Xomay (Religion)

Polytheistic religion in which the celestial bodies are assigned a corresponding deity to worship. It arose after the Fire out of the belief that people had spurned the heavens and had therefore been punished. In the night time, the gods are believed to be spread out throughout the night sky, while during the day they gather together in the council of the stars, which mortals perceive as the sun (Xomay).
Its origins lie probably in East-Ineas where similar beliefs had existed before the Fire and afterwards quickly spread across the sea into Ayel, where it changed to adopt local beliefs (for example a number of aylian deities were subject to name changes, but otherwise remained almost the same). Xomay beliefs were quickly adopted by the Aylian government, citing the similarities of the Council of the Stars with its republican system. Similarly, when Xakuma became independent from the Hoccan Empire, the new government explicitly saw itself as an earthly representative of the gods (their leader's name "Kaye" translates to "child of Ye", the mother of all the gods).
Common iconography include depictions of the night sky, a divided circle (representing day and night) and the colour purple.
Today, it is the state religion of the Kingdom of Ayel and Xakuma, common in the Realm of Yane and practiced by a minority in the Hoccan Empire.

The most important Xomay deities and concepts

Xomay

The council of the stars, seen on Earth as the sun. Source of light and life.

Xil

The moon. God of creation, water, truth and change. He is the most interested in the inhabitants of the Earth, which is why he appears so big on the night sky. To better observe them, he constantly shifts his form and occasionally does not attend the council of the stars. Often depicted as a young man or boy steering a boat.

Ye

Biggest star on the night sky, mother of all the other gods and the oldest star. Goddess of knowledge, wisdom, architecture and piety. Depicted as a stern bald-headed woman holding a scroll and quill.

Aroya

Triplet sister of Maron and Nalon. Goddess of death, secrets, travel and roads. Depicted as a woman with a veiled face pointing into the distance.

Maron

God of warfare, leadership, and horses. Depicted as an old bearded man with weapon and shield, often riding a horse.

Nalon

God of love, lust, nature and oases. Depicted as a young man holding a frond, sometimes accompanied by a hawk or eagle.

Sere

Twin sister of Lere. Goddess of fire, craft and the desert. Depicted as a woman with burning hair, often holding a hammer or another tool.

Lere

Goddess of the ocean, ships, navigation and music. Depicted as a long-haired woman in wide robes standing in water with open arms.

Exal

God of justice, houses, families and rivers. Depicted as a sitting bald man holding a tablet.

Xaxay

Ye's first child. Genderless entity of darkness and evil, sometimes called the fallen star, only obvservable during solar and lunar eclipses. Seen as the enemy of all things living and the other gods, especially Xil. Rarely personified, if so as a hooded figure without a face.