyond Gods and in some rare cases the “Original Gods”. However, truly we are not fully sure what they are or where they come from. We do know that holy men and women of certain deities gain influence and mana techniques or spells related to the “Domain”. In example, those who worship deities with a domain of air are known to cast hurricane-like winds around them. Or those who worship Undeath find themselves able to influence the dead to certain extents. Thus a Domain should be treated as no more than an authority over a source of power to a certain extent based on divine ranking.
 

What is a Dominant Domain?

From our vast amounts of research we have concluded that every deity has a domain that they list first. This domain is considered the greatest source of authority within their mana techniques that each holy man practices. Thus if a deity has War, Slaughter, Crime, as there listed domains, consider War, as the most potent for worshippers.
 

What if multiple gods have the same domain?

That is a good question to ask yourself as a holy man, and is actually a surprisingly simple answer. The higher ranked a god is that has that domain, the more authority they have over it. However, it does not stop there, as most gods with the same domain likely are from or have history with the same Pantheon. As in example, those gods with death domains are likely to have served or worked with Ela Ugbo at some point in their rise to divinity. Thus, they will find themselves not somewhat enthralled to her so long as their rank is below hers. However, while we use the word “Enthralled” it should be noted how literal and loose the term is being used. As it is theorized, if the Law of Death or Undeath were to vanish, all of the domain of death would find themselves mortal and without divine power once more. Thus while one can just as easily refuse a higher divine being, one can also find it valuable to keep those in power alive as they attempt to instead take their seat. Which below those of the High ranking is quite common both in Mortal and other realms of existence.
 

Do I need to have the same Domains of my god?

An interesting question to say the least but one that is shocking to many outside of the cloth. While many churches will state that you do, this has been found to be mostly propaganda. Its goal, we are unsure of, however its effect can be seen across the globe as a unifying force for holy individuals everywhere. But to the question at hand, no is the simple answer. One must choose a domain that the god has authority within to gain power from them, however it is not necessarily needed. As some who make deals with beings from Abaddon are noted to worship gods and still and commit acts in their name. Yet they draw no power from their respective divine authority, instead using the “pact” as it were to facilitate their mighty powers. But to those who serve as proper holy members of the church, the majority of the followers will keep the same domains or at least the dominant domain.
 

What is a Holy Item?

An item designated by a god as something to actively channel their authority through using both martial and mana based techniques. Each item is said to represent a piece of the gods own history and thus hold quite a bit of significance. Thus few holy men are seen without them if they are true followers. With many even incorporating them into their everyday attire.
 

Can I make one for my God?

The short answer is yes you can, the long answer is that is quite complicated. While many gods will recognize those of their faith’s crafts. Few will have ever recognized anything crafted to such a high regard unless used by a holy hero in pursuant of that god's goals. However, with some gods recognizing Craft as their dominant domain, it is possible to create such an item for one so interested. And rather difficult for those who see crafting or the use of the crafted item as uninteresting or down right appalling in some cases.
 

Can I destroy a Holy or Unholy Item

It has been proven that though artifacts are near impossible to break without specific rituals. It is fully possible to break near any holy or unholy item with an equally as holy or unholy item. However, those items not blessed by such a power seem unable to even chip divine items. Though it must be said that by destroying a divine item of a god, especially one your own god is at war with, will grant you great boons as often they find themselves quite pleased with such actions. Furthering both their own future plans, as well as those plans they seek to facilitate for others.
 

The Ranks of the Gods

Gods not unlike mortals tend to have their own view of hierarchy. However, as the years have gone on this is what our researchers have managed to compile on the topic. With nearly twelve separate ranks, each seems defined by certain characteristics such as followers, domain, and sworn oaths between gods. There are many researchers who hypothesize this is why the Twelve Lord Alliance chose such a specific number of seats. As the two seem to sit opposite one another in their views of Mortal itself.
 

Original God

While this rank is not technically official by any standard or research notes, it is a hypothesised rank that will need explaining. The concept of “The Original God” is believed to come from a mix of the Primordial Deities that by existing would hint to a greater power beyond them. The simple idea of, nothing can create something so powerful, thus we have created a rank above. It should be mentioned that the researcher of this was said to be a close friend to a strange “Priest of Stone” who inspired the idea of this hypothesis.
 

How to obtain this rank

While we are fully unsure of how such a rank could be achieved, we believe the technical idea would be whatever the Primordial Deities worshipped. Or those who ranked of the Law Bearer’s position prior to the known existence of life itself in Mortal.
 

How Many Domains Does a god of this rank achieve?

It is believed that only a singular domain becomes available to those who worship such ideas. Strangely only a few domains themselves are considered available at this rank yet no deity is believed to exist. The domains are as follows in rank of strongest to weakest in mana technique capability: Fate, Mana, and Emotion.
 

Named Gods at this Rank

None to our knowledge to date.
 

Law Bearer or Beyond God

A godly rank that is stated as beyond our understanding. While we once believed that all gods required followers, powerful domains, and oaths of lesser gods, those who stand at this rank require none of it. Instead latching their entirety on the “Law” they enforce.
 

How to obtain this rank

Though we are unsure of how this rank is achieved exactly, it is believed to be possible for one to do so. As those of Undeath, War, Law, and Greed were never noted to have existed throughout the Age of Fae or The Clouded Age.
 

How Many Domains Does a god of this rank achieve?

With a singular domain it is said that the Law Bearers manage to completely control all that stands within it. Each individual Beyond God fully and completely becomes what it is to be that domain, gods of all ranks tend to bow to the orders of those who they share a dominant domain with.
 

Named Gods at this Rank

The Law of Light, Litsia
The Law of Darkness, Tensub
The Law of Gravity, Severta
The Law of Undeath, Logulthis
The Law of Law, Darali
And many more…
 

High God

An achievement that few have ever managed to pursue successfully. The High God is the pinnacle of godhood and the last stop for any being that has already become divine. As unfortunate as it is, those who have risen from Demi God to this rank are unable to achieve the status of Law Bearer or higher. However, this is also considered the only rank of godhood that those who represent the Law of a domain no longer have direct authority over you. Thus allowing you to form your own Pantheon proper and force or recruit other divine beings to serve you.
 

How to obtain this rank

Typically done through bloodshed, as the many holy orders are known to go to war with one another. Full Gods will typically scheme and plot to take control through slaying prominent followers of the High God they serve. While at the same time boasting their own power to gain other Full Gods support to serve them. Once powerful enough or a war has been declared, the two gods are known to do battle as long as the mortals are fighting against one another. Only once peace and a resolution is achieved does the dual between the divine beings end.
 

How Many Domains Does a god of this rank achieve?

While the most powerful position a god can achieve, few High Gods have near as much power as their holy men believe. With four domains to their authority, many High Gods have vast amounts of followers with a wide range of views. However all still share the dominant first listed domain of the individual High God and treat the other three as different interpretations of the gods beliefs.
 

Named Gods at this Rank

Alenta " The First Druid"
Shagnaruk "The One Who Ends Law"
Ela Ugbo
 

Full God

With multiple Minor and Demi Gods under you, you are now one step closer to having achieved the top of rank of godhood. As a Full God you now answer only to those who lead the pantheon as High Gods. And typically will have large branches of gods and churches beneath you across the globe. Now with the ability to play the game of the gods properly, you can move multiple pieces, push nations to war, and destroy economies as the world knows them.
 

How to obtain this rank

With the rank of Full God there are traditional ways to achieve the rank such as gaining a dominant following over other Full Gods of your dominant domain as a Minor God. Usually achieved through holy wars that saw the genocide of the Full Gods church. Or you can choose to gain the oaths of other Minor Gods to a point of power where none can contest your strength but the ruler of the Pantheon themselves.
 

How Many Domains Does a god of this rank achieve?

With three domains the Full God has begun to achieve a unique view of itself and its teachings. As now a wider branch of belief can be had with the god gaining further authority over its domains. Thus many Full Gods have a dominant domain and two other domains that reflect similar sides of their beliefs or scriptures. For example, one who serves Balance as their dominant domain may have War and Peace as the other two domains they sought authority over. Thus now as a Full God, they will have a branch that is Balance and War while the other order or branch will be of Balance and Peace.
 

Named Gods at this Rank

Calthun "The Destroyer"
Tanarukk "The Creator" "The Blessed"
Zilig, Keeper of the Infinite
 

Monster God

A unique status amongst the gods who have no official representation within the Pantheons. Those who do not represent the status quo are typically found within this category of god. A Monster God defies all logic and rises to power through worship alone, never being recognized as a Demi God. However, it is said this is the most jarring for an individual. As more followers begin to worship you the more power your body begins to absorb and for the unexpecting this has been known to overwhelm and slay many who attempt it.
 

How to obtain this rank

While there is no chosen route to achieve such a rank, those that do manage to do so by taking domains or authority from yet undiscovered or unrecognized amongst the established Pantheons. With some rare cases even being of those who took authority from a domain and recognized it differently through their worshippers thus attempting to rebel against the established Pantheon. The only recorded way to achieve such a power is through continuous pacts and worship of powerful mortals with an individual of equal rank or higher in power.
 

How Many Domains Does a god of this rank achieve?

Similar to a Full God, a Monster God gains three domains. Though unlike the Full God, the Monster God is given two dominant domains instead of a singular one. Typically granting them far greater power and control over their followers in exchange for being at war with two set pantheons.
 

Named Gods at this Rank

Vairi'ia, Liberator of Possibilities
 

Minor Gods

While Demi Gods find themselves almost completely under the control of whomever they join the pantheon of. Minor Gods find themselves often given further independence and typically the ability to have churches and followers. The first step on the rise to power as many holy men and women believe. It is often the case that many Minor gods will also begin to become more aggressive with their followers, attempting to sabotage or steal followers of other Minor Gods in order to boost their own power.
 

How to obtain this rank

While many would note that this rank is only achieved organically. For those interested in attempting to become gods this is what we recommend. Once one achieves the position of Demi God, you must quickly either attempt to force other Demi Gods under your will through an oath of fealty. Or you must manage to break away from the leader of your domain's pantheon and form a following of worshippers who recognize you as their god. Once you have gained a following big enough to form a proper church, one should expect your power to begin to grow slowly based on your intellectual understanding. Thus, those with higher intelligence capabilities tend to rise through the ranks faster as the divine “body” of the god will take time to adjust to each new rank.
 

How Many Domains Does a god of this rank achieve?

Often when one begins to rise to the rank of Minor God you begin to gain your “True” domain. Or rather what will become your individual Dominant Domain of your belief, making you stand out as a god to be worshipped. Many Minor Gods who have yet to break away from their established pantheon will likely keep their Demi God or pantheon domain as a secondary. Thus gaining two domains entirely that they have authority over to some extent.
 

Named Gods at this Rank

Cerseki "The First Eye"
 

Demi God

A demi god is a mortal individual that has been recognized by a High God or higher divine rank to be worthy of divinity. However, this means that you are still a mortal, and can be killed. Only now you serve with a stronger resilience and depending on the god that grants you this status, you can gain different effects. Many gods start as the Demi divine rank, before working their way up gaining followers and doing quests for the higher divine ranked gods themselves. But remember, you are still a servant to the higher beings.
 

How to obtain this rank

To obtain you must follow these steps:
Step 1: Do something to be acknowledged by a high god or higher
Step 2: Gain that god's favor
Step 3: Do another great deed assigned to you by said god
Step 4: Be welcomed into the gods pantheon without any followers (this is important because demi gods do not usually have followers to start out with. Or at least not worshippers, rather they may have a following as a legendary hero or villain or person of note)
 

How Many Domains Does a god of this rank achieve?

Unfortunately only a singular domain is given to the Demi God rank, as they typically share it with those who have welcomed them into their pantheon. Though, in rare cases there has been note that a Demi God has risen to power by being worshipped by enough individuals without being welcomed by a higher ranked god. It is rather difficult to do, with only a singular being achieving such a status in the Age of Fae.
 

Named Gods at this Rank

Stone "The Corrupt"
Mesomusa " The First Fire"
Ote
And many more…