The Gods of Adazuri
Greater Gods
The Greater Gods have not directly interacted with either mortals or lesser gods since the Great Magical Eruption. It is believed that they reside in the Eternal Rondure. Although many are convinced that the First has long since left the world. Greater Gods cannot be killed and no mortal, demi-god, or lesser god can ascend to their level. There is only the First and the First created the Eternal, before creating the world.
The First
Both Creator and Destroyer. Both female and male. The balancer. Without face or form and beyond comprehension. Some lore tells that after creating Adazuri, The First imbued mortals with both free will and destiny. Finding the combination unbalanced, The First wished to destroy what They had created. However, the Eternal -- who had fallen in love with Adazuri -- fought back and bound The First to the Eternal Rondure. The First cannot be killed. To kill The First would be to kill the universe . . . beginning with the Eternal and trickling down to the last grain of sand.
The Eternal
The Eternal were created from the First before the formation of the universe. They have free will but no destiny, as they are as unchanging as the First. They are referred to as the Seven Sisters and the Trickster (the youngest, a son). Mortals consider them to be the protectors of the world. However, the Eternal no longer interacts directly with the world. Thought once to be the final intermediary, even the Trickster no longer appears to the lesser gods, demi-gods, or mortals.
Lesser Gods
Lesser gods are mortals or part mortals who have been imbued with some aspect of The Eternals' powers. Different species and races follow different pantheons of lesser gods Some lesser gods demand monotheism as an agreement to worship them. Lesser gods who bent too far towards the side of evil make up the pantheon of devils and demons. Bonds with these evil gods gave raise to other fiend species. Although lesser gods hold the gift of Eternal--and thus are immortal--it is possible for other gods or demi-gods to kill them.
The Inheritors
The Inheritors are the direct descendants of the Eternal. Birthed from the bond between the Eternals and mortal. They are known to be the oldest of the lesser gods; typically they are more traditional.
The Adopted
The Adopted were bestowed godhood by The Eternals or Inheritors. Often as a result of their accomplishments or accumulating power. It is believed that the only way to join the ranks of the Adopted is for a demi-god to kill a lesser god and imbibe its power.
Demi-Gods
Demi-gods can be born of a lesser god and mortal. Or they can achieve demi-godhood status through incredible feats or increasing power. Mortals who kill a demi-god can also steal their essence in order to rise to demi-god status. Demi-gods are immortal, though they are able to be killed. And will often already have followers who worship them by the time they reach demi-god status.
Primary Paths of Worship in Adazuri
Although different species and cultural groups choose to worship different pantheons of lesser or demi gods, there are eight major paths that most mortals' follow.
Path of the Circle
Those who follow this path often look to rejoin the First as one. They believe that thoughts and actions are of primary importance and prayer is unnecessary as the First does not intervene. Although the lesser gods may bestow blessings or curses when called upon, only the First determines what happens in the beyond. They believe that souls are reincarnated according to their thoughts and actions and the highest goal is complete their soul's cycle of reincarnation and rejoin the First.
Path of the Communal
Those who follow this path believe the spirits of nature have been granted certain powers and that in order to grow closer to the gods, we must commune and find oneness with nature. The closer we are joined to the plants or animals of nature, the more likely we are to receive greater powers and greater understanding.
Path of the Key
Those who follow this path believe the only god worth worshipping is The First. All other gods are just extremely powerful beings, not gods worthy of worship. Their ultimate goal is to join the Eternal Realm. This path is least likely to believe in the reincarnation of souls. Their goal is to live a right life so that they can be given a key to the Eternal Realm.
Path of the Followers
These followers choose to honor certain gods or pantheons. They believe that actions and prayers to their chosen gods will provide blessings. However, there is no guarantee that the gods will listen. Often followers believe that those living according to their chosen god or gods' beliefs are more likely to be granted greater blessings or a purer rondure.
Path of the Futile
Those who follow the path of the futile believe that there is no point to follow the gods as they will do what they want on a whim. Some may believe the gods are nothing more than super-powered individuals. Death is a fact of life. It is better to dwell on life than what happens after death.
Path of the Pact
Those who follow this path make contracts with lesser and demi gods (including fiends). In doing so, they are bestowed blessings by following the law of the pact or curses by breaking the law of the pact.
Path of the Potential
These followers believe in the divinity within. Though they may have varying beliefs regarding the gods (whether mortals were cursed by gods or gods succeeded on the path of potential) their ultimate goal is to grow the eternal within them so as to become immortal or even gods themselves.
Path of the Wise
These followers believe in honoring those that came before and relying on them for wisdom and blessings. They believe that ancestors reside closest to the realms of the lesser gods. And it is the ancestors who are listening and will offer pleas on their descendents' behalf. These followers pray to their ancestors.
Atheism in Adazuri
There are those who choose not to believe in any of the gods. People in the Futile and Potential Path may be more likely to deny the divinity of the gods. Those that are atheists believe that lesser and demi gods are nothing more than exceptionally powerful spell casters and that any mortal can achieve this level with enough dedication. Atheists may also believe that The First and the Eternals are nothing more than fanciful tales to explain how the world was created.
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